34 minutes ago, Preecematt said:

I do like fitting my boost gauges that are out of an ST, the dash just needs a little bit of sanding to smooth it out + get the gauges sitting properly, then get a loom as there was not a blanked off socket :-( then when I've got that sorted I can get it sealed in properly.  I also like having my wedding suite refitted today & not having the original woman, which means that as I've lost weight, I'm actually comfortable in my wedding suite & not feeling like I am in a straight jacket.  I like that Santa Fe by the way @jmurray01 shame it's an auto though

I prefer an automatic when it comes to that kind of vehicle, and there is "manual mode" if you want some control (apparently designed by Porsche).  Whilst the 2.0 diesel and 2.4 I4 petrol came with manuals, the 2.7 V6 was only available with an auto transmission.

The down side is that a V6 engine coupled with an automatic means the best MPG you can expect is around 30 if you are driving like a granny and 20 if you give it a boot every now and then.  Needless to say the 405 will remain as the daily driver with its turbo diesel returning almost 50MPG.

Mother in law has an Auto....  It's awful, she passed her test in an auto & can only use them, so whenever we go out somewhere I automatically get volunteered to drive(if there isn't enough room in my car) & I hate it lol.  In my opinion nothing can beat a manual gearbox, however I will contradict myself sort of.  Automatic tractors are the bee's knee's.  If car manufacturers made an Auto/CVT/IVT like Fendt, I'd be the first one to buy it, as they are awesome, just knock the joystick to the right & it's auto acceleration & cruise control, press the button and knock the joystick forward/back and that's your direction sorted.  I can't rate them enough

3 hours ago, Preecematt said:

Mother in law has an Auto....  It's awful, she passed her test in an auto & can only use them, so whenever we go out somewhere I automatically get volunteered to drive(if there isn't enough room in my car) & I hate it lol.  In my opinion nothing can beat a manual gearbox, however I will contradict myself sort of.  Automatic tractors are the bee's knee's.  If car manufacturers made an Auto/CVT/IVT like Fendt, I'd be the first one to buy it, as they are awesome, just knock the joystick to the right & it's auto acceleration & cruise control, press the button and knock the joystick forward/back and that's your direction sorted.  I can't rate them enough

Admittedly autos do get on my nerves when you are driving along at 30-50MPH and they decide to shift up and down repeatedly when one gear would be sufficient.  They are fantastic though for city driving, like pulling out quickly at round-abouts and junctions where you may hesitate with a manual.  It all depends on your abilities and preferences though.  Even after 5 driving lessons I can drive a manual fine and have complete confidence in my clutch control, but for most journeys I'd prefer to just put an auto in drive and let it do the work.  There are situations though like twisting country roads where a manual is so much better, being able to hold 3rd for power and then stay in 5th when cruising, whereas an auto would constantly be going between 2nd and 4th trying to find the right revs for the speed.

1 hour ago, jmurray01 said:

Admittedly autos do get on my nerves when you are driving along at 30-50MPH and they decide to shift up and down repeatedly when one gear would be sufficient.  They are fantastic though for city driving, like pulling out quickly at round-abouts and junctions where you may hesitate with a manual.  It all depends on your abilities and preferences though.  Even after 5 driving lessons I can drive a manual fine and have complete confidence in my clutch control, but for most journeys I'd prefer to just put an auto in drive and let it do the work.  There are situations though like twisting country roads where a manual is so much better, being able to hold 3rd for power and then stay in 5th when cruising, whereas an auto would constantly be going between 2nd and 4th trying to find the right revs for the speed.

On the Auto Mk2.5 Focus, it has a tiptronic/manual gear-selection mode, so you can pretty much drive it like a manual. Admittedly, the response time is a weeny bit delayed, but it's still very useful for locking into a gear on a climb uphill (so the car doesn't keep hunting gears), or when you're going down a long steep incline, and would like to engine brake.

However the one thing I'd trade the above for is cruise control. 

34 minutes ago, Incontro said:

On the Auto Mk2.5 Focus, it has a tiptronic/manual gear-selection mode, so you can pretty much drive it like a manual. Admittedly, the response time is a weeny bit delayed, but it's still very useful for locking into a gear on a climb uphill (so the car doesn't keep hunting gears), or when you're going down a long steep incline, and would like to engine brake.

However the one thing I'd trade the above for is cruise control. 

Yes the Santa Fe's transmission has that too, although we've not used it yet.  When I eventually drive the car I'll give it a go and see how it performs.  Would definitely be useful even if it were just for locking in a cruising gear as you say. 

3 hours ago, jmurray01 said:

Admittedly autos do get on my nerves when you are driving along at 30-50MPH and they decide to shift up and down repeatedly when one gear would be sufficient.  They are fantastic though for city driving, like pulling out quickly at round-abouts and junctions where you may hesitate with a manual.  It all depends on your abilities and preferences though.  Even after 5 driving lessons I can drive a manual fine and have complete confidence in my clutch control, but for most journeys I'd prefer to just put an auto in drive and let it do the work.  There are situations though like twisting country roads where a manual is so much better, being able to hold 3rd for power and then stay in 5th when cruising, whereas an auto would constantly be going between 2nd and 4th trying to find the right revs for the speed.

