My new car (Warning: Uncool 5 door action inside)

[Howard]

It's not crunching, it just plain won't go in initially. I'll play with it a bit more and see if there's a "knack" to it


Cheers Gaijin, no it won't detract from the enjoyment of the '5 much, it handles like the QE2 in comparison and isn't quite as fast

Still got "that" numberplate?

 

[Howard]

I noticed the torque limit too, 2nd is pretty quick, but it takes off in 3rd upward

The reverse is concerning me a little - it literally won't go in on the first attempt, have to declutch and select other gears a couple of times, but it's slick as anything once warmed up.

 

[Howard]

I assume turning off the ESP doesn't remove it? I haven't tried

 

[Howard]

I don't mind, I'm not in the habit of nailing cars in 1st gear anyway, and 2nd picks up enough speed for me

I <3 V6 torque. Diesel. Pah.

 

[Howard]

Meaning?

 

[Howard]

I trust you, I just want as much reassurance as I can get!

 

[Howard]

I'm just not used to it

 

[Howard]

It does have the MMT6 yeah, and you don't really push down, you just go all the way to the left, then up, which doesn't happen when it's stone cold unless you go into, say, 3rd then 5th first. Not the end of the world but it'd be nice to see if it can be improved with an oil change/linkage adjustment

 

[Howard]

Just in case anyone's interested, Ford have diagnosed the gear issue and say the car needs a new clutch. So one's being fitted under warranty next Monday! Let's hope it fixes it, and if it doesn't, I get a shiny new clutch anyway

 

[Howard]

No, they're not. I did ask, but I guess they're not willing to replace stuff that isn't necessary

 

[Howard]

It's a cost I can do without at the moment, the DMFs ain't cheap, and they've said it doesn't need doing

 

[Howard]

Indeed.

You don't come on MSN much, I have no one to pester about mk3 Mondeos

 

[Howard]

OK either of you can help probably! Audio adaptors..

Do I need JUST this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350291357246&_trksid=p2759.l1259#ht_2359wt_1137

Or do I need that AND something like http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8353.html ?

And which is the best quality fascia adaptor available? This http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/3473.html Autoleads one?

 

[Howard]

Thanks Iain, ah yes I have the bluespot one bookmarked. How does it stay clipped in to the console?

Phil I thought you had an aftermarket HU, sorry!

 

[Howard]

Well my car now has a new clutch and slave cylinder and the gearbox is smooth as silk now, warm or stone cold
Oh and..


Ta-daa!

Finally no more stupid 3.5mm input jack

 

[Howard]

Howard, what's the wear like on the drivers seat on the right hand side as you get in?

Mine's scuffed to bits!

Only the tiniest bit of wear/scuffing on the bolster bit where the seatbelt is, there's a very small split in one of the seat seams (where the bottom bolsters meet the "main" seat pad for want of a better description) which I've had a quote to fix from a reputable upholsterer local to me, so will be sorting that some point. Might get them to 'refurb' the scuffed seatbelt bolster too but it's only very minor. The rest of the leather is in excellent condition.

Pics of your leather to compare?

That looks really good actually, and the gap at the bottom doesnt seem as cavernous as the ones ive seen before!

Yep it fits well and looks pretty good in the flesh

What head unit is that!

Alpine IDA-X305. iPod is in the glovebox.

Alpine..... DEEEPP-TTTTT-1110002999333-HID-HOD-BING-BONG

That's the one!

Btw, scratch on your leather!

Where? Probably just a bit of dirt/dust. Half the garden blew in whilst I was working on fitting the HU (a royal faff due to lacking in space inside the dash and the first fascia adaptor not fitting properly ) and had the door open

 

[Howard]

Rubber mats?

They're not high on my list of priorities at the moment it has to be said

 

[Howard]

Half rubber mats for the win. They're fine, I don't really care enough to change them atm

 

[Howard]

You stink of old rubber.

 

[Howard]

Well I tried Paul's trick of attacking the jacking point covers with a heat gun this morning and now they seem to stay put a fair bit better!

I wonder how long it'll be before I find one dangling from it's tether when I arrive at work again..


Also had the issue of RCA plugs not fitting in the back (or rather, not being able to push the HU all the way back with them plugged in!) as well. Might have to get creative with some right-angle plugs or something if I fit a sub