What have you done to your Freelander today

Nodge68 said:

The new A30 is coming along,

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Is that the road or another classic Austin project ?!?!

andyfreelandy said:

Is that the road or another classic Austin project ?!?!

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The road.

It's a much needed project, but in reality it'll only move the issue 5 miles further west.

Were limited to where we MOT in Northern Ireland. Only Government Mot Test centres, and the nearest is 25 Miles away. Advantage, they are not trying to drum up work, but some centres have a name for being hard work and missing nothing,

For me as its all the same charges (£31) and retest is only £18, Other that obvious stuff, lights, tyres, and any known issues, , I let the MoT centre tell me what she needs. Local garages charge £40+ for a pre MOT check. MOT centre basically does it for £18., and they only check the listed faults in retest.

Then there is a 3 Month waiting list They all had an issue with Special test lifts that started showing cracks at the same time, as they started to have these replaced, causing delays as they shut down MOT centres, then COVID hit, so earliest date is about 3 Months now..but you can always look for cancellations to get that reduced. Retest dates are a lot quicker, you seem to get priority and usually within 2 weeks.

Nodge68 said:

Thanks
That might make a change to my normal MOT place.

I'll look out some available date's and let you know.

The new A30 is coming along, although it looks well behind schedule.

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I'll pm you RE the MOT. As for the A30 (non Austin), they made great headway last year with all the dry weather, but I can confirm that they're now three months behind

Alex1000 said:

Were limited to where we MOT in Northern Ireland. Only Government Mot Test centres, and the nearest is 25 Miles away. Advantage, they are not trying to drum up work, but some centres have a name for being hard work and missing nothing,

For me as its all the same charges (£31) and retest is only £18, Other that obvious stuff, lights, tyres, and any known issues, , I let the MoT centre tell me what she needs. Local garages charge £40+ for a pre MOT check. MOT centre basically does it for £18., and they only check the listed faults in retest.

Then there is a 3 Month waiting list They all had an issue with Special test lifts that started showing cracks at the same time, as they started to have these replaced, causing delays as they shut down MOT centres, then COVID hit, so earliest date is about 3 Months now..but you can always look for cancellations to get that reduced. Retest dates are a lot quicker, you seem to get priority and usually within 2 weeks.

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I seem to recall something in the media about problems getting MOTs done in Northern Ireland not so long ago.

That was us. no sign of it getting any better.

Passed its WOF (MOT) today

I think that's 8 successive WOFs its flown through. She's a good olde girl.

GrumpyGel said:

Passed its WOF (MOT) today

I think that's 8 successive WOFs its flown through. She's a good olde girl.

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I reckon those NZ tests must be less stringent than UK ones.....

kernowsvenski said:

I reckon those NZ tests must be less stringent than UK ones.....

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Dunno about that, maybe maybe not.

I think they are less stringent on emissions - they must be or mine would never pass - mind you my old D1 300TDI in the UK would fill the workshop with smoke, but still pass.

Stuff does not rot and degrade here like it does in the UK. If you don't do anything stupid - like send it for a test with a bulb out, shitty wipers, tyres or brakes you are likely to pass. I also have to have mine tested every 6 months, so they are likely to warn me verbally about stuff that might need looking at - 1 time the guy thought the leak back hoses should be looked at cos there was a faint smell of diesel, so I got them changed.

Some things they are anal on though. A few years back it failed on the drivers seat belt. There was a tiny bit of fraying, you had to look hard for it and it in no way affected the integrity or operation of the belt, but still failed. This is a common failure over here. I took the one off my parts car, scrubbed the mold off it and it passed the retest (probably in worse condition).

Edit: As I say though, the important thing is to give it a wash and a bit of a tidy up inside, I'm sure they are more likely to pass a car that looks like is cared for.

GrumpyGel said:

Dunno about that, maybe maybe not.
As I say though, the important thing is to give it a wash and a bit of a tidy up inside, I'm sure they are more likely to pass a car that looks like is cared for.

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This has generally been my policy over the years

Also, given the age and nature of the old faithful FL and owners like us keeping them going, there is usually some shiny new part that has been fitted which the tester will see, which in my mind shows that the vehicle is being maintaned.. In my case this year it was a pair of new VCU bearings and some wipers.

Took it to the tip to dump a trailer load of garden pruning.

As I get to the weigh bridge I noticed a 3 door in the staff carpark. Its very unusual to see Freelanders over here so when I was at the kiosk jobbie paying I ask the girl who's the Freelander is in the carpark. She looked at me as if I'd been speaking some alien language. The woman from the drive in side popped her head over, and I said the blue 3 door car with the removable roof. She pointed to a young chap picking up rubbish. So after I'd paid, I parked up in a lay-by and went over to have a chat with him.

Turns out its his mum's car, his van had broken down. Recons its a nice car but thirsty - well it is a V6. Asked how long his mum has had it and she'd had it about a year evidently, but has also now bought a 2005 5 door TD4. Quality

V6, after many hours work on engine and cooling system, passed MOT with advisory on rusty silencer.
So, what to do ?!?!

Taxed and using it for a bit to ensure all is well. Great drive, wow, compared to the Diesel!! But can't keep all 3 !!
1.8, TD4, V6 sort of makes a set though !!

andyfreelandy said:

Taxed and using it for a bit to ensure all is well. Great drive, wow, compared to the Diesel!! But can't keep all 3 !!
1.8, TD4, V6 sort of makes a set though !!

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If fuel price isn't an issue, then the V6 is the best to drive. I also think it's compliant in some emission zone cities too.

So the V6 has a 2 month trial to see what might it gives ! I think I know the answer. Then it will be decision time.

Might get the silver V6 resprayed in Tangiers
And make a G4 lookalike.

You could convert it to Gas ?

new neaside lower arm fitted today. I'm now ready for the re-test on Tuesday

Kevm said:

You could convert it to Gas ?

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You mean LPG? No point, as of next year LPG will be withdrawn as a road fuel.
It seems its not as green as originally suggested.

kernowsvenski said:

'm now ready for the re-test on Tuesday

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Good luck !

Had a good one the other week. Tested all lamps and all good. Took it to MOT and one brake lamp had failed !!

Whitetail deer hunting today with my german pointer. Really nice sunshine all day, -12 C.

Did some basic checks on mine for the MOT next Saturday.
I didn't go mad as I'm still suffering this blasted winter cold which simply won't go away.