LeglessGarage: Alpine A110, Hyundai Ioniq 5
Discussion
Sort of loosely following on from my thread here.
This thread will, I think, mostly be about the Alpine, but I'll include the boring cars too. I'm tempted to start modifying (ahem, ricing) the Honda, but we'll see. Also, my typing has really gone to crap the last few years, so there might be typos, mistakes and random capitalisations.
I'll start with where I've come from, and the last few interesting cars I've had. I think most people in the petrolhead world got to know me from my Lotus, I had a 2019 Evora GT410 Sport with the numberplate TW19 LEG. I loved this car for the time I had it, but I have to say I don't miss it, and for me that's a real reflection of how special it wasn't. It was a brilliant car for two years and 32,000 miles, and I've no desire to revisit it. In trying to find the 'best' pic of it to put here, I'm reminded of how awkward it was from many angles:
Touring the Burren no.2 by Alex D, on Flickr
I've also had two AMG estates, starting with an off-white W204 Performance Pack car from 2010. Good lord I miss this car, selling it was the right thing to do at the time but I seriously regret it. I really want one again, it has one of the great modern V8 engines in that M156 6.2l.
Mercedes C63 by Alex D, on Flickr
Next was a W212 facelift estate in black with the M157 5.5l. This car was nothing but trouble and I sold it after 6 months. It had a misfire that just couldn't be tracked down and as I had no warranty, I was getting more and more nervous it was going to lunch it's engine. It stranded me several times, and eventually it went to WBAC. I don't miss it. Apparently these engines are great when working properly, but I always thought it lacked a lot of the 6.2s character. No pics of this one, it can go get bent.
Ahhh, such a short history. There have been a couple of lease Fiestas in there too, they were Motability cars.
Speaking of Motability cars, lets get into my current one and the longest (only 8 months) inhabitant of the leglessGarage, my Honda e. I absolutely adore it, and I'm a full electric convert for this kind of car. Lets have some pics:
Untitled by Alex D, on Flickr
Honda e and cherry blossom by Alex D, on Flickr
Honda e by Alex D, on Flickr
I'll be honest, I didn't choose this for the supposed environmental benefits, as it's a lease car, they don't stack up as far as I know. Nor did I choose it for the cheaper running costs. I chose it because it's interesting (cameras for wing mirrors!), I thought I'd love the way electric cars drive (and I do), and because it's unusual (I love to be a bit special).
I got it when I was living in London, and it definitely works better in a city. The range is rubbish, but that doesnt matter when it's just a city runabout, and once you've got your head around working with it it's not a problem. The turning circle is hilariously small, like a black cab! It's more than quick enough and, if you really want it to on a slippery surface, it'll do doughnuts with the TC off. It's less good now I'm out in Hampshire as it doesn't much like NSL roads, but I still find being in it to be hugely enjoyable.
I don't find the screen to be much of an issue, Honda has wisely chosen to control things like radio volume with physical controls, and this works well. The fish tank is a bit of fun, and I have my own anime background which anyone who's an actual adult rolls their eyes at
I utterly love it. I don't recommend it unless you have a lot of money and it's a second (or preferably third) car, but I still love it.
The most recent arrival now, the Skoda. Oh god, the Skoda. Right, well, lets have some pics I guess, maroon over brown with small wheels. Old man spec.
Skoda Superb 280 L&K by Alex D, on Flickr
Skoda Superb Cockpit by Alex D, on Flickr
And here's a photo of the rear legroom as it's hilariously huge.
Superb Rear Legroom lol by Alex D, on Flickr
So this was bought to replace the E63 AMG, and I deliberately got the most ordinary car that I hoped was still vaguely interesting, with a big focus on reasonable running costs. On that front it's been successful, in several thousand miles all has been normal, it likes a drink (32mpg average) but other than that, insurance and tax are reasonable, and servicing will be too.
It's... boring. I guess I knew it would be when I bought it, but the reality is a bit rubbish. Don't get me wrong, it's a faultless car. The driving position is possibly a touch too high, but other than that it does everything it is supposed to do incredibly well. It's L&K spec, so Skoda's top level, and it has all the toys and all the automatic everything. The seats are comfortable, it's very quiet at speed, it's pretty quick with 4WD and ~280bhp, and the boot is enormous. I put it on Conti AllSeason tyres and they're fantastic in every condition it's encountered so far.
