drove the 545 miles from Dundee to near Plymouth in just over 11 hours - 3 of which were stationary on the M5 near Bridgewater due to the RTA that closed the southbound carriageway completely. On a positive, it is the first time I've used the PTW box for its intended purpose since it was fitted 12 months ago, and contrary to my fears about feeling overgeared, 6th at just under 2100rpm for 70-72mph from Tebay to the A30 is a huge step forward. Never felt like it was struggling, the cruise that @timmus fitted 2 years back was spot on as always, and despite the unintended hold-up, the drive was incredibly relaxed. Setting off at 1am helps. For the steeper grades of the A30 beyond Exeter and within Scotland, 5th gear was used to maintain the same speed at ~2600rpm. Really pleased with it.
Today I.....
- Thread starter sco
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dj_efk
A2OC Donor
Oh glad to hear that Robin. Interesting that you’re getting 2100 at those speeds as it’s 2000rpm on mine, which is really right on the limit of being overgeared I think, but actually it’s a very pleasant, unstressed mode of transport at 70mph - but like you have no doubt experienced, sixth gear is nonetheless an overdrive top, with 5th being more appropriate for speeds below 65mph or when climbing trunk route hills.
Can you really maintain 70 in 5th up that steep hill to Haldon forest west of Exeter? That’s pretty impressive, even our Touran struggles to do that and it’s a 150bhp 2.0 TDI 150! But then I guess you will have half the weight but two thirds of the power.
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greywolfhound
Member
Hi robin I had a guy coming from Birmingham today to collect a snapon tool box I had sold him he got caught in the same accident traffic ..Both him and his wife were ready for a cup of tea....enjoy your trip . It sounds like the car did really well....Paul
I was watching the rev counter / torque output and listening to the engine note once I started using 6th from Tebay onwards to Exeter and not once did the car need to push beyond about 120-130Nm to maintain the requested speed at those revs (maximum reading ever seen is ~214-220Nm accelerating in low gears) - mostly 50-80Nm on rolling bits of the M6 and 0Nm / 99.9mpg indicated when trunding down the back of hills. That being said it is the first time I've been anywhere at motorway speeds since the box was fitted.
By Exeter things slowed down again due to traffic volume and I changed onto the A30 where I used 5th thereafter. This is (looking at the map) before Haldon Forest on the A38 so I can't comment - but my guess is that if I went that route I would also change to 5th or lower for progress.
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I'm currently working on my old family home approx 26 miles from where I live in Blackpool.
My Mother passed away in Jan 2019 and due to legal issues and Covid it taken until now to sort out. The property was originally 2 one up one down cottages built in 1840's and the front downstairs was a shop for around 100 years.
Well the power steering parked up on the CRV so the Little Atom has been called into service and with the back seats down has transported all the tools & workmate in its extended boot plus running me to and from work. After 348 miles I have topped up the diesel same pump brimming to the same point. A total of 58 MPG and has also passed 135,000. Well pleased.
Also seen parked up many times in Chorley Lancashire. On German plates.
Also thanks to @Robin_Cox for help with my rear spring issue, I've gone for a new set of springs Bilstein B3 from Spring loaded and ordered new top and bottom seats.
Of course it won't be straight forward as there is so of that brown stuff in and around the mounting area, Ah yes, rust.
Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
My Mother passed away in Jan 2019 and due to legal issues and Covid it taken until now to sort out. The property was originally 2 one up one down cottages built in 1840's and the front downstairs was a shop for around 100 years.
Well the power steering parked up on the CRV so the Little Atom has been called into service and with the back seats down has transported all the tools & workmate in its extended boot plus running me to and from work. After 348 miles I have topped up the diesel same pump brimming to the same point. A total of 58 MPG and has also passed 135,000. Well pleased.
Also seen parked up many times in Chorley Lancashire. On German plates.
Also thanks to @Robin_Cox for help with my rear spring issue, I've gone for a new set of springs Bilstein B3 from Spring loaded and ordered new top and bottom seats.
Of course it won't be straight forward as there is so of that brown stuff in and around the mounting area, Ah yes, rust.
Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Attachments
chumsofmanutd
A2OC Donor
Enjoyed cleaning up our 1.2 3L after it’s gearbox rebuild and new clutch, always a pleasure to drive 
Cheers
Rob
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Cheers
Rob
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Today I took my OCD cleaning to a whole new level…
Before
After
Actually, I’m replacing my fragile and degraded rear channels and it would be rude not to deep clean in there first. Wash and polish and so much better. Amazing how much crud builds up - the pic is the debris brushed together, not how I found it. A therapeutic clean mind.
