[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

And the bonus i in aluminium.

That one I'm uncomfortable with. Don't get me wrong; "aluminum" is wrong and dirty but it exists because that's what the discoverer called it. Someone decided that didn't fit nicely with the "-ium" of most other elements though, so they unilaterally changed it...uncool. Don't get me started on color/colour, centre/center, adapter/adaptor.......

I'm with anyone who spells it "thru" though

Sorry. Rant/diversion over... I'll see myself out

[StradaRedlands]

Grey/Gray!

Here's something we can all agree on: My new steering wheel is awesome! Had to scout out a heated sport with the thumbies. Found this one from an E84 X1 that fit the bill. Red stitching, perfect leather, and the face plate makes a little more contemporary looking, but maybe a little too busy as well. Took me forever to get the old one off... just couldn't locate the levers to release the airbag. Finally went down to a smaller T10 Torx screwdriver and it worked like a charm! Gotta' remember that trick for the next time!

Installed and ready for action:



Proof of illuminated button:



Warms up a little bit slower for some reason. The original wheel was warm in about 20 seconds. This one takes a good minute to feel the warmth, and another to really be warm. Should send it back!

Original one in perfect condition will be for sale soon. If anyone reading this is interested, HMU in the DMs!

[eljay]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Yes, NS and OS are from the perspective of a pedestrian. No idea why. Driver's L or driver's R would be so much more obvious... I guess that why we don't use them; far too user-friendly!

Hey, there's another one; we have 'number plates', you have 'license plates'.

There probably is a reference somewhere, but the numerical ones at least are quite simple:
AB05CDE would have been first registered in the first half of 2005 (or very late 2004)
AB55CDE is 2nd half of 2005
AB10CDE is 1st half 2010 (or very late 2009)
AB60CDE is 2nd half 2010
And so on... 20 is early 2020, 70 is late 2020... My car is YD57CMV. It's a "57 plate".
That came in in late 2001, I think? Can't really remember now. Because we ran out of letters in the previous system, where the first letter of the registration referred to the year. And we skipped a few, for clarity; I, O, and Z, I think. So my old car was H638UGK, which was a 1990 VW Jetta; "H reg."... Which I transplanted a VR6 engine from an R reg Golf into
Before that, the format was the opposite way around, but the system the same; UGK638H would be an "old H reg". I have no clue what year that would be

See. Even after all that, I'm still not much wiser! LOL

Yes, you are right. Here, license plate belongs to the owner and in Europe number plate to the car.

I think the best system would be to simply use the last 7 digits of a VIN and stick that on the back plate. Unique, universal, saves tons of server data space linking plates to VINs anyway.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by eljay

I think the best system would be to simply use the last 7 digits of a VIN and stick that on the back plate. Unique, universal, saves tons of server data space linking plates to VINs anyway.

This is brilliant!

[eljay]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

This is brilliant!

Will you vote for me?! LOL

[Djphonics]

Wouldn't the last 7 of the vin repeat on different models?

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

That one I'm uncomfortable with. Don't get me wrong; "aluminum" is wrong and dirty but it exists because that's what the discoverer called it. Someone decided that didn't fit nicely with the "-ium" of most other elements though, so they unilaterally changed it...uncool. Don't get me started on color/colour, centre/center, adapter/adaptor.......

I'm with anyone who spells it "thru" though

Sorry. Rant/diversion over... I'll see myself out

I can handle colour, centre, adaptor, and even aluminium.

But the fun stops with tyre..


Hire, Fire, Tire.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by eljay

Will you vote for me?! LOL

Freely given!

[Onizukachan]

I have one I can never figure out, jubilee clips. With is a jubilee clip!


And dang that wheel looks great.


That’s one retrofit I certainly am interested in doing on the pre-LCi e91 I’m eyeing/buying.

I really missed a heated wheel after I sold my f31, so much so I traded my wife’s white 19 atlas SE vr6 FWD (basic Becky) a month ago for a metallic grey 19 SEL Premium to get two tone leather interior, pano and heated front and rear seats, heated wheel, tow package, AWD and 20 k less miles. Why another 19? They have a 6 year 72k mile warranty instead of only 3/36k like 2020 and newer do. I’ll still have warranty when the 2021s are OOW.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Onizukachan

And dang that wheel looks great.