But it's just so boring. Interestingly, the 'white good' electric car, the e, has loads more personality and is far more interesting than the Skoda is. I think I'd far prefer the Skoda with an electric powertrain and fast charging, but I'm sure that will come in time. Right now it's going to stay, I can't justify changing cars again to something that's more expensive to run when I still don't own a house.
Right! Lets get on the the one, the Alpine A110. Here's some pics:
Alpine A110 by Alex D, on Flickr
Untitled by Alex D, on Flickr
Untitled by Alex D, on Flickr
When you leave, just keep it calm please… by Alex D, on Flickr
Freshly washed A110 by Alex D, on Flickr
As you can see, my sports car is green and gold once again. What can I say, at times I have little imagination, and it was Winchester's demo car so had a healthy chunk off the price. I paid £57k with 1,750 miles on it, and it listed at £63k. In the current climate I'll take that!
Why the A110? Well, lets get the most immature reason out the way first; I love to be a bit special and it's a rare car. Yes, that really was no small reason for buying it. Sad, isn't it? I'm a hipster of the car scene. Ah well, I can live with it.
There are other (more solid) reasons too. Number one is the weight, this car is 1,100kg I believe, althouhg I haven't had mine on the scales yet, they all seem to come in around that. That's a huge three hundred kg lighter than the Evora was, and much lighter than almost everything else on the market with a DCT and a vaguely reasonable price. It's also had glowing reviews of the way it drives, which is important as I cannot test drive cars, and I personally really like the unique looks, although I know many don't. I really think it's the last of it's kind, a truly lightweight petrol only drivers car that isn't well into six or even seven figures.
I love it. It's been a brilliant purchase, and I think I'm probably never going to sell it. The body control and primary ride charaistics are exceptional, and you can only start to tell the price point in the secondary ride, which isn't quite as good as the Evora was. The engine is decent, it makes a surprisingly nice noise for a 4cyl, and has a really toppy power delivery which encourages revving it out. The gearing is fantastic, redline in 4th is ~100mph, so you get to have fun through three gears without really having to worry too much about a court date if you're caught. Driving position is fab too, which is something that always bothered me about the Sparco equipped Evora.
It's standard for now, but I'm trying to collect the full Life 110 upgrades that'll be fitted all at once in late spring. Wheels, suspension, map, aero kit and geo. All of them aim to keep the same character but improve on OEM, so the suspension will keep the excellent primary ride with a plusher secondary ride I hope, the aero kit adds some stability at 50/60mph+, the wheels are a little lighter than the ones I have and look banging, the geo sharpens everything up. The map I think aims to keep the same feel to the engine, but just more power and torque everywhere. I'm a huge fan of what David Pook is doing with these cars.
I'm going to slowly change the interior to all black and charcoal alcantara with green stitching to match the exterior colour. It's a car for life I'm pretty sure, so I am both in no rush and I don't mind spending the money.
If anyone bothered to read all that, well done! I'll be keeping the thread updated with various photos and musings, mostly of the Alpine, but if you have questions about the other cars please ask away!
I think these cars will be hanging around for a while. Alpine for life, Honda for the next two and a bit years, Skoda until I just can't take the boring anymore. I'd like to add a Ferrari 599 at some point in the next few years as I think it would compliment the Alpine very well, it's the opposite in so many respects. I'd love another W204 C63 too...
This thread will, I think, mostly be about the Alpine, but I'll include the boring cars too. I'm tempted to start modifying (ahem, ricing) the Honda, but we'll see. Also, my typing has really gone to crap the last few years, so there might be typos, mistakes and random capitalisations.
