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Post by brettj on Jan 20, 2021 18:32:00 GMT
A few on the motorway like to shock and impress with their phenomenal acceleration. Then they stop doing it, presumably when their battery gauge has just dropped by a third. I bought a Corolla hybrid in November. 0-100km in 10 seconds. The G Forces are frightening!
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Post by MartinT on Jan 20, 2021 21:07:42 GMT
I liked my Honda hybrid - the best of both worlds with some electric assistance but the assurance of being able to put petrol in it rather than running out of 'leccy.
It's becoming different now with more charging stations everywhere.
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Post by Clive on Jan 20, 2021 21:23:47 GMT
I liked my Honda hybrid - the best of both worlds with some electric assistance but the assurance of being able to put petrol in it rather than running out of 'leccy. It's becoming different now with more charging stations everywhere. I wonder how many years it’ll be before we fret over where’s the next petrol station vs charging stations being everywhere. I love my 360 bhp straight 6...
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Post by MartinT on Feb 3, 2021 8:25:59 GMT
I'm having Bilstein B8 dampers installed, together with new rear lower arms for proper alignment, anti-roll bar drop links, poly bushes to tighten up all the linkages. This should match the already good lowering springs and give me very pointy handling, especially as I've now gone back to the superb Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Today's the day - the Bilsteins came in at last after ordering them back in October. Apparently the German factory are running at half capacity due to COVID but still have high demand. Well, they do make the best dampers on the market. So I'm at Abbey Motorsport this morning with coffee to hand, Surface in use and letting them take the strain. Good day to take off work.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 3, 2021 15:54:18 GMT
The Bilstein B8 dampers were installed today, to accompany my existing H&R Super Sport springs. If you wanted to do the whole shebang, you could buy the Bilstein B12 kit, which consists of B8s with Eibach lowering springs. At the same time, lower arm Superpro poly bushes front and rear were installed, as well as Superpro lower control arms, adjustable toe controls and Whiteline anti-roll bar drop links front and rear. It also got a full laser alignment. By the way, I ordered the Bilsteins last October and they only just arrived this week. Be prepared for a long wait.
Abbey did the usual superb job and threw two technicians at it, so it was all completed by early afternoon.
Ride quality is firm but fluid. You certainly know that you're no longer on stock dampers, but at the same time it remains supple and always in control. There is no bounce, especially over large undulations. There is certainly no crashing or harshness. It's just firm. But that leads to...
Roadholding. Goodness me, this is different! In the damp conditions driving home, and off motorway as much as I could, the level of grip and control around bends and coming off corners and roundabouts is on a different planet. Being able to put down a goodly amount of supercharger power and not have it scrabbling for grip is amazing. No, I didn't sneak a set of 255s on the wheels, they're still 235 PS4s. However, I am not used to being able to give it so much pedal so early coming off a corner. It really is a new kind of fun.
Was it worth it? I think so, as the investment in a good boosted setup is wasted if you don't pay as much attention to the chassis, and stopping, as it needs.
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 3, 2021 16:07:02 GMT
Took out the Saabs yesterday to check they still worked. They did !
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 24, 2021 10:29:36 GMT
Can anyone recommend an accurate and reliable digital tyre pressure gauge?
There's a big difference in readings between my tyre inflator gauge and a simple analogue gauge I have.
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Post by petea on Feb 24, 2021 11:01:39 GMT
Took out the Saabs yesterday to check they still worked. They did ! You environmental vandal, you!
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2021 11:21:00 GMT
Took out the Saabs yesterday to check they still worked. They did ! You environmental vandal, you! Taking the boss for an MRI scan today Another trip Two in one month !
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Post by MartinT on Feb 25, 2021 18:08:18 GMT
I have a courtesy car for a few days while my wheels are repaired following a contretemps with an arse in a Jaguar.
It's a BMW 118i, a sort of cod high off-roader that isn't. It looks blingy but the driving experience is far, far worse. It's almost dead silent. There appears to be no connection with the road. The steering is light and dead. The brakes are too fierce and dead feeling. There are a thousand controls. The handbrake is one of them - yes, it's a switch.
