Hmm, not really. They are nothing special at all. Really just a personal record. But I'll put one up if you like. EDIT: I should point out that I have a negative/slide scanner, so once I get the film developed I can scan in some better pics, if they've come out properly.
Inevitably, Audis have the diesel cheat code in their models. All these marques are Volkswagens: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, Škoda and Volkswagen; motorcycles under the Ducati brand; and commercial vehicles under the MAN, Scania, Neoplan and Volkswagen. Obviously, some don't have diesels in their ranges. Wouldn't mind betting that those that do, have the cheat code too.
Add to that the knowledge that a lot of manufacturers share technology, there will be more to come out I am sure. On the day it came out about VW, the CEO of Vauxhall quit ... may just have been a coincidence though. These guys don't make their own bits quite often, but a Tier 1 supplier develops them and may service other manufacturers too.
Yes, I quite agree. Basically, another branch of business has been conning us again and has been found out. Just by how much remains to be seen.
I'm a bit bemused by the strength of feeling over some of this. I understand there are special issues with outright cheat modes esp' on dirty diesels. But manufacturors have been playing a game around this for decades. My m/c as it comes from the factory runs very lean and hot up to 4000 revs so it can meet emission laws. Stock it does around 50-55 mpg. By fitting different exhausts I'm sure it may fail if put through an emission test, but it now returns 60-70 mpg ! Go figure.
Telling fibs about mpg is one type of lie...manufacturers will always express things in ways that make their product look good. VW cheating emission tests is just immoral...a far worse lie.
A month ago I was thinking of selling the wife's VW diesel. Mmm me thinks it's value may be a little lower than I thought now. It is amazing how things like this can affect decision making.
The thing that shocked me most was about general fuel consumption figures., I've always taken them with a pinch of salt but they have been becoming more and more wildly divorced from reality this century. Following is from http://www.economist.com/news/brief...carmaker-threatens-engulf-entire-industry-and please log in to view this image This is because of what they are allowed to do in consumption tests. From the same article: "The cars that are tested have generally been modified to be as frugal as possible. Things that add weight, such as sound systems, are left out. Drag is reduced by removing wing mirrors and taping up cracks between panels. Special lubricants make the engines run more smoothly. Low-resistance tyres are overinflated with special mixtures of gas. Alternators are disconnected, which gives more power to the wheels but guarantees a flat battery in the end. The cars may be run in too high a gear, and conducting tests at the highest allowed ambient temperature—another efficiency booster—is commonplace." Now these are official tests with mandated procedures, so who, who, who is responsible for allowing car manufacturers the leeway to game the system like this? It's all well and good blaming the car manufacturer but they are being rational in doing what they can within the rules. Whoever wrote the rules should be dropped into the sea with an engine block tied round his neck. Twice. Vin
An actual spoiler Spoiler: Game of Thrones Spoiler In case anyone didn't already know please log in to view this image Spoiler alert.
I was in Tesco on the way home from work when I heard something which made me have to strongly resist the urge to burst out laughing. A middle aged man was asking his wife (well I assume she was his wife): "Do all butter croissants have butter in them?"
About a couple of years ago I came across a less than 3yr old SAAB 9-5 Aerodeck in dazzling condition throughout. It was being sold kerbside in the upper part of Winchester Road, just north of where it crosses Hill Lane. I got off my bike just to look at the mileage which showed the low 20Ks [can't remember exactly, but 21-23]. It wasn't diesel, but SAAB had gone out of business - possibly an even worse situation for vehicle value [we'll see]. The owner wanted just £1000 or nearest offer. I always loved traditional SAABs and have owned two, an injection 900 and a turbo 900 but I couldn't justify a decent reason to buy it. I simply didn't need one. I convinced myself that it wasn't a proper one anyway, but I knew that was wrong. Modern SAABs had as much to do with their parent Vauxhalls as the Aircraft company had to do with the Scania trucks. Anyway, I didn't look back. Well, not more than once.
The strength of feeling is because a whole industry invested in diesel technology, during the environmental 90s and 00s and it was a lie. Plus, Govts got involved and used our money to persuade us to buy diesel cars over petrol. Personally, as written before, I was very sceptical of the whole Diesel v Petrol thing, especially when the environment is taken into consideration, so I've never bought diesel. But a lot of people did and a lot of people were duped. And it looks as if they were duped a bit more than they thought. BTW, my VFR was subject to a import VOSA test when I first registered it. The chap at the testing station said the air was cleaner coming out of the exhaust than the surrounding stuff. But being an old bike now [15 years] it isn't subject to emissions testing for MOTs.
Drafted my Portsmouth FC Ladies resignation letter, what do you think? Dear Mr Williams, Although you don’t know me, nor have ever met me, I have been the admin of Portsmouth FC Ladies’ Facebook page since 2012, first unofficially and then, from January 2013, officially. With this in mind, it is with a heavy heart that I wish to announce my resignation from the position of Facebook admin of Portsmouth FC Ladies. Since the appointment of x as media officer, I have increasingly felt side-lined and as if my services are no longer required. While I originally created the page and have run the page for 3 years now, the majority of that time single-handedly, I now feel my position is redundant and I am disinclined to stay in a position for the sake of it. Although I appreciate and understand the need to make the club more professional, I feel that, given my history with the club, the development of the club’s Facebook page is something I should have been involved in, likewise the operation of the Facebook page is something I feel, given my history, I should be part of. I am not averse to working with people, far from it, however there has been a lack of communication and dialogue which I find troubling. In addition, x’s reaction when I made the point about spreading posts out over the course of a week, and potentially delaying posts if one has already been made that day to ensure there is something to post the next day, made it clear that the it was her way or the high way, this despite my experience of successfully running the page for 3 years. As a fan of both Portsmouth FC and women’s football, it is with a heavy heart that I make this decision, yet I feel the time has come to move on. Recent events mean I am starting to lose my passion for the club, nevertheless I wish you and the team every success for the future. Kind Regards Pompey Lapras
If that is what you want, it is a well written letter as you have stated your case and remained calm. Too easy to dredge up everything that has annoyed you and weaken your case by sounding childish. Sounds okay to me...sad though when you have enjoyed taking your part in the team.
Good letter Pomps, though I wouldn't use "heavy heart" twice - just a bit too Barbara Cartland for me. I'd use "it is with deep regret" or something second time round.
PL - I'm actually not being nasty here, but it is a bit melodramatic. Just ask them if they want you to carry on or not. Ps. If you ever split from a girlfriend by letter, any chance you could let us read the letter?
I wouldn't dump a gf by letter. My ex dumped me by e-mail and that was pretty bad, I'd at least have the courtesy to tell them in person. Thanks for the tip, LTL. And Fran, I'll probably offer my services to another woman's team that lacks a Facebook page.
