Davie's french attraction.

[daviemck2006]

The new job is quiet as I expected during the week, slightly busier last night. The renault is already smelling of takeaway so for now it is relegated to work only and the 205 for everything else. The keyless locking unlocking and starting is superb for the job, no searching for keys when approaching the car with a bag of food in your hand, then jump in and press the start bullon. Lovely. However I am going to mot it next month and sell it. I now as stated earlier for a 1.9 td in any kind of vehicle, or does anyone know if the 1868cc (I think) in Berlingo up to about 2006 run on veg oil? Preferably waste veg oil as then I will have an unlimited supply of free fuel [emoji4]

None of the 205's are retested yet. My one I have changed the bottom arms which have made the steering sharper, I can't get the front brake hoses undone, anymore pressure and I think I would break the brake pipe, so it will get left to the garage on Tuesday when it goes in to get the small patch of welding done. Then it will be tested. Shauns gti, I have no idea when it will get its mot. It has a list of 22 faults to fix, some of them silly little things from rebuilding the front end, and for seat belts in the back cos the boot and back seats are full of crap, and the worst being welding on both front suspension mounts, and the rear seat belt anchorages. I have no idea how or when it's getting done, and now that it is his car entirely not really too concerned. If it were mine it would all be done properly, and any bits that look iffy done at the same time so it would be good for a long time with a gti being an appreciating asset. It's his call though, it's his toy and he wants to see to it himself, and it will teach him how to look after an old car being a big learning curve for him. I mean he has no learning curve in the 107. It continues to be put petrol in and drive it giving it an oil change every 3 months and new front tyres every 3 months also!

[daviemck2006]

What is the problems with garages in this area? That's another one crossed off the list for me. When I booked the 205 in for its bit of welding he said that will just take 1/2 hour or so, no problem. At 5.20 this evening I phoned to see if it is ready, as retest booked for tomorrow. Oh, it's on the ramp not finished yet, it will be tomorrow morning says garage man. Ok, I'll come down about 10 for it says me. Better phone first to see if it's ready says garage man. Very disillusioned with all garages around here. The mot man I trust is 21 miles away. I'm going to have to start getting him to do the repairs I can't manage I think, but he usually doesn't do repairs or servicing, except very minor repairs during mots.

[myglaren]

It's a bugger Davie. A fellow countryman (Boristhespie) has similar problems all the time, usually ending up being severely ripped off for poor service.
Come and live down here - the Polish guy I go to is superb.

[daviemck2006]

The mot station is brilliant Steve, I have used it for years, the guy is only a year or 2 older than myself so hopefully get a while out of him yet. The local indy I also used from the first day I ever owned a car 34 years ago was brilliant, really k ew his stuff and never over booked himself so when something broke he was able to sort it as soon as he got bits, often the same day, or the next. Since he retired I can't find a good one. I know I am not the only person who is finding the same problem.

[bxzx16v]

Good to hear the job is going well Davie .

Mark

[daviemck2006]

That's a week in Mark. It's not a lot, but the biggest thing about it is that I now have a purpose again, and after 3 years of not being able to work it has made a vast improvement to my general well being. The guy is a proper gent, as well as me getting the delivery charge in its entirety has given me petrol money too, and quite a bit more than I have used. Once I lay my hands on a veg friendly 1.9 td then even better I will have free fuel!

[CitroJim]

Good stuff on the job Davie It does make a big difference to life...

Sorry to hear all the 'fun' you're having with garages. In my experience good ones are rare anywhere.

Giggled at the 107 comments... That's exactly like mine! Just put petrol in and drive it. Perfect!

[daviemck2006]

Good stuff on the job Davie It does make a big difference to life...

Sorry to hear all the 'fun' you're having with garages. In my experience good ones are rare anywhere.

Giggled at the 107 comments... That's exactly like mine! Just put petrol in and drive it. Perfect!

Only you won't need new front tyres every 3 months. At least they are only 28 notes each. It shows how he corners, never uses the brakes, the discs and pads have loads of wear left yet! He uses Falken, they are reasonable quality with good grip, and would do much more miles if he didn't do burn outs for fun. I think there would be more chance of a burn out in your kitchen rather than the c1 Jim lol

[CitroJim]

He uses Falken, they are reasonable quality with good grip, and would do much more miles if he didn't do burn outs for fun. I think there would be more chance of a burn out in your kitchen rather than the c1 Jim lol

So true!

[daviemck2006]

The "fun" continues. Got another garage to do the brakes this morning. Went for new pipes as well as the hoses as there was no chance of them separating. Then the fun started. The flexi hose when it came out of the caliper on the passenger side decided to take the thread of the caliper with it. End of the calipers life then. I left the garage before he tried to get the hose out of the other side. He ordered 2 calipers before I left in case he needs the other one also, he can put it back if he doesn't. I have no option really but do this. The price of a caliper? Too fecking much. Ready for retest today? Doubt that very much. Another full mot awaits then.

[CitroJim]

That's the problem with alloy callipers Davie.. Normally it's just bleed nipples that seize and shear. Those can be repaired and by a similar process the hose inlets could too but that's work that's not within the sphere of a local garage..

Hope this is the last of the battles and it all goes smoothly from here

[daviemck2006]

It's not. Calipers arrived at 3 pm. That's the wrong calipers.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[CitroJim]

It's not. Calipers arrived at 3 pm. That's the wrong calipers.

Hence the "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggh" on Facebook then!!!

Here's hoping that this really is the last hurdle and all will be plain sailing from now on...

[daviemck2006]

Correct calipers now fitted, car at mot standard, time has ran out for free retest. £335.50 for two calipers, two brake pipes, labour and the dreaded vat. Could have been done a lot cheaper my myself if I could have made the brake pipes. Again my old now retired garage would have made them for me for a few quid and I bet I could have got calipers much cheaper than 120 each. Yes hence the gig growl on Facebook! That's me in overdraught again. Just as well I am making some money now. The Renault due 18th Oct. I will be starting on it as soon as the 205 has its mot, booked for Monday. I will give this garage it's due though, asked to do the job at 10.30 wedensday morning, car dropped off at 8.30 Thursday morning and straight on to the ramps, job done successfully at 5 pm despite wrong calipers arriving and needing another delivery. I think one of them actually jumped in their van and drove the 30 odd miles to the factors to get the bits. That's better service, although expensive.

[CitroJim]

Let's just hope the Renault will be a bit more straightforward Davie...