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Post by Telemachus on Apr 25, 2021 14:20:34 GMT
The techno garbage is good though! Lane keeping, adaptive (radar controlled) cruise control and blind spot monitoring makes the 425 mile journey down to the boat really relaxing. My dad’s 1939 Rolls Wraith couldn’t do any of that! But you do need a computer. The xenon steerable headlights are currently pointing at the ground with orange dash warning caption, laptop says one of the suspension level sensors kaput, £50 from eBay so not bad but I’m sure if I took it to a dealer it would cost a fortune to diagnose and fix! I actually like the driving aids and I can see the day when the human element is removed from the equation entirely which will result in an accident rate of close to zero, I expect. And if I'm honest, I wish my current car had cruise control because I am lazy. But if you didn't have steerable headlights you wouldn't need a laptop to talk to the computer and be £50 better off. Any car is nice - so long as it works. It’s not the steerable bit that is the problem, it’s the automatic ranging (up down tilt) to cope with heavy load in cavernous estate boot, or not. Yes you can have that manually adjustable but how many twats do you encounter with their headlights badly adjusted?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 14:37:19 GMT
I actually like the driving aids and I can see the day when the human element is removed from the equation entirely which will result in an accident rate of close to zero, I expect. And if I'm honest, I wish my current car had cruise control because I am lazy. But if you didn't have steerable headlights you wouldn't need a laptop to talk to the computer and be £50 better off. Any car is nice - so long as it works. how many twats do you encounter with their headlights badly adjusted? Quite true. I'm not against automation, I just think the potential isn't anywhere close to where it could be. I do however detest what I see as unnecessary complication. DSG gearboxes (just an example) are a crock because they don't last and cost a fortune to repair. The only way I'd own a car with an auto gearbox would be if it was free, and even then I'd be dubious.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 25, 2021 14:55:41 GMT
how many twats do you encounter with their headlights badly adjusted? Quite true. I'm not against automation, I just think the potential isn't anywhere close to where it could be. I do however detest what I see as unnecessary complication. DSG gearboxes (just an example) are a crock because they don't last and cost a fortune to repair. The only way I'd own a car with an auto gearbox would be if it was free, and even then I'd be dubious. Yes well DSG gearbox here too! I must admit I was (and still am) nervous about that, if they go wrong it definitely makes your eyes water. But I have the DQ250 6 speed wet clutch version, which seems more robust than the DQ200 7 speed dry clutch one. The 280 only comes with DSG. Yes one does hear of them failing, but VW churn out millions and I suspect most of them don’t fail. And the concept of the gearbox and its near-instant and smooth gear changes appeal.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 15:19:27 GMT
Quite true. I'm not against automation, I just think the potential isn't anywhere close to where it could be. I do however detest what I see as unnecessary complication. DSG gearboxes (just an example) are a crock because they don't last and cost a fortune to repair. The only way I'd own a car with an auto gearbox would be if it was free, and even then I'd be dubious. Yes well DSG gearbox here too! I must admit I was (and still am) nervous about that, if they go wrong it definitely makes your eyes water. But I have the DQ250 6 speed wet clutch version, which seems more robust than the DQ200 7 speed dry clutch one. The 280 only comes with DSG. Yes one does hear of them failing, but VW churn out millions and I suspect most of them don’t fail. And the concept of the gearbox and its near-instant and smooth gear changes appeal. Its like anything else, when it works all is well. I can see why they would be desirable, but I wouldn't buy one because the only times I have heard of them is when they fail, which is a miserable experience outside of warranty. And there's the thing - its fine if you sell the car before the warranty expires because the warranty is a 'get out of dodge' card. However if manufacturers were forced to provide a car with a 500,000 mile guarantee (a not-unachievable goal) things would be different. If I had one I'd change the oil often. Its surprising what a difference it can make. The makers will say it is 'sealed for life' but they are a bunch of fork-tongued horse-dealers. One thing is for sure - you can't make an autonomous vehicle that has a manual gearbox. Incidentally, the argument for auto boxes usually comes down to saying transmission is smoother. I say it depends on who is driving. And another thing I hate beyond words - dual mass flywheels. Curse the git that dreamt that one up.