I find overtaking is a pain in the backside as well, You drop it down a cog or 2 in manual and off you go, in an auto you have to wait so you can't build up enough momentum etc.  

2 hours ago, Preecematt said:

I find overtaking is a pain in the backside as well, You drop it down a cog or 2 in manual and off you go, in an auto you have to wait so you can't build up enough momentum etc.  

That is very true.  Overtaking in a manual is normally just a case of engaging 3rd gear, clutch up and gas down = immediate acceleration.  Even once an auto kicks down it never feels like it is accelerating as quick as a manual.  Just feels...  Disconnected, I suppose is the best description.  I'd go as far as to say that I'd feel safer overtaking in the 405 than the Santa Fe as even though the 2.7 V6 in the latter has power, it just doesn't get delivered as directly as the turbo diesel in the 405 which gives 100% power to the wheels immediately.

Drop the auto into sports mode and mash your foot down flat if you want quick acceleration, I've only owned 2 autos but didn't find acceleration an issue myself.  I hated the lack of engine braking though lol, flying up to a junction I usually drop a gear or two, really odd to not be able to do that!  

Incontro - Cruise is easy to retrofit on a mk2.5.  

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Drop the auto into sports mode and mash your foot down flat if you want quick acceleration, I've only owned 2 autos but didn't find acceleration an issue myself.  I hated the lack of engine braking though lol, flying up to a junction I usually drop a gear or two, really odd to not be able to do that!  

Incontro - Cruise is easy to retrofit on a mk2.5.  

Easy for you maybe, not me though. 

Honestly, it's one bolt lol...  And ticking a few boxes on a laptop.

If I can do it, it must be easy!  

These books...

14 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Honestly, it's one bolt lol...  And ticking a few boxes on a laptop.

If I can do it, it must be easy!  

I notice from your profile that you have a TitX - I have a Zetec, so would have to replace the steering wheel, which is a huge hassle. So not so easy actually 

Tit X with a horrible 3 spoke wheel and no cruise...  I also had to change the wheel...it's one bolt as I said!!  

:/ impressive.... I think... How'd you get the front of the steering wheel off?

The airbag comes off using a flat screwdriver in the back of the wheel, there's basically an unbent paperclip holding it in and that just needs popping off lol.  Obviously battery off before touching airbags though.  Think I did a guide on this at the time, but may have put it on another forum!

You'd have to check the wiring first on a Style though, I've read that some use a different loom.  However I did one on a lower spec model (was either studio or style) which had the right loom already.

From Haynes-

Airbag and Wheel removal.pdf

Don't think I'll try cruise control, not until I've sorted out the blooming egr (I think) issue!!!

Hope the weather clears up soon!

Arriving in Germany, only 5 hours late! Picked up our hire car too, bet you can't guess what it is...

Yep..it's a Corsa...and tbh it's quite nice, it's only got 3300kms on the clock, it's red with a black roof, has heated seats and a steering wheel, and it's the 1.0T!

All in all its a nice car with plenty of power, was quite happy cruising on the Autobahn at 130km/h. Impressive for a Corsa, and I can say all this because it's not a Vauxhall, it's an Opel! 

2 hours ago, chrisroberson99 said:

Arriving in Germany, only 5 hours late! Picked up our hire car too, bet you can't guess what it is...

Yep..it's a Corsa...and tbh it's quite nice, it's only got 3300kms on the clock, it's red with a black roof, has heated seats and a steering wheel, and it's the 1.0T!

All in all its a nice car with plenty of power, was quite happy cruising on the Autobahn at 130km/h. Impressive for a Corsa, and I can say all this because it's not a Vauxhall, it's an Opel! 

You have just included a Vauxhall in the "Things I Do Like" thread Chris...  Shame on you

Having a gander at my music videos on my iPad, coming across "Rockstar" by nickleback. Got a soft spot for that video! 

And not going to lie a soft spot for Kendra Wilkinson in this too 😏

 

That's impressive Chris, it has heated seats AND a steering wheel too? Didn't realise asking for a steering wheel was a little high on the expectations list... :p

After a busy weekend, decided to get an early night...

Ran myself a bath and climbed in - was a little too warm, so pulled the plug slightly to let some water out.

Next thing I remember...the bath is empty and I'm almost completely dry...I knew I was tired - but not THAT tired lol

Followed up with 12hrs sleep lol

1 hour ago, Ianb said:

That's impressive Chris, it has heated seats AND a steering wheel too? Didn't realise asking for a steering wheel was a little high on the expectations list... :p

Explains why they're so bad at corners if the lower spec ones come without a steering wheel...  

Lucky you didn't fall asleep any earlier and drown! Or catch a horrendous cold... Haha

11 hours ago, jmurray01 said:

You have just included a Vauxhall in the "Things I Do Like" thread Chris...  Shame on you

It's not a Vauxhall!!! 

2 hours ago, Ianb said:

That's impressive Chris, it has heated seats AND a steering wheel too? Didn't realise asking for a steering wheel was a little high on the expectations list... :p

Yes the hire company must've been heavy on the options list!