J Henderson

Bosch S4 - £87.99 @ ECP with current voucher code. Link

I'll sometimes use my front fogs when it isn't foggy if visibility is very poor. Like, on country roads in dark, stormy weather where standing water, tree branches etc are a hazard. This is at night of course. In actual fog, it has to be pretty thick before I feel the need to switch them on. I do most of my driving at night, or in the dark, so I'm acutely aware of light-related issues or behaviour by other road users. Someone having front fogs on in OK weather is pretty low on the list. I would sooner face that than an idiot with an aftermarket HID kit inside reflector headlights.

I got one of these kits a few years ago. Very good and covers all bases. ProSlip Grease - OEM Caliper Pin Grease https://amzn.eu/d/ar4dWo1

Quite encouraging that Aviva are one of those that are recommended. I've just switched to them after being with Admiral for about 5 years. I don't really care who I'm insured with as my car isn't particularly desirable to thieves and I'm not in the habit of being involved in accidents on a regular basis. I'm just checking a box to be legal, and will usually stay a customer with whomever I'm insured with provided the renewal price is fair, but Admiral wanted over £100 more this year for some reason, and nearly £400 overall. Half an hour later on some comparison sites, and I got myself a new policy with a few add-ons included (Protected NCB, legal protection, breakdown cover) and still saved nearly £150. Shop around. When it comes to car insurance, your loyalty is eventually punished, not rewarded.

I just asked for them to be done in shadow chrome, as close to OEM as possible. £60+VAT per wheel.

@agent_dess Since you're in Fife, I'd recommend We Restore Alloys in Kirkcaldy. They've refurbished my F-Sport wheels twice now and did a grand job both times. As @Linas.P says, getting the right look is a process of blowing over a gloss black wheel with chrome effect paint, and not just applying a normal gray colour. This was how they turned out when I requested an OEM-style finish. The 2nd time I got them done, I requested the same finish, but slightly darker this time. They turned out just how I wanted them to look.

I reckon I'm about 10-15% worse off. Which, I would mostly attribute to the engine & gearbox taking longer to warm up. Plus, more time being spent idling whilst I scrape windows and wait for them to demist. I guess having a layer of hardened frost on the roof, bonnet etc is also affecting things. Long-term average is 32-33MPG, but last couple of tankfuls have been in the high 20's. (Dashboard readings).

They're not all the same. The CD slot is an easy way to tell if you have one from an early car or a later one. The CD slot position is lower on an early unit.

Yeah that's Mesa Red. Can only agree with everyone else about how great it looks. 👍

Can't go wrong with Michelin Pilot Sports. They're expensive but top-notch and last a hell of a long time. Maybe not the quietest if that's of importance, but in terms of grip, steering response & wet performance, they're outstanding. I put PS4s on my car in 2018 and the rears are just about needing replaced only now. The fronts are not even half-worn yet. If I was in the market for a new set of 4, I'd be looking at either Michelin PS5 or Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 6.

Genuine IS-F / F-Sport one, in black, on ebay right now. Here Note that the boot lid has to be drilled to fit it.

Both of the rear brake discs should have a removable rubber grommet. Once removed, you can access the adjustment cog and rotate it with a flathead screwdriver. Adjust it enough until the brake shoes start to drag, then back it off slightly. Do the same on the other side. I think there's also some adjustment available on the pedal itself, but unless you're a contortionist, I wouldn't fancy that task.

Looks great. Those headlights really complete the look. 👍

If it's the same company, Sumitomo also make or did make brake calipers. Lexus LS even has them.

The hydrophobic effect is definitely created by the wiper blades. The included "treatment" is just some isopropyl wipes to clean the windscreen with.

Another alternative... As mentioned earlier, ive been very happy with Denso wipers for years and would gladly go back to them, but don't actually have them on my car at present. Last time out I fancied a change and switched to these PIAA wipers, which I consider to be an upgrade. They're every bit as good as the Densos at clearing the screen with no noise etc, but they also coat the screen with a layer of water-repellent silicone with every sweep. https://youtu.be/1UvyjrUcSiQ Negative points are that they're a bit more conspicuous due to them being slightly more bulky than the OEM design and having a prominent PIAA logo on them. Plus, of course they are more expensive. Although, I think the premium is a fair and reasonable one considering what they do. I paid £40 for mine.

Never ever heard a squeak from the proper Denso ones (blue packaging) as sold by Eurocarparts.

Galashiels, in the Scottish Borders. All the filling stations in that town are selling unleaded for under £1.40, so a bit of a local price war going on. That Esso garage though is an independently owned one and traditionally always very cheap.

This is the setup on my car. Not a convertible though. Pretty much what @true blue described earlier.

Osram Cool Blue Intense. Nice blue-white hue instead of yellow.

As Bilal says, only the SE-L model has illuminated sills. Wipers; Highest position on the stalk - off (push UP for a manual single swipe) Next one down - auto. There's also the rotatable switch on the stalk to adjust the sensitivity. Then low & high speed continuous wipe on the 2 additional positions. The car does not automatically lock if you walk away. The only time that happens is when you unlock the car, but fail to open any doors within 30 seconds. Bluetooth - I believe on an early model IS you should still be able to pair a phone to recieve calls only. Lights - on my car the lights stay on after shutting the engine off, but turn off as soon as the driver's door is opened.

Don't forget the weather... A couple of weeks ago, my car was always thick with frost and took forever to warm up. The fuel economy suffered very noticeably as a result. This week, it's been back to about normal due to the milder temperatures. BTW, has everyone noticed how much the fuel prices have dropped recently? This is the cheapest I've seen. Almost pre-Ukraine invasion levels.

Headlamps on certain cars (newish ones with LEDs) sure do seem mega bright when they're coming towards you.

Even worse when the guy who did lift the trophy is a teammate at your club... Messi doesn't strike me as the type of person that would forever wind people up about the result, but he'll be a constant reminder for Mbappe. At least until the end of the season. The right team won. Would've been a travesty if France had managed to win after such a shocking display for the first 80mins. Although to be fair, the contest was more even during extra time. Great final. Shame Messi was made to wear a silly cape thing for the trophy lift.

Roads around here are gritted every night, so washing the car would be a waste of time. Also don't want to risk my pressure washer getting wrecked with water freezing inside it.