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Sir Taxalot wrote:

I love a fast, tarted up ford (I had an Fiesta Zetec S, then a Focus ST with side stripes* and was toying with the idea of pushing for a Mk2 RS) but that new RS isn't really doing it for me. I've never been keen on the 3rd gen focus appearance and that interior looks horridly cluttered.

I'm probably due a midlife crisis soon, but am still being sensible. Gah.

*I generally drove nicely and saved hooning for clear roads (that's still bad, admittedly), but my wife was and still is a terrible tailgater.

One word: Falcon.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-XSara-Picasso-HDI-CRTD-Diesel-Tuning-Box-Chip-up-to-2008-/231539082453?nav=SEARCH

Opinions please on above box and it's ilk. They claim to boost my gutless 90bhp engine to a ripsnorting 110bhp with a slight increase in MPG as a bonus. Are they worth the money? Or is it modern day snake oil?

I'm also sceptical about the improved mpg claims. They change the amount of fuel delivered so it's using more than the ECU expects, hence introducing an inaccuracy on the trip computer.

Big car into the garage about the oil leaking everywhere. I have told them if it is nothing major to let me know how much the timing belt is.

LEDs don't glow blue, though.

I mean, I guess there's nothing stopping you fitting after-market blue LEDs to your car, but the MOT folk (and the police) aren't going to be pleased with you.

Having a siren in a car is awesome if you can make it do cow sounds too.

Having a siren in a car is idiotic. Especially if you can make it do cow sounds too.

It won't go bang, if that's what you mean. You might well get a warning light, though.

MAF sensor causing problems (and Coolant sensor goosed). Getting replaced tomorrow. No errors from turbo or EGR valve side of things so that's cool.

Author:	myp [ Wed Jan 20, 2016 17:08 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Also posh twats aren't gonna want to buy a car that every man and his dog can get hold of. Makes it more prestigious to have low numbers.

Author:	Cavey [ Wed Jan 20, 2016 17:10 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
@Mali But given they could sell these cars multiple times over, at greatly higher prices, I really don't buy the profitability angle. There's not that much difference between a Cayman GTS and a GT4; like I said, the GT4 uses a stock engine and gearbox, and you have to pay (much) more for things like ceramic brakes etc. If they can't turn a profit mass producing it (especially if they upped the price by £15k whilst they were at it), then I don't see how they can be making money on any Cayman. Given Porsche pretty much print money and have obscene shedloads of cash (well they did, before VW's little eco-issues), I'm inclined to be sceptical. You get owt for nowt with Porsche. @Myp True, but a Cayman GT4 (and Ford Focus RS to a large extent) is an out-and-out racer; they are blue collar heroes punching miles above their weight. I don't want to sound like a twat here but £64k is nothing for a Porsche (my mere Cayman S was £61k), yet the Cayman GT4 is widely thought of as THE best Porsche at any price, £160k (plus options) 911 Turbo S included - and most especially in comparison to the latest Carrera turbos which have been ruined by eco-laws and are apparently crap to drive. No wonder why old, thirsty, "dirty" 911s are rocketing in value.

Author:	MaliA [ Wed Jan 20, 2016 17:20 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
I would imagine the trade margin on an RS is considerably lower than on a mid level focus.

Author:	Sir Taxalot [ Wed Jan 20, 2016 22:54 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Lonewolves wrote: Sir Taxalot wrote: I love a fast, tarted up ford (I had an Fiesta Zetec S, then a Focus ST with side stripes* and was toying with the idea of pushing for a Mk2 RS) but that new RS isn't really doing it for me. I've never been keen on the 3rd gen focus appearance and that interior looks horridly cluttered. I'm probably due a midlife crisis soon, but am still being sensible. Gah. *I generally drove nicely and saved hooning for clear roads (that's still bad, admittedly), but my wife was and still is a terrible tailgater. One word: Falcon. Mate at work has a Falcon ute with a turbocharged V6. It looks and sounds good, goes well too - he thinks it goes better than his old GTO (Monaro).

