OV9

mik wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 1:02 pm @DeskJockey Yes - I really need to sort my shizzle out.

Image of one of the Evora GT430's for referentials.

For inspiration I shall mention the beautiful Jag XE I saw the other day. Metallic purple (wrap?) with yellow detailing, a big wing, matching wheels and yellow Alloygators. Obviously it was a 2.0d. maybe let such dramatic flair guide you?

You have a nice rim.

integrale_evo wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:58 pm No, they’re fixed. Not sure if it was an option on the 3 door.

I liked it more than I expected. Good honest back to basics motoring. Has ac, electric windows & mirrors, abs & traction control and that’s about it. No warning bings and bongs, economy indicators, sports modes, auto lights or wipers. And I don’t mind that at all.

It's why I like mine. It's just basic motoring, but still has "stuff" that's useful like climate control and heated seats....and dirt cheap to run. There's a reason I've owned mine for 6 years when nothing else has lasted past 2 years.

DeskJockey wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 12:59 pm That looks very good. However, I note the disturbing lack of white lettering on the tyres.

Mik needs to up his game. This is how it's done.

Matty wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 1:46 pm

DeskJockey wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 12:59 pm That looks very good. However, I note the disturbing lack of white lettering on the tyres.

Mik needs to up his game. This is how it's done.

Do it like Lightning McQueen!

Forgot to say - I got a message mid-refurb that the stems of my TPMS sensors were badly corroded and he'd need to replace them. I was a bit surprised - told him that new TPMS were fitted 4.5 years ago during the last refurb and all have been good (in terms of signal provided to the car). He confirmed that the issue was the valve stems as opposed to the sensors. A bit pissed off I asked if could replace these. Yep. I was expecting that I'd need to eat an additional charge for 4 new TPMS, but he changed the stems only > £8 per wheel for new shiney shineys

I didn't actually realise you could just replace the TPMS valve stems on their own......

mik wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 3:45 pm Forgot to say - I got a message mid-refurb that the stems of my TPMS sensors were badly corroded and he'd need to replace them. I was a bit surprised - told him that new TPMS were fitted 4.5 years ago during the last refurb and all have been good (in terms of signal provided to the car). He confirmed that the issue was the valve stems as opposed to the sensors. A bit pissed off I asked if could replace these. Yep. I was expecting that I'd need to eat an additional charge for 4 new TPMS, but he changed the stems only > £8 per wheel for new shiney shineys

I didn't actually realise you could just replace the TPMS valve stems on their own......

I assume the batteries must be in the stems then.... I've learned something today. Seems obvious they'd be designed that way and I am further leaning towards them being useful. Yes, I know the cooler weather triggered them in two of our cars but that did mean they could do with a winter top-up.

Took the Ateca in for a service, as I’ve had it for a year now. Same workshop as the previous owner which is a nice bit of continuity. They suggested changing brake fluid too, I said yes. They serviced it while I sat and did some work, then I paid and drove home.

As a reliable, pratical, mid-range SUV with best in class handling it’s boringly good.

Mito Man wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 1:10 pm You have a nice rim.

This. Very nice Mik

i like the full anthracite best, but the silver rim also looks good. I agree the gloss black doesn’t really work!

I was hoping to see all silver

Dave!

mik wrote: Wed Oct 08, 2025 11:04 pm
Mrs mik has trimmed the wheels on her E-Tron to the point that they NEED a refurb. I was casually browsing and spotted replicas of her OEM wheels in black (as opposed to silver) for a good price, so went for it. Had the OEM summer tyres swapped onto these - the plan now to get the original wheels refurbed in a single colour (ie not diamond cut) and I have ordered a set of winters for them.


OEM


Reps

And closing out the days refurb activity - as well as the Evora wheels I had the OEM E-Tron wheels done and fitted a set of Vredstein Wintrac Pro + . (Not sure if they reduce the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel in wintery conditions?)

Wasn’t sure what colour/finish she wanted. I advised anything except all-black. I’d convinced her to go all anthracite, so we rolled up to view some samples and decide on matt vs satin vs gloss, and there was a ContiGT outside with fresh black alloys…. at which point she changed her fucking mind

And it’s her car, so matt black it is….

I’m not a great fan, but they are very nicely done, with no sign of the rim gouges there previously. And black will be easier to touch up. Jus sayin.

Matty wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 1:43 pm
It's why I like mine. It's just basic motoring, but still has "stuff" that's useful like climate control and heated seats....and dirt cheap to run. There's a reason I've owned mine for 6 years when nothing else has lasted past 2 years.

It made me think I’d quite happily have an Up GTi, but they look absurdly expensive to me! Good that they hold their value, but cheapest ones seem to be £10k for a 6 year old 70k mile budget supermini.

I also really hate the facelift rear lights, they look like an awful Temu sticker kit

They are "expensive", but the TCO is in the pennies. And you could sell the rear facelift lights, all the kidz want them for the older cars