Storm Warning

I'm sure the scheme will have a short term impact on sales at the lower priced end of the market but you do have to question the thinking. It just generates a throw away attitude, now I am a long way off a being a tree huggin eco warrior but even I can see this is wrong. On the other hand it will probably rid the roads of a lot of sheds, this means more money for main dealers and reduced income for your local garages. As already mentioned used prices will get a lift and result in a new price floor, but I wonder if by being £2k nearer its death that in the long term it may cause more of a sustained rate of depreciation rather than the normal rapid first 3 yrs then slowing off. Certainly the amount of money your new car looses when you drive off the forecourt will increase by another £2k. While this will stimulate the market in the short term its very doubtful it will do any more than just plug a bit of the hole the recession has made, with that in mind I wonder if it will be considered only a temporary measure. Dare I say it but if the gov are going to throw £2k at a new car buyer it should be because they've purchased some eco schitt, like a compensation scheme to anyone gullible enough to fall for the whole media spun global warming thing. One thing that will change is that future classics will reduce in numbers much faster as they are scrapped. The only saving grace is improved prices for the good ones as they get ever rarer faster.

The Wiki has not been playing nicely for a while but you can still get to the stuff you need : http://wiki.the-corrado.net/312mm_brakes.html Biggest challenge is getting the bolts but if you call Trident racing supplies with your requirements they'll sort you out, also they sell schnorr washers - they are loads better than spring washers for keeping it all tight.

Without doubt has to be DHLs parcel2go service http://www.parcel2go.com/ I've shipped some very awkward shaped items with them. 8) You might have to send them in two packages, just bind the tyres together and stick the labels on them :D (my RCs & Tyres made it from Germany like that).

http://www.barryboys.co.uk/mx/ ? :lol: Edit: that wasn't quite the effect I wanted, check out the shed rado on the front page, :epicfail:

Great race, glad to get the Fosters out of the way :clap:

My guess is that they will run with something along the lines "Brawn making a team from nowhere in 2 weeks and dominating the race" while a great success story it is, they'll probably not mention that one of the reasons the car is so good is that they (Honda) sacrificed at least the last season and probably most of the one before to develop the car (hence their previous shocking form) IF this diffuser that Brawn is running is making a big difference you can be sure the other teams will close the gap very soon. This only serves to make it even more exciting :cheers: , don't get me wrong I hope Brawn and Co keep it up but I hope they don't run off and dominate as that would be boring. It was an outstanding drive by both Jenson and Hamilton but I still think in equal equipment Hamilton would still be the fastest brit out there.

Er, don't they go forward? :wink: Yeh, Spring Forward, Fall Back.

I've never been so excited about seeing a team perform as BrawnGP, outstanding. :notworthy: lets hope they keep it up.

Hope you've all got your fosters in the fridge for the weekend, I think I will record it as I'm not up for drinking at 5am.

I recently renewed mine, on the wishbones I went std inner and audi TT outer. on the rear beam I went powerflex (this is the only place I personally considered polys, VAG everywhere else). I think the setup is excellent, to me there is no noticed increase in noise/vibration and if pushedthe poly rears induce lift off oversteer 8) which, is a matter of driving tastes (and you probably shouldn't be driving like that away from the circuit :nono: ). Polys are easier to fit too in the rear beam, and be prepared to replace some copper brake lines too while doing the job. I do a lot of miles so if the Polys wear quick I'll know soon enough, but it'll be fun getting there :D

Dunno what happened there, it gave an error about maximum nested 3 quotes and went back to the edit screen, I will remove what I can. Good site that is and covers many countries, but not Abu Dhabi, I think that might have to be a lucky dip choice. Added Amstel for Spain or Steinburg if you can find it. Borsodi Bivaly for hungary (looking for a supplier) West End Draught for Bahrain but again supply of a bottle might be an issue - tiger for me if not. I've put Arran down for british as I can't think of any other nice blonde to drink (McEwens? Skol? Harp? all :epicfail: ) and I'm still looking for how I include an html table in a BB post.

Hoegaarden is Belgian! [/quote:1bm85526] Also not a blonde really. Look out for bottles of Erdinger. It's starting to show up in places like Tesco, etc and should easily be available at any half decent beer specialist! Erdinger Weissbier is lovely! Erdinger & Bitburger will be added to the list depending on availability. Tiger is my favorite anyway so if in doubt I have tiger.

