GMB

This picture takes me to a previous thread a few minutes ago - They certainly don't make 'em like that anymore and Mercedes ( actually Renault now ) don't make 'em anywhere near as good as this one.

I'll have some of whatever you're drinking.

42 minutes ago, GSLV6 said:

they were better built in my day

Actually, they were. Simpler is better ( especially in technology aspects )  blah blah blah.

42 minutes ago, GSLV6 said:

The Regs for emissions have made engine systems more complex and some would argue, less long lived, due to greater demands placed on smaller engine units. There's some truth in this

Yes, you are right on that point too.

I agree with your comments - not that anyone cares what I think anyway.😁

12 hours ago, Mossypossy said:

Landed in the French Basque country.

Looks suspiciously like Wales to me

There is a lot of Welsh heritage in that part of the world - would you believe it?  It rains a lot there as well. 

iechyd da!  or is it On egin?

18 minutes ago, Brian R said:

we never used to be plagued by car theft, I wonder what has changed................

I think what has changed is the gradual understanding by the thieves that they will not get caught because the Police do nothing. So it goes on and on.....😢

3 hours ago, BonzoSPB said:

Just who is their preferred customer

Here are their preferred customers in these iron boxes.

Sorry if it sounds daft but the first thing that came to mind - 

What a weird sound. All I can think of is one of these:  You sure you weren't being followed?

1 hour ago, Mossypossy said:

Current stats.

2559 miles

83 gallons

30.8mpg

It's like going back in time driving in mainland Europe. Still enjoyable. Driving in the UK is another matter.

1 hour ago, Brian R said:

Word to the wise Direct Line, that business model will floor you in no time at all

I would like to think that they will pay for their misdeeds. Sounds a bit like a TV ad - - half the cover with twice the excess at only twice the price! Buy now before we go bust.

Toledo Avila Segovia worth a look and on the way to and from.

3 hours ago, Malc1 said:

I found Gibraltar essentially one of the most boring places on earth tbh 

You are not wrong.    A trip to Jerez is nice and Gonzalez Byass will give you the free grand tour ( they did for us anyway ) They have mice which come out from under the barrels to sip some Pedro Ximenez by climbing a ladder up the glass - Honest!

16 minutes ago, GSLV6 said:

I've had two S60's and an 850T5.  The 850 was by far the more reliable and better built car.

I didn't realise Volvo had lost their reputation for good cars so recently. Not good is it? A pal of mine had the old 850R and it was excellent, the only real issue was that all 4 corners of the suspension wore out. The car outlived him BTW.   RIP. Sold recently for £6500. No rust!  Too cheap by far, when the suspension complete replacements were estimated at £500 per corner.

1 hour ago, Shahpor said:

why would they go to the expense of fitting immobilisers to customers cars, especially as it would be quite a costly endeavor for them, with very little perceived gains?

That's a good point. Maybe they need to go one step further and do what Ford Motors does? That is; make cars that wear out and fail one week after the warranty expires. I think Samsung may have adopted this winning formula in the past..

22 minutes ago, Tickedon said:

I put 70k miles on a S60 over 4.5 years. I would never go back. Servicing is extortionate and I had enough problems that I had to find a friendly independent to keep the costs reasonable.

I had an S60 T5 (2019) before my Lexus. I gave the car to my son. He took it for a 12000 mile service and we could not believe the extortionate price - over £700. They insisted on new spark plugs - at 12000 miles - who is kidding whom?  When he said don't replace them they told him his warranty would be voided.   He got rid of the car and I felt bad about having given the car to him. BTW It was a lovely and pretty quick car. The new dealers, a big chain who bought out the old owners,  were also pretty awful and even rude to deal with.  So, no more Volvo, the new cars are electric so I don't want one anyway. No more Renault, Nissan, Ford, Jaguar, Lexus. OMG - what can I get???  I will just keep my old Lexus cars which have proved to be 100% reliable 🤞🤞🙃and enjoyable to drive.

4 hours ago, Lmafudd said:

I know that Summer has definitely arrived as my mystery squeak has returned

Yep, Summer's here. I know because the deleted censored on bikes are out riding two abreast in narrow country lanes.

I'm keeping my old Lexus cars. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Even Volvo ( who made some great cars - like my old S60 ) have lost the faith and gone off.

3 hours ago, cdmaskell said:

Many years I mentioned to a senior work colleague.  ( Rather a know all, big headed fella) I was going to buy a Honda Izzy for the wife to use in the summer.  He replied, “great little open tops they are”. Hmm I said it’s a lawn mower.  True story!

I know. I've got one. Great little mower! In France I got a sit-on mower with a Kawasaki V twin 750cc engine in it. It was the fastest mower in the department! You could catch pigeons with it! Great fun.

3 hours ago, Mincey said:

As for FWD vs RWD, I don't feel that I miss RWD at all. 

I think you only really notice FWD vs RWD when you are "racing" it. Otherwise RWD is rubbish in snow and FWD has less feel and some torque steer. Normal driving reveals no real "everyday" differences as far as I know.

BTW  - RWD - traction control off+sport mode can induce some nice opposite lock wheelspins ( Not that I would dare to do that now at my age )🤫

Many yrs ago I was given a courtesy car by the local VW agent. While out in it a drunken driver drove off the pavement and hit the side door putting a dent in it while I was stopped at a roundabout.  I explained what had happened to the garage and they said It and me were only insured third party and I had to pay for the door repair.  I have been very careful with courtesy cars ever since.  BTW - the drunk begged me not to call the police in return for a signed statement that it was all his fault for the insurance company's evidence. The insurance companies said it was not applicable even though it was clear, signed and dated.  Hence I had to pay!  A lesson learned methinks.😮

I quite like this one but I would look stupid in it.

I don't have any T shirts, they make me look daft in them.😒

2 hours ago, SH20 said:

What's the point,  this country is like the wild west and beyond saving

Er Has nobody noticed? It's been like the wild west for years in the UK.  With no effective government or control it's just gone to the dogs. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. There's still hope - get a good job installing security and then take the money and run. I am not joking.  Portugal seems nice??

It seems to be the way things are going. They can already hack your fridge and baby alarm and doorbell camera why not hack your car - it's already being addressed by some manufacturers. Imagine going down the M6 at 130mph (as usual😁) and someone in China turns the engine/battery off.   Deadmeat💀.

As an exercise I think someone once put a price on building a car from scratch using the parts prices. If I remember right the cost was enormous.

One check I made a while ago  Standard plugs for an ISF £14 from a specialist, BMW M3 £25, Big Motorcycle £7. You can go mad and buy special ones for £25plus.

Here's what they could do if they actually cared.