The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)
Discussion
Tiglon said:
Gordon Hill said:
bearman68 said:
Gordon Hill said:
So small, cheap to fix, simple petrol engined, if it does go wrong then it costs a shilling to put right is the way forward for stress free shedding, just not that 3 cylinder engine, you can't possibly derive any enjoyment from it.
Haha, I know you are not keen on the 3 cylinder petrol engine in the C1. But I don't generally drive them, so it makes little difference to me. I did have one for a few months as I was test driving it, and it was OK IMO. It was quite torquey and powerful, and sipped the fuel, though it did have the 3 cylinder vibration, and the 'I'm missing a cylinder' noise. And they do tend to use oil. But the car is a very decent ownership package. Small, cheap as chips, practical, and drive OK, as well as being reliable, and surprisingly tough, as well as cheap to repair. Could be much worse.
The first time that I drove it was when she dropped it off for a service, I had a few days off work so the sprogs had decided that I should fill my time laying on the floor working on their cars. I honestly thought when I took it back to her there was something wrong with it, terrible idle and the noise, oh my word.
I thought that may be a one off until my son left his Dacia Sandero Stepway with me for a month while he was away in Turkey. It has the 0.9, 3 cylinder engine, he told me to use it every day to keep it ticking over so I used it to get to work for a week. For the next 3 weeks it didn't move, I gave up, hated every yard that I drove in the wretched thing.
At the time I had a humble Pug 206 1.1, in comparison it was like driving a Merc, so smooth and serene. So if you just need reliable transport that's as cheap as chips to run and won't need money throwing at it they're great, but to avoid tooth pain and headache you need 4 cylinders and above, that my opinion for what it's worth.
A lot of the time it was more pleasant to drive than the straight six BMW.
Edited by biggbn on Thursday 22 February 18:22
biggbn said:
Tiglon said:
Gordon Hill said:
bearman68 said:
Gordon Hill said:
So small, cheap to fix, simple petrol engined, if it does go wrong then it costs a shilling to put right is the way forward for stress free shedding, just not that 3 cylinder engine, you can't possibly derive any enjoyment from it.
Haha, I know you are not keen on the 3 cylinder petrol engine in the C1. But I don't generally drive them, so it makes little difference to me. I did have one for a few months as I was test driving it, and it was OK IMO. It was quite torquey and powerful, and sipped the fuel, though it did have the 3 cylinder vibration, and the 'I'm missing a cylinder' noise. And they do tend to use oil. But the car is a very decent ownership package. Small, cheap as chips, practical, and drive OK, as well as being reliable, and surprisingly tough, as well as cheap to repair. Could be much worse.
The first time that I drove it was when she dropped it off for a service, I had a few days off work so the sprogs had decided that I should fill my time laying on the floor working on their cars. I honestly thought when I took it back to her there was something wrong with it, terrible idle and the noise, oh my word.
I thought that may be a one off until my son left his Dacia Sandero Stepway with me for a month while he was away in Turkey. It has the 0.9, 3 cylinder engine, he told me to use it every day to keep it ticking over so I used it to get to work for a week. For the next 3 weeks it didn't move, I gave up, hated every yard that I drove in the wretched thing.
At the time I had a humble Pug 206 1.1, in comparison it was like driving a Merc, so smooth and serene. So if you just need reliable transport that's as cheap as chips to run and won't need money throwing at it they're great, but to avoid tooth pain and headache you need 4 cylinders and above, that my opinion for what it's worth.
A lot of the time it was more pleasant to drive than the straight six BMW.
Edited by biggbn on Thursday 22 February 18:22
Edited by Gordon Hill on Thursday 22 February 18:43
Tiglon said:
Have you driven one of the Ford 3 cylinder engines? I had one in a Focus for 4 years and 60,000 miles. Plenty torquey enough, I actually almost enjoyed the sound, and the engine didn't have a single fault in that time, despite not showing it any of the mechanical sympathy or maintenance/servicing that I do my other cars.
A lot of the time it was more pleasant to drive than the straight six BMW.
It also depreciated less than £1,000 during that time and mileage, but that's as much luck with timing and covid etc than anything else.