I'll start with where I've come from, and the last few interesting cars I've had. I think most people in the petrolhead world got to know me from my Lotus, I had a 2019 Evora GT410 Sport with the numberplate TW19 LEG. I loved this car for the time I had it, but I have to say I don't miss it, and for me that's a real reflection of how special it wasn't. It was a brilliant car for two years and 32,000 miles, and I've no desire to revisit it. In trying to find the 'best' pic of it to put here, I'm reminded of how awkward it was from many angles:
Touring the Burren no.2 by Alex D, on FlickrI've also had two AMG estates, starting with an off-white W204 Performance Pack car from 2010. Good lord I miss this car, selling it was the right thing to do at the time but I seriously regret it. I really want one again, it has one of the great modern V8 engines in that M156 6.2l.
Mercedes C63 by Alex D, on FlickrNext was a W212 facelift estate in black with the M157 5.5l. This car was nothing but trouble and I sold it after 6 months. It had a misfire that just couldn't be tracked down and as I had no warranty, I was getting more and more nervous it was going to lunch it's engine. It stranded me several times, and eventually it went to WBAC. I don't miss it. Apparently these engines are great when working properly, but I always thought it lacked a lot of the 6.2s character. No pics of this one, it can go get bent.
Ahhh, such a short history. There have been a couple of lease Fiestas in there too, they were Motability cars.
Speaking of Motability cars, lets get into my current one and the longest (only 8 months) inhabitant of the leglessGarage, my Honda e. I absolutely adore it, and I'm a full electric convert for this kind of car. Lets have some pics:
Untitled by Alex D, on FlickrHonda e and cherry blossom by Alex D, on FlickrHonda e by Alex D, on FlickrI'll be honest, I didn't choose this for the supposed environmental benefits, as it's a lease car, they don't stack up as far as I know. Nor did I choose it for the cheaper running costs. I chose it because it's interesting (cameras for wing mirrors!), I thought I'd love the way electric cars drive (and I do), and because it's unusual (I love to be a bit special).
I got it when I was living in London, and it definitely works better in a city. The range is rubbish, but that doesnt matter when it's just a city runabout, and once you've got your head around working with it it's not a problem. The turning circle is hilariously small, like a black cab! It's more than quick enough and, if you really want it to on a slippery surface, it'll do doughnuts with the TC off. It's less good now I'm out in Hampshire as it doesn't much like NSL roads, but I still find being in it to be hugely enjoyable.
I don't find the screen to be much of an issue, Honda has wisely chosen to control things like radio volume with physical controls, and this works well. The fish tank is a bit of fun, and I have my own anime background which anyone who's an actual adult rolls their eyes at
I utterly love it. I don't recommend it unless you have a lot of money and it's a second (or preferably third) car, but I still love it.
The most recent arrival now, the Skoda. Oh god, the Skoda. Right, well, lets have some pics I guess, maroon over brown with small wheels. Old man spec.
Skoda Superb 280 L&K by Alex D, on FlickrSkoda Superb Cockpit by Alex D, on FlickrAnd here's a photo of the rear legroom as it's hilariously huge.
Superb Rear Legroom lol by Alex D, on FlickrSo this was bought to replace the E63 AMG, and I deliberately got the most ordinary car that I hoped was still vaguely interesting, with a big focus on reasonable running costs. On that front it's been successful, in several thousand miles all has been normal, it likes a drink (32mpg average) but other than that, insurance and tax are reasonable, and servicing will be too.
It's... boring. I guess I knew it would be when I bought it, but the reality is a bit rubbish. Don't get me wrong, it's a faultless car. The driving position is possibly a touch too high, but other than that it does everything it is supposed to do incredibly well. It's L&K spec, so Skoda's top level, and it has all the toys and all the automatic everything. The seats are comfortable, it's very quiet at speed, it's pretty quick with 4WD and ~280bhp, and the boot is enormous. I put it on Conti AllSeason tyres and they're fantastic in every condition it's encountered so far.
But it's just so boring. Interestingly, the 'white good' electric car, the e, has loads more personality and is far more interesting than the Skoda is. I think I'd far prefer the Skoda with an electric powertrain and fast charging, but I'm sure that will come in time. Right now it's going to stay, I can't justify changing cars again to something that's more expensive to run when I still don't own a house.