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Post by JohnV on Apr 25, 2021 15:20:03 GMT
Quite true. I'm not against automation, I just think the potential isn't anywhere close to where it could be. I do however detest what I see as unnecessary complication. DSG gearboxes (just an example) are a crock because they don't last and cost a fortune to repair. The only way I'd own a car with an auto gearbox would be if it was free, and even then I'd be dubious. Yes well DSG gearbox here too! I must admit I was (and still am) nervous about that, if they go wrong it definitely makes your eyes water. But I have the DQ250 6 speed wet clutch version, which seems more robust than the DQ200 7 speed dry clutch one. The 280 only comes with DSG. Yes one does hear of them failing, but VW churn out millions and I suspect most of them don’t fail. And the concept of the gearbox and its near-instant and smooth gear changes appeal. There is also the way that many of these essential parts are stupidly expensive and are completely unserviceable. An example is the air pump on the suspension units of (Land Rovers? Range Rovers?). Smashing neat little unit but when it stops (because the brushes are gone) you have to spend hundreds of pounds to replace it, where all that is wrong are brushes costing a few pence .... why can't you change them? because the unit itself is incredibly difficult to take apart and when you do finally achieve it, you find the brushes have their connecting wires spot welded in place. .... incredible
Nothing nowadays seems to be built to be repaired, which is crazy
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Post by Mr Stabby on Apr 25, 2021 15:36:52 GMT
Yummy! You could have done some for me, I'm only up the road from you.
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Post by JohnV on Apr 25, 2021 15:39:54 GMT
Yummy! You could have done some for me, I'm only up the road from you. and a bottle of Moretti would have washed it down nicely too
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 15:45:43 GMT
Yes well DSG gearbox here too! I must admit I was (and still am) nervous about that, if they go wrong it definitely makes your eyes water. But I have the DQ250 6 speed wet clutch version, which seems more robust than the DQ200 7 speed dry clutch one. The 280 only comes with DSG. Yes one does hear of them failing, but VW churn out millions and I suspect most of them don’t fail. And the concept of the gearbox and its near-instant and smooth gear changes appeal. There is also the way that many of these essential parts are stupidly expensive and are completely unserviceable. An example is the air pump on the suspension units of (Land Rovers? Range Rovers?). Smashing neat little unit but when it stops (because the brushes are gone) you have to spend hundreds of pounds to replace it, where all that is wrong are brushes costing a few pence .... why can't you change them? because the unit itself is incredibly difficult to take apart and when you do finally achieve it, you find the brushes have their connecting wires spot welded in place. .... incredible
Nothing nowadays seems to be built to be repaired, which is crazy
There is an episode of Wheeler Dealers where Ed investigated exactly that part, and found there was a simple fix (a very cheap part, was it a bearing or a bush - can't remember) that was simply unobtainable. This is the sort of mendacity that costs the earth. Literally.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 25, 2021 15:54:24 GMT
Yes well DSG gearbox here too! I must admit I was (and still am) nervous about that, if they go wrong it definitely makes your eyes water. But I have the DQ250 6 speed wet clutch version, which seems more robust than the DQ200 7 speed dry clutch one. The 280 only comes with DSG. Yes one does hear of them failing, but VW churn out millions and I suspect most of them don’t fail. And the concept of the gearbox and its near-instant and smooth gear changes appeal. Its like anything else, when it works all is well. I can see why they would be desirable, but I wouldn't buy one because the only times I have heard of them is when they fail, which is a miserable experience outside of warranty. And there's the thing - its fine if you sell the car before the warranty expires because the warranty is a 'get out of dodge' card. However if manufacturers were forced to provide a car with a 500,000 mile guarantee (a not-unachievable goal) things would be different. If I had one I'd change the oil often. Its surprising what a difference it can make. The makers will say it is 'sealed for life' but they are a bunch of fork-tongued horse-dealers. One thing is for sure - you can't make an autonomous vehicle that has a manual gearbox. Incidentally, the argument for auto boxes usually comes down to saying transmission is smoother. I say it depends on who is driving. And another thing I hate beyond words - dual mass flywheels. Curse the git that dreamt that one up. Yes that is the thing, one hears horror stories from the 1% of people who have problems, the 99% with no problems are silent. Or so I hope! The dry clutch gearbox is "sealed for life", the wet clutch I have has a 40kmiles oil and filter change. I did that at 40k miles. I have to say the oil was visibily indistinguishable from the new oil I put in, but it gave me a warm feeling! (maybe that was when it was running up my sleeve?)
