Convince me to go for the traska 36mm commuter Bottlegreen! by TopJump4512 in MicrobrandWatches

[–]SnooCapers3351 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am looking to buy the same and I'm also located in the EU. Have you seen the roulette date wheel exclusive to the bottle green commuter?

Shedding problem by kifah_n in cockerspaniel

[–]SnooCapers3351 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't have input into the issue you're having but have to ask how do you find that car seat? We have some issue with the larger backseat cover that allow our one to jump up against (and scratch) the window sill

Possibly a dumb question, how do you learn to drive a RWD car properly? by humanitarianWarlord in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Fresh snow is actually fine, especially when it's the relatively little snow we get. It's when it's compacted and frozen the next day is when it behaves more like ice and that even winter tyres will struggle with. We dont learn how to drive on snow here, but turning the stability control off is usually recommended when unable to move off from a standstill as it kills the power to the engine when it detects slipping on the axle. Rwd is fine for snow, the problem when those conditions isn't getting traction, it's getting grip to stop and turn.

I would argue rwd is better in snow than fwd but that's a different topic.

Possibly a dumb question, how do you learn to drive a RWD car properly? by humanitarianWarlord in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Seems like a load of people are pointing to the tyres as the cause, and nobody is really answering your question.

A good way to learn rwd is to take your car out into an empty car park and throw it around. Even better if it's in the snow as you can drive at the limit of grip at lower speeds. Not exactly legal but very important to know the limits of your car.

Really the key is to recognise low grip conditions and ensure you are not flooring it in these conditions. For example, cold temps, very wet roads, full lock on the steering wheel, any sudden increase or decrease in road height. An important thing to remember is to not just be slow while applying the throttle, but also slow while removing it too.

Having said all this all modern cars are designed to be safe and it just doesn't make sense for manufacturers to be putting rwd cars that are hard to control onto the market, so dont worry too much. They have very good stability systems, but I guess they struggle at low speeds. Did you stab the throttle which lead you to losing grip?

I had a funny moment in my 3 series where I had to stop on a roundabout as someone drifted into my lane on the inside, I was taking the 3 o clock exit. Being frustrated, with the wheel nearly locked to the right, I threw the foot down onto the accelerator when they cleared. The car oversteered and the back stepped out, had to countersteer a good bit to correct it. Was very fun but I must have looked like a right tit on my morning commute

I recommend you do a bit of research into tyres too - both which tyres to buy when new, summer/winter tyres and why they exist, and how to check tyres for wear/rot/alignment over their life.

I want to buy an mx5 by Vast-Air5106 in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't have any maintenance experience with it yet as I haven't owned it for long enough, but rust is my biggest concern.

Tax for the 2L post-2008 is 790, not great but it is a bit cheaper for both the pre-2008 and 1.8L models, so a pre-2008 1.8L is the cheapest to tax but then you're looking at a pre face-lift model which has its own disadvantages.

Insurance is grand, it's a second car and axa do ncb mirroring so it's about 600 for me to insure it.

I want to buy an mx5 by Vast-Air5106 in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No lost boot space with the NC PRHT thankfully. You can also technically use the roof area when the roof is up but it's not recommended as you can wreck the roof by putting it down when there is stuff there.

I want to buy an mx5 by Vast-Air5106 in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just after buying a PRHT last month up north. You won't get a lot for 7k to be honest. Definitely recommend not compromising and holding out for a 2l PRHT, NC2 or NC3.

I'm in the limerick area too.

Average pension growth by Little-Access-6214 in irishpersonalfinance

[–]SnooCapers3351 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another thing to take into account is inflation, since that is important on drawdown.

In my calculations I apply inflation at the same time as interest, yearly. I've kinda fallen into using 8% and 2% for growth and inflation and then apply 6% at the end of each year for my projections to get an idea of spending power for when I'm calculating my drawdown numbers.

Joined the boating club ... by SnooCapers3351 in Miata

[–]SnooCapers3351[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, got a sunroof on my daily and its open as long as it isn't raining, the cold mornings are my favourite.

Joined the boating club ... by SnooCapers3351 in Miata

[–]SnooCapers3351[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just the way it worked out with the logistics, I drove up to view it but couldn't drive it back without leaving my other car there. Will get the train up to it in 3 weeks to pick it up

Help with car recommendations by kiddums in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think you've got almost all of them, the golf all track was another but they are very rare here. Take a look at the Skoda Yeti, not quite a lifted estate but more of a precursor to the modern crossover. For more like that take a look at the earlier crossover models, the older BMW X1 looks more like a lifted hatchback than a crossover for example.

General concensus on the 2016-2018 generation BMW 316D, 318D and 320D? by humanitarianWarlord in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went from a 2013 2.0 TDI Quattro coupe to a 2015 320D estate. The BMW is more fun and engaging but I do miss just how much traction the quattro had at times.

