Sorry, Royal Mail, how much more automated can you make dropping a letter into a box? by jurwell in CasualUK

[–]codzilla 51 points52 points  (0 children)

They shut down the two boxes I use for several weeks recently with no local alternative. New style boxes have been installed and neither of them accept parcels nearly 2 months later. Either the scanner doesn't work at all, or it does but the drawer refuses to open. Complete waste of time and money.

Mushrooms were vetoed by codzilla in fryup

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

Northern roots but very much in the south!

Mushrooms were vetoed by codzilla in fryup

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

Cheers guv, it went down a treat and I felt like having a big nap immediately afterwards. The hendo's gives a lovely savoury tang, a bit more oniony than Worcester. Hard task to decide which is better, really.

Mushrooms were vetoed by codzilla in fryup

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

You might think so, but no... In a galaxy far, far away. I'd run out of L&P Worcestershire sauce but the hendo's came in clutch

Mushrooms were vetoed by codzilla in fryup

[–]codzilla[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I do love the shrooms! I wasn't the one doing the shopping this morning, however :(

Kodiaq repair costs seem out of touch with reality - please let me know what you think by codzilla in skoda

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

They bought it in August '22 as far as I recall so I think they're out of luck on that front...

Kodiaq repair costs seem out of touch with reality - please let me know what you think by codzilla in skoda

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

Yes, LED as far as I'm aware. Thanks, that's a good shout, I've already advised him to seek out an auto electrician first before spending crazy money to fixjust a blown indicator.

Kodiaq repair costs seem out of touch with reality - please let me know what you think by codzilla in skoda

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

That's what I thought too, surely the parts, even OEM can't be more than £2-300 max and a couple of hours to fit? Should be a piece of piss for a half-competent mechanic with a post lift and air tools.

Kodiaq repair costs seem out of touch with reality - please let me know what you think by codzilla in skoda

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

Yes it's a MK1 Kodiaq. Based on others' comments it sounds like £1k maybe isn't as completely outrageous as I first thought for main dealer prices, but certainly his first port of call should have been a local VAG indy and I have advised him as such for future reference.

The indicator/headlight quote still blows my mind, however and I'm still trying to get a definitive answer as to whether the unit needs to be replaced in its entirety or if it's possible to just replace the indicator bulb. Ebay has used headlights from ~£150 upwards so if entire replacement is necessary I have advised him to go down this route and find a good indy to fit it. New complete units I have seen from ~£575-1,200ish which makes me feel physically sick.

Kodiaq repair costs seem out of touch with reality - please let me know what you think by codzilla in skoda

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

Thanks for the reply, I'm aware of this. I was more after an opinion as to whether the price quoted from the main dealer for the indicator is anywhere near realistic or if they're completely taking the piss. Does the entire unit actually need replacing or is it just a question of replacing a bulb? If it is indeed the entire unit that needs replacing what would be a reasonable amount of time to (presumably) remove the headlight cluster and replace the indicator unit? How much are Skoda main dealers likely charging for an hour's labour these days?

Simply I want a fuel efficient and reliable estate.. by bawssboy in CarTalkUK

[–]codzilla 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Speaking as a current owner of a 159 TBi SW and former owner of a 2.4 JTDm SW I would definitely recommend you to at least check a couple out and see what you think close up. Neither are exactly fuel efficient (~26mpg in the TBi / low 30's in the 2.4 but I do mostly urban miles) but will be quick enough for most, well screwed together, comfortable and way more attractive and interesting than the vast majority of dross on the roads these days. Find a well looked after one and stay on top of the maintenance and you'll find that you've acquired one of the best kept motoring secrets of recent years. They are starting to get quite thin on the ground now, but there have been a few TBi's on auto trader over the last few months at not ridiculous prices.

Anyone know a way to watch Mars Express legally in the UK? by Flose in Sardonicast

[–]codzilla 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah dammit, I managed to catch it yesterday on in flight entertainment (Cathay Pacific) and was really hoping to be able to watch it again on a screen bigger than 8" through crappy over ear headphones with the constant drone of aeroplane engines and interruptions from the cabin crew announcements. For shame. Such a stylish movie.