I don't really like normal auto boxes (with a torque converter etc), Jeff has one on his Mini Cooper S. All a bit lurchy and soggy and you lose economy. The advantage of the DSG is the super-quick changes, one of the reasons why the Superb 280 has such a good 0-60 time. It is of course effectively 2 manual gearboxes/clutches operated by a computer, so no loss of efficiency compared to a manual.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 25, 2021 15:56:15 GMT
Yes well DSG gearbox here too! I must admit I was (and still am) nervous about that, if they go wrong it definitely makes your eyes water. But I have the DQ250 6 speed wet clutch version, which seems more robust than the DQ200 7 speed dry clutch one. The 280 only comes with DSG. Yes one does hear of them failing, but VW churn out millions and I suspect most of them don’t fail. And the concept of the gearbox and its near-instant and smooth gear changes appeal. There is also the way that many of these essential parts are stupidly expensive and are completely unserviceable. An example is the air pump on the suspension units of (Land Rovers? Range Rovers?). Smashing neat little unit but when it stops (because the brushes are gone) you have to spend hundreds of pounds to replace it, where all that is wrong are brushes costing a few pence .... why can't you change them? because the unit itself is incredibly difficult to take apart and when you do finally achieve it, you find the brushes have their connecting wires spot welded in place. .... incredible
Nothing nowadays seems to be built to be repaired, which is crazy
Definitely agree with that. The EU are passing a law about the "right to repair". Hopefully we will get something similar.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 16:06:33 GMT
Lovely day but a REALLY icy wind ... cruising I was wrapped up like mid winter.
Called at Dunchurch Pools marina for diesel (at 74p per litre base rate) and a really lovely lady serving.
Always seems jolly pleasant staff there, easy access to the service jetty, and a very good price too.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 16:16:10 GMT
Its like anything else, when it works all is well. I can see why they would be desirable, but I wouldn't buy one because the only times I have heard of them is when they fail, which is a miserable experience outside of warranty. And there's the thing - its fine if you sell the car before the warranty expires because the warranty is a 'get out of dodge' card. However if manufacturers were forced to provide a car with a 500,000 mile guarantee (a not-unachievable goal) things would be different. If I had one I'd change the oil often. Its surprising what a difference it can make. The makers will say it is 'sealed for life' but they are a bunch of fork-tongued horse-dealers. One thing is for sure - you can't make an autonomous vehicle that has a manual gearbox. Incidentally, the argument for auto boxes usually comes down to saying transmission is smoother. I say it depends on who is driving. And another thing I hate beyond words - dual mass flywheels. Curse the git that dreamt that one up. Yes that is the thing, one hears horror stories from the 1% of people who have problems, the 99% with no problems are silent. Or so I hope! The dry clutch gearbox is "sealed for life", the wet clutch I have has a 40kmiles oil and filter change. I did that at 40k miles. I have to say the oil was visibily indistinguishable from the new oil I put in, but it gave me a warm feeling! (maybe that was when it was running up my sleeve?)
I don't really like normal auto boxes (with a torque converter etc), Jeff has one on his Mini Cooper S. All a bit lurchy and soggy and you lose economy. The advantage of the DSG is the super-quick changes, one of the reasons why the Superb 280 has such a good 0-60 time. It is of course effectively 2 manual gearboxes/clutches operated by a computer, so no loss of efficiency compared to a manual.
