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

Just got my tax reminder through for this year, gonna cost me £145 for this year for the Megane. Can’t complain really as my old Mondeo would have cost £185 so I’ve already saved £40. Although had I had the Megane last year that would have been £135 I think, and next year with the scandalous new rates it’ll shoot up to £175.

I should be really thankful I didn’t update my Mondeo to a newer one otherwise I could have easily been looking at paying up to £260! Wouldn’t mind so much but with petrol soon to hit one million pence per litre there’ll be no money left. Paying £145 to keep Jemima running is OK I guess! She’s worth it.

Had it for over a week now, here are some pics of my beautiful little Renault Megane.

So glad I chose this it’s really niceto drive. All gadgety too, including such delights as… handsfree keyless with button starter (can open it, drive it and lock it without even touching the key card), headlights turn themselves on when needed, wipers are sensitive to the rain and adjust wipe timing and speed accordingly (with auto rear wipe when in reverse), climate control with super demister and 8 general fan speeds, set to desired temperature, nice information displays and trip computer, plenty of cubby holes, strange aircraft-throttle style handbrake, nice bright partial-leather interior, quiet and smooth ride, 205/55 R16 alloys, metallic Ink Blue paintwork, all electric windows and front fogs.

That beautiful ass:

Front of the car:

Parked up at night, lit up:

Interior, daytime (from rear seats):

Interior, daytime (from near side)

Driver’s door:

Centre dash audio, clock and outside temperature display:

Main dashboard cluster, daytime:

main dashboard panel, night time:

Interior, night time (from off side):

Megane badge on boot; alloy wheel:

Centre dash climate control, audio, etc; lighting stalk:

Start/stop button; rear light (offside) cluster:

By the way, my lovely Nicola has christened this car Jemima!

Yes the time has come to say bye bye to my little Mondeo. A new thermostat fixed the earlier problems at christmas, and now it’s working, but just about. Something isn’t right with the engine, possibly head gasket or something similarly nasty (prob caused by the earlier overheating I reckon), which alongside all the other problems and niggles, it’s not worth the effort fixing it up as I need something better.

Went for a look round Motor Nation in Coventry yesterday, found something I like, had a test drive, put a deposit down, did the paperwork and I should be able to collect it tomorrow!

It’s a Renault Megane 1.6i 16v Privilege, dark metallic blue, lots of goodies, 31k on the clock, great condition, 54 reg plate. I’m all exited now! Will post again after I’ve picked it up.