
Michel's Motors
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- Donor 2024
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
Not that I remember either Jim, I think the name was more from jealousy within our air cooled collection of British bikes. The whole concept was alien to us so deserved having the mickey taken out of them!! 

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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- A very naughty boy
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
Yes, I think you're right... Very much an aspirational bike... I nearly bought one to restore back in the late 80s but felt, whilst also running a Suzuki GT550, it might have been too much of a moneypit so I didn't...mickthemaverick wrote: 15 Oct 2022, 19:02 I think the name was more from jealousy within our air cooled collection of British bikes. The whole concept was alien to us so deserved having the mickey taken out of them!!![]()
The GT550 had the (in) famous 'Ram Air' cooling system... Not that it fully prevented overheating though... Partial seizures were all too common and very much to the detriment of their hard-chromed alloy cylinders...
The GT380 was much better in having cylinders with steel liners... Only the pistons got wrecked when seizures occurred...
A Helicoil kit was essential with those bikes to repair cylinder head stud threads and exhaust port threads...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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- (Donor 2022)
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
Well, nothing Citroen related to report. They still work. I do need to unblock the drain holes in the right-rear passenger door of the C3 again as I can hear the water sloshing around in it when the door is opened and closed, but that's about it. Oh, the air con compressor is still noisy AF, but that will have to wait. I presume it's the clutch on it. It works fine, just makes a hammering noise when it's on. I am NOT buying a new one.
I rode my motorcycle into London today, down to Putney to see a friend, then back along the south circ to Kew, then back down the M4. When I first moved down to the South in 1995, I worked as a despatch rider on a CBR600 for about 9 months, so I know my way around (ish), and the traffic doesn't faze me.
Two things:
1. It's still a polluted, nasty place.
2. Haven't cars got wider since 1995?! Bloody hell, filtering and going up to the front of queues is so much more difficult than it used to be because of this. Really hard work. If I'd had my side bags on, it wouldn't have been happening at all.
I shall try to avoid such adventures in the future!
I rode my motorcycle into London today, down to Putney to see a friend, then back along the south circ to Kew, then back down the M4. When I first moved down to the South in 1995, I worked as a despatch rider on a CBR600 for about 9 months, so I know my way around (ish), and the traffic doesn't faze me.
Two things:
1. It's still a polluted, nasty place.
2. Haven't cars got wider since 1995?! Bloody hell, filtering and going up to the front of queues is so much more difficult than it used to be because of this. Really hard work. If I'd had my side bags on, it wouldn't have been happening at all.
I shall try to avoid such adventures in the future!
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- (Donor 2022)
- Posts: 2330
- Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
- x 693
Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso, FIAT Punto and BMW F800R
Well, as some of you may have noticed, the C3 Picasso is dead. I had the mechanic take a look at it yesterday, and he is of the opinion it is, definitely dead. He says it is repairable, but, it will cost around £900 once all the work is done. I am currently considering it. My logic being that if he does it properly, with the modified tensioner (MINI forums) then it should be good for a great deal more miles. I'll have a think about it anyway.
So, to get Mrs. Michel to work, as she doesn't like driving the old Xsara Picasso one bit, I have bought her a 2014 Punto 1.4 "Jet Black" model. It's very nice, only 3 doors, but it will do exactly what she needs, it has climate control, all the toys (which work), a full service history and a recent timing belt. My neighbour very kindly lent it me for a few weeks, but he's selling it and said I could have it for what WBAC would give him, minus a bit because it needs a good clean and a pair of front tyres.
I have driven it to work and back a few times, and it's really rather smooth. It was also *very* stable just now in the pouring rain on the M4 at around the legal limit. It's fun on a twisty road in the way that only a small, revvy Italian or French car can be.
The Xsara Picasso just .. goes. James kindly rescued the battery with his fancy charger, and so far it's held up ok. Mrs. Michel will drive it until the end of the month when we will do the paperwork with the Punto, to save paying April tax again.
I am still enjoying the German-ness of the BMW motorcycle. I had a new chain and sprockets fitted before Colombia, it's had new brake pads and now it also need two new tyres and an oil change.
Lastly - wheels. I am going to put the 16" wheels from the C3 Pic on the Xsara Pic as they have brand new tyres, same PCD.
The offset of the C3 Pic is 23, the Xsara Pic is 18 (these are figures from the manual, for 16" wheels) - I presume I need 5mm spacers to bring the offset back to 18 again?
So, to get Mrs. Michel to work, as she doesn't like driving the old Xsara Picasso one bit, I have bought her a 2014 Punto 1.4 "Jet Black" model. It's very nice, only 3 doors, but it will do exactly what she needs, it has climate control, all the toys (which work), a full service history and a recent timing belt. My neighbour very kindly lent it me for a few weeks, but he's selling it and said I could have it for what WBAC would give him, minus a bit because it needs a good clean and a pair of front tyres.
