Bad news... Good news.....!

[Red Excel]

Hi all. The bad news is that I just took my excel for an MOT and it failed. The good news is that it failed on not a lot considering that it has been off road for 7+ years. It failed on 1) All four tyres perished and cracked 2) Driver side washer jet insufficient flow 3) Exhaust system not securely attached. As the car has only done 29,000 miles there was nothing worn out. To fix the exhaust I will only need to replace some rubber supports as the old ones had perished. The washer jet was working until I removed the bonnet to do the head gasket so it can only be a bit of dirt in the jet i would assume. And as for the tyres, well I guess that I will just buy some! As I have paid for the test now, it leaves me 10 days to fix and take back for the retest. Seeing as I can get these done in a day I see no reason why there should not be another Excel back on the road by next week! On the subject of tyres, I have read all the pros and cons in the threads elsewhere on the forum. I am having to go budget on these with the slightly smaller 205-50 15s. This will at least get her back on the road. Better alive and running than sitting around for another few years waiting to save up for the 'correct' tyres.

[KevW]

Good to hear another car will be back on the road soon. At least with 205 tyres you will not have to worry about them fouling the arches as sometimes happens with 225 section.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

It should feel more nimble too.

[Redexcel]

Phew, I thought I was a victim of identity theft for a few seconds there.

[lambert.john]

Modern 205/50*15 tyres suit the Excel a treat; don't have any qualms about them - and you can get a set for under £200!

Sounds like you've got yourself a nice, lightly used, car there; I bought my 1987 SA with similar mileage eight years ago. I've put between 2/3000 miles on the clock each year since then, and I'm still smiling!

John L.

[irishwolfhound]

might as well go with the 205's as there is no 215 around at present unless you want to import some bf goodrich 215 x 15 x 50 from the states, even the dunlop sp 9000 seem to have dried up at the moment, mike taylor swears by the toyo tr1 in 205 x 15 x 50

[MrCoolA]

i love my Toyos as well, they are the best tyre i've had on Loti and a dam fine price as well

[hodders]

yet another thumbs up for the Toyos, third type of tyre I've tried and the best so far.

[KevW]

might as well go with the 205's as there is no 215 around at present unless you want to import some bf goodrich 215 x 15 x 50 from the states, even the dunlop sp 9000 seem to have dried up at the moment, mike taylor swears by the toyo tr1 in 205 x 15 x 50

In March of this year I bought some O.E. 215 Dunlops from Mytyres. They still list them as available. I like the extra sidewall depth they afford. It makes getting on and off my drive that bit easier.

[alanmoss]

I agree with Kev. The Dunlops are good tyres, not the cheapest perhaps, and the service from Mytyres (Delticom) is excellent.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

I agree with all of you (again! )

I've been an advocate for 205/50.15 Toyo TR1s for about 3-4 years now . They suit the Excel and improve confidence in the wet especially.

I also use 205/50/13 Dunlop sp9000 on the rear of my Clan and they do a brilliant job making the rear weight-biased Clan very predictable. Trouble is, they are no longer available in this size so for the Clan I'll have to look elsewhere next time.

I wouldn't hesitate to use SP9000s on the Excel if I can get them next time tempered by the fact they are a lot more expensive than the Toyos.

[Red Excel]

Four new rear exhaust support "O" rings now fitted and a pin in the washer jet hole! booked in for new tyres after work tomorrow........watch this space!

[Red Excel]

Now has four new budget tyres all balanced and fitted for £172 and 58p! I will take to work tomorrow and see if the service garage can fit the retest in without notice. They can be quite fussy so may have to book in for wednesday if they won't do it tomorrow. Should all be pretty much there now. Might be able to take it for a spin at the weekend yet!

[Red Excel]

It's passed it's MOT now. Just need somewhere to drive to now!

[AndyC]

Later this month how about the outskirts (north) of Cambridge, there should be a few of us?