stratos

I don't think its an age thing, it's how old you feel thing. (I am un young!) Do you want a sporty drive or an easy drive. A lazy diesel with bags of torque so you don't have to bother with changing gear , don't have to stop and fill up so often, is the sensible choice, even depreciates less, which is nice. I like the sound of my VTS at 7000, I enjoy flicking through the gears on the twisties on the way home. I enjoy driving, that's why I thrash a Porka around on trackdays. Its not a rational thing. :unsure: I agree with iannez on turbo, had same engine in Octavia vRS, bigger turbo, custom map from Jabbasport at 278bhp and about the same in torgue. but the stopwatch and dyno showed it was fast 5500-7350rpm, but FELT fast at 3500 - 4500. Again peak torque against peak power. Nice engine, often voted in top 10 lists (Audi 1.8T) We all are different, wouldn't it be boring if all cars were the same, what would we argue about in the pub!

I am always amused at the diesel v petrol debate as both sides always tend to think power and torgue are different things and not related. The reason why most petrol cars are faster than diesels is they can rev. The simple link is Horsepower = Torque X (Revs/5252) , torque in ft lb. Power is what does the work, and most diesels can not rev so operate in a narrow band, need lots of gears. Once you are over 5252 Revs you will get more power out of a petrol, hence why F1 go to 18,000, Honda VTEC go to 9000 (poor torgue) but have you tried to keep up with a CTR. For performance you change up at peak power, not peak torque, thats why we have rev counters. Its all about application of torque, how quick you can do it. Diesels are improving at faster rate than petrol engines and one day, probably soon, be sporting engine of choice. At present it is for better economy and people saying they are fast in 'real world' driving. I assume that is not bothered to change down driving. :lol: and petrol sounds better, you sniff petrol not diesel. Ducks for cover! :blink:

Back on topic, There is an official fix for wind noise in C4 - I saw the multi-page work instruction yesterday. It involves replacing many little bits and peices, trim, seals etc. Dealers have ordered bits and is being done under warranty next week, same time as the disconected headlight washer pipe which also seems a common problem. Thumbs up for dealers, said I thought wind noise was getting worse, but still not really noisy, no argument, said they had a fix. :angry:

Leave mine on auto all the time, thats why they call it auto in my view. Not worried about it sapping power as it automatically disconects when you go to max throttle switch. If you've got the toys you must use them :D

They all work using the brakes, just in a different way. They are just software systems. The ESP programme does not stop you spinning the wheels in a straight line, its the ASR programme but there is only one light, a combined ASR/ESP one.

There seems to be some confussion with what sytem does what, ESP does not stop you spinning the wheels, it stops you spinning the car. ASR stops you spinning the wheels. ABS - Anti-lock Braking System , just does that, stops brakes locking up. EBA - Emergency Braking Assistance - times how fast you brake, optimises braking, puts on hazard lights. ASR - Anti Skid Regulation, optimises traction, stops wheelspin ESP - Electronic Stability Programme, uses brakes individually to maintain car stability. (oversteer/understeer) The VTS 180 is the only C4 you can fully turn off ESP/ASR :o Bit supprised to hear someone driving around with ESP light regularly on, this means you are unable to control the car yourself, and the computer has to do it for you :o :D

Never mind lab44, :D

I just put in my work address and email - was in within 10 seconds. If you actually wanted to do something and not just look then that would be different I imagine.

No you don't, they do not do any checks. As long as your email address works they will send you a password and unername in 10 seconds by automated responce. Very interesting what you can find out from the VIN - good spot watermeade :)

I find the onboard computer very optimistic as far as fuel consumption goes, well they would do it that way wouldn't they :o. Overall OBC gives my average mpg as 33.9, brim to brim (real) mpg is 29.6. Not to bad since I drive it quite hard, do not tick the 180 box if you want economy, be a smoker. Oh - average speed for last 2100 miles 49mph :o

Had this problem on my VTS. The fault indicator also pulses the dip beam light on and off when you switch the headlights on. Dealer changed a control box FOC under warranty. It was an electrical fault not a mechanical one.

My VTS 180 came with 2 remote / folding keys as standard. £130 is what Alfa charge for a replacment key, £40 for key and £90 for programming it, so its not just a Citroen rip-off.