Yeah, I've just recently returned from a month + in New Zealand. We did 5,000 miles or so in a Puma. You know, the one with the electronic gramdmother sitting there shouting at you because you want to drive it, and the auto' 'box which tries not to allow that. I didn't like it much - harsh suspension, but still wobbled on the corners, a very dim auto' 'box, far far too many 'safety' aids. BUT. Comfy seats, and the 3 cylinder turbo was great. Most of the time smooth and quiet, and went well, as well as being frugal (but it was a hybrid). So overall, hate the car, love the engine. A lot of the time it was more pleasant to drive than the straight six BMW.
It also depreciated less than £1,000 during that time and mileage, but that's as much luck with timing and covid etc than anything else.
Gordon Hill said:
biggbn said:
Tiglon said:
Gordon Hill said:
bearman68 said:
Gordon Hill said:
So small, cheap to fix, simple petrol engined, if it does go wrong then it costs a shilling to put right is the way forward for stress free shedding, just not that 3 cylinder engine, you can't possibly derive any enjoyment from it.
Haha, I know you are not keen on the 3 cylinder petrol engine in the C1. But I don't generally drive them, so it makes little difference to me. I did have one for a few months as I was test driving it, and it was OK IMO. It was quite torquey and powerful, and sipped the fuel, though it did have the 3 cylinder vibration, and the 'I'm missing a cylinder' noise. And they do tend to use oil. But the car is a very decent ownership package. Small, cheap as chips, practical, and drive OK, as well as being reliable, and surprisingly tough, as well as cheap to repair. Could be much worse.
The first time that I drove it was when she dropped it off for a service, I had a few days off work so the sprogs had decided that I should fill my time laying on the floor working on their cars. I honestly thought when I took it back to her there was something wrong with it, terrible idle and the noise, oh my word.
I thought that may be a one off until my son left his Dacia Sandero Stepway with me for a month while he was away in Turkey. It has the 0.9, 3 cylinder engine, he told me to use it every day to keep it ticking over so I used it to get to work for a week. For the next 3 weeks it didn't move, I gave up, hated every yard that I drove in the wretched thing.
At the time I had a humble Pug 206 1.1, in comparison it was like driving a Merc, so smooth and serene. So if you just need reliable transport that's as cheap as chips to run and won't need money throwing at it they're great, but to avoid tooth pain and headache you need 4 cylinders and above, that my opinion for what it's worth.
A lot of the time it was more pleasant to drive than the straight six BMW.
Edited by biggbn on Thursday 22 February 18:22
Tiglon said:
Gordon Hill said:
biggbn said:
Tiglon said:
Gordon Hill said:
bearman68 said:
Gordon Hill said:
So small, cheap to fix, simple petrol engined, if it does go wrong then it costs a shilling to put right is the way forward for stress free shedding, just not that 3 cylinder engine, you can't possibly derive any enjoyment from it.
Haha, I know you are not keen on the 3 cylinder petrol engine in the C1. But I don't generally drive them, so it makes little difference to me. I did have one for a few months as I was test driving it, and it was OK IMO. It was quite torquey and powerful, and sipped the fuel, though it did have the 3 cylinder vibration, and the 'I'm missing a cylinder' noise. And they do tend to use oil. But the car is a very decent ownership package. Small, cheap as chips, practical, and drive OK, as well as being reliable, and surprisingly tough, as well as cheap to repair. Could be much worse.
The first time that I drove it was when she dropped it off for a service, I had a few days off work so the sprogs had decided that I should fill my time laying on the floor working on their cars. I honestly thought when I took it back to her there was something wrong with it, terrible idle and the noise, oh my word.
I thought that may be a one off until my son left his Dacia Sandero Stepway with me for a month while he was away in Turkey. It has the 0.9, 3 cylinder engine, he told me to use it every day to keep it ticking over so I used it to get to work for a week. For the next 3 weeks it didn't move, I gave up, hated every yard that I drove in the wretched thing.
At the time I had a humble Pug 206 1.1, in comparison it was like driving a Merc, so smooth and serene. So if you just need reliable transport that's as cheap as chips to run and won't need money throwing at it they're great, but to avoid tooth pain and headache you need 4 cylinders and above, that my opinion for what it's worth.
A lot of the time it was more pleasant to drive than the straight six BMW.
Edited by biggbn on Thursday 22 February 18:22
Edited by Gordon Hill on Thursday 22 February 18:47
I couldn't agree more!
I had an F56 Mini Cooper as a courtesy car a few years ago. The 3 cylinder turbo petrol engine sounded like a diesel, had minimal low-down torque and high gearing so had to be revved to get any decent forward motion. Mrs Tidy's R56 Cooper drove so much better.