Before
After
Actually, I’m replacing my fragile and degraded rear channels and it would be rude not to deep clean in there first. Wash and polish and so much better. Amazing how much crud builds up - the pic is the debris brushed together, not how I found it. A therapeutic clean mind.
gangitano85
A2OC Donor
More of a "Yesterday I ..." but as I was cleaning out the garage, I noticed the full spare tyre for our Volvo XC70 is gradually losing pressure. Instead of using the noisy tyre inflator, I decided to give my bicycle pump a try... and it worked. So I figured it out by myself, you can inflate a tyre by using a bicycle pump 
gangitano85
A2OC Donor
Have you removed the rubber inner lining just to clean it, or will you leave it like on the last photo?
greywolfhound
Member
Hi what part number b3 springs did you go for ? ...
Also goodMore of a "Yesterday I ..." but as I was cleaning out the garage, I noticed the full spare tyre for our Volvo XC70 is gradually losing pressure. Instead of using the noisy tyre inflator, I decided to give my bicycle pump a try... and it worked. So I figured it out by myself, you can inflate a tyre by using a bicycle pump
I am replacing the drain channels with brand new items. The only problem is the wires that go through to the tailgate. Tom C (@timmus) is exploring a connector fit which will make the tailgate 'removeable' if there is ever a need to swap it out. Otherwise, I'll need to make a cut in the new channels to slide them under the rubber.
The channels could be left off, though they add the finishing touches to the rear light cluster.
The channels could be left off, though they add the finishing touches to the rear light cluster.
damadgeruk
A2OC Donor
...took Buzz back to visit its previous owner in North Berwick(something I'd been planning pre-Covid). He was pleased to be reunited. Edit: just parked in Tesco to be spotted by the daughter of the previous owner so had a nice chat with her. These are much more than transport. ?
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Something tells me the previous owner has a tendency to favour a certain car colour...
Careful taking it back, most ex-owners regret selling, you might not make it home alive...
Careful taking it back, most ex-owners regret selling, you might not make it home alive...
Leopard680
A2OC Donor
Today I met @drewroberts for the first time.
Impeccable home delivery of a replacement auto anti-dazzle mirror, from confirming my wish to buy the item on Saturday evening to it being in my possession just after lunch. Drew making a fine job of tying this in with a trip to WOM. A cup of tea and a good natter about all things A2 followed proceedings, as is the custom and practice. A pleasure to meet you Sir and I look forward to catching up on a warmer, drier day at a social in time to come.
On reflection, again, this is such a great community that has lasted the test of time. It is filled with so many diverse, yet like-minded souls. I look back at the forum I joined in 2005 and the camaraderie, community, enthusiasm and desire to cherish our aluminium chariots is as strong as it ever was back then. Sure, ownership focus has evolved to keeping cars on the road and looking for cherished examples, something that has naturally overtaken the newness of those times. Many members are still here, sticking with the A2 through thick and thin or having returned following a misguided sabbatical, myself included; all testament to car and club. With key members offering some critical services, you know who you are, and a community that cares and supports each other, the future of our A2s and the enjoyment that comes with this is secured for years to come. Cap doffed to all and I withdraw from my soapbox and leave you to enjoy your day.
Impeccable home delivery of a replacement auto anti-dazzle mirror, from confirming my wish to buy the item on Saturday evening to it being in my possession just after lunch. Drew making a fine job of tying this in with a trip to WOM. A cup of tea and a good natter about all things A2 followed proceedings, as is the custom and practice. A pleasure to meet you Sir and I look forward to catching up on a warmer, drier day at a social in time to come.
On reflection, again, this is such a great community that has lasted the test of time. It is filled with so many diverse, yet like-minded souls. I look back at the forum I joined in 2005 and the camaraderie, community, enthusiasm and desire to cherish our aluminium chariots is as strong as it ever was back then. Sure, ownership focus has evolved to keeping cars on the road and looking for cherished examples, something that has naturally overtaken the newness of those times. Many members are still here, sticking with the A2 through thick and thin or having returned following a misguided sabbatical, myself included; all testament to car and club. With key members offering some critical services, you know who you are, and a community that cares and supports each other, the future of our A2s and the enjoyment that comes with this is secured for years to come. Cap doffed to all and I withdraw from my soapbox and leave you to enjoy your day.
Proghound
Admin Team
Strangely enough I had a very similar experience a little while before you Darren
Great to meet you today Drew and thanks for delivering my heated washer jets. Hopefully see you at again AITP in August ?
The replacement mirror now in situ @drewroberts ??
For those wanting to know how they are held in place, a twist anti-clockwise to release and reverse to refit. Mine was incredibly tight, lots of tape and a thick microfibre over mole grips was the only way I was going to move the original or tighten the replacement. No plastic was damaged as a result.
For those wanting to know how they are held in place, a twist anti-clockwise to release and reverse to refit. Mine was incredibly tight, lots of tape and a thick microfibre over mole grips was the only way I was going to move the original or tighten the replacement. No plastic was damaged as a result.
Alan_uk
A2OC Donor
Hi Darren. Are the rear channels easy to source and what sort of price are they? The top end of my channels are getting a bit yukky. Thanks, Alan