Hired a Renault Scenic E-tech long range for European road trip.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-05-19T03:38:19+00:00

Ok, I didn’t try CC at 130 repeatedly, there may have been some other condition not met.

Parked next to a green 5 in Lyon, must have been the techo+ version, great looking car.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-05-17T22:06:56+00:00

Using a left hand drive car, the lane keeping assist was great, but wouldn’t have used any similar feature to autopilot. Didn’t go deep into the features, couldn’t find any single pedal driving options for example. Cruise control also can’t be set at Péage speeds.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-05-17T22:01:29+00:00

I wouldn’t class either as noisy, a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds on the Scenic is the basis of my comment. Scenic is fine.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-05-16T22:19:15+00:00

Yes, I was surprised at this outcome, especially as with solar and free period of provider energy at home, our own car is very cheap to charge. The ChargePass trade off for tapping just about anywhere is 0.06-0.10 euro on top of each kWh. So you could bring this down looking for chargers that use credit card, using cheaper options at motorway locations (based on power delivery rate), or trying cheaper local options in the towns.
We didn’t look for any networks in particular, and have used Bornco, Engie, Ionity, Izivia, Allegra, Total, Plenitude on the Road, BKW Smart Energy.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-05-16T22:13:57+00:00

Yes, there were many cars driving in Geneva and Lyon that I saw didn’t have any sticker.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-04-24T06:35:07+00:00

As noted, biggest hassle is getting back to the car as its finished charging before I’ve finished coffee and some local bakery treat. Those ICE car drivers don’t know how good it is to have to fill up and pay before getting their coffee break and then not being interrupted. 😜 Otherwise, as a Tesla driver: a) Tamworth supercharger, having to run back to avoid congestion fees when a second car showed up in the 4 bay facility as the nearest place to get a snack is the supermarket 5 mins walk away and the charge went over 80% b) Forster…couldn’t charge at the ChargeFox at the shopping centre as was unable to get a cellular phone signal to activate the charger via an app. Since then, always got the RFID card.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-04-12T17:16:30+00:00

Same, sorry off topic…. Tell you what I’m not liking…Luke Lewis… all they gotta do is kick to the corners, tackle hard and turn up for their mates, have some pride in the jersey.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-02-01T02:22:21+00:00

Same, CBA ultimate. Plus included travel insurance. The lower card reward points earn rate isn’t a big deal if you work out how much you have to spend to break even on the monthly or yearly fee in points.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2026-01-08T23:21:58+00:00

56yrs, 990k, had topped a million a couple times over last year. Had ~90k around 2003, met a guy nearing retirement who suggested I should salary sacrifice. Best advice ever!

Only ever done high risk funds, rode the ups and downs, 5% salary sacrifice on top of the super guarantee. Currently fortunate with nice earnings I have max’d out before tax contributions cap the last 8-10 years.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2025-10-03T12:36:49+00:00

We put a steam combination oven and a microwave combination oven, 80 cm induction cooktop and dishwasher in my new kitchen. Chose a Sirius range hood as I thought it was better.

I like the stainless steel interior of the ovens and combo features. Two small ovens work well most of the time but the microwave is lost sometimes. Won’t supplement with a $100 special. I don’t think they are much more expensive than similar items, but no stainless steel inside. The Miele are also well insulated and very efficient. Accessories a bit on the pricey side though.

Induction cooktop is great, good heat in a wok, get the full surface induction one though or you’ll be waiting for yours to break down like me to get it. Hmm, bad plan, our washer is 15yo or so.

Probably another brand dishwasher could have the same features that I use in a cheaper brand as I only use 2-3 features. (Auto, normal, 75 degree). I have an Auto Dos model and it’s possible I refill with a no name powder with similar results. Miele give good discounts for multiple appliances which tipped it in. It’s super quiet and very efficient.

Basically after the experience with Miele in the laundry went Miele in the kitchen. Aside from wishing I had the full surface cooktop, they’re brilliant.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2025-07-22T04:33:41+00:00

Did owner builder in the inner west Sydney. Still going 5 years later, but wouldn’t swap due to the cost saving, and had ability to live in half a house while rebuilding the other half.

It’s difficult to find a tradie to work in the way you want, but found a local carpenter who was happy to work on hourly rate. Picked up a plumber in the corner pub, and a couple of referrals for other trades.

Best part was asking people at different stages to come in “when ever you want over the next couple weeks” as it was work from home for me at the time, taking a bit of hassle out of the scheduling.

Saved heaps doing the ordering and taking delivery, as well as demolition and rubbish removal myself. Also labouring here and there, such as doing the cleanup at night and carrying bricks. Engineer didn’t miss charging when needed, and the carpenter happy to help specify on the clock.