Author:	Kern [ Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:10 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
The good people of the Shire must have heard that my car's fixed: the roadsame were empty today. Felt good to have working brakes again.

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Author:	Findus Fop [ Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:26 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
£3k Aston anyone?

Author:	DavPaz [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 1:03 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-XSara-P ... nav=SEARCH Opinions please on above box and it's ilk. They claim to boost my gutless 90bhp engine to a ripsnorting 110bhp with a slight increase in MPG as a bonus. Are they worth the money? Or is it modern day snake oil?

Author:	myp [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 2:25 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
DavPaz wrote: http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-XSara-Picasso-HDI-CRTD-Diesel-Tuning-Box-Chip-up-to-2008-/231539082453?nav=SEARCH Opinions please on above box and it's ilk. They claim to boost my gutless 90bhp engine to a ripsnorting 110bhp with a slight increase in MPG as a bonus. Are they worth the money? Or is it modern day snake oil? Fuck that

Author:	DavPaz [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 8:33 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Not convinced? I've been reading around. It's essentially a remap of the ECU but removable

Author:	Dr Zoidberg [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 8:42 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Tuning boxes do work just fine - they don't tend to get as good results as a proper remap but they are cheaper and removable. You do need to check what you are getting though, as some of the very cheap ones are nothing more than a resistor in a box that fool the engine into thinking the air temperature is lower so they add more fuel. I'm also sceptical about the improved mpg claims. They change the amount of fuel delivered so it's using more than the ECU expects, hence introducing an inaccuracy on the trip computer.

Author:	ApplePieOfDestiny [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 8:57 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
It'll fuck about with your insurance. Potentially to a greater degree than any benefit you get.

Author:	Grim... [ Wed Feb 03, 2016 9:08 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Dr Zoidberg wrote: I'm also sceptical about the improved mpg claims. They change the amount of fuel delivered so it's using more than the ECU expects, hence introducing an inaccuracy on the trip computer. The one in the Mondeo I used to have increased the mpg, but only by a little. Basically it told the car to ignore all the emission gumph it has to do (and removed the rev limiter, which is how the man from Ford found out it existed when we took it in for a service).

Author:	MaliA [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 11:42 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Big car into the garage about the oil leaking everywhere. I have told them if it is nothing major to let me know how much the timing belt is.

Author:	MaliA [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 14:00 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
MaliA wrote: Big car into the garage about the oil leaking everywhere. I have told them if it is nothing major to let me know how much the timing belt is. Phew! £70 for oil filter and oil and timing belt and water pump is £360. Bonza.

Author:	Goddess Jasmine [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 18:31 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Weird, I saw it twice on Friday evening; once while driving once not. I think I've seen a blue tint to a headlight before, but these made me wonder if they were police cars.

Author:	markg [ Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:21 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Mine decided that I was going too fast when I was on the outside lane of the motorway on Sunday, just cut power to the wheels. Once I'd got over the panic of hitting the hazard lights and getting across the motorway I saw that the traction control light was on. So I think it's a wheel speed sensor or some such thing. Disabled the traction control and it's been fine. I'll take it in and they'll hopefully be able to hook it up and see what the problem is. Could be a bit spendy too, though.

Author:	Kern [ Tue Feb 16, 2016 23:24 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Get through February, then we're almost in Summer. Man up, bro.

Author:	Zardoz [ Wed Feb 17, 2016 21:37 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Hmmm, remembered I'd bought some Bardahl turbo cleaning additive so been out before and filled up. Can says to frequently run at 3500rpm so I booted it up and down the A road for a while, dropping gears and giving it plenty. Apart from sounding loud it ran really well and it didn't trigger limp mode. I'll (ab)use this tank of treated diesel up and see how it goes.

