Recent content by Fred Smith

Not had either, but both seem to have great reputations... especially the earlier MX-5s.

My next car - Sensible - I could replace the E86 with a 130i from a similar year Next toy - MX5 (or 50 year old TVR or TVR 350C or Tuscan or Sagaris if the money comes rolling in from somewhere unexpected!

I'll check the socks when I get a chance ;-) It's definitely NOT got the Monza (Monza Record?) quad pipe exhaust that seems to have been fitted in 2010. Just checked and it's a Toyo Sports exhaust....google says "The Toyosports exhaust for the Abarth 500/595 is a popular aftermarket stainless...

It has some android audio upgrade already fitted. There is an invoice from 2010 for the "white wheeled SS kit and Monza exhaust" - SS referring to the "Esseesse" upgrades. £3149.86 including VAT. Esseesse seems to lower the car, upgrade the wheels and increase BHP by about 30 over standard...

Last week I made a cheeky last minute ebay bid on a hot hatch, on a bit of a whim, not expecting the bid to win or meet reserve. It did win and did meet reserve and I now have a 2010 Arbarth 500 Esseesse. It feels quick and is fun so far!

They didn't provide me with a video but they did both show me the underside rust in person under the ramp, AND they showed me a video of it on their computer. They even asked me to tell them what the fault turns out to be. The more I think the more I like them. To be honest I feel they...

Well, update time. I went and picked up the car and they did not want any money despite (according to them, and I believe them) having the car on a ramp three times and spending at least two hours on it). I think that is very fair of them. Will use them in future for simpler jobs.

Probably a fair comment... the trouble is I'm not sure what I'd buy instead. If I could take a punt on a different E91 / manual at a similar price to what I paid then I may well do so... but the reality is that there are few on the market and the ones that are seem to be fall into one of two...

I'm not sure how confident I am to drive it away. I need to line up a new garage (RBM in Hook are getting a call tomorrow)

They claim to have identified what they think is the problem, but they don't want to do the job because they fear they might be wrong and fear there might be other issues stopping it working that they haven't identified. I have told them the car (a 2006 330i) has been a dream to drive for 13...

You take a car (in limp mode, error messages everywhere) to a local independent that you've never used before. They seem great and tell you the boss loves the brand of car you've brought in. They say they will charge one hour labour for diagnosis and then we'll talk about the work they will do...

No idea but thanks for the idea. Will research and take a look. FWIW I've done two more 10 mile trips today and no issues whatsoever! Hoping it was just a dislike of a short frozen journey. Saying that my main issues are now with my 2006 330i which (yesterday) threw up about 8000 error...

Cut a long story short, a couple of weeks ago when it was very cold, my normally decent E86 got taken 3 miles. It was idling really really rough, and when I got to the destination it started making quite a loud squeaky, squeally whining sound until I turned the engine off. Three hours later...

Hi James I'm in Guildford and current have two sets of wheels I might be willing to sell - MV2s an 19" Veemans.

Every time I see your username I think of RBM in Hook and assume you know everything! Definitely don't want 17s on an E86, but they do look pretty good on the E85. I think 328s will look good too and should (I think) just fit.