The Car thread

[Bellend Sebastian]

12 minutes ago, The Bear said:

They've only just changed the legislation last week to make sure in future all public chargers are contactless payment friendly. 

 

You may find that you have to register with whichever provider the charger is owned by and load some money into the account to get the chargers to work. Some will be contactless, some will be app only. 

 

https://www.zap-map.com/live/ is your best bet. You can plan what services to charge at and see what the requirements for each charger there are like making sure they have the right connections for your cable. Try and filter for "Rapid" chargers (pink/purple icons) rated at 50kwh or more. That way a 20-30 min rest break should give you a reasonable top up. 

That's really helpful, cheers.

 

I've looked at Zap Map before and half the chargers seemed to be on people's houses but when I looked just now they were predominantly ones that you'd use.

 

How up to date is it? Every services I've looked at seems to have at least a charger free right now, which seems a bit too good to be true

[The Bear]

14 minutes ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

That's really helpful, cheers.

 

I've looked at Zap Map before and half the chargers seemed to be on people's houses but when I looked just now they were predominantly ones that you'd use.

 

How up to date is it? Every services I've looked at seems to have at least a charger free right now, which seems a bit too good to be true

It's usually updated in pretty much real time. 

[goose2010]

Picking up my new Countryman tomorrow. Only had my current one two years but mini have offered me a brand new one, for the same as what I'm currently paying so seems crazy not to take them up on it. 

[tom27111]

6 hours ago, goose2010 said:

Picking up my new Countryman tomorrow. Only had my current one two years but mini have offered me a brand new one, for the same as what I'm currently paying so seems crazy not to take them up on it. 

 

Stupid isn't it?

 

That's what happens when they can't build new cars quick enough to meet demand.

 

You've not even had to think about it and you get a brand new car for the same money, the dealer gets a 2 year old car that they'll be able to shift at a good profit, within days.

 

When I was at Peugeot, genuinely, I was on the phone for a couple hours a day to customers, saying "Hi, that car you bought 12 months ago, fancy a brand new one with a better spec? Oh, by the way, I don't need any deposit and it'll save you 34 quid a month" 

[goose2010]

2 hours ago, tom27111 said:

 

Stupid isn't it?

 

That's what happens when they can't build new cars quick enough to meet demand.

 

You've not even had to think about it and you get a brand new car for the same money, the dealer gets a 2 year old car that they'll be able to shift at a good profit, within days.

 

When I was at Peugeot, genuinely, I was on the phone for a couple hours a day to customers, saying "Hi, that car you bought 12 months ago, fancy a brand new one with a better spec? Oh, by the way, I don't need any deposit and it'll save you 34 quid a month" 

It's crazy, but yeah as a customer I can't complain. To be fair I wasnt going to go for a countryman again as wanted something a bit bigger, but couldn't really say no as love my current one. 

[Bellend Sebastian]

Drove down to Devon yesterday, first long journey in the old EV. Theoretically the range would have comfortably got me to my destination 240 miles away but motorway efficiency is nowhere near what it is driving locally, so I wasn't going to chance it.

 

I think it would probably have been about 30 miles short, so I was always planning to recharge on the way. That was the bit that surprised me, as it really was a piece of piss. Stopped 3 times (owing to small daughter needing frequent wee stops). First services didn't have any chargers at all, which was a bit of a surprise, but didn't matter as was only topping up. Didn't realise this was a thing so checked that the next one we'd stop at did have some, and although it only had two terminals they had multiple connections so got straight on. It was a faster charger than I've got at home or work and it added about 30% charge to the battery in just over half an hour. Also, no apps or mucking about, just plug in and contactless payment. That was going to get me to my destination easily, but at a last wee stop at Exeter services it seemed rude not to use one of the glut of chargers they've got, and the one I used was so fast it added almost the same as the previous one did in the time it took us to go to the loo and buy a chocolate bar.

 

I've paid through the nose for the electricity, but as that's literally the first I've paid for at all (I've been charging at work) I'm not going to moan about that.

