gunat

Check your oil- there will be definite indicators if its leaking internally...else: http://www.aa1car.com/library/coolant_leaks.htm good luck!

The racist tag is a bit far fetched when commercialism far outweighs ideals and values. Yet, for a such a old and experienced outfit, i see Ferrari acting like the baby throwing toys out of the cot. The ranting monologue only serves to show that they (or 'he'?) wants a soapbox to stand on...just very disappointing behaviour. Even if the new teams are sorely unprepared- let it be shown on the track. As for the politics of who should have been allowed to join this season- well, its quite obvious that selection had a lot more to do than with experience and capability...but that's a moot point considering that Race 1 is (now) just around the corner, and nothing can change this late in the game... Will it be a good season? Its hard to tell because i have a feeling there will be more focus on off-track squabbles and finger pointing than actual racing...but lets see! But i hope we see some spirited racing, such as what came from Brawn last year...admittedly it was a exceptional season just by seeing an underdog come up and steal the thunder from the big boys who were busy eye-balling each other!

i'm probably going to get flayed by the local Tifosi for this: http://www.ferrari.com/English/News/Pages/...la_campana.aspx Just reading the wording shows that they have no respect for the new teams attempting to join F1, and of course still blame Max Mosley vehemently. Looks like Ferrari (to date, the most favoured team in FIA) is going down the path of petulant child because it doesn't like new blood in F1! (ie. competition, albeit weaker) I wonder if FOTA will act on this- even though it is clear disrespect Ferrari is showing in explicitly name-calling other teams...but i won't be surprised if FOTA have been bullied into silence. For a team/company that has been involved in racing for half a century, this is such very ugly behavior. Disappointing. From antics of last season, and how the pathetic politics are shaping up even before the first race has been run, i can see foresee this season being a lackluster one, dominated with off-track childish bickering than the focus on-track. Don't get me wrong guys- i love the car...and relish the experience of being in one. But this really is unworthy behavior from what should be a seasoned veteran. Where's the simple spirit of competition?!! Show respect to smaller companies that are brave enough to try competing- i doubt many of us fans would dispute that we need more teams to add some spice to what has become a big boys playground...If they are not worthy, let it be determined on-track.

I believe the VVTi issue was with a particular brand (XHP)- and that was quite a few years back. The issue was addressed (in the US market)...and i don't think its a problem anymore. If its been only 850kms since the last change, you're probably wasting money swapping out with new oil- if you go 6-8 months on low mileage, its still ok. There's a reason why its synthetic- it doesn't break down as quickly as the regular semi/mineral oil. It will however, pick up dirt from regular combustion...and thats what changes the colour over time. Darker it is, logically more contaminated...and only then is it time for oil change. As a rule of thumb, I change around 5000kms-8000kms or when the oil is no longer clear on my fingers- but thats simply because i won't take a risk given i have a turbo...

Agreed. Burns down to professionalism and training. What is prevalent though is the progressive degradation of what was a very well run outfit....thats what disappoints most because to me, they were a benchmark.

Peri- its not a generalization because i started going to Pit*top as soon as they opened up years ago, and i clearly remember the service was stellar and unmatched...and more importantly there was a lot more attention to detail. I used to be a stalwart advocate of their services- even on this forum. There was no need to eye-balling every single thing that was done to the car. And honestly...if they damage part of a car, will your presence stop it? Its about how well-trained the people are...which needless to say is not up to mark if they find a way to damage a hard-plastic interior part and then patch it together with cell-o-tape! There's no excuse for that. But i agree with you- very rarely in SL can you just leave your car and be assured that things will be done properly- only makes it harder for the car owner who's got limited time on weekends...

a friend recently had her car serviced over at Pit*top. They used to be adamant about checking the car inside out before the owner left the keys...now its just a question of what needs to be done, how much, etc, etc. They managed to damage the auto-gear selector panel somehow...(the "P" went missing, and was put back with cell-o-tape! Shoddy!) It might have been an 'off' day...but i find that rather hard to believe, being as it was a weekday. One thing that really kept me going there was their affiliation with Autoglym...which is no more- sad!

