[feichter]

Well, another year has passed! The usual culprit (seems to be an issue every 2-3 years): the parking brake!
Anyway, the only other issue was a couple of blown bulbs (number plate and side light) and I had a new battery fitted too.

Have to say, that having a new battery has made a noticable difference. I still had the original battery (2007), and the car always started ok, but seemed a little bit slugglsh when turning over. Now, however, it starts beautifully!

Next job, in the next couple of months, is to have the wheels refurbished.

 

[devilmaycare]

Have you been driving the car much? If not, your battery may not have been fully charging, but 13yrs for a battery does seem exceptional.

My parking brake has also started to play up after 14 yrs. It works, but doesn't always release properly as the warning light is reluctant to extinguish unless I fiddle with the foot pedal and release handle. I've decided not to use it for the time being as it spends most of the time on my almost level driveway.

My wheels are also in need of a refurbish and there is a specialist only a couple of miles from me, so I will have to contact them soon for a quote.

 

[feichter]

I did only 2800 miles, of which, 1000 miles driving to France and back. I try not use the car for short journeys, or, if it is a short journey, I'll just add some miles for the fun of it. That way, I recon, I keep the battery from being stressed.

Would be interested to hear what price you get for your wheel refurb....

 

[devilmaycare]

I'm still running on fuel I bought in March 2020, so every couple of weeks or so, I connect my charger. According to the Service Manual, the recommendation is not to go beyond 21 days without topping up the battery. The Service Manual also states that there is only a fraction of a volt difference between a battery with 25% charge and one with 75% charge. This might explain why a brand new battery can make a huge difference.

From enquiries I made a couple of years ago, I think I was budgeting about £100 a corner, depending on finish, but I would also need new TPMS valves, so that would be a significant extra. Then again, how much should one spend on a car which isn't being driven?