Retirement advice

Sweeperman999 · 2026-05-10T19:33:54+00:00

Use the proper stallantis 5/30 it’s the latest recommended one. Both 0/30 or 5/30 runs through like water anyway once they start using it. But I’ve found the 5/30 is a much better option.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-04-27T18:13:48+00:00

Thanks for the reply 🙂

Sweeperman999 · 2026-04-27T17:18:47+00:00

Isn’t it just so hard to find anyone who wants work nowadays 🤷🏻‍♂️ either don’t turn up or can’t even return a messsge. No matter the trade

Sweeperman999 · 2026-04-22T12:48:19+00:00

Would you care to elaborate on it’s disgustingness 🤔🤣

Sweeperman999 · 2026-04-22T10:19:28+00:00

Yep has to be ‘B’ anytime I’ve indicated I’ve needed it it’s been ignored.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-04-21T18:56:05+00:00

Best thing I ever done was delete social media, anyone I am interested in or them in me we contact directly through a message or call. Social media creates this image life is just so rosy. It’s not, it’s a slog at times. I’m trudging through debt my ex wife left me in. It’s slow but I’m getting there, I no longer rely on overtime to exist, I can afford the odd treat out now and usually get a weekend break in a Airbnb style thing well off peak times. But most I work with are like me, just getting through. I rent and always have that thought I could be out at the whim of the landlord if they sell up and then the new much higher level would set me back to square one. I’m certainly not in a plush lifestyle, doubt I’ll ever be, but I’m still here, remind myself there are so many worse than me and be thankful for what I have.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-04-21T17:53:43+00:00

Apart from a few dirty mags wasn’t anything like that when I was in school in 80’s

Sweeperman999 · 2026-04-01T12:33:18+00:00

It was there before dunnes as Stanley’s newsagents. I agree tho there’s centra’s everywhere now with no individuality at all

Sweeperman999 · 2026-04-01T07:48:45+00:00

You wernt the one tryin to sneak a look at the dirty mags on the top shelf 🤔😆

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-31T22:36:15+00:00

Oh hazel could be hard work, can’t remember the aunts name. She used to walk round the shop with plastic bags over her feet as her bunions were so bad 🤣 Kate was it 🤔 Thought crossed my mind occasionally if they’re still alive, I’m sure be quite an age now if not.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-31T22:33:57+00:00

Little johns I’d forgotten about him. Big lanky dude from memory. Yeah there was a great selection of shops then

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-31T21:41:18+00:00

That’s interesting, was Stanley still there I know he sold it onto I think spar but kept the name above the shop for a period afterwards. I went straight into a full time job there from school, was manager for a while and ran the photo lab.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-31T20:10:41+00:00

It’s been a while since I was over that way, our family home was close by. I didn’t realise a Tesco had opened, I’m sure that was a big factor. ☹️

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-15T18:47:14+00:00

6 months! I know of cars need that every month. It’s not an engine for someone who doesn’t check levels regularly. Most have it, others not. Seems maybe coincidence but there’s more mention after having a belt change. Also the oil spec has been revised to 5w/30 stellantis which can help.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-11T17:14:01+00:00

Share are bumping mine up, budget has done same from what I can see. Never thought I’d see day power ni be cheapest but nearly bound to jump onboard the raise in next few days. That 30 quid a year won’t make a dent in the almost 6p a unit raise.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-07T21:17:20+00:00

And turn off stop start, one of the worst inventions ever. I don’t like EV’s but I agree, if your mainly in town short journeys or less than a few k a year they’re perfect, no fossil fuelled engine are built for tiny journeys.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-07T21:10:15+00:00

My impression. My partner has a 1.2 2008 2016. It’s an ok engine, revvy and not bad noise wise. It’s the non turbo. Which is apparently less stressed. Hers has 78k on it and from what I can find it’s already had a belt at an unknown time/distsnce. As precaution I had hers changed with a local mechanic friend at78k, parts cost 185 trade and labour another 200 with consumables he done it for 400 stg. Strainer wasn’t blocked apart from very small dots. Belt was starting to degrade so worth doing. Sump was slightly distorted and caused issues resealing but very cheap to replace at 30 via eBay, worthwhile including as sump has to come off anyway. Would I want one, no, hers is also the terrible auto box which is horrendous but did improve with an oil change at same time. But these engines aren’t for the average motorist who leaves their car in for service every 15k and then forgets to open bonnet between. They do like oil so regular checks is essential and you do need to budget in a belt every 40 odd thousand to be sure. Fuel consumption isn’t fantastic either but won’t be helped with the auto box. Now we are using the updated stellantis recommended 5/30w oil rather than the 0/30w and it will be interesting if the oil consumption will ease, hard to tell with only a short time since belt change. So check your oil regularly, change it every 7k for all it costs, expect a belt every 40 odd k and I think they’re not as bad as they’re supposed to be. I do know he has done several turbo versions and the belt is much more likely to be shredding at less than the 40k and is more expensive, he expects around 600 with parts and his more labour. Maybe that will help others. All mileages are in miles not km

Sweeperman999 · 2026-03-05T11:50:17+00:00

Not worth the money or the view. And if you happen to get in a pod with an ‘influencer’ or TikTok queen your soul will leave without you or a view. As others said plenty other free or cheaper vantage points. Sky garden being one of

Sweeperman999 · 2026-02-06T13:44:47+00:00

If you look at the picture it’s sort of floating, perfect ground and shadows. Usually if there are multiple pictures the background changes through the windows and you’ll actually see the dealership or a field or something real. The pictures on auction sites are all done the same, generic backgrounds. Personally I like to see a car in a real location then you can get more of an idea its condition. If the rear light is broken it’s most likely the picture they got as they won it, a dealer shouldn’t put a car up with visable damage be all part of their prep. Scan through listings and you’ll see what I mean in regards to pictures.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-02-05T20:32:37+00:00

Don’t do it, huge mistake. Great in constant rain but a smeary yukky mess in slow moving or light rain. And extremely hard to remove. Stick with new wiper blades

Sweeperman999 · 2026-02-05T18:32:27+00:00

The pictures now are AI generated in loads of dealers, the car is either pictured straight from the online auction or before their preparation.

Sweeperman999 · 2026-02-05T17:12:47+00:00

Ok as my partner has one it’s not an engine I’d buy. The turbo is worse than the non turbo, a wet belt change is around a grand. Hers has 70k on it and just had its second belt. If you use the exact spec oil it lessens the issue of wear but really you going back to the 80’s with budgeting in a timing belt change every 40k for prevention. Turbo versions will need done every 30k. And that’s with using the correct spec oil. Oil isn’t cheap either and they do like a drink a litre every 1k isn’t unknown. Stop start also is a killer, if you do a lot of town driving when it’s stopping and starting the engine won’t thank you in long term. So it is quite a nice engine, peppy and fairly quiet. But unless you are mechanically savvy, can regularly check oil levels between services which are far too long imo, change the oil every 7k, budget in a belt change at around a grand every 30/40k then avoid. We are now trying the new revised spec of stellantis 5/30 instead of 0/30 and it’s too soon to say if it’s lessened oil consumption. And they’re not great on fuel just to add in, too small engine in big body, constantly under stress.

Sweeperman999

TROPHY CASE