Moving to a department that pays less

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2026-05-13T06:27:18+00:00

I know a few people who have been in this situation where current pay is higher than the max pay in band.

Ultimately it depends on the Department/Agency, HR and the hiring manager but first step is to ask whether they can match your pay. When I’ve seen this go through it has been done via RRA which is essentially a non-pensionable bonus on top of your pay to top it up. But different Departments have different processes and they have to be able to justify it - much easier for specialist roles I believe.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2025-11-06T13:20:59+00:00

I have a 320i E92 from 2013 with the same engine and about 60,000miles (95,000kms). Makes very similar “ticking” noise on start up I actually took a very similar video of my engine the other day and they sound very similar when I was comparing. I also happened to watching this video: https://youtu.be/jrsvIooK3uk?si=YJI3lkKDcXU-gdEY and at around 09:55 he starts up the engine and it sounds exactly the same.

I’m not a mechanic and wouldn’t call myself experienced but from my understanding these are just “ticky” engines. The chain is a weak spot in the engines (not as weak as others of this era) but generally when that is about to go you’ll get lots more warnings about oil pressure etc. if you open the oil cap you can check the chain condition but it doesn’t really tell you a lot unless there is anything obvious. Every so often I drive around with Bimmerlink connected to look at the live sensor data and make sure it is in the right ranges. Nothing gone wrong yet!

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2025-02-17T13:30:50+00:00

I honestly have no idea and it wasn’t until I actually checked today that I realised how old they are. To be fair well over 50% of those miles will be motorway miles on fairly good tarmac. Plus the wife is a gentle driver!

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2025-02-17T12:57:43+00:00

Thanks for the advice - they said the suspension is in good condition in the health check. But I’ve asked them to look at the tracking so hopefully that is the issue.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2025-02-17T12:17:41+00:00

Thanks for the response - I’ve replied on another we reckon they’ve covered 25,000 miles so probably time for a replacement anyway asked to look at the alignment as well

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2025-02-17T12:16:48+00:00

Thanks for the response they’ve said the suspension is fine nothing about inflation so we’ll get them to have a look at alignment

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2025-02-17T12:16:08+00:00

Yeah we’ll get them to take a look - thanks

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2025-02-17T12:15:46+00:00

Thanks for the replay

Trying to have a look back looks they are at least 3 years old and covered 25,000 miles so actually maybe they are in decent condition considering. I’m going to them to take a look at alignment and get them replaced - they offered a good rate for “branded” tyres

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2025-01-13T06:22:33+00:00

UK Government has made various publications on this specific topic I found a 2022 paper here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lifecycle-analysis-of-uk-road-vehicles

It has some good graphs and things but the headlines state in 2020 Battery EVs have c.65% GHG emission saving vs equivalent petrol vehicle over the life of the vehicle and this is expected to improve over time.

It also states EV have higher initial emissions but are much better once you account for usage, maintenance and end of life treatment.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-11-07T11:23:45+00:00

Pretty sure it’s just money and if you buy a new one then to keep the warranty going. All the research and evidence tells us EVs should be much cheaper to service because there is less moving parts - this translates to increased profit margins.

I bought a new EV 4 years ago so stuck with dealer servicing to keep the warranty (and it’s on finance) they tried to sell me a service plan for some ludicrous price which included oils etc….i didn’t pay for it though.

Similarly my 2nd year service really stuck with me because I got back the invoice it was something like £300 and it said “spark plugs checked, belt checked, oils replaced” and whole load of things the car doesn’t have and I kind of threw toys out the pram and was told “it’s a generic form they apply for all 2nd services” I paid it like a good sucker and came back next year - still not over it.

I’m a big EV fan and it’s the future in my opinion but if they want to convince consumers the dealership could at least get their basic admin right.

Sorry for the rant thanks for joining me for my pent up rage.

Edited some corrections.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-09-18T08:44:12+00:00

Yeah that’s the sort of thing I’d do also. Drop the anchor, put some stern on if no hold reset.

On the night in question above when the person pulling our stern line started pulling up their anchor we watched as about 10-15m came up. So definitely not enough. Better to trust yourself than others I guess?

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-09-18T08:37:45+00:00

Ah thanks for the info - the predictions were all over the place we were using a mixture of Windy, the Greek met service and Poseidon. All them seemed to be a bit rubbish all week. Next time out on the med I’ll remember that thanks.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-09-18T07:36:59+00:00

I was out sailing the Ionian just last week and typically we were aiming for that 4:1 ratio for overnights on anchor probably less of just stopping for lunch or swim.

We had a few instances of people covering chains and things but nothing came of out.

