The car thread 2.

[speedlolita]

What's wrong with a 911 Turbo? See a few around Surrey now and then and they always turn my head. Just look so much more awesome than a Carerra for some reason...

[J0e Musashi]

It's got to be a Flachbau for me. Only 33 produced. It'll make me smile until I see a pair of shoes I like.

[charlesr]

Felt like a modern Sherlock Holmes this morning. But without the Hounds. But definitely lots of pipes.

I've been losing boost in the Impreza, with it surging on and off. It felt as if a pipe was losing air when the turbo spools up, so the turbo despools, at which point the pipe seals again and continues accelerating, like this in a surging style.

So I removed the intercooler and checked the intercooler Y-pipe. It had a fine mist all over it which suggested a leak in the pipe. Normally this would happen at any of the 3 ends. But... there was no sign of oil on the engine side which suggested that the ends were good and the only possible solution that remained, no matter how unlikely, was that the top quality Samco silicon pipe had split open in the middle - but this never happens. They are so thick and well made..... So I removed it and when I turned it over, there was a the slit.

Looks like it was rubbing on the engine mount slightly and over time, it had just worn through New (non-Sherlock) pipe on the way.

http://www.scoobyparts.com/acatalog/VENAIR_TURBO_HOSE_SET__MY99_00_.html

[charlesr]

So.... That wasn't the solution It wasn't worn all the way through and was just about to become a problem. So, good that I spotted it. But back to the sleuthing.
Bah.

On the plus side, I had the intercooler scoop resprayed for an exorbitant amount (?80+VAT).

[Jamie]

Got a new job recently which means i no longer get a company car, and i have to buy one for the first time in about 12 years. Looking around i'm thinking about either a VW Golf GTi or an Audi S3 on a 57 or 58 plate. Anyone got any experience with either car? What to look for when buying? What sort of mileage i should be looking for? Looking on Autotrader there seems to be lots to choose from but as i said it's been a while so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Colin]

I've had two Audi RS's, both were plagued with recurring knock sensor faults despite the cars having immaculate service histories. For that reason I'll never touch one again.

[QualityChimp]

Get a car with air-con is my advice. I'm boiling alive in mine at the moment! *phew*

[charlesr]

I drove an S3 and whilst it was capable and quite fast, it was insanely boring to drive, steering was incredibly vague and also very skittish on the edge.

Not tried a Golf GTi, but when the Scirocco exists, I have no idea why anyone would by the Golf.

Note: I'm averse to getting cars that everyone else seems to own.

When buying, check tyres are decent models and have lots of tread left - on cars like that you want expensive tyres with lots of grip, otherwise you may as well buy a Fiat 500.

[Jamie]

I had a 2.0 tfsi Scirocco for 3 years, and your right they are a very good car, i used to love mine. I need a 5 door now though, which is why i'm looking at the Golf or S3.

Talking of the 500, i'd have an Abarth like a shot if i didn't need the space.

[charlesr]

Subaru Legacy R Spec B. I have the LE version of this and it's wonderful. 0-60:5.9s, so the extra 30bhp in this one will be a nice bonus. 30mpg when driven normally. Drives like a dream. Corners like a far smaller car.

[CMcK]

A Sirrocco with the twin charger engine wold be a good bet. Reasonable poke, good economy and active suspension as standard.

[Neil]

Jamie the Golf seems like a good sensible bet, reasonably fast and bullet proof.

I had an R32 which was immense fun to drive but the fuel economy will make you sad and then there's the fact that you'll look like a drug dealer

Shame you need 5 doors as the Scirocco would have been my choice too, loved mine.

[Jamie]

Yeah, i loved mine too, would try and track down an R if the Scirocco was an option.

Looking at GTi's, the Edition 30 model is interesting, it has a detuned S3 engine rather than the normal GTi one.

[Neil]

The Edition 30's are nice but in real terms not much faster and probably more expensive but at least you'll have something a little bit more exclusive. They have the same gear knobs that I had in my 1990 Gti 16valve

[Colin]

Two knobs in one car? Seems excessive.