Martin Harris - Moderator Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 6 hours ago, Erfolg said: Frank, like yourself I have not measured any similar vehicles, the height and weight issues, is from media published claims. I wondered about this and checked the weight of my previous Astra Sports Tourer (Vauxspeak for estate) against my similarly sized MG5 electric estate. Guess what - virtually identical weights so I can assuage any feelings of guilt over regularly sinking through the earth’s crust unduly. Maybe something to do with not having to carry half a ton of emissions equipment? Actually, as the standard tyres are a little wider, the contact pressure will be slightly lower so rubber/tarmac particles should be reduced along with dust from the mostly redundant brakes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDD15 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 So February has been quite a busy month for new car announcements for the UK and elsewhere. Significantly these are for more affordable (a relative term obviously!) practical day to day EVs as opposed to great hulking SUVs with a price tag north of £40k. Dacia are finally bringing the Spring to the UK. Its been available on the continent for about 3 years now where its racked up around 140,000 units sold. Price is supposedly going to be around the £18 - 20K mark with the order book opening in the next couple of months. Dacia Spring - Late Brake Show Next is the new Citroen e C3 which is I think around £22K with order book opening early summer: Citroen - e C3 - What Car Finally my favourite, and Johnny Smiths too, the new Renault 5 with pricing again in the lower £20Ks but probably more than the e C3: Renault 5 - Late Brake Show Happy memories of rolling round the lanes to the pub in my late teens using my mates mums brand new 5! Given that four years ago when Honda launched the Honda e (and already discontinued) into this segment of smaller/city cars with a price tag north of £35K I think this is quite a significant change in the market. Parity with ICE pricing is not there yet but given a new Toyota Aygo is around £17-18K its getting closer. Will it be enough to stem the tide of cheap Chinese cars the EU is getting its knickers in a twist over I don't know? But interestingly the European car makers federation has decided NOT to oppose the 2035 ban on sales of new ICE cars. Given a lot of those manufacturers are now in partnership with Chinese automakers and the Chinese are building car plants and battery plants in Europe well "Go figure" as they say! Elektrek - Automakers say they won’t try to push back EU’s 2035 ICE ban I think there's been a few announcements of new EV SUVs but we've been there done that... Oh yes there maybe an estate version of the MG4 coming to replace the MG5, watch this space. Pip pip idd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 15 hours ago, Learner said: Tesla model s plaid will do 0 to 100mph and back to 0 again in 8.2 seconds, just what you need for getting the kids to school on time. That's ok for a baby but any child over 5 years old needs a 4 x 4, and two kids need a Truck,,, One of our club members just got his C 3 electric car, spec price 35.000€, it was registered in September, 0 klm's ( unsellable) he got it for 27.000€, a really nice car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 We shouldn't be too surprised, remember when incandescent bulbs were banned and we transitioned through Compact Flourescents to LEDs, when LEDs first came out there were quite expensive but now are probably on par with an equivalent incandescent. BTW when the Ford Model T was released in 1908 it was 850 USD, by 1920 it was 300 USD, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 I remember reading that one of the problems with Tungsten Bulbs was that most were coming from outside the EU at prices that EU manufacturers could not match and make the level of profit they wanted/needed. It appears that Low Energy bulbs initially came with a number of issues, damage to some fabrics and colourants, the Lux rating being generous (particularly on start up), that wave lengths not being favourable to human eyes. That the wasted energy was often overstated, in that in the darker winter periods, that the heat omissions supplemented the Central Heating. All of this came from the Institute of Electrical Engineers Mag. I understand that they were leaned on to tone down their observations. More recently I read that LED street lights came with a eye sight health warning. However when I switch on my home lighting now, I do not notice that they are dim. As for fabric damage, sun light is a similar hazard, so maybe overstated away from the Museums and NT historic housing. Brightness claims (wattage) now seem to be more realistic, or maybe perceptions of the wattage required have become realigned. The problem for European manufacturers, that these dam foreigners will soon retooled their production lines. As for lower cost European EVs, a good thing, for those who believe in personal transport. German manufacturers appear to be committed to the top end price EVs and want relaxation on IC cut of dates. I do vaguely remember that family cars have always been to small, for a family, with nappies, toys, suitcases, never mind model aeroplanes. I need a 4*4 to get down and up to our field, my 2 wheel drive, non limited loc diff, is not up to it in this weather. I do not knock SUVs, I should have purchased one. As some hint, I you get used to what you have. Not all is what it appears. There is often a hint of self interest in saving the universe, as well as dogma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Not