What Have You Done to Your Cougar Today?

Found that I have a puncture. Not impressed.

Turns out the puncture wasn't actually a puncture!

I've just spent a good hour swapping the rear wheel for the spacesaver and the front wheel for the rear* (spacesaver won't go over the 300mm brakes). I had a good look round the tyre and couldn't see anything that may have caused a puncture. After getting a serious dab on with a bike pump, it appears to be holding air. My best guess is that the combination of the car being sat stock still for weeks on end and the tyres slowly going down and it facing downhill put enough weight on the front end that once the tyre got soft enough the seal on the bead flexed just enough to let all the remaining air out completely.

*With the front tyre flat, the car was too low to get the trolley jack underneath. After a fair bit of head scratching, I worked out that jacking up the rear just a touch with the Audi's scissor jack would give me just enough clearance at the front. Once I Iet the car back down on an inflated tyre, there was sufficient clearance to retrieve the trolley jack. I am now drinking cold beer in celebration at having worked out something vaguely intelligent and technical all by myself!
 
*With the front tyre flat, the car was too low to get the trolley jack underneath. After a fair bit of head scratching, I worked out that jacking up the rear just a touch with the Audi's scissor jack would give me just enough clearance at the front. Once I Iet the car back down on an inflated tyre, there was sufficient clearance to retrieve the trolley jack. I am now drinking cold beer in celebration at having worked out something vaguely intelligent and technical all by myself!

Genius! See? You know what you're doing.

Anyway, Tiger has been washed, compounded on some troublesome areas, and waxed twice. In the meantime, Jinxy has been taken back to AD Panelcraft to sort out the impact damage sustained in the work parking lot. No big deal but Kate (the MX5) has a flat battery and is on charge. So T has taken Tiger out to go over her sister's place.

In all honesty, T is probably a better driver than me (she has a decade more experience but she is more aggressive) so I have little to worry about. But that doesn't stop me hoping that both my girls come home safe and in one piece...


Anyway, while we were at ADP, a bunch of guys from Chalky White's (mechanics next door) came out and wanted to talk about Tiger. The upshot was, "It's beautiful, sounds amazing, is well kept, and you're lucky to have a car that's as pretty as that which is as easy to work on as a Mondeo. Can I buy it? How much do they go for?" So don't be surprised if we have at least one new MK member soon.

They were also fascinated by the hail damage that the roof and offside A-pillar still has.
 
The OCD had an Eastern European wash and valet......not perfect but for £16 what more could you ask for.
 
Very nice. That's what I like about your car, it's the little details. I'm not sure it would go with my planned wood trim look, but I might look out for one anyway.
 
replaced the rear gbox/engine mount ,was all loose and split and made the engine wobbly..funny thing the new ones body was made of alloy ,old one was steel...went on ok though and made it sound better..