yankeesiter

I spotted this today - too late - but apparently there is another LM1 car testing on April 12th. Admission free. Not sure which car though. http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/snett ... ewsID=6516

They are expensive but it's the only place that works for me. It's the Rightmove for selling / buying cars.

Remember when Clarkson went to Albania (was it?) recently. The Bentleys, Rolls Royces and Mercedes looked more able to cope with those roads than I would have thought a car with about a 3" ground clearance and 1" of suspension travel could. Get an old 4 x 4 and go for it.

I agree and take the main photo low down from the rear passenger quarter ie. the nearside rear wheel. Psychology - it works every time.

Where else are you advertising it?

All 3 hard to get at.

What about A-roads? Here in Norfolk, getting in or out is an excercise in frustration and consequent accidents. Cars 60mph, caravans 50mph and lorries 40mph!!! Result huge queues of frustrated motorists taking risks. Why not harmonise the speed limits upwards to 55 mph for lorries and caravans. Didn't they try that on the M25 in order to improve traffic flow?

I love the way the underside has been cleaned up and waxoyled. Looks like you could eat your dinner on it. Indicates to me that the car has been really well cared for. And it's low mileage. Having said that, it is 03. I bought mine, an 05 for £9k with fsh and have had no problems and very little to do on it, only maintainence - but it had twice the mileage as yours. IMO, I'd grab the money.

Oh dear and they still have to pay more in premiums. Not right

Driving though France on the Route Nationales is enjoyable but can take a long time. Travelling on the autoroutes can be expensive. Use Via Michelin if you haven't already done so to get an idea of the tolls. If you use the Route Nationales you can save a bit of time by leaping on the autoroutes around big towns and cities. Generally they are free. We're going to central Italy in June after the Le Mans 24 hour but will travel via. Luxemborg, Germany and Austria and the Brenner and Reschen passes. Don't know them but hopefully they will be fun. To drive in Switzerland, you need a vignette (road tax) but can buy it for a short period. I don't think it's expensive for a car. I understand it's better to buy them on-line before you go. There are a lot more speed traps now than in the old days but if you have a sat nav with all the up-dates you should be all right. In France you must have two high vis jackets preferably displayed on the seat backs (new law) and beam benders for the lights. I understand the gendarmes specifically target Brits as a way of making extra dosh off the unsuspecting so forewarned is forearmed Finally,Monaco was great but not easy to drive around so we just parked up near the exit from the tunnel and walked down only as far as Tabac. I had hoped to follow it around in the car later but took a wrong turning at Rascasse. If I did it again, I would get a taxi to take me around. Hope this helps and have a great journey.

Here's a couple of items for your diaries guys: From Saturday's Independent newspaper: This coming Friday, the 11th, there will be a demonstration by thousands of Shia Muslims in the north-eastern provinces of Saudi Arabia. The government has already mobilised 10,000 troops to put down any potential problems. Saudi Arabia produces 40% of the world's oil. Saudia Arabia has already warned Bahrain that if they don't take care of their Shias then the Saudis will. Not only does that have implications for the price of oil but unless they can stabilise the dictatorships in both countries, the Bahrain GP may well be under threat. Democracy may well be bad for petrol prices and F1 racing.

I just got back from Brussels yesterday. The journey there and back was pretty miserable in the Ford Ka but I'm glad I didn't have the Zed there. The streets were pretty miserable with a lot being cobbled, the rest having pot holes, sunken manholes and speed bumps (why they were there -don't know). The Belgique part of the A10 was pretty rough in parts too. But the most worrying part was seeing a Porsche Boxster keyed on both doors and the bonnet. The town is full of other expensive motors, BMWs Audis, and Mercs but they seemed to be left alone. Perhaps because they're common as muck. (don't think they do a "spotted & flyered" on them do they?) Who knows. Anyway, lesson seems to be, if you do take an unusual, but not necessarily expensive car anywhere, park it securely.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Brussels and then to the Ardennes in this instead of this which I had to sell because the Missus thought it too big while this stays at home. Reason: We need 3 seats.

I just got a new set of Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas fitted to my standard wheels yesterday. When I got home, I realised they'd balanced the wheels with the rim clip on weights instead of the rim tape ones. Will there be a problem with this? I once had a Mondeo that used to torque the weights on the rim until the dealer rectified it by gluing them in place. Also is there a possibility that they could sling off at speeds in excess of 120 mph? I'll be on German autobahns this summer. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Nice one, you'll love them. Soooo much feedback, great tyres. Soon as I get a plug spanner (6 days in the post ), I can get these beauties fitted. Can't wait. Jack

Have decided to go for a magnetic one when I can, after reading this.

Got some new Iridiums from Zmanalex. Is 16mm the correct socket size?

Sounds like an interesting itinerary. To do all that in a week you must be on m-ways all the time though. Continental A roads are usually very good and can be more fun to drive on albeit a bit slower. My wife and I like Brugge although my son, who lives in Brussels thinks it twee and pretentious. Luxemborg is nice with lots of pavement cafes and restaurants. For me, Paris is like most big cities: first prize is 1 day there and second is 2 days. I'm sure you would, but I would always make sure the car was parked somewhere secure.

Bought a set of Iridiums off Zmanalex. Have stripped off the hardware and taken out the plug coils. Just waiting for the magnetic spanner to arrive - hopefully today. Not really expecting any difference in performance but at 79k and with a trip to Italy planned in June, I don't want to take any chances.

Have you made sure the cables are man enough for the job? Thin ones just won't do it.

Just ordered some Verdestein Ultrac Sessantas yesterday from Tyremen. I was surprised they were in stock. Weren't supposed to be available until April - but there you are.

Ordered from Zmanalex on Tuesday, received on Thursday. Can't beat that. Thanks. Now comes the hard part.

Might have to have a quick re-think for the season's opener at Bahrain now that democracy has raised it's inconvenient head.

Anyone ever changed their spark plugs? How difficult is the job and are any special tools involved?

Me too but have to wait until April