I have driven it to work and back a few times, and it's really rather smooth. It was also *very* stable just now in the pouring rain on the M4 at around the legal limit. It's fun on a twisty road in the way that only a small, revvy Italian or French car can be.
The Xsara Picasso just .. goes. James kindly rescued the battery with his fancy charger, and so far it's held up ok. Mrs. Michel will drive it until the end of the month when we will do the paperwork with the Punto, to save paying April tax again.
I am still enjoying the German-ness of the BMW motorcycle. I had a new chain and sprockets fitted before Colombia, it's had new brake pads and now it also need two new tyres and an oil change.
Lastly - wheels. I am going to put the 16" wheels from the C3 Pic on the Xsara Pic as they have brand new tyres, same PCD.
The offset of the C3 Pic is 23, the Xsara Pic is 18 (these are figures from the manual, for 16" wheels) - I presume I need 5mm spacers to bring the offset back to 18 again?
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- (Donor 2022)
- Posts: 2330
- Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
- x 693
Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
I swapped the 16" wheels with almost new tyres from the dead C3 Pic to the Xsara Pic. I used 5mm spacers to correct the offset.
It's an improvement I think.
It's an improvement I think.
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- (Donor 2022)
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- Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
- x 693
Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
It's been a while since I put anything on here. That's because nothing interesting ever happens down this way with my reliable Italian car and dependable old Picasso...
Well it's time for the Picasso to go back to it's owner, who left it with me 5 years ago to "sort it out so I can use it again". He's one of the few people I know who *hasn't* used it since! It's acted as a reliable, stand-in emergency car for various people, been all over the country and down to Paris twice. I gave it new oil and filters this morning. Peter is taking it on Tuesday. I had to pressure him a little, as I'm going to start working from the office most days again, and I'm beginning to be a little sensible and not use the motorcycle over winter - but Heathrow is in the expanded ULEZ, so the Picasso would be no use. I support the ULEZ by the way, despite it, and the expansion being Johnson's idea.
So, we have the Punto, but it's only a 3-door. It's ideal for Mrs Michel to drive around town and on shorter journeys, but for a family with a child as tall as me, it's not much use for anything else. I went completely left field and surprising even myself, which is hard when I've had more than 200 cars now, I bought a Suzuki SX4 on a 14 plate. It's a 118bhp 1.6 petrol. It's pretty basic, but that's what I want. It has AC, it has working rear-wash/wipe and a decent boot. I expected to detest it, as my mother owned a Vitara from new, then a Jimny from new, then another.. you get the picture. Neither of those were inspiring to drive, to put it mildly.
I was amazed how well this thing drives! Properly nice handling, quick enough to be classed as nippy, very comfortable and quiet too. So, given my mum's experience with Suzuki involved precisely 0 breakdowns over 250,000 miles, I bought it.
I hope to pick it up tomorrow or Tuesday. I should have got it last week, but they discovered the AC had a fault. It's had a new compressor and it's awaiting some valve or other. Glad that happened before I picked it up!
Well it's time for the Picasso to go back to it's owner, who left it with me 5 years ago to "sort it out so I can use it again". He's one of the few people I know who *hasn't* used it since! It's acted as a reliable, stand-in emergency car for various people, been all over the country and down to Paris twice. I gave it new oil and filters this morning. Peter is taking it on Tuesday. I had to pressure him a little, as I'm going to start working from the office most days again, and I'm beginning to be a little sensible and not use the motorcycle over winter - but Heathrow is in the expanded ULEZ, so the Picasso would be no use. I support the ULEZ by the way, despite it, and the expansion being Johnson's idea.
So, we have the Punto, but it's only a 3-door. It's ideal for Mrs Michel to drive around town and on shorter journeys, but for a family with a child as tall as me, it's not much use for anything else. I went completely left field and surprising even myself, which is hard when I've had more than 200 cars now, I bought a Suzuki SX4 on a 14 plate. It's a 118bhp 1.6 petrol. It's pretty basic, but that's what I want. It has AC, it has working rear-wash/wipe and a decent boot. I expected to detest it, as my mother owned a Vitara from new, then a Jimny from new, then another.. you get the picture. Neither of those were inspiring to drive, to put it mildly.
I was amazed how well this thing drives! Properly nice handling, quick enough to be classed as nippy, very comfortable and quiet too. So, given my mum's experience with Suzuki involved precisely 0 breakdowns over 250,000 miles, I bought it.
I hope to pick it up tomorrow or Tuesday. I should have got it last week, but they discovered the AC had a fault. It's had a new compressor and it's awaiting some valve or other. Glad that happened before I picked it up!