 

There's even a charger at the holiday park we're at.

 

It's probably more of a pain if you're traveling at a particularly busy time, but long journeys were the one thing I was a bit apprehensive about as a new EV driver, but it's not a big deal AT ALL.

 

Wandering around scenic coastal town today I saw a car the same as mine that the owner had driven over from blooming Germany so I think that provides further proof that I was worrying about nothing

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The Bear]

6 minutes ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

Drove down to Devon yesterday, first long journey in the old EV. Theoretically the range would have comfortably got me to my destination 240 miles away but motorway efficiency is nowhere near what it is driving locally, so I wasn't going to chance it.

 

I think it would probably have been about 30 miles short, so I was always planning to recharge on the way. That was the bit that surprised me, as it really was a piece of piss. Stopped 3 times (owing to small daughter needing frequent wee stops). First services didn't have any chargers at all, which was a bit of a surprise, but didn't matter as was only topping up. Didn't realise this was a thing so checked that the next one we'd stop at did have some, and although it only had two terminals they had multiple connections so got straight on. It was a faster charger than I've got at home or work and it added about 30% charge to the battery in just over half an hour. Also, no apps or mucking about, just plug in and contactless payment. That was going to get me to my destination easily, but at a last wee stop at Exeter services it seemed rude not to use one of the glut of chargers they've got, and the one I used was so fast it added almost the same as the previous one did in the time it took us to go to the loo and buy a chocolate bar.

 

I've paid through the nose for the electricity, but as that's literally the first I've paid for at all (I've been charging at work) I'm not going to moan about that.

 

There's even a charger at the holiday park we're at.

 

It's probably more of a pain if you're traveling at a particularly busy time, but long journeys were the one thing I was a bit apprehensive about as a new EV driver, but it's not a big deal AT ALL.

 

Wandering around scenic coastal town today I saw a car the same as mine that the owner had driven over from blooming Germany so I think that provides further proof that I was worrying about nothing

Nice to hear you had a good experience. Services on motorways are generally pretty good. It's when you get into towns and cities it becomes possibly more troublesome without more checking/planning. 

[FoyleFox]

2 hours ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

Drove down to Devon yesterday, first long journey in the old EV. Theoretically the range would have comfortably got me to my destination 240 miles away but motorway efficiency is nowhere near what it is driving locally, so I wasn't going to chance it.

 

I think it would probably have been about 30 miles short, so I was always planning to recharge on the way. That was the bit that surprised me, as it really was a piece of piss. Stopped 3 times (owing to small daughter needing frequent wee stops). First services didn't have any chargers at all, which was a bit of a surprise, but didn't matter as was only topping up. Didn't realise this was a thing so checked that the next one we'd stop at did have some, and although it only had two terminals they had multiple connections so got straight on. It was a faster charger than I've got at home or work and it added about 30% charge to the battery in just over half an hour. Also, no apps or mucking about, just plug in and contactless payment. That was going to get me to my destination easily, but at a last wee stop at Exeter services it seemed rude not to use one of the glut of chargers they've got, and the one I used was so fast it added almost the same as the previous one did in the time it took us to go to the loo and buy a chocolate bar.

 

I've paid through the nose for the electricity, but as that's literally the first I've paid for at all (I've been charging at work) I'm not going to moan about that.

 

There's even a charger at the holiday park we're at.

 

It's probably more of a pain if you're traveling at a particularly busy time, but long journeys were the one thing I was a bit apprehensive about as a new EV driver, but it's not a big deal AT ALL.

 

Wandering around scenic coastal town today I saw a car the same as mine that the owner had driven over from blooming Germany so I think that provides further proof that I was worrying about nothing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reassuring to hear as I think we're seriously considering one now. 

 

Motorway services will rob you blind for the charging, in the same way they do for petrol, sandwiches and anything else they sell!

[tom27111]

Glad you got on alright @Bellend Sebastian. 

 

I'm really coming round to the idea of EV's.

