Rob's SED Now V6 Exclusive

[captainhaddock]

Much appreciated Jim

[citroenmad]

Spent a couple of hours with Chris last week end doing an oil change and a general bit of a check over for the winter and all seems pretty well. The Lexia showed a plethora of old faults in the ABS but that was all, and when they were cleared nothing reappeared.

I did have a drive of Chris's Xantia HDI Exclusive Estate which I had been looking forward to, and while I think it is a cracking car in every other respect, I found the pedals very close together and myself rather clumsy. I know my XM is an auto, but two of our other cars are manuals so I am quite used to switching - strange.

An enjoyable morning that was Rob, I like a few hours of car jobs and it was interesting experiencing an S1 XM on the Lexia again.

I don't find the Xantias pedals cramped and they never catch me out, maybe I'm just very used to them. I did learn to drive in a Saxo which, as Jim says, has toy pedals which are only suitable for someone with the most dainty of feet.

I forgot to mention on Sunday that I saw your Clio last Saturday afternoon, parked in Teesside Park. Looks very tidy!

[ragger]

I've given some more thought to why I found driving your HDI awkward, amd I am convinced that it is because we have very different preeferences for a driving position, even though we are both well over six foot. I don';t think my problem was actually to do with the pedals, rather the relative positions of the front edge of the seat and the sterering wheel. I know I didn't find driving your Activa awkward so something must have been arranged differently, and I am sure they won't have radically altered the pedal box!

We had an AX for a while and that certainly needed twinkle toes.

I forgot to mention on Sunday that I saw your Clio last Saturday afternoon, parked in Teesside Park. Looks very tidy!

Yes, that will have been my son. I am very pleased with that little car. That was a good spot because I bet the place was heaving. When I went home from the Northern CCC meeting on Sunday afternoon they were queuing back on to the A66 on the east bound side to get into the place.

[citroenmad]

I do have the seat set in a very different position in the Exclusive, as it has a wide range of seat adjustments being electric. I find the position I have set very comfortable and supporting. However the Activa seats are just as supporting but set in a different position, which yes, does provide more room under the wheel. My dad can't drive my Exclusive Xantia without making a lot of adjustments to the seating position, so maybe I just have a unique preference!

It was heaving, its a place I try and avoid at such busy periods. As I was driving along looking for a space I drove past the front of it, realising there are few around, I reversed to have a look at it

[ragger]

Over the last couple of weeks she has become increasingly reluctant to fire up on a cold start. Seems likely that it needs some new glow plugs - according to my records they were last replaced 12/12/08 about 25k ago. Is there an idiot's guide to doing this anywhere on site - they look well hidden to me and I'm pretty crap at DIY on anything built after 1973? The bill for the last replacement by a garage was £110 - seems a lot to me for 5 years ago but I think that might have included a call out charge, not sure.

[ragger]

Plugs ordered for collection tomorrow and the car is booked in for fitting them next week before Christmas journeys are undertaken. New wipers also ordered.

The car lives outside and even in these horrible grey days she still looks good and puts a smile on my face even if I am going out in the little Clio. The Clio has been great fun - it is so bizarre to have an 18 year old car on which absolutely everything works as it should. Since I have had her she has had a brake service (discs and pads) an ATF change and an oil service. 27k and rising! I shall have to decide over the next month or so whether to part with her or the C4 to be able to finance the insurance bill for the next year. And I still really fancy another V6 XM.

One side note: the Clio is probably more expensive on fuel than the XM and in comparison the gear change is dreadful - they are very different cars and that is part of the appeal.

[ragger]

Well, it's not been a good Christmas.

Fetched my Mum and Dad up from Stroud on Monday and all seemd well, we had my Dad's favourite dinner and a pleasant evening but he passed away during the night on Christmas Eve. Subdued is an over statement.

So now we're waiting on coroners and post mortems before I can take my Mum home to try and live life without her partner of the last 67 years.

I'm not looking for sympathy, my Dad was nearly 89 and lived a full and worthwhile life, including service on Arctic convoys in WWII. Just tell those that matter that you love them.

Happy New Year! (That's not flippant - I mean it.)

[mds141]

So sorry to hear of your loss Rob.

My dad has several ailments, namely epilepsy, a number of strokes, treatment for bladder cancer and advancing symptoms of Alzheimer's. I make the most of our time together, as does my mum. They're both off on holiday tomorrow. New Years celebrations up in Pitlochry. Thoughts and condolences to you and your family.

[normantilbury]

Sorry to hear that Rob, i know how you feel i lost my dad in november one minite he was here then the next he had gone it was so quick.
you have all of my condolances.

Norman

[Dieselman]

Hi Rob.
As you say, He had a good innings and importantly you were all together when He went, so had a chance to have a good time just before. Also, a quick passing is much better than years of slow decline or illness.