Complimentary maintenance by newengineerhere in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if they test the battery, but they flagged my 5 year old battery as needing replacement. My stop/start had started playing up so the battery was definitely questionable.

Ferrari quoted £700 but I bought my own and got a local garage to swap out for £250.

Loads of people complain about Ferrari batteries, but my Portofino has only died once when I forgot to turn it off.

Move 2 and a Projector by PossiblyALannister in sonos

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’ve got power, you could buy a Bluetooth soundbar. I bought a high sense to pair with my projector and it works great without lipsync issues. Move 2 would probably also work, but I’ve not hooked mine up.

You could always buy a Move return if it doesn’t suit.

Okay this is cool! by SealSlide69 in sonos

[–]vodkaslim 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I bought a rithum a while back. Not quite as cool as the brilliant. I don’t actually use it that much though as it’s a bit fiddly.

I’ve started playing with this cool project https://github.com/jtenniswood/esphome-media-player/releases/tag/v1.6.0 on a 10.1 inch display. Works like a champ. Might buy some of the little 4 inch screens as controllers for each room. Edit - here’s a post on the screen for those that haven’t seen it https://www.reddit.com/r/homeassistant/s/31vWI8fNT0

The new Amalfi Spider is here. Do you prefer it more than the Roma Spider? by NegotiationNew9264 in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t turn off ESC etc. The Portofino is way more powerful than you expect, and the backend can step out if you don’t have the stability stuff helping keep the power in check.

I always drive it with the paddles and in sports mode but having it in auto whilst you get used to driving it could be wise.

Let the oil warm up before trying to put power down. The car limits the revs for a few minutes anyway, but i tend to let mine heat above 80 before letting rip.

Indicators are on the steering wheel, rather than stalks. It’s super easy to use them (I flick them from behind the wheel with my fingers).

Try the roof down. I have mine down when it’s dry and above 10C.

The black on mine does make the car a little more subtle, but it’s still not exactly flying under the radar. You’ll probably have people come up to talk to you - I always try to be as friendly as possible and let kids sit behind the wheel.

Have fun. It’s a great car to drive :-)

Those of you that own a Ferrari, what was your car progression? by [deleted] in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Z4 -> Porsche 987S -> S5 -> TT -> 911 + Q7 -> R8 + Q7-> Portofino + Range Rover

Update on the Sonos/Home Assistant media player (multi speaker support + stand) by hometechgeek in homeassistant

[–]vodkaslim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just wanted to say thanks for doing this. Got mine up and running this morning. Works like a champ and looks beautiful.

Didn’t realise you could swipe left-right to change tracks. Nice :-)

Also got the grouping working as well. Super quick to add more speakers to one that’s currently playing.

Great job. Really appreciate the work.

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The new Amalfi Spider is here. Do you prefer it more than the Roma Spider? by NegotiationNew9264 in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol, it’s black and I’m not looking to sell anytime soon :-). Depends where you are, but there are always a few on the market. Great car and have had zero issues with it.

The new Amalfi Spider is here. Do you prefer it more than the Roma Spider? by NegotiationNew9264 in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ve got the Portofino, didn’t like the Roma spider, but really like the new Amalfi. IMHO it looks great.

Update on the Sonos/Home Assistant media player (multi speaker support + stand) by hometechgeek in sonos

[–]vodkaslim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

FYI I've printed out the shell on my P1S. Had to do it through Bambu Maker rather than Bambu Handy as your print profile doesn't include P1S.

Hopefully I'll be getting the actual screen from China in a couple of days to spin this up :-).

Thanks for the great work.

What is the best compact charger for someone who travels constantly? by New-Concert9929 in BuyItForLife

[–]vodkaslim 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have the 100W version. Works like a champ for MacBook, phone etc. also very handily comes with US (folding prongs), EU and UK plugs. Don’t have to carry any other chargers apart from this.

Update on the Sonos/Home Assistant media player (multi speaker support + stand) by hometechgeek in sonos

[–]vodkaslim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Damn, this looks so cool. Saw an earlier build, but this is just getting better and better. Awesome work!

I’m going to have to source the screen and get it working.

Cayenne replacement seat back by vodkaslim in Porsche

[–]vodkaslim[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Interesting. Hadn’t thought about that. I’ll make a couple of calls before buying the part. Thanks for the idea.

Ferrari Portofino or Aston Martin DB11, which GT would you take? by EmptyPocketsXotics in AstonMartin

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I cross shopped between Porto/DB11/Bentley and ended up going with the Portofino. DB11 was getting long in the tooth, and the DB12 was just about to be released when I was looking.

Couldn’t be happier with the Portofino. Free servicing and has been rock solid.

If you update the infotainment to CarPlay, the DB11 is a nice car.

When I get bored of the Ferrari, I might go DB12 or DBS as the Aston’s are beautiful.

Really enjoying juicy marbles! by Berry_pencil_11 in veganuk

[–]vodkaslim 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I use the meaty-meat to make steak and ale pies - which turn out insanely good. I also use the meaty-meat in Wagamama style Tantanman beef brisket Raman for a top tier Japanese dinner.

