SPendrey

I noticed this last week that a lot of 4x4's were off the road still, all BMW X5's! Can't say I'm too bothered, but their drivers obviously to have the 'indestructable' problem and learn the hard way.

I've noticed the original problem too, my smile does tend to fade though with young kids in the car playing with electronic games and being unable to control their volume. Never tried putting fish in the ventilation, but a baby's nappy can certainly quash any forms of happiness when you're on a motorway run somewhere, and I'd expect the wet dogs would work, but if like me you've only got one dog, then add sprouts to their previous meal.

Dunno about having less to turn, but I always do this on our manual (other) car, simply as a precaution incase the Mrs left it in gear and I didn't notice! However, back to the Disco... I too had a new battery one year ago, a cheap one of eBay, and it struggles in this cold weather too. Specifically, if left overnight outside. However, pop the car in the garage and it seems to cope, i.e. not below freezing. One of those red-top batteries will be my next choice.

Eh? Buy a bottle of 10w40 but not open it? I hope you would use some, by putting it in the engine somewhere On my 300TDI I found fully synthetic oils too thin, and they'd slowly drip from the sump plug. 10w40 semi is fine though.

[/quote Well it looks like it was the rusty N/S disc caused by a rusty caliper. I just changed both of the rears discs, gave the caliper a good clean, put new pads in and took it for a run and it seems fine. I will need some new rear metal brake pipes soon so i will leave the fluid change and do it all at once. Nigel This made me laugh... I own this Disco now, and it still "will need some new rear metal brake pipes soon"!

Yep, I got mine a couple of days ago too. At least there is a record of our objection, if nothing else!

Well, there was snow... lots of it in places! So much in fact, we couldn't get through despite John trying his best run up and into it!!

I use Memory Map, on a touch-screen 'netbook' with a Bluetooth GPS receiver. The downside is lots of wires to charge things up! Not a cheap solution, but the screen size makes it worthwhile. I also have a PDA that can run Mem'Map, but the screen is small meaning you tend to lose the 'big picture' to plan ahead. It isn't essential to get a touch-screen device, but using a mouse while on the move it difficult for the driver, if not illegal?! Never heard of a hand-free mouse before

It is on the east side of Swindon... if you head up the A419 (from M4 J15) to the A420 turn off, then head towards Swindon (Greenbridge) you're almost there. If you look at this link, you'll see Gipsy Lane (with no less than three B4143 signs on it!), the Gas Club is on the roundabout beneath the middle of those three signs. Google Map We are normally out around your area too, Aldbourne/Lambourne/Marlborough way, or otherwise down to the Plain.

"Any good clubs" is subjective... but as Ross already said we meet once a month, and plan a trip out for the Sunday following. It is good if you just want a chat and a beer, and some time out in the countryside, but if you're after a competition-style or real mudplugger group then we're not it! Come along on Tuesday if you can make it... 7:30pm. As for today, there was a light sprinkling of snow and ice which made it very difficult to get through some sections where my (road standard except the tyres) Disco grounded three times! At least I left the day with the muddiest car!! Thanks as always, to John for leading the group.

Haven't decided on a route yet, but probably looking to over towards Aldbourne and the lanes north of there.

Hi, Anyone in the Swindon area fancy a trip out this Thursday? I think I just missed one trip locally, but have the week off work and want to make the most of the time off! Nothing too strenuous! Scott PS. That should be "Wiltshire" in the subject line!

7:30pm

Is anyone in the Swindon area (from the normal group I suppose?!) meeting up on Tuesday 1st Dec? I'll be making my way back from Gatwick airport just in time for a catch-up at the Gas Works, but I may be a little late. Anyone planning on going? I also won't be able to make a trip out on the Sunday morning following, but could probably do something (short) in the afternoon. Anyone interested? Cheers, Scott

To be fair to the guy in his Corsa, the gravel driveways can be quite treacherous These look more like the sort of thing LR4x4-type folks might use... ATV Paddles

Hi, Odd question maybe, but are 300TDI's known for wearing out auxiliary belts quickly? I mean the one that drives the water pump etc. I put a new Continental belt on there less than 6 months ago to replace one that had longitudinal splits (causing a chirping noise). That noise is back now, so I checked the new(ish) belt, and again there are splits along it! Any thoughts on a possible cause? Thanks, Scott

Well done... I guess you didn't make the mistake that I did?! Since it was quite late, and I was in a rush to get going, I threw the centre console back in quite quickly. All seemed good, elec windows worked etc. Only when I decided to drive off did I notice the driver's seat belt socket was gone! Tucked up inside the console plastic. Now all you need is some ice and snow to make good use of the locked diff, and some mud for low range too.

You only need to be in Neutral to switch high-to-low. Am I right in thinking you've no chance of shifting left/right into Locked/Not Locked?

Anyone coming to the Gas Club tomorrow? It'll be the first Tuesday of the month, and we can all feel sad about most of the by-ways closing for winter together! Hope it isn't just me this time.

Agreed, I'd suspect the servo too. Mine did just the same (thread on here about 2 weeks ago)... a new (old) servo fixed it.

Agreed, brake light switch mounted just above the brake pedal. Just replaced the servo/master cylinder on mine, and noticed the brake light was permanently on, only to realise there is more than one hole when reconnecting the servo to the pedal... you shouldn't need to disconnect this, but if you do, don't make the same mistake I did! :-)

I bought a set of Insa Turbo Dakars in standard 235/70/16. They look good on there, and black painted Disco (commercial) steel wheels. £200 for the lot alebit because the wheels cost me a fiver on eBay! :-) Anyway, feedback is that they're excellent off road, but noisy on road. As for longevity I've no idea, but I do change back to Pirelli ST's for long road use anyway.

I did mine by going through the centre console area... took about 4 hours beginning to end with help from a friend. The lock selector was more-or-less fused internally due to the aluminium/steel mix of components. There are a few guides online on how to do it, and make sure you've got rivets etc. to fill those you drill out. The only thing I did wrong was when replacing the centre console I trapped the seat belt sockets inside!

What a muppet, I meant 1st September... might explain why nobody was there If anyone wants to do something this Sunday, I'd be up for a local trip. Staying around Swindon/Marlborough/Aldbourne or heading a bit south to Cherhill/Devizes area. Just a morning of it though, back to Swindon around 2 ideally. Anyone interested?

Don't forget, the first Tuesday of this month is 1st August. Meeting at the Gas Club as usual, 7:30pm.