russtic

Folks, Anyone know of a mandela that offers parts over the Interweb? I don't want to engage with humans if I can help it... Lemme know, Russ.

So - looks like the end of an era for Jacques Villeneuve. What's the consensus? Washed up has-been who deserves to go or gifted racer persecuted by his team for being more interested in competing than PR? My view is that Dave Richards was right to get rid of Jacques, but it's a real shame that he's leaving (or in fact left) F1. He's a brilliant driver to watch, and he was never able to settle well in the BAR team. What does anyone else think?

The old favourite bonnet catch?

I got spanked by an S600 a while back on the M1. Basically sat in the middle lane at about 5MPH slower than me, and after I went past, he pulled out behind me. I pulled in to the middle lane and he just went flying past. Did that a couple of times, just to make a point. I have to say I was astonished by the acceleration of the thing at quite high speeds. I know I would never have kept up with it. And it's a pluto-barge, FFS! Probably completely silent and airy in his cabin as he roared past me. Perhaps a little Eric Satie tinkling away on the n-speaker stereo system... But yeah - he probably paid half my mortgage more for it than I paid for my trusty zed. Russ.

Sorry, I just can't see you in a bed like that one, MAC. Surely you want something more suavely sophisticated? Grrrrrrrooooowwwww! ;)

Take a look at Stuart SMW1's site [:smw:] - ICE setup Probably a bit more than you need but well described and damn impressive. Russ.

Folks, I think it's just that I'm now used to the power of the car, but I was wondering if perhaps I'm not getting all of the power I could from my stock TT. Outside of modding it, I'd like to check it over and make sure it's firing on all cylinders (more metaphorically than actually!) One thing I've been considering is boost leak, which leads me to this dumb question: When I'm accelerating hard and the turbos are doing their stuff, should I expect to hear a hissing sound, or does that suggest a leak somewhere? I do get a hiss but it only seems to be on one side of the car. There's no particular problem when coming off the power, and ConZult regularly turns up a code 55 for me, so I'm guessing that stuff like the EGR are OK. Should the car be hissing? Is this normal? Given an "all clear" from the ECU, is there anything else I should look at that might be sapping the power? Help and advice much appreciated... Russ.

no good for mobile speed-traps though...

Not really played around with the time attacks. I've been doing the special license tests (the full laps) - working up to a Gold cup on each. I have silver on every one, and the first three Golds. Really struggling to hustle that Pennzoil Skyline around midfield fast enough though - I got 14 thousandths of a second away from Gold! Wounder!! Russ.

Never done it myself, Dave - Sorry. Russ.

You *should* get less load on the bearing when the drive is disengaged - here's where I got my info from (as well as Jeff TT) - courtesy of Nico...

Yep - the prop shaft centre bearing support sounds like the most obvious choice. See if it still happens if you take the car out of gear. Russ.

Got ****ed in the ass by a S600 Merc on the M1. Couldn't believe how quick it was. Hair-gelled driver was playing with us as well. He'd "slow" to our cruising speed then as we were pootling by, would floor it and leave us for dead. I just drive a stock UK TT so I expect many of the cars on this forum would give it a shock, but not my baby! Russ.

Yep - I'm down with my homies - get the newer one and mod it yerself. That way there's more chance that it's done to your satisfaction. Nice car, by the way! :bow: Russ.

One question you MUST ask about the one with 65,000 miles - has it had it's timing belt changed recently. There's a BIG service at 60,000 miles (or is it 65,000?) where the timing belts and various other gubbins need to be done. It's a bit costly so bear this in mind if you can't find any evidence of it being done. Course, with a J-spec, the mileage can often be questionable anyway - as you know. You'll get weeks of debate about whether an auto is better than a manual - usually, after the tears, we all agree that it's a personal taste thing (I drive a manual, like a normal person ;) ) Best of luck - and let us know how you get on! Russ.

Poly bushes can sometimes squeak, can't they? Mine made some noise for a while before they seemed to bed in. You could probably test the bonnet catch with the engine off pretty easily, couldn't you? Russ.

Dan, you can keep your tyre costs down using MyTyres, which I've found to be pretty damn cheap. Less than £100 per corner (I have a UK TT). There's lots of debate about the best tyres - I use the Toyo Proxes T1-S. So far so good, but it's not winter yet! Russ.

Eric - how come it's got a 1.6 box in it when it's got 1.9 written on the side? I've always thought those GTi pugs were wicked. FAR too much power but a great chassis and really good design. Still looks fly 15 years on. Nice and safe as a front driver too - does she understeer much? Russ.

Guardian journalist was a geezer. Looks like women get on JUST FINE without stinky blokes. I'd be happy if they just let me watch... ;) Russ.

yep I get the extra wipe too. Grrrr!

Hmm, Headlights are number 1, definitely. I also think the trim build quality could be better - my doors make a noise like dropping a box of bolts on the floor whenever I close them. Leaky targas. And the indicator stalk is on the wrong side in comparison with almost all other cars. So when I drive someone else's motor, I'm either turning on the wipers or gesticulating like Larry Grayson. A small price to pay though! :p

Pete - Perhaps the driver of the oncoming car was attempting to warn the van driver that he was there. That's what flashing your lights is for in the highway code, isn't it? I'd have thought that it was a reasonable assumption by the "flasher" that the van driver hadn't spotted him - given that he'd begun overtaking already. Don't get me wrong though - the guy shouldn't just keep speeding towards the van driver regardless (though he has right of way). Righteous indignation doesn't often get you too far, I agree. Still, imho the van driver is the scum-sucking butt-muncher in this saga. No? Russ.

Nope - I think this time words really do fail me. The powder blue, er, car with the high level spoiler and comedy lexus-lights is really nice too... ;) Russ.

You don't know how lucky you are, being able to confront the sp*nkbubble who did that to you! Try AndyZ in the trader's forum, or email him directly at geewhizz@onetel.net.uk Good luck with it, Russ.

Cheers Vijay, Russ.