Right! Lets get on the the one, the Alpine A110. Here's some pics:
Alpine A110 by Alex D, on FlickrUntitled by Alex D, on FlickrUntitled by Alex D, on FlickrWhen you leave, just keep it calm please… by Alex D, on FlickrFreshly washed A110 by Alex D, on FlickrAs you can see, my sports car is green and gold once again. What can I say, at times I have little imagination, and it was Winchester's demo car so had a healthy chunk off the price. I paid £57k with 1,750 miles on it, and it listed at £63k. In the current climate I'll take that!
Why the A110? Well, lets get the most immature reason out the way first; I love to be a bit special and it's a rare car. Yes, that really was no small reason for buying it. Sad, isn't it? I'm a hipster of the car scene. Ah well, I can live with it.
There are other (more solid) reasons too. Number one is the weight, this car is 1,100kg I believe, althouhg I haven't had mine on the scales yet, they all seem to come in around that. That's a huge three hundred kg lighter than the Evora was, and much lighter than almost everything else on the market with a DCT and a vaguely reasonable price. It's also had glowing reviews of the way it drives, which is important as I cannot test drive cars, and I personally really like the unique looks, although I know many don't. I really think it's the last of it's kind, a truly lightweight petrol only drivers car that isn't well into six or even seven figures.
I love it. It's been a brilliant purchase, and I think I'm probably never going to sell it. The body control and primary ride charaistics are exceptional, and you can only start to tell the price point in the secondary ride, which isn't quite as good as the Evora was. The engine is decent, it makes a surprisingly nice noise for a 4cyl, and has a really toppy power delivery which encourages revving it out. The gearing is fantastic, redline in 4th is ~100mph, so you get to have fun through three gears without really having to worry too much about a court date if you're caught. Driving position is fab too, which is something that always bothered me about the Sparco equipped Evora.
It's standard for now, but I'm trying to collect the full Life 110 upgrades that'll be fitted all at once in late spring. Wheels, suspension, map, aero kit and geo. All of them aim to keep the same character but improve on OEM, so the suspension will keep the excellent primary ride with a plusher secondary ride I hope, the aero kit adds some stability at 50/60mph+, the wheels are a little lighter than the ones I have and look banging, the geo sharpens everything up. The map I think aims to keep the same feel to the engine, but just more power and torque everywhere. I'm a huge fan of what David Pook is doing with these cars.
I'm going to slowly change the interior to all black and charcoal alcantara with green stitching to match the exterior colour. It's a car for life I'm pretty sure, so I am both in no rush and I don't mind spending the money.
If anyone bothered to read all that, well done! I'll be keeping the thread updated with various photos and musings, mostly of the Alpine, but if you have questions about the other cars please ask away!
I think these cars will be hanging around for a while. Alpine for life, Honda for the next two and a bit years, Skoda until I just can't take the boring anymore. I'd like to add a Ferrari 599 at some point in the next few years as I think it would compliment the Alpine very well, it's the opposite in so many respects. I'd love another W204 C63 too...
Wow - firstly nice choice of cars! Love the Honda E for all the points you mention, however owing to the numerous drawbacks and price I wouldn't/couldn't own one.
The Alpine looks stunning in that green, not seen that shade before and all the more striking for the gold wheels!
I must admit I was shocked at the MPG figures for your Superb, however then realised it was a petrol...
I have a 2003 Passat 4motion estate, but being a 1.9PD then it returns more like 50mpg.Look forward to reading how you get on with the A110 et al!
leglessAlex said:
But it's just so boring. Interestingly, the 'white good' electric car, the e, has loads more personality and is far more interesting than the Skoda is.
I had what was about to turn into a very expensive Superb Estate (DSG Mechatronic issue at 32000 miles and just out of warranty) which I took to WBAC and then bought....an i3 with broadly the same thinking - I need a 'white good' local car that's perhaps a bit interesting technologically. A bit of thought and we concluded an EV sort of makes sense for us as a family right at this moment.On paper it was a stupid idea, we live in rural North Yorks, nowhere near a city - the Skoda was far more practical and spacious and all round the better car for our circumstances.
But...The i3 is hands down the better 'car' than the Skoda was, The biggest surprise was that I actually enjoy driving it, but also it costs peanuts to run compared to the Skoda (about a third in fuel compared to the relatively economical diesel, even on our standard variable electric tariff) and it seems to get positive attention from all sorts of people.