I know a guy who has a BMW 3-litre straight-six coupe. It has, as you might expect, all the toys, DSG box. Nice-looking car, very fast, etc. He goes on and on about how good it is. It also goes wrong all the bloody time. There is more than a bit of 'not broken but fix it anyway' going on, but he's the sort of guy who just loves taking cars apart and rebuilding them. The more complicated the better, and if the gearbox malfunctioned I'm sure he'd be over the moon. And I have to say he's good at it, if a tad ridiculously obsessed. I find fuel economy is all down to driving style, and I've never found an automatic car that was more economical than its manual counterpart. Personally I don't give a tinker's cuss about 0-60 times or quick gear changes.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Apr 25, 2021 17:10:38 GMT
A little more progress today, the counter bands have been rubbed down and touched up with primer and the superstructure has been machine polished. Also the gunwales have been rubbed down and had the first coat of black paint applied. In real life they aren't as shiny as in this photo, the gloss effect is largely due to the camera flash (you can see the same effect on the Honda number plate). Had the charging system checked out, the alternator is fine so the fault is with the split charge relay. We'll replace that, it's a sub-£10 part. However Pete says he has a box of brand new alternators somewhere and he'll dig them out tomorrow. He's not sure if they are right or left handed but if they are suitable I'll buy one from him the one I have has done at least 5,000 engine hours so it must be getting near the end of its life. I think the plan is to second coat the gunwales, first-coat the counter bands and touch up the counter, bow, gas locker lid and surround, T-stud etc tomorrow.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 25, 2021 17:29:17 GMT
Yes that is the thing, one hears horror stories from the 1% of people who have problems, the 99% with no problems are silent. Or so I hope! The dry clutch gearbox is "sealed for life", the wet clutch I have has a 40kmiles oil and filter change. I did that at 40k miles. I have to say the oil was visibily indistinguishable from the new oil I put in, but it gave me a warm feeling! (maybe that was when it was running up my sleeve?)
I don't really like normal auto boxes (with a torque converter etc), Jeff has one on his Mini Cooper S. All a bit lurchy and soggy and you lose economy. The advantage of the DSG is the super-quick changes, one of the reasons why the Superb 280 has such a good 0-60 time. It is of course effectively 2 manual gearboxes/clutches operated by a computer, so no loss of efficiency compared to a manual.
I know a guy who has a BMW 3-litre straight-six coupe. It has, as you might expect, all the toys, DSG box. Nice-looking car, very fast, etc. He goes on and on about how good it is. It also goes wrong all the bloody time. There is more than a bit of 'not broken but fix it anyway' going on, but he's the sort of guy who just loves taking cars apart and rebuilding them. The more complicated the better, and if the gearbox malfunctioned I'm sure he'd be over the moon. And I have to say he's good at it, if a tad ridiculously obsessed. I find fuel economy is all down to driving style, and I've never found an automatic car that was more economical than its manual counterpart. Personally I don't give a tinker's cuss about 0-60 times or quick gear changes. I’m sure you are right about not finding an automatic car that is more economical than its manual counterpart, but that’s not what I said. And anyway there is a big difference between a conventional automatic with power-absorbing torque converter, vs a DSG gearbox which has gears and clutches just like a manual. As I said, it’s a manual gearbox operated by a computer. As to 0-60 times I think if you drive mostly in middle Englandshire there is no longer any point in having a fast car - nose to tail traffic, speed cameras, built up areas etc etc. But where I drive there is plenty of point, and good acceleration is useful for overtaking numpty tourists who are dawdling along looking at the views.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Apr 25, 2021 17:37:23 GMT
I know a guy who has a BMW 3-litre straight-six coupe. It has, as you might expect, all the toys, DSG box. Nice-looking car, very fast, etc. He goes on and on about how good it is. It also goes wrong all the bloody time. There is more than a bit of 'not broken but fix it anyway' going on, but he's the sort of guy who just loves taking cars apart and rebuilding them. The more complicated the better, and if the gearbox malfunctioned I'm sure he'd be over the moon. And I have to say he's good at it, if a tad ridiculously obsessed. I find fuel economy is all down to driving style, and I've never found an automatic car that was more economical than its manual counterpart. Personally I don't give a tinker's cuss about 0-60 times or quick gear changes. And anyway there is a big difference between a conventional automatic with power-absorbing torque converter, vs a DSG gearbox which has gears and clutches just like a manual. As I said, it’s a manual gearbox operated by a computer. Nearly all heavy trucks are automatic nowadays and this is the type of gearbox they have, manual gearboxes where the clutch and gear changes are electronically controlled. They give better fuel returns than conventional manual gearboxes because the gear change always takes place at the right time. Some trucks can even detect gradients ahead and will drop a gear as they approach them.
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