I bought one of those iTrip FM broadcasters to play iPod in the car the other day. Don’t bother they’re not very good! Not just the poor sound quality, you get interference from other stations, other cars with their itrips on can be picked up, and some static if the cable is not routed perfectly, which is a nightmare. Then you have to store your ipod somwhere safe yet accessible (as you have to press play on it each time you start the car).

So I took that back to the Halfords yesterday, and I have decided that I’m going to install my Alpine X001 head unit (the one I had in the Mondeo) instead. The iPod plugs directly into that, the unit controls the iPod (so it can be stored away securely only to be removed when it needs syncing with iTunes), it keeps it charged and powered too and uses 24 bit DAC so no quality issues. And it’s complete with a beautiful screen with album artwork shown.

It is a shame that I’ll lose the steering wheel controls, the in-car display and the speed sensitive volume adjuster, but other head units may restore these so I can upgrade later. Ordered a fascia adaptor (as Renault unit is slightly bigger than standard) online as two Halfords and Elliots in Cov didn’t have the one I need in stock, the went into Renault to order a tray to replace the standard in-dash CD changer as it’s not compatible, which strangely cost £5.01. Hopefully the bits will be here by Wednesday or Thursday, I’d really like to get it fitted before I head to Wales on Friday. Thankfully fitting car radios themselves are a piece of cake.

As soon as I pulled out of the Renault dealer I felt a strange yet familiar roughness, only at low revs, like driving on cobbles. Turned the corner and on came that little engine light. I knew what it was from last time, another ignition coil had failed. When it happened back in January I had to call AA out to sort it, over an hour wait at work and £49 for the part. Although the very friendly AA man shown me how to check and replace them so this was my chance to try and remember it. Either that or call him out again after work at 2am.

So parked in work car park and popped bonnet, did the check, yep one had definitely failed. Took the bit out and walked back up the road towards Renault. Just before there is an A1 motor store so went there instead, I know they’ll be cheaper. £40 for the part, not too bad. Walked back down, put it in, rechecked everthing. Job done. No more than 20 minutes. I think after the holiday I’ll get a couple of spare coils so I’m prepared then.

The money which got refunded from the iTrip went on the part, and it failed after I’d been to two Halfords and a different A1 store, annoying! Oh well