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Post by V6 on Jan 10, 2020 10:10:47 GMT
I tried to leave my Essex homeland a few times... Clerkenwell in London, Weybridge in Surrey, Harefield in Middlesex... for a total of a decade away spread over time. Although I keep coming back. The borderline country driving roads are great, if you know where to look. Flowing tarmac bordered by farmers fields and greenery are my favorite sort of roads. It's not all McDonalds and industrial estates, honest 
So... Anyone else from this neck of the woods? Wannabe and myself sometimes do the worlds smallest meet and drives. Although I intend to make a bit more effort this year travelling further afield, it is always handy to know who is on your doorstep.
Say hello if you are around the area...
Just leave the Range Rover and shotty at home  |
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Post by Whistler on Jan 10, 2020 20:05:18 GMT
I used to live in Great Sailing and work at the leisure centre in New Maldon. Now living in Herts.
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Post by dadbif on Jan 10, 2020 22:27:42 GMT
Born and bred in Southend, currently in Gloucester, can’t say I fancy my hometown anymore...
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Post by V6 on Jan 11, 2020 8:36:19 GMT
I must admit I've never been a fan of some Essex locations. Especially those with an East London postcode which technically are more like part of the London sprawl. Although Southend has it's moments... mid week in the sun when it's quiet: scampi by the sea isn't so bad  Like all the other UK coastal towns, I'm sure they see a different side come friday night with the kids out. I grew up on the edge of farmers fields. My grandparents retired to sleepy 1950's vibe Frinton. So my idea of Essex is a little different to some I suppose. The largest place I tend to visit there is Chelmsford, which is vastly better now than when I grew up. We have the pedestrianised High Street, Yo sushi, John Lewis - woo! What modern luxury lol. Back in the day it was all traffic, markets, axminster carpet Pubs and Woolworths haha. Even the chav nightclubs have vanished now. Civilisation arrived. |
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Post by zoona on Jan 11, 2020 18:07:28 GMT
My mother's side of the family is from Clacton. Absolute prarrie canoe hole.
I used to work at Sizewell (yes, I know this isn't Essex) which is not too far away, and I had a favourite road for blasting along. Flat = a bit boring, but you can see for miles.
Currently living in Switzerland, which has some amazing roads... But some eye watering speeding fines, and some bloody terrible drivers. At least you can take in the scenery because we all drive so slowly.
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Post by moclan on Jan 14, 2020 22:21:47 GMT
Born in Romford ... hospital doesn’t even exist anymore. Grandparents were in Braintree. Parents moved to France when I was 5, too young to say no 😄
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Post by V6 on Jan 15, 2020 10:21:41 GMT
Old school Essex as it was back then... or France... I think you did ok  |
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Post by dadbif on Jan 15, 2020 11:29:26 GMT
Born in Romford ... hospital doesn’t even exist anymore. Grandparents were in Braintree. Parents moved to France when I was 5, too young to say no 😄 Rush Green? My daughter was born there... |
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Post by Rickster on Jan 16, 2020 16:18:47 GMT
My sister, nephews and their families all live in various places not far from Chelmsford-, Wickford, Danbury etc, I like it round there, nice countryside. It just seems a bit busy and hectic compared to North Dorset!
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Post by moclan on Jan 16, 2020 21:42:10 GMT
Born in Romford ... hospital doesn’t even exist anymore. Grandparents were in Braintree. Parents moved to France when I was 5, too young to say no 😄 Rush Green? My daughter was born there... Old church ... |
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Post by Snomad on Jan 20, 2020 0:34:16 GMT
Having just read your build thread V6 I'm pleased to see that we're virtually neighbours! I moved to Tolleshunt Major 2 years ago. The abundance of relatively quiet roads in the area was one of the attractions. Prior to that I've been Surrey/Wiltshire/Hampshire and various places further afield. This is my first post on here, but I've been lurking for a couple of months. I bought my first 5 in 2001, but the current one I've had since 2005. For more years than I'd like, it had been unfairly neglected, and so recently I've been giving it some well deserved attention: Brakes & gearbox refresh, BC Racing coilovers, new OEM bushes, Wheels in Motion fast road spec geo left it driving superbly. But the paint, roof and wheels were starting to look a little tatty. I decided a change of direction was due, and after much thought tracked down a set of 14" Bridgestone Super RAPs. My old 15" Racing Sparcos are good wheels but fitting the magnesium Super RAPs and some Vredestein Sportrac 5s has saved 10lb a corner. My car is now officially a bumpy Essex backroad weapon For the last few weeks I seem to have been finding any excuse to get out for a drive in it. It would be great to meet up with you and Wannabe for a run, if nothing else just to hear your fire breathing V6. |
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Post by wannabe on Jan 20, 2020 2:56:40 GMT
Having just read your build thread V6 I'm pleased to see that we're virtually neighbours! I moved to Tolleshunt Major 2 years ago. The abundance of relatively quiet roads in the area was one of the attractions. Prior to that I've been Surrey/Wiltshire/Hampshire and various places further afield. This is my first post on here, but I've been lurking for a couple of months. I bought my first 5 in 2001, but the current one I've had since 2005. For more years than I'd like, it had been unfairly neglected, and so recently I've been giving it some well deserved attention: Brakes & gearbox refresh, BC Racing coilovers, new OEM bushes, Wheels in Motion fast road spec geo left it driving superbly. But the paint, roof and wheels were starting to look a little tatty. I decided a change of direction was due, and after much thought tracked down a set of 14" Bridgestone Super RAPs. My old 15" Racing Sparcos are good wheels but fitting the magnesium Super RAPs and some Vredestein Sportrac 5s has saved 10lb a corner. My car is now officially a bumpy Essex backroad weapon For the last few weeks I seem to have been finding any excuse to get out for a drive in it. It would be great to meet up with you and Wannabe for a run, if nothing else just to hear your fire breathing V6. Welcome to the forum! Nice part of the world over that way - lots of, er, 'small' houses... lol I'm interested in your wheel setup, lightweight is a good thing and IMO makes a tangible difference. I swapped to the OEM 