There are always two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And it’s only reward is that its easy. Been in similar ‘which car’ scenario twice in my life (with wife sniping from the margins) and on both occasions went with my gut. In hindsight, unable to validate the decisions I took but wife seemed happy. Nuff said.
Re’ ‘underlay’ necessity: Had a similar arrangement on BMW M3 (2004). Handbook clearly stated that this washer be refitted, and right way up, to avoid the shock from tearing through the rubber bushing located under the sheet metal mount area? In fact I had a local garage replace my original units with a premium brand, at great expense, and shortly after driving away the car made horrible noises from rear near side. On return to garage they claimed the rubber bushing with my branded shock kit wasn’t up to the job and had ruptured. At further expense they fitted OEM items which dealt with problem. I’m of opinion that the mechanic failed to refit the washers on assembly first time?
With Eddypeck re’ bike rider ‘road craft’ application versus car only drivers.
Between 1983-1986, in tandem with my driving training, my work area also included motorcycle surveillance duties. In this period I completed my basic training and attended two further refresher courses, all courtesy of the tax payer and Essex Police. Road Craft was again the bible we all adhered to. There is something to be said for hitting the apex of a bend accurately and giving it the beans on exit.
Generally, I think bikers do make better drivers because they are constantly having to monitor all traffic immediately around them trying to anticipate the ‘biker blind’ punter. As a car driver I know how easily it is to miss presence of a bike, particularly at junctions. Hence, a bike rider is a more focussed traveller on the roads who sees and negotiates more hazards as a consequence.
My ‘advanced’ bike training instilled a survival instinct in me from the outset. I always carry out the suicide glance behind me each time I move to right of road or prior to overtaking.
Am now between Mk2 Golf ownership and have acquired a grand old single cylinder Royal Enfield for leisure use only. This bike, compared to my previous high powered rides, requires me to be even more alert to fellow road users as I don’t have a get out of jail acceleration card. I still rely on the Road Craft ethos to put myself in the best/correct position while on the road at all times and have already benefitted from a rear glance when a fast moving car appeared in my blind spot ( not caught in rear view mirror) just on cusp of turning right.
Too many years ago now I received ‘Road Craft (Police)’ training from both Essex and Wiltshire Constabularies. At the time, it was generally understood that this training provided the fundamentals of advanced driving. Much of which is still to my mind relevant today - observations, physics won’t change.
The core objective was to make progress in an organised constructive way instead of ‘flooring it and hoping for the best’. Fuel economy was not on the agenda then however, ‘car comfort’ was.
I have not undertaken any form of advanced driving since but after all these years the following learning points have wedged themselves in my sub-conscious and often re-emerge;
Always drive at a speed which allows you to stop safely in the distance you can see ahead to be clear. Always assume there is an elephant sat in road around a blind corner. Conduct a ‘cockpit control’ procedure before driving off to ensure all car controls are functioning correctly and you have all adjustments made (mirrors, seat) and fluids are in order.
At end of each course we had to be tested by civilian advanced instructor before we got our certifications. Part of the test involved giving an unbroken commentary of what we could see ahead, mitigating road speed and general awareness of speed limits and road hazards etc. I still do this occasionally in my mind.
By way of putting all us aspiring boy racers in our place the Sergeant instructors would occasionally take control of one of the cars and lead us home while applying all the instruction we had received. Needless to say after a few miles he was out of sight and was waiting by the side of his car back at base.
This brings back ‘happy’ memories of completing driver training with Essex Police in the eighties. My day job then required surveillance capabilities while driving safely/legally. We were taught that you needed to be in the correct gear before entering hazard/turn enabling you to accelerate away shortly afterwards. In terms of effective speed at approach, we had to visualise a ‘rugby ball’ when approach braking i.e. dab brake gently at beginning then exert further pressure before easing off at point of turn. I recall most of the turn offs required either 2nd or 3rd gear choice depending on which car we were required to drive. Brilliant three week training and can put hand on heart and can say even today I still apply most of my learning then.
Have recently sold my Mk2 GTi 8V to a ‘classic car collector’, who after much forensic evidence gathering re’ condition has a new heated berth joining several 1980/90 classic cars etc. I’m assured the Golf will get regular runs to shows and family use on high days. New owner much impressed with new acquisition and knowing I’m in the Mk2 Forum has asked me to reach out to fellow members to assist him in a search for an A1 example of a Peugeot 205 GTi to join his fleet. This guy appears to be very knowledgeable in this area and the pictures I’ve seen of his ‘collection’ reflects his appreciation of original condition vehicles. I spotted two Mk2 Ford R/S Turbos and another Golf in his showroom. If anyone out there has or knows of a suitable 205 GTi to supplement his collection I can assure you cost is not his primary concern. Happy in first instance to field any potential interest on his behalf.
Have just (fingers crossed) negotiated sale of one of my cars for £12,999. 85,000 miler on 2 owners in 95% original condition. Big bumper 3dr in sought after black. Was just about to re-advertise at £13,999 as felt current market could take it. Given that there is one example of a low mileage small bumper (silver) fully restored on e-bay at £23k mine was a steal? Originality comes at a premium in the Mk2 world I’m glad to report.
Just a battery boost and brisk run to Cheltenham on Christmas Eve. Car is as complete now as I want it to be without straying into non-standard spec. Came v.close to making someone else’s Christmas (sale) but fell £500 short of asking price. Glad to have kept her for New Year.
I need to alternate between my golf and wife’s Cooper S and this highlights the gulf in braking department! That said, just need to focus on each cars capabilities at all times. Have only once had to haul golf in well hard to avoid embarrassing discussion with local farmer. Have since fitted ‘upgraded’ brake pads from Heritage which has helped as well as changing brake fluid which appeared to have been ignored for at least 7 years? Only prominent bugbear is getting car dirty! It’s black and have to contend with using a road which services a quarry, currently sourcing material for Hinckley Point C power station. Apart from weekends, this main thoroughfare is permanently coated in a limestone slurry which plays havoc with sills and lower panels unless removed asap.
As above. First contact with club members since acquiring car in January this year. A good cross section of the genre attended; 8V, 16V and mildly unhinged 20V conversion. Spent couple of pleasant hours discussing merits, or otherwise, of MK2 ownership and left seized of much more information and positive anecdotal evidence justifying my choice of ‘retirement’ car, although wifey sees it as collateral against new kitchen at present. Looking forward to catching up again in New Year.
Will be good to see a well smart friend in Tesco car park now.
Re InterPro: Very keen to see to my silencer needs but positively belligerent when trying to get them to look at car for any mechanical/engine work. It seems car too old for them to take on? In the end I shied away from some cam work and ECU mapping/chip stuff. Car nifty enough with 99 octane, upgraded ht leads, iridium plugs, free flow intake filter and trusty heavy right foot.
