White Dolce Gabbana D&G Mens Sandpiper watch replacement battery

battery replaced again for the D&G watch. this one has lasted 3 yrs, so ive replaced with the same again from the same supplier. 

Easy see my 2010 post below for the battery reference and supplier.

http://johnoldfield.blogspot.com/2010/10/replace-battery-code-s920sw-d-mens.html

Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport White

Not my car but from the Kuga forum.
Looks brilliant, but will have to wait a few years for it to depreciate.

Genuine Ford 54.5mm Alloy Blue Centre Cap

now that the new tyres are fitted its time to fit replacement centre caps as the old ones were corroding on the outside edge

Heres the replacements

Genuine Ford 54.5mm Alloy Blue Centre Cap / Cover - Mondeo, Galaxy, Focus, C-Max, Kuga, Fiesta by Ford

Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BFDEKUM

genuine parts and fit perfectly.

[EDIT : Ive just noticed you can also get an alloy finish version

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-NEW-GENUINE-FORD-ALLOY-FINISH-CENTRE-CAP-TRIM-FIESTA-MONDEO-FOCUS-KUGA-S-MAX-/161109884030?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item2582e5bc7e

May try them next, although not sure how they will stand up in winter conditions]

Ford KUGA mpg update

500 miles 34.7 mpg

Ford KUGA TDCI 163 manual replacement tyres fitted Nokian Z SUV 235/45 R19 99Y XL

fitted today @ 44714 miles

great service from Bromley Tyres in Warrington. http://www.bromleytyres.co.uk/

Emailed to request price, then order, waited a few days, then turn up to have all 4 fitted within 45 minutes.

Seamless and no marks on the alloys. 5/5 would definitely use again.

You could go through an intermediate (e.g. mytyres) but I chose to go direct.

Difficult choice but most replacement top quality tyres are £240 each!

The car has been running 235/45/19 Continental Sport Contact UHP (430 AA A) which have been a great tyre but simply cant justify the cost.

Im not keen on budget (e.g. Jinyu) for this size, so I had narrowed it down to a tyre somewhere in the middle that has won some reviews too.

Nokian Z SUV 235/45 R19 99Y XL (400 A A)

Roll resistance: C, Wet grip: C, Noise emissions: 72 dB.

http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=11738609&group=2.02&name=Nokian+Z+SUV

http://www.nokiantyres.com/media-release?id=28877960&year=2012

Cost is £175 per tyre (all in inc fitting/valves/balancing/disposal), so today cost me £700 (as opposed to £1000 for Continental etc)

So far theyve been brilliant.

Great feel, lots of grip and a lot quieter than the Continental they replaced. i can now hear the excessive wind noise. Seem to have a harmonic at around 45-50mph where the 'wheel bearing' noise seems to come back slightly but soon disappears again as you get faster. cruising @ 85mph is very quiet now. [EDIT Oct 2015 : This noise turned out in due course to be a failing rear wheel bearing, nothing to do with the tyres]

Here are the Continentals just before they came off at the legal limit (but with bald edges)

and the new Nokians after fitment. note the wider rim protection and the 'wear' indicator

[EDIT Oct 2015 : http://www.nokiantyres.com/summer-tyres/nokian-zline-suv/#section-product-awards-and-reviews]

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

Around 320 miles  @ 28 mpg (odometer higher,  s had to fill up a little on motorway)

Ford KUGA mpg update

461 miles @36.8 mpg

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

315 miles @ 26mpg

Golf GTI Edition 30 : MOT / TTS 340mm cross drilled discs / Ferodo DS2500 / Bilstein B12 Sportline kit / Votex Congleton

@71,000 miles Nov 2013

Top work from the guys @Votex Congleton, it was MOT time, but I had stored up some upgrades too.

@70000 miles the original OE suspension was well past its best (specifically the shock absorbers). No leaks but they not longer performed well on suppressing rebound.
I wanted to get a matched set and wanted lower too.

I was a little concerned the B12 Sportkit was going to be too low , but as it turns out its just perfect. I can still navigate speed bumps (just)

For the B12 Sportline they quote -50mm, but in reality this is -25mm as the Ed30 is already -30mm (from the std GTI) from new.

B12
46-194909
supplied by Balance Motorsport (or you could get it from JKM etc)

https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/bilstein-b12-sportline-full-kit-vw-golf5-golf-v-1k1-1-4-tsi-1-8-gti-1-8-turbo-2-0-gti-09-06-12-08-46-194909-1865.html


You can also consider the Mk6 version (and fit it to a mk5 ) for a more compliant ride

Full work was :

• MOT (the law in the UK)
• Cam follower replacement (this is a prudent service item on the 2.0 TFSI)

• Replace discs and pads all round

(340 mm TTS cross drilled + Ferodo DS2500 front)
Ferodo DS2500 Performance Racing Brake Pads - FCP1629H

(TTS cross drilled 280mm rear and std pads)

• Fit B12 Bilstein Sportline suspension kit (-25mm) (Eibach springs)
• replacer rear wheel bearing
• 2 new front strut top mounts
• 70,000 mile service
• replace track rod end

heres the 'after' stance