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Just like to say a huge public “thank you” to Luke and Chris at @Plays-Kool This is a purely personal thank you (and recommendation) as I feel credit really is due when you receive truly exceptional service. What started out as a bit of a favour ended up with them taking over to save the day I’ll not bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that when my back gave out part way through putting the diff back in, Luke and Chris dropped everything and did what was required to ensure my car was back together. Thank you both for your generosity and professional help - and what’s more,, thanks to your efforts my car now goes around corners way better than it did before!

And some more

That was my plan, but this popped up for sale and thought let’s do it, also there was nothing on the car that I would not change so less time smuggling parts in without the other half seeing them.

Never mind that - mine's now got a nice Quaife ATB and a tweak to the rear set up so it now actually goes around corners without getting out of shape - can't wait for the next track outing (Blyton in July if not before). Surprised that I noticed the difference when on the road, but definitely felt better and way more settled.

Seems OK now when I try via a Google search - thanks to all who helped track it down.

Good spot Andy (and Steve!) - which then led me to realise what happened. Basically I set up a http -> https redirect in the vhost.conf file (server is on Ubuntu btw) - but the forum software required it's own config change to use https as well. The forum software looks to have also added in a redirect as well - so by doing it twice, things got muddied! I think it's sorted now - but please feel free to PM me with any additional info as it's always good to have another techie on hand

Hi Chris, Apologies for jumping in here but I thought I might be able to help shortcut the problem to save you some headache potentially. The problem seems to be that the https redirection script (probably in the .htaccess file if it's a Linux server, or web.config if it's Windows based) seems to have an extra trailing slash in it. That means when any http:// (or external https://) request comes in from a Google link/manually typed it's automatically moving it over to https:// but adding in the extra erroneous slash and causing the page loading issue. In theory if you just take the trailing slash off in the script it should make all the old links work again. Drop me a line if you want to discuss it at all (I work in the industry too). Thanks, Andy

@JimM @Colsum 'Looks like we got ourselves a convoy'!

A few westies out tonight and a bunch of lotuses for company. Made a nice change to drive along country roads and it’s a decent pub too!

Thanks for a great day Geoffrey. Brilliant fun, as always. Sorry we had to leave you mid afternoon, as I had a Highlands Astronomical Society lecture to attend tonight, and your old mate, Paul was asking lots of questions about you!!! You two must have history together❤! Don't worry, your secrets are safe with us, for a suitable fee. P.S. Don't forget to listen to Runrig

Subject to the weather! This month once again, we will meet up at the Golden Pheasant, as before, on Thursday, 7.30pm, but if the weather is OK, we will head off at approximately 8pm for a bit of a run. We’ll finish at the Swettenham Arms, so if you can’t make it to the GP by 8pm, you could always meet up with us at Swettenham, a little after say, 9.30pm. If the weather is poor, we’ll just stay at the Pheasant.

Our Volvo XC60 has a year left before we a/ buy it b/ hand it back on pcp. So, with that in mind, we have been on the search on what to do. We know that if we order a new Volvo xC40 , we need to do it by October currently to get it next June. Yes, daft I know. So, rather than in the depths of winter, seemed a jolly good idea in looking for alternatives/ try different cars and generally get annoyed with sales people on sunny days instead. We tested the XC40 and went for a drive . Well actually, it took us, as you press the button on the wheel and it then takes control !! Very unerving and not an option on the list. We would like a T5 version so more power , but engines are hard to come by hence the delivery dates. Equity in the current car means squat if we ordered now sadly. Really nice car mind you. The new XC60 is huge and we dont need such a big car, so out the question. So, onto Mercedes. The GLC is a really nice finished car. Really nice interior and a really pleasant car to sit in. Until you pay 'snob tax' of £1450 first year VED and £450 for the following 4 years. Just for being £5k over the £40k threshold. Well done Mr Goverment. Nicely assessed on how to tax vehicles . So, I pay the same if I do 500 miles as 50k miles a year . Similar vein as our Westies . The lady that took us out also ripped her tight skirt on getting out , which was a bonus................. On looking on CarWow and having local dealers emailing me, I can easily get £10k off the car , if I stomach the VED for the time we have it or lease it with it included maybe ? Went to VW . Thought they must be keen to sell cars to get money back into the pot after the scandals. So, the wife wanted to look at the T Roc . See she likes goats ............weird.......... Luckily it was too small in the boot for doggies. So we headed to the Tiguan. After being asked if we needed to see a salesman , we did after having a sit in the showroom car and walk around outside looking at different versions for ideas. Me to salesman : Hi, we wouldnt mind having a look at a Tiguan and maybe a test drive please S.M : Yes, thats fine, no problem. We need to do the paperwork first to see if its what you can afford. Me : Well we might not like it on a test drive , so maybe quicker that way round S.M : Lets just see what we can do with costs. Me: Er.............OK ..................... So, some 45 mins to an hour later, we had some ideas on figures. Wife was bored, I was thinking about the Mercedes girl. S.M. So, you Volvo has negative equity . Also, the car you are looking at, the SEL, I have added metallic paint, interior B.S that, paint protection B.S this, Tyre protection B.S that and comes to £34k. Me : That doesnt sound great so far. S.M Does it still sound like you could be interested , if I speak to my manager Me: We still dont know if we like the car to drive S.M : let me speak to my manager and get some keys So, we go for a drive. Albeit the car was alarming it had 10 miles of fuel left and wasnt happy about that. I said what about fuel and was told, its fine , there is plenty. Maybe plenty if I am going to the roundabout a mile away and back, I suspect Wasnt as polished as the current Volvo to be honest. 180 bhp petrol , was lethargic and I felt the car was a bit wobbly when I was in the back ( need to get some stiffer springs, but I know about those things ) S.M Well I have spoken to my manager ( went for a coffee out back) and he says that the best price is £33.5k Well while he was out back, the wife was on Autotrader getting a valuation on our Volvo and me on Carwow. Wife : seems we should get £6k more on the Volvo than they are offering Me : (showing phone to wife) Its come up on Carwow as the same dealership as we are in and one of his colleagues sat behind us offering a deal on the same car we were quoted. Salesman returns S.M Have you had any thoughts on the car and can you agree buying it today ? Me : Not quite. Quick question, do you know this guy ? ( shows phone to S.M) He is offering me the same car for £7k less than you have actually quoted me ................ Also trade in price for the Volvo is £6k below book price. Guy then becomes lost for words. We decide that they had no intention of doing a 'fair' deal at all with us and I wonder how many people pay full wack for a car ? . So, its going to be a Volvo currently. Still not sure if we keep the current one and buy it at the end or chop it for an XC40 as an ex demo first edition as the T5's arent that common to get new.

