MDifficult’s E82 1M Coupe & Ariel Atom 3
Discussion
Another small update to keep things moving along...
The M5 hit another milestone and will be heading off for it's MOT shortly. Fingers crossed for another clean pass
I also finally relented to the nagging at the back of my mind and swapped out the front pre-LCI grills for the post-LCI version. I know some people frown at this sort of thing but they look so much better and basically make my car indistinguishable from a post-LCI apart from the steering wheel and iDrive. Could have been worse - could have put on those godawful tri-colour stripes
Obligatory 'before' shot:
I chose to do the job properly by unbolting the front bumper rather than use the 'Youtube Approved' yank-them-out approach. Took an extra 10 minutes and resulted in some quality skin scrapes but no risk of broken clips.
Job half done:
Bosh!:
With the weather starting to turn, the GP has settled firmly into the role on Saturday/Sunday morning blaster / garage queen. Had some absolutely brilliant run-outs with MrTouring and his new Clio 200 Cup. They make a perfect pair for a run out with their own unique approach to the hardcore hatchback model but unbelievably evenly matched in most respects. The Clio does sound bloody good though
As for the Mini One, well I've found myself borrowing it on more than one occasion. The low power, comfy ride and lack of concern when leaving it in a carpark make it the perfect choice from time to time.
According to the Smart Wheels box that was obligatory with my daughter's insurance, she seems to be doing a good job - nice and smooth and sticking to the speed limits. The only person dragging the smoothness scores down seems to be me! (The box doesn't give you extra points for heel&toeing).
The M5 hit another milestone and will be heading off for it's MOT shortly. Fingers crossed for another clean pass
I also finally relented to the nagging at the back of my mind and swapped out the front pre-LCI grills for the post-LCI version. I know some people frown at this sort of thing but they look so much better and basically make my car indistinguishable from a post-LCI apart from the steering wheel and iDrive. Could have been worse - could have put on those godawful tri-colour stripes
Obligatory 'before' shot:
I chose to do the job properly by unbolting the front bumper rather than use the 'Youtube Approved' yank-them-out approach. Took an extra 10 minutes and resulted in some quality skin scrapes but no risk of broken clips.
Job half done:
Bosh!:
With the weather starting to turn, the GP has settled firmly into the role on Saturday/Sunday morning blaster / garage queen. Had some absolutely brilliant run-outs with MrTouring and his new Clio 200 Cup. They make a perfect pair for a run out with their own unique approach to the hardcore hatchback model but unbelievably evenly matched in most respects. The Clio does sound bloody good though
As for the Mini One, well I've found myself borrowing it on more than one occasion. The low power, comfy ride and lack of concern when leaving it in a carpark make it the perfect choice from time to time.
According to the Smart Wheels box that was obligatory with my daughter's insurance, she seems to be doing a good job - nice and smooth and sticking to the speed limits. The only person dragging the smoothness scores down seems to be me! (The box doesn't give you extra points for heel&toeing).
MDifficult said:
MrTouring said:
Great shot of the GP trying manfully to keep up with the ballistic white tarmac terrorist - that white dot in the distance is it?
Keeping a good distance is all part of generating 'plausible deniability' in case you barrel-rolled it backwards through a hedge 
Berkshire bred said:
Brilliant cars you've got, very lovingly maintained yet driven hard aswell by the sound of it. Looking forward to seeing one of them Sunday. I vote gp.
Nice one, thank you - Looking forward to it myself. I'm keeping an eye on the weather but as long is it's not absolutely filthy wet I'll probably bring the GP. Another little update...
As mentioned by Berkshire Bred I decide to sign myself and MrTouring up for a run-out a couple of weekends ago. With a few days to go a brief look at the weather forecast showed it being little dicey but after much persuasion decided to take the GP anyway.
The 'dicey' weather was in fact Storm Callum which hammered into the Newbury area to perfectly coincide with the run-out, creating Mons-Hoon 2018.
Long story short... we made it to the meeting point in one piece (just) and stuck with the first half of the run-out (just) but after a number of huge aquaplaning moments and weather that only looked to be getting worse, we bailed and headed home down the flooded M4.
Parked up with MrTouring's RS 200 while 'braver-than-me' Berkshire Bred heads off in the background
Waterlogged M4 on the journey home
In other news, the M5 passed it's MOT again with flying colours and the GP's is due imminently. Let's hope it goes better than last year
As mentioned by Berkshire Bred I decide to sign myself and MrTouring up for a run-out a couple of weekends ago. With a few days to go a brief look at the weather forecast showed it being little dicey but after much persuasion decided to take the GP anyway.
The 'dicey' weather was in fact Storm Callum which hammered into the Newbury area to perfectly coincide with the run-out, creating Mons-Hoon 2018.
