OV9

Mito Man wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 10:41 am At the end of the day it’s all just a bonus. I used to wash my car with just a bucket of water and watering can and that did an adequate job

No sponge, or cloth

mik wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 11:15 am

Mito Man wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 10:41 am At the end of the day it’s all just a bonus. I used to wash my car with just a bucket of water and watering can and that did an adequate job

No sponge, or cloth

You’ve made me check, I still have all my stuff in the cupboard from 10+ years ago!

I now remember I used 2 mitts, one for the top half of the car and another for the more dirty lower bits. And I think it was 4 trips up and down the elevator to refill the watering can.
I recall trying some of the waterless wash products and they were useless.

JDM spec (yo) front plate removed.

I’ve had a strong dislike for the beaver tooth look for years, these were worse as they had raised gel digits

The delay was in case there were any nasty holes. Juckily there were just two rivnut type fixings in the top which I had to drill out, the bottom of the holder clipped through the lower vents. Also thankfully no previous owners had bodged a plate on with self tappers.

It's people like you doing the lords work tirelessly that should be appreciated more.

1 less Gel plate on the road!!

Dave!

integrale_evo wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 7:07 pm Juckily there were just two rivnut type fixings in the top which I had to drill out

Velly jucky.

Looks much better.

Its also unblocked the obviously critical slot vents on the front bumper so I think you can expect 37.25% improved cooling on track days

Re my small fleet, the Porsche seems to now have no bass output on the sound system whatsoever. There is sound coming out of the door speakers but nothing below upper midrange so both bass drivers seem to be dead. Could be either the amp or the speakers - there are reports online of that happening with both drivers blowing at the same time. Very odd - need to drop Porsche Sidcup an email to get it fixed in Jan...

Smart has flattened its battery for some reason so I now need to jump that off and take it for a drive for half an hour or so. It did have a new battery on it a few years back and gets daily use (albeit school run so small trips), but could be time for a new one. Hopefully it is not a parasitic drain from the dashcam...

I started the Beetle yesterday for the first time since the end of summer.

Originally it was 6v but as is often the case it has been coverted to 12v but the starter motor is still the original 6v one. This results in it being a very enthusiastic high speed starter motor and even when untouched for months it fires up easily. I hope this claim doesn't come back to bite me in the future

My car played a video wishing me a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year yesterday when I was about to get out.. glad to see the data connection is well used

Also, tried the auto park function - did a good job, but bizarrely you leave the gear-lever in reverse even when it straightens up the car by going forward

IanF wrote: Tue Dec 23, 2025 12:54 pm Also, tried the auto park function - did a good job, but bizarrely you leave the gear-lever in reverse even when it straightens up the car by going forward

I'd be careful with that. I had a golf with self-park and it promptly kerbed its alloys against a tall granite kerb.

Early start for a train journey to pick up a new car, it feels like a long time since end of sept when the 5 series went.

It’s the first time I’ve owned a car with different wheel sizes and the first time owning a car with a manual box and an auto handbrake.

MikeHunt wrote: Mon Dec 29, 2025 8:36 am Early start for a train journey to pick up a new car, it feels like a long time since end of sept when the 5 series went.

It’s the first time I’ve owned a car with different wheel sizes and the first time owning a car with a manual box and an auto handbrake.

What have you bought?

Probably easy to guess, 3 litre, turbo, rwd.

BMW of some kind? I'm not fully updated on which ones have staggered wheel setups though.

911!

Dan stole my guess.

992.2 Carrera S ?

dan wrote: Mon Dec 29, 2025 10:22 am911!

Don’t think i could bring myself to spend 6 figure sums unless I win the lottery and if I do win the lottery, I’ll be coming to see you before I pop into Porsche.

DeskJockey is on the scent , sorry to prolong this, but I’ve been on the train since 8am and have another hour to go.

In that case I guess a 3.0 Manuel BMW with an electrical hand breaker.

M2/3/4?

I should be ashamed of myself. Didn't realise the M2 had 19s Front and 20s Rear

Nice purchase, in hindsight I would have had a manual

I did seriously look at the M2 and an MX-5 as well. Totally different cars, but I can’t be the only one with a shortlist like that.

In the end, I managed to grab a cancelled order build slot for one of the last rhd Handschalter Z4s coming into the uk.

I was a big fan when they were announced but too superstitious to own a green car, however towards the end of the run they have allowed other colours to be specced.