We’ve got a 2010 fabia vrs estate with 35k on the clock. Owned it for 2 years now as my wife’s runaround/ dog/ bike wagon. It has really surprised me and is a great little (surprisingly spacious) car.

You do have to check the oil every couple of weeks as it does use a little bit. I think Skoda quote 1/2 litre per 1000km is normal. Ours is a cave and is under that.

Gearbox oil does not need to be changed at 40k. It is for life though there was a recall to replace the oil for mineral oil rather than synthetic (or other way round) there should be a stamp in the book and a sticker in the spare wheel well or door jam if it has been done.

It is definitely an eye’s wide open purchase as the engine and dsg box can be expensive if they go wrong. You can buy a warranty from Skoda website with all parts cover, we pay £18 MONTH FOR a bit more piece of mind.

For us it is the only small powerful estate on the market and don’t know what we will replace it with when the time comes. Suspect we will run it into the ground.

Chris

Beaten to it – Bosch, an excellent detective drama. Does justice to the books.

Morning, ive had mine for nearly 6 months.

As a company car it is a no brainer, low bik, and 250 bhp makes a very nippy car.

Nice to be back in a petrol. It will get 45mpg comfortably on a long journey. Range on electric is closer to 16 miles than the 26 it displays when charged.

Rear seats dont fold flat as standard, its an option that i didnt pick, so cant tell you if a bike will fit. I can recommend the hk speaker upgrade though, absolutely brilliant compared to the normal set up.

Chris

Rento ive got the Ali 2016 6fattie. Echo what gas been said above. 650b in 16 was a bodge with a headset spacer on a 29er front triangle. Lbs warned me off and advised 29er was much better. In the end i went for the 6fattie.

I’m 6ft woth shorter legs and long longer torso.the large fits me fine lengthwise but the max dropper i could get is 125mm.

I bad 2010 stumpy before. I felt at home on this straight away. The grip is brilliant. Where it differs feom the 2010 is it feels a lot slacker and more confidence inspiring downhill. Also a lot less flexy. The 2010 someti es felt it was going to send you over the bars on a steep downhill. I dont think you will go wrong with one.

Have you thought of last years stumpjumper 6fattie? Plus size wheels, 1×11 gx, fox34’s and a decent dropper. Bikescene has large and xl for less than 1900. I bought one as it rolled much better than I thought it would and preferred the ride to the standard ones.

Chris

Yep. I’ve got the comp model. Takes a bit more effort to get up to speed but once there it carries loads more momentum. Grips brilliantly in the corners and going up compared to my old 26 stumpy and not as good in deep mud as it tries to follow existing ruts and floats a bit.

I’m a convert to plus size tyres. The narrow rims have never been a problem for me but I do run around 17 psi as I am a little on the chunky side!

I had a 2010 stumpy fsr as my only bike for the last 6 years. It was fine as a do it all bike, fine on all day rides, round trail centres or in the peaks. It’s very capable and I never felt over or under biked

Have just replaced it and was going to get the bike you are going to get but noticed the 6fattie version that for the extra money was much better spec’d with 1×11 and fox 34’s. I would try one of these as well, the larger tyres don’t drag like I expected them to and the grip is amazing up hill and in the corners.

Chris

My 3 would be

Columbo, great Sunday TV
Whatever happened to the likely lads and
Phoenix nights

If your daughter likes sports games then download the EA Access app, its £20 a year and gives access to their library and all games are free to download whilst you have membership. Games on it are:

. Title Date released Date added Ref.
1 Battlefield 4 October 29, 2013 July 29, 2014 [3]
2 Madden NFL 25 August 27, 2013 July 29, 2014 [3]
3 FIFA 14 September 24, 2013 July 29, 2014 [3]
4 Peggle 2 December 9, 2013 July 29, 2014 [3]
5 Need for Speed Rivals November 15, 2013 September 2, 2014 [17]
6 Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare February 25, 2014 October 15, 2014 [18]
7 EA Sports UFC June 17, 2014 December 12, 2014 [19]
8 NBA Live 15 October 28, 2014 February 25, 2015 [20]
9 Madden NFL 15 August 26, 2014 March 5, 2015 [21]
10 NHL 15 September 9, 2014 April 9, 2015 [22]
11 FIFA 15 September 23, 2014 May 8, 2015 [23]
12 Titanfall March 11, 2014 June 15, 2015 [24]
13 Dragon Age: Inquisition November 18, 2014 August 4, 2015 [24]
14 Battlefield Hardline March 17, 2015 October 14, 2015 [25]
15 Madden NFL 16 August 25, 2015 February 2, 2016 [26]
16 Plants vs. Zombies September 8, 2010 February 29, 2016 [27]
17 NHL 16 September 15, 2015 March 29, 2016 [28]
18 Dead Space October 14, 2008 March 31, 2016
19 FIFA 16 September 22, 2015 April 19, 2016 [29]
20 Rory McIlroy PGA Tour July 14, 2015 May 10, 2016 [30]
21 NBA Live 16 September 29, 2015 May 25, 2016 [31]
22 Need for Speed November 3, 2015 July 12, 2016 [32]
23 Unravel February 9, 2016 July 12, 2016 [32]
24 Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 February 23, 2016 August 30, 2016 [32

