OV9

128Ti dropped at the bodyshop today to get the arse fixed after the hit and run in Costco.

Beany wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 12:39 pm

jamcg wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 12:37 pm Parcel shelf in the Puma is rubbish aswell, has two string pick up fixings and clips into the tailgate itsfelf. Always falling out of the clips, to the point I put a screw in front of them to keep it in permanently. There’s a few things on this car like that where you look at and shout “WHY?????”

They kept that from the Mk1, got to have something in common with it. Does it also absolutely destroy front lower arm bushes?

Time will tell. Hopefully it won’t rust like a mk1

Watch those rear arches...and the rear suspension mounting points, oof, the pain, the pain.

E46 load cover was great, although completely manual. It had a retractable dog net in the top.

Fold the rear seats, remove the cover, slide it into a rail on the seat back now you can lift the dog net to stop all the big crap you’ve just chucked in the back from whacking you on the head.

A feature I miss on the e53 where the dog net is a completely separate thing you have to fold up and stick in a bag when not in use, and the load cover gets chucked across the rear footwell.

I felt like having a hassle free daily for a while, so ordered an Abarth 600e on a favourable lease deal last week. Haven't even seen on in person despite them being out for a year, but I'm sure it will be fine for my needs.
Evo rated it at launch - https://www.evo.co.uk/abarth/600e

Seen loads of the fiat 600, and one or two abarths, they’re not a bad looking thing. Did you get the bright yellow or purple?

Jimexpl wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 6:56 am I felt like having a hassle free daily for a while, so ordered an Abarth 600e on a favourable lease deal last week. Haven't even seen on in person despite them being out for a year, but I'm sure it will be fine for my needs.
Evo rated it at launch - https://www.evo.co.uk/abarth/600e

I saw those at super cheap. Be interesting to hear what it's like. 260bhp and looks decent imo so that's a good start at least.

JonMad wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 9:47 am

Jimexpl wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 6:56 am I felt like having a hassle free daily for a while, so ordered an Abarth 600e on a favourable lease deal last week. Haven't even seen on in person despite them being out for a year, but I'm sure it will be fine for my needs.
Evo rated it at launch - https://www.evo.co.uk/abarth/600e

I saw those at super cheap. Be interesting to hear what it's like. 260bhp and looks decent imo so that's a good start at least.

The power and weight of an E91 330i

Skoda is in to find out where it's leaking coolant from. No mayo in the cap and until recently no evidence on the driveway. Prime suspect is therefore the waterpump, which the EA888 is known for. It's located under the throttle body at the front of the engine so is almost impossible to see unless you've got a mirror on a stick.

jamcg wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 7:38 am Seen loads of the fiat 600, and one or two abarths, they’re not a bad looking thing. Did you get the bright yellow or purple?

White, as it was the free option and I'll never own it! It'll be interesting to see if a resonably powerful FWD electric car with an LSD is genuinely fun to drive, but for the most part it will be averaging 8mph in central London.

A lot of the areas I park in now have a £4.26 per hour surcharge for either of my BMWs (up to nearly £15 per hour in parts of Islington!), and the saving will be the same as the monthly cost (including insurance) of the Abarth, so it's basically a free car!

Surprised it took you this long to buy an EV when you’re based in London. You’ve missed out on the days of free parking!

IanF wrote: Fri May 15, 2026 7:20 pm

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri May 15, 2026 5:47 pmFinished it off today and took it for test drive. Successful trip - I was able to buy paella, beer, nuts, and some brioche for tomorrow.

Drove near you today but couldn’t find your number in my phone.. we need to organise a meet with Jon (and anyone else obvs)

If (/when) I feel confident it's not going to crap itself, I was thinking I should take it down to Surrey Rolling Road (confusingly, in Farnborough) for a power run to see if it's behaving. Mini-meet and a Costco hotdog.

Swervin_Mervin wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 10:59 am Skoda is in to find out where it's leaking coolant from. No mayo in the cap and until recently no evidence on the driveway. Prime suspect is therefore the waterpump, which the EA888 is known for. It's located under the throttle body at the front of the engine so is almost impossible to see unless you've got a mirror on a stick.

The verdict is in. Waterpump/stat housing. And it's not a cheap job. A snip at £825 + VAT.

Fuckin' oof.

Guess half the engine needs removing to get access, which is <ouch> hours at £<fuck me>/hr

Beany wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 9:24 pm Fuckin' oof.

Guess half the engine needs removing to get access, which is <ouch> hours at £<fuck me>/hr

It's half a day. Book job is inlet manifold off, but this place apparently go from underneath (same as a vid I saw on YT of a Kiwi doing it). Part is best part of £500 I think.

It's fan out, a load of hoses off, airbox out, throttle body off. Doesn't look difficult per se - just fiddly and awkward.

Mito Man wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 11:31 am Surprised it took you this long to buy an EV when you’re based in London. You’ve missed out on the days of free parking!

Clearly a van driver thought the same today and decided to modify the current city car and drive off without leaving a note…

Jimexpl wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 9:54 pm
Clearly a van driver thought the same today and decided to modify the current city car and drive off without leaving a note…

Aaargh. So frustrating.

Unfortunately - have been there.

Bastard. Is it just the wing which is dented? Wonder how easy it would be to find a wing in the right colour.

Cvnts

Jobbo wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 10:04 pm Bastard. Is it just the wing which is dented? Wonder how easy it would be to find a wing in the right colour.

Speaking from very recent experience, not that tricky. There's plenty out there. Main thing is finding one that's in decent enough condition.

I've still to fit mine

Jobbo wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 10:04 pm Bastard. Is it just the wing which is dented? Wonder how easy it would be to find a wing in the right colour.

It’s pushed the headlight in slightly and just caught the bonnet, paint off the bumper and the wheel has taken a whack. The car was parked parallel with the kerb and the nsf wheel is now slightly over it, so it wasn’t a light hit!

A flat overlooking it took the van reg number, which matches the date stamp and make on the wheel trim remains, so I’ll try going through insurance - I don’t need another project car at the moment!