[R94N]

You don't often see many Legacys or Outbacks around. Maybe that's why.

[dimtimjim]

Ryan, Ducky was refering to his Nissan. But you're right, you don't see many about, mainly for reason Yuds points out, not the cheapest to buy initially.

[MK Chris]

Ahhh..cars and driving and stuff.

I should really get a license, shouldn't I?

Don't you live in London? I wouldn't bother if I lived there.

I think I've just been unlucky in the people I know who drive them - in my limited experience they are driven by arrogant arseholes who would benefit from a stilleto heel grinding into their faces, so therefore BMW's are clearly shit by association, you know? I'm only going by the people I know personally who drive them of course.

I'm fully prepared to accept that they are very good cars, and I totally acknowledge that some of them are even quite beautiful. But I don't suppose I will ever be able to afford to own one, so I will retain my prejudice. Although to be fair, if I COULD afford a BMW I would buy an Alfa Romeo.

I'm only going by the people who tend to drive about three inches from my arse - who nine times out of 10 seem to be in a BMW. I agree with you.

Nissan don't break or go wrong

No less than any of the other Jap brands (Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi or Subaru). In fact, if looking with reliability eyes, I'd suggest a Subaru - very over-engineered.

My mum has a P reg Almera and it's passed every MOT so far with flying colours except when she had to spend about £25 getting something fixed a year or so ago. I think I would seriously consider a Japanese car next too - though I think we'd go for a Focus or an Astra.

Having said that, my 206 is only a 1.1 (I can't afford to run any bigger) and has done 125,000 miles.... it makes me * nervous but touch wood it's been good to me so far.

[James H]

I'm flattered Nicola

Well, when they quote you £2.5k to replace the turbo and inter-cooler and you look up the prices of parts online and it comes to £600 and they said labour is 3 hours... £600 odd pounds per hour for labour is a little steep! We got a quote from another garage for £800 all in

That sounds about right for Nissan. When the cars work they're amazing, but stealership prices are out of this world.

My daily slog is a 2003 Almera 2.2 DCi, 136bhp, plenty of torque and mid-40s mpg even including my heavy right foot! Personally I think they look quite nice too!

Tempted to chip it and get a hybrid turbo because the VNT vanes are prone to breaking on the standard turbo...

Sorry, was that too geeky?

[dimtimjim]

Hey Toph, my car is now up to 212,000 miles and still going strong (well, if you discount the fact its currently in the garage for some TLC). I thought about replacing it, but mine is now so highly modified, to get something equally good would be £10k min, and I figured I could spend £2k on mine to get it 100% tip-top again. Much more logical as at least I know whats happened to my car since 2008/28,000 miles, buying a new one i'd be into an unknown world. Mine is still on the original clutch, for example, which is great for 200,000+ miles.

JamesH. I'd highly advise a re-map (chipping) as it produces more power, but will improve your economy when just trundling about - just do your research and find a reputable place to do it. As regards a hybrid turbo, don't do it unless your turbo needs replacing. Too much other stuff needs replacing to make it work properly.

I'm very sorry, cars and engines are my 'thing'. 'kin love 'em. If we should start a new thread for us car geeks, please let us know!

[MK Chris]

Hey Toph, my car is now up to 212,000 miles and still going strong (well, if you discount the fact its currently in the garage for some TLC). I thought about replacing it, but mine is now so highly modified, to get something equally good would be £10k min, and I figured I could spend £2k on mine to get it 100% tip-top again. Much more logical as at least I know whats happened to my car since 2008/28,000 miles, buying a new one i'd be into an unknown world. Mine is still on the original clutch, for example, which is great for 200,000+ miles.

But on a 1.1 engine, 125,000 is pushing it a bit, no?

[James H]

JamesH. I'd highly advise a re-map (chipping) as it produces more power, but will improve your economy when just trundling about - just do your research and find a reputable place to do it. As regards a hybrid turbo, don't do it unless your turbo needs replacing. Too much other stuff needs replacing to make it work properly.

I'm very sorry, cars and engines are my 'thing'. 'kin love 'em. If we should start a new thread for us car geeks, please let us know!

Unfortunately the DCi 2.2 (which is actually not a Renault DCi, it's a Nissan YD22DTi) doesn't have a proper "off the shelf" chip like the lucky VAG (and most other common rails) get!