American Top Gearis still going, just catching up on the new series. The presenters on this have gelled over the years and I find it as good as the old UK top gear

Believe the German one is ADAC. May also be worth speaking to your motor insurer or broker, buying with them is usually a lot cheaper than buying direct.

Took my 8 year old bike shopping last week as he had outgrown his 20″. Out of all the bikes he chose the Specialised Riprock, not the lightest being a 24+, but not as heavy as I feared. Cant get him off it, which surely is the point of bikes! I get light weight, but something they really want to ride is as important.

IMG_0043 by sidders34[/url], on Flickr

It’s unlikely your insurer would refuse the claim because you have 3 points since renewal.

The premium was based on your risk at the time you took the policy out and runs for a year. As long as you tell them before renewal you will be fine. 3 points may load your premium slightly next year.

Remember also that as you have no damage to your car you won’t have to pay your excess for the third party repairs either.

Chris

2010 stumpy,managed to get some straight steerer 2015 revs last year, so its gotva few more years init yet!

I haven’t worked in motor insurance for a few years but.

The insurance company will only cover the cost of your sons own damage if it is above excess. As this is the first amount that is not insured by them. It sounds like recovery and value of the car is below this.

Your insurers do not have to pay out and claim back from the other insurer. Some insurers offer this as a benefit but it is not guaranteed.

Did you buy legal cover with the car policy? If so contact them and ask them to persue the claim and injury comp on your behalf. If jot speak to a non fault claims company or local no winno fee solicitor

I am surprised the go Skippy haven’t referred you to a non fault company to deal with the claim for you.

Don’t be rash and cancel the policy, you have agreed to a 12 month policy and may be hit with short term cancel rates and if the claim is found to be your sons fault they wil persue for the full premium. You should be able to transfer a new car onto the policy.

Hope this helps.

If you’re looking for a cable dropper then the giant contact switch is in your price range. Has an original one for three years, change the cable once a year and it’s never failed.

New one can be set internal or external cable as well.

Chris

I’d use the q park on knowsley street,just around the corner from the hotel. Millgate will be rammed on a weekend.

I got that very same TV a couple of weeks ago. Not sure about the uhd vs HD thing, but used the picture settings from avforums and the picture on HD is brilliant, really good blacks and great detail. The apps are decent with Netflix amazon and you tube built in. All of these have some 4k content that is really impressive if you have the broadband speed. It is an improvement on the Panasonic plasma it replaced in my opinion, which I really didn’t expect

Sound is surprisingly good for a flat screen.

Xbox one looks superb on it as well.

Chris

Thanks stumpy, I thought only mojo did it, which is 150ish + postage. As the monarch is only 200, thought I might try that instead as I don’t really use the brain tbh. Will check them out though.

Thanks

Chris

Great, not too bothered about it being 3mm shorter, should slacken the head angle out a bit!

I was hoping it would be an upgrade over the brain shock, but if you can’t tell the difference, may as well stick with what I know and get it serviced.

Used both and have both been fine. If you try Alamo.co.UK/Brits you get a 10% discount. If you chose Alamo you can sign up for save time and go straight to the garage chose your own car and they sort it out at the barrier, saves queuing in the terminal. Not sure if dollar do something similar. I would probably go with the cheapest.

Chris

Would recommend a pre owned one from game. B bought one last year for my daughter. It failed two days before 12 month warranty ended. Took it into store and they swapped there and then.

Thanks, yes it’s new from a shop, just over £500, most of the components and forks on my stumpy are less than a year old, happy to stick with 26 so seems like a good deal. Should get a 2-300 for the old frame, so man maths is telling me it’s a cheap way to get a new bike.

Is it blueflowbikes.com?

Giant dropper has lay back, had mine two years and no problems at all bar a bit of side to side play at the seat (1 or 2mm) but don’t notice it when riding

Had one for a couple of years now, always surprised that they are mostly overlooked. Mine has been completely reliable.

