Mike Matts

Please try the Arrow Valley visitor centre in Redditch Worcs. They put on many events including vintage motor shoes. Easy motorway access from all directions M42 M6 M5 M40

Has anyone any ideas where I can get exterior panel clips for lower door and wheel arch plastic clip on.they seem to be color coded yellow/blue/plain Many thanks mike

just had my alphie repaired similar looking damage. They managed to sort it without replacement as it was a third party claim with the defendant I left it for the ins comps to sort it out. I have just seen the bill an eye watering £3.700 for the repair also 17 days hire of a same class vehicle £4,400 ouch !!!! no wonder our insurance is so expensive Mike

hi folks Have just had to replace the bulb in the spoiler, found that you have to remove the spoiler by accessing 4 nuts 2 are found under rubber grommets by the top strut mountings. The remaining ones have to be accessed by removing the top trim on the rear door the use of a 10mm box spanner is very helpful don’t be fooled by the access panel on the top of the spoiler! mike

hi folks has anyone noticed that if the side door windows are open the door opening is restricted not opening fully Mike

If you take out the bottom drawer by sqeezing both sides to enable the door to drop fully down, the drawer can be removed by pulling outwards. You will then be able to locate screws holding the trim together with the centre consol, the same on the drivers side. There are two push in locator plugs one per side that need to be prized out use a plastic trim tool if pos you should now be able to pull the consol out the button normally lands on carpet?.I have found the best way to assemble the shift lock is to remove the panel that has the gear selector from the main panel, this can be done by carefully prizing 4 clips and carefully removing take your time so not to break tabs. Refit the main consol without the the shift lock panel then with the lock button in place snap the back. In place. The best advice I can give is take your time!! Hope this is of help Mike

I have to say a big sorry to Steve and all the organisers of the meet yesterday,i was due to come and was looking forward to going but unfortunately covid scuppered my plans. Well done everyone Mike

Hi folks could anyone tell me where I can find the VIN number so I can take a photo for insurance company

2006 3ltr v6 mostly urban 23.6 mpg using e5 I have posted results comparing e10 vrs e5

Hi parallax as rojie says make sure you select d and not d4 you have a 5speed box at 70 revs should be 2500 Mike

Hi folks just finished the last tank of e5 returned 315 mls on 63 ltrs. Only diff was ac off al other parameters kept the same. My conclusion is the extra performance advantage using e5 outways the cost while getting piece of mind regarding the mechanics. If I find any problems in the future I will let you know. Mike

Hi David The front valance can easily be repaired by a good body shop. I have personally repaired the fixing tabs by reconstructing with fibreglass and resin long winded but doable any cracks and more serious damage can be welded and filled.The obvious answer would be to ask your insurance company for a price to purchase your motor back after they right it off, it is obviously drivable with little bother, giving time to fully investigate repair. best of luck Mike

Hi folks E10 vrs E5 again ran alphie v6 3.0ltr on e10, filled up 63ltrs returned max 270mls on this tank either my gauge is inaccurate but putting in the same amount o fuel from the same station, driving reasonably at all times I can only come to the conclusion that e5 is by far the best fuel to use for economy and mechanical piece of mind. 63 ltrs e10 = £1.37 = £86.31 63 ltrs e5. =. £1.45 = £91.35

Hi folks just completed a second full tank mpg test and returned 310 mls on 63lts of e5. Now running on e10 to compare will keep you posted.

Always use Morrisons fuel as it is the cheapest in Redditch. Not really noticed if the v6 runs any better will take more notice this week or so, part of the week we carry 6 people and a Doberman try to keep this comparison.

Hi folks just done a rough test on mpg,filled up on e10 and returned 280 miles on a full tank ie 63 ltrs .Then using e5 same criteria got 320 miles this I believe saved me £8.30 on price comparison ie e10 £1.38,e5 £1.43. This was all done with ac on, driving normally keeping more or less to same routes, doing the same again to compare but with the benefits of e5 this would a no brainier. Any one done the same?..

Hi folks autoglass are having problems getting glass and mouldings required to replace a cracked screen on my alphie,taken 2 weeks and still waiting. If anyone has a chip or small crack please be aware that this could be a prob maybe mot fail!!

Hi folks Last night noticed the dash indicator that normally illuminates when key is in ignition and drivers door is open accompanied by the annoying chime is on despite the car being locked. Anybody any ideas, when ignition is on, all as normal. IMG_1576.MOV IMG_1577.MOV

Hi Colin this is normal on my alphie, has she tried unlocking the unlock button by her door handle this goes into the locked position when driving Mike

Hi guys have had all the glovebox out along with as many bits of trim I could move all I am able to get is a mountain of wiring looms From way bellow looking directly underneath the banks of relays you can see the fuses as displayed on the bottom trim that is removable. At least I know the fuse positions how you get to remove and replace is another matter, it seems impossible!! If I can take pics I will post. To establish a switched live I will tap onto the back of the cigarette lighter, and generate a permanent live from a fuse under the bonnet and feed it into the cab somehow ! What a nightmare,what should have been a simple wire has turned out a trial. Any input greatly received.

Sorry Rojie auto correct, found main fuse box pass side but found it impossible to get to, anybody had the same issues and managed to overcome did not find drivers side box. Mike

Hi Rosie it’s a 3.0 is the drivers side bellow the stearing Mike

Hi folks Has anyone any idea on fuse box location, the obvious ones are two under bonnet but there must be more?. I need to find a switched live and also constant feed to enable hard wire of dash cam. Any help greatly appreciated Mike

If your seats do swivel then you need to fold the back of the seat forwards then you can turn the seat around, returning the seatback to a reclined position will lock the seat Mike