I took it back to collect my petrol straight 6 BMW that felt sublime!
I had an F56 Mini Cooper as a courtesy car a few years ago. The 3 cylinder turbo petrol engine sounded like a diesel, had minimal low-down torque and high gearing so had to be revved to get any decent forward motion. Mrs Tidy's R56 Cooper drove so much better.
I took it back to collect my petrol straight 6 BMW that felt sublime!
Its funny how these 3 Cyl engines divide opinion so much. My daughter's Smart 4-2 has the 1 litre Mercedes turbo. Only 85 BHP but I like the offbeat noise and it doesnt want for low down shove. I've always been impressed too whenever I have been a passenger in one of my friend's Mk7 Fiesta Ecoboosts. For a 99BHP car they seem to pull pretty well with a couple of passengers on board. Little bit of lag low down admittedly, but decent overtaking punch in 3rd gear between 50 and 70 when you need it. I'd definitely take a 3 pot over some of the coarse and bland sounding 4 cylinder petrols I have driven and owned!
Almost like it's a matter of personal preference, isn't it...
My 3pot Ford was definitely better than the 4pot 2010 mini the Mrs had at the same time. So much more torque due to the turbo and had to be revved a lot less to get anywhere.
In fairness, on the comparison with the straight six, it's probably more the other features of the car that made it more pleasant at times rather than the engine, but having so little weight at the front definitely makes a car more fun to chuck around. Also 125bhp is a lot more usable than 360bhp, in the south of England - easy to feel like you're really going for it, whereas with the straight six it always feels like you're having to hold it back.
My 3pot Ford was definitely better than the 4pot 2010 mini the Mrs had at the same time. So much more torque due to the turbo and had to be revved a lot less to get anywhere.
In fairness, on the comparison with the straight six, it's probably more the other features of the car that made it more pleasant at times rather than the engine, but having so little weight at the front definitely makes a car more fun to chuck around. Also 125bhp is a lot more usable than 360bhp, in the south of England - easy to feel like you're really going for it, whereas with the straight six it always feels like you're having to hold it back.
Tiglon said:
Almost like it's a matter of personal preference, isn't it...
My 3pot Ford was definitely better than the 4pot 2010 mini the Mrs had at the same time. So much more torque due to the turbo and had to be revved a lot less to get anywhere.
In fairness, on the comparison with the straight six, it's probably more the other features of the car that made it more pleasant at times rather than the engine, but having so little weight at the front definitely makes a car more fun to chuck around. Also 125bhp is a lot more usable than 360bhp, in the south of England - easy to feel like you're really going for it, whereas with the straight six it always feels like you're having to hold it back.
I get shot down in flames for this on other threads, and i know we are all petrolheads. My 3pot Ford was definitely better than the 4pot 2010 mini the Mrs had at the same time. So much more torque due to the turbo and had to be revved a lot less to get anywhere.
In fairness, on the comparison with the straight six, it's probably more the other features of the car that made it more pleasant at times rather than the engine, but having so little weight at the front definitely makes a car more fun to chuck around. Also 125bhp is a lot more usable than 360bhp, in the south of England - easy to feel like you're really going for it, whereas with the straight six it always feels like you're having to hold it back.
But I am less and less able these days to understand the fixation of some of our number with having to tie up huge sums of (often company) money because they have to have the most powerful version of the latest German performance saloon as their daily drive.
Is this because their ego demands it?
500-600 bhp, on roads within 75 miles of London, seems to me to be a total anachronism. It's not as if you can use much of it without losing your licence in pretty short order. And most of them would never dream of taking the car on a race track or similar where they can use the power.
I had a client who had an Audi RS6. 503 bhp, 4 litre twin turbo I think it was. In his case it was definitely for bragging rights, as he never used the power.
Cost his company a limb or two to service and insure, and depreciated pretty quickly from the £83k he paid for it due to the mileage he did visiting building sites, where it caused a lot of bad feeling among the sub-contractors he had tied down on price while pleading poverty.
Tiglon said:
Almost like it's a matter of personal preference, isn't it...
My 3pot Ford was definitely better than the 4pot 2010 mini the Mrs had at the same time. So much more torque due to the turbo and had to be revved a lot less to get anywhere.
