New proud owner

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:59 pm

Just collected my 'new' 16v: Generally very happy. Front spheres I think (or height corrector) are not right. nose bounces around quite improperly. There's a wobble at 80 - ish (suspect wheels balance) and the exhaust bellows like an exhaust from Mr. Bellow's Exhaust Emporium. All sortable.

Looks the business though (especially returned to its original badge set up - the pics don't show it, but the C pillar badges are now on too).

Tidy interior and now the remote locking works thanks to the unit purchased from Mr. Leech...

As I said, generally very pleased. But until the suspension is sorted I will take it well easy. Speed bumps are particularly unpleasant at the moment

Vanny, can I have the rear bumper when you come to the National. please?

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 8:32 pm

That looks a beauty, well done on getting it.

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:50 pm

Suspension seemed fine to me last time I drove it???

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:29 pm

Well, I don't know, Doc. It's too hard on the front and drives a bit like it's on the high setting - you know hard and bouncy. The rest is fine, but I wil get the suspension checked. It's far off any BX I've ever driven and my instincts say 'spheres'...

The engine's fine. Now, the Ph.1 I have (well, until tomorrow afternoon) would pi** on it. I think, but it's got a better ride and a quieter exhaust!

Don't get me wrong. I like the car and I will get it sorted to suit me. Nice looker too, eh?

Bazza · Post by **Bazza** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:47 am

Now that is one fine looking motorcar. Well done on the purchase and thanks for the pics. makes me want to add a 16 v to my fleet tootsweet (ya gotta chuck in a bitta the French language now and again.)
Lovely car.

CaM · Post by **CaM** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:55 am

nice!

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:38 am

Good work Phil. I have to admit I wasn't a fan of all the badges that were on it.....didn't look right to me. One of the best colours you can get though.

AEP are still selling genuine 16v spheres on ebay. I bought 4 and they combined the postage for me. It rode ALOT better once they were on, and handles like it should!
The ph1 shouldn't be oodles quicker than the ph2 though (the ph1 is a wee bit lighter and sharper). Unless the ph2 is a cat version (thats too old to be) there shouldn't be loads in it, so it suggests something ain't completely happy, but its always something that can be sorted.

Good work though

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:55 pm

I think the difference in performance is illusory - I think the Ph.2 is less 'raw', more cosseting. I think the Ph. 1 just feels faster.

I found part of the problem - the height adjuster lever in the centre console was lodged midway between normal and high. I've set it to normal and the difference is noticeable. But I will still put genuine 16v spheres on...

I'm really getting to like the car though!

Post by **docchevron** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:01 pm

The P1 had a fair mileage on it didn'y it??
High milers have less friction and tend to go better, for a while....

Also the P1 would have the two row ECU, whereas yours has the three row with knock sensor, they never seemed to go quite aswell, dont know why.

Obviousley fuel will have a bearing on things.

You do know it has the wrong bonnet?

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:22 pm

docchevron1472 wrote:
Obviousley fuel will have a bearing on things.

You do know it has the wrong bonnet?

Yes I noticed that about the bonnet.

But what to do? Where will I find a Dolmen Grey bonnet?

I'll put 99 octane in it when I get the chance.

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:45 pm