MR2 or 200SX...

My GT4. "Don't know mate, never worked since I had it", but in the bundle was the receipt for a regas 2 owners previous.

So I grabbed a can of Isceon 49 from the bay, and the scales from the kitchen. Measured in 2/3rds the weight of Isceon 49 as it would have used as R12, and I had super chilly aircon for the rest of the time I owned. Visible vapour misting sometimes (like on a plane when you first get on).

So, he didn't say "Just needs a regas" then :-)

Nope, was honest enough to say he didn't know. I was lucky it didn't seize the compressor and throw the belt.

I'm spending more time on English motorways and in Birmingham, so automatic is lovely. And on the sodding M1, cruise control please for the interminable 50mph average speed bit.

Moot point. I may be getting an XM Estate. Manual. 2.0cT pentrol. DESPITE my past experiences with that engine...

Richard

What happened with 2.0cT engines in cars you've had, then?

The one in my Activa sees the redline with alarming regularity (never cane it from cold, mind), and has, touch wood, been absolutely spot on. In fact, the engine and box are absolutely sound - couple of suspension related issues that I'm hoping aren't going to be dear to sort (he says.....yeah, I know......), but engine and box are absolutely spot on, and really feel like they're made from a material as far removed from cheese as is possible. I think I should be a little lighter on the loud pedal in this day and age of expensive fuel, mind - filled up today - 26.5mpg average. Having said that, I normally got 27mpg regularly enough, so it's not too sad really.

IIRC correctly, allegedly the oil feed to the turbo on Richard's came off, pissed oil over the manifold and it caught fire...

There is a guy on Cliosport who tried to argue that caining a car from cold was good for it and kept it loosened up so it gave more power. Then he advertised his car for sale and was surprised when he got a lot of "As if anyone on here is going to buy that now". He wasn't just some young chav either, it was like a 35 year old chav heh. IIRC the car was a Williams though, which is a bit of a shame because they're getting ever the rarer in decent nick. Although I suppose, the engine is the common bit anyway heh - appearing in Meganes and stuff so it's not the end of the world if he wrecked it.

The exhaust manifold gasket went. And the rest of the car suffered due to spending time on Mull, to the extent that it sort of fell apart when Adrian drove it home from Kelso. I suppose I can't blame that on the engine, but I'm funny about XMs; I like the 2.0 8v petrol ones I've driven and the 2.5TD and Turbos have given me no reason to like 'em. The other Turbo XM I had (for a VERY short time) caught fire.

Activa, you say...

I've always been a bit curious about those. Actually, I'm kicking myself for not buying a nice red £500 one from AROnline chappy. And for not just snapping up the V6 Xantia that showed up semi-locally when I got my Ignis.

Richard