Fell off the road!!!!
Was out data logging “cruise” AFR with brother in law at the weekend. On dual carriageway doing 40 in second and logged revs/MAP/AFR. Time for 50mph, just started to squeeze on throttle and the back went silly in the rain. Right lock, left lock, onto the gravel on the side of the road and a clonk from raised iron works. Road surface was wet and greasy and with only about 10% throttle / available acceleration it felt like I had hit black ice.
Only superficial damage under the car, a small wound on tyre tread that hit the metal work and tracking probably out now. Oh and I have no idea how the lip on the wing came out.
Went back in OK though ...
It could have been VERY bad if I hadn’t caught it when I did. Another two feet to the left and the z would have been upside down in a field.
Looks like my tyres suck for wet handling and I guess I very rarely drive in the wet so not been too much of an issue
On the upside, I’m in for a new set of wheels and tyres, the only question is 15” or 16” very torn on this one!! Love the classic look of 15s but want the tyre choice of 16s. Either way it will be 7j!
Ouch. Sorry to read about the incident. That's going to make a lot of people read reviews on their own tyres now I expect.
Out of interest, what Michelins do you have and how old are they?
Ah, too bad. Sorry to hear about the incident. Glad it wasn't worse though!Thanks chaps, we were quite relieved too.
Micheline Energy + markings on the side say end of 2012 and they spend 99% of their lives in a heated garage. Covered no more than 6k miles.
They are basically van tyres targeting wear resistance than grip! Shame I didn’t read the reviews before buying. I was in a hurry when I got them and had great experiences with Michelins on modern cars so just bought them.
We live and learn!
Ali, from my early days of driving I always thought that Michelins were hard wearing but poor in the wet. Seems like they still are.
Had the quote from the fabricators for the RHD swap to the project car, and a few mods and rust repairs. Given it was nearly 10 GRAND not including VAT, there will be a bit more shopping around and maybe DIY happening...
Nope - just the welding...
Had the quote from the fabricators for the RHD swap to the project car, and a few mods and rust repairs. Given it was nearly 10 GRAND not including VAT, there will be a bit more shopping around and maybe DIY happening...
Exactly.Blimey...
Nope, Michelin tyres are superb if you have the right compound and also new rubber. My PS4's on the MR2 are amazing in the wet and their Pilot Sport range is held in very high regard.
Despite physio orders to avoid stuff that would aggravate my various injuries at the moment, I had a session on Dixie to make some progress and help me think about next steps after that horror of a welding quote. Specifically, moving forward myself with various bits of work rather than outsourcing them.
Marked up the arches for trimming, using my newly painted ZG flares:
Removed the rain shield from above the blower intake:
Highlights how good the shell is overall when you see the condition of the intake. These are often destroyed on old U.K. cars:
This will get drilled out and saved for relocation to the other side. The rain shield does fit on the other side, but obviously should be a mirror image. So, cue some chopping up a cereal box, a trip to Wickes for some 0.75mm steel, a bit of tin-snipping, and bending/bashing:
The front panel is just blu-tacked on in the photos and needs some finessing for fit. It will ultimately be spot/plug welded on as per the factory item. I had to alter the flanges to tabs given I wasn’t stamping it out or bashing it into a former like the factory, but when installed it should look the part (given you can barely see it through the scuttle panel!).