Long story short... we made it to the meeting point in one piece (just) and stuck with the first half of the run-out (just) but after a number of huge aquaplaning moments and weather that only looked to be getting worse, we bailed and headed home down the flooded M4.
Parked up with MrTouring's RS 200 while 'braver-than-me' Berkshire Bred heads off in the background
Waterlogged M4 on the journey home
In other news, the M5 passed it's MOT again with flying colours and the GP's is due imminently. Let's hope it goes better than last year
So despite me buying the replacement brake parts all the way back in February, the M5 managed to soldier on for another 8k miles to ultimately deliver a superb near 40k miles on the same set of front discs and pads. Servicing and parts may be expensive but it's hard to sniff at that kind of longevity.
But, nothing lasts forever and finally, this happened earlier this month:
Thankfully, as mentioned earlier in the thread, I managed to buy a full set of discs, pads and sensors for a big discount earlier in the year so only needed to pay the labour. Full size tin of Sainsburys ratatouille for scale - they're HUGE:
Turns out the front discs and pads were shot, as were the rear pads (as they're small and the traction control leans on them v.heavily) but the rear discs have plenty of meat left on them - so the replacements go back on the shelf in the garage ready and waiting.
All fitted - finger's crossed for another 40k miles from this set!
In other news - the GP passed it's MOT with flying colours, but only after having to visit a second MOT centre because the first wouldn't risk getting it onto their rollers without ripping off the front bumper. Stupid roller design featured a huge drop-in - clearly designed more for big soft-roaders and SUVs than little tarmac terrorists
Seems the GP will be needing new front tyres soon so I'm debating whether to stick with the Michelins so I can keep the rears - or move the lot over to the OE Kumhos so I can experience the GP in full 's
t-to-a-blanket' mode.
But, nothing lasts forever and finally, this happened earlier this month:
Thankfully, as mentioned earlier in the thread, I managed to buy a full set of discs, pads and sensors for a big discount earlier in the year so only needed to pay the labour. Full size tin of Sainsburys ratatouille for scale - they're HUGE:
Turns out the front discs and pads were shot, as were the rear pads (as they're small and the traction control leans on them v.heavily) but the rear discs have plenty of meat left on them - so the replacements go back on the shelf in the garage ready and waiting.
All fitted - finger's crossed for another 40k miles from this set!
In other news - the GP passed it's MOT with flying colours, but only after having to visit a second MOT centre because the first wouldn't risk getting it onto their rollers without ripping off the front bumper. Stupid roller design featured a huge drop-in - clearly designed more for big soft-roaders and SUVs than little tarmac terrorists
Seems the GP will be needing new front tyres soon so I'm debating whether to stick with the Michelins so I can keep the rears - or move the lot over to the OE Kumhos so I can experience the GP in full 's
t-to-a-blanket' mode. MDifficult said:
All fitted - finger's crossed for another 40k miles from this set!
So, it turns out that crossing my fingers wasn’t enough and, rather than 40k miles the discs managed little over 1.5k before developing a warp that caused a nasty juddering when braking anywhere around 40-70Mph.Whether a manufacturing or fitting fault, both discs and pads were replaced under warranty so the M5 is now on a completely fresh set once again. Fingers (and toes) crossed this time
The GP’s done very little over Christmas (apart from relax in a nice warm garage) but a recent filthy early-morning run-to-the-coast highlighted two things:
1. I will clean a car in almost any weather. This time.. below freezing.
2. It seems I have a single dead LED in my high-level brake light.
At some point I’ll pull the unit apart and see if it’s a weak solder, water ingress or full replacement required (looks like a doddle of a job). Seems a new unit is only £60 and a used replacement only about £30 so thankfully not a big issue.
Speed-Filth...
After a very chilly clean (and yet more neighbour eye-rolls)...
Still debating the options on the GP tyres though. Should I go for the cheaper & more usable option and just replace the front Michelin PSS or replace all-four with the sticky Kumhos as Mini intended? Decisions decisions...
MDifficult said:
Should I go for the cheaper & more usable option and just replace the front Michelin PSS or replace all-four with the sticky Kumhos as Mini intended? Decisions decisions...
Or should you just sell it back to me? 
I'd stick with the PSS (or PS4S now?); apparently the Kumhos don't last long at all.BenLowden said:
Or should you just sell it back to me?
Not quite yet!BenLowden said:
I'd stick with the PSS (or PS4S now?); apparently the Kumhos don't last long at all.
That's very true, but since it's a sunny weekend car I'm only doing about 3k miles a year in it - longevity not a huge issue. Really, it's a debate between using it slightly less but enjoying 'peak' performance. Or using it slightly more at a slightly more subdued performance.
I also appreciate that this is classic 'first-world-problem' and I should just stick any old tyres on it and drive the bloody thing
The GP is looking nice and clean!
As for tyres. The standard v70a (215/40) is a great tyre, imo the only downside is the is it's low profile. It can make fast road driving a little uncomfortable.