That’s one retrofit I certainly am interested in doing on the pre-LCi e91 I’m eyeing/buying.

Prior to this car, I didn't even know what a heated steering wheel was! And now I'm putting cash-money out to make sure I have one... they're nice! While the heating feature was great on the standard steering wheel, the skinny cross-section was just not working for me! So I bought this one for the best of both worlds (Hello my TNG people!)!

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Onizukachan

I have one I can never figure out, jubilee clips. With is a jubilee clip!

Yes. It's a worm drive hose clip, invented and made by L Robinson & Co... Not much to do with a jubilee! Genuine ones are by far the best, though.

[Onizukachan]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Grey/Gray!

Here's something we can all agree on: My new steering wheel is awesome! Had to scout out a heated sport with the thumbies. Found this one from an E84 X1 that fit the bill. Red stitching, perfect leather, and the face plate makes a little more contemporary looking, but maybe a little too busy as well. Took me forever to get the old one off... just couldn't locate the levers to release the airbag. Finally went down to a smaller T10 Torx screwdriver and it worked like a charm! Gotta' remember that trick for the next time!

Installed and ready for action:



Proof of illuminated button:



Warms up a little bit slower for some reason. The original wheel was warm in about 20 seconds. This one takes a good minute to feel the warmth, and another to really be warm. Should send it back!

Original one in perfect condition will be for sale soon. If anyone reading this is interested, HMU in the DMs!

The controls all PnP, etc, swapped over the e90 sport bag?
I’m totally gonna bite your style. Sorry. 😢

Looks great! . But I do recommend you clean (I like detail garage nonsense followed by Jay lenos leather for first real cleaning or gentle with Lexol #1) & then Lexol #2 that thing ASAP before you start dailying it as the leather looks pretty dry and in need of some serious moisturizer ion under the plasticizer coat.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by Djphonics

Wouldn't the last 7 of the vin repeat on different models?

Yeah, it would.
Well, there goes my vote.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Prior to this car, I didn't even know what a heated steering wheel was! And now I'm putting cash-money out to make sure I have one... they're nice! While the heating feature was great on the standard steering wheel, the skinny cross-section was just not working for me! So I bought this one for the best of both worlds (Hello my TNG people!)!

Yes, nice score on Sport wheel.
For me, things you physically.feel while driving make a huge difference: steering whee and seats are always my top retrofits/upgrades. And I also can't stand bad headlights.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by Onizukachan

I have one I can never figure out, jubilee clips. With is a jubilee clip!


And dang that wheel looks great.


That’s one retrofit I certainly am interested in doing on the pre-LCi e91 I’m eyeing/buying.

I really missed a heated wheel after I sold my f31, so much so I traded my wife’s white 19 atlas SE vr6 FWD (basic Becky) a month ago for a metallic grey 19 SEL Premium to get two tone leather interior, pano and heated front and rear seats, heated wheel, tow package, AWD and 20 k less miles. Why another 19? They have a 6 year 72k mile warranty instead of only 3/36k like 2020 and newer do. I’ll still have warranty when the 2021s are OOW.

It's one thing that Audi B8 generation (2009-2016) never had, and it drives me crazy to not have it on our 2016 A4 Allroad. So it's not even possible to retrofit it.
Time to trade that car for something with a heated wheel. I am actually quite serious.

[StradaRedlands]

Weekend Update... with Strada Redlands... (the crowd goes wild)

Started off by pulling the very worn rear vent trim and replacing it with a hungry robot piece I picked up from A.E. Color match is so-so, and I had to trim a bit to get the CA sensor to fit, but other than that I'm happy with it. I didn't realize the socket plugs were so skinny, and the dedicated USB ones I had on hand were just not going to fit. So I installed it as-is and covered up the eyeballs while I wait for different plugs:



Then I threw on some racks that I had in the garage... no real need, but hey, why not:



But it's not all about looking pretty for this car... there are mechanical issues as well! The Baby called and said it was really driving super rough and she pulled over (A smart one!). I figured it was some sort of misfire, and confirmed that when she got home:



I had her do the scanning, and talked through the potential causes. She then swapped the #2 and #1 coils and drove it around the block. Misfire migrated to the #1 cylinder, and I think we have our culprit! New Delphi coil on order, and I'll probably do the rest and the plugs in a bit. I don't know the mileage, but they were changed on 10/1/17, so seven years on them.