Wierd what makes a car likeable sometimes.
(I should say though, we have 2 other cars; her 'sensible' Evoque and my 'mildly modified but soon to be fully gone-to-town on' GT86)
threadlock said:
...You say it's boring, but I bet it does its job very very well...
That's exactly it, it's going to be hard to get rid of because it's so good at what it does. For all my moaning I am slowly getting used to it, and I recognise how bratty it is to be trowing a tantrum because one of my three cars isn't as interesting as I'd like it to be Chunkychucky said:
I must admit I was shocked at the MPG figures for your Superb, however then realised it was a petrol... I have a 2003 Passat 4motion estate, but being a 1.9PD then it returns more like 50mpg.
Look forward to reading how you get on with the A110 et al!
Thanks Chunky! Yeah, I just don't do the kind of mileage to ever really need a diesel, and I was hoping the power would keep things somewhat interesting. I actually wanted a Yeti, but they never did a 2.0 petrol one sadly. I have a 2003 Passat 4motion estate, but being a 1.9PD then it returns more like 50mpg.Look forward to reading how you get on with the A110 et al!
Mark Benson said:
Wierd what makes a car likeable sometimes.
Ain't that the truth! It makes me hopeful that maybe some electric sports cars might be interesting, or at least not too soulless. That said, with my my nexty big purchase hopefully something with 12 cylinders, I'm not ready to migrate to that yet 
Thanks Percy, MDMA, GFW. I can't disagree, it's cute like me
FFS Dino, that was such a good day that was followed by so much disappointment over the next six months.
But I like to take photos of the car to remember the trips I've been on, and as well as the Lotus being a slightly awkward car to take photos of shape wise, that colour was also a royal pain in the butt.
I do have a green car obsession, however, so don't be surprised if the future 599 ends up a similar dark green to the Lotus.
FFS Dino, that was such a good day that was followed by so much disappointment over the next six months.
Panamax said:
Errm, but choosing my words carefully, nothing like as good as the green Lotus above.
Green is a difficult colour on cars. Mind you, a "highlighter green" Lamborghini has something a bit special about it.
I much prefer the Alpine green. The Lotus was a classier colour and would probably still suit the Alpine, whereas I think the Alpine green wouldn't have suited the Lotus. Green is a difficult colour on cars. Mind you, a "highlighter green" Lamborghini has something a bit special about it.
But I like to take photos of the car to remember the trips I've been on, and as well as the Lotus being a slightly awkward car to take photos of shape wise, that colour was also a royal pain in the butt.
I do have a green car obsession, however, so don't be surprised if the future 599 ends up a similar dark green to the Lotus.
Great garage. I wasn't expecting that colour on the A110. It's top of my want list the Alpine, moreso having sat in one at the Manchester Late Brake Show Live.
But if I had the space I'd also have a Honda e I reckon, for exactly the same reasons you got one - it just seems interesting.
And lastly - we have the Superb 272 hatch (Sportline+ spec). It is indeed incrediblhy competent. It's objectively a great car, and will even surprise a few unsuspecting people, either in terms of its shove or its space. But it defintiely isn't that interesting. But then I've never had much love for VAG products. Would we get rid? I doubt it anytime soon as it's just so good at what it does! Main thing is the wife (her car) loves it.
You're right though - if they did one in EV spec without losing too much of the cavernous space, it would be perfect.
But if I had the space I'd also have a Honda e I reckon, for exactly the same reasons you got one - it just seems interesting.
And lastly - we have the Superb 272 hatch (Sportline+ spec). It is indeed incrediblhy competent. It's objectively a great car, and will even surprise a few unsuspecting people, either in terms of its shove or its space. But it defintiely isn't that interesting. But then I've never had much love for VAG products. Would we get rid? I doubt it anytime soon as it's just so good at what it does! Main thing is the wife (her car) loves it.
You're right though - if they did one in EV spec without losing too much of the cavernous space, it would be perfect.
Thanks Brett!
