jamiehamy

Tidy! I think I'll leave 'tripe' in, it makes me laugh more in that context! The more I read through different sections, the more I think 'WTF?!?!' lol

Reading though the Road Traffic Act section 144, I am absolutely astounded at the complete tripe that is in there. Most of it is virtually impossible to understand. The more I read this, the more I really believe the law should not apply unless it can be read and understood by a 'normal' peron... 144BExceptions to section 144A offence (1)A person (“the registered keeper”) in whose name a vehicle which does not meet the insurance requirements is registered at any particular time (“the relevant time”) does not commit an offence under section 144A of this Act at that time if any of the following conditions are satisfied. (2)The first condition is that at the relevant time the vehicle is owned as described— (a)in subsection (1) of section 144 of this Act, or (b)in paragraph (a), (b), (da), (db), (dc) or (g) of subsection (2) of that section, (whether or not at the relevant time it is being driven as described in that provision). (3)The second condition is that at the relevant time the vehicle is owned with the intention that it should be used as described in paragraph ©, (d), (e) or (f) of section 144(2) of this Act. (4)The third condition is that the registered keeper— (a)is not at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle, and (b)if previously he was the person keeping the vehicle, he has by the relevant time complied with any requirements under subsection (7)(a) below that he is required to have complied with by the relevant or any earlier time. (5)The fourth condition is that— (a)the registered keeper is at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle, (b)at the relevant time the vehicle is not used on a road or other public place, and ©the registered keeper has by the relevant time complied with any requirements under subsection (7)(a) below that he is required to have complied with by the relevant or any earlier time. (6)The fifth condition is that— (a)the vehicle has been stolen before the relevant time, (b)the vehicle has not been recovered by the relevant time, and ©any requirements under subsection (7)(b) below that, in connection with the theft, are required to have been complied with by the relevant or any earlier time have been complied with by the relevant time. (7)Regulations may make provision— (a)for the purposes of subsection (4)(b) and (5)© above, requiring a person in whose name a vehicle is registered to furnish such particulars and make such declarations as may be prescribed, and to do so at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed, and (b)for the purposes of subsection (6)© above, as to the persons to whom, the times at which and the manner in which the theft of a vehicle is to be notified. (8)Regulations may make provision amending this section for the purpose of providing for further exceptions to section 144A of this Act (or varying or revoking any such further exceptions). (9)A person accused of an offence under section 144A of this Act is not entitled to the benefit of an exception conferred by or under this section unless evidence is adduced that is sufficient to raise an issue with respect to that exception; but where evidence is so adduced it is for the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the exception does not apply.

This made me laugh. When i worked at a car garage, we had an old 50's Alfa Romeo drop top (apparently Eric Clapton owner it once) in for an advert that was being filmed. It was manual, but had a shifter on the steering column and I was the only one that worked out how to drive it. Anyway, after filming was over, the transporter came for it. I drove it round and the guy asked me if I was happy to drive it on. I said yes, so we lined up and I drove her on. The ramps were steep and the rear wheels kicked them off, and the car was left hanging off the back. I couldn't believe it. I was stuck pressing the brakes for an hour until the workshop rigged up some wood and stuff. Ended up winching it on the rest of the way. In hindsight, it should never have been driven on, but for me at 19, I never thought. Fortunately my boss blamed the transporter driver. And Mr Clark never found out his Alfa almost met an untimely end! Anyway, had it been video'd, it would have featured amongst the great 'Doh' moments! ---------- Post added at 10:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ---------- *This car actually! http://1.2.3.12/bmi/www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/thumbs/1623/Alfa-Romeo-6C-2500-SS-Pinin-Farina-Cabriolet_1.jpg

I hope Corrado's don't go down the route of the old Reliant Scimitar's. I had an SE6a when I was 19 just because I took a notion for it and it's V6 engine. I really thought it was a great car, but very few people agreed, dropping Robin and plastic pig comments all over the place. They are worth nothing today virtually, but actually are a cracking classic car. The chassis once protected will last forever and the body will never rust (bubble/stress yes, but easily fixable), something Capri and MG's owners must be so envious of - but sadly only Scimitar owners seem to know or appreciate what a great old car it is! I do agree, we need a really stunning Corrado placed in some TV thing to make people want one. And make sure that no-one uncool is seen in one - Princess Anne was a bad PR stunt for Reliant in my view! ---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ---------- Come on, not that it's one of these debates, but don't think that's entirely accurate! I've driven a 2001 S3 and older shape Civic Type R in standard guise and the handling was appalling, most noticeably at high speed. Even their owners agreed. And a standard rado will keep up with an older shape Focus ST in a straightline. And anyway, when buying a 16yr old car, you compare it with other 16yr old cars!

