A car a month for 2020. Idiocy but you love it.
Discussion
The Rover has sold to a PHer who contacted me to express their interest. Should be being collected next weekend!
In the mean time, I've been busy completing the very sensible task of fitting a diesel tuning box to my elderly high mileage car and turning it up to 11.... probably not the best idea.
It did make a considerable difference, mind - the 116bhp 2.0 CDT isn't exactly a thundering powerhouse, and there really is a noticeable increase in power and torque using the Synergy Ronbox tuning box I picked up on eBay from a breakers for a whole £34.
I would worry endlessly about damage to the drivetrain if I were to run it for any length of time though, I think - I'll be turning it off and leaving it up to the new owner to decide how they want to play it. It's only a couple of plugs to remove completely, anyway, but this particular model can be turned off using built in switches, which is nice.
In the mean time, I've been busy completing the very sensible task of fitting a diesel tuning box to my elderly high mileage car and turning it up to 11.... probably not the best idea.
It did make a considerable difference, mind - the 116bhp 2.0 CDT isn't exactly a thundering powerhouse, and there really is a noticeable increase in power and torque using the Synergy Ronbox tuning box I picked up on eBay from a breakers for a whole £34.
I would worry endlessly about damage to the drivetrain if I were to run it for any length of time though, I think - I'll be turning it off and leaving it up to the new owner to decide how they want to play it. It's only a couple of plugs to remove completely, anyway, but this particular model can be turned off using built in switches, which is nice.
Very interesting seeing the breakdown in servicing/repairs and associated costs. I noticed a lot of suspension parts - I've found over the last 45k miles with my Tourer that they certainly do munch through suspension bits, but this is mainly due to the poorer quality aftermarket parts available. Replace with the best quality parts available and generally they won't need to be touched again for a long time.
Also interesting was the cost of certain repairs - I've had the same repairs by a indy specialist that were much cheaper, so I will hazard a guess there is indeed a significant dealer mark up on parts. I saw a service in there somewhere at around £285, the DIY home service with all the bells and whistles shouldn't be anymore than £50-60.
Also interesting was the cost of certain repairs - I've had the same repairs by a indy specialist that were much cheaper, so I will hazard a guess there is indeed a significant dealer mark up on parts. I saw a service in there somewhere at around £285, the DIY home service with all the bells and whistles shouldn't be anymore than £50-60.
Muddle238 said:
Very interesting seeing the breakdown in servicing/repairs and associated costs. I noticed a lot of suspension parts - I've found over the last 45k miles with my Tourer that they certainly do munch through suspension bits, but this is mainly due to the poorer quality aftermarket parts available. Replace with the best quality parts available and generally they won't need to be touched again for a long time.
Also interesting was the cost of certain repairs - I've had the same repairs by a indy specialist that were much cheaper, so I will hazard a guess there is indeed a significant dealer mark up on parts. I saw a service in there somewhere at around £285, the DIY home service with all the bells and whistles shouldn't be anymore than £50-60.
I think it’s a bit unfair to compare home servicing costs with a garage though - even if they aren’t marking parts up, you’ll be paying a decent amount for labour. Also interesting was the cost of certain repairs - I've had the same repairs by a indy specialist that were much cheaper, so I will hazard a guess there is indeed a significant dealer mark up on parts. I saw a service in there somewhere at around £285, the DIY home service with all the bells and whistles shouldn't be anymore than £50-60.
Poor quality suspension components are sadly a huge part of the supply chain. The cheapest stuff touted by the big motor factors is really pretty awful. Even worse is the eBay specials - you can buy a pair of drop links for under £10 delivered for most run of the mill cars and you’ll be lucky if they last long enough to get to the MOT station and back!!
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LukeyP_ said:
I would have loved the Rover, looks a great car.
So far - Focus or 75 the better?
75 for sure. I wasn’t much of a fan of the Focus for reasons I struggle to describe. Dull as you’d expect but that’s no reason to dislike it - there’s just something about mid-2000s-on Fords that I can’t get on with!So far - Focus or 75 the better?
Toaster Pilot said:
75 for sure. I wasn’t much of a fan of the Focus for reasons I struggle to describe. Dull as you’d expect but that’s no reason to dislike it - there’s just something about mid-2000s-on Fords that I can’t get on with!
I hated the 2006 (I think) Focus 3dr 2.0 Zetec Climate I had very briefly, I thought it would be vaguely sporty being a 2l and with the Focus' reputation for handling well, but it just wasn't even remotely so and all the plastic felt and sounded horrible. The 96 Mondeo Ghia X I had a few years earlier was a far better car.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff