re roof racks etc – does anyone know of a big plastic sock sort of thing to stuff the bike in?

The bike would fit in the boot as the rear seats fold down. I would however, have to provide guarantees to the wife in terms of keeping mud out of the car!

Hora, yes I’ll get one years warranty, european breakdown cover and MOT cover (covers costs of unexpected MOT repairs).

Driving in snow just requires driving really smoothly and maintaining momentum or as Julians suggest, steep gradients should be avoided

Hmm this could be interesting what with living in Sheffield (the city ground to a complete standstill in the snow last year).

I know it’s all part of what these guys do but they really didn’t seem too fussed about selling it.

They said they’d do it for a £50 less than we agreed but wouldn’t sort out the minor scuffs on the bumper!

I suppose being a huge company (Sytner BMW) they’re not as fussed as small independents ?

I’ve only seen one of the cars quickly last night, which I’m due to test drive this afternoon. I’ve not yet seen the other one as they need to drag it out of storage.

The spec’s are identical – both 320i SE in montego blue (E92). They look luverlly

I do indeed, need to go through service details with them too.

I did consider diesel but tbh it’s at least a 2k premium over petrol and I’m not sure that given the miles I drive (about 10k per year) it would represent a saving over the period I’ll own the car.

oh and I did ask for 10% off and got about 4%! Tbh, it’s not actually a bad price and only slightly more than equivelent cars sold privately (and without a year’s warranty).

It’s only an “option” at the moment … :D

re the two cars, sorry I should clarify – the older car (with 40k) is about £1k more than the newer one with 50k, for some reason! What I meant to say is is it worth paying £1k more for 10k miles?!

Both cars are from an approved used BMW centre so have perfect history. There really is nothing to choose from them apart from age and milage!

Thanks for thoughts about rwd and rack though.. winter tyres eh, pricey :-/

Well the two cars are identical in colour and spec. It’s purely the age and milage that are different.

Is one year newer better than 10k on the clock? Both will come with a 1 yr warranty ..

Wow thanks jonTawn, that’s amazingly kind of you.

I’ll need to talk to my mate and find out when’s he available but I may well be in touch, thanks :-)

EDukator, my Astra is down right scary at times , especially in the wet. It’s also very uncomfortable on long journeys and increasingly less economical.

As per my earlier posts I’m not seeking out a fast car, more that my friend has the golf for sale and it seems like a safe, comfortable and economical car. I’m also not interested particularly in how sporty it feels on country roads as I tend to pootle along anyway.

Hora, its has two owners including the current one and no the belt/pump has not been changed but I would factor this into the cost and get it done ASAP.

Soma , thanks for the info and yes I may well mention you if and when I buy it!

Thanks!

I had a chat with the workmate who’s selling it and I didn’t realise that it’s been off the road for a few months.
– he took delivery of his shiny new 318d and has been meaning to sell the golf since May.

On the plus side he’s going to stick it through its MOT, tax it and enquire about the cost of the cambelt change it’ll probably need , to be on the safe side. It does have fsh though and the only problem he’s had with it was the drivers side window mechanism failing which got replaced.

Hopefully I’ll be able to take a proper look at it soon!

Thanks somafunk but that link is knackered by the looks of it..

Somafunk, yes I’m imagining it will feel similar at least to my parents old Octavia (one that I was planning on getting running).

Oversteer and understeer are something I experience on a daily basis in the astra unfortunately, even on my commmute to work!

This morning I had the pleasure of trying to accelerate very gently up a steep hill in the rain and found the astra just sat there and span it’s wheels in protest!

Good tyres sound like a sensible first upgrade indeed – any suggestions on an “all rounder”?
I think the 150 also has traction control to some degree, which will help with greasy roundabouts and the like.

As for my location I’m based in Sheffield and have seen a few adverts for local independent VW specialists but don’t know them personally .

Well this one is a 3 door but I assume I right in saying it’s the same physical size as the 5 door?

I need to arrange to look at it by the sounds of things..

Oh, and the all-important question I nearly forgot to ask:

Does a bike fit okay in the back?!

Davetrave – tbh I quite like the sound of a swift, comfy cruiser.

Driving my current car is like a form of exercise such is the amount of effort that has to go into changing gear constantly, trying to squeeze some power from the brakes, hoiking on the wheel etc..

Yep, we use 2811’s all over the place. Seconded.

Blimey, well thanks all for the responses guys, quite a mix of opinion!

I should probably clarify that despite being 32 I’ve only been driving for about a year and literally any car is going to handle better than my current 17yr old Astra complete with teflon 155 tyres!

It’s not that I was actively searching for an older Golf TDI, more that looking at what I can get for £2k, this particular car seems quite a bargain.

I’ve generally being looking for something with “luxuries” such as ABS, airbags, decent sized tyres and enough grunt to actually overtake when required!

I’ve also driven a mk1 Octavia (based on mark IV Golf) as well as a 2009 Golf and quite like that VAG-feel!

My Solo air RC2DH’s are sublime.

And mine! The best forks I’ve ever ridden and just do everything from XC mincing (where the low speed compression damping stops them bobbing about) to DH.

love ’em, get yours upgraded!

I really would recommend talking to Intense before TFtuned. The shocks provided with the bikes are tuned to suit them and I’ve heard of people spannering things up further getting a shock tuned to weight and style but not the individual characteristics of the frame; leverage ratios, rising rates and all that..

Evenin’

As kryton says I love my Tracer and usually ride big rocks.

I have no specific advice other than that it being similar to the Tracer it will take a lot I experimentation with sag etc!

The Tracer’s ( and most VPP Intense’s) are infamous for being fiddly to set up; just a tiny bit of extra pressure in the shock can make a big difference.

Tinker extensively before buying a new shock and also ask the guys on the MTBR Intense forum!

Indeed I am Si! It’s just such a shame so much has been flattened out there! I don’t suppose you have any plots of your local loops I could rob?!

So, I finally managed to get a couple of hours free this afternoon and so dragged mysel out for only the 3rd time this year. It hurt – only 12 miles but at least 1800 ft of climbing (according to somewhat temperamental Endomondo anyway).

So what have we learned? We have learned thus:

My legs still can indeed go round in that circular motion

My jacket no longer could be described as having any properties pertaining to any degree of water resistance.

1/2 inch hail stones hurt

There’s now only 2 half decent descents on my local loops since the peak authority flattened houndkirk :-(

Tracey got in the air a couple of times and we both enjoyed it!

Crumpets taste 3214% better after a ride. FACT

Docrobster, Pook et al – I shall be in touch at some point about tagging along on a ride!

As kryton knows however , it does rather depend where you ride. Tracer loves big rocks and descents where the travel can be used and can be less than inspiring on smoother more flowy stuff …IMO of course!

The Tracer should be fine if it’s after late 2009. Anything after this had a revised rear triangle as I recall. I’m pretty sure none of the ones with ISGC mounts had problems but you could check on somewhere like mtbr.

I know I’m very lucky to have such decent riding on my doorstep , I just need to get out there and remind myself how fun it is!

I was actually thinking of organising a forum free for all Peaks ride/camping weekend if there was enough interest , this summer..

Docrobster – I’m a great fan of beer lovely beer and also Paprika’s round the corner so currently am carrying excess baggage as well as zero fitness! I don’t think I’m doing anything on Sunday but am awaiting bike bits so will let you know ASAP , thanks!

Thanks Pook, I’m currently waiting for some bits to be delivered before I can ride Tracey (I cleaned her off yesterday and realised she’s in a bad way!)

I shall no doubt be hassling you both soon! :)

Docrobster- woo! Just round the corner from me!

I might indeed be free Sunday morning (let me check with the wife), however I’ve literally not done any exercise for months so I wouldn’t blame you if you dont fancy enduring my snail pace!

New tyres, cassette, rings, pedals and rear mech ordered.

This will all help, won’t it? :-S

ahwiles, I’ve lived in Sheffield since 2003 but having relied on lifts from mates until very recently, so haven’t really explored as much as I should!

New trails would be good, where are you thinking of?

Hmmm I suppose I could rename Tracey but what else suits a Tracer?!

Diet, yes definite room for improvement – probably not enough green things of late.

Pook – thanks, I’ll be in touch when I’ve got the bike sorted and have developed a modicum of fitness!

Schweize – where was that video taken?

Rider on a carbine? . makes me want one even more

Thanks for the mixed motivation chaps!

The videos have indeed inspired me as have the ” maybe you’re not a real mountain biker” comments!

I’ve just nipped out and bought a lovely sticky DHF and a nice round middleburn ring. I think tomorrow I’ll drag Tracey out and scrape the mud off her.

To be honest it’s all a bit weird this lack of motivation. I absolutely love technical descents and in fact the last time I rode was scaring myself flipless on Wharncliffe’s DH tracks. It seems that as I’ve not been able to run over the last 2 months (due to foot injury that won’t go away) this lack of exercise has turned me into a phat, lethargic slug.

Si, thanks – I may indeed see if I can get out to meet you guys for a ride sometime. It rather depends on whether I can leave work early enough to get there for 5.30.

Pook – once I’ve regained some vague fitness I might tag along if I may?

Thanks guys, any links to the glentress pods or are they actually at Glentress itself?

Lady_Gresley, I’m confused by STW names but I assume you’re someoneone I know/have ridden with? Who was it you bumped into, Mr Dave?

Beefy, I live on the edge of Sheffield (Fulwood) and it’s about a mile in a straight line from my house to Lady Canning’s Plantation / Ringinglow road.

I do seem to have a distinct lack of riding buddies at the moment and I do find it really hard to motivate myself to go out alone..

Blimey, a flurry of activity!

Octavia went for it’s first MOT a few weeks back and passed on emissions this time! We stuffed some additive in the tank , gave it some beans on the way to the test and also taped up the vacuum hose that needs replacing.

As such it only failed on suspension bushing (easy to sort) and ABS light. It’s since had diagnostics run on the ABS and it points to a faulty rear sensor. I’ve been quoted £270 for all of the work and retest.

After that the only outstanding thing will be the reportedly odd electrics.

I managed to get another banger going that’d also been standing at my parents and am using that temporarily until I can get back down there to sort Octavia .

I’ll keep an eye out.

It might be worth mentioning it on the Ride Sheffield Facebook group too.

Edukator (aka John Courgette) , care to expand on your comment?

I’ve only just noticed you piped up to contribute..

Thanks daveh!

I noticed that that one does say however that it doesn’t include a license for full functionality. Hopefully it’ll be enough without paying the extra £50 etc!

Ta

Will VAG COM tell me what’s going on with the electrics even if there’s no warning lights?

It’s a spurious battery drain I’m trying to figure out. Also I’m a bit confused about what exactly it is I need to order . Has anyone a linky?

Ta

thanks Cougar! :-)

Any other pearls of wisdom from the STW massive?!

:D

What about a car sp*nking all of it’s electrons out of the battery overnight? Sticky tape on the battery terminals?