Mike – what situations? There’s no situation – if I’m overtaking I’m not going to leave it in 6th and crawl past someone. Just as I’m not going to leave it in 2nd and smash into the limiter.. therefore a swift and smooth upshift from 2nd to 3rd is required (without a horrible lurch).

piha – may I ask what car it was that you tested please? My car is a ZF8 Auto M135 and after 3 years of ownership was thinking of testing the manual version but after getting my wife’s 3 series I’m absolutely certain the auto was the correct choice for that car.

Good point about problems with autos. I do wonder when my 1 series gets a bit long in the tooth will it bite me with a several £1,000 repair bill for the complicated gearbox..

Aye – plenty of petrol heads / driving gods on here I reckon..

I would love a track car but there are still instances when a 6krpm upshift is needed – 2nd-3rd when overtaking. Also – I think it’s good for a car (as long as it’s warmed up) to have a good old italian tune up and redline now and again. What’s the point in that rev counter going to 7/8krpm if you’re going to tickle it for its entire life?

Perchy – I don’t assume all cars are shit.. I’m assuming a lot of new manual cars may be shit to drive compared to older ones. I am disappointed though..

I probably should just join Piston Heads and be done with it..

But where would I come to rant about people nearly knocking me off my bike on the way to work?

As above – I have Forza 7 and Horizon 3. Both great games in their own right. I find myself turning to Horizon more and more as it’s easier to just pick up and have a blast in some nice motors.. Horizon 4 looks incredible and is set in good old Blighty – I may have to invest in a new telly and a One X to get the full 4K loveliness from the game.

He certainly does! 11 laps in and a similar amount of replays and I’ve just about worked out what happened in corner 1.. Alonso’s McLaren plucking Ricciardo’s rear wing off mid air was particularly spectacular. Shame about Kimi given his pace this weekend.

Ended up ringing Hope and getting it from the horses mouth. Advice was that they wouldn’t normally threadlock. The bolts in question should be torqued up to 8Nm, so just going to go with that and keep an eye on it. They said if I really wanted to I could put some “light” threadlock on there. Cracking service as per usual – rang the service/warranty number pressed 2 and got straight through to a technician who was more than happy to speak for 10+ mins about my concern and also the bleed procedure for my brakes. They really are very good when it comes to after sales stuff are Hope.

Thank you for the responses both. Just checked and the bottle I have is both not blue and also no longer a liquid. If I can’t get hold of some blue threadlock on my lunch break I’ll just go without and keep and eye on it.

Cheers

That a class is gopping. Anything that starts off as a medium sized hatch generally has big overhangs at the front and rear when in saloon guise..  not easy on the eyes!

Our 3 series saloon is plenty practical mind – split folding seats for long stuff, towbar and rack for 3 (+1 if required) bikes, big enough boot for 4 lots of bike gear and seats 4 big blokes in comfort for bike trips.

Generated from my Apple iPhone using tools.rackonly.com

Having said that, they are an absolute pain in the arse when trying to clean the inside of the rear window!

Love a good saloon me. We’re on our third. As above, I feel they are proportionally “right” – well, those that were originally designed to be a saloon like the 3 series, e-class, etc. The focus mk1 saloon has got to be one of the ugliest saloons around!

I also think l they’re more refined, there is proper separation between the cabin area and the boot/rear axle and they’re quieter on a run. But mainly they’re just cooler – you’d never see a hatchback in a ganster movie.. too easy for the guy locked in the boot to smash thru the parcel shelf. Estates/hatchbacks are more practical therefore saloons are cool.

Car is moving BTW not statically blocking

Not necessarily new.. It’s been happening the 4 years since we moved offices and I started using a particular ped crossing. Essentially a box T junction with lights (no painted yellow hatching though) and people block it as traffic backs up and then casually just start driving again when they can, when they’re on red and I’m on a %^&$$%^&%&^ ing green man!! Drives me potty. Anyway because I’m a sad bastard I started taking photos every time it happens. I’ve managed to get one most days but yesterday’s was an absolute belta:

InkedIMG_9622_LI by Nick Ewen[/url],

That’s awesome, thank you for the comprehensive review Julians!