 

But in regards to motorway service stations (which I rely on MASSIVELY day to day), I honestly think there should be some government intervention into the prices that these robbing bastards charge.

 

It's unreal. 

 

Fuel, food, drinks...everything. Inflated beyond belief. Why is it allowed?

 

They do it because of the convenience, but you could actually get off at a motorway junction and find somewhere within a couple of miles that doesn't rob you blind.

 

It's literally £6 for a sandwich that the same company sells for £2.75 in a high street shop. It should be illegal.

[Jattdogg]

1 hour ago, tom27111 said:

Glad you got on alright @Bellend Sebastian. 

 

I'm really coming round to the idea of EV's.

 

But in regards to motorway service stations (which I rely on MASSIVELY day to day), I honestly think there should be some government intervention into the prices that these robbing bastards charge.

 

It's unreal. 

 

Fuel, food, drinks...everything. Inflated beyond belief. Why is it allowed?

 

They do it because of the convenience, but you could actually get off at a motorway junction and find somewhere within a couple of miles that doesn't rob you blind.

 

It's literally £6 for a sandwich that the same company sells for £2.75 in a high street shop. It should be illegal.

Rookie. Tea flask,  own water bottle and homemade sandwiches in a small  lunch bag sized cooler. Will need it for those frequent electric recharge stopovers Work/travel cheaper?!?! 

 

 

[goose2010]

16 hours ago, tom27111 said:

Glad you got on alright @Bellend Sebastian. 

 

I'm really coming round to the idea of EV's.

 

But in regards to motorway service stations (which I rely on MASSIVELY day to day), I honestly think there should be some government intervention into the prices that these robbing bastards charge.

 

It's unreal. 

 

Fuel, food, drinks...everything. Inflated beyond belief. Why is it allowed?

 

They do it because of the convenience, but you could actually get off at a motorway junction and find somewhere within a couple of miles that doesn't rob you blind.

 

It's literally £6 for a sandwich that the same company sells for £2.75 in a high street shop. It should be illegal.

it is similar to hotel bars in city centres they know the majority of people using them claim it back on expenses so charge what they want. I was at the Belfry the other day and they charged me £8.70 for a pint and then put a 75p service charge on top. I was stood at the bar and he just passed it to me! 

 

 

[Daggers]

On 10/07/2023 at 18:58, tom27111 said:

 

 

I've said this before, but when I was last in car sales, my demo was a Jeep Renegade pHEV. 

 

I drove up to Anfield to watch us play and I genuinely had to fully fill the tank TWICE to get me there and back.

 

Had I taken our 118d BMW, it wouldn't have even cost me 40 quid.

Late to this party, a) it has a tiny tank and b) you must’ve been caning it having done from here to Blackpool a number of times and refilled in Blackpool for the return journey. It’s got a genuine 235 range fully charged and topped up and will average 45mpg at NSLs.

[Daggers]

1 hour ago, goose2010 said:

it is similar to hotel bars in city centres they know the majority of people using them claim it back on expenses so charge what they want. I was at the Belfry the other day and they charged me £8.70 for a pint and then put a 75p service charge on top. I was stood at the bar and he just passed it to me! 

 

 

I’d have passed it back to him without the glass.

[Thommo]

Got a van with a DPF problem..has anyone had issues with theirs?

[tom27111]

On 01/08/2023 at 16:54, Daggers said:

Late to this party, a) it has a tiny tank and b) you must’ve been caning it having done from here to Blackpool a number of times and refilled in Blackpool for the return journey. It’s got a genuine 235 range fully charged and topped up and will average 45mpg at NSLs.

 

In fairness, yeah, it has got a small tank. But I brimmed it before I left and had to do the same on the way out of Liverpool.

 

I used to do 50 miles to work in it everyday averaged 45mpg when it was fully charged. Then charged at work and got the same back. 

 

That's fine, but anything over that and the weight of the battery kills the consumption, because the battery has zero range after about 35 miles in hybrid mode.

