Well, I’m not quite sure how I feel about being identified as “the senior resident”, but I suppose I shall just have to take it as a compliment. And apparently I was insulted as well – and I missed it! There you go. Anyhow, the little red Whizzer (500 1.4 Sport) is now up to 1400 miles on the clock, and apart from going even better than it did before (presumably because the engine is still loosening up) I am happy to tell you that there is absolutely nothing to report. Happy, because that means that nothing has gone wrong and the bambino continues to delight and amaze.

It is early days yet, of course, but so far (and here we touch wood, cross our fingers, hang garlic around the car door and generally hope for the best), we have not had the sort of post on this Forum which we all dread. The kind that starts - “My 500 has suddenly started to make a strange knocking noise from the passenger foot-well and has lost all power. I also have Error Message EZ 2579/TK04 on the dash display, five reverse gears and one forward one. My dealer says they all do this and it is nothing to worry about, and in any case would not be covered under Warranty.”

By the way –

• I have tested the Hill Holder in reverse on a downslope and it does work just fine. Which is jolly handy in our narrow, steep and twisty single-track lanes.
• My strip of foam draught-excluder under the bonnet lip works very well at keeping water and dust out of the engine room, although it may raise under-bonnet temperatures a touch.
• I have had an easy 100 m/h out of it (on a private track, of course, officer) in 5th gear.

Next on the agenda are some slight modifications to the power-plant, starting with the induction system. Nothing too radical, you understand, but I just can’t resist tinkering. I will keep you posted.

John

John R Smith said:

I have had an easy 100 m/h out of it (on a private track, of course, officer) in 5th gear.

Click to expand...

Likewise my 1.2, 106mph on the GPS, had a little more left too, alos on a track.

Superb. I know what you mean about the 1.4 loosening up. Ours has 2K on it now and is a different car from when it was new.

RE: the senior resident. Take it as a compliment, I'm sure that it was meant as one, after all, in many cultures (strangely not ours though) those older than us are respected.

Michael

bludvl_x19 said:

RE: the senior resident. Take it as a compliment, I'm sure that it was meant as one, after all, in many cultures (strangely not ours though) those older than us are respected.

Michael

Click to expand...

I've always taken the view that those older than us should be respected because they are generally wiser, (except, sometimes, where computers and DVD players are concerned, and in my parents' case, anything electrical which has a remote control with it).

Anyway, John, glad you're back.

Littala said:

I've always taken the view that those older than us should be respected because they are generally wiser, (except, sometimes, where computers and DVD players are concerned, and in my parents' case, anything electrical which has a remote control with it).

Anyway, John, glad you're back.

Click to expand...

:yeahthat: (to it all, but the bold bit a bit more )

Michael

Mark Elvin said:

Likewise my 1.2, 106mph on the GPS, had a little more left too, alos on a track.

Click to expand...

I'll leave that too you 'Boy Racers' I'll not be doing any 'time-trials' until we get back from Holiday!

Anyway, if you don't mind me asking John, How old is 'Senior' then?

Jim

Well, I am not sure about the "older and wiser" (because I never seem to learn). But, in the light of the above bold comments, it could perhaps be a little unfortunate that I am actually in charge of IT provision and support for our service here at work. Anyway, good grief, there must be someone else here over the age of 60? Surely? Come on, own up . . .

John

John R Smith said:

Anyway, good grief, there must be someone else here over the age of 60? Surely? Come on, own up . . .

John

Click to expand...

Thats not old! :bang:

Jim