That's it for today's installment! Thank you for listening to my TED Talk!

[krhodes1]

I forgot how much I like that particular style of 16" wheel on these cars. I have a set with snow tires on them that have not been on my wagon in about 11 years. Bought a Land Rover and have never driven my car in winter again. Slumbers away the nasty Maine salt season.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

I forgot how much I like that particular style of 16" wheel on these cars. I have a set with snow tires on them that have not been on my wagon in about 11 years. Bought a Land Rover and have never driven my car in winter again. Slumbers away the nasty Maine salt season.

I don't dislike the, but not in love with them, either! Basically new RFTs on them, so definitely can't justify getting rid of them till I use up some tread!
Interestingly, I don't really notice the RFTs negatives with these. I don't know if it's that the tires are simply better than the previous ones I've experienced, or the taller sidewall on the 16" tires compared to 17" RFTs improves the feel, but they're... fine.

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Fender procured!
Ordered it from the U.K. (where it is referred to as a wing!) for $200 shipped!
Will know in a few weeks if it is as represented, but it has to be better than the one I have now!
A small but not insignificant chance they'll try to throw some additional costs or fees at me, but fingers crossed it all works out!

Wait... you had to order a blue fender from the UK? Hell, I found a Barbera Red one not 80 miles from me when an ID-10-T got me up in Baltimore.

Did you check car-part ?

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I had her do the scanning, and talked through the potential causes. She then swapped the #2 and #1 coils and drove it around the block. Misfire migrated to the #1 cylinder, and I think we have our culprit! New Delphi coil on order, and I'll probably do the rest and the plugs in a bit. I don't know the mileage, but they were changed on 10/1/17, so seven years on them.

Honestly... if you are doing one... do them all at the same time.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

Wait... you had to order a blue fender from the UK? Hell, I found a Barbera Red one not 80 miles from me when an ID-10-T got me up in Baltimore.

Did you check car-part ?

It was very reasonable... $200 shipped to my door! The only A51 Montego one I could find anywhere! I hope it is as represented in the pictures, as I really can't ship it back to the U.K.!

Does car-part.com even work for people? They have a shit search engine, don't list VINs, and most listings don't even bother to state colors, never mind have pictures for the cars. Coupled with nobody replying if email the sellers for more info. Seems great in theory, and maybe I'm using it wrong, I kind of despise that site LOL

Originally Posted by Greyfox

Honestly... if you are doing one... do them all at the same time.

Yeah, I'm getting a single one from Amazon just to get it up and running, then will do the rest of the coils and plugs from FCP when I can budget the time and $$$. Plus I want to do the valvetronic motor football as I think it's the source of my oil leaks.

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

It was very reasonable... $200 shipped to my door! The only A51 Montego one I could find anywhere! I hope it is as represented in the pictures, as I really can't ship it back to the U.K.!

Does car-part.com even work for people? They have a shit search engine, don't list VINs, and most listings don't even bother to state colors, never mind have pictures for the cars. Coupled with nobody replying if email the sellers for more info. Seems great in theory, and maybe I'm using it wrong, I kind of despise that site LOL



Yeah, I'm getting a single one from Amazon just to get it up and running, then will do the rest of the coils and plugs from FCP when I can budget the time and $$$. Plus I want to do the valvetronic motor football as I think it's the source of my oil leaks.

Yeah... I've had fairly good success with car-part. Front bumper cover for wife's carmine red after she hit a semi-truck recap. Fender for my car. Transfer case for our Pathfinder... etc. Places are pretty good around here about putting up pictures and VINs. They've learned it cuts down on all the run around.

Amazon? I will never order another car part from them. Got bit by Chinese counterfeit with a set of rear bearings for the afore mentioned Pathfinder. Went bad within 9 months of installing them. Went back and did research and found the ways to identify the counterfeit parts.

That's what I thought was causing my oil leak... ended up being the seal under the oil cap.