Davie's french attraction.

[Michel]

I can't decide if the racket from the rear is the horrible continental eco crap tyres that I hate on these things, or if there is a bit of wheel bearing noise.

They're just noisy. It's a rare old racket on the motorway. Mine's not so bad with a big holdall full of bedding in the boot, or, as I said earlier, some earphones and a bit of music or audiobook on rather than the in-car headunit. The ride is actually pretty damn good for a small car, if you can block out the noise.

[daviemck2006]

I'm home safely, the last 100 miles in winter weather, i.e. snow showers cutting visibility and giving me a sore head. Collapsed into bed. More tomorrow, or maybe the next day, I may have a total day of rest and recuperation tomorrow. I wasn't going to go out of Scotland again for a car, it's too far, but I guess Carlisle is only just out of Scotland, unlike NP which is a big bit out of Scotland lol

[van ordinaire]

If there is another time Davie, let me know, I'll deliver it - just for the hell of it.

[xantia_v6]

Images fixed Davie.

Odd that if you click on them they are the right way up.

That is a known issue with the software library that the forum uses to re-size uploaded images. If an image is large enough to require shrinking, the orientation of the thumnail is corrected at the same time, but if it doesn't require shrinking, then the orientation is left incorrect. When you click on such an image your browser noticed that the orientation has not been corrected and compensates, but it does not compensate the thumbnail embedded in the page of text.

[CitroJim]

That looks a lovely example Davie

Yes, they are noisy... Mine was from new... So is the Pixo, so is the Ka and so is the Saxo as it has no back seats and no sound deadening to speak of any more...

You get used to it and filter it out...

A small price to pay for a brilliant little fun car that costs bugger all to run

Zel, never realised that about the X5 buses A shame as they look the business...

[daviemck2006]

Well, I've had a good look over whitebug today and filled her up with fuel. She only did 45mpg coming home, but that was at an indicated 75mph most of the way. Everyone I know says they get the best mpg on a run, but I always get the poorest when on the motorway. I find the country roads around here, just running at lorry speed, about 50 to 55 is where I get best economy.

There are one or two issues needing addressed. There is a very typical problem, the boot is wet. This is a very common 107/c1 issue, it will be the back lights, the boot seal, the high level brake light or a combination of any of them. A simple case of removing all the said items and a tube of silicon sealer will cure it. Some of the masking when the wing was painted is not the best, there is slight overspray in places which should be easily removed if I want to be fussy, but having said that if you didn't know the car has been bumped and was not looking for it you probably wouldn't notice it. One of the alloys has a big chip on the rim, I wonder if it was on the front right corner when it was bumped. The spare is a steelie so I think I shall look for another alloy. It seems round and its holding air, but I am fussy with wheels and tyres and will not take any chances as that's all that keeps you on the road. The shopping trolley handle on the back is exactly what it is called, a spoiler, and it is destined to be removed. It has only done 500 odd miles since it was serviced, the oil and filters are obviously new, cant hardly see the oil on the dipstick. It has two near new looking continentals on the back, and two about 1/2 worn sunnys on the front. I hate the continent als on these cars, but I will just have to put up with them, the sunnys do not have very good grip, even with only 67bhp she breaks traction on brisk takeoffs when it's damp, which is near all the time! The interior is absolutely unmarked though, could pass for brand new and has a set of genuine carpet mats in good condition over an unmarked floor.

So all in all, considering there are two identical cars that I saw on EBay at dealers and one is £3600 And the other £3450 I am very happy with what I have saving 2 grand! One wheel, probably two tyres and a tube of sealer is all the expenditure needed needed in the near future I would think.

Other news, that's 11 months I have now owned the 205, and I still love it as much as ever. It has done more miles than it should have done really, I'm supposed to be preserving it but I just can't help taking it out, it's so nice to drive. It has done nearly 6000 miles in the year I think. It is booked in for an MOT next week. I hope it's a formality.

My mate has had a health issue cropped up so Gabby is still just lying at his house the way I left her. I'm unconcerned just now, there is no hurry for it. The weather here is also seriously cold for working outside. Bigpug continues to be parked up at the back of the drive being unloved and now unwanted. I will need to get her going, then show her some love with a big clean inside and out then advertise her. That's the decision I have came to, I'm going to keep Gabby for the times I want a comfortable cruise. She will also be the play with the bodywork in the spring/summer, I may not do a perfect paint job but she's bound to be better than the spotty patchwork that she is just now!

