Gaz

Hello F4y I really like Phoenix Orange 😎 Gaz

Slightly better odds for outrunning them in a vRS 👍😇 G

Possibly a faulty new matrix, or the coolant pipes have not been seated on to the matrix correctly - IMO. Either way I'd be taking it straight back to the repairer. Gaz I found this video quite helpful in terms of seeing what's what:

Hello Stuart So having the tracking corrected is going to increase tyre wear?? 🙄 I think you need to go to a different garage (without knowing any mitigating factors that validate this opinion). IMO four wheel tracking (Hunter perhaps) is not a waste of money, and you'll likely get a better report and indication of what's going on. It's odd that only one tyre is affected. Could it be this tyre is a left over from when tracking was previously out, and has since been corrected? Gaz

Hello C_B I had my 2015 220TSI remapped to north of 300bhp (Probably around the 310 mark in reality) on a Revo stage one. It was a fair bit more sprightly I found it quite aggressive mid range, but that was just something to get used to, and more of a quirk than an issue. Overall I enjoyed the maps outcome 👍 (and I secretly hoped mine was one of the cars the ST owners didn't like ). Gaz

My e-bike's charger has just died. Checked the fuse, which is okay and the extent of my skill level Can't really complain as it's been used probably three times a week over the last eight years. I don't suppose we've got an e-bike charger specialist on the forum (you never know!). Gaz Edit: Well would you Adam and Eve it. As it was dead I decided to perform an autopsy (undid four screws and pulled the two casing sides apart). Saw nothing exciting, exploded or burned. Put it back together, not before losing one screw down the kitchen sink, plugged it in, and lo' and behold it came on and charged the battery as per normal 😁 Maybe that fact I'd found a cheaper (E6002) charger online gave it a reality check as to its future and being replaced by a younger model - threats and jealousy having the desired effect?

I've just seen my first swallows and house martins of the year 😎 Always cheers me up - harbingers of better weather 👍 Gaz

Here's my old car - 2015 vRS 220 TSI as a measure going t'other way: G

Better'n mine: Albeit mine's a year older than yours, and not an Octy. Gaz

My first Skoda was a Mk1 Superb V6TDI. It was advertised as having a FSSH, but the paper trail showed a missing cam belts change. I nearly rejected it, but they took the car back and had the belts done. I'm very glad I didn't follow the rejection through because it turned out to be a brilliant car 😎 I wouldn't agree to the rear vent surround if I was the garage - just sayin'. It's not part of the concerns you raised. Gaz

That'll do, won't it? Provided that's the outcome, and you've got it in writing. Bloody palaver, but reasonable if it makes things all good. Gaz

Sorry George, I was being facetious. Before retiring, my LA's Blue Badge team was in the team I managed. I'm very familiar with the guidance. I suspect where Skomaz parked was probably on a site where they make their own rules, and word parky stuff as wot they see fit. G

'⚫ your parking clock must be displayed' - I do love these : No mention of where it should be displayed, nor any need to set it to any particular time! 🙄 Gaz

Check the brakes using the 'Elsa Pro tool' (Item 87) - Proper pro tool that is then! Shoddy and incompetent. It'll be interesting to hear their explanations. 'It was alright when I looked, honest guv!' 🙄 If it's all fixed and tickety boo, then it might be you'll be minded to accept the car. I would, if it was the car I wanted, but otherwise I'd walk away. See how they respond and if it doesn't sit well, perhaps have a chat with Consumer Direct/Trading Standards. Very poor service 👎 Gaz

Oh my goodness yes, 'sheer pace'. Place in my heart was my (allegedly stock) Saab 9-5 HOT Aero. I had no real idea until owning one, but I have an endearing memory of taking my Dad out in it and showing him the midrange performance. A simply outstanding treasure in my memory 😎 Talking of memory: (in order) 1978 Honda Camino 50cc (Reg: THC 1S - if only I knew!), 1972 Austin 1300 Van Den Plas, 1973 Renault 16TL, 1976 Ford Cortina Mk3 XL, 1979 FIAT 132 2.0, 1981 FIAT 132 2.0, 1982 Opel Ascona 1.6, 1981 FIAT 132 2.0, 1982 FIAT 132 2.0, 1984 Nissan Bluebird 2.0SGL, 1990 Honda Civic 1.4, 1995 Honda Accord 2.0, 1999 VW Passat Estate 1.9TDI, 1989 Mk2 Golf GTI 16v, 1992 Honda CRX Del Sol 1.6 (UK), 2001 Saab 9-5 2.3 HOT Aero, Honda CRX Del Sol 1.5 (JDM - sold on Brisky), 2005 Skoda Superb 2.5V6TDI, 2015 Skoda vRS TSI Estate, 2018 VW Golf GTI (current car). There'll be others I've momentarily forgotten Gaz

