Ekona

I cannot believe how well you've got on with this matey, it's truly outstanding and a credit to yourself Beautiful looking car. Massively, massively jealous.

You ALWAYS do a boroscope inspection on every single M96/M97 engined car you intend to buy. If you spend a few hundred quid across multiple cars, then that's better than buying a car that suddenly needs £7K worth of work a couple of weeks after you bought it. You don't do it on every car you see, only the one you intend to buy. You can only do so much on a visual inspection like you say, which is why you check everything as much as you possibly can and THEN you get the boroscope or full inspection (depending on your own mechanical knowledge) done on the car before you hand over a penny. I'm not trying to be an arse here, or do the old I told you so, I'm merely stating common knowledge that absolutely every single person with knowledge of these cars will tell you to do. I've seen so many people across so many forums take their cars outside of the big names to try and save a few quid, only to find the repair was done on the cheap to low standards and with only a few of the bits that needed replacing doing. Again, I'm not saying that's what's going to happen here, and I'm actually really curious to see what does get changed and what liners are used as it would be great to know of somewhere more local to me that I could use for when I buy my next Porker. I really want this to be a success, but to imply that I don't know what I'm talking about and that I'm talking sh*t just isn't fair or true. You knew the history of these engines before you bought the car, and you didn't do what everyone tells you you should do. You took a gamble and sadly you got caught out, and I feel sorry for you, I really do. It's a beautiful car and it deserves to be up and running on the road soon.

Difference between buying a decent car and a shed of one. Good luck getting it fixed mate, really keen to see how you/they go about this.

In that case, get yourself over to the Classic British Welcome at St Saturnin on Friday, make sure you get there early! If there's enough of us, we could meet there, maybe around 11am?

Never knew it was called spurring, every day is a school day

You don't need to clean them. Put them on your DAS, run the machine at low speed, and then use a toothbrush from inside to out in one movement to remove any cloggy mess.

1. Always prep the pad with a spray or two of QD. 2. So hard to say, you basically work the polish until it breaks down. With some it takes ages (or if you put a lot on), some break down quickly if the speed is too high, but really I'd expect to use about 4-6 goes on a bonnet. You're doing it right though, it's better to use multiple passes than go all-in and wreck the paint. Not that you really can with a DAS, but you know what I mean. 3. When they're falling apart, bin them. Otherwise, don't worry too much.

Fixed for you. Vista was a disaster. Win 8 wasn't perfect. Win 7 and 8.1 are as good as you could ever want in a domestic environment, and I can't see 10 being anything other than a nice improvement on what is already an awesome OS.

I think a lot of people really like me, and want to buy me a drink whenever I go past. At least, that's what I assume, as they keep making coffee bean signs with their hands. Everyone is so friendly when you drive a BMW with a loud exhaust!

So which updates do you turn down? All of them? Some of their updates have very little detail, I don't see how you could possibly pick and choose which ones are okay with any kind of knowledge or reason. If you don't trust the MS testing, why use Windows at all?

How many people actually turn down the updates? I mean, I knocked back the Skype one today, but in all honesty if it was installed it really wouldn't bother me that much.

Focus estate. Cheap as chips to run, good to drive, will come in under budget.

Supercharging will keep a much more NA-like feel, turbocharging massively changes the characteristics as you lose that delicate throttle control and progressive power. You do get a much bigger thump though, plus it's a more efficient way of adding power.

You could do sub 8 in an NA Zed, you just need the right suspension, tyres and driver skill.

You have no idea, I've spent thousands over the last few years

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/drying-towels/monster-microfibre-purple-monster-edgeless-xl/prod_1297.html I currently use this one, bought originally as I needed to make up the postage, but it's actually served me very well and it's a good price too. I'll try something else at some point, but for now I'd happily recommend these.

Pressure washer. Good excuse to upgrade to a Kranzle now matey!

So, divorce tomorrow then?

Nothing wrong with a hotpoint washing machine! Mine cleans my clothes just fine and sometimes I get a free floor wash too Ironically I have a Hotpoint washer dryer too I'm a cheapskate when it comes to things like that though I do have a Dyson Cinetiq though, which I love dearly

You don't NEED a solicitor. Whether you'd want one is up to you: Personally, I wouldn't bother, just be contrite and state the facts. If the extra stress and time (off work, don't forget!) is worth less than the fine amount, then fight it. If it's not, then pay up and move on.

I'd assumed he was insured TP, as you'd be crazy (and in legal trouble) to let someone drive your car if they weren't!

That's because they're very good. I cannot understand why people refuse to buy the best thing simply because they're common, that's always seemed daft to me. It's like buying a Hoover vacuum cleaner instead of a Dyson, or a Hotpoint washing machine instead of a Bosch one.

Not a bad idea, when were you thinking? I'd suggest that if we're going to meet anywhere, then at the CBW would be the best place and time since everyone who is anyone will be there. During the race doesn't always work as people can get quite particular about their routines, and everyone will be drunk as a skunk on Sunday Or could meet in town on Friday night, if people are going to the parade?

I'd pay the original demand and move on. Life is too short for stress like this, it's really not worth it.

What a faff.