Mot pass today for the XJS and no advisories.

Happy days!

Cheers,
LeeP

 

That's an achievement - the handbrake part always intimidates me on the XJS because they aren't great even working perfectly.

 

See my fix Ben, and you have a superb H/B!

 

Seen it Greg - Plan it Greg - Rear subframe still under car - but I have two calipers and all the sundries in the house to work on over winter - even got a bunch of bolts n such for the subframe including the long shafts. Going to refurbish stuff in the warm - my working outside is over for a few months.

I was also considering a hydraulic handbrake for the rear and doing away with Jaguars but it isn't legal for MOT apparently so stuck with the jaguar solution. I think of all the modern options on cars that I'd really like on the XJS is the autohold / electronic brake off the newer cars - I forgot to release the handbrake so many times in the XJS it wasn't funny - auto headlights have also spoilt me.

 

Indeed but my worry is the rolling road brake test pulling the handrake pads off the backing plate. Anyway, all good on that score.
LeeP

 

Always a relief regardless of confidence in vehicle condition and preparation. Only another 7 to go and it'll be exempt ........ provided they don't change the 40 year rule.

Graham

 

Yes, but now do you dare drive the beast on the open road?
And fully exploit the potential?

 

You don't - not with the damned cameras and BS rules in place now - an Italian tune used to be quite possible but nowadays that's just a good way to get a letter in the post - I absolutely detest driving in the UK now and I was born here

 

Move to the country, you can then fully exploit all your power whilst being stuck behind a massive piece of farm machinery, driven by a Bulgarian,or a slightly less aware elderly person;
And then revel in the sheer joyousness of having to take to the ditch, under the hedge, because other people in German cars think that they own all of the road.
Please, please mention cyclists on country roads.
Please.

 

Don't get me started - I do live in the country - I have a long list of road abusers from the city trying to get away from it all turning our roads into car parks - and cyclists - harumph I'd better stay off that soapbox they hog the road worse than the German car drivers but they also tear up the footpaths and trails with their BS

Our summers are strewn with road closures while emergency services extract motor cyclists from livestock and walls, cars from ditches and fields with all the associated distractions - and of course all the HGV's saving a buck by driving 40 tons through villages on roads barely wide enough for cars and blaming the sat nav.

Oh bother it - you got me started - damn ...

 

Yes indeed and I will be able to drive through London and stick 2 fingers up to ULEZ as well!
LeeP

 

So glad we never have to go through an MOT here in the states, that being said, we have a lot of dangerous cars that should not be on the road.

 

What are the rules on ULEZ exemption for classic cars, Leep?

 

Hi Greg,

The ULEZ exemption rules are the same as for the Mot and road tax exemption. Vehicle has to be classed as a "Vehicle of Historic Interest" (VHI). This can be applied for when cars are 40 years or more old. The age is measured from the build date so, some cars that were first registered 39 years ago also still qualify. I have read in the press that some more modern cars, built before the introduction of the relevant Euro standard (2005 for petrol cars), can still qualify for exemption provided you can get a certificate from the manufacturer to state that they would have complied if the Euro standard was in place when they were made.

The big rub is that ULEZ is due to be expanded to the, much large,r entire GLC area in August 2023 i.e., not just central London. I agree that we have to improve the environment but the arbitrary assumption that all cars built before a new standard is introduced will not comply with it, seems wrong to me.

Cost is £12.50 daily for ULEZ. If you venture into central London then the congestion charge (£15 per day) is added on top!

Cheers,
LeeP

 

If you think this is about improving the environment then that's the same delusion as 'safety cameras' - they are not only arbitrary but opportunistic ways to extract even more money from those that can least afford it.

As soon as one city got away with it the others were bound to follow - put whatever spin you want on it my opinion of it won't change and hell will freeze over before I buy an electric car - that is also hype - electric cars are not green, far from it - same as all the Co2 neutral BS that is also all about money - you can't be CO2 neutral the day 1 employee has to drive to work - renewables don't make me laugh people need to look at the science not the numbers twisted by political motives.