In fairness, on the comparison with the straight six, it's probably more the other features of the car that made it more pleasant at times rather than the engine, but having so little weight at the front definitely makes a car more fun to chuck around. Also 125bhp is a lot more usable than 360bhp, in the south of England - easy to feel like you're really going for it, whereas with the straight six it always feels like you're having to hold it back.
Funny you say this, but I have often thought that the 125PS Fiesta Ecoboost is just about the perfect car for the UK. It will sit at all day at 80MPH on the motorway, accelerates well to that speed, rides well (in non ST Line form), has space for 4 and a bit of luggage and is ideally sized for your typical country road. Only thing that has put me off actually buying one is the reputation of the engine itself for borking. But that aside, why Ford decided in their wisdom to discontinue their best car is beyond meMy 3pot Ford was definitely better than the 4pot 2010 mini the Mrs had at the same time. So much more torque due to the turbo and had to be revved a lot less to get anywhere.
In fairness, on the comparison with the straight six, it's probably more the other features of the car that made it more pleasant at times rather than the engine, but having so little weight at the front definitely makes a car more fun to chuck around. Also 125bhp is a lot more usable than 360bhp, in the south of England - easy to feel like you're really going for it, whereas with the straight six it always feels like you're having to hold it back.
The downside of running an old shed, its a bit knackered 
I have another oil leak
the coil pack went the other day so had that and spark plugs replaced, the exhaust needs replacing soon along with brakes which are both unavoidable really but could do without it. To top it off, all yesterday i just wanted to get home, got to to the carpark and my tyre is flat as a pancake and so is the spare. I had to walk and get an RAC inflater from b&m 
Had the tyre replaced along with the nearside so thats 2 of the finest part worns on the front now
1 is a toyo tbf, check me out 
I have another oil leak
the coil pack went the other day so had that and spark plugs replaced, the exhaust needs replacing soon along with brakes which are both unavoidable really but could do without it. To top it off, all yesterday i just wanted to get home, got to to the carpark and my tyre is flat as a pancake and so is the spare. I had to walk and get an RAC inflater from b&m Had the tyre replaced along with the nearside so thats 2 of the finest part worns on the front now
1 is a toyo tbf, check me out bearman68 said:
Because they could make more money building a Puma (I still grate at the name), despite it being probably a worse car.
I know I probably sound like a broken record, but...Can confirm it isn't. More comfortable, more space, still pin sharp handling and good performance. Loved them since launch, having one in the family, has not disappointed. Every time I drive it, I'm reminded of my favourite car if all time - the MK1 Focus. Much more of a fun and eager driving experience than the Mini JCW it replaced.
Edited by BenS94 on Saturday 24th February 08:40
Ryyy said:
The downside of running an old shed, its a bit knackered
I have another oil leak the coil pack went the other day so had that and spark plugs replaced, the exhaust needs replacing soon along with brakes which are both unavoidable really but could do without it. To top it off, all yesterday i just wanted to get home, got to to the carpark and my tyre is flat as a pancake and so is the spare. I had to walk and get an RAC inflater from b&m
Had the tyre replaced along with the nearside so thats 2 of the finest part worns on the front now 1 is a toyo tbf, check me out
Only wear n' tear, keep on shedding! I have another oil leak
the coil pack went the other day so had that and spark plugs replaced, the exhaust needs replacing soon along with brakes which are both unavoidable really but could do without it. To top it off, all yesterday i just wanted to get home, got to to the carpark and my tyre is flat as a pancake and so is the spare. I had to walk and get an RAC inflater from b&m Had the tyre replaced along with the nearside so thats 2 of the finest part worns on the front now
1 is a toyo tbf, check me out BenS94 said:
I know I probably sound like a broken record, but...
Can confirm it isn't. More comfortable, more space, still pin sharp handling and good performance. Loved them since launch, having one in the family, has not disappointed. Every time I drive it, I'm reminded of my favourite car if all time - the MK1 Focus. Much more of a fun and eager driving experience than the Mini JCW it replaced.
I'd disagree with you on that one. Mk1 Focus or a Puma? The Puma isn't even in the same country. Can confirm it isn't. More comfortable, more space, still pin sharp handling and good performance. Loved them since launch, having one in the family, has not disappointed. Every time I drive it, I'm reminded of my favourite car if all time - the MK1 Focus. Much more of a fun and eager driving experience than the Mini JCW it replaced.