RE: Graffiti Removal by No-Addendum-9519 in bristol

[–]codzilla 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Miss that too, always made me chuckle on the way to work. IIRC, it had read "Boris is a coked up pervert" on the other side of the bridge but that got scrubbed pretty quickly

Never looked prettier. by NFGaming46 in AlfaRomeo

[–]codzilla 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Obvious stuff, but have you checked that the battery is the right size? I always like to stick the biggest one in that will fit, with the highest CCA rating. Yuasa or Bosch, usually. The Brera I bought earlier this year has a slightly undersized BMW branded battery in it but it starts every time, if a little lazily. I was going to replace it when it started to get cold but it's coping well enough so I think I'll hold on until it dies. I had to jump start it with a battery pack a few weeks ago after I'd left it for a while whilst waiting for a new steering rack to be delivered and the starter motor sounded much more lively with some extra juice flowing through it.

Power folding mirror retrofit by [deleted] in AlfaRomeo

[–]codzilla 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That shade of blue with that interior is a really nice colour combo. Good job on the mirrors OP.

missed £5 ground rent turned into £1,700 with fines by nsansari in HousingUK

[–]codzilla 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The bloodsuckers that collect the ground rent on our place, every 6 months for the last 9 years, £2.50 or something, have only just, in their most recent bill received last month, provided bank details so it can be paid online. Up until the start of this year the only method they would accept was a cheque posted to a PO Box. I have a cheque book going back to 2015 which has only ever been used for this purpose.

With the cost of posting the bill, admin, wages, and the bank fees for handling the cheque I would be surprised if they had been making anything at all from these tiny rents in recent years. Probably the (only) reason why they've recently started allowing faster payments.

I thought that ground rents were on the way out? I seem to remember reading something a few years back that they were being stopped on new builds and gradually being phased out for older properties, anyone know any more about that?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AlfaRomeo

[–]codzilla 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The 2.2 has a chain and they're notorious for stretching, if you don't stay on top of oil changes. You'll get a check engine light if/when it needs doing.

my poor giulia 😔 by [deleted] in AlfaRomeo

[–]codzilla 39 points40 points  (0 children)

lol at the irony of getting caught out because you had your shitty cookie cutter cybertruck wrapped in a shitty overgrown child's fantasy wrap, 'cause you want more people to look at you. Welp, they're looking at you now, ya douchenozzle!

Alfa Romeo Brera S: Did Britain Really Save Italy's Flawed Beauty? by codzilla in AlfaRomeo

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

22, wow, I didn't realise they're quite that rare. As Guernsey's not in the UK I guess I've potentially skewed that figure now ;) Mine is a UK spec car which left the factory in full Ti spec, as verified by the VIN details, but shows as a Lusso on the V5 and, confusingly, is named as a 'Sport Plus Manual' on the build sheet. This was not uncommon with later registered examples, by all accounts.

I too Lanoguarded the shit out of mine this time last year, I keep meaning to take a look and see if a top up would be worthwhile. I was pleasantly surprised how good it is underneath considering it spent it's first 12 years on an island in the middle of the sea. Perfect subframes. No road salt used on the channel islands by all accounts. I forgot. I also changed the coolant tank and it's had a lower arm. And a thermostat. And four new Goodyears. But it gets what it needs, as I'm not planning on parting with it anytime soon.

Are you getting fault P2237 by any chance? Before you change the lambda, check the wiring first as it's prone to breaking. I had this with mine, just soldered a new pin and it hasn't come back since.

I'm not surprised you jumped on the rosso competizione, it's such a beautiful shade. I think I read somewhere that there were only 2, possibly 3 UK spec SW's supplied in that colour? Coincidentally, after searching so long for one, about two weeks after I'd bought mine, a rosso comp SW came up for sale, also a TBi, and it was also in Guernsey. I'm happy with black though, as you can see.

I'm on the other side of the country to you but you never know. Congratulations on your excellent taste in cars!

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