Fully agree on everything else, the Skoda is just monumentally competent, but no soul. Still, until I've bought a house I'll have to put up with it.
I've got the number plate still, when I gave the Evora back to Jamie at B&C he insisted on taking it off and giving it to me, which was the right thing in the end. I was going to put it on my Emira, but since I've decided not to get one I'm unsure. Maybe I'll put it on this?
Swervin_Mervin said:
Great garage. I wasn't expecting that colour on the A110. It's top of my want list the Alpine, moreso having sat in one at the Manchester Late Brake Show Live.
Thank you! If you can, drive one. Exceptional cars, A lot of people say they're overpriced but I very much disagree. I think little else offers what they do. Fully agree on everything else, the Skoda is just monumentally competent, but no soul. Still, until I've bought a house I'll have to put up with it.
Luke. said:
Lovely garage.
What did Chris Harris have to say?
And where'd the TW19 LEG plate go?
Thanks! Harris was just telling me to leave politely, which I was going to do anyway, being a regular of C&M and a supporter of the 'don't be a dick' motto. He did, however, compliment the colour... and ask me if it was a wrap!! Outraged What did Chris Harris have to say?
And where'd the TW19 LEG plate go?
I've got the number plate still, when I gave the Evora back to Jamie at B&C he insisted on taking it off and giving it to me, which was the right thing in the end. I was going to put it on my Emira, but since I've decided not to get one I'm unsure. Maybe I'll put it on this?
A fine collection of cars and a Skoda! 
I always stop and look at Honda e's whenever I see them. It's like the very near future has arrived, even though they hark back to the original Civic! I got the same sense from the BMW i3 / i8 as well. Definitely the cool side of electric motoring.
The green and gold A110 is a superb looking thing. I hope you're going to keep the gold colour if you're changing the wheels? Don't go bigger either!
I always stop and look at Honda e's whenever I see them. It's like the very near future has arrived, even though they hark back to the original Civic! I got the same sense from the BMW i3 / i8 as well. Definitely the cool side of electric motoring.
The green and gold A110 is a superb looking thing. I hope you're going to keep the gold colour if you're changing the wheels? Don't go bigger either!
TheAngryDog said:
Enjoy Alex! Hopefully catch you around C&M sometime for a look around it!
Absolutely! I'll definitely be up there a lot in the coming spring months. seefarr said:
A fine collection of cars and a Skoda!
I always stop and look at Honda e's whenever I see them. It's like the very near future has arrived, even though they hark back to the original Civic! I got the same sense from the BMW i3 / i8 as well. Definitely the cool side of electric motoring.
The green and gold A110 is a superb looking thing. I hope you're going to keep the gold colour if you're changing the wheels? Don't go bigger either!
Sassing the skoda I always stop and look at Honda e's whenever I see them. It's like the very near future has arrived, even though they hark back to the original Civic! I got the same sense from the BMW i3 / i8 as well. Definitely the cool side of electric motoring.
The green and gold A110 is a superb looking thing. I hope you're going to keep the gold colour if you're changing the wheels? Don't go bigger either!
The wheels will be the same width and just 10mm wider, so I'll mount S-spec tyres on them. They're staying gold for sure, it's my thing! I think I'm just going to go for a slightly paler gold to match the calipers, but I'm undecided on that yet. I've gotta pull my finger out and get a colour code sorted, I think my wheels are just cluttering up Life110s garage
Well, it's a miserable Sunday, I'm at a loose end, and some things have changed on at least one of the cars. Lets get into it.
First, the Skoda! Only joking, it is of course unchanged. It's had a replacement headlight (not cheap!) and the adaptive cruise loves to disengage randomly, but overall it's done exactly what I bought it to do, which is be huge and comfortable. I still don't really like it, but it's so good at everything I have no reason at all to change it. I will, eventually, get another W204 C63, but not while I still don't own a house.
The Honda is plodding along, I don't have a change point installed for it yet which is a bit of a pain, and it really hates cold weather. I'm still enjoying it a lot, and I've been considering some wheels for it, these:
I think with a graphic on them they could look really really cool, along with the car being a little lower. But they're going to be ~£1,500 for the wheels and discs, and that's a lot...