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- Donor 2024
- Posts: 5008
- Joined: 04 Dec 2010, 19:45
- x 492
Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
That's a fiat idea I think in disguise, which is an overgrown punto. That's maybe why you like it and it's not depressing like the Suzuki's you know and hate are.
Skoda Karoq 1.6tdi 2018
Citroen dispatch 2014
In the family
Seat Leon 1.5tsi tourer 2019 daughter 1
C1 vtr+ 2010 daughter 2
Citroen dispatch 2014
In the family
Seat Leon 1.5tsi tourer 2019 daughter 1
C1 vtr+ 2010 daughter 2
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- (Donor 2022)
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
I can haz Suzuki..
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- A very naughty boy
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
Sweet 

Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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- A very naughty boy
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- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
I must confess I could be very tempted by a Suzuki... Having sort-of owned a baby badge-engineered one made in Mumbai since new (14 years now) I have a lot of time for them...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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- (Donor 2022)
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- Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
So far, I think it's great Jim. It's a bit low-rent 90s Japanese saloon inside, but it has everything I require apart from rear parking sensors. It all works, and I expect it to continue to work for a long long time. With 120bhp and much lightness, it's also really rather good fun for what it is.CitroJim wrote: 22 Aug 2023, 15:38 I must confess I could be very tempted by a Suzuki... Having sort-of owned a baby badge-engineered one made in Mumbai since new (14 years now) I have a lot of time for them...
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- A very naughty boy
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
Excellent
I know what you mean by low rent inside... You should see my Pixo! It'll run for years with no trouble, Japanese cars just do; my Pixo has been almost 100% in 12 years. Just one battery and an alternator plus the usual consumables.
I'm hoping my Picasso will be as good ....

I'm hoping my Picasso will be as good ....
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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- (Donor 2022)
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- Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
Ah, yes. The battery. Guess what I replaced on the Suzuki 2 weeks ago when it died outside Tesco at 5pm? The battery.CitroJim wrote: 08 Sep 2023, 05:14 ExcellentI know what you mean by low rent inside... You should see my Pixo! It'll run for years with no trouble, Japanese cars just do; my Pixo has been almost 100% in 12 years. Just one battery...
By a total stroke of luck, the couple who run the local cafe were in the same Tesco near Mrs. Michel's office. ECP is on the same street as her office. I ordered a battery for collection, they took her to collect it and a set of jump leads. I jumped* the Suzuki off the new battery, drove home, and changed it when I got home.
1. My jump leads were knackered. I needed new ones
2. I had no tools and jump leads were cheaper than a set of spanners that I didn't really need.
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- Donor 2023
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Re: The adventures of Michel's C3 Picasso and Frank the F800R
Take a wander down to Lidl (if you haven't already replaced them);
https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/ultimate-speed ... Sales_Week
https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/ultimate-speed ... Sales_Week
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
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- (Donor 2022)
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- Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
- x 693
Michel's motors
Well, I made a list, just for Mick..
Skoda Estelle 120L - 1983
Citroen Visa 652 - 1981
Capri MK2 1.6
Lada 1200 - yellow
Lada 1200 - Green
2cv - E reg
Volvo 360GLS - 1984
Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia Auto - 1988
Rover 416GSi Auto
Volvo 340 GL - 1988
MG Metro - G Reg
2cv6 - F reg
Ford Mondeo 1.8SX P reg
Capri 2.8i - Y reg
VW Golf GTI MK2 E -reg
Saab 900T16 (D-reg)
Saab 900T8 - (C-reg)
Saab 900 16v (G-reg)
2cv6 - Y reg (1983)
Suzuki Vitara 1992
Capri 2.8i - A reg
Saab 900 Turbo16 Saloon - 1984
Citroen Xantia 1.9TD 1994
Citroen ZX 1.9TD 1992
Citroen XM 2.1SD - 1992
Citroen XM 2.0 TCT Estate
Mondeo 2.0 MK2
VW Golf GTI 1992 K32 DHE
VW Golf 1.8 Auto 1984
Saab 900 T16 Ruby 1993
Fiat Punto 1.2 1999
Citroen Xantia 1.8 Petrol S-reg
Jeep Cherokee 4.0 "high output" running LPG
Audi Quattro Coupe
Alfa 33 1.7IE
Alfa 33 1.7IE (yes, two of them)
Citroen XM 2.1TD - P reg
Citroen Xantia TD Estate 1997
Ford Puma 1.7 1998 (Silver)
Mazda MX5 Mk1 1991
BMW 5-series 1992
Peugeot 306 SD
Citroen Xantia Activa 1997
Ford Focus 1.6 1998
Mazda MX5 Mk1 (import)
Berlingo 2.0 HDi Desire
Ford Puma 2002 1.7
Subaru Impreza 2.0 STi
Citroen C5 MK1 2.0 HDI (red)
Xantia HDi Exclusive
Xantia 1.9TD 1997 (white)
Mazda MX5 Mk2 1.8SE
Citroen C5 MK1 (green)
Citroen C5 MK1 (Lilac?)