Short answer - go to a reputable garage. Not so short answer - loosen two bolts holding the strut to the hub and adjust. Long answer - With car on a flat surface, use a camber gauge to measure the camber on each wheel(using disck is best as means you have a common point to use with wheel off and on). I got a Sealey one from ebay. Ideally you are looking for about 0.5degrees negative, which means the top in slightly further in the the bottom. (there are figs on here on another thread). Work out how much you need to adjust each side to get to desired camber. Jack up, remove wheels and loosen the strut bolts, but slowly and carefully. You don't want them too lose as you dn't want them to move from original position yet. Place the gauge back on disk and start to lever the strut/hub until the appropriate adjustment has been made, then tighten back up. remember that the gauge won't show the proper camber due to being jacked up, but you can use the gauge to make the required adjustment e.g. 0.5 degrees positive if you have too much negative camber etc..) Repeat for other side. Replace wheels and lower car to ground. Take a very small drive (probably reverse out the drive and back) and start again. This ensures the springs have settled and so on and stop a false reading. If you've got the adjustments right, you'll be sitting with the right camber. If not, hopefully you are closer and repeat. Only once the camber is set should you do the tracking. Hope that helps!

Remember the camber. Waste of money doing tracking without camber at same time. Trust me, I've chewed enough tires to know!

James - I was in the same position as you in October. I was sickened by the amount of money I spent on fuel. So trotted off to bank to ask for money and started scouring for diesel A3's and Bora's. Having driven a few, I realised two things. A - none were as comfortable as my Corrado. I hate seats that are too big, and the Rado holds me nicely with a great driving position. But mainly, I found diesel noise bored me to death, and that despite some being almost as quick as the Rado, there was no excitement. Yeah, turbo boost, but it stops at 3k. I knew that if i did the same miles as I did in the Rado in a diesel, I'd soon hate driving. So bit the bullet and got LPG installed and have not looked back. I've done over 15k miles hassle free and found very few drawbacks. Yeah, slight power loss, but only noticable (i think) when really gunning it. And I've lost my spare wheel - just put it in the boot for Europe and rely on AA for home. Oh, and my insurance would have nearly doubled with a 'modern' car. I don't know how the supercharging side of it works with LPG, but maybe an option for you? LPG is not for people who do low miles, but at your miles, it'll pay in no time. Joni on here has done it before. Not trying to persuade you to get LPG as such, but am trying to say - You almost definetely will miss the Rado once you're bored of modern banality. You will look back one day and ask 'Why?' :)

:shocked!:

Stunning :) I really wanted to buy this when it was for sale, except I already have one...lol If you ever need a hand with anything, just holer, I'm down in Prestwick fairly often :)

On a whim last night I decided to buy some new wheels. I love the Ultra's, very light and strong, but just fancied a change. Got some 16's from a 4Motion and rather like them. They do however really make the car look high and in need of some lowering, but not going back down that route. :)

Would have fitted yest, but no-one has them in stock and will be Thursday before I can get one :( Doh :(

Coil pack cracks?! Hmmm... What condition is the associated plug in? The earth should be the ignition of the plug, so I would hope the condition of the plug would be the indicator. Unless there is another unwanted earth, causing a misfire and heating up the coilpack? If it's happening with various packs, then I would hope that would eliminate the pack therefore need to look upstream or downstream. Only thought is if there is a software program with cable for Fiat/Alfa?