 

I've never reset the on board computer on my BMW since I've had it, around 42 months, consumption is 48.6mpg.

 

It's a 2 litre diesel and it's more economical than a hybrid.

[Milo]

50 minutes ago, Thommo said:

Got a van with a DPF problem..has anyone had issues with theirs?

I had a nightmare with mine a while back on my RR Sport. 
 

Car went in to full on limp mode. I got a mobile DPF cleaner to clean it out. Same thing happened a month or so later so I took it to a mad mechanic (I didn’t know he was mad at the time) who tried to fix it by cutting it out. 
 

Got it re-cleaned and then took it to a specialist when it happened again. 
 

Turns out it wasn’t the DPF at all. It was something to do with the throttle. 
 

£300 a time for the mobile clean - make sure it is actually the DPF that is the problem. 

[tom27111]

55 minutes ago, Thommo said:

Got a van with a DPF problem..has anyone had issues with theirs?

 

Can be incredibly expensive.

 

Might sound mad, but at least 3 mechanics have told me this...

 

Take it down a dual carriageway/motorway and blast it in 3rd gear.

 

Failing that, as @Milo says, make sure it definitely is the DPF. You can get a diagnosis from a garage for about 45 quid.

[Daggers]

12 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

 

In fairness, yeah, it has got a small tank. But I brimmed it before I left and had to do the same on the way out of Liverpool.

 

I used to do 50 miles to work in it everyday averaged 45mpg when it was fully charged. Then charged at work and got the same back. 

 

That's fine, but anything over that and the weight of the battery kills the consumption, because the battery has zero range after about 35 miles in hybrid mode.

 

I've never reset the on board computer on my BMW since I've had it, around 42 months, consumption is 48.6mpg.

 

It's a 2 litre diesel and it's more economical than a hybrid.

Yep, not arguing that it's not an insane vehicle for anyone doing frequent long miles

[FoyleFox]

6 hours ago, Thommo said:

Got a van with a DPF problem..has anyone had issues with theirs?

Had a problem intimation diagnosed as a particulate filter issue, turned out to be a broken thermostat. 

[Raj]

14 hours ago, Thommo said:

Got a van with a DPF problem..has anyone had issues with theirs?

I had a peaguot Partner van with the same issue.

Took it down the A46 to Newark early one Sunday  morning at a steady 70.

Then gave it a good 5 mins in a lower gear at a slower speed.

Did the same return journey and luckily cleared itself.

 

P.S It doesn't HAVE to be the A46!!! I'm sure any long round will suffice!!

 

Edited 3 August 2023 by Raj

[FoyleFox]

Could anyone with a home EV charger recommend theirs and advise on the type and cost to install?

[tom27111]

1 hour ago, FoyleFox said:

Could anyone with a home EV charger recommend theirs and advise on the type and cost to install?

 

I don't have one, but nearly all manufacturers use PodPoint.

 

They're the biggest supplier in the UK.

 

Around £800.

 

I believe you may still be eligible for a government grant towards the cost only if you rent your home.

Edited 3 August 2023 by tom27111

[The Bear]

Zappi is who I hear the most on Tesla forums. Based on cost/features. 

[Parafox]

@tom27111

 

I know worked for Peugeot so I hope you can answer my query.

 

I have had the car for three weeks and the stop-start has stopped working. I've looked on-line and it seems short journeys deplete the stop start battery to the point where it stops working. Is this true?

 

Bit rubbish if you ask me. 

 

Other than this, the car is decent.

[tom27111]

11 minutes ago, Parafox said:

@tom27111

 

I know worked for Peugeot so I hope you can answer my query.

 

I have had the car for three weeks and the stop-start has stopped working. I've looked on-line and it seems short journeys deplete the stop start battery to the point where it stops working. Is this true?

 

Bit rubbish if you ask me. 

 

Other than this, the car is decent.

 

Yeah, I believe pretty much exactly what you've said is true.

 

It's happened to me on Nissan's and Kia's too, so certainly not limited to one brand.

 

What did you get in the end?