Up until last week I was running the R888R (215/45). I'm now running the Cup 2 (again 215/40).
As for tyres. The standard v70a (215/40) is a great tyre, imo the only downside is the is it's low profile. It can make fast road driving a little uncomfortable.
Up until last week I was running the R888R (215/45). I'm now running the Cup 2 (again 215/40).
The1Driver said:
The GP is looking nice and clean!
As for tyres. The standard v70a (215/40) is a great tyre, imo the only downside is the is it's low profile. It can make fast road driving a little uncomfortable.
Up until last week I was running the R888R (215/45). I'm now running the Cup 2 (again 215/40).
Cheers!As for tyres. The standard v70a (215/40) is a great tyre, imo the only downside is the is it's low profile. It can make fast road driving a little uncomfortable.
Up until last week I was running the R888R (215/45). I'm now running the Cup 2 (again 215/40).
I guess in the weather of the last week it’s probably hard to judge, but what’s your view on v70a vs R888R vs Cup 2? Sidewall aside.
Have you ever run MPSS?
Love the before cleaning pic, mine looks just like that at the moment.
And having the same thoughts about tyres as well ...
GP2 tyre comparison, inspired by the Tyre Pervs thread currently running in General Gassing. Yes, I probably am one.
OEM Kumho V70As on FAB, with their lovely squared off profile, versus Michelin PS4 on HOT, allowing plenty of winter fun.
Decisions, decisions ... the former look so good, are super grippy in the dry, rubbish in the wet, noisy, and last less than 5000 miles a set. But I do have a new and unused set tucked away in my garage. And may have a couple of track days coming up in the summer.
Whereas the PS4 have just been all round brilliant for the sort of driving I do; road trips and early morning fun. Excellent grip and traction even when it's cold and wet, and much better ride quality as well. Been able to really enjoy the car into the winter, which hasn't been the case before. Front tread is getting a bit low now, and will need a new pair in the next couple of months. But then I have done 12000 miles on them since May, and a lot of those enthusiastically driven miles as well. Which seems like a good balance for a car like the GP, the Kumho KU39s I had on before were just too hard and long lasting for a grippy, fun car.
And having the same thoughts about tyres as well ...
GP2 tyre comparison, inspired by the Tyre Pervs thread currently running in General Gassing. Yes, I probably am one.
OEM Kumho V70As on FAB, with their lovely squared off profile, versus Michelin PS4 on HOT, allowing plenty of winter fun.
Decisions, decisions ... the former look so good, are super grippy in the dry, rubbish in the wet, noisy, and last less than 5000 miles a set. But I do have a new and unused set tucked away in my garage. And may have a couple of track days coming up in the summer.
Whereas the PS4 have just been all round brilliant for the sort of driving I do; road trips and early morning fun. Excellent grip and traction even when it's cold and wet, and much better ride quality as well. Been able to really enjoy the car into the winter, which hasn't been the case before. Front tread is getting a bit low now, and will need a new pair in the next couple of months. But then I have done 12000 miles on them since May, and a lot of those enthusiastically driven miles as well. Which seems like a good balance for a car like the GP, the Kumho KU39s I had on before were just too hard and long lasting for a grippy, fun car.
Hey Neil, glad to see you’re still enjoying the car - you must be sticking on miles faster than just about anyone else!
I think I’ll nip out and measure the tread on the rears. If they’re hardly worn then I’ll go MPSS on the front to keep same on both ends. If they’re on the way out, I’ll try the Kumhos all-round just this once
I think I’ll nip out and measure the tread on the rears. If they’re hardly worn then I’ll go MPSS on the front to keep same on both ends. If they’re on the way out, I’ll try the Kumhos all-round just this once
MDifficult said:
Cheers!
I guess in the weather of the last week it’s probably hard to judge, but what’s your view on v70a vs R888R vs Cup 2? Sidewall aside.
Have you ever run MPSS?
v70a - Apart from the slightly bumpy ride. I cant really fault this tyre. Good on both the road and track!I guess in the weather of the last week it’s probably hard to judge, but what’s your view on v70a vs R888R vs Cup 2? Sidewall aside.
Have you ever run MPSS?
R888R - Love the softer ride. Hate the tyre roar (its loud). Grip levels are as you'd expect... Great. What surprised me most about this tyre was how good it was at a soaking wet silverstone.
Cup 2 - I've yet to go on track with these yet. Good news is that there is no more tyre roar
I was running AD08Rs on my Clio as they supposedly are a great all rounder, but frankly they're terrible in the wet. I aquaplaned across two lanes on the M25 last year, luckily it was pretty empty! I know they're a different tyre to the R888/R888R but I'd be hesitant to go down that route, especially as you don't take it on track. Can't go wrong with Michelin, incredible all rounder and stand up pretty well on track too if you are tempted
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