Car failed MOT on high emissions and play in rear bearing ( cheers ECP, at least you manged 15k miles!). Managed to get a cable for the day and shows error 00525 Oxygen Sensor No Signal. This would explain high emissions so will get a new one as soon as possible, however I've noticed few symptoms of this. With the exception of temperamental performance (slow one day, fast the next) and very occasional stall ( I live with it, it's always after a downhill drift stopping at a roundabout). In fact the stalls only happened after I reset the ECU at weekend, so I'd put them down to that. I've driven the last 15k miles without issue, and with acceptable fuel economy. My question is, is it normal for the VR6 to run with few symptoms with no lambda? Sounds like the ECU makes up the difference using MAF and TPS? Would be interested to hear peoples thoughts.. :)

And when you go to refit, I always find it easier to slot in the back bolt on each side first, and then the front. Sometimes can be a bummer to get them located, but easier to move the bumper if it's 'hinged' on the rear ones. :)

I may have missed it, but might be worth replacing fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail? Whilst the pump may make 3.5 bar, this might all just be leaking back down the return. It's easy enough to replace ad about £40 i think? Immob thing seems probable too, but the inconsistency doesn't seem right.

These were taken using my actual camera. The quality has been reduced by PB, will need to upgrade or something to improve. They are actually crystal clear. Evening in Zadar Sunset over Dubrovnik Mr White? The name's Bond, James Bond...This one is not in the tourist bumf, Villa la Gaeta. Oh James...one of the other villa's, Villa del Balbianello. High above Sarajevo. Note the Holiday Inn on the left. the road to the airport ran from left to right (or vv!), towards the airport. You can see why it would be so exposed to sniper and rocket fire. Dubvovnik Old Town. Sorry about the cable car pylon! The cable car was destroyed in the 90's during the war, were several very moving pictures in the station. They used the cable car station as a stronghold to fire on Dubrovnik, which was heavily damaged during the war. You would not know to look at it now, although the newness of the roofs is a giveaway. I think it was like 75% of roofs were destroyed. Half of a 968! This was so good! I reckon it must have ben cut by laser, as the cuts are so clean. Adriatic at night Dunkirk - evacuation beaches

Thank you, perfect guide :) Contacted Dave and have ordered a repair kit. Got MOT soon so need it fixed before that.

Thanks easy. I've been offered a headlight switch, but slightly silly money I thinkso Mk2 would do for now if you had a spare. I'll message dave and see about the kit too as I do prefer fixing things :) Cheers, J

As above, for my '93 Rado. The plastic arms have snapped off the rocker push button which is a shame as there is nothing wrong with the rest of it. Thanks in advance, Jamie

Well, that's me back home safely and sadly already in work! Final leg was up through Belguim to Dunkirk and over to Dover, before staying the night near Oxford. Had a nice cruise back up the road yesterday. Had a great trip and saw a lot of places I'd never otherwise have seen. Highlight had to be Sarajevo. So full of history and some liovely sights, in spite of everything. All in I did 4320miles at an average of 53mph. Gas consumption was 25mpg most of the way, dropping in the UK. I suspect it's to do with more Butane on the continent.Saved about £350 on fuel costs by having the gas. Car was great. Despite some very long drives, I was never uncomfortable and just loved driving it. My mum commented that she's glad we never took her e-class as it 'would have toppled over if you'd driven it like your car'. I reassured her that wouldn't happen, but she was adament that she knows her car, and my car sticks to the road like glue! The roads on the Continent are far superior, with the exception of Germany and Belgium. I hated driving on German autobahns - always busy and full of Autobahnsturmers at 120mph+ all the time. I'm more than happy sitting at 80-90, esp when I know I can't afford for anything to break. The Corrado is a great touring car, but UK roads spoil it due to how noisy they are. My standard suspension was superb, so much more comfortable than last year on lowereds. I will post some final pics up when I get a chance, with some decent ones from my proper camera - so far has only been my phone. Pics soon!