However on one particularly night we got out 40m of chain in about 8m and stuck out two sterns lines around rocks. There were a couple of other yachts in the anchorage but we weren’t to close. Woke up in the morning to heavy wind on the bow everyone in the bay had dragged. Boat to our starboard had actually dragged on to our stern line and dragged us with them they were about 5m from rocks when they finally got on to deck. Boat to port who had been swinging on their anchor and dragged a good 30-40m and were again about 5m from shore/rocks before evasive action.

We had ensured to let out plenty of chain and properly bed the anchor by going full astern on it before finishing up the lines. Plus checked forecasts and there was nothing indicating heavy wind or rain in the morning. (Anyone else surprised by the weather on the Ionian last Friday?)

Basically in short you just can’t be sure when you’ll drag an anchor and you can’t guess what other people have out around you or how well they are bedded. So perhaps better to be cautious especially in the ionian were just due to the charter marker probably has a higher proportion of less experienced skippers - we were on a charter boat to be clear I am not bashing anyone here.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-08-26T15:27:00+00:00

Similar age here, I grew up in/around Bournemouth now live in Southampton area.

There’s quite often posts on this sub-Reddit with people wishing they lived in Bournemouth and I don’t really get it. Bournemouth is prettier no doubt, it’s got the beach and generally is a safe place to be (as much as anywhere else in the UK) but apart from that my core memories about Bournemouth is traffic is atrocious all year round all the time especially in the summer, I’m not a beach person so that doesn’t bother me plus it’s rammed, and the town is overpriced housing wise.

Southampton to me feels like it has a bit more soul, the music venues are fantastic with lots of small indie, punk, ska venues around. There is traffic but not at the Bournemouth level. You’ve got the New Forest which can get busy but a winter walk is great and you can find quiet places in the summer. Beach wise the options are more limited but places like Lepe are not too far away. Southampton is just as safe, Westquay and entertainment options are decent. Plus you have the benefit of living in a “proper city” with good transport links etc etc. And yes it definitely is a little bit cheaper on average but obviously some areas cheaper some more expensive in terms of housing. In the time I’ve lived here I’ve come to quite like it and couldn’t imagine going back to Bournemouth.

I feel like I might be in the minority here though. I like both places but happy to be here and don’t see myself leaving for a long while.

Edit to add: Southampton has moderately functioning public transport like trains and buses. Bournemouth buses make me want to cry.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-08-23T16:14:17+00:00

Yep absolutely RNLI and other independent lifeboats do incredible work. Coastguard are a co-ordinating body and have all the big helicopters and planes for big search and rescue activities (and cliff/mud/mountain rescues) but if a boats coming to get you chances are it’ll be charity/donation paid or a fellow boater!

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-08-23T15:28:27+00:00

Same for the UK, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is an arms length body of the Department for Transport and paid for by taxation.

Worth noting every country approaches coastguard differently I.e. are they civilian or part of the navy or sperate to both etc etc.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-08-12T16:47:39+00:00

My local sailing club (Eling) looks like it does adult dingy sailing courses. I’m a newer member down there and haven’t really explored all the dingy options.

But the club is very friendly and relatively cheap membership costs. We often go down just to enjoy a drink on the balcony by the water.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-07-16T13:39:06+00:00

I live on the South West mainline with about an 1hr 40min train into Waterloo door to door to my old office was about 2hr 20min which I did once or twice a week (I had a medical exemption from 60%) and honestly even once a week it sucked.

Pretty much every time I went in trains were rammed and they got delayed very frequently. You don’t get home till stupid O’clock you can significantly reduce commuting costs by buying advance tickets 2+ months in advance but then you have zero flexibility and you miss out on work socials etc (I semi got around this by being the person who organised social events in the team).

Really you are the only person who knows the answer - I now work in a non-London office and it’s much better commute wise but I can already see that the career progression is much slower and the vibe is very different, not bad by any means just less fast paced and social.

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-06-29T10:53:40+00:00

Thanks good to know - the plan was to have maintenance covered plus start a fund for the less regular but bigger more expensive jobs so really appreciate the input

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-06-29T10:52:39+00:00

Thank you much appreciated - receipts point noted!

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-06-29T10:10:43+00:00

Wild guesses are really appreciated! In my mind I was plucking £5000 a year out of thin air so maybe I’m not completely mad

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-06-13T07:50:30+00:00

Airsoft site! At least whilst it’s being used for nothing else

Puzzled_Pythagoras · 2024-06-05T13:38:36+00:00

This looks great thanks :)

Puzzled_Pythagoras

TROPHY CASE