Interesting point around the sizing scale being a bit off (going from S > XXL) – completely agree it needs shifting. Previously I’ve erred on the small side with bikes (Mega is a Medium) but looking at the size tables I think XL looks about right.

Also interesting to hear about the shock volume spacers. I’ve never had a fox shock before. I’ve also never used any of the E13 bits so great to hear you’re getting along well with these.

I’m glad you’re pleased with the bike! It looks like an absolute belta!

Cheers

This is an interesting one. We recently had a removable towbar fitted to my wife’s car for bike carrying duties. She rang the insurer explaining what we’d had fitted and its intended use and the premium went down!

Flipping heck! I’m glad my little 1 series has 4 bolts that go through the feet straight into the roof. I’m even more glad I put a towbar on my wifes 3 series so I can use the towbar rack once again.

These smooth little-lipped roof rails seem like a stupid idea. I just assumed you could “get under” all roof rails and properly clamp stuff to them. Funnily enough a friend of friend had bikes fly off the roof of their car recently.. newish Audi estate which looks to have these type of rails.

How’s the CF Pro 2 months in Julians? I’m looking at these and seriously considering finally moving on from my beloved (but little wheeled) 2012 Mega..

At 6’0″ I’m bang in the middle of L/XL.. How is the sizing on the large? Large is sold old out in the blood red but being a geordie I’d probably go with the magpie colour scheme anyway

Cheers

Nick

National hire car company and get the seller to pick you up where you drop the hire car? 400 miles is quite a lot in a day but not the end of the world.

I’ve tended to get one way train tickets / flights in the past but they weren’t quite 6 hours.. As above if you’re going to keep the vehicle long term £80 is nowt if it’s the right van. Just make sure you’re absolutely crystal clear with the seller on the phone about how far you’re coming and if something isn’t as described there will be holy hell to pay!

I picked up some of the Alpinestars ones from Start Cycles for £36 as I needed something quickly a couple weeks back. I’ve worn them for two ~4hour rides and they were plenty comfy and didn’t slip so well happy from that perspective. I actually came off my bike on a structurally unsound berm.. and caught the side of my knee and I’m not sure on the level of protection TBH.. I’d prefer it if they offered a bit more side protection but overall I’m happy with them for the money.

“Worrying is a lot like a rocking chair, it’ll give you something to do but it won’t get you anywhere”

Van Wilder (perhaps not originally..)

What about a local alloy wheel and tyre place? I know a good one but it’s up in Newcastle.. The Honda ones will be expensive (per your link £110 for a 16″) so maybe go for a decent quality aftermarket/replica?

As above really and as I’ve previously posted on other threads, winter tyres are an absolute revelation in the white stuff and even in colder damper conditions yield noticeable benefits above summers.

I had winters on a relatively powerful 3.0l RWD car it was VERY capable in the snow. It went, stopped and turned really well. My proudest moment in that car was scooting past a Rangey Sport on an incline that was spinning on the spot with some big lary alloys presumably shod with summer boots. Obviously a Range Rover with winters would be a better combo than my RWD + Winters.

I fear that a lot of people with some of the more “lifestyle” SUV’s (as noted above many of which are FWD) just assume they’re going to be cracking in the snow and don’t bother changing tyres? Or if the massive wheels and thus very expensive tyres means people are put off investing in a 2nd set..

I’m currently looking to get some winters for our new 320i. It’s on 19’s so will be looking at getting some 18″ alloys and winters so I’ve got a full set. Just need to make sure you clear the calipers etc. and as noted above check the manual for compatible sizes if changing the size you go for.

Hear hear, well said. That’s why the little 1’ers with the big engines are so great. They’re unique. It’s the only hot hatch with a straight 6 and RWD. I’m planning on keeping my M135 until it’s completely dead

Aye that was a big error not pitting under the VSC. The other teams had time to prep and execute a double stack so not sure why Merc didn’t pull him in. Apparently the last time Merc double DNF’d was Italy 1955. Bad Sunday for Merc.

BAF – I wa thinking exactly the same after watching the F2 feature race yesterday. It was absolutely incredible! That last corner overtake by Markelov was stunning.