Author:	Grim... [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 18:30 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Xenon bulbs have that effect if you seem them at an angle. They've been around for a decade or so, though.

Author:	markg [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 18:33 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
There's all sorts of daft LED fairly lights people are putting on the fronts of their cars now too, though. Audi started it.

Author:	Grim... [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 18:34 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
LEDs don't glow blue, though. I mean, I guess there's nothing stopping you fitting after-market blue LEDs to your car, but the MOT folk (and the police) aren't going to be pleased with you.

Author:	Goddess Jasmine [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 20:53 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Grim... wrote: LEDs don't glow blue, though. I mean, I guess there's nothing stopping you fitting after-market blue LEDs to your car, but the MOT folk (and the police) aren't going to be pleased with you. I did wonder how legal it might be. This is all assuming I saw correctly of course.

Author:	Dr Zoidberg [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 21:15 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Aftermarket xenons are often more at the blue end of the spectrum than factory ones.

Author:	GazChap [ Mon Feb 08, 2016 21:15 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
I seem to remember that it's not illegal to fit blue lights to the car, it's only a problem if they flash. Or if they are the "predominant" light - i.e. if you replace your headlights with blue lights you'll come unstuck, but having some blue LEDs in the light cluster isn't a legal issue. Still chuffing stupid, mind.

Author:	Bobbyaro [ Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:47 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Yeah, there are a load of cars near me with blue LEDs in the headlights. The chav next door even has flashing blue lights hidden in there and a siren!

Author:	Trooper [ Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:12 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Having a siren in a car is idiotic. Especially if you can make it do cow sounds too.

Author:	Bamba [ Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:21 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Trooper wrote: Having a siren in a car is awesome if you can make it do cow sounds too. Feex.

Author:	Grim... [ Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:22 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Trooper wrote: Having a siren in a car is idiotic. Especially if you can make it do cow sounds too. That confused the fuck out of me the first time you set it off.

Author:	MaliA [ Sat Feb 13, 2016 16:11 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Pulling the fuse from the passenger airbag fuse box hole won't do any bad, will it?

Author:	Hearthly [ Sat Feb 13, 2016 16:31 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Depends if you want it to deploy or not at the required moment, I suppose.

Author:	Grim... [ Sat Feb 13, 2016 18:09 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
It won't go bang, if that's what you mean. You might well get a warning light, though.

Author:	MaliA [ Sat Feb 13, 2016 19:26 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Grim... wrote: It won't go bang, if that's what you mean. You might well get a warning light, though. Ta. I have ordered 10 fuses from amazon.

Author:	MaliA [ Sun Feb 14, 2016 18:28 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Grim... wrote: It won't go bang, if that's what you mean. You might well get a warning light, though. Ta. Warmth happens again.

Author:	Zardoz [ Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:12 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Car's in garage today, limp mode problem getting more frequent now. Hopefully it's just a gunked up EGR valve and not an expensive turbo problem.

Author:	Zardoz [ Tue Feb 16, 2016 21:54 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
MAF sensor causing problems (and Coolant sensor goosed). Getting replaced tomorrow. No errors from turbo or EGR valve side of things so that's cool.

Author:	MaliA [ Tue Feb 16, 2016 22:02 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Zardoz wrote: MAF sensor causing problems (and Coolant sensor goosed). Getting replaced tomorrow. No errors from turbo or EGR valve side of things so that's cool. Nice one! Big car heaters still not working.

Author:	Grim... [ Tue Feb 16, 2016 23:44 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
That's not much use when your windows are frosted up, though. Mali - it's not low on water, is it? And you've checked the antifreeze levels? If that's okay, there's probably a temp sensor somewhere you can unplug - they generally fail to open (ie. heat).

Author:	Zardoz [ Wed Feb 17, 2016 19:55 ]
Post subject:	Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Car has improved (really noticeable difference in performance) after MAF & Coolant sensor replaced but I still managed to trigger limp mode when I booted it on the way home. Back to the garage.