Citroen Xantia V6 (grey)
Citroen Xantia V6 (red)
BMW 320 D Estate 04 plate
Citroen C4 VTS 180 2005
Audi TT Quattro 225
Ford Escort 1.4 P-reg
Ford Ka 1997
Vauxhall Meriva 1.6 (2011)
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.8 petrol 2008
Ford Focus ST 2006
Renault Megane Scenic
Citroen C3 Picasso
Suzuki SX4
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.6HDi 2009
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 2.0HDI 2011
Mazda MX5 Mk2 Gold
DRK 3-wheeler
Citroen C1
Peugeot 107
Pegueot 207
Peugeot 206 HDi
Peugeot 207 (from Jim)
Xsara Picasso
Xsara TD
Ford Cougar 2.5V6 X-reg
Xantia Activa red
Ford Puma 1.7 Blue
Citroen C8 2.0 auto petrol
VW Polo 1.4 Petrol 2003
Skoda Octavia 2.0TD
VW Passat 2.0 TDI
VW Passat 1.6TD (1992)
VW Passat 1.6TD (1993)
Fiat Punto Gt 2014
That's just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. I know I have a comprehensive list somewhere that's around 170 long, there's just 90 listed here.
Skoda Estelle 120L - 1983
Citroen Visa 652 - 1981
Capri MK2 1.6
Lada 1200 - yellow
Lada 1200 - Green
2cv - E reg
Volvo 360GLS - 1984
Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia Auto - 1988
Rover 416GSi Auto
Volvo 340 GL - 1988
MG Metro - G Reg
2cv6 - F reg
Ford Mondeo 1.8SX P reg
Capri 2.8i - Y reg
VW Golf GTI MK2 E -reg
Saab 900T16 (D-reg)
Saab 900T8 - (C-reg)
Saab 900 16v (G-reg)
2cv6 - Y reg (1983)
Suzuki Vitara 1992
Capri 2.8i - A reg
Saab 900 Turbo16 Saloon - 1984
Citroen Xantia 1.9TD 1994
Citroen ZX 1.9TD 1992
Citroen XM 2.1SD - 1992
Citroen XM 2.0 TCT Estate
Mondeo 2.0 MK2
VW Golf GTI 1992 K32 DHE
VW Golf 1.8 Auto 1984
Saab 900 T16 Ruby 1993
Fiat Punto 1.2 1999
Citroen Xantia 1.8 Petrol S-reg
Jeep Cherokee 4.0 "high output" running LPG
Audi Quattro Coupe
Alfa 33 1.7IE
Alfa 33 1.7IE (yes, two of them)
Citroen XM 2.1TD - P reg
Citroen Xantia TD Estate 1997
Ford Puma 1.7 1998 (Silver)
Mazda MX5 Mk1 1991
BMW 5-series 1992
Peugeot 306 SD
Citroen Xantia Activa 1997
Ford Focus 1.6 1998
Mazda MX5 Mk1 (import)
Berlingo 2.0 HDi Desire
Ford Puma 2002 1.7
Subaru Impreza 2.0 STi
Citroen C5 MK1 2.0 HDI (red)
Xantia HDi Exclusive
Xantia 1.9TD 1997 (white)
Mazda MX5 Mk2 1.8SE
Citroen C5 MK1 (green)
Citroen C5 MK1 (Lilac?)
Citroen Xantia V6 (grey)
Citroen Xantia V6 (red)
BMW 320 D Estate 04 plate
Citroen C4 VTS 180 2005
Audi TT Quattro 225
Ford Escort 1.4 P-reg
Ford Ka 1997
Vauxhall Meriva 1.6 (2011)
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.8 petrol 2008
Ford Focus ST 2006
Renault Megane Scenic
Citroen C3 Picasso
Suzuki SX4
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.6HDi 2009
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 2.0HDI 2011
Mazda MX5 Mk2 Gold
DRK 3-wheeler
Citroen C1
Peugeot 107
Pegueot 207
Peugeot 206 HDi
Peugeot 207 (from Jim)
Xsara Picasso
Xsara TD
Ford Cougar 2.5V6 X-reg
Xantia Activa red
Ford Puma 1.7 Blue
Citroen C8 2.0 auto petrol
VW Polo 1.4 Petrol 2003
Skoda Octavia 2.0TD
VW Passat 2.0 TDI
VW Passat 1.6TD (1992)
VW Passat 1.6TD (1993)
Fiat Punto Gt 2014
That's just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. I know I have a comprehensive list somewhere that's around 170 long, there's just 90 listed here.