Ekona

Nice write-up, thanks for sharing

I actually think he was quite restrained. I would've been somewhat less 'diplomatic' about things. As Chris said, we tried something different to see the reaction. Personally speaking I'm disappointed that when people are given some freedom to add input they decide to go on the offensive, but what's done is done now and I'm guessing that we probably wouldn't open a thread for comments next time. If you don't give something a go you'll never know how it'll go down, and I think there's lessons here for all of us.

Funnily enough, acting like kids doesn't really help matters either. Why do people think that Dave has some magical power over the rest of us? Do you really think that Dave just wandered back in, clicked the ban buttons, and told the rest of us to like it or lump it? Is that honestly how some people view the running of this forum? Look, if anyone has a genuine grievance then they can either PM any member of the team directly for a subtle chat, or they can start a sensible and balanced thread in the appropriate section. If you start running around and pointing fingers straight off the bat then how do you think we're going to react? Certainly not with cake and flowers, that's for sure. Tell you what, if anyone ever feels like having a real go at someone in the Team over something we've done and really wants to let rip, then PM me directly. I'll happily take whatever on the chin, but do be aware that I'll happily respond in kind. Can't say fairer than that, can I?

That's what the handbrake warning light is for.

Just fill it to the Max mark, that's what it's there for.

Who?

I couldn't think of an easier way of putting it!

No, they really don't. Modern speakers are made to incredibly exacting standards using very accurate measurements to make sure when paired that they sound the same. The first time you put any power through them any incredibly minor changes are taken up. Pinched from a knowledgeable guy over on AVF: Sums it up pretty well. The reason that you're told to give it 30 hours or 100 hours is to allow your ears to get used to a totally different sound than you're used to, rather than just taking the whole lot back straight away and saying it's rubbish. It's a manufacturer customer relations ploy, not a technical/scientific one, because people are fickle things who get used to hearing stuff sound a particular way.

Notfub, Any reason the tweeters were moved from the doors to the a-pillars, and is there much change in the soundstage from doing so? I know that'll be hard to quantify given the gulf in quality between the two setups, but I'd still be interested in the difference. Btw, needing to break in speakers and amps is a myth, just crank and enjoy from day 1

Legal minimum is 1.6mm, although I would start thinking seriously about changing about 2mm at the very least on 050As as the grip drops off dramatically when these tyres start getting worn, more so than other tyres. You've got quite a difference between front and rear grip atm which is why the back feels a bit wandery: It's not that so much as you've got much less grip at the front so it's understeering, and even in a straight line that will lead to a numbness from the front. My advice would be to drop the front tyre pressure by 2psi to help load the tyres up a bit (so 33F 35R), see you how get on with that. The only other alternative really is to change the fronts, pop the cost on a credit card if you can't do it all in one go. After all, the tyres are the only thing keeping you in contact with the road so it's vital they're in good condition.

How recently? How many miles have you done? Did you get the alignment done at the same time? How worn are the fronts?

^^^ This.

It's a biography not an autobiography: The author and the publisher will get far more (if not all) than Bernie ever will. On a side note (and simply because you're not the first person to say that, so not picking on you personally!), if no-one likes Bernie that much then the answer is to stop watching F1 and stop supporting it in any way. Truth is that Bernie has done far more for the sport than people actually realise, which is why the book is so important to read.

BP is fine, it's what I run the 911 on and what I used to run the Zed on The additives make a hell of a difference. Due to a balls-up by one unnamed tuning company my old mk3 turbocharged MR2 was mapped for 100+ RON rather than the 97 I wanted. As such, I had to fill up every single time with a tank of the good stuff plus a bottle of the additive, and if I didn't do so it would pre-detonate all over the place. Scary stuff, but at least it gave me full confidence in the product. Millers is by the far the best bang for buck, £4.99 gets you one shot for a whole tank. Well worth keeping a bottle in the boot just in case.

Tyres weigh more than either wheel (12-13Kg) and make up the bulk of the inertia. The weight saving for wheel + tyre is only 12-15%. Front: 23Kg vs 20Kg Rear: 24Kg vs 21Kg Which is yet another reason to stick to 18" wheels, well said 12-15% is quite a lot, imagine trying to save 180-225kg from the main body of the car. In reality it would be worth even more than that given that it's unsprung mass too!

Anyone read 'No Angel', the biography of Bernie? If you haven't I suggest you do, as it will give you a whole different perspective on not only the man himself, but also of F1 in general and the history of where we are today. It also happens to be a really good read You'll see why the Sky deal isn't such a surprise after all. Put it this way, I'll have a lot more time for Bernie now and a lot less respect for some of the teams.

I'm a little confused by the text. Am I right in saying that the two rears have almost zero air in and one tyre is basically bald? And that you're only going to replace one tyre? Unless the other tyre is almost brand-new, you'll have to replace both tyres together and don't forget to match them to the front. I would avoid driving the car as much as possible (i.e. nowhere unless directly to the tyre fitment place) if the tyres are in that kind of state else you're asking for trouble, and certainly if you're having issues with the TCS. Also: Posing tart!

And in comparison, the stock 18's weight a whopping 25.56lbs each, which is a 7lb difference per corner of unsprung weight! It's a very noticeable difference, trust me. Your call will be slower in acceleration and won't corner or brake as well as it does with the Rays on.

It really wouldn't, trust me.

I wish we had a thread here that covered all this. I'd probably put it in the ICE section if it was me. Just a thought.

Commuting will surely be covered, business use (i.e. repping up and down the motorway) will be down to the individual insurer.

Autoglym Glass Polish

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating Either will be plenty.

Only at the front, the rears need 245/45/18. Putting the same size all round is a recipe for chronic oversteer and seriously not recommended

I'm going to have to go and drive a whole bunch of average cars to find the best, aren't I?