Panda (Classic) Charmanda(er) The Panda

[firstcar-Y10]

the jtdm 16v in the alfa has mad intervals, they are far to far apart!

My Peugeot reckons 20k miles. Just silly!

 

[firstcar-Y10]

Even the new multi-air's are FIRE engines. The 180bhp in my Abarth is a FIRE - see what the 999cc Panda started!

Hmmm, 999 Y10 wasn't it?

 

[blu73]

My Peugeot reckons 20k miles. Just silly!

The alfa schedule is in km but works out about 20k miles as well, needless to say it shall not be 20k miles before i service it again!

 

[panda panda]

Works corsa and the hyundai i20 were both 20k between services.

 

[blu73]

now i understand that oils and engines etc have come on... what i fail to understand is how and air filter or oil filter can be expected to do so many miles before needing changing. Despite what is recommended i shall be servicing the alfa every 10k i reckon so half whats recommended. And considering how important they seem to make out it is having the correct low ash oil because of the DPF i can't see that leaving the oil in there for 20k miles to get really dirty and black will help at all.

 

[Palio]

I think that all the modern cars have pushed the service intervals up to 20k as that's apparently what everyone demands.

I was speaking to an industry specialist a while ago who confirmed that a good new car would quite happily run for 2/3 years and 60k with nothing done whatsoever if you were lucky.

His considered view was that this was pandering (oops! ) to the fleet and rental markets who demand 20k intervals. He didn't fancy long term ownership of a car running perfectly at 60k with no servicing though, and said he'd change every 6k or 12 months on even a modern car if he was keeping it forever. As usual you pays your money.......

 

[Didge3]

Good News, Char' is coming with me to Portsmouth . Well sort of, she's going to live with my Uncle in the New Forest so not far away. He does actually live quite literally in the forest so she will be parked under and around trees so I'm not sure whats best to do to keep tree crap off her. I could get a big (well not so big actually...) tarp and just cover her up or I could source a fitted car cover? Any suggestions?

 

[panda panda]

Cheapo gazebo would make a good temp garage and no faffing or spoiling of paintwork with cheapo covers.

 

[Didge3]

Cheapo gazebo would make a good temp garage and no faffing or spoiling of paintwork with cheapo covers.

Unfortunately not really enough room for a Gazebo as it'll be parked alongside my Uncles car with little room between them.

EDIT: Also any tips for storing, I'm hoping I'll be able to go and start + give her at least a short drive to run her up to temperature once a month. Obvious things are disconnecting the battery, leaving the handbrake off etc. I've read about these solar chargers to keep batteries topped up but is it necessary if I'm only leaving a month between starts?

 

[homeward]

Unfortunately not really enough room for a Gazebo as it'll be parked alongside my Uncles car with little room between them.

EDIT: Also any tips for storing, I'm hoping I'll be able to go and start + give her at least a short drive to run her up to temperature once a month. Obvious things are disconnecting the battery, leaving the handbrake off etc. I've read about these solar chargers to keep batteries topped up but is it necessary if I'm only leaving a month between starts?

Pippin has started fine, after a month; and I sourced a breathable, waterproof cover from eBay.de that cost less than £30, posted. Seems to work really well!

If you can take Char for a run every few weeks, and get everything warmed up, all the better...!

 

[blu73]

i would get a proper fitted cover for it if its gonna be parked amongst the trees..

http://www.cover-zone.com/stormforce-car-covers.htm
quite expensive but really good, got one for my dad's car and is really good quality and perfectly fits the car so its doesn't flap about and end up just damaging the paint. Pretty sure it will last years and years.

 

[Didge3]

i would get a proper fitted cover for it if its gonna be parked amongst the trees..

http://www.cover-zone.com/stormforce-car-covers.htm
quite expensive but really good, got one for my dad's car and is really good quality and perfectly fits the car so its doesn't flap about and end up just damaging the paint. Pretty sure it will last years and years.

Whilst I was looking on ebay I saw one of these but it was £113, don't really have that to spend.

 

[panda1408]

If you are putting it under a cover outside for a long period it needs to be a decent one, a cheap one will damage the paint and fall to bits after a few weeks. One thing you need to be wary of it condensation, you can end up with alot of moisture trapped under a cover.

Disconnect the battery and it should stay charged aslong as it is good. A weak battery may be fine used everyday but go flat quickly when not.

 

[blu73]

:yeahthat: the one i linked is breathable so you don't have as much problems with condensation, its expensive but well worth the money. get saving!

make sure its clean before you put a cover over it too.. And some big chunky bits of dry wood under the car will help draw moisture away from the car itself when its damp. And pump up the tyres really hard if you leave it sat on its wheels to prevent flat spotting the tyres.

 

[Didge3]

:yeahthat: the one i linked is breathable so you don't have as much problems with condensation, its expensive but well worth the money. get saving!

make sure its clean before you put a cover over it too.. And some big chunky bits of dry wood under the car will help draw moisture away from the car itself when its damp. And pump up the tyres really hard if you leave it sat on its wheels to prevent flat spotting the tyres.

The ones I've been looking at on ebay are all breathable, seen a few for £40 which is much more reasonable.
Didn't know about dry wood, might give that a try and pumping tyres up

 

[panda1408]

The ones I've been looking at on ebay are all breathable, seen a few for £40 which is much more reasonable.
Didn't know about dry wood, might give that a try and pumping tyres up

Are they properly waterproof? You can get ones that are water resistant but not actually waterproof.

 

[Didge3]

Are they properly waterproof? You can get ones that are water resistant but not actually waterproof.

Some are, some aren't obviously planning on getting the ones that list waterproof.

 

[Palio]

You need a decent cover, not 100% waterproof, breathable, and semi tailored (not completely tailored or the air can't circulate). I have been using Hamilton Classics for years and their covers come highly recommended - worth the money definitely.

Their advice on outdoor covers is at:

http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Car_Cover_Advise.html

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

now i understand that oils and engines etc have come on... what i fail to understand is how and air filter or oil filter can be expected to do so many miles before needing changing.

Bigger surface area's etc, different designs. Most air filters after a 40k item anyway these days.

 

[blu73]

i'm clearly too paranoid lol, i'm still not gonna leave it until the car thinks its service time before i do it again