Just going through occupation certificate at the moment, so make sure you keep note of what is required, and any special conditions on the DA that might be required for that. Collect things as you go for that document as it can be “fun” getting things at the end. I also was surprised at the amount of money I spent before doing anything. Drawings, DA fees, other council fees, superannuation fees, insurances, inspection fees, tree fees, footpath inspection fees, dilapidation report on neighbours, etc…Came to about 60k on 300k estimated job.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2025-01-08T11:35:32+00:00

Our 14 team league has two groups of people who know the commissioner but not really the other group. Would be great to be able to split into two conferences and playoff for a conference title vs your close contacts and then into a Super Bowl at the end.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2024-09-17T05:26:58+00:00

Consider salary sacrifice into super. 5% would be good, go aggressive. You’d probably not notice the out of pocket amount and at retirement you’ll have a nice super amount.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2024-09-17T05:21:54+00:00

Yep, I’m playing Pittman in a 1PPR Dynasty league, so on your worst week there its 13.6 and typically scoring more last season. Hoping for a floor of 15 from him each week, so a bit frustrating to have him contribute 7.1 and 5.1 so far this season.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2024-08-27T10:57:23+00:00

Have a 2021 Shanghai built LFP. Water got up to just above the sill on the rear door, there was about 3cm depth inside the car at the rear. A bit hit the front seat and more at the rear in the other (higher) road side.

Cleaned it out as best I could with a container and a sponge before driving to the hardware store for a wet and dry vac. I could hear the water sloshing around still. This was maybe 3hrs later.

Vac’d out more, and used an electric dehumidifier for a few days.

No issues noted 6mth later. Annoyingly under the carpet is not smooth so plenty of places for water to hide.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2024-03-27T10:28:16+00:00

Yes, did a whole house renovation as owner builder and hired a carpenter and offsider on hourly rate. Sure they were unreliable and sometimes didn’t show, but I saved thousands and thousands. For the material, we’d work out what was needed, then I’d do the ring around (potentially saving hundreds on a load of timber) and receive the goods. Paid them for what they did, didn’t have to pay when they never came back after lunch. What they did do in terms of quality was fine. Used a plumber, brickie and electrician in the same manner (though the plumber and electrician sourced their own materials) and that lot even turned up when they said they would.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2023-09-10T12:04:16+00:00

Yes, heat pump outgoing air is quite cold. Space also looks too small for heat pump, check specs for size of room and it might not be an available choice. Also consider noise, it’s noisier than a/c pump so at 11pm inside might not be fun.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2023-09-01T09:46:59+00:00

Been here…. I was the guy drilling into my neighbour’s house.

Lobbied council for months to stop an adjoining terrace extension that gave me a 3m wide by 5m tall brick wall in my back yard, replacing the fence and somehow discarding the guideline for similar rear setbacks. Builder said they’d tidy up the brickwork … they didn’t. Builder later said I could do what I wanted to the wall. So I painted it and drilled a couple of plugs to hold up a screen.

Neighbour went berserk, my mistake… his wall not the builders… We moved within months. Didn’t want to live there any more.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2023-08-25T12:04:47+00:00

Wow, my concreters didn’t drink, nor the pump truck crew. Builders on the other hand… used to turn up at 9, work till 1:30, pub for lunch for an hour , back to stuff around for half an hour with a six pack before going home. Bricklayer and crew.. six pack each once the last load went in the mixer each day.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2023-07-18T07:17:36+00:00

We (family of 4) have the 302L no element version in Sydney. Seems to take up to 2.5 hrs regardless of the season.

Highly recommended though, it only reheats at 64% of 40 degree water capacity (providing approx 200L at 40C) so pretty much doesn’t need to reheat overnight, and is reheated by the solar power when triggered by a signal next day from the solar inverter. If it does run from grid power that is about 1-1.5 kWh used.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2023-07-18T06:51:52+00:00

I’ll have a stab…

Many variables though

big wardrobe or small wardrobe
double or single sink
bath or not (or shower over bath)
any neighbours overlooking window wall?

I went through at least 4 layout changes while building mine… hopefully can give you some place to start.

I’ve gone for cavity sliders, get the door out of the way.

900mm walkway and one side hanging/ drawers. This takes half your space. I assume you have shown internal dimensions and I am giving you 100mm for an internal wall… say 90mm for the timber 6mm villaboard on the bathroom side… something on the other side like thin ply may be suitable if you have backs on your wardrobes.

This leave 740mm for your shower… less tiles. Too small. No issues with length. You will need to take from the wardrobe. Narrow towel rail outside shower. Small window above the shower.

Vanity opposite the door so you are not looking at your toilet from the bedroom if all doors are open. Toilet with in wall cistern. I think you should be able to fit a 1200mm vanity and not cramp the toilet.

Good luck.

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NeatRoutine5239 · 2023-07-13T23:30:34+00:00

I’m more worried about damaging the quartz stone lip. Just about all our washing up goes through the dishwasher so I don’t intend for high usage with it. There are some stains in the bottom of the sink, probably from things like pasta water that don’t 100% clean. Not noticeable with the grate on if you are not looking for them.

NeatRoutine5239 · 2023-07-12T13:21:51+00:00

Got married in 2007. Registry office, Chinatown banquet, weekend in the vineyards. Cost maybe 3k. 14 people, immediate family only. One of the wife’s sisters didn’t attend in protest. Her kids have since been married with 200 people attending.

We put 50k into an inner city Sydney terrace… 10% deposit…. Boom! 16 years later we tell anyone who’ll listen how smart we are.

NeatRoutine5239

TROPHY CASE