4eyes2wheels

I reckon it's Crazy Dave . . .

Good day with Dave and Graham at DG. Went to collect the VR6 with it's new bits which include Track rods and rod ends (the originals were knackered) R32 wishbone bushes Bilstein B4 dampers all around Wheels aligned (steering wheel is straight now !) That was the original list then Dave suggested I try their remapped ECU. "Would sir care for more mid range power and instant throttle response?" Yes I would. I had also been badgering Dave about a headlight loom which he made and fitted while I waited. Result is a car with a great ride - comfortable but taut, not crashy over potholes and speed bumps - and that really pulls in the mid range (where I like my power, not a screaming top end). Also head lights that are very bright! So my quest for a VR6 that is to modern standards is progressing extremely well. Thanks once again to Dave and Graham for their hospitality, patient advice and for fixing other minor niggles as they arise. And all at a very good price!

Astonishing!

Wicked - loved the dicing with the red Ferarri and white Lambo (?) at Brands Hatch. I thought the indy circuit was congested with motorbikes but there is SO LITTLE room with cars.

Left it at DG for replacement dampers all round and R32 bushes up front.

Buying abroad isn't straight forward though . . . My folks bought a place in northern France (to make it REALLY accessible for long weekends etc). The purchase was as complicated as it is in the UK but obviously all conducted in French (where the legal system dates back to Napoleon) which adds headaches. Anyways, they bought a nice 3 bed house in a decent plot, redecorated, repainted the outside, improved the garden etc eventually they decided to sell as they were getting on a bit and after seven years and improving the place they got what they paid for it because the French property market is (or was) completely flat. They don't have a "home ownership" culture over there and the majority rent. So be careful, there are enough stories in the papers and TV shows to demonstrate the complexity of dealing with another country's legal system.

House AND car. If you have a decent deposit and the regular income to back the mortgage then the loan is SO CHEAP right now it's silly not to borrow as much as you can sensibly afford. Also the lender is taking a larger "risk" if it's their money you're spending. Mortgage rates are unlikely to go up much in the next 12 to 18 months and by then you'll probably be earning more and be more comfortable. Don't get me wrong - I'm not recommending a 110% mortgage on a dump in a rubbish area that is going to depreciate - but you can have both. Finally, you can get on the property ladder with something a little below your own requirements if you are going to rent it out for a while. Then when you need to have your own place (once the work accomdation stops) you can either move back in or sell it. Always hard to advise other people on the big decisions in life though.

I'm using the Dub Power leads as supplied by DG Autotech - usually a good recommendation. They seem fine to me but I don't really have much frame of reference to be honest. It's the sort of part I expect to "just work properly". :eek:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11044315 People ripping off insurers mean insurers passing on the cost to those honest citizens who actually take out insurance.

Thanks to GlosterOx for the wing bolts and washers. I wonder when I'll get around to fitting them?

Standard ride height for a middle aged duffer like me mate. Too many speed bumps and potholes around me for anything else!

Despite the school holidays and a 12 year old daughter I find myself with a little cash to spare, so got in touch with Dave at DG to talk suspension. So Saturday sees me off to Kidderminster (270 mile round trip) for some R32 bushes up front and Bilstein B4s all around. This might seem a little restrained - no big drops or rock hard stiffness - but it fits my driving style and usage.

Very tempting but then we'd have three great cars and I suspect the 4 motion would be a winner all year around.

Like the sound of that - in fact a local trader has an A3 Quattro but that's too nice for such menual duties . . . Something like Audi A6 2.5 Turbo Diesel Quattro Sports avant 180 bhp looks like fun too!

Good to know - thanks

I have led a fairly boring life compared to most people on here but here goes 1 - I have never taken any drugs but have drunk a lot of alcohol 2 - I am very impulsive, especially when buying cars and motorbikes - not good for the wallet 3 - I'm so short sighted that laser eye surgery would only get me to a minus 4 prescription so I haven't bothered with that.

Yes, Land Cruiser! Of course!

Every little bit of advice helps. Thanks

Toying with the idea of getting a used 4x4, sub £4k for general load lugging, but more importantly for winter driving when the roads are nasty. The wife is deputy head at a school that is up some narrow country lanes and then up a long private uphill drive. Her 3 series struggled in the snow and is generally too nice to use in the bad weather. In fact she was using my VR6 in the worst weather this winter but now I have tidied it up, given it some love and new wheels I don't want her doing that again. :nono: So, looking for a 4x4 that can actually cope with a little bit of ice and snow (not the Top Gear Arctic trip) so not anything too poncy :camp: but not a rattly old Defender either. Was think Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Freelander? Any recommendations or thoughts please?

My strange habit seems to be "investing" more in £s per month than miles driven per month. Although I suspect I am not the only one.

The Ladykilers (original Alec Guiness, Peter Sellars version) - 8/10 for a classic Ealing comedy

Quite a few Flash Red Veee Ahhhhs around at the moment! Looking good.

Very nice, but then I'm a bit biased.

So what is the manufacturers recommended chain replacement interval? Had my chains done at 74k because the gearbox was out for repair and it was "daft not to do them", and the clutch while we're there and a few other bits and bobs.

I have a large padded hi viz site jacket which is waterproof, warm, and shows up in the dark when fannying around at the side of the road