RichardS

That's so true Jane:sad: Richard:winkiss:

Many happy returns mate! Richard:happybday:

That's very true Gary! Mac is one of the longest standing (and most respected) members and he has an awful lot of friends on here. Plus he has a great enthusiasm for the 300zx - with his car it stands to reason. Whilst Mac may not get online as much as he would like these days, he still takes an active role as club chairman and is in regular contact with The Committee via e-mail and telephone, just to make sure things are running smoothly. Whilst Mac may not appear to be the obvious subject of "where is he" threads, us committee members do receive a lot of PMs asking how Mac is and those members want us to pass on their regards to him. Richard:thumbup1:

Hi Gary, So you're after an original unit (which will work in the UK)...? I'm not sure on the value as I reckon many are a little "tired" nowadays mate..... .....I maybe able to help there as well.... ....If Lorenzo's is not suitable, I may also have an original unit from a UK spec car. Although I don't remember if I kept the one from my blue ZX when I put the bluetooth system in (I may have popped it back into the red one when I sold it). I can check my garage to see what I have left - it's yours FOC if I have it mate! Richard:cool3:

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE] Very true mate - but tough times call for tough measures. Unfortunately. Agreed mate - VAT is just a small part of the issue. It's the fuel duty we have to suffer in this country that is unacceptable - and the VAT just adds to the problem as it's a tax on a tax; so to speak. IMO the duty should be varied in accordance with the price of crude. Let's say the government settles at a price per litre for fuel, which everyone is comfortable with paying - then if crude prices rise, they drop the duty temporarily to ensure pump prices do not rise. Then when crude prices fall, the duty reverts back again - keeping prices at the pumps constant. I doubt anyone would argue with that as at least it would appear to be playing fair. And it's about time that the government stopped jumping of the "environmental" band wagon. Global warming has ceased to be owing to the cold snowy spells for 2 winters running - it's now been re-branded as "climate change." Rubbish - cars are not the cause of any changes to the world's shifting patterns so CUT THE BLOODY NONSENCE ABOUT TAXING US OUT OF OUR CARS FFS!!!!! Richard:confused1::winkiss::sorcerer:

A belated happy birthday Nend - hope you had a good day! Richard:happybday:

Me too - he visits Wycombe Swan almost every year!! And good call on the front row seats - me neither, thanks!! Richard:thumbup1:

Welcome back Ian!! And happy New Year mate.....:clap: Richard:thumbup1:

Yup - agreed! Richard:cool2:

I understand how you feel Jane and appreciate just how hard some public sector workers graft. But, fuel aside, I still say that VAT is a fairer way to raise the money needed to pay off the nation's debt than income tax or NI. I have a pretty good understanding of tax; I worked for many years as an accountant and when I left practice in 2004 I was a tax manager for a reasonable sized Chartered Certified Accountants. Most essentials like food, rates, domestic rent, insurance etc are zero rated so the VAT increase will have no effect on grocery bills. And you cannot say that because the supermarket is paying more VAT on fuel they will have to raise prices - they shouldn't as supermarkets can reclaim the VAT; whether it's 17.5% or 20%! VAT on home energy is still 5% so no increase there either. And if you decide to spend, say £50, on cosmetics and cleaning products for example, the extra VAT is only £1.25 - OK an increase but not a busting lot. And as for alcohol, sure that has VAT but you can bet your arse that until the government steps in, in a ham-fisted attempt to curb binge drinking, the supermarkets will continue to sell it cheap anyway and absorb the VAT incease themselves!! Finally, and whilst I hate any relationship with the rest of Europe, our VAT is pretty much in line with our peers over there now. France and Germany have VAT at around 19 - 19.6% and the Scandinavians pay a whopping 22 - 25%!! Trouble is, with a debt of £1 trillion, the government (which ever party is in power) MUST raise revenue to repay that ASAP otherwise we'd truly be in the shite. And raising income taxes too much will result in our highest earners moving overseas like they did in the 1970s. And 40 (or 50)% of something raises a lot more tax than 80% (or more as it reached 90-something in the 1970s) of nothing! At least they are doing something to alleviate the problem rather than sitting on their hands and doint nothing. Only time will tell; but I believe it will work...... Richard:flowers:

In principle it does Dave - but it has a down side too. When it's really foggy xenon headlights are just too bright, so it would be ideal to run on sidelights with the front fogs. But you can't - German efficiency means fogs (either front or front and rear) can only be used viz ze dipped headlights.....:huh: No worries mate - fully understood.......;):flowers: Richard:thumbup1:

Sad but true mate. But, fuel aside, at least increasing VAT is better than increasing income tax and/or national insurance. With tax and NI we have no choice but to pay as it comes straight out of our earnings regardless. As opposed to VAT, where we still have the choice whether or not to buy certain stuff and control where we spend our hard earned.....:ninja: Plus, on the upside, those freeloading scroungers who have never paid a penny in income tax don't get off scott free this way. They will have to pay the extra VAT on their tabs, White Lightning and track-suits........:laugh: Just a thought......:shaun: Richard:biggrin:

Good point Dave - with the German cars, one can of course have just the fronts on alone. I guess the reasoning being that if you need rears on, then you'd be stupid not to have the fronts on anyway..!! And I agree on the idiots who drive with their rear fogs on for no apparent reason. Surely if you can see the car in front of you (who does not have rear fogs on), then you don't need your's on!!!??? Richard:chef:

LOL - I'll just drink the wine then.......:tt2:

:hurl: LOL - that sounds just evil mate!! I hate Coke - always did as a child until diet Coke came along (I could just about drink that). But now I hate it even more. Except mixed with Jack Daniels; although for me it must be caffeine free now as I have developed an intollerance to caffeine in the last 8 years...... Richard:oops:

As title..... .....I've just finished watching his latest DVD (bought Julia it for Xmas) and I reckon it's the best laugh I've had for a long time!! Honestly, my throat is so sore as I've laughed myself hoarse. Nearly 2 hours of great comedy. I can thoroughly recommend it..... ......and hopefully I'll catch another of his live shows this year!! Richard:lol::biggrin::thumbup1:

LOL - great find Allan!! I reckon a few more like him are needed.......:winkiss: Richard:chef:

It should not make any difference that the fronts are on too. On most Mercs, you switch on the fog lights by pulling the headlamp switch out. It's one notch for fronts and 2 for rears - so it's 100% impossible to have the rears on, without first having dipped headlights on and secondly, without the fronts being on as well. I've had 3 Mercs now and that's how they come from the factory! Richard:thumbup1:

Many happy returns mate - have a great day!! Richard:happybday:

Agreed - but I bet his pants tell a different story!!!! Richard:oops:

Hi Jane, He's still around - last activity 3/1/11 so I'm sure he'll pop in and reply! Richard:chef:

Exactly! For the cost involved it's just not worth it - stick to unleaded and continue to enjoy the performance. Richard:oops:

Motorway service stations are worse.... .....I filled my SLK at Membury Services on the M4 yesterday and it came to over £88:mad2: Richard:sad:

Seconded!! Richard:yes:

That's dead good mate!! Richard:yes: