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The Car Thread


MadManMike

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Just removed the last 2 of my poly engine mounts, so now I'm back on OEM spec rubber ones on all 4. My god it's smooth and quiet now! Absolutely night and day, it's genuinely a really civilized and sensible car to drive around in now. Very happy.

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Ideal - I'm considering going down the springs & shocks route at the mo to replace my coils for similar reasons. Now I'm back in the sticks its not so nice as when I was living in town on (relatively) smoother roads!

Currently on the phone to Flux starting the rounds for this year's insurance cover. Intrigued to see what they can do. What sort of money are you folks paying for 1.8t insurance and who with? Be good to know I'm in the right ballpark, although given that we're all fairly spread across the country I know that's not much to go on!

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Springs and shocks could be a good plan. It might be worth trying some softer springs on your current coilovers too. Because coilover springs are generic sizes, you can get them whatever spring rate and length you want for about £20 a corner. Could be worth a try, especially as coilovers tend to have shorter strut bodies, which means more travel, so with soft springs they're often actually really comfy. Cheap coilovers damping often suits slightly softer springs really well too.

I've been with Brentacre for years. Their initial quote was higher than flux this year, but they were happy to match flux's price when I told them that. I've found their customer service better, as well as their method of charging for modifications. (You tell them what maximum power you want, and all modifications are free as long as you don't exceed that power.) Mine was £840 if I remember right, but that's probably not comparable as it's not really the same sort of car.

My renewal's coming up in a month or so, I'm hoping I can stay with them, but I'm going to absolutely insist on being insured to drive other cars this time, so if they won't do that then I'll probably switch. (They wouldn't this year because I was 1 year off being old enough.)

Edited by RobinJI
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How would the insurance company know how much power you're producing? Because if you have a crash it's unlikely they're going to go "oh wait, let me just dyno this bitch to see if he's covered"

Or is that what they do? If not couldn't you just say you're producing less power and charge you less?

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How would the insurance company know how much power you're producing? Because if you have a crash it's unlikely they're going to go "oh wait, let me just dyno this bitch to see if he's covered"

Or is that what they do? If not couldn't you just say you're producing less power and charge you less?

You'd specify the bhp when you meantion the modifications on your insurance.

You wouldnt do any serious performance modifications without getting it set up on a rolling road :)

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Yeah. Usually the insurers that are open to covering vehicles with mods are fairly clued up, so if you try telling them that your hybrid-turbo'd, massive FMIC, large-intaked car is only putting out 90bhp then you're probably not going to get away with it :P

Combine that with the fact that most of these firms are on the main forums and can keep half an eye on a number of similar vehicles, if not build threads for your car specifically and you get the idea.

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ugh - having the van for two plus years not earning ncb and dissolving my old stuff means Im paying more than you for a 1.2 fabia... gay.

Im old n shit - I should be paying tuppence and enjoying shaking my fist at you youngsters whilst wearing a flat cap, driving at 25 in a 50 zone.

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Luke, that does seem like a good price!
I'm paying £390 for my practical diesel estate, 8000 mile allowance, aged 28 with 8 years protected no claims discount and an 'At Fault' claim declared because of the van incident back in February.
In related news the Portuguese van wanker that pulled out on me still hasn't admitted liability so my claim has now been passed to a litigation department and I'm still out of pocket :(
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Well, season is hopefully over. Should still take part in 2 rounds of a different series but I hope this won't be necessary.

I was told that tyres should be stored in a damp dark and warm room, happy to say I have the perfect place for this. I've given everything a thorough clean and put the car and wheels away. Hope I won't have to touch them until April 2014. This car is a huge drain on my budget, too much of a drain recently.

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Already thought of my exit strategy, going to continue using the M3 in 2014 in the OPEN class and in 2015 if things don't improve, I'm buying an E30 318is. This with just a rollcage meets all the HOBBY class requirements which is the cheapest restricted trophy class. Everyone gets the same basic mods with no weight saving, the same stock engine and the same 595 Super Steel (not even RS-R!) tyres.

The Daihatsu from last year is kicking, just had an engine rebuild and suspension overhaul. Can't wait for some snow. Bring on the cheapest motorsport there is :D

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Have quoted me £410, 26, 9yr ncd, 0 points (just came off) with mods up to 250bhp on 6k miles.

Seems a pretty good quote for sure, though waiting to hear back from Greenlight at the mo as they gave me a fantastic quote last year so want to see what they can offer too.

Luke, that does seem like a good price!
I'm paying £390 for my practical diesel estate

Just had a chat to Will at Greenlight and they've come up trumps again. £390 including protected no claims and European cover too.

Seems a shame that the car won't really be used for around half the year while I'm away, but at that sort of price it's not quite so much of a sting as it could be (Y)

Edit: I know people often end up searching on here for which companies people use in order to do their own quotes, so I should probably point out that Greenlight have always been incredibly helpful and really friendly to chat to. Know their stuff (had a good old chat with Will today about who I was thinking of using to remap the car, generic maps vs R-Tech etc) and I'd highly recommend them to anyone seeking quotes :)

</arselicking>

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Last night I opened the bonnet.

I have had the car for a week, so I thought it was about time I checked if there was an engine in there.

Never seen anything so filthy in my life!

So I wrapped the wings and front bumper in cling film, put cling film over the fuse box and replaced the lid and set about it with my steam gun.

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I scrubbed years worth of minging rubbish off the washer bottles, inlet pipes, engine covers etc. Then polished and waxed the edges and underside of the boot, inner wings, bulkhead etc.

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This morning I have dropped the car off at the bodyshop to have the front bumper resprayed, and stone chips on the bonnet rectified.

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Got myself a bargain 924 Turbo rear diffuser coming my way soon :) Slowly acquiring parts ready for a total overhaul of my car, still yet to find a 1.8T donor although i'm swaying towards the possibility of a 2.3T from a Saab and hoping I can figure out how to fit it

1987_Porsche_944_Turbo.JPG

how come the engine swap?
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I only have an N/A and although it's kinda nippy and fairly bulletproof I would like something a bit more refined and more fun when the loud pedal is pressed. My engines also quite happy to use oil (leaks and burns the stuff) and I don't see the point in spending money on it when I could have something with boost

EDIT: That's not mine Luke! I was just showing what the rear diffuser looked like :$ Mines still looking tatty and multiple shades of white. My plans for the car have altered slightly, I'm leaning towards having some actual fun with it, and that involves changing lots of things and making lots of things.

Edited by CurtisRider
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