:rofl:

The apparently monthly suspension work plus rebooting RF shaft [emoji849]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4de1a8ed16.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6fe005cf22.jpg

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Replaced thermostat and dual coolant temp sensor. Kept getting DME error DME* -> 2EF4/82 - Engine characteristic map thermostat, Mechanics. Cleared the code, went for a long drive and the error has not come back:thumbup:.

Mounted a set of Bridgestone Blizzak
 

Nearly new winter tires 275/45/20. The old ones were 18" Dunlop Grandtrek winters from 2003! Testament to the quality of these Dunlop tires, they performed very well in the snow and made little noise but were almost down to the wear bars.

I love to hate the Bridgestone winter tires. I did not willingly buy these, they came on my Cayenne and I replaced them almost immediately with Conti DWSs, which are great tires. The Blizzaks are way too loud IMO. But they are almost new and will do a good job on the kidz ride at least for one or two winters.

So, I thought whilst I have the wheels off, I can compress the brake calipers and drain the old fluid that resides in the brake cylinders. Oh boy, the fluid looked dreadful and I decided that I needed to do more, way more! Decided to drain the reservoir first and then do a proper flush. The stuff that came out still worked but it looked horrible. I admit that it had been way too long since I last did a proper flush on this car. My daughter complained my orange juice looked a little suspect :-)

Bought styling 168. Gotta pick them up today.

Dear diary,
Today I grenaded the B clutch.
Damn ZF and their lack of cheap parts in this country. I have decided to go with a transplant vs repair for now as there is only so long I can pretend to be saving money by NOT driving.

PS.
I am sure the wife suspects something but I got her flowers for her birthday and randomly throughout the previous month so maybe she won't say anything.....

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Got them.:thumbup:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/96...ZML5zi-g=w1024

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BB...VhWol0Hg=w1024

Also the other day I started it ran few minutes at idle and threw me a service engine light on the dash. 4-5-6 misfire out of sudden and lambda limits over... Hmm, probably intake leak is hiding somewhere. Gotta use smoke machine on the intake soon. I cleared codes and no problems yet.

Just got back from a 1300 mile road trip. The X was forced into duty when our family car got into a fender bender. 20.9 was the average MPG for the trip, because we were in CA where everybody drives like they are on meth. The X sure is a gas guzzler and you really feel it when paying $4.60 for gas in Kalifornia. But it made the trip like a champ and the new Blizzaks handled about 300 miles and snow and ice extremely well.



The highlight of the trip was when I was going about 35-40 on a really slick, icy highway, and Mr. Van Life tailgating me finally gets the confidence to pass, and almost spins his Sprinter van as soon as he gives it the gas. He pulled over without hitting anything and we had a good laugh.

As a Kalifornian, I resemble that comment. But....20.9 mpg is better than the computer has ever said I got. Typically it says 17.9 on my '01 and 18.5 on the '05. And yes, our gas prices and registration fees suck - but our weather, mountains and beaches sure are fine. (In a different century I would have also saluted our women).

Only people that live in the mountains have a clue about driving in the snow out here.