jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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May 29, 2018 21:19:49 GMT
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surprisingskoda the 6 pots were pretty much ruled out because from others' experiences it seemed unlikely to get close to 35mpg. Otherwise I do like them. Would prefer an E36 even if the E46 is a better car. I guess an E39 530i would have little chance of hitting 35mpg? My 530i hit 36 mpg once, when driving from Evesham to Inverness. Pretty much exactly a tank of fuel. I think 28 was more usual. I have had some of the same cars as are on the short list or which the poster already owns, (an mx5, a saab 9-5 aero, a 306 gti) and for what it's worth if I was doing your commute I'd take the slight hit on fuel economy in exchange for the bargainous price of a saab 9-5 aero, especially the saloons. But I can see why you'd want a change. I 'm enjoying this thread because it's what goes on in my head all the time... trying to find the near-impossible with a pretty difficult set of criteria. Buying what I think will meet every point, finding it doesn't, getting a bit bored, and moving on. Life would be boring if you could find the perfect car and be done with it!
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jonk
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Posts: 154
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I’m sure I will get another 205 sometime but I recently got a 306 to join the 305 so should resist, thank you!
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Mar 10, 2018 22:13:59 GMT
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And it’s a long drive up to Inverness!
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Take the Merc. Really, it's the views that will make this trip above anything else. Sure, the hot hatches will be a good laugh, but will they be worth the hassle when you already have two cars at your disposal? The 205 will be fine too, but the Merc will be the best all rounder. Spend the money you would have wasted on beer and food! That's my 2 cents. I think that's a good way of looking at it. But if you're using the trip as a thinly-veiled excuse to buy a new car, then why not!
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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I've got an mx5 mk1, and had a 205 xs last year, and I did the North Coast 500 on a pushbike last year and had the best time ever.
There are some sweeping, open roads, but there are also lots of twisty, bumpy singletrack lanes too. I think a 205 would be brilliant when you're up there. An mx5 would be ok with standard suspension but my slightly lowered one would have had me wincing over some of the bumps.
My overall feeling when I was there would have been that if I went expecting something like a 500 mile racetrack I would have been disappointed. Lots of the roads really aren't fast, there are campervans and lots of hirecar Qashquais about and not that many places to pass for some stretches. The scenery is stunning though, it's like a completely different world in parts, and every new view takes your breath away. Some of the stretches of road would be a great drive but I guess I wasn't looking for the same things when I was on my bike.
I got a 306 gti to replace the xs and it's a fair bit quieter on the motorway but feels very similar to drive in twisty bits. Nippy for overtaking too. A hot hatch like that is probably quite a good all round option, but I think you could also have a great time in your merc, taking your time and enjoying the views.
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jonk
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Posts: 154
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In my experience insurance is no different to many other products in as much as best & cheap very rarely go together. You gets what you pays This is no doubt true, but in many cases like my £300 van, I really only want to be able to drive on the road without being illegal and know that other people will be covered if something happens to them caused by me. Since all my cars have been cheap I've always taken this approach but luckily never had to test it, apart from once where I tested the free breakdown cover with the insurance on my e39. The conversation when I rang them was something like: "Hi, I've broken down at such and such services in Scotland" "Well, mate, we'll take you ten miles to the nearest garage but you're in the middle of nowhere, and it's a bank holiday, so you haven't got a hope I'm sorry. We'll ring you back." [... 3 hours later] "Well it'll be £650 to take you home, if we can find a transporter" [... 2 hours later] "We can't find you anyone, sorry". So this does prove your theory, about best and cheap not going together, apart from then I joined the AA and had a nearly as disastrous time with them. At least they gave me my membership back though. To answer the OP, I found the cheapest van cover with business use through compare the market.
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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I love the headlights on these! Enjoying the updates. I can't remember the last time I saw one of these driving about in the UK.
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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I had one last year, a 530i sport with the blingy wheels and leather etc. If there was one word to describe how it felt to be in, it was "expensive". In a good way, as in everything was beautifully made, no rattles, ride and handling that coped with everything, and an amazingly planted feel on the motorway. On the other hand, because it was just so competent and expensive feeling, I spent most of my ownership just waiting for something pricey to fix to go wrong. This might have been unfair on the car, but that's the feeling it gave me.