There is a bit of side to side play on the seat but it hasn’t got any worse and I don’t notice it when I am riding.

Chris

You need to check the policy wording but general protected ncb will allow 2 claims in a number if years. Then one more and you lose the lot. Even if unprotected it would steep back two years for one claim.

You will get the same discount at renewal but the base price will probably increase the base premium as you will be a higher risk.

Not an engineer but I suspect if it can be repaired it will be expensive and worth going down the insurance route unless you have a high excess.

Chris

We’ve got 1.8t vector convertible as our second car, 2005. Had it three years, total cost of ownership has been two tyres and rear brake pads. Other than that it’s been perfect.

Not the best handling car in the world but a decent cruiser. likes a drink though, think mid twenties around town.

Also had a 1.9 estate as a company car for 3 years and 80k. It never missed a beat either.

So quite reliable in my experience.

Chris

Try bike scene for spesh website has loads of frames, most of the range at pretty good prices
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/SPECIALIZEDCLEARANCEFRAMES-92.html

Never tried to be honest, probably not, if I had to use it for the bike would either use a boot rack or wheels off and across the back seat.

We’ve got a 2005 one, it’s been faultless in the 2 years we’ve owned it, not a great drivers car but drop the roof and it is perfect for a drive in the sun.
Winter is fine completely waterproof and warms up very quickly, not a compromise compared to a tin top.

Bulkhead problems affect the earlier model, not this one.

Interior dash is fine but no Audi or BMW, seats great and stereo OK.

It’s our second car and chosen because we can get the kids in the back with plenty of room, build quality feels a step up from the saloon or estate version (owned a sportwagon from new as well). Petrol is thirsty, think mid twenties and thirty five on a run.

We’ve been looking to replace it and to of the list is another. The face lifted one!

Chris

We are going back in August for the 9th time in 15 years, it’s fair to say myself, wife, 6 year old and 10 year old love it.

Disney is fantastic, the fireworks at magic kingdom and Epcot, as well as the fantasmic performances at Hollywood studios. You will be surprised how many rides the kids can go on. Check out the website at Disney for height restrictions

One of our favourite times to go is may or October, still plenty warm enough and quite quiet.

We have stayed in Disney for the last two Tims we have been due to the free dining plan they offer. The hotel was around $2000 for two weeks but includes lunch, evening meal in a Disney restaurant, snacks through the day and drinks on site.

Disney transport is very good and never waited long to get a bus if we wanted to, also hired a car to explore further afield.

I also did the NASCAR experience a few years ago and last year I booked my wife a few laps driving a 911 round the NASCAR circuit.

Chris

If its not protected then it will step back 2 years, you wont lose all of it.

As above check the excess and also personal effects cover section of the policy. There will probably be a limit of £100 or so and your theft excess and any voluntary excess that may apply. You may find that the excess is more than your limit so you cannot claim.

Is there any damage to the car?

If is is just for the shopping it may be worth checking you home insurance contents policy and see id they cover personal effects away from home. Probably be a lower excess and less effect on premium at renewal.

Chris

Was going to post with a left field choice of a giant contact dropper, but see they are more popular than I thought.

Had mine 18 months and its been completely reliable. Bit of side to side movement from new but has never increased, don’t notice it when riding.

Chris

I have heard good things about k-seal.

I upgraded with Orange (been with them since Wanadoo), when I called them they offered 3 months free as a trial and then £29 a month for broadband and phone line. I can reduce this in 3 months by phoning them and paying for a years line rental up front at a reduced rate.

A BT Openreach engineer was booked on the call to set up the fibre, he went to the cabinet first and then put the new faceplate in and hooked the router up to it.

Got exactly the speed I was quoted, around 35mb down and 7 up. So far very happy with the broadband. Also quite impressed with the router provided. I can plug a usb hard drive into it and access all the files on my computers or the WDTV box upstairs.

No cold calls so far either.

As you can guess I would say stick if it is cheaper.

My Stumpy FSR

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image[/url] by sidders34[/url], on Flickr

I have also stopped using LL in Bury, service was poor, difficult to get assistance and appeared disinterested when looking for bikes for my two children.

Since started going to Cooksons for some wheel truing and other bits. There is a world of differance, went in to get some Stans tape, they were out of stock but offered me a half roll they had in the workshop, also offered to split a pack of rotor bolts as I only needed two.

I am not sure they are a Whyte dealer though, have not seen them in there. I can see no reason to service it there and if there is a fault go back to LL.