Today I.....

Today I ... took the opportunity, while the neighbours' Range Rover is away on holiday and I still have three of these fine wee beasties, to indulge in a little gratuitous photography :) Actually, quite a lot of gratuitous photography, but I'm only posting the best ones :D

DSC01381a.JPGDSC01358.JPGDSC01359.JPGDSC01360a.JPGDSC01361.JPGDSC01362.JPGDSC01363a.JPGDSC01364.JPG

See if you can spot the one thing I missed in setting these up, visible on two of the shots ? (I intended the OSS on the Cobalt one to be open).
 
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Hi ian,
Was it the tyre valves being incorrectly aligned?
?
Keith

Where I work (Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands) every car on all of the floors have to have the tyre valve at the bottom and all of the Mercedes wheel covers have to have the logo pointing upwards.
That is forty cars times 4 wheels.
And they get moved around the floor often!!!

But it does look tidy!!!

Steve B
 
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Today I ......
Dropped my car off to Gary to replace the suspension on my silver TDI.
The ride was harsh/hard and the car has been lowered. It handled well and A2s tend to give a harsh ride mostly, but I travel on the toughest roads every day when I go to work.
So I opted for a standard setup. Bilstein B4 shocks all round and standard Monroe springs. Gary is replacing all of the other related parts such as the top mounts, bump stops, spring cup seats etc.
I am hoping to feel a significant improvement but I am not expecting miracles.
I am hoping that the ride height will look ok, I do like the drop and it fills the arches nicely and sets off the QT wheels well.
So this “before” picture gives the comparison between mine and my wife’s. Bottom picture is one I will use to compare the difference when I get it back
Fingers crossed that it looks ok (it should, because a standard A2 always does look great) we will see.
Steve B
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Today I: fitted my new number plates and A2OC plate surrounds and stickers.
 

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@MattSnap Just curious how you got your external 20th anniversary sticker on the inside of the hatch?

I peeled off the thicker paper first very carefully and at an acute angle; then applied it inside. The thinner sticky backing paper then peeled off easily. I didn’t know it was meant to be external so assumed it went inside for a more subtle look.


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@MattSnap Just curious how you got your external 20th anniversary sticker on the inside of the hatch?
I peeled off the thicker paper first very carefully and at an acute angle; then applied it inside. The thinner sticky backing paper then peeled off easily. I didn’t know it was meant to be external so assumed it went inside for a more subtle look.
The answer is, Matt ordered an internal sticker :) So it's fitted exactly as intended ?
 
Today I..... discovered the back seats of an A2 are a remarkably pleasant place to travel. There's plenty of leg room, it's light and airy, the seats are comfy and you can see out well. I was aware of some rear tyre noise (note to self: replace them sooner rather than later!), but that was the only downside. All in all, it was a pleasant surprise riding in the back!
 
Today I ......
Dropped my car off to Gary to replace the suspension on my silver TDI.
The ride was harsh/hard and the car has been lowered. It handled well and A2s tend to give a harsh ride mostly, but I travel on the toughest roads every day when I go to work.
So I opted for a standard setup. Bilstein B4 shocks all round and standard Monroe springs. Gary is replacing all of the other related parts such as the top mounts, bump stops, spring cup seats etc.
I am hoping to feel a significant improvement but I am not expecting miracles.
I am hoping that the ride height will look ok, I do like the drop and it fills the arches nicely and sets off the QT wheels well.
So this “before” picture gives the comparison between mine and my wife’s. Bottom picture is one I will use to compare the difference when I get it back
Fingers crossed that it looks ok (it should, because a standard A2 always does look great) we will see.
Steve B

View attachment 70091
The before shot

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The After shot
DB66404F-6F91-4E96-ACC9-719984ABB123.jpeg


I was worried that losing the lowering might make it look odd. But to me it looks ok. It is also likely to settle a bit.

A huge improvement in comfort but remember an A2 will always give a firm but comfortable ride on standard shocks and springs.

Whatever suspension you have, hit a bump, pot hole or speed bump and you will feel it.
The measure of a comfortable ride is one where the ride is smooth on undulations in the road. So try not to expect too much from your little A2. Light cars don’t ride as smooth as heavy cars, for reasons of science. The deflect more because they are light, heavy cars resist that deflection. Part of the reason why Rolls Royces and Bentlys can achieve a “floating on air “ feel.

so I was not expecting miracles but I am mighty impressed.

cheers
Steve B
 
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