Okay, so the Alpine! The good one. The changed one.
It's still exceptional, in fact I'm coming to love it even more. As I think I've said before, while it often gets accused of being very expensive, in reality I think it's a bit of a bargain. Nothing is offering what this does, and while I'm sure the Cayman GTS is an exceptional car, the Alpine is 300kg lighter. That's a lot.
Where have I been, what have I done, how much have I driven it? Well, last one first, the odo is now at 8,200 miles, which I'm pleased with. I'm getting to know the car well! Anyway, here's an unsurprising photo
There again?! Surely not… by Alex D, on Flickr
Oh look, it's at C&M. Wow! Not like I've ever been there before. Have another photo:
OFM Van by Alex D, on Flickr
The man that owns this truck, Jon, is both a huge petrolhead and a supplier of the most amazing burgers. Genuinely exceptional, and I highly recommend following him on Instagram and hunting him down when he's parked up sometime. You won't regret it, I promise. Also he's just lovely, and that always helps.
Oh, and because most of you have probably noticed that my cars are always dirty, I got something to help with that!
New Goodies by Alex D, on Flickr
So! There are two photos of the car looking suspiciously the same, but I said it had changed? Allow me to explain.
I briefly covered in my first post what I plan on doing with the car, and the first part of that has been completed. Here's now it now looks:
A110 at Spires by Alex D, on Flickr
A110 at Spires by Alex D, on Flickr
A110 at Spires by Alex D, on Flickr
It's had springs, wheels, spacers, geometry, front pads and a map. The map was done at TRS Performance, and all the other work carried out at Spires Tuning next door. I really can't speak highly enough of Peter at TRS and Matt at Spires, really fantastic people who know their stuff. Life110 works closely with them both for a reason!
What's it like? Even better!
The map has made it a properly fast car, but not at the expense of the character. It still wants to be revved out to the limiter, but now you're really travelling some when you get there. It's not even close to being 'unusable' power or anything like that, it's just had a healthy improvement over standard. I rate it highly.
The wheels and spacers have just made it look banging, and allowed it to run the same tyre size that's standard on the A110S, 10mm wider front and rear. They're a little lighter than the Seracs I had too, which is a nice bonus.
The brake pads are just a 'nice to have', I actually forgotten that I'd ordered them and they turned up when we opened the box for the springs. Less fade, less squeal, less dust. Standard aftermarket brake pad stuff.
Springs. Interesting one this. They've improved the look and taken the initial roll out of turn-in, with the penalty of a slightly firmer ride at low speed, as well as slightly amplifying the poor secondary ride characteristics of the standard dampers. I believe this to be a worthy trade, and I'm hoping that the later addition this year of fancy dampers will help improve that secondary ride. They've also contributed to the car feeling more planted on the road, but I think that's far more because of...
...the geometry. Oh boy, here's where things get really good. More 'planted' and stable feeling, and less deadness around TDC. The whole car is so alive and alert now, if you have an A110 and are considering changing anything, good god make it the geometry. The fact the settings are offered for free from Life110 is just a bonus.
I'm really happy with the effect on both the drive and the look, it's not drastically changed how the car feels, the mods have just improved on the drive in every area. I have other things planned/in the works, but I won't spoil them just yet.
The interior is getting some work done too, but that's long term. My spare wheel is currently with a trimmer getting done in black alcantara with green band and green stitching, and the rest of the interior will be in a similar vein. I'd like to get my hands on some of the Sabelt buckets, but no luck yet. I'm also going to try and work on some interior storage nets and pockets, but that's not a priority currently.
Plan for the next few months is just to drive it more, I want to start doing some track days and organise some good road trips. I do have a weekend in the Pennines coming up, got a little cottage to myself and I'm hoping it's not too snowy or icy!
First, the Skoda! Only joking, it is of course unchanged. It's had a replacement headlight (not cheap!) and the adaptive cruise loves to disengage randomly, but overall it's done exactly what I bought it to do, which is be huge and comfortable. I still don't really like it, but it's so good at everything I have no reason at all to change it. I will, eventually, get another W204 C63, but not while I still don't own a house.