[Fake Concern]

It all sounds good, the Pug looks really nice in the pictures you posted and would never think it had had a prang, I don't generally like white cars, but it really suits it! Leaks can be a pain to trace, but as you have experience of it on that model should be a doddle. If you put the Contis on the front you'll wear them out quick enough and probably at the same time as the Sunnys, then get a nice new set of boots! The wheels are an unusual design, almost look like aftermarket, I don't recall seeing them before. Could the one with a ding in it be refurbed? Anyway looks like you really did get a bargain there!
The trouble with not using the 205 (apart from you like it) is that cars never respond well to being sat not doing anything, I always find I get problems with cars if they don't get enough exercise!
Shame you didn't get on with Bigpug, but I do know just what you mean. However much you may like the look of it (and it is a fine looking car) sometimes you just know you wil never really get on with it. Gabby is the way forward!

[daviemck2006]

The wheels are genuine pug, and what it left the factory with. They are the same as on our blackbug, and I think the same as on the one Zel had. Ill leave the sunnys on the front and get rid of them, then put on either uniroyal or falken and put them on the back to use the contis. We have found both those makes to be good on blackbug, and my original redbug, and they are only like £45 fitted, and last about 20k front and 30k rear. The dodgy one has a bit missing so although it passed an MOT with an advisory for the damage and a worn tyre, so it's actually had a tyre fitted since, so I suppose both a MOT man and a tyre fitter thought it is safe, it just looks bad for me. The one or two bits of poor masking will be easily sorted out then no one will know it's been bumped. The painting is ok, it is just very slight overspray.

Bigpug is a lovely car, it looks good and a good colour scheme for me, but I have never really gelled with it. If I had never bought Gabby I would be happy keeping it, but considering the big car is to be the roomy comfy car when I need one, the fact that's a strict 4 seater, poor access into the back, and the front seats are too hard for me really, Gabby does the comfort thing so much better.

[Zelandeth]

One thing to note about the spoiler Davie, it *vastly* reduces the amount of muck that gets sucked up onto the rear window. Mine was one of the first batch into Aberdeen with it, and it took a couple of weeks to arrive. The reduction in regularity I had to clean the rear window once it was fitted was really noticeable.

[daviemck2006]

I may leave it a while and see if it grows on me. Opinions are split between people who have seen the car, about 1/2 and 1/2. It will be easier to leave just now than take it off then decide to put it back on.

[daviemck2006]

Whitebug is now at work delivering hot food. I’ve thought of a way and taken steps to not hear the back so noisy. Bought a pair of 6” round vibe speakers to fit into the rear side panels

[CitroJim]

I’ve thought of a way and taken steps to not hear the back so noisy. Bought a pair of 6” round vibe speakers to fit into the rear side panels

That'll work...

Seriously, how about investing in a sound-deadening kit? May well be worth it if you enjoy the sound of silence...

[daviemck2006]

I lifted the carets and put normal house hold carpet underlay under them on the first one I had, and glued underlay over the wheelarches and up the sides inside the door cards. And the 6” speakers! That lot worked lol

[Zelandeth]

Some of the sound deadening stuff you can get these days is mind bogglingly effective. Not cheap though!

Had a run out in the Lada Niva that a mate had thoroughly gone over with some (Dynamatt I think it was called), it was near as quiet as a Xantia, engine noise was totally gone, transfer box (which usually screams like a banshee anywhere north of 40mph - straight cut gears...), only the exhaust and wind noise you could really notice. Total contrast to how it left the factory - think 2CV noise levels.

[Michel]

One thing to note about the spoiler Davie, it *vastly* reduces the amount of muck that gets sucked up onto the rear window. Mine was one of the first batch into Aberdeen with it, and it took a couple of weeks to arrive. The reduction in regularity I had to clean the rear window once it was fitted was really noticeable.

This is definitely the case. My C1 had no spoiler and I could just about get to the end of the drive without getting the rear window dirty... on a dry day.

The 107 has the spoiler. The rear window hardly gets dirty at all