Mojo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2015
- Messages
- 181
- Country Flag
Having had positive feedback and support from the forum I thought I would share my recent experience of the new '80 chapter' of my life.
After many months of nosing around on the internet and making phone calls to potential sellers I eventually found a car in London. I booked a single flight ticket from Iberia and landed at Gatwick where chaos ruled since Clapham Junction had decided to shut down for the day. As I rushed to view and test drive the car, i hoped the seller would understand my tardiness. The following morning, after a night of reflection I was the proud owner of my first ever 80.
I didn't have much time to hang around in the UK, so the first thing was an MOT appointment. I wasn't too worried, even when a BMW (2013) owner before me was told that her car had failed. I looked outside to the 80 and winked.
After an hour of brake testing in the car park (?) and meticulous inspection, i was told that my side lights looked blue. I say they looked bright white..and the 80 passed.
I filled up with diesel, checked oil, checked water, bought a road map of France, headed to Dover and was loaded onto a P&O ferry directly behind a 100 Series. I think we were the only 2 cars on that deck....
Down through France, across the Pyrenees (overtaking pilgrims walking the Way), across to Salamanca and into Lisbon, I used small national roads as much as possible. The 80 isn't a performance car and was quite happy at 100km/hr. At least that way I could overtake village bumpkins rather than being overtaken by car towing caravans on the motorway. Besides the 80 is happier hammering along pot hole ridden roads...
3.5 days later, 1500 miles, 53 gallons/245 litres...approx 28mpg....I arrived in Lisbon.
The only problem was.....there was no problem. Nada.
I am now going to spend the next few weeks going over the 80 and see what needs doing.....
I'll post pics soon!
After many months of nosing around on the internet and making phone calls to potential sellers I eventually found a car in London. I booked a single flight ticket from Iberia and landed at Gatwick where chaos ruled since Clapham Junction had decided to shut down for the day. As I rushed to view and test drive the car, i hoped the seller would understand my tardiness. The following morning, after a night of reflection I was the proud owner of my first ever 80.
I didn't have much time to hang around in the UK, so the first thing was an MOT appointment. I wasn't too worried, even when a BMW (2013) owner before me was told that her car had failed. I looked outside to the 80 and winked.
After an hour of brake testing in the car park (?) and meticulous inspection, i was told that my side lights looked blue. I say they looked bright white..and the 80 passed.
I filled up with diesel, checked oil, checked water, bought a road map of France, headed to Dover and was loaded onto a P&O ferry directly behind a 100 Series. I think we were the only 2 cars on that deck....
Down through France, across the Pyrenees (overtaking pilgrims walking the Way), across to Salamanca and into Lisbon, I used small national roads as much as possible. The 80 isn't a performance car and was quite happy at 100km/hr. At least that way I could overtake village bumpkins rather than being overtaken by car towing caravans on the motorway. Besides the 80 is happier hammering along pot hole ridden roads...
3.5 days later, 1500 miles, 53 gallons/245 litres...approx 28mpg....I arrived in Lisbon.
The only problem was.....there was no problem. Nada.
I am now going to spend the next few weeks going over the 80 and see what needs doing.....
I'll post pics soon!