NothernDan

How’s it going everyone? First post for a while since the little man arrived 😀 back on the 28th September. All is going well and he’s safely back home now and coming along nicely. I’m enjoying some PAT leave and inbetween bottles of milk and bouts of screaming (mainly from baby Corey, sometimes from me!) I’ve had time to let my mind run away with me and have collected my next ISF upgrade from the local powder coaters today. I've been looking at wheel upgrades since I’ve had the car but nothing really set my pulse racing. I was looking through some old photos last week and found some pics of my R32 Golf (MkV) that I had fitted with Porsche Alloys. I properly loved the look and the fact that it was a relatively (at the time) rare set up. That set me thinking as to what other prestige brand wheels would fit the ISF and after a little research I found what I think will be an ace set up. I picked up the wheels on Saturday, dropped them off at the powder coaters the same day and picked them up today. I’ll be getting the tyres switched and the wheels fitted in the next week or so and I’ll add some more pics then. So, take a seat Dav! I’m not sure these will meet with your approval and the shock may take it’s toll on your delicate and brand focussed disposition! Here is is a little peek at my next wheels and yes, I intend to use the original centres! Controversial!! These are Aston Martin V8 Vantage Alloys, 19 x 8.5 front, 19 x 9.5 rears. They will fit the same as my OEMs with the 15mm H&R track spacers I’m currently using, the same flush outboard fitment but with an extra 0.5 inch of inboard fitment which is fine given the OEM wheels without spacers used to sit 15mm further into the wheel wells. These have been media blasted to bare metal then powder coated in BMW Metallic Orbit Grey. The centre caps are brand new genuine units. Who knew centre caps could cost that much! Hatemail to the usual address please!! 😀🤓😝 Enjoy!!

Stunning car Nick, bet it didn't look that good out of the factory!!

What a picture!! 😎

Jesus! Cold down there today!

And we have a winner!! I'd say that was bead-tastic!

😎 Googling it now!!

Show us your finest beading pics! @Flytvr I’m expecting some museum quality productions from you!! The below was achieved using Meguiars Waterless Wash and Wax last night, a pretty decent result considering no actual “rubbed in” wax was used. I tend to get the best results (for my car colour) from my own personal favourite, Dodo juice ‘light fantastic’ soft wax, applied over a coat or two of Colinite 476S. These two combined give much better uniform beading for a few months without any reapplication required and much tighter beading than that shown below. I find I then just need the occasional once over with the Meguiars stuff mentioned above to keep on top of things. Show us yours this fine rainy day.

@bobmc as per your PM. Dan.

I like that idea! Following the posts and suggestions and the general southern favour on the poll I've been looking at a few ideas too. I've been researching a potential route between; Palace House/Beaulieu Abbey Windsor Castle Blenheim Palace Probably in reverse order to that show above. A royal flush of palaces and castles! All with big carparks and lots of local hotels and pubs. Early stages yet though as Mr Rat says. Perhaps we can combine forces on the next one my dear rodent friend! At least we'll both have someone to blame when it all goes wrong!

If they are unwilling to engage in striking a deal then it makes the job of discounting that car as one of your potential buys that much easier. I see all of the negatives from a "they are poor at sales" perspective listed above as massive positives from a "making my decision making process easier" perspective. Everybody likes being charmed into a sale and being made to feel like they got a good deal but the no nonsense approach means you can quickly qualify a car as "out" or "in" if the deal you want on it does not exist at that time at that dealer. I applaud Lexus for being unwilling to discount their prices. They are maintaining their (and our) brand worth in the process. Discounting to your best offer 3 weeks later is frustrating but simply increases their chance of getting a better price in the interim. It's not like we've all stopped buying them is it!? If cashflow is not their focus then they do not care how slowly they achieve their bottom price as they'll probably do a better deal on the way there. yes, they may miss out on a quicker sale but an impulse buy leaves the door open for upselling paint protection and all the stuff where as a focussed "I want this specific thing" like most of us are does not. They are actively trying to avoid selling to the likes of us in almost every situation. I'd pose the question "are we buying clever"? The best deals can be had end of month, end of quarter, end of year, with cash not part ex, with an open mind to alternates. If we are not ticking those boxes they will not tick ours. The only other thing I'd add is that if we are all looking for the deal of the century then what are we all doing buying from main dealers! On that note if anybody is in the market for a 1990 MR2, let me know!! 😜

I knew there was a touch of the Gerard Butler about you!

