Anton

Just been given one of these for my birthday. Takes a bit of getting used to - the view is very wide, but rather shallow so you might have to spend quite a long time adjusting it to get the depth you want. One good thing - it clearly covers the area that should be visible in my useless passenger mirror (and I've been able to enhance that by retaining my screen mounted mirror but turning it to look out to the left). Only disadvantage so far: the sides of the roof or half roof cut down on the wide angle.

I have a nice big one (roundabout, that is 😬) on my trip home from work, so test it every evening........the T1Rs squeal whilst the R1Rs don't (maybe I'm not driving fast enough?) but if this is a good test the difference in grip doesn't seem to be that great.

Should have read BudJuggler's post more carefully - I've just gone back to T1Rs from R1Rs. I drive my 7 all the year round regardless of the weather: LE0 is an SV with 140 bhp 1.8 K series engine running on 205 45 ZR16s and I've found the T1Rs last longer, whilst there seems to be very little difference in the dry or wet weather performance, and they are cheaper. The R1Rs might have the edge in very wet conditions, but not by much.

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*arrowup* Likewise *thumbup*

Green 7 (couldn't see if it had a stripe) passing The Compasses Inn, Gomshall around 3:05 pm today - we were having lunch in the pub, and LE0 was hidden between normal cars in the carpark by the stream. Chilly, wasn't it?

Green with Yellow stripe leaving Tesco petrol station on Edgington Way, Sidcup, Friday 18th around 3:40 pm - spotted by my wife who was in the silver-grey Suzuki SX4 in front of you

I have a standard 140bhp 1.8 rover K in LE0 Tow questions regarding air filters - which is best - a K&N or the standard Pipercross sponge? And after washing a Pipercross filter do you need to add any oil to it, as you do the K&N?

Spotted by my wife in a precinct carpark in Dartford at around 1:00pm today an orange 7 registration possibly C7CDX tow up - father and son?

Managed to get out twice for blats around Kent, Surrey and Sussex, being careful to avoid the flooded bits, enjoying the sunshine. Had SWMBO with me so half roof on and very cosy. Not nuts enough to use LE0 today, though! Happy New Year to one and all!

Thought driving home tonight might be interesting! Pulled out of the drive leading to the office and drove very carefully through deep puddle only to be completely drowned by lorry driving past at high speed on the other side of the road. Water came in everywhere (only got the half roof on) so wet legs, backside and shoulders..........other than that it was fun!

In LE0, as usual, despite the weather - though driving home tonight might be interesting!

I can only speak for the Softbits products - I've had a half roof almost since they first came out,and apart from re-proofing after using their cleaner on it, have not had to do any maintenance. and it works well in all but the most extreme weather. I've coupled it with their draught screen which helps keep out rain blown in from behind and reduces headlight glare as well as substantially cutting buffeting. The shower cap has also stood the test of all kinds of weather, although I would advise you to put the half roof up underneath it if you are expecting heavy rain or snow to give it some extra support. It also has the added bonus of keeping the dust out (LE0 is parked under a flying freehold) and also animals like foxes or cats (!) Despite being an 03 plate, LE0 has 109,000 miles on the clock, and is driven 365 days a year, which should indicate how much use the two covers have had. Edited by - Anton on 20 Dec 2013 01:23:34

This must be the longest time between a spotted being published and a reply ever!!!! Hope you had a good day out - we certainly did 😬

*arrowup* This is where it gets into LE0. I tried duct taping a plastic cowling to the bonnet over the intake as a test, which cut down the flow of water but did not stop it. Now I just try to avoid the puddles

Try Mitcham Tyres at 472 London Rd, Mitcham CR4 4ED phone 020 8648 3865 http://www.mitchamtyres.com had a reasonable price for my Toyos and Goodyears for my wife's car

Don't want to hijack this thread, but could someone explain to me why 13 inch wheels are so much better than 16 inch - and how do you deal with the loss of ground clearance? PS - best mods - SBFS half roof and saddlebags, high level light mounted on the roll bar - I've heard a lot fewer brake screeches behind me since fitting that! Edited by - Anton on 18 Oct 2013 22:37:42

*thumbup* for Redline!

Hi Ray, - sorry didn't see you - was concentrating on the silver Astra on my right who was trying to push me off the road! She also tried to tell one of the coppers I was a maniac driver, presumably because I overtook her some way back............ Saw quite a lot of good open cars being enjoyed by their drivers (and passengers): 30's Bentley, two old Elans, two midgets and a Sprite, plus two Cobras - nice! Oh, and several moggies. Oops - missed out the red and ally 7 we saw on the way back, also up the A22! Edited by - Anton on 6 Oct 2013 19:41:55

Tights, prompting Maid Marion to ask ".............

First was ally body with yellow clams travelling south on the A3 around 4PM - we followed from Old Malden till you turned off near Painshill Park. Second was black and silver (?) glimpsed parked up at Smithbrook Kilns near Cranleigh at 5:30PM. We were out looking for the sun - managed to find a bit, too, and ended with a pleasant drink in Gomshall on the way home.

Just a couple of other spots to care for - before the respray LE0 had worn areas where the edges of the doors touch the bodywork when closed, also on the bonnet where the doorstuds touch with the doors open and on the sides of the scuttle where the door fronts rub as you open them. Final point was on the back panel at the top of the spare wheel - but that could be because the strut that the spare wheel is bolted through had snapped, allowing it to move more than normal. We also had some pitting on the body just in front of the rear wheel arch protectors - stones bouncing off perhaps?

Two up and chatting, turning left at the roundabout from the Leatherhead ByPass A243 onto the A24 Leatherhead Road toward Ashtead at around 11:10 Tuesday morning - I was in the titanium and black 7 going the exact reverse of your course, on my way into work.

Two very unexpectedly in Herne Bay this afternoon, waved and revved at us. One was yellow or orange. Surprised you spotted LE0 tucked in behind other cars! 😬 Edited by - anton on 25 Aug 2013 21:59:24

Green, with yellow noseband, heading east on the A30 at 14:20 on Saturday not sure of the exact location), holding on to your hat 😬 - we were the silver-grey Suzuki SX4 that followed you for some distance, turned off the A30 with you but then turned away. Hope you didn't get soaked in the heavy rain afterwards. We were on our way home from Cornwall.