andyoctavia

I had mine replaced with a solid flywheel combo 90K miles ago, back in 2012, and apart from the slightly heavier pedal, it is very smooth and progressive. If my Alfa GT clutch gets a bit marginal I may replace that with the solid flywheel alternative.

It was sadly a reasonably frequent problem when I was racing in the eighties and nineties, but only with racing wheels. I used 18mm Mavic CX18 rims, 24 spokes and Wolber Record Piste tubular tyres, inflated to around 170psi. Used to have the wheels trued every couple of weeks, fortunately a few guys in the club had trueing stands and the knowledge.

Yorkshire Puddings! Ee by gum" When we went to Haworth (of Bronte fame) years ago, there was a pub halfway up the main road (steep hill) which was selling roast beef and gravy in a giant, round Yorkshire pud - amazing. We use Aunt Bessies, but if I make them from scratch, then I use a 6 batch pudding tray, half fill with oil, heat until sizzling, then take out and put the batter mix in - very carefully.

Here we go. https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/

I cannot remember the last time I used anything other than supermarket fuel, petrol and diesel, here and abroad, lots of different cars, never had any problems - hastily throws a load of salt over shoulder and crosses fingers.

I live in Kent but went all the way up to Barnsley to have mine changed, by a firm called - Darkside Developments. Had it done at around 93K, the car now has nearly 180K and it still feels good. You could always get the kit sent to you and hopefully have it installed locally. I am sure someone on here can advise a good local fitter.

I have had our Skoda for 7 years now, and to be honest in some ways it is one of the best cars we have owned. However, the words I would use to describe it are - "steady" or "does what it says on the box", it doesn't light any fires. It is our main car which does the most miles, approaching 180K now.In the past, I have owned a lot of different cars, from British classics - MGB's, Triumphs to more modern Fords, Mazda 3 (horrible), VW's, but more importantly 5 Alfas and 3 BMW's. I had E28 and E34 5 series Beemers and they were lovely, but I always wanted an E39 5 series or an E36 M3, I think they are great cars. Our 2nd car nowadays is a 1.9 JTd Alfa GT, a 2008 model with 110K on the clock. I love it every time I get into it and look back every time I walk away after locking it. Sometimes you need a bit more than "steady".

Drove the car this morning, and right from the off, when I released the handbrake, the release felt different. Didn't smell any burning untill we parked up at home - no smoke, but that acrid smell which you get from brake/clutch when something is wrong. The car was braking evenly though and there were no strange noises. The rear discs and pads were changed at the MOT in November and it has done around 6000 miles since then. Any ideas before I get my old gear on and look forward to another weekend playing around with the old beast - the car, not the missus

I have just signed up to the FlickrPro after a period of not really uploading any shots. Now when I try to get an image - to put on this site - I cannot seem to do it any more. I kind of remember the image location/choosing image size, then using square brackets, but it doesn't seem to be working. Can anyone please refresh my mind, because the new version of Flickr doesn't quite seem the same as the old one.

There is an old saying - "Better the devil you know"

Just a quick update. I charged the battery up on Sunday and for the last three mornings the starting has been a lot more definite - doesn't sound sluggish or hesitant. I have also noticed that my wife's procedure starting the car is very different to mine. I get in put the seatbelt on, turn the key and then start the engine as soon as the glow plug light goes out. She seems to get in, turn the key put her seatbelt on, mess around with the mirror etc then start the engine. She also uses the radio a lot at lunchtimes with the engine turned off and charges her phone at the same time, so I am wondering what kind of a drain on the battery that has.

I would have said cause and effect rather than tautology.

Just tried that on the ECP site and used click and collect. It didn't let me use the 50% discount/sale55 code, so I won't be using it.

The car failed to start this morning after filling with fuel. It was hesitant first thing, and the missus who uses it daily says it is always like that I tried to push and bump start it, but she doesn't quite get how that should be done, so I got in and a couple of kind guys gave me a push. The clock had rest to zero as had the trip, but driving back there was nothing funny happening with the dials or warning lights, so I think it is battery and not alternator. The existing battery is 5 years old, so not too bad. I have just been looking online at Battery2U, and they are doing a Lucas replacement at £74.42 when Europarts want between £90 and £110. Has anyone used this supplier before, because they seem to get good reviews. https://www.battery2u.co.uk/lucas-car-batteries-hb096--hcb096--lp096.aspx

I would not touch Bridgestone Turanzas, had them on a Mazda 3, they wouldn't wear out and were lethal in the wet.