Here you go....dont say another word about it. I dont want to look a fool do I.

Hi so much for the order of play then! surely there is something called ettiquete when selling i hate queue jumpers!!

Had a good circa 130 mile run today around mid Wales with @CraigHew and @Wingnuts Dad You deffo need to get over the road from Llanidloes to Machynlleth passing Llyn Clywedog

YAY , we are both happy now to see your knobbly knees Gary

Ah, the prize winner. Well done!

Here’s one for tj and Mrs tj

A full complement of westies for once

Me and Debs will be there Robin

Given all the issues with IVA test plate size, as opposed to real world plate sizes, that makes so much sense.

Not tried it on track, but don't need to as I've had so many track cars over the years I can feel what it's going to be like from the road driving and you are right. They are a beautifully balanced car that could provide a lot of slower speed fun. But still not for me. My current race-car DJ Firehawk is also beautifully balanced but just a bit quicker As for other road cars, very happy with my weekend one, not much goes past

Good buy Simon, Yer supposed to start of with a plodding Westfield and improve it. Talk about starting at the top

@Kit Car Electronics I'm now a Makita Man!

Silverstone results now calculated and with Terry/Tigger to check and publish. Cracking trip to St Goueno with Tim and Rich - now need a week off work to recover

Hoping to have her back on the road by end of June......can’t wait!!

Looks really good this

No excuses for not keeping up now Jimmy.

Yup. And a very nice example it is too!

Hi Nick, Have you tried it on a track yet? I swapped mine for an Ultima which would certainly scratch you need for speed, but I am currently trying to sell the Ultima as I had much more fun in the XI. The car is beautifully balanced on track, the low grip perfectly matched the low power and I could slide the car round to my heart's content. Yes, I was never going to be the fastest on track, but it cost beans for a set of tyres that lasted forever. I sold mine to a guy in Finland.

Sold pending jimbo return from hollidays :P

Half doors make a big difference with wind deflectors. I used the soft bits ones. They roll up so small to store away and to get in and out I just undo the rear fastener and it folds down and clip it back on once back in the car.

There you mate.

I've hired the track on Saturday to get some practice

Now I’m no expert but I found these steps below removed most if not all the swirl marks on the X5 1. Wash and dry 2. TFR on lower doors and rear bumper 3. Clay all doors, I just used soapy water, no fairy liquid as not recommended on line for salt content apparently 4. Used Maguires Cutting Compound, slow speed and plenty of time Don’t let the compound dry when working. I wouldn’t do this on a hot day! http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/shampoo-polish-wax/meguiars-ultimate-compound-450ml 5. Clean off residue, lint free cloth 6. Auto glym polish, slow to medium speed. Took a good afternoon and early evening to complete as I continued with tyre black etc. V happy with results. I have repeated 18 months later, but there were hardly any swirl marks so completed a little quicker! But still an afternoon work. Andy

No point me adding an independent view. For a fully biased view email me . Tony_shakeshaft@spaxperformance.com

Brilliant day today guys. We both really enjoyed it, and your company. Thank you so much. Very sunburned now though. Remember........what happens in Scotland, stays in Scotland! That means we can only tell the entire Scottish nation!

Few from today.

Still hoping it will be running in 2 weeks time !

Yes put me down as attending, no,lift required

Recent 'school day' at Gurston down. Photographer was Rob Webb who took some great pics. Mart.

Only on the drive, but 'getting there'

A very soggy Spa...

Photos are obliigatory, without them, it's fake news

Prestatyn Classic Car Show - Best in Class

I’ll be there..looking forward to seeing all your great cars

Have we had our dinner yet...?