OV9

Nice one Jimmy Reminds me that I hate the new style bar graph fuel gauges. Just one pixel of usage in my Volvo is enough to make it look like I've gone from about half a tank left to being close to the low fuel warning.

Volvo update - I have used 664MB of data since September 2018 updating apps and for traffic info on the Sensus thing. That's well within the 200MB/month free 3 SIM card I have in the car. Maps require you to download them to a USB stick to update (still free, but more effort and doesn't use the car's data).

I hate the digital fuel and temp gauges in our clk, would much rather have a pair of small analogue gauges like the BMW dash layout.

integrale_evo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 9:26 am I hate the digital fuel and temp gauges in our clk, would much rather have a pair of small analogue gauges like the BMW dash layout.

I loved the 155 dash. As well as the speedo and tacho, there were gagues for fuel level, oil temp, water temp and fuel pressure (IIRC). There were also many, many, MANY warning lights.

Jobbo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 9:26 am Volvo update - I have used 664MB of data since September 2018 updating apps and for traffic info on the Sensus thing. That's well within the 200MB/month free 3 SIM card I have in the car. Maps require you to download them to a USB stick to update (still free, but more effort and doesn't use the car's data).

Blimey. Have you really had it a year? When is it up for replacement?

I've had the SIM card in it for 13 months - had the car itself since June 2018, so 16 months. It's a 2yr lease so goes next June. Replacement will not be a lease, because I'll be doing far too many miles. Wavering between a Golf GTD, Audi A6 Allroad and BMW 530d xDrive Touring, though pondering various diesels including a V90 D5.

Jobbo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 9:39 am I've had the SIM card in it for 13 months - had the car itself since June 2018, so 16 months. It's a 2yr lease so goes next June. Replacement will not be a lease, because I'll be doing far too many miles. Wavering between a Golf GTD, Audi A6 Allroad and BMW 530d xDrive Touring, though pondering various diesels including a V90 D5.

It always seems wrong when you're not in a 5 series touring. I still think you Drive BLU 520T.

Small warning with regards to connected cars if anyone is buying a used one do a factory reset on it. I can still use my BMW app to check the i3’s location, unlock the doors, make it preheat and drain the battery as well as other things.

Mito Man wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:49 am Small warning with regards to connected cars if anyone is buying a used one do a factory reset on it. I can still use my BMW app to check the i3’s location, unlock the doors, make it preheat and drain the battery as well as other things.

I keep meaning to ask, overall would you recommend an i3 as an appliance for getting about in?

Jimmy Choo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:44 am

Jobbo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 9:39 am I've had the SIM card in it for 13 months - had the car itself since June 2018, so 16 months. It's a 2yr lease so goes next June. Replacement will not be a lease, because I'll be doing far too many miles. Wavering between a Golf GTD, Audi A6 Allroad and BMW 530d xDrive Touring, though pondering various diesels including a V90 D5.

It always seems wrong when you're not in a 5 series touring. I still think you Drive BLU 520T.

To an extent, I regret selling that plate. Although it would almost force me to buy a blue 530d Touring so limiting my choices a bit

Have just bought another cherished reg, not sure what it'll go on yet. The wife has expressed a preference to have J8BSN on her car.

NotoriousREV wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:01 pm

Mito Man wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:49 am Small warning with regards to connected cars if anyone is buying a used one do a factory reset on it. I can still use my BMW app to check the i3’s location, unlock the doors, make it preheat and drain the battery as well as other things.

I keep meaning to ask, overall would you recommend an i3 as an appliance for getting about in?

Yes, if most of your driving fits within its range then it’s pretty excellent hassle free motoring. Steering is a bit too sharp on them which takes getting used when driving faster.

Mito Man wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:49 am Small warning with regards to connected cars if anyone is buying a used one do a factory reset on it. I can still use my BMW app to check the i3’s location, unlock the doors, make it preheat and drain the battery as well as other things.

To a far less extent, my cars sat-nav/infotainment was still programmed with the home address and mobile contacts of the previous owner. I could've had a right laugh with that info.

I should flash the lights and keep activating the horn during Halloween

Jobbo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:08 pm

Jimmy Choo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:44 am
It always seems wrong when you're not in a 5 series touring. I still think you Drive BLU 520T.

To an extent, I regret selling that plate. Although it would almost force me to buy a blue 530d Touring so limiting my choices a bit

Have just bought another cherished reg, not sure what it'll go on yet. The wife has expressed a preference to have J8BSN on her car.

Have you purchased B16 JOB? JD88 SON? LAW 70B?

At the rate she gets through Glaucomas, you might need another plate for Mrs J.

It's N5BOJ - I've got a bit of a thing for keeping the plate as short as possible. Going to keep our eyes open for any interesting 3 or 4 character plates at DVLA auctions too. 4RSE would be great.

AL11 MCB

80OBS

NotoriousREV wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 5:52 pmAL11 MCB

Took me a few seconds!

Rich B wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 8:03 pm

NotoriousREV wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 5:52 pmAL11 MCB

Took me a few seconds!

Oh for fucks sake!

Trailer stuff today. First up, fitting a winch. This had been sitting in the garage for very nearly a year as I’d not needed it and I couldn’t quite picture how to mount it neatly. A phone call from a friend yesterday asking for help retrieving a dead Lotus Elite got me thinking again and as is often the case with these things, once your subconscious has had some time on it, it all falls into place quite easily.


The controls & a 12V battery are out of the way inside the tool box. Ideally I’d have the battery hooked up to the trailer wiring to keep it charged but for occasional use leaving it on trickle charge every now and then is fine.

Next up, a heavy duty bracket for the jockey wheel. Normally it’s bolted to the side of the coupling but that’s not made of particularly thick material so it has quite a bit of flex to it. I knew there must be a better way (without buying a whole new coupling) and eventually I stumbled across this. Less wobbly & closer to the centre line of the trailer too.


Finally, a small thing, but one that had bothered me. The rod that actuates the brakes is just a long piece of M10 studding. It passes through a guide plate but of course, it just wears away both parts. A short sleeve and lashings of grease should keep it moving smoothly.