Scarecrow's 14TGE

[scarecrow]

The car had its first garage visit today at Hill's Motors of Wainscott. Booked in for next Tuesday (the bloke said "see you next Tuesday" ) ) for tappets, cam belt, new exhaust, recharge spheres, check and adjust clutch - some other bits and bobs.

Went over to Hill's and I was impressed. The proprietor was working on a very nice CX. The garage is full of little bits of history including a Mehari (I think), and one of those big silver caravan things - wow now that is a caravan.

I have a feeling this is going to be a keeper - I'm loving the non power assisted steering and it's the best ride I've ever had in a BX (even with the spheres needing a recharge).

I can sense some double entendre in that last sentence...

Now I've got find a crowbar to get this damned wallet open.

[Defender110]

I'm loving the non power assisted steering and it's the best ride I've ever had in a BX (even with the spheres needing a recharge).

It's bound to be a great ride just traveling in a straight line!

[scarecrow]

I know what you mean - but the steering is nothing like the non-PAS 17rd I had - it is amazingly light and tight (hmm that could be a description of a woman I went out with, but that's another story).

It took me a while to get used to the fact that it takes more turning of the steering wheel than with PAS to take an equivalent corner.

I reckon the tyres will need replacing though as there's a tendency to understeer and then suddenly oversteer on corners taken a bit too quickly. I s'pose the walls are weak after standing all that time. Michelins all round then.

[Defender110]

I have always fitted and recommended Michelins but I have to say I have been very disapointed with the last few sets getting very little mileage. I didn't get 18 months (12000 ish) out of the last set fitted to my wifes car. After fitting 4 sets on a Citoen C8 in 4 years (average mileage)at work we decided not to fit them again and fitted Japanese Toyo tyre which are already outlasting the Michies by a good margin.
I'm convinced they are using a much softer compound now which will no doubt improve grip and general performance but at what cost?

[MULLEY]

Scarecrow, what make are the tyres? i bet you dont even have matching axle sets & they'll be no name shite ditchfinders. I dont rate michelin's, expensive but do have excellent wear rate. I'm now on vredesteins, miles cheaper, better grip in the dry & piss over michilins in the wet, which is kinda handy as this country seems to be wetter than drier these days.

Quite a few use Uniroyals who rate them highly, never used them myself.


Matt, how have your vredesteins been getting on?

[mat_fenwick]

Who? Me? My tyres - well, like my CD player, knackered...
They're pretty much worn out now, but I've got about 22k miles out of them so can't complain. I'm impressed with the tyres TBH, can't say whether they're any better than the Uniroyals as I haven't compared them. Only fault I can think of is that they seem to trap small stones on the tread very easily. A minor point but as I live on a gravel track, a frequent occurence!
I think I will compare the price of the Uniroyals, but probably would stick with the Vredesteins unless they're much more expensive.

[MULLEY]

Yeah you Mat I've noticed that about the tread, it seems to be the right sort of depth & width of the pattern design that seems to pick up small stones, but i've not had any problems tbh.

Worn out already you must drive harder than me Is 22k about right? Mine still have loads of tread, but then again i only use mine for about 6mths every year as i run winter tyres for the other 6mths.

I've been impressed with their grip in the dry & especially in the wet, that's the main reason i went for them, wet weather performance

[mat_fenwick]

Not a problem really, more of an observation (re the stones).
I think it's more the type of roads I drive on that limits the life - if most of your mileage is up and down the M1 to Sheffield it'll be fairly kind to the tyres. Whereas throwing it round twisty Welsh roads will take its toll!
I'd been through several sets of Firestones before, which had been good tyres but the fact that I'd managed only 7k miles out of the last pair of fronts prompted a change. I'd got double that from the previous set so it may have been a dodgy batch, who knows.

[scarecrow]

Mulley - I think you're right about the tyres they're gonna be poopers. I might give the vrederlines a go though.

I'm avoiding driving the car until it's had its fixing done. I might get my rags out later and give it a wipe over, but I was kind of hoping the rain would do some of the work for me - I'll probably go out this morning and find it covered by half of the Sahara.

[Tim Leech]

I thought it was a 14TGE?

[scarecrow]

Yes - I'm confused. The logbook says RE and the tailgate says TGE, I'm not sure what the difference is though, so perhaps a new tailgate at some stage? In the mean time, until I know better, I'll refer to it as either, as my mood dictates. I'm guessing, from the trim level, that it's an RE though. Certainly got the same seats as the RD.

I'll ask at the garage today when it goes in for a good fettling.

Took it out this morning in the rain and after walking the dog the darned thing wouldn't start! Emptied a can of "maintenance spray" over the ignition bits and it started, phew! I now remember why I vowed not to have petrol again.

[scarecrow]

So now I'm clinically insane - the estimate for repairs to the 14 is getting on for £600. I've given the go ahead hoping that the clutch does just need adjusting and not replacing...

[scarecrow]

Double bloody phew - Tim was right, the clutch did just need adjusting and the engine sounds perfect now that the tappets have been adjusted.

Gotta go back and get an exhaust joint fixed and have a full service done (I want that little stamp in the service book) - but nothing like the scary estimate I was originally given

[scarecrow]

Separated exhaust joint was repaired today - along with new battery and wheel balancing.

[MULLEY]

Sounding good, we just need PICTURES