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Duvel is great stuff, added for Spa (currently 50% of it too at waitrose wine direct). Now if we add in the down it rule when somone falls off the track then a wet Spa will be very interesting. Any recommendations for Germany?

:D No rules at all, but I like the idea, perhaps everytime someone falls off the track you have to down your current drink? I'll add in your beverage suggestions. I think you right, Abu Dhabi will be a nightmare like Malaysia (brewing was illegal at somepoint in history) edit: I suspect the anti-climax of the actual content of this thread will render a very poor reads to posts ratio! :camp:

Now I have your attention I need to invite you all to play the Formula 1 Blondes game I invented and enjoyed playing last season. I like watching the F1 but it can be boring, I also like trying different beers so I thought i'd spice the F1 up a bit by drinking my way around the seasons circuit. I'm not much of a real ale man myself, I prefer the blondes! :norty: So, we pick a regional blonde for each race and drink it that weekend, simple. No sign ups and err no prizes. I can't recall what I had for all the races last season, here is the first cut so comments and feedback welcome (anyone know how to get the forum to accept HTML for a table?): Austrailia -> 29-Mar -> Fosters - Starting the season gently Malaysia -> 05-Apr -> Tiger --- Doesn't have its own beer, Tiger is popular and locally brewed (KL) under licence Chinese -> 19-Apr -> Tsingtao Bahrain -> 26-Apr -> West End Draught appears to be local (possibly only local) need to find a bottled version and in the UK, other wise I'm having Tiger Spain -> 10-May -> San Miguel Monaco -> 24-May -> Kronenbourg Turkey -> 07-Jun -> Efes British -> 21-Jun -> Arran Germany -> 12-Jul -> Erdinger or Bitburger, depends what you can get hold of Hungary -> 26-Jul -> Borsodi Bivaly (looking for a supplier) Europe(Spain) -> 23-Aug -> Amstel or Steinburg (if you can get it) Belgian -> 30-Aug -> Duvel Italy -> 13-Sep -> Peroni Singapore -> 27-Sep -> Tiger (Provisional) Japanese -> 04-Oct -> Asahi Brasil -> 18-Oct -> Brahma Abu Dhabi -> 01-Nov -> ~Struggling to find anything local~ choose your favorite So, who will join me? :drinking:

I've just had my chains and clutch done a couple of weeks ago, you'll pay £187 for the chain parts, and £195 for the clutch bits (inc VAT) (not including slave cylinder). All VW parts. @ 100k miles my chains/tensioners/pads showed next to no wear however, my clutch was nearly on rivets and had a hair line fractures. Make sure you talk nicely to the parts man and ask for discount - I got all the parts for £345 all in. VW VR6 clutches are on exchange only basis, not that you were planning to keep the old one :lol: . You might be able to save a couple of quid on a non-gen clutch but its not worth it in the scheme of things. As already said, the job is about 8-10 hours, depending where you go. On my members thread I listed the parts needed if it helps (with quantity and price ex vat & discount).

I'm in with two teams, 2nd one was after I read how the points system works :camp: . That site need some usabilty testing what a PITA! :gag: I had a pants start to the league last year, need to pay more attention early doors this year. Game on.