Think I’ve mentioned it on here before but I seen a fantastic instance of a tailgater getting both barrels off the car in front.. little white van pushing a rangey sport along the road. Both get to a roundabout in the other lane to me and hit traffic, cue an absolute monster of a man extricate himself from the range rover as if it was a reliant robin walk up to the drivers window and scream “stay the **** AWAY from the back of my car!!!”. The bloke in the van just cowered down in his seat before proceeding with a safe stopping distance of about 1/4 mile. Brilliant

Aye, we need some pics up sharpish! Can’t leave us hanging like that..

Regards

M135 yob

I agree with the above Kryton re. running costs and finding a good indy. The only thing I would add is to thoroughly investigate the engine in said BMW that you decide upon.. they’ve made a few lemons in their time.. for example the N53 engine in the 325i I used to have had a thing for injectors.. @ £200 a pop just for the part + labour x 6 potential cylinders to go wrong costs can add up quickly. Also, depending on “how” the injector fails you may be looking at an engine oil service each time as well so + another £100 (one of mine failed in the open position and forced fuel past the piston rings contaminating the oil).. Mind you, overall I wasn’t too pee’d off as the plume of shite that came out the back of the car suggested the engine had completely lunched itself!

I’m on my 4th Beemer now mind.. I say go for the big RWD V8 :o)

The welds do look a bit DIY.. Not sure I’d be happy hauling a caravan around with that.

Ha! n+1 applies.. off to ebay it is!

Thank you very much indeed for the comprehensive responses everyone – they’re extremely useful! Although a bit more pricey think I’ll go for the matching rack/bag for ease as noted above. I’m almost going to spend as much on the rack/guards/bag as I did on the bike.. (but the bike was an absolute steal)

Bez – I remember the episode of Father Ted well! I don’t own any bolt cutters so I should be safe with my wee junior hacksaw.. maybe.

Thanks again all

Nick

Thank you kilo, that looks just the ticket! I’m off to google “carradice saddle bag and sqr fitting” just now.. to see what that all means!

My first full suss mountain bike in the classifieds about 10 years ago.. an Ellsworth Joker. My Dad still has the bike and pootles round on it with my mam (on her hybrid) – romic coil shock and all!

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Take good care of yourself and your kids.

As above – I’d try and replace both across the axle with some decent tyres if you can. I had to do a full blown emergency stop a couple of years ago (1 of only 2 in nearly 16 years of driving) and was glad of the premium Bridgestone Potenzas I had fitted when I stopped about 5mm shy of colliding with another car. 17,000 is a decent amount of wear so the other one probably hasn’t got bags of life left in it anyway.

I’m a bit conflicted on this one as I’m a massive petrol head and my M135 does make burbles and bangs on the overrun in Sport mode. However, there’s a time a place for it.. Namely not in built up areas or later on in the day.

Some absolute **** launched his RS3 through a tunnel I was walking through (literally 10ft from Newcastle Police station!) and then lifted off the throttle which basically sounded like a machine gun going off in an enclosed environment with plenty of pedestrians. I was away up the street after him hoping he’d hit a red light as it had just sent my tinnitus into overdrive. It didn’t sound good, it was just an extremely loud set of bangs that pissed me off no end after a shite day at work.

We live on a main road in a blanket 20mph zone but it doesn’t stop bellends doing 60mph then slamming on their brakes for the sharp bend (next to my house) and then accelerating hard again. Normally get 1 car/year in someones garden. Last time it happened, they cleared two decent sized curbs and missed the paper boy by about 6ft. All four wheels were neigh on snapped off and the dickhead driver asked if I would push them out. ****

That looks great Craig! Thanks for the info on regs in UK.

That Thule bag looks just the ticket wobbliscott. Interesting about the max weight of 40kg being way below the nose weight for the vehicle.. 3 big bikes would be well over that! But like you say you can just put the big/light stuff on the rack.

Good question, my only concern is that if the bag/box came off and caused some damage to people and/or property you’d probably be in some pretty hot water with your insurance company as the rack is being used for something it is not designed for. However the risk should be suitably remote (albeit still there) should you diligently strap the bags/box to the rack.

Far too fast for conditions, understeers on to wrong side of road. What an absolute **** pisstake. Needs the book throwing at them. No wonder people don’t give a shit about driving well.

Easiest way to kill someone? Just mow them down in your motor.