Being followed down about 15 minutes of Motorway then B road early this morning by an eloquently quiffed, Wayfarer wearing chap in a Z3 with the roof down. For some unknown reason, he decided to stick on my bumper despite the M/way being clear, in a very annoying fashion.

Oh how I laughed when my DPF regen kicked in, first noticed in my mirror as a puff of grey smoke off a roundabout, then with a quick scan for the other signs to confirm it, I couldn’t help but use a few revs off the next few junctions which resulted in the burned contents of my DPF billowing out the rear all over Mr Smug. ha ha, ha ha. If anyone’s setting next to a chap who looks nice but smells strongly of soot, please pass on my regards.

Anyway, just getting that off my chest. 😐

He should have left the 3 second space if only to brake safely.

How close was he?

Z3 is a nice little toy, I’d have one but it’s not for taller people.

How close was he?

I couldnt see his headlights. This is the M40 at 6:00am, no need for that it was practically empty, hence IMO a justified wry smile from me at the event.

He should have left the 3 second space if only to brake safely

No one does this. Seriously. No one. 😐

3 seconds at 70mph is 93.88 meters.

Even a 2 second gap (the more common rule) is 62.59 meters at 70mph.

When was the last time you saw someone leave that much space from the car in front?

(add one more reason for periodic re-tests!)

I leave the space, but have caught myself out and backed off.

If the driver brakes in an emergency, goodbye no claims and hello bumper or worse.

I could call anyone an imbecile for driving so close but I won’t as I spelt brakes with breaks lol 😉

I’m so sorry <- You lie!

mark90 – Member
My hair re-doing and a new pair of Wayfarers since some git in a smoking old jalopy was billowing smoke and soot all over this morning during my commute.

Hmmm.

Is this the right time to mention I was wearing my fashionable sunglasses, maybe he’s an annoyed STWer. 🙂

Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule!

Was it Don Henley?

I’d have taken that as the perfect moment to clean my windscreen.

Was it Don Henley?

🙂

What is ‘DPF regen’?

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg7kFnNwNCk[/video]

I always thought it was the italian tuning method 🙂

Were you towing him along by his handlebar moustache ? You Cad.

What is ‘DPF regen’?

As the DPF clogs with soot over time, the ECU triggers a regen – forcing fuel down the pipes to burn at high temps approx 1000 degrees, and burn off the soot in the DPF. Usually occurs over a period of 10 mins. Cue a shite load of smoke pissing out the back during that time.

Its less noticable on more modern cars as they placed the DPF closer to the engine, meaning that there’s more heat there on an everyday basis naturally, resulting in the same process without forcing extra fuel, referred to as a “passive” regen, needing less “forced” regens.

Mine smokes if at full power for any duration, must admit I quite like it sometimes… we’re going to take a trip in our favourite coal-powered rocket ship…

Oh, car farts, you mean?

Should’ve said 🙂

we’re going to take a trip in our favourite coal-powered rocket ship

I think of mine as a WW2 destroyer laying down a smokescreen to ‘escape the Bismark’

Yes, I’m quite sad.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_zC7QK64Ks[/video]

You know that soot that gets blasted out of the back periodically? Isn’t that what the DPF is supposed to prevent being hurled into the atmosphere? I mean saving it up and then getting rid of it in one go isn’t really helping is it?

I mean saving it up and then getting rid of it in one go isn’t really helping is it?

Nope, my thoughts exactly. Seems like a complicated and expensive way to pass emissions tests to me, without improving real world emissions. Along the same lines as EGR valves…

A clear M40 at 6am – were you sitting in the outside lane doing 50? 😉 😈

he was picking up the rusty bits of your Alfa 😯

A clear M40 at 6am – were you sitting in the outside lane doing 50?

Don’t be ridiculous, it was the middle lane.

he was picking up the rusty bits of your Alfa

There is no rust.

There is no rust.

Yet…

I want to know how you established that his quiff had a good way with words