After an alternator and some coolant hoses, I sold it on with the feeling that the look, feel and ownership experience didn't really fit with me. I miss it every time I need to go on a long journey for over an hour or so, but not for the rest of the time.
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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After years of smartly styled peugeots finishing with a nicely specced 306 dt, my dad came home with a mitsubishi space star, 1.3 petrol. It even had some dubious "optional extra" 15 inch alloys which showed the rear drums off beautifully.
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Oct 29, 2017 20:59:54 GMT
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Thanks everyone for the ideas.
A hdi 205 gti lookalike is high on my list of “dream cars”.
Foad, I’m glad you saved the red van... I was tempted. Another 305 driver on here is hopefully helping me out and I’ve decided to stick with the standard non-turbo which is probably quick enough for what it is.
Really strangely, having loaded my van on a trailer to recover back to my house, a cream 305 van in really good nick drove past. The only one I’ve seen on the road in at least 10 years. Anyone on here?
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Last Edit: Oct 29, 2017 21:00:19 GMT by jonk
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Oct 28, 2017 22:40:24 GMT
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Thanks for the reply. I thought some of the later ones had some kind of ecu connected with the immobiliser and controlling the fuel pump, but I might have misunderstood it.
It looks like a kind retro rider has found me a replacement engine - just waiting to confirm the details.
Hopefully the 305 will be rolling along again, soon.
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Oct 27, 2017 15:04:52 GMT
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The xud 1.9 na in my 305 van has just suffered a catastrophic failure of some kind and is seized solid.
I’m at the side of the road waiting for the AA to send a big truck, so naturally I’ve been filling my time on eBay looking at secondhand engines. My question is has anyone got experience of fitting a xud td into a 305.
I want to avoid the ecu and immobilisers of later ones but am I right in thinking the older td’s are not much more complex than the non turbos?
I want to keep things quite simple but if it fits with little more hassle than a non turbo of the same age, then I’ll go for it.
Any help appreciated!
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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I bet that was the perfect thing to do the North Coast 500 on. I cycled it a couple of months ago; I've ridden in a few nice places but I think it was my favourite ride yet. To anyone thinking about doing it, the scenery is as good as those pictures (if it's not raining) for almost every mile of the trip. No traffic lights or roundabouts for almost 500 miles, and sometimes a junction only every 50 miles or so!
We saw a lot of people in big cars and some bigger bikes like Harleys, and thought it would be a bit frustrating because the roads are quite small in places, twisty and tight. We thought a proper vintage car would be the best thing for the trip, but seeing your bike I think that would have been even better.
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Oct 21, 2017 20:54:12 GMT
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Bump! Had a 205 and now a 305 since I posted this, but missing the 205 and I'm looking to get one again. Scouting websites compulsively so thought I'd post here just in case someone is thinking about selling. Diesel, preferably.
Also looking for a 305 van/estate rear bumper.
But (below) - I should have bought that gti!
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Blink motorsport do a pretty comprehensive list of services.
Roddisons?
Motorsport electronics do an ecu and fit turbos as a package.
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Sept 27, 2017 6:50:05 GMT
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Going back to the berlingo/partner - the Hdis may be complex but the earlier 1.9 non turbo xud engine is available too and that's got to be as simple as they come. I have one and there is not much to it.
Also available in the expert van, which would look comical if it was jacked up, 406 (maybe only turbos) and 306/xsara estates. Or a xantia estate for adjustable suspension, but probably not what you want to be driving through deep water?
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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My Plug 305 grd van is now only one of two licensed, down from three since I last posted here, possible the only van, other probs an estate. Still haven't seen one in the wild since leaving Portugal eight years ago. There is one on the bay in NI for, get this, £4995. Obviously havin a laff. Been on there for months. I've got one too, surely we're not the only two?
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Aug 15, 2017 20:12:09 GMT
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Making me with I hadn't sold mine.They are proper hooligans aren't they? So nimble, sound great, and surprisingly quick off the line. Don't turn it into a gti wannabe, these are much cooler as is!
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Last Edit: Aug 15, 2017 20:12:44 GMT by jonk
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154
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Jun 10, 2017 23:20:17 GMT
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Driving around in my mx5 or other small-engined nippy cars, I'd only want a manual.
I only came to buy my first auto reluctantly, but I soon saw the light! In a big barge with a relatively powerful engine, I think it's such a good feeling to slump slightly in the seat, point and go. In most journeys I don't really hear the engine.
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