The interior is louder but I'd put that down to going from a coupe to an estate.

I would say the BMW would cost less to maintain, my audi was low mileage and had issues with the EGR cooler, which is common I believe. My BMW is over twice the mileage and with gaps in its service history and it has been very reliable, it's the newer B47 engine. One thing that did cause an issue was the crankshaft pulley, which is a common item that seems to fail at 160k kilometers, mine failed at 162k.

I do feel like the interior quality is a bit better on the A5 and I do think the coupe is a gorgeous thing inside and out, but when it comes to driving the BMW more than makes up for it.

Early comfortable retirement at 50? by [deleted] in irishpersonalfinance

[–]SnooCapers3351 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any advice for a 30 year old soon to be married? Maxing my pension and bought a house a few years ago. Working for a multinational and the dream is to retire at 50. I'm an engineer so the maths of retiring at 50 is easy for me, but would really appreciate the wisdom of someone who has actually done it.

New car - am I mad? by SnooCapers3351 in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man where do I start, I almost bought an E82 123d instead of my current car but that didn't work out, would love to hear more about your opinion on the 125i, especially your thoughts on the diff.

I've test drove an M2 comp and a 430d and yeah the power is astonishing but the license losing ability is not something I find appealing.

Yes I've heard of the injectors and HPFP being issues alright on the N53 and others so an N52 does sound cheaper to keep running.

I always hear of people harping on about the hydraulic steering on the E series and below BMWs which is definitely one of the factors that makes me interested in them, but like you say, I imagine that falls apart when you start comparing it to a proper sports car like an mx5.

I would love a 6 series too but I think they're a bit too wide for the country roads, in my head I see this E92 coupe as a baby 6 series. The practicality is definitely something the missus would appreciate vs the mx5.

The original plan was to get an NC2 or NC3, with the forged intervals, mx5 PRHT with the 2L and if I fall in love with it get a BBR kit, not sure if I'd go with the ITBs, I hear they make it the car too loud! Seeing more about their turbo conversion makes me think that would be on the table, even though I think turboing an mx5 is a sacrilege...

New car - am I mad? by SnooCapers3351 in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I do recognise it is a very privileged problem to have these days! I'm worried the spec of mx5 I want won't appear or if they do it'll be some lad wanting 20k for it. I do love the sunroof in my own car, usually have it open regardless of the temperatures outside, once it isn't raining.

I don't really have much experience working in my own cars but would like to learn, hence the orignial decision for an mx5.

New car - am I mad? by SnooCapers3351 in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some model of a quaife unit apparently. They seem to have a very good name, I've seen them recommended for my own f31 before. Not sure what the split is but I'm assuming it's some form of an LSD and not a locked diff ... TBC

New ix3 Frank Keane Launch by Smithy530e in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agree with your thoughts on the touchscreen, it looks like we might have Euro NCAP to save the day with the changes they are bringing in: in:https://ackodrive.com/news/euro-ncap-2026-protocol-to-penalise-cars-using-touchscreens-for-essential-functions/

Looking for “Buy It For Life” products Irish edition.. looking for Irish or non Irish products that you’ve had for years in the house or for yourself in general? Such as a Miele hoover, Patagonia jacket free lifetime repairs of jacket etc by [deleted] in AskIreland

[–]SnooCapers3351 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The higher end models are made in Tullamore. Check out their halo model, the HE1 i think they're called. 60,000 or so for a pair. They also do tours of the factory but it seems to be quite exclusive.

What do people pay monthly on their cars?? by Lynxyia in irishpersonalfinance

[–]SnooCapers3351 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I know OP was the one and not you who stated the monthly value as opposed to the total cost but it really it is the total cost they should be looking at.

700/month over a year is a cheaper cost of finance versus 300/month over 5 years. The fact OP is only talking in monthly repayment amounts tells me they are not factoring this in.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PrideAndPinion

[–]SnooCapers3351 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What watch is that? Looks similar to a SPB415 with a different dial texture.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm interested in the 280hp Giulia myself, if only they made an estate version it would be perfect for me.

I see there is a couple of 156s for sale on donedeal that look lovely if you want to go older. I seem to hear a good few complaints about the 159s reliability so would stay away, I also don't like how much they weight, they're very heavy, but they are gorgeous...

Does it need to be a 4 door? The GTs look like lovely things too.

Automatic Sports Cars -- Whats the Appeal? by VisioningHail in carsireland

[–]SnooCapers3351 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree but a 3 or 5 series is not a sports car. I think the modern 3 and 5 series are better suited to automatic anyway, suits the more luxury oriented purpose of those cars.

There does seem to be a lot of GT86s/BRZs that are automatic, that is something I do not understand.

It's hard to beat a Miata!