The hybrid turbo I was talking about is a specially made model by Turbo Technics designed to be a straight swap for the standard GT1849V. And the reasoning behind getting one:

The stock Garrett GT1849V 727477s were built with flaws, not helped by Nissan's mapping/boost sensor.
The problem was that the turbo did not come back from overboost quick enough. The ECU's original mapping and/or poor boost sensor caused this (both changed in a recall). This together with the turbo being built with too thin a turbine shaft led to turbo failing. The turbo overspeeds for too long causing wear on the bearings and warping the shaft. The vanes can then catch the side of the housing. For some reason only one peice of a vane tends to come off on impact, but if that peice collides with anything else, you see catastrophic failure.

After speaking to Nissan, mine wasn't changed in a recall and it's now too late to get it done.
I'd be up for a dedicated car geekery thread by the way

[a-moron]

blahdy blah...warping the shaft.

Otherwise known as a Star Trek hand job.

BOOM!!!!!! Warp factor 5 Mr Sulu.

[dimtimjim]

But on a 1.1 engine, 125,000 is pushing it a bit, no?

Nah mate. Regardless of engine size, keep your oil fresh and they'll chug on for yonks. Only bad maintenence kills engines.

Wow Jimmy, you really do know your stuff. We should shag. Sorry, I meant 'talk cars'.

hi Badge!

[The Deadly]

I was just offered a cup of tea Made from loose leaves. I've never been more offended.

[James H]

Wow Jimmy, you really do know your stuff. We should shag. Sorry, I meant 'talk cars'.

http://chrismoyles.net/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 35&t=24740

Done

[a-moron]

I was just offered a cup of tea Made from loose leaves. I've never been more offended.

I was just offered a cup of leaves made from Moose Tea. I've never been more horny.

hi Badge

Hallo Dare. Been too quiet in Ramble for my liking recently. Don't like hijacking the Generals too often.

[timp]

Annoying: Sally Hudson on Capital Manchester read my text out beautifully but she failed to mention Toby's surname.

[Nicola_Red]

Hayfever. It's really bad at the moment. I'm sure I post this same annoyance around this time every year!

[MK Chris]

Loratadine works for me, Yudster told me to try that when one of the other ones didn't work. Having said that, it's working less today than it usually does.

[Nicola_Red]

The only tablets that work for me are chlorphenamine, aka Piriton. That's on top of the steroid inhaler that I use every day all year round. I'm off work this week, and on Monday I woke up at about 8am with bad symptoms, took a Piriton, and after about half an hour it knocked me out and I didn't wake up again til just after noon.

[ManicPumpkin]

The neighbours decided to get their cars valeted at 8am this morning. So that was loud & fun.

Then another neighbour's child thought it would be a great idea to repeatedly kick a football off their hut. Again, loud & fun.

[The Deadly]

Just went swimming and left my phone on the top of my car the whole time. Wally.

[yummytummy]

Grrr stupid iPod only just charged it 5 hours ago and now needs it again

[Nicola_Red]

Good times = a t shirt I've had my eye on has been reduced from £25 to £8. Bad times = they've only got the small size left in stock. I hate it when that happens!

[The Deadly]

My thumb took the entire weight of the wrestling ring at practice yesterday. Put my hand under the spring to move the protective mat into position and the numpty dropped the spring back down on the end of my thumb. It's now throbbing and purple. Certainly got some sort of damage there but not sure anything can be done about it.

[dimtimjim]

they've only got the small size left in stock.

And....?

[dimtimjim]

Sorry for double post. I've spent the whole weekend on a boat. T'was fun (if slightly intoxicating), but all day today I still have that 'rocking side to side' sensation. Very odd when sat at your desk...

[Bruvva]

Ahhh..cars and driving and stuff.

I should really get a license, shouldn't I?

Don't you live in London? I wouldn't bother if I lived there.

Well, it'd be nice to be able to go visit the parents now they're getting on a bit without having to rely on trains.

[Bonanzoid]

Hayfever. It's really bad at the moment. I'm sure I post this same annoyance around this time every year!

This. I seem to get hayfever every 2nd or 3rd summer, but I was just wandering about Aberdeen sneezing and trying to keep my eyes working. Man I'm white.