My modest solar array hasn't been installed for a year yet, so I'm still learning. At this point in the year, my battery and immersion are at 100% by 10:30am. After that I'm exporting 3.4-3.6kwh if sunny/bright (1.4 on a dull day). I've scope to increase the array and/or my battery. I've of course got the RoI to factor in. But as we consider coming down to one car (from two), it's getting to a point where I'm thinking it's daft not to come down to one ICE car (i.e. my GTI), but then also have a cheap EV for the local stuff, as our first foray into the world of EV. I need to look into whether it's better to export the leccy, or put it into an EV. I'm still habitually checking the gas boiler because it's not coming on. It's fine, just the immersion tank doesn't need it, so there's a gas saving too. Gaz

Welcome Henry Our Rob might be from your neck of the woods: Is the Aisin AT more economical than a DSG? Like for like I'd be surprised (not the first time!), but between a 1.4 and a 2.0 I could understand it, although that's comparing pears and apples. Sadly, I agree with Rooted that there seems to be a growing number of reports about problems with the DQ381 and its associated bits. Gaz

And he's finished: In 3h 34mins 👍 I'm not expecting to hear from him for a bit - he'll be wanting a mug o' tea I expect 🫖 But in advance of that, a big thanks to those who asked for details of his sponsorship page 👍 Gaz

Eight years ago now, my then vRS had to have new brake discs at under 18k miles. It happens, frustrating as that may be. You're still in a position where you should end up with a very good car, that you'll be very happy with 👍 Gaz

I think you're right in your considerations. Perhaps give them a chance to remedy the issues, but certainly make your dissatisfaction known. You won't be the first, nor last, to put faith in the Approved used flag of 'trust us-it's great'. Surely not! I can see brake shudder not showing itself on a short test drive. Hopefully it'll be acknowledged, and remedial work undertaken. I personally wouldn't stand any messing around though - keep rejection in mind. Gaz

Thank you, and he did 👍 I said I'd be tracking him just to make sure he doesn't hop on a tube! : He's just passed the eight mile marker 🏃‍♂️ Gaz

What on earth's going on with the weather? I've just buzzed up the shops and had to wear my cardy, and a coat. Eight degrees and feels like five 🥶 This time last year it was in the low twenties 🙄 Time to bring out the big guns, with a hearty and warming home made lentil soup: Gaz

Hello and welcome Chris Oh dear, sorry to hear about the reaction. Might I suggest E45 topically, regular beer intake and a hot toddy - should get you over it in no time! Gaz

That reminded me of something that typifies Simon. He can't drive, due to the epilepsy, so catches a bus to work. It's a 20 or so mile journey. When the bus gets to Hailsham, while people are getting on the bus, Simon gets off, gets himself, and the bus driver, a coffee, and gets back on for the rest of the journey 😎 I was his line manager for several years, including pre and post surgery. The surgery effectively re-booted his brain and, as expected, he lost some stuff that he then needed to re-learn. It hit home to me when he was first allowed out, and went to the pub. Playing snooker, he didn't know what ball to play next. All it needed was for someone to say 'blue' and that was it, back in place, and he was off. That simple explanation of what it was like for him, post surgery still gets to me. G EDIT: I've just noticed one of the people who have sponsored Simon is 'Paul the bus driver' - Kudos 👍👍

This is my mate, Simon: Who's running tomorrow. Simon is a force of nature. He's got so much energy, it wouldn't surprise me if he were to turn around at the finish and run back to the start 🙄 He's hoping for a time of 3h 15mins. Simon has epilepsy. He got to the point a few years back of becoming high risk of 'sudden death' seizures (you don't get many of those!). With a daughter then in her early teens, after a lot of hospital visits, they worked out he had a trigger point in his brain, so he had a golf ball size part of his brain removed. Recovery took a good couple of years, and was a rollercoaster for both him and his family, but he's doing well now 👍 Not cured, but much reduced in terms of seriousness and frequency. He did the Brighton Marathon two or three years ago, and had a seizure 1/4 mile from the finish. He still finished, saying he hadn't run all that, way to not finish! As I said, force of nature 😎 Anyone else running, or got someone close in it? Gaz (👍Team Simon👍)