At the risk of being regarded as a thread-hijacker ( ) my car's build spec says 'charcoal' for the dash but it looks distinctly greenish to my eye. Would that be right? (the bird's eye maple above looks more charcoal to me.)

Also, with the engine running and aircon switched on, the shiny pipe at the back of the engine bay (feed pipe to the blower in the car) should feel icy cold.

Thank for the link BB but, as far as I can make out from the picture on the listing, that's actually the adaptor that screws into the rim, two of which came with the car.

Eureka! After further experimentation I've made the happy discovery that a dual purpose schrader/presta track pump connector that I bought recently (good old eBay) for use on bicycles is slim enough to fit on to the BBS valve screw-in, so I'm out of trouble.

Thanks for the suggestions. Allan - I already bought some valve extenders but it turns out that what I thought was a thread on the end of the BBS valve screw-ins is just a bunch of grooves so extenders cannot be screwed on. Mike - I checked out the various connectors etc that you highlighted but, in...

Thought I'd put a bit more air in the tyres on my car the other day but found that once I'd screwed the little valve extension gizmo in (the car's on Sepangs) there isn't enough space between the extension and the rim to get the footpump connector on so I'm stymied. Spent some time scouring t'interw...

Yes, top class - expert, experienced, enthusiastic and friendly. And, no, I have no connection with them other than having been along to one of their rolling-road 'shootouts'.

Yes - talk to Paramount in Slough.

Dunno the answer to your question but a very good starting point would be to read David Marks' article on the subject on P56 of the February magazine. Far more to it than just plugging in, reading and fixing, apparently.

Just in case of the worst scenario can anybody recommend an auto gearbox specialist in the South West who provides a decent warranty. (The one mentioned on a recent topic in Portsmouth sound good but who were they?)


The Express Gearbox Company on 023 9265 0502.

Hello and welcome. I believe that Tom Lenthall (TL Jaguar Ltd 0118 973 7779) is in that region (south Oxfordshire?) and he has a very strong reputation for his knowledge and experience in Jag spannering.

Hi there - sorry to hear about your disappointing discovery re the corroded floor panels. Seems to me that, under the sale of goods act, you're in a strong position to return it as not fit for purpose, get a full refund and then source a rather better example. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Anyone else notice that the owner of the car, reg. no. 92 Hot, is showing this in an illegal way ?

Ever seen Norman Durban's front plate?

Sounds like a cut-and-shut to me. Only joking - relax. (Welcome, by the way. )

...I proceeded to attempt removal the following morning. As I strained to get the leverage required, I could feel the red mist coming when suddenly there was a loud bang, my head shot up and smacked the underside of the wheelarch and the cars' alarm activated. After silencing the alarm and stemming...