Most are crap. Another trick is for them to say that the car needs stripping down in quite a major way to diagnose a fault, but if they then say it’s not covered, the strip down and rebuild costs are yours….

I guess another benefit of on-board rather than on line mapping is that battery life will also improve.

The focus 1.6 non-turbo petrol is virtually unchanged since the 1999 mk1 focus. Not bad to drive, but nothing special in terms of power, economy or longevity. In fact, quite a few have died before their time for reasons related to cost cutting of componentry.

Don’t discount the Leon, either. Same engine range as the Golf, keener pricing, arguably better styling and makes a different statement to the rather generic golf.

Or, as a bit of middle ground, do what sporticus said but instead of any of that nasty assaulty stuff, just block in his vehicle until he remembers where he left his wallet…

Can’t comment on your shock, but forks are a piece of piss…have a go…

It’ll be a 1.6. 115ish bhp. Honest John rates them. Basically the same car as Kia C’eed. Made in different factories. Longer warranty on the Kia but for my money the Hyundai looks a better overall package.

She should be worried about her hips at her age!

I was in a similar position…first solo drive was Southampton to Leeds in a new co. Car! I tracked down my old driving instructor the week before and had an hour out on the mway. Really helpful as she taught me a system of observation and control that has served me well for many years.

I use the gym at work social club for about a tenner a month. Like it actually, feel like I get more training benefit from intervals than I would out on the bike as I don’t use a hrm on the bike. Can also concentrate on core strength and upper body more. No substitute for cycling but cheap and more time effective.

How about hanging some military camo netting over the shed roof, basha-style. I.e. Suspended over la washing line arrangement. You’ll still get some light but any reflection will be broken up. That’s what it’s designed for….

Ha, been to Bar 22 with the work crowd. Nice pint there. Sadly, pubs less of priority than kids schooling and biking!

Bump for the Friday crowd….all insights appreciated!

Get a joint account with your Mrs, then buy an old house, the get married, then fire out 3 kids in quick succession. I no longer have the means to be materialistic!

I don’t really get this – what’s a “trail centre bike”? How does it differ from a “not trail centre bike”? Unless you’re racing and/or crossing maps in a ride on your other bike, I can’t see what you would want your trail centre bike to do that a normal all round MTB wouldn’t….

Enduro – care to elaborate?! Wasn’t looking at estate itself, but there are one or two new developments at the top of the roads which offer good value. Is the estate so bad that you wouldn’t live next to it?!

Old man – that’s really useful, cheers! Will have a look at outlying villages too!

Not entirely sure yet. I work in Barnie which we think probably would be a bit parochial. Darlington is too flat. Richmond seems to combine amenities, decent schools and hills. Just don’t know much about living there full time with a young family. We probably want to be within a mile of the town centre. Preferably North for access to the A66. Other than that, no ideas really.

Careful not to snap the injector on its way out. That is what gets expensive… Not sure if 1.8 engine needs re-coding after injector swap. The 2.0 pre-2008 did…..

As Squirrel said, if it really tastes of chemicals, call it in. It would probably be respectful to the distillary to clarify on here, too.

If, on the other hand, you’re over egging your criticsm just so that we all know JUST how much of a connoisseur you are, please carry on….

Old work mate called his dog Taxi. Stood in middle of field, woods, on mountain etc calling TAXI!

For maximum vets waiting room mirth, I will call my future pets Mango and Brandon. Surname Pickles.

Sunncamp?

Ok, 4.5x……!

Yeah, those Camp-Lets are well nice. Was looking at one in Camperlands the other week. Sadly a bit small and 5-10 times over budget!

I don’t really have any nakedness hang ups. Probably used to as a teenager, but having fathered 3 strapping lads in quick succession I’m pretty secure that my tackle is up to the job it was meant for. I don’t really care what it looks like or what other people think of it. At the gym I do tend to just crack on with getting changed, pardon the pun. Because of this I don’t really notice how long other people stay naked for, and what else they are doing. Seems some people spend a bit too much tine taking in the view…..do you do this in the toilets too?!

In the front of our Mazda 5, the weight of an unladen booster cushion intermittently triggers the “seat occupied but no seatbelt” warning. Could this be happening to you?

Also, could damp have got into the seat where the occupant sensing mat is?

I’d put my money on it being the presence sensor rather than the seatbelt one. Also, all these things have connectors under the seats or carpets. Can’t hurt to unplug them and reconnect. Might just sort out dirty, damp or loose connection.

This could be an interesting conversation with my straight-laced female landlady / flat mate….

I’ve got one. Been in family via my Mum and Mrs since it was pre reg in 2003.

It has been faultless and currently averages about 53mpg on a mixture of open roads and motorways. Really easy to drive too.

The only thing about the bike carrying is that once you put up the magic seats, you’re a bit short of length to get assembled bikes in. Medium road bike just goes in with front wheel off. Soul needs both wheels off. You’d def get 2 frames and 4 wheels in.

My Mum has the new, 2008 one and it is just as practical and nicer inside. It’s supposed to be faster, too, but my Mum complains that the vtec is less flexible than the old DSi engine.

Bear in mind if you are buying from dealers that there is another new one out this year, so discounts on current one should be good.

I can’t believe this thread has run to 3 pages

Don’t get hung up on SRAM brand oil. The wiki below helps to identify not only who contract manufactures SRAM oils, but what is equivalent.

Worked for me when I did lower leg lube service with castrol 10wt synthetic instead of Rockshox 15wt. Looks and flowed just like what came out, works perfectly.

wiki

POINT. IT. DOWN!

Nowt wrong with Deore brakes, servo wave or not. Think I’d probably go up to slx on drivetrain though….big difference in quality. E,g, stamped vs machined chainrings and cogs…

Been on seperate holidays this year with both my mum and bro and Mrs’ parents and siblings. So we generally get along quite well, with the odd clash.

This afternoon, though, blimey! New Years Day at in laws. My FiL has a “thing” about wine and openly admits that if he doesn’t like a certain wine, he’ll pour it for certain guests whilst keeping the good stuff for himself and those in favour at that particular time.

Today was a case in point, glasses filled before we got to the table. 3 different bottles of the red on the go. FiL slipped up when asked about the wines and started describing one as “the good one”. Turned out that the “not good one” poured for my SiL was a gift from her parents to my FiL! Cue the release of 10+ years of resentment between SiL and FiL and a big door-slamming storm-out! BiL stated put and settled in to a bottle of red to himself!

The next few months are going to be interesting. Can’t see another Villa happening this year!

Thirded. A bin and a shimano Deore for 35squid is all you need…

I have another…..will any of these energy company backed installers lift the boards in my loft, replace the insulation with same thickness but better performance, then refit the boards?

Similar question….will any of the above type of installers do a proper endoscopic survey of my wall cavities prior to insulating? Want to check for corroded wall ties and excessive cavity rubble before going ahead…..

Scotroutes – have you ever met a child?!

Here:

no camera

Or here:

quad with camera

My oldest, now 6, had one of the standard syma helicopters the other year. It took a little while for him to get the two hands doing different things bit, but he did in the end. Quite a nice bonding exercise actually, one of us doing collective, the other the cyclic, then swapping over. Go for it. Starts from about 2oquid. But more for a camera one.

Cheers again. Other problem is that hard drive is 90% full of photos and videos. Nowhere to hand to back up all that lot…might just have to do the best I can tonight, then get her to invest in some storage when she gets back.

Got shut of norton and Macafee. Will keep on deleting the stupid free apps and widgets. Thanks for your help.