Rob's DIESEL VW Polo Build thread

[robchalmers]

Originally Posted by ConnClark

Consider relocating your intake.

Can't really for insurance reasons

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by robchalmers

Can't really for insurance reasons

This is the first time I have heard of an insurance company being picky about this. I wonder what their gripe is?

maybe you could just stretch a nylon over the intake to keep some of the grime out.

[robchalmers]

British insurers can be incredibly picky over the spec of your car. Quite a few will refuse to pay out if your car has mods you didn't notify them of - some will go as far as invalidating you policy leaving you in the legal nightmare of driving without insurance
Friends of mine have fallen foul of this previously. An ex-girlfriend was was hit by and another driver (who fled) and when the insurance guy came to see the car (pug 206) he spotted she had a set of aftermarket tail lights (nicknamed lexus lights). He promptly said that she'd modified the car with out declaring it and they weren't going to pay out.

when/If you mention you have a mod on your car in the insurers initial questions, they'll transfer your call to their modified car/young driver/high risk affiliate and charge you a hell of a lot more just because you want to change your wheels, drop your car an inch or put an noisy tailpipe on or any thing that takes it away from 'manufacturers specification' doesn't even seem to matter if you're doing it for ECO reasons either from what I've gathered

[Arragonis]

Some insurers allow you to declare common mods. I used to be on a specialist modified policy and switched to a much cheaper quote from a larger insurer because they had tick boxes with common mods on it.

It was a strange list ranging from wheels to the Ekotek valve.

[robchalmers]

who are you with??

[Arragonis]

Not going to say who I'm with as I wouldn't recommend them (currently having a, ahem, 'discussion' over their response to a claim on the house for a roof leak - long tale about 24 hr helpline closing at 9pm, and then subcontractors saying first 48 hours and then that becoming 48 working hours and then, and then...aaaaarrrgh). They did turn a minor annoyance into a crisis.

For info just did an alternative quote on a few well known places and they all seem to have it. Try Aviva (comes up first in my google) - click modified and there is a list of stuff under modifications.

EDIT : Just checked with a workmate who has loads more mods and he uses Bell Insurance. If you do it online there is a big list of mods including a non-standard air filter.

[ConnClark]

I'm really glad I live in the USA and have an Agent that can use his discretion.

[robchalmers]

Morning/Afternoon all,

Just a bit of a catch up of the lil’dub.

Last week saw a sad day - I had to put the Polo in for its MoT test. For the Non-UK guys and Gals its basically just a good prodding from a government bloke who gives it the all clear that the car is roadworthy. It includes emission, tyres, brakes, structure and lighting test amongst others and as you may have guessed my tiny crash repaired dub failed……

But - not by much.

A chip in the windscreen and the headlight alignment (guessed that when I put it back together after the crash)
This morning the man from the ministry gave me a fresh green receipt and Das Kleine Panzer can now drive on her Maj’s highways again!

[robchalmers]

Right.....

Ahead of my summer challenge i've been hard at work on trying different techniques. the last probably won't help my challenge which involve driving from basically Liverpool to Le Mans and back on two tanks of Diesel

I've lower my upchange rpm fromm 2250 down to 1750 , with the diesel torque it still makes adequate progress, and My MPG nudge back into the 50s again as a result. BUT on the my summer effort 90% of the time (rough approximation and not to be taken seriously) the car will be running at 2750 in 5th unless I need to stop for a toll or a comfort break!

I think its finally time to break out the duck tape and get nasty.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by robchalmers

unless I need to stop for a toll or a comfort break!

Combine them if you can.