Hey Fellas, Just to clear up any further speculation Rhamzi is the bloke with the STi...and he's pals with the owner of the Camaro- he got the keys to go for a spin (lucky bugger!)- while he doesn't own the Camaro, he's got a red porsche sitting in his garage (double lucky!). Whether the Camaro is here to stay or not, i have no idea...

evilmak already pre-empting the list...and is quite gleeful to do so! Happy to see the RB5 (a thinly veiled STi5) make the top 20, while pipping a few Ferraris as well! Although quite a few question marks... like the BMW e30 M3...thats just criminal to put it so far down the list. Bar none, it started the first inklings of go-fast handling Q-cars for the masses.

thought i'd share... Got my insurance renewal for my car from the J-Sh***thi- they have jacked my premium by 20k (no itemization or explanation). Being as i'm already miffed because of this "we only pay 75% for brand new parts if your car is older than 5 years"...and their general crap service, I got a quote from E**gle- 30k less with the same package! There's my vote guys.

Guilty! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport...one/8258987.stm Flavio Briatore has left his position as boss of the Renault team after they decided not to contest charges of fixing the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Impreza_WRX_STI Hope this link helps. 9 is the most recent of the STi series before the Impreza turned into the 3rd generation 'granny hatch'. 7 is the first 'restyle' of the Impreza based on the original rally winning classic version (ie. STi 1 to 6, GC chassis code). STi 7-9 are GD chassis Code, started with the 'bug-eye' headlight version, ending with the new-age wavy look you see in the 9.

well, people here are prepared to pay a premium for a car that has higher mileage but English plates, than the equivalent with an older numbered plate. Just the way the cookie crumbles.

Now that the govt. is in charge, all claims that were supposed to be dished out during the court case period are null & void until the new board signs off on them. I know someone who got a check and couldn't deposit it because 'they' had ensured a stop on all claim payments. Still waiting AFAIK. Chances are we'll see this company spiral down to the level of the other two BS insurance outfits. My next renewal - moneys on the one with the eagle.

Cheers. Did jehan mention when the results were coming back? Must note that this was already done by another (german marque) agent...

Mate- make a complaint to the consumer affairs dept (i think thats what it is called, either way it does exist)- even thought its a govt. department they have to record the complaint and eventually investigate it. However, you should find out who the director/senior manager of the claims/auto insurance division is and write a strong worded letter about the service and incompetence of his/her staff. Also inform them of your intent to file a complaint with the consumer affairs division. Since you're already in process of a claim, there's not a whole lot more you can do though now. However, its a known fact that all but one of the named insurance companies are all BS in their Full cover policies. The only company i have heard good word time and again is the one with the bird as a logo. "Full Cover" for most of the companies is a ruse- you DON'T get brand new parts, and their objective is to extract as much cash from your policy but incur the lowest cost in repairing your vehicle- hence the insistence to install used/second hand parts. Brand new parts are only honoured for brand new vehicles. If ever these companies get audited by an international body, they would be deemed unethical and invalid in their business.

All very valid points. If there was an 'unofficial' way of confirming the same from the said distributors, then we'll be in a better situation to judge what is best for the cars we drive. Here's a question for the ECU buffs: is there a way to plug into the ECU to find out what kind of fuel mapping a car is using? What is definitely known is that the ECU uses a breadth of information (fuel, air, load) to determine the correct mapping for a car. I know most OBD readers can plug into the ECU and give errors...but i would think that an aftermarket ECU with more advanced software can give more information. Anyone?

Please keep updating as and when there are more findings. I'm really keen to find out how many of us are seeing a difference...if this gets enough traction, maybe worthwhile a sticky...

Please do- i remember having to only clean the exhaust every 2-3 months...

Pretty much mate....

Thanks for the all the feedback guys. Couple of notes on my issue: 1. Its recent, and right after a thorough tune up etc etc 2. As highlighted, failed Cat could be a reason- but its been cat-less for most of its road life. Carbon build up has been in the last couple of months only 3. Govt. is broke, fuel quality is debatable (hint, hint)

Makes you wonder what kind of fuel we are actually paying for...

harshansenadhir- whats your analysis if there were impurities- in the fuel?

Nope! Very (very) clean. Turbo is absolutely fine- had the agents take a close look...there is an explanation actually, but i'm looking to see if anyone has really noticed something similar... I might add that it is far less to do with the car and more to do with the fuel...

Over the past few months, i've noticed very heavy carbon build up on the exhaust tip of my car...which logically lead me to look into the tuning of the engine. Turbos do tend to run rich, but somehow i don't remember it being so quick between the times i wash the car (once a week). Sole culprit at this point is the fuel as i have had the mani, sparks, and injectors attended to quite recently. Any other other noticed this in their cars? I've done a little research on this, and spoken to the agents as well as other parties...but would like to reserve my findings until i get feedback from others on this. Any thoughts?