The Honda is plodding along, I don't have a change point installed for it yet which is a bit of a pain, and it really hates cold weather. I'm still enjoying it a lot, and I've been considering some wheels for it, these:
I think with a graphic on them they could look really really cool, along with the car being a little lower. But they're going to be ~£1,500 for the wheels and discs, and that's a lot...
Okay, so the Alpine! The good one. The changed one.
It's still exceptional, in fact I'm coming to love it even more. As I think I've said before, while it often gets accused of being very expensive, in reality I think it's a bit of a bargain. Nothing is offering what this does, and while I'm sure the Cayman GTS is an exceptional car, the Alpine is 300kg lighter. That's a lot.
Where have I been, what have I done, how much have I driven it? Well, last one first, the odo is now at 8,200 miles, which I'm pleased with. I'm getting to know the car well! Anyway, here's an unsurprising photo
There again?! Surely not… by Alex D, on FlickrOh look, it's at C&M. Wow! Not like I've ever been there before. Have another photo:
OFM Van by Alex D, on FlickrThe man that owns this truck, Jon, is both a huge petrolhead and a supplier of the most amazing burgers. Genuinely exceptional, and I highly recommend following him on Instagram and hunting him down when he's parked up sometime. You won't regret it, I promise. Also he's just lovely, and that always helps.
Oh, and because most of you have probably noticed that my cars are always dirty, I got something to help with that!
New Goodies by Alex D, on FlickrSo! There are two photos of the car looking suspiciously the same, but I said it had changed? Allow me to explain.
I briefly covered in my first post what I plan on doing with the car, and the first part of that has been completed. Here's now it now looks:
A110 at Spires by Alex D, on FlickrA110 at Spires by Alex D, on FlickrA110 at Spires by Alex D, on FlickrIt's had springs, wheels, spacers, geometry, front pads and a map. The map was done at TRS Performance, and all the other work carried out at Spires Tuning next door. I really can't speak highly enough of Peter at TRS and Matt at Spires, really fantastic people who know their stuff. Life110 works closely with them both for a reason!
What's it like? Even better!
The map has made it a properly fast car, but not at the expense of the character. It still wants to be revved out to the limiter, but now you're really travelling some when you get there. It's not even close to being 'unusable' power or anything like that, it's just had a healthy improvement over standard. I rate it highly.
The wheels and spacers have just made it look banging, and allowed it to run the same tyre size that's standard on the A110S, 10mm wider front and rear. They're a little lighter than the Seracs I had too, which is a nice bonus.
The brake pads are just a 'nice to have', I actually forgotten that I'd ordered them and they turned up when we opened the box for the springs. Less fade, less squeal, less dust. Standard aftermarket brake pad stuff.
Springs. Interesting one this. They've improved the look and taken the initial roll out of turn-in, with the penalty of a slightly firmer ride at low speed, as well as slightly amplifying the poor secondary ride characteristics of the standard dampers. I believe this to be a worthy trade, and I'm hoping that the later addition this year of fancy dampers will help improve that secondary ride. They've also contributed to the car feeling more planted on the road, but I think that's far more because of...
...the geometry. Oh boy, here's where things get really good. More 'planted' and stable feeling, and less deadness around TDC. The whole car is so alive and alert now, if you have an A110 and are considering changing anything, good god make it the geometry. The fact the settings are offered for free from Life110 is just a bonus.
I'm really happy with the effect on both the drive and the look, it's not drastically changed how the car feels, the mods have just improved on the drive in every area. I have other things planned/in the works, but I won't spoil them just yet.
The interior is getting some work done too, but that's long term. My spare wheel is currently with a trimmer getting done in black alcantara with green band and green stitching, and the rest of the interior will be in a similar vein. I'd like to get my hands on some of the Sabelt buckets, but no luck yet. I'm also going to try and work on some interior storage nets and pockets, but that's not a priority currently.
Plan for the next few months is just to drive it more, I want to start doing some track days and organise some good road trips. I do have a weekend in the Pennines coming up, got a little cottage to myself and I'm hoping it's not too snowy or icy!
Edited by leglessAlex on Thursday 16th June 19:31
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