Ekona

I think the 9x7 cars are supposed to tell you if you're low on oil and need to add some, but I'm not brave enough to run it low to find out

If there is, I can't see one. I suspect it's more to appear tech-savvy as well as to appease affluent owners who wouldn't dare sully their hands by opening the engine bay. Which is really sad, if I'm right.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, where we should all be grateful for the joys of life. As such, I refuse to spend it with anyone I think is a pillock. That includes some of my family.

ooooooooh don't get me started

Not needed. What is needed is to make sure the oil level is above the minimum mark: As long as that is achieved, then nothing else need be done.

I wouldn't bother with OEM, get the Powergrid or Whiteline ones.

Scratchy scratchy swirly swirly

Yeah, it's a crap idea. The dipstick is a perfectly acceptable and accurate measuring device (in anything other than a 350!), so why change it?

I didn't understand a word of that. Best thing to do is to run the car until the low fuel light comes on, then fill the tank. Reset the trip counter, then run the car until the light is on again. Fill the tank again, then make a note of the trip readout and how many litres you filled up with. Divide the litres by 4.54 and you have the amount in gallons, and you can then divide the miles by that number for a true readout of your mpg.

How are you measuring mpg? Using the OBC, or actual calculation when you fill up?

Really? How do you check the oil level then? ..or is it a case of you don't and you have to take the car to a Porsche dealer? All electronic now. When the engine is warm and running, you access the oil level via the OBC. Trouble is it's not massively accurate (its in four sections over 1.5L), and how do you know if the sensor is working correctly? I'm not a fan at all.

I'm doing hide and seek this year

^^^ This times billionty. I find it odd that people will spend nigh-on a grand on new wheels or body kits or BFWs without blinking, but try and save a couple of hundred quid on the bits that actually matter. Not you DDC, more a general observation.

At least you guys get a dipstick, the 911 doesn't even have one

I went through a phase of impossible-wrapping my brothers presents. First year I used a roll of cling film, the next I did cling film and duct tape, then I topped it all by wrapping it normally then putting it inside a huge cardboard box which I filled with expanding foam

I'm not sure what you mean by that? We all know the government lies about many things, however in this case they're not saying for one minute that you cannot put A or B cars back on the road. http://www.honestjoh.../2010-10/cat-b/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_check http://www.pistonhea...c.asp?t=1339786 The second link may be from wiki so usually of dubious fact, but that's ripped straight from the DVLA/VOSA website. Honest John agrees, there is no legal reason you cannot put a Cat A or B on the roads. It doesn't matter what category the insurer apply to it, it remains your car and a VIC is enough to get a V5 issued, then just an MOT gets you back on the road. The PH link has knowledgeable folks discussing it there too. If you still need further proof, feel free to contact the DVLA and VOSA. It's illegal for a scrappy to sell you a Cat A or B, but not illegal for you to buy and do as you please. I used to think the same as you did tbh, but then a mate of mine clued me up as he was looking into buying a Cat B MX5. Just because an insurer marks a car as A or B, doesn't stop the car being yours and if there is no payout, you are free to do what you wish with the car. No different from C or D, it's just that it's very rare to find as insurers only usually classify stuff as A or B if there's practically zero chance of a repair ever being made. Doesn't mean they don't make mistakes sometimes though Anyway, enough thread derailment, I just thought it might be worth looking out for utter bargain Cat Bs for Tarmac too.

I love my two decent 11" frying pans I'm the chef in our house though, no way I'd trust something as vital as food to Jo!

How about voodoo? It might be voodoo. Never discount voodoo!

Cats A & B can be put back on the road, just like C & D. Just needs VIC and MOT, same as Cat C. Doesn't have to be crushed if A or B, the owner can still retain the vehicle after the insurer has made the call on the categorisation. Might open the market up a little? Just a thought.

If you're lacking confidence in the wet, then I certainly wouldn't mix tyres. You may well find that a new pair of matching rears solves your issues: That said, I found the VUS lacking in ultimate grip but very communicative, so it was easy to play with the balance.

Possible, but unlikely. I haven't seen an oil filter break up for years, but then I don't know too many people who would run anything that cheap on their cars (including repmobiles serviced by backstreet garage).

Depends how worn the rears are. If they're that bad (3mm or less) and the fronts brand new then you'll be in oversteer territory. Depends on your own comfort level, I guess.

Consider cat A & B as well? If so, I'll keep an eye out for you mate

In short, no. Well, that said, how cheap are 453s? False economy though, as the extra wear you'll get from the MPSS negate the extra cost.

Excess soot around the exhaust pipes is another sign, but nowhere near as conclusive as checking the oil level.