Just completed a weeks stay in the Garage for some work and upgrades: New Chains & Tensioners[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] New Clutch[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Installed 263 Schimmel Cams[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] New gearbox mount[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Powerflex rear beam bushes[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] VW Inner wishbone bushes & TT outers[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] 280mm rear conversion form the forum Group Buy[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] 312mm Conversion with matching grooved/cross drilled discs to the 280s (euro spec)[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Goodridge hoses all round, new copper hoses @ rear[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Pads: Ferodo DS2500 fronts and Pagid FR Rears[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] DOT 5.1 Fluid[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Stone chips removed from my sub year old paint :nuts: [/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Raised the suspension up a little for more travel[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Rounded off with a 4 wheel laser alignment[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Notes on the work: Top tensioner shows little or no wear, lower shows a little. On inspection of cam followers they apparently show no wear at all. Mechanic was very complementry about the internal condition of the engine from what he saw. Glad to know the very regular oil changes are worth it. Clutch was nearly on the rivets though and has some stress fractures visible too. Even without the remap (coming soon) the cams have made a huge difference I am amazed 8) The combination of the lift, new bushes and the alignment have totally transformed the car. It never drove this well before even nearly 8 years ago. Still bedding the brakes in but they are feeling outstanding for an economical upgrade. On my first drive I was actually shouting an screaming with excitement! right up until it broke down (loose alternator connection) Also had a minor coolant leak from the rad temp sensor, but my god is it fun. Shame I can't drive econmically any more and I don't think my tyres will last too long either! :bonk: Parts used: VW (all + vat and pre any discounts) Timing Chain 021 109 465 B 1 36.99 Timing Chain 021 109 503 A 1 36.99 Pin 021 109 511 1 10.10 Slide Rail 021 109 513 1 8.86 Slide Rail 021 109 469 1 3.40 Chain Tensioner M AAA 217 001>> 021 109 509 E 1 7.94 Chain Tensioner 021 109 467 1 23.39 Chain Tensioner M AAA 217 001>> 021 109 507 B 1 26.30 Bolts N905 350 01 2 0.15 Lower Pin 021 109 471 1 1.60 Mid Pin 021 109 515 A 1 6.00 Hex Bolt N010 272 4 1 0.30 Hex Bolt N010 352 10 1 0.70 Retaining Spring 012 141 741 1 0.51 Clutch operating Lever 02J 141 719 B 1 14.09 Ball Pin 02A 141 777 B 1 2.94 Clutch Kit 021 198 141 AX 1 138.81 Oil Seal 085 311 113 1 5.72 Round Seal N903 543 01 1 2.00 Spline socket head bolts N903 554 04 3 0.30 Grease for clutch plate G 000 100 1 5.00 Other bits (+ Vat) DS2500 312mm Pads FCP590 1 118 Pagid Rear Pads 1 35 VW Front Inner bush 357 407 182 2 5.57 Audi TT 3.2 rear wishbone bush 8N0 407 181 B 2 15 Powerflex Rear Set 1 39.52 DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid VHT Paint Braided Goodridge Hoses (goof vr6) Bolts, washers and schnorr locking rings for the 312 conversion Big thanks to Trident Racing Supplies for the bolts; Badger5 for pads; Stealth for Hoses & Powerflex bushes; VW for taking pity on my shopping list and giving me good discount; and most of all Volkskraft for getting it all done :notworthy: I'd been collecting bits for a while in group buys and bargins so I think at about £2500 inc labour and vat for all the above it wasn't too bad. Next up: Remap[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Must finish ICE and handsfree[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Put the Storm Badge on, I'm sooo lazy[/*:m:2a3kkfmc] Then I'm done. Maybe :norty:

Collected my car from the garage (been in for 8 days) and promptly broke down a few miles later. AA man sorted the dodgy alternator connection and off I went again. Work done : 312s with ferodo ds2500s, 280s with pagid frs, braids, dot 5.1, 263 cams, new clutch, new chains, all new bushes (mix of vw/audi/powerflex) tweak of the ride height, 4 wheel laser align. oh my god,what a difference, like a new car and has so much more go its unreal. once warmed and got the boot in a bit more I was shouting and screaming with excitement.... up until it died on me :brickwall: looking forward to the morning :norty:

Following Mr Wire's detail, to give you a better picture of the setup I've gone for: New VW top mounts, inner bushes, TT outer bushes, powerflex rear beam bushes; KW V1s, wishbones just below level; 4 wheel laser aligned; BBS RCs; Conti Sport Contacts (32psi Front, 30 Rear). oh I think I used about 9 pages of [strike:l25oe0cz]convincing[/strike:l25oe0cz] research before getting all that lot :norty:

I ran 17s with a std setup for a long time including track time and it handled well while being very forgiving on rougher b roads. Only when pushed did roll and understeer get a little fustrating and then there is the 4x4 look :lol: Now I run KW V1s, with the 17s and from a comfort perspective its 'ok'. They are certainly not crashy as you can experience on cheaper coilies and it takes roadworks-esq pot holes to jolt you in to submission and ease off. Put it this way I was very worried about making my car unbearable for my children but its fine... no puke on the hide so far :lol: Don't get me wrong I certainly have moments of "maybe I should have something more sensible/comfortable" but they are very infrequent, short lived and made up by the handling smiles per mile 8)

I've just had them put on mine, and I will be putting a lot of miles on mine 8) but my old ones were shot so I can't really give a fair comparison. I just liked the idea of making it even more of a VAG mongrel :camp:

Looking great :luvlove: what are your plans for indicators? also did you manage to get the clear stickers? I'm sure there would be resonable demand on here for them.. me being one :grin: