350Chris

So it is that time of year again....the annual game of Insurance foreplay...

The renewal letter arrives with an unrealistic figure, I shop around and threaten to leave and the price magically comes down to something more acceptable.

I am part way through that merry dance this year and my insurer is swearing blind, that owing to annual premium increases and the market in general - I have no choice but to renew for approximately £100 more than it cost me last year (this is after they got the initial renewal premium wrong - having quoted me against a completely different car!)

What are your experiences - are you seeing your premiums go up?

It is always pottering about - never get a wave tho!

Hi Rich,

Jut to tie up the usernames

How 'East' are we talking?

Have I got to come too far from the Norf end?

Tyres can be bald - the car won't go anywhere - I just don't want to leave it on axle stands for someone to then slip under and pinch the exhaust

I am putting my wheels in for refurb and need some spares to sit the car on for a week - has anyone local got a collection of space savers or winter wheels in the garage that I could borrow?

Where abouts are you based for collection and did you run them with or without spacers?

Thanks for the suggestions gents - I will give the Scholl sauces some reading. I am prepared for the Audi and the Nissan to be vastly different. The Audi is relatively new - so it needs looking after more than allot of correction but there are some light swirls from some sponge love in the past

Will get my order built and post back with progress

South bound

Spotted you on the M1 and we leap frogged a bit before you took off...you must know the cameras well there!

That was me...I did spot the low and loud civic

Are you local? I didnt recognise the car

I am biting the bullet and stepping my detailing kit up a notch with a DAS 6 Pro DA.

There are options a plenty for pads and pad sauce - are there any go to's that people would recommend?

I am leaning towards this bundle - with some additional 75mm or 100mm pads (and backing plate)

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-pro-dual-action-polisher/das-6-pro-lake-country-hydro-tech-and-menzerna-kit/prod_842.html

I have a scrap panel for testing before I move onto my 350 and my OH's Black TTS - both are in reasonable condition and only needing light swirl corrections

I have got a code reader in Potters Bar if you need one

Check the brake switch thoroughly though - it is £7 vs an ABS unit swap at £700!!

My Sage coffee machine or my Monitor Audio noise making gear

I'll log an interest in the short shifter and gearbox mount please (if this is the right place to do so)

If it is that heavy, I would plumb a return to the sump - otherwise you are just creating a maintenance job of emptying the catch can after every drive!

When mine comes out of the garage in the sun, I will be fitting a new ally sump with tapped return fittings

For the BoV blowing oil, I have a turbo engine build that is a very heavy breather which caused the oil to be blown out - a decent catch can and return setup sorted mine

The oil worked wonders to keep the engine bay looking shiny though

Yes - just over in Potters Bar but the parental units are in Cuffley

Not me on this occasion...

There is allot of movement there - including the plastics on the inner sill which will either have been pushed by the door or be a symptom of chassis damage. Have to say that looks like a part out or let the insurers have it tbh. You may get it back together with a collection of parts and find that it doesn't handle the same again

Can I take the Zunsport grill please - can do collection or delivery

Discount for collection?

Welcome from the Shire!

I may resort to finishing off some autoglym tar remover then. I have got some valet pro citrus that I will give a longer dwell time at a higher concentration until I can get around to trying Iron X or Purple Rain

Ewan has gone above and beyond for my last couple of orders - we had a bumpy delivery to contend with and then multiple rear bearings (owing to a press opportunity) but Clarke remain my go to retailer for all things car! I feel well and truly looked after and valued as a customer

To make it worse - they are now listing exhaust headers!!

My other half has recently picked up a White Mercedes CLA (in place of the 370)

This is my first involvement with a white car and I have been topping up the cleaning supplies accordingly by adding some poorboys white diamond to an already comprehensive list of snow foams, wheel cleaners and Dodo juice shampoos & waxes.

Having given the car an introductory once over yesterday, to see what I was dealing with, it is clear that the car has not been washed overly regularly and it is showing allot of yellow/black tar marks.

The yellow ones look older and have almost bled out and lessened in colour – hence the yellowing.

I am reluctant to take a clay bar or glove to the car straight away as the volume of crud will eat through the bar in no time.

What am I best to tackle the car with and where in the wash cycle should I be doing it?

My theory would be;

Foam

Wash

Dry

*Tar treatment* ?

Clay

Rinse

Dry

Prewax (lime prime or diamond white)

Wax (something plus supernatural)

Any guidance is welcome - I also have black wheels with a diamond cut lip to contend with - for which I would traditionally used Poorboys wheel wax after Bilberry and a couple of hand washes?

I stand corrected! Thanks