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

mik wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 11:54 am Original gloss black


Summer 2021 Satin Anthracite (flattered by nicer lighting)


Q4_2025 Matt black with silver rim (definitely not flattered by lighting, and the car needs a wash)

These look excellent and also I 100% appreciate you parking in front of the same tree to provide a constant visual reference.

I therefore complement you on both your rims and your bush.

New tyres and wheel alignment for the Tesla.

The alignment as the fronts had both worn heavily on the inside edge and it was suggested by the MOT dude (who I think was American, maybe one of those lads who came over to work at the USAF base and wound up staying, I didn't get chance to ask him sadly). They were 2.5 years old and the wear was symmetrical, so I was not 100% convinced that the alignment was genuinely out or if Teslas are just heavy and set up with a bit of toe out. You know, for going round corners and that. I was not able to answer this question to my satisfaction via Internet Sleuthing unfortunately.

Did it through Tesla at their new-ish Cambridge service centre. 2 new PS4 tyres and an alignment. Quick service and the odd feeling of paying via apple pay through the Tesla app. Probably a bit more spenny than the local indy but I I think Teslas still give these Fenland boys the heebie-jeebies.

Possibly/probably placebo effect but it does feel like it is riding better.

Stopped in at the modern slavery car wash to make it shiny on the way home.

Explosive Newt wrote:
I therefore complement you on both your rims and your bush.

I shall need to keep a breast of the various rim and bush complements.

Explosive Newt wrote: Thu Nov 13, 2025 11:48 am

mik wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 11:54 am

These look excellent and also I 100% appreciate you parking in front of the same tree to provide a constant visual reference.

I therefore complement you on both your rims and your bush.

It’s broken down and been stuck there like an ornament since the wheels were black aicmfp

Matty wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 10:54 pm 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

Retained value is only a good thing if you sell it while it still has any value

I just struggle with the cost to change when they don’t really offer anything over my mito which is worth probably £2k at the moment. Cooler? Yeh. Maybe a little more economical, maybe a little more fun to drive? I think that’s a Me issue, I don’t place much value in newness

mik wrote: Wed Nov 12, 2025 9:28 pm fitted a set of Vredstein Wintrac Pro +

Run the van version of these on all our works vans. We have a stupidly steep exit ramp from our underground van parking, and when it snows it’s a ballache to clear just to get the vans out. These haul us up all but the steepest section without cleaning the snow