rainbow-walker

Just answered one of my questions via previous posts, its a camchain, not a belt (appears can be noisy, but no regular replacement costs). RBW.

Hi guys, had a quick browse and couldnt see anything (feel free to direct me to links), but considering a low mileage fabia II estate 1.2 petrol auto. Must be petrol and auto, so anything particular I need to look out for on this model ? Will be looking about 2011/2/3 and sub 40K miles (ideally about 20k). Is there a replaceable cambelt, if so whats the frequency/mileage for replacement ? Any other known issues ? Also, anyone know if its possible to retro-fit heated seats ? I have had two mk1 Fabia's in years gone by, firstly a 1.4 8v in 2000, then a 2006 Fabia vRS (which was awesome). The vRS only needed drop-links doing, oh and the turbo was replaced under warranty, not forgetting the wet rear door cards which I never solved. tia RBW. N.B. This is the 'sort' of thing I'm looking for : http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610048408126?radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&model=FABIA&sort=price-asc&maximum-mileage=35000&body-type=Estate&year-from=2012&fuel-type=Petrol&transmission=Automatic&make=SKODA&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=ng26qw&page=1

Furbytom, looks awesome, where did you source the JB4 from in the uk ? (Wife has F56 JCW) RBW.

Hi, whats the mileage, and how many owners ? Thanks RBW.

I'm not sure I agree with this summmary, smoothly doesnt necessarily mean gently. I think the clue is in "I do have a rather bizarre passion for undulating bendy roads. I tend to use DSG Sport quite a bit, along with kick down..." Safe, smooth, progressive driving maybe. This is what I aspire to. RBW.

Poor judgement, poor planning, and too much focus on others transgressions rather than his own. Muppet. RBW.

Oh, and slightly left field, I enjoyed the 1600cc Thunderbird as well, they sound brilliant with the after market cans, and you have to ride them remembering its a cruiser due to the ground clearance. Probably my choice if I wanted a cruiser style bike, very low seat as well. RBW.

I've been close to buying a Thruxton on a couple of occasions, tried a couple on demo and I really do like them. Enough power if your not a sportsbike rider, and have a lovely feel to them, the second one I tried had an aftermarket zorst and sounded even nicer. It handled perfectly well as well. The more recent models have a much better riding position than the earliest ones (the clip ons were below the triple from memory). Dont have ownership experience, but get to a dealer and try one to see what you think RBW.

Low sun was a complete pita on the bike today :sun: Still, lovely to be riding for pleasure in December. RBW.

I can't decide, the press and everyone seems to be going nuts about it, and Im sure it will be ace. Ultimately thought its a heavy bike making less than 100bhp, that will cost £10K but be good off road (if you have the skill). For my lack of skill, I'm leaning towards getting something like a KTM enduro, or even the new Husqvarana 701 enduro. (And I havent been in a cryogenic facility for the last 24 months, so of course knew what the AT reference was....) Whats your thoughts ? RBW.

Yes it was, and I know people will question spending that much on a Mini, but its primarilly the wifes car and we were pretty certain we didnt want anything else and believe me we looked, Audi S3, Golf R, M235i etc.... There was a discount, but not massive as the car had only recently come out and even this took time to negotiate. Fortunately we are in a position to buy outright, so no finance needed (just pex of the 2008 Cooper S). We tend to keep them for about 5-8 years, and buying the JCW has really been a long term ambition having enjoyed the R53 Cooper (CVT) and R56 Cooper S (Aisin auto), we have been pretty much waiting for an auto JCW (they did do the mid life refresh R56 JCW in auto, but by then we thought we would hold on for the next gen). Having purchased the car, spending so much money you always wonder if you have done the right thing, but every time we drive it we smile, and bridges have become a new found fascination to hear the exhaust bouncing off the walls. Absolutely delighted with the car, and they do bring out the devil in you. RBW.

Nice one Tom, we have gone from a Cooper, to a Cooper S, and got the new F56 JCW earlier this year and we are absolutely in love with it. Mini's have never been about outright power, but the fun that can be had in the JCW exploiting the handling and razzing around have to be experienced as you can have great fun without doing super silly speeds. The exhaust pops and bangs are addictive, and the interior has taken a welcome jump up market with this generation. We pretty much threw the option list at ours, but its our only car so dont mind going a bit nuts at order time. Be interested to hear how you get on with it over the coming months, I'm pretty sure our exhaust has got louder over the last 5000 miles. RBW.

If its pre 2006, max road tax is £290 iirc, regardless. RBW.

New tyre fitted to the baby Panigale yesterday, just need the weather to be slightly less crap to get it scrubbed in . Weird size (180/60) so not a huge choice, went with OEM Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa for the 2nd time, as have no complaints with them. Have a great local tyre fitter (MTS in Colwick), and getting the back wheel off of the Ducati is a damn sight easier than removing the rear wheel on my scooter. RBW.

I do have a metal ramp thats surplus to requirements, solid bit of kit that I had in a VW T5 for loading the bike into the back, but the T5 has now gone. I'm in Notts, dont want anything for it, so let me know if its any use. RBW.