OV9

I was at the tip today and someone in a big van next to me said my car (X5) was far too nice for the tip run! I said thank you, but it definitely isn’t!

Was quite modest load too, mainly just lots of cardboard. It’s carried far bigger, heavier, dirtier loads!

Indeed Harry, using old Beemers for practical stuff FTW



75KG of compost + a passenger + aircon on. Not much of a 'CSL' that day

I did wonder if I got stopped by the police and they asked to look in the boot, if carrying 75kg of compost would make them think I'm using it to grow weed or something, maybe telling them I have a green roof wouldn't help either

@Jobbo can't remember what tyres your M5 has fitted, but Michelin do seem to be making their newer tyres have less and less rim protection these days. Sorry to hear about the kerbing of the alloys and your lugs going floppy

I like using the Z4C for tip runs, especially given you can proper clown car it with things if you're careful.

Looks so stupid emptying it out of black bags and cardboard.

Marv wrote: Sun Jun 21, 2026 9:01 pm @Jobbo can't remember what tyres your M5 has fitted, but Michelin do seem to be making their newer tyres have less and less rim protection these days. Sorry to hear about the kerbing of the alloys and your lugs going floppy

It’s on P Zeroes and they look like they’d give some protection but the rims have bits that project. Very impractical

My frustration and at kerbing alloys is way out of proportion to the issue, so I do feel your pain.

DeskJockey wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2026 1:32 pm Zoe is back home, and my wallet is £912 lighter. For that I have a second-hand compressor, no leaks that he can find, and cold AC. I'm taking it back in a couple of weeks for him to check the levels. It passed a vacuum test, but just to be safe he's checking it again. There is a possibility that the leak is in the internal battery cooling loop, and if that's the case I think it will be Renault's problem as they own the battery.

Aircon is cold and quiet, so obviously now is the time for something else to break. The charging issue has reoccurred twice now. I'm wondering if it is overheating (black car in the sun), but I'll have it checked. Testing by charging it in Eco mode, which makes no sense unless you've got solar panels or some other renewable generation capability. All it does is reduce the rate to 1kW instead of seven. Takes a long time to change, but it hasn't stopped so far.

I can't help with the Zoe I'm afraid, but...

DeskJockey wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 8:44 am ...(black car in the sun)...

I recently bought a black car with a black interior. I've never had that before. Silver/black, or black/cream. Never black/black. I got into it yesterday afternoon and fuuuuuuuucccckkkk.

Fleet update that I didn't bother with - a couple of months ago my wife bought an ID.3 to replace the i3. I don't like it. But she seems very pleased with it.

Jobbo wrote: Sun Jun 21, 2026 9:49 pm

Marv wrote: Sun Jun 21, 2026 9:01 pm @Jobbo can't remember what tyres your M5 has fitted, but Michelin do seem to be making their newer tyres have less and less rim protection these days. Sorry to hear about the kerbing of the alloys and your lugs going floppy

It’s on P Zeroes and they look like they’d give some protection but the rims have bits that project. Very impractical

That is very annoying. There is one width restrictor near here that I avoid going past completely as it is not physically possible to get the RR through without kissing the kerb and I've no desire to see if the 911 will make it through unscathed... Double annoying as obviously the big metal posts are at a normal width but at the base they have kerbs that ingress even further

At least you have the wheel and tyre insurance!

Matty wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 5:15 pm

Gavster wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 1:56 pm Ateca is up for sells, it’s in amazing condition and drives perfectly.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... um=ios-app

I've got a mate this would be perfect for, he's just scrapped his Evoque due to snapped chain, so he was asking about similar cars with a £10k budget. Will email him and ask....he's based in Leeds though and he's a lazy bastard so I'll try and convince him it's worth it.

Just in case anyone is interested in this, the friends and family price is £9,500

Sundayjumper wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 9:16 am fuuuuuuuucccckkkk

if anyone was curious, I’ve just been out to check the temperature inside the car:

I have a South African friend who has some kind of childhood trauma from black leather seats. He buys nice cars but everything has to have cloth seats

I would honestly prefer to have the cloth/alcantara combo that BMW do in lesser models like 1 & 3 Series.

Gavster wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 3:09 pm

Matty wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 5:15 pm

Gavster wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 1:56 pm Ateca is up for sells, it’s in amazing condition and drives perfectly.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... um=ios-app

I've got a mate this would be perfect for, he's just scrapped his Evoque due to snapped chain, so he was asking about similar cars with a £10k budget. Will email him and ask....he's based in Leeds though and he's a lazy bastard so I'll try and convince him it's worth it.

Just in case anyone is interested in this, the friends and family price is £9,500

I've sent him a reminder. Been badgering me about what to buy, hand him a perfect solution and he's radio silent, the bellclapper

Mito Man wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 3:30 pm I have a South African friend who has some kind of impotence from frying his nadsack on black leather seats. He buys nice cars but everything has to have cloth seats

What he doesn't want you to know.

Beany wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 4:46 pm
What he doesn't want you to know.

Hmm, we need a chart for declining fertility rate in men and another chart for the proportion of cars sold with leather/vinyl seats. This could be a scientific breakthrough

Mito Man wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 5:17 pm

Beany wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 4:46 pm
What he doesn't want you to know.

Hmm, we need a chart for declining fertility rate in men and another chart for the proportion of cars sold with leather/vinyl seats. This could be a scientific breakthrough

There could well be a corrleation, the same goes for heated seats for long periods, or using your laptop on your lap for long period. Anything that keeps your nads warm, results in fewer or less active swimmers.

Mini is back following its turbo replacement. Driving great, although my wallet is £1500 lighter.

Collected the Mustang today from Modurstang. VCT solenoid sticking is what caused the issue. Had the cam phasers replaced at the same time as they're prone to failure, plus new painted valve covers. £1400.

Drove the Mustang away and it developed a new issue! A quite severe hunting idle, which wasn't present before and apparently not present during their testing. My luck truly is awful!

So, had to take the car straight back to them, call my partner to come back and collect me (she was already on her way home as she'd dropped me off). Afternoon wasted

That sucks Alex. Keep your chin up!

Hunting idle is often an air leak - hopefully just a hose or whatnot that wasn’t tightened after the other work.

Speaking of VCT solenoids, I got a code for intake cam advance, which is controlled by VANOS, which is controlled by the same solenoid that was playing up when I bought the car, so I guess I should just replace them.

Also need to get the passenger window sorted out, as it's doing the traditional BMW thing of getting stuck and making awful noises (I forget the name of the part but They All Do That Sir).

Also have an MOT upcoming so might as well put some money back into the local economy and let the garage do those one day, then MOT it the next