Honestly, I would get more feeling from driving my sofa. Ghastly!
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Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Feb 26, 2021 5:52:01 GMT
I'm having Bilstein B8 dampers installed, together with new rear lower arms for proper alignment, anti-roll bar drop links, poly bushes to tighten up all the linkages. This should match the already good lowering springs and give me very pointy handling, especially as I've now gone back to the superb Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Today's the day - the Bilsteins came in at last after ordering them back in October. Apparently the German factory are running at half capacity due to COVID but still have high demand. Well, they do make the best dampers on the market. So I'm at Abbey Motorsport this morning with coffee to hand, Surface in use and letting them take the strain. Good day to take off work. I haven’t tried PS4’s, was a toss up between the 4S and F1 Supersports, which I plumped for as they were about 80 quid cheaper for the set at the time. Can recommend them, they transformed the beemer. On tyrereviews they are beating the 4S in the user reviews.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 26, 2021 9:32:48 GMT
That's interesting to know, Ali. Tyre composition changes all the time, but I remember F1s to always be good tyres. In the supersport category, both PS4S and F1S have great reputations, but I wouldn't like to use them in very wet conditions or in winter.
It's interesting that the Bilsteins have given me more grip, especially when powering around corners. It seems that maintaining wheel contact with the road really is a benefit and I can feel them (and the Torsen LSD) doing the business, keeping grip even when the forces are high.
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 26, 2021 9:46:12 GMT
I have a courtesy car for a few days while my wheels are repaired following a contretemps with an arse in a Jaguar. It's a BMW 118i, a sort of cod high off-roader that isn't. It looks blingy but the driving experience is far, far worse. It's almost dead silent. There appears to be no connection with the road. The steering is light and dead. The brakes are too fierce and dead feeling. There are a thousand controls. The handbrake is one of them - yes, it's a switch. Honestly, I would get more feeling from driving my sofa. Ghastly! The Ultimate driving machine !
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Post by MartinT on Feb 26, 2021 9:57:57 GMT
LOL! The thing is, I know that many would see all of my complaints as advantages in a car
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 26, 2021 10:07:38 GMT
You're not selling me on the idea Martin Drove the boss's 02 Saab HOT Turbo to take her for MRI My 96 2.3T to pick her up Much preferred the more comfy feeling with mine.
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Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Feb 26, 2021 10:44:24 GMT
That's interesting to know, Ali. Tyre composition changes all the time, but I remember F1s to always be good tyres. In the supersport category, both PS4S and F1S have great reputations, but I wouldn't like to use them in very wet conditions or in winter. It's interesting that the Bilsteins have given me more grip, especially when powering around corners. It seems that maintaining wheel contact with the road really is a benefit and I can feel them (and the Torsen LSD) doing the business, keeping grip even when the forces are high. I haven’t really tried the F1’s in very wet conditions yet- change of employer and a company car means the beemer barely turns a wheel now- three weeks since I’ve fired it up. Agree about winter though, I have a spare set of wheels with winter tyres which have been on for the last few months. Interesting what you say about the Bilsteins, I think you are right and funnily enough, heard the same thing said in a review of the GR Yaris- it keeping the tyres always on the road was given as one of the main factors in its handling abilities. Love to have a go in one!
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Post by MartinT on Mar 15, 2021 6:22:35 GMT
Driving my own car again - bliss!
I have my MOT and an Exedy Stage 1 performance clutch booked for Wednesday.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 15, 2021 14:08:26 GMT
I really enjoyed the first ep of new Top Gear series last night.
The segment on 1970's 'dad' cars was just so nostalgic ...
The new Lamborghini Sian is my idea of a proper modern supercar - complete OTT nuttery.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 19, 2021 9:44:13 GMT
Any opinions or recommendations for a windscreen supplier ? Seems like the boss isn't covered on insurance so I'm paying Crack now at least 10" at the bottom of the screen
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Post by MartinT on Mar 19, 2021 10:10:05 GMT
I suppose Autoglass are the biggest and probably source genuine items rather than clones.
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