Random Thoughts...

[Sayyaaf]

Ok i went and did something stupid today: test drove the new 991 turbo s.

The outcome was interesting, despite the power deficiency when comparing my cockster to the iconic turbo: the drive very weird.

First of all let me say this. The car feels artificial! I really hate the power steering plus and RWS combo. I swear i felt thechassis twisting at some points but that actually the effect of RWS at low speeds. The straight line launches are puke worthy and actually i was happy i went on empty stomach but that is not the good part. The car felt heavy and really bouncy even in Sport+ mode. The car had terrible cross wind stability issues when compared to my cayman. The cayman turn in is much better (at least thats how i felt) although tests may suggest otherwise. The ride on PDCC is comfortable but not quite obvious against PASM on my ride.

I know that might sound weird and biased. But i loved my cayman even more.

 

[Giannis]

This reminds me how weird it looks to see a beige Volvo sideways in a round-about after some improper application of the handbrake system. Other than weird, it was also quite fan, yet I admit that I hadn't used the handbrake while in motion for quite some months now...

 

[Zonda]

I'm getting my first company car in a few months. A4 Quattro. Will have to wait and see what kind of engine the deal will allow me to get.
Doesnt really matter as the car basically won't cost me a cent

 

[martinbo]

RAMFest tonight. Foals and Biffy Clyro back to back. I can't wait.

 

[Zafiro]

Pizza time!!! and 12 Years A Slave movie time.

 

[Giannis]

Is everyone listing their entertainment choice for this Friday night?

For me, it's 'beer with friends' time in about 1h.

 

[Sayyaaf]

for me its: Turbo Friday, mostly my favorite car shows currently on Tv.
- Fast N Loud
- Overhaulin
- Wheeler Dealer
- Car Auction kings

BTW I just came from a joy ride in my Cayman, noticed something weird I may post a video later. My car revs to 8K !!!!! how is that possible ? Is it a happy needle ? I don't think so. But It happens when I hold PDK buttons on the wheel towards downshifts, the needle bounces @ 8K till I hit + shift. I am kinda happy

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Bad headache. Drive home, go to bed. Friday night over. Ugh.

 

[Sunny]

I was trying not to play too much attention but after reading this article - http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/03/14/heres-how-we-know-mh-370-kept-flying-for-hours/?tid=up_next
I am kind of curious. What do you guys think happened to flight 370? I think there are few here who work in the aviation industry, will be good to know their take.

A

 

[Sayyaaf]

^ hijacked and landed somewhere ....

 

[Yaz]

If it were hijacked, wouldn't there be demands by now?

 

[Monster]

So the officials have come out and said the plane was hijacked

http://www.smh.com.au/world/missing...tors-say-jet-was-hijacked-20140315-34tll.html

 

[Sayyaaf]

^^ i swear i didnt read the article

 

[Human]

for me its: Turbo Friday, mostly my favorite car shows currently on Tv.
- Fast N Loud
- Overhaulin
- Wheeler Dealer
- Car Auction kings

BTW I just came from a joy ride in my Cayman, noticed something weird I may post a video later. My car revs to 8K !!!!! how is that possible ? Is it a happy needle ? I don't think so. But It happens when I hold PDK buttons on the wheel towards downshifts, the needle bounces @ 8K till I hit + shift. I am kinda happy

So, I am not alone then!

 

[Sayyaaf]

The Mustegra

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[Giannis]

I am torn these days. I have to replace the shock absorbers of my S60 and I can't decide on what to buy. Originally it came with some Sachs shocks that were good for about 30-40.000 km and then they were off. Even though I am generally pro-OEM over anything else, this time I think that these Sachs shocks are not worth it, they cost too much for what they offer.

Now my options are:

1. Fit something like Monroe, Gabriel or KYB. All are badget solutions and it would make sense to replace them again in 3-4 years. But they all suck for anything other that acceptable comfort.

2. Still go OEM with the basic Sachs model, which costs too much, will not last enough, yet will provide factory levels of comfort.

3. F*ck everything and buy myself a set of Bilstein Sprint. They costs slightly more than the stock Sachs, yet cornering will be vastly improved. The ride will be harder, but given I ride on 205/55/16 tyres, it will still be acceptable for me. Given the experience of some friends, the Bilstein Sport is still acceptable after 100.000km.

I am thinking this for a week now and I still can't make my mind...

What would you choose?

I've been spending 12-13 hours straight in the office lately, so free time is an issue, and if found, is spend with the company of good friends and alcoholic beverages.

I finally managed to ask around for prices. Bilstein sprint will sent me back 800€, so it's a no-go. My suspension guy suggested that Koni yellow might be a better solution, a bit more comfortable, plus they are adjustable. Still, they cost almost the same as Bilstein, so they are a no-go too. Since it appears that premium suspension costs an arm and a leg for an S60, as opposed with anything else, like the A4s and 3ers my friends drive.

So, I was torn between the stock (and sadly not good enough) Sachs dampers, and a similarly priced set of dampers from a german firm called AL-KO. Ordered both, played with them a little, and in the end I'm keeping the AL-KO ones. They are just a bit stiffer than the OEM Sachs, plus they are thicker, quite important given the condition of the roads I spend my daily commute on.

Now, I need to order new top mounts and find a morning to go fit them.

I struggled with the idea to go bananas and fit some proper Bilstein and maybe a set of new lowering (2cm) Eibach springs, but the unexpectedly high cost of the parts (as opposed to the same parts for a BMW or Audi) and the constantly deteriorating condition of the roads in the area kept me back. So, I'm going OEM-like soft again...

 

[Sunny]

Alternative view point of what happened to flight MH370 - https://plus.google.com/106271056358366282907/posts/GoeVjHJaGBz

 

[Cashmere]

Alternative view point of what happened to flight MH370 - https://plus.google.com/106271056358366282907/posts/GoeVjHJaGBz

I read this earlier. The one thing that still baffles me, is that news reports indicate that when the co-pilot uttered the final words "goodnight", the plane's transponder had already been turned off (or the shut down procedure had begun). Which begs the question - if the plane's safety had been compromised, why didn't the pilot at least hint that in his final words?

 

[Sunny]

^Agree, but Malaysian authorities seems to be changing the timeline or at least unsure about it - http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/15/world...es-flight-370-chronology/index.html?hpt=hp_t1. There is also this article which seems to contradict the 'pilot was trying to save the plane' theory - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/18/world/asia/malaysia-airlines-flight.html?hp

 

[Giannis]

Planes don't just disappear like that, IMO, but anyway...

On a different note, I am frustrated. I am swamped with work, I've got one car with a broken shock absorber, for which I have the replacement shocks but the top-mounts are going to arrive in 20-25 days because noone has them in stock, and another car that spent two nights with my service guy, because of its fuel pump, which died after 24 years of service and my violent attempt to make it work again. The second car in question, still has issues with its cooling system, that haven't been resolved up to this point.

Wednesday, out of all days, was the most annoying of them all, as it was a very busy day and the Clio's fuel pump died on my way to meet a new client. I arrived an hour late and covered in dirt/ dust, as I was trying to fix it...

And on top of that, I heard that we now have a new S63 Coupe, and still haven't had the time to even log in GCF... I'll make up this weekend