😎France it is then!!

Never, I’m from Aspatria, midway between Keswick and Carlisle. I know Penrith and all round there really well.

Fully agree mate! I was brought up 16 miles North of Keswick and know the roads and locations very well up there. My only concern would be the distance for you, @Peter P18 and anyone else from further south than me (Hertfordshire). It's a good 5 hour drive from mine so it would definitely be overnight Friday and Saturday to make the most of it. I reckon a "mid-country" location work best for most of us and I'm keen to make sure it's not a kille distance before we even start the tour. The other thing to consider is the nearby continent! You can actually drive to Paris quicker than Cumbria from my house. No joke!!

The brand new 7 Black's look awesome! We can record ourselves getting lost this time!! 😂

So, number one, I am “rebranding” the events after some negative press 😎 ( I jest!) Number two, I am already thinking about the next one. Would kind of like to prove the point that the Dales route can be done and is a winner but a great cat burglar once told me never to return to the scene of a crime. Anyhooo, here are my learnings and observations based on feedback so far. Wherever the next one is: Starting at a friendly local dealership seems to be a winner We need Walkie Talkies and nominated sub groups with a walkie talkie holding group leader. I’ve now got 8 Motorola TLKR T80 Extremes with all the associated gubbins. These things are about £55 a pair so should you feel the urge, buy some. More can only help Looks like densely populated and popular tourist hotspots, although beautiful, are a surefire way to split up any groups as parking will be at a premium. With that in mind larger pubs etc on the outskirts may be better end-of-leg rendezvous destinations We all like a nice bit of scenery So with the above in mind I’ve been researching the following potential locations; The Lakes - a very long drive to get to location for some of us though, potentially meaning two overnights Yorkshire Dales - Not as far and some awesome roads The Peak District revisited - Derbyshire MK2 with some improvements as above Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the Welsh Borders The Cotswolds- I can hear @Flytvr and @Big Rat typing their responses already! Whats your thoughts people? Any preferences?

+1 on the gravel grids, did ours myself as we don’t have any trustworthy rodents up here. Great stuff, hides all manner of sins, drains away and won’t look like crap when the Mrs R56 Cooper S drops it’s oil quota on there every weekend. Thank god we got rid of that thing, although I do miss the pop pop bang exhaust!

Hey everyone! How many F's did e get at Lexus Derby then? Keen to see if the 13 or 14 previous best has been conquered! 😎

Ta fella, very much appreciated. Will pass on some if the feedback from above too!

Ta mate, love the new calipers!!

Thanks for all the posts guys! Did I hear right that Snake Pass was closed! That will have scuppered the plans a bit! So sad that @bobmc had such misfortune. Gutted for you mate ☹️. Will definitely be doing radios for the next one and taking everyone's points on board. The next one will run much slicker. Keep posting everyone, keen to see more pics and get more feedback. @DAW I hope your father in law(?) is ok and recovering.

Very nice composition there Cezar. That should be a postcard!

Sounds good!

Gents! Hope that Alex the super-enthusiastic Centre Host at Lexus Derby 😁 looked after you all well. He certainly made me feel extremely welcome when I met him. Not sure what they layed on for you all in the end but Alex is dedicated to ensuring customers are delighted with their experience at Lexus Derby. With this in mind some feedback would help them improve service levels and plan better for future events, so can you please take a few moments to write a short piece of feedback for Alex (and the centre in general) below that you'd be happy for me to pass on. As you know, our chosen brand prides itself on customer satisfaction and Alex is a true brand ambassador. Feedback below please, good and bad. I plan to share the link to the thread with Alex and the centre principal so please type with that audience in mind! 😉

Stealth!!! I love it!!