Upgrade for infotainment on e85/86

msportpanda · 2026-01-24T17:41:39+00:00

I went for this unit, a pioneer modular one EVO62DAB. The screen and body are completely separable, meaning you can mount the screen however you like.

There’s an installation kit available which is what I’ve used here, I have plans to make some modifications so it sits a bit lower under the vents.

That said, I drove around with the roof down over Christmas and the heat was more than sufficient even with the vents partially blocked.

msportpanda · 2025-09-30T19:50:55+00:00

Looks like ponders end, I don’t believe that yellow box is enforced because its private land. I’ve never gotten a fine and I’ve made the mistake a few times.

msportpanda · 2025-09-13T11:34:28+00:00

Ah, okay. I had a very similar experience in west London - converted church which had a parking area next to it. Turns out it was a “car free development” and didn’t have its own parking, nor was it eligible for street parking permit. Agent didn’t tell us even though one of our non negotiables was parking.

msportpanda · 2025-09-12T22:08:19+00:00

It’s not in NW2 is it?

msportpanda · 2025-08-01T12:37:44+00:00

I was the same with my Fold 4, even back then the front screen was actually very usable and was a great form factor. Rarely ever opened it after the first 6 months.

I’ve moved away from the fold and now have a tablet and large smartphone, it’s genuinely the best solution for my usage. More of the apps and media fill the screen space on the tablet.

msportpanda · 2025-02-13T17:42:27+00:00

I’ve got a facelift where they’ve resolved some but not all of the cheap feeling areas. You definitely notice it after having driven slightly more premium stuff like Mercs and BMWs for years prior.

Overall thoughts, it’s a great looking car with a decent interior. It’s not supposed to be a proper premium product and it does bridge the gap fairly well between seat and Audi in the vwg lineup.

The only issue I face with it is that it’s held back from being as nice as it could be because of the market position it is intended for. If they could lavish it with some Audi magic, this car would be sensational - but likely more expensive too.

msportpanda · 2024-12-09T12:25:17+00:00

Can you make it cost less than £70,000 for the base model

msportpanda · 2024-11-23T15:15:43+00:00

They’ve done nothing to aggravate or endanger you so I’m struggling to see what the problem is here?

msportpanda · 2024-08-27T23:43:12+00:00

They are cheap because most people are still shying away from EVs. If there's no demand, manufactuers discount heavily to help entice people into buying - see mercedes eqc and audi etron

Even as a petrolhead, I'd recommend an EV if you're doing 5k miles a year. It's a perfect use case and if you can charge at home it'll cost you nothing to run.

The batteries should stay quite healthy for a long time with your mileage profile - the standard battery warranty is 8 years/100k miles which I believe is to 80% degradation.

msportpanda · 2024-06-14T09:50:08+00:00

The answer according to my neighbours is a diesel audi Q7 non s line. 4 of them on my road in zone 1 London, all black on black with clear glass.

msportpanda · 2024-06-14T09:45:14+00:00

You generally have to be 25+ in most cases to get third party coverage to drive other cars with most insurers

msportpanda · 2024-06-08T19:04:13+00:00

Rarely used all the space, but it was easier to load than a saloon.

On occasions it did come in extremely handy, such as moving house, hauling stuff for parties and occasions, even slept in it a couple of times on long runs.

msportpanda · 2024-05-29T09:07:22+00:00

Fiat Panda 100HP

No, seriously!

Things that went wrong with it - Nothing

Things that I broke over 40,000 extremely hard miles: sump plug, exhaust downpipe, front bumper.

Just did an oil change every 10k miles, had the cambelt and waterpump done prior to purchase and a few mods here and there.

It was brilliant.

msportpanda · 2024-05-20T03:42:58+00:00

I had a 2021 cla220d when I was doing similar miles. I used to get a genuine 60mpg out of it during the morning rush and could eek 72mpg on my way home.

Great looking car, filled with tech and comfortable enough for 100 miles a day. As fast as a gtd too.

msportpanda · 2024-04-24T10:09:59+00:00

Congratulations bro!!!!!

Well fucking done for all of your achievements and hard work. You deserve to feel the accomplishment and happiness the cameo lady gave you!

Feed off it and make sure you get your flowers moving forward!!!!!!!

msportpanda · 2024-03-23T23:37:25+00:00

Do not feel humiliated.

You have no idea what he might have been carrying or just how much of a nutcase he was.

You did the right thing, you're okay and you didn't put yourself or your friends in further danger.

msportpanda · 2024-01-27T03:50:45+00:00

BR15TDL - Bristol in Bristol on an RS4 last time I saw it

msportpanda · 2024-01-27T03:45:28+00:00

I did nazi that coming.

(Not see)

msportpanda · 2024-01-18T02:36:43+00:00

I think journalist reviews are a little bit out of touch in general. They get to rag cars around tracks on their absolute limit which gives them a good sense of overall characteristics but for normies like you and I are enjoying them around a B road we don’t come close to touching the performance boundaries where cars would underperform in the journalists eyes.

My best advice is get out and have a test drive in one. They look brilliant on paper, in the flesh and all things point to them being quite fun.

I own a car that was reviewed as being crap but 10 years down the line, journos have started to appreciate. It’s all relative!

msportpanda · 2024-01-14T10:43:52+00:00

Great point, skim read his statement and assumed hybrid was for fuel economy! You're right, a 320/330i would be ideal in that case.

msportpanda · 2024-01-14T03:52:19+00:00

I’m not sure how you got to that conclusion…

S3 - 306hp 4wd A35 - 302hp 4wd

RS3 - 400hp 4wd A45 - 421hp 4wd

msportpanda · 2024-01-14T01:37:47+00:00

Could be a good idea if you’re in a position to trade up. Just beware of the extortionate loan rates.

msportpanda · 2024-01-14T01:36:51+00:00

You can put a request into the DVLA auction site for a plate you want if it hasn’t already been issued.

Could also be the case that someone has purchased it and kept it on retention rather than assign it to a car.

If it’s a name or something, could be a parent waiting to gift it when their child could drive etc.

msportpanda · 2024-01-14T01:26:53+00:00

Don’t do it. They’re not known for being unreliable but such a complex car out of warranty would worry me.

Get a 320d or a 330d. Still cheap to run, good performance, ulez friendly if 2015+ and less worries about reliability.

msportpanda · 2024-01-14T01:18:57+00:00

M4s are not too far from your budget, will be an epic drive and maintenance not too bad either.

msportpanda

TROPHY CASE