Can't post any pics as the internet connection is wonky. Ah well. After a 400mile drive, we arrived in Luxembourg. Came through Switzerland and the St Gotttard tunnel - all 17km of it! Roads were fairly clear and once we hit France I opened her up a bit and we cruised along brilliantly at 90mph most of the way. That's the thing I love about the Corrado. When you want to get somewhere in a hurry, you can really shift along nicely. No gas stations in Switzerland, which is disappointing given how they like to think they are eco-friendly ( I've worked there twice so got the chat about doing washing at night etc..I know, not that it makes a difference, but tell that to the Swiss!). Luxembourg is an interesting place to visit. The heart of the EU. They have been quite clever here. The amount of money that has been invested here into EU buildings and functions is incredible. 4000 pupils go to the international school. There says a lot about how many people work for the EU in Luxembourg. The whole economy seems to be built on the EU and banks. And they are not ashamed to show it off - whilst impressive, it's also sickening. I can never make my mind up about Europe. One one hand, I like the common currency, not having to worry about crossing borders, car insurance etc... but at the same time, I hate the money it swallows. Money that at the end of the day comes from tax. And that fact we get laws forced on us we don't want. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox, but has made me think. One thing that was very clear here - Britain and English don't seem to fit on the Luxembourg agenda. They always mention France and Germany and their languages, but never any mention of English. Will upload pics when I can get a good connection! Ferry tmrw afternoon, Some stats in absence of Pics Driving time - 68hours 34mins. Miles - 3536miles Average Speed - 52mph. Days on the Road - 14days Got 240miles to ferry, then 500miles home. Then back to work on Monday :(

Well, after an eventful drive, we've arrived in Como. Italian roads are manic. Motorways are really busy, with endless streams of HGVs on inside lane. Everyone doing 80mph thankfully, but quite a few jams. Also experienced some complete madness leaving a toll booth. About 12 toll booths going into two lanes. The inevitable happened and a Dacia Sandero got it's side resculpted by a lorry. Whoops! Lake Como is really lovely. Beautiful lake surrounded by green carpeted mountains! Took a boat up the lake and saw the James Bund Houses - Villa Balbianello and Villa la Gaeta. They both featured in Casino Royale. The ferries are interesting, one was a hydrofoil, and the other was a boring catameran, but I reckon it was jet powered as the acceleration, speed and smoothness were brilliant. A cool thing about Como town is that it has a water runway and airport thing at the waters front! There is a lane marked a good mile down the lake for the seaplanes to take off, saw some Cessna's and Beavers when passing. To get to the hangar, they just 'drive' up out the water and across the road. Random! (Sorry if my definition of cool is a bit sad!) Heading up to Luxembourg tomorrow before heading across the Channel on Saturday afternoon. >Literally about 10seconds later a crumpy/scrapey noise followed as the Dacia got mauled by a lorry. I was pretty worried it would happen to me, but drove like a local with the mindset that my car was worth less than everyone elses :)

I think I know why the tyre is getting chewed - the rear drivers side sits ab out 1 finger lower than the passengers, which will probably knock the geometry out - looks like the spring cushion has collapsed. I'm hoping I'll make it home before it becomes illegal otherwise i'll switch it to the back. Arrived Venice today. I'd visited with my sister when i was 14 and it's not really changed much. lol. They tried to charge us £1.40 each to take a pee! I'd expect more than a scabby loo for that. Tight Scot that I am, jumped on a train at the station and relieved myself. £1.40 less to 'Let's con the tourist Venice'. Despite being mad with tourists, me included of course, it's quite something to look at. Bit smelly at times tho. Lake Como tomorrow, then likely heading to Luxembourg. Headlight bodge is working fine :)

Cracking looking car! Very impressed, now I want to do one, just for fun!

It must be a Mk2 16v thing. I had exact same issue after fitting new pipes to mine. Same thing about fine with engine off. I managed to get it almost perfect, but was always a bit spongy. Worth bleeding the calipers with them off the axle and making sure the bleed nipple is pointing upwards, and it's common for pockets of air to get trapped and not able to get free. Was the brake compensator fully open when bleeding? If not, there might be air kicking about there. If you get a few hose clamps, you can clamp them off and try identify which end, then which side is the offending one? Assuming of course it's not the MC as mentioned. This is the cheap option I suppose :) If clamping the rear twp makes it fine, you know where the issue lies and vv for front. Good luck.