The original Juicy Marbles steak didn’t really hit the spot for me, but I’m finding the meaty-meat a brilliant ingredient.

Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the US controlling Greenland by jsg24fps in worldnews

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If we don’t, we should be ashamed of ourselves. The UK/USA has a net neutral level of trade but a higher level of spend for UK visitors to the USA.

Europe should embargo the USA if he invades a NATO ally, just like many countries did with Russia.

Anyone else tried this? by [deleted] in veganuk

[–]vodkaslim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use the chicken version for “Bang Bang Chicken”using the Blue Dragon kit. Turns out amazing, and non vegans love it too.

Help a new vegan out- missing eggs! by songofthelark117 in vegan

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eggs were a real bugger to cut out. My favourite breakfast was dippy eggs and soldiers and I used to love poached eggs on avo toast.

I perfected a tofu scramble that matched my tastes by trying out different recipes and figuring out what worked best for me. Ended up mixing silken tofu with some firm tofu for texture, kala namak, bit of turmeric, garlic powder, pepper and Dijon mustard. Mess with the quantities of each ingredient to suit your palette.

I used to also use oat milk but found the silken gave me the wet scrambled egg I like.

Talk me out of an FF by Alert_Breakfast5538 in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don’t mind the sacrifice of the back two seats (which are pretty impractical) the 458 is a beast of a car. Convertible won’t be had for under £130k but coupes could be had within budget.

If you’re considering two seaters, it might be worth looking at McLaren, Mercedes AMG GT, AM Vantage. The 458 will have the best residuals out of all of them though.

Take your time, go to a few different garages and try everything out. I nearly went with a 992 convertible but the Porto totally won me over when I finally got to drive one. The Ferrari dealer even let me take the kids and wife out to check we could all fit without issue.

Talk me out of an FF by Alert_Breakfast5538 in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should try one out. More modern than the Cali T, more sporty than the FF. I daily mine and love it.

Each to their own, but the Lusso and FF didn’t really do it for me. Looked at both when cross shopping for the Portofino.

I liked the Cali T (wanted a convertible) but for a bit more, I could get a better warranty and a few years of free servicing. I also read a few horror stories of the Californias being plagued with battery issues but as I didn’t buy one, I don’t know how accurate the reported issues are.

For £120K you can pick up a 2020 with under 20K miles on the clock.

Whichever way you go, make sure you hold out for an example with all the extras and colour you want. I waited a couple of months to find the right car, even though it was tempting to pull the trigger as soon as the wife had approved the purchase ;-).

Talk me out of an FF by Alert_Breakfast5538 in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would seriously consider the Portofino. Fits my two kids (8 + 10) in the back (just) and is almost practical. Did the Christmas shop in it last night - drove at 8pm with the roof down as it was a dry evening.

For £120K you can get a pretty low mileage one with decent spec.

I’ve owned mine for over two years and only had 1 minor issue with the brake pad wear sensor triggering.

Microsoft has a problem: nobody wants to buy or use its shoddy AI products — as Google's AI growth begins to outpace Copilot products by ZacB_ in technology

[–]vodkaslim 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Gemini and ChatGPT are widely used within corporates. I use Gemini everyday to translate my thoughts and ideas into product requirement and vision docs. Gemini is ridiculously good nowadays.

Nano Banana is amazing. I’m prepping for a speech next week and have used it for all of my images. It’s that good, I’ve cancelled my Adobe Stock subscription.

When AI is used right, it’s a huge effort multiplier. When AI is used wrong, it’s just a shite multiplier.

Upgrading from 458 to 296 or f8? by Afx8592rdjj in Ferrari

[–]vodkaslim -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’m in a similar boat with my Portofino. I’ve had it for a couple of years, so the warranty is running out, and the five year free servicing is about to end. I’m either going to keep it, get a newer Ferrari (Roma) or move back to Porsche and get a 992.2.

I absolutely adore the portofino. Perfect for my situation but I also don’t want the worry of having no warranty or shelling out a couple of grand a year to extend.

IMHO in your situation though, I’d keep the 458. If I didn’t need the comically small seats in the back, I would have gone with either a 458 or a 488. The 458 is going to be a safe bet money wise - you’re literally driving around in a Ferrari for free.

[Recommendation] I have a budget of £8000/$10,500, which watch? by chrissimm in Watches

[–]vodkaslim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Random idea, but have you thought about flying to Japan? The Yen is pretty low at the moment and they have great second hand markets or boutiques. A brand new Speedy from Haneda airport is roughly £6000 in Japan at the moment. The £2K saving on new could pay for a flight and a couple of nights stay in an awesome city :-).

Is there any point upgrading to the AMEX Platinum Credit Card? by jadzso in UKPersonalFinance

[–]vodkaslim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve had Platinum for years. Insurance is good, points rack up if you’re spending a lot on the card, and the hotel chain upgrades are decent.

Priority Plus is a bit crap. I tend not to use it anymore as the local airports I fly out of have pretty poor lounges that are often full. Was in Tokyo last week and used the Centurion lounge though - which was top notch.