Edited by BenS94 on Saturday 24th February 08:40
The one I had was an ST, and I thought it barely adequate, with a long list of compromises. By comparison, the Mk1 focus I had as a hire car lead me to buy 1, and then in later years run several in the fleet. I think the Mk1 Focus is and was a superb bit of kit. Ideally with a bit bigger engine than the 1.6 for me.
bearman68 said:
BenS94 said:
I know I probably sound like a broken record, but...
Can confirm it isn't. More comfortable, more space, still pin sharp handling and good performance. Loved them since launch, having one in the family, has not disappointed. Every time I drive it, I'm reminded of my favourite car if all time - the MK1 Focus. Much more of a fun and eager driving experience than the Mini JCW it replaced.
I'd disagree with you on that one. Mk1 Focus or a Puma? The Puma isn't even in the same country. Can confirm it isn't. More comfortable, more space, still pin sharp handling and good performance. Loved them since launch, having one in the family, has not disappointed. Every time I drive it, I'm reminded of my favourite car if all time - the MK1 Focus. Much more of a fun and eager driving experience than the Mini JCW it replaced.
Edited by BenS94 on Saturday 24th February 08:40
The one I had was an ST, and I thought it barely adequate, with a long list of compromises. By comparison, the Mk1 focus I had as a hire car lead me to buy 1, and then in later years run several in the fleet. I think the Mk1 Focus is and was a superb bit of kit. Ideally with a bit bigger engine than the 1.6 for me.
A great week for me.
My horn fell off on a main road! I did stop traffic and retrieve it though as it would have caused many puctures otherwise. Luckily a new horn is only a fiver.
I'm still plagued with many water leaks inside the car. In the drivers footwear, under the rear passenger seat
And I have an increasingly manky headlining. Bit mouldy and manky. Need to sort that in the summer!
My horn fell off on a main road! I did stop traffic and retrieve it though as it would have caused many puctures otherwise. Luckily a new horn is only a fiver.
I'm still plagued with many water leaks inside the car. In the drivers footwear, under the rear passenger seat
And I have an increasingly manky headlining. Bit mouldy and manky. Need to sort that in the summer!
Sheddy V50 disgraced itself on Thursday when the wipers decided to embrace halfway up the screen. Duly untangled them and drove home with the drivers side working only, in full DTM tribute.
Today, set about a repair... along with MOT prep. Wrestled the scuttle cover off with scant disregard for the breaky clips then unbolted the linkage. One rod had popped off the ball socket as the top rubber grommet had detached itself. It reattached itself with some Screwfix own brand Araldite. Fixed.
Then, only six years after saying I would, I swapped all the nasty Ford derived OEM nonsense wheel nuts which have that stupid thing alloy cover, which makes them 19.5mm an an arse to remove once they distort and swell. I sacrificed four 19mm sockets in the process having melted them on to said nuts with a sledgehammer. It now sports 20 new, none crap 19mm nuts... £20.99 delivered.
Put a new rear inner sidelight bulb in the NSR cluster, hoovered some crap out the boot and checked the oil for the first time since about 2021. Didn't need any topped up. I'll chalk that up as the 2024 major service completed and fill in the book with my 3yr olds Peppa Pig stamp.
Wife will have it at work tomorrow, but it's her last day and with that it's regular, once a week, 5 mile commute will be no more. MOT on Thursday though.
She'll be 'reet... especially after my fastidious prep work.
Today, set about a repair... along with MOT prep. Wrestled the scuttle cover off with scant disregard for the breaky clips then unbolted the linkage. One rod had popped off the ball socket as the top rubber grommet had detached itself. It reattached itself with some Screwfix own brand Araldite. Fixed.
Then, only six years after saying I would, I swapped all the nasty Ford derived OEM nonsense wheel nuts which have that stupid thing alloy cover, which makes them 19.5mm an an arse to remove once they distort and swell. I sacrificed four 19mm sockets in the process having melted them on to said nuts with a sledgehammer. It now sports 20 new, none crap 19mm nuts... £20.99 delivered.
Put a new rear inner sidelight bulb in the NSR cluster, hoovered some crap out the boot and checked the oil for the first time since about 2021. Didn't need any topped up. I'll chalk that up as the 2024 major service completed and fill in the book with my 3yr olds Peppa Pig stamp.
Wife will have it at work tomorrow, but it's her last day and with that it's regular, once a week, 5 mile commute will be no more. MOT on Thursday though.
She'll be 'reet... especially after my fastidious prep work.
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