so much electric cars in general but specifically mine. I had a flat tyre yesterday, and I mean no pressure in it! I had a notifaction about a week ago about low pressure on one tyre so pumped it up and it had been fine, until yesterday. anyway I took it into the local tyre 'shop' and they found the problem but as it's in the sidewall it can't be repaired and they couldn't get hold of the tyre as their wholesaler doesn't supply them. I trawl on the 'net brought some up and all for roughly the same price, I'm glad I was sitting down, £280! Now here's the thing, is this a puncture caused through general use or some smartarse with a pin? IMG_8528.MOV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 A very odd place for a puncture - and is the location a coincidence? What size tyres do you have? Are they unique to your car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 That is an odd place for a puncture although are those marks scuff marks in the pic or reflections ? Have you been off road or on a verge near some blackthorn by any chance ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learner Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 Very odd, could be one of those anti everything persons i suppose Don't laugh but if it was mine and only very slight pin hole I would put some superglue in it and keep an eye on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 53 minutes ago, Engine Doctor said: That is an odd place for a puncture although are those marks scuff marks in the pic or reflections ? Have you been off road or on a verge near some blackthorn by any chance ? Not scuff marks, they are the chalk marks put on by the tyre shop. Plenty of hedges around here but not aware of going close to anything last week, but then I am an old git so memory could be somewhat below par. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 48 minutes ago, Learner said: Very odd, could be one of those anti everything persons i suppose Don't laugh but if it was mine and only very slight pin hole I would put some superglue in it and keep an eye on it. I did think about putting some flexible super glue on it and I could also use the glop Hyundai provide to seal it. Either way it's not a 'proper' fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 1 hour ago, Martin Harris - Moderator said: A very odd place for a puncture - and is the location a coincidence? What size tyres do you have? Are they unique to your car? Not unique to the car, Michelin Pilot Sport Ev 255/45R20 105WXL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learner Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 8 minutes ago, Ron Gray said: I did think about putting some flexible super glue on it and I could also use the glop Hyundai provide to seal it. Either way it's not a 'proper' fix. No tyre repair is a proper fix but replacing one is also not the best practice either unless theres virtually no wear on the other and you can get like for like (manufacturers change tread patterns) The £280 or more tyre is not uncommon nowadays. You'll need a comfortable chair and a large scotch if you ever need to replace a broken headlight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 2 Author Share Posted March 2 (edited) Two hundred and eighty quid.....wow that's a lot of dosh, so over a grand for a full set. Worth taking out tyre insurance I'd have thought - only a tenner or so each on the sort of tyres that I buy but I take a chance and don't bother. Obviously dearer on specialist and expensive deluxe EV types, but a moron with a pocketfull of self tappers and a powerdrill could easily do a lot of damage. Set of four mid range tyres for my Mondeo was just a tad under £300 a year ago including a free alignment check and adjustment - a different league. I'd have said the screw in the sidewall was certainly vandalism - right through Bibendum's mouth and an even bigger kick knowing the tyre would be not repairable - very worrying . Kwikfit quote £30 each for insurance on tyres between £250-£300 including malicious damage (must be reported to the police and recorded) - other tyre fitters are probably similar. Worth considering given that it usually covers punctures and pothole damage. Edited March 2 by Cuban8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john davidson 1 Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 2 hours ago, Cuban8 said: Two hundred and eighty quid.....wow that's a lot of dosh, so over a grand for a full set. Worth taking out tyre insurance I'd have thought - only a tenner or so each on the sort of tyres that I buy but I take a chance and don't bother. Obviously dearer on specialist and expensive deluxe EV types, but a moron with a pocketfull of self tappers and a powerdrill could easily do a lot of damage. Set of four mid range tyres for my Mondeo was just a tad under £300 a year ago including a free alignment check and adjustment - a different league. I'd have said the screw in the sidewall was certainly vandalism - right through Bibendum's mouth and an even bigger kick knowing the tyre would be not repairable - very worrying . Kwikfit quote £30 each for insurance on tyres between £250-£300 including malicious damage (must be reported to the police and recorded) - other tyre fitters are probably similar. Worth considering given that it usually covers punctures and pothole damage. I have a rather jaundiced opinion about most insurance, other than essential such as house and car insurance, the companies try not to pay out if they can. Last year got a wood screw in a front tyre, too near the edge, the fitter said for a plug so bought another tyre, an all season as usual. Few weeks later, blow me, had the same in the other side so sent off for a packer of repair screws which screw in from outside. Added a touch of POR to help things and it has been 100% air tight, I have individual sensors in each wheel so can keep an eye on pressure which gives a bit peace of mind , tyres and brakes, really not best to cut corners but this fix seems a good product! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilC57 Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 (edited) 17 hours ago, john davidson 1 said: Last year got a wood screw in a front tyre, too near the edge, the fitter said for a plug so bought another tyre, an all season as usual…. It’s sometimes worth getting a second opinion on whether a tyre can be repaired. I had a screw in a tyre fairly near to the side of the tread a few years ago. I took the car to a local tyre dealer, where the chap said “Ooh no mate, too near the side wall. We’ll order you a new tyre, that’ll be £130 please.”. However I did some research, and it seems British Standard BS AU159 specifies how near to the edge you can go, and a chart is available to download and print. Armed with this chart in case I needed it, I went to another tyre place I know, where the chap looked at the tyre and said “Yes mate, we can repair that, that’ll be £15 please.”. £115 saved, and I drove around on the tyre for several years afterwards with no problem. (Internet photo) Edited March 3 by EvilC57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 Most tyres that are punctured on the tread can be properly repaired they need a patch vulcanised on the inside even on moto bike tyres, but definitely not on the side walls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 19 hours ago, john davidson 1 said: I have a rather jaundiced opinion about most insurance, other than essential such as house and car insurance, the companies try not to pay out if they can. Last year got a wood screw in a front tyre, too near the edge, the fitter said for a plug so bought another tyre, an all season as usual. Few weeks later, blow me, had the same in the other side so sent off for a packer of repair screws which screw in from outside. Added a touch of POR to help things and it has been 100% air tight, I have individual sensors in each wheel so can keep an eye on pressure which gives a bit peace of mind , tyres and brakes, really not best to cut corners but this fix seems a good product! Personally, I think you're taking a very risky course to rely on a temporary fix for any length of time (as all these DIY kits are), rather than a proper repair. Tyres undergo a tremendous amount of stress, and plug repairs, foam and Goop etc are just not able to cope with the full range of performance expected of a non-damaged tyre. Fine as a get you home fix but do consider getting a replacement tyre. Annoying, but better than a blow-out. Interestingly, a punctured tyre is not an automatic MOT failure, only an advisory, so presenting a vehicle with a tyre that's had a temporary repair that is evident to the tester shouldn't be a problem if I've understood the regs correctly. I don't think tyre insurance is a good deal for everyone - depends on the value of the tyre and if the vehicle spends a lot of time going to places where punctures are more likely, like builders yards, Industrial Estates and DIY centres. I have looked into it and the T&Cs do seem to be quite straightforward, but seeing as the tyres I buy are nothing special and my mileage now is nowhere near what it was, I don't bother with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 Why is it that you always get a puncture in the tyre with the most tread remaining and not the one that's almost bald? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 I got this sent by my brother Alan, no numbers on cars but here E-bikes. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/mar/09/unexploded-bombs-call-for-action-after-11-deaths-in-uk-due-to-e-bike-fires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 On closer inspection after the tyre had been removed you could see a very small slash, no more than 5mm across but looks like it was caused by a flint. Hey ho, new tyre fitted and all is good apart from a lighter wallet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave parnham Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 i drive an E partner for Royal Mail around hertfordshire Villages and ive had Four punctures this year due to Hedge Cutting Tractors Shredding the bushes and leaving lethal spikes all over the lanes. Hate to think what that costs RM every year!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 20 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: I got this sent by my brother Alan, no numbers on cars but here E-bikes. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/mar/09/unexploded-bombs-call-for-action-after-11-deaths-in-uk-due-to-e-bike-fires Best not to charge your diy conversion electric car in the hall then! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 27 minutes ago, Martin Harris - Moderator said: Best not to charge your diy conversion electric car in the hall then! We are modelises, most of us know the dangers of these batteries, but the public don't !. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 On 03/03/2024 at 14:28, Shaun Walsh said: Why is it that you always get a puncture in the tyre with the most tread remaining and not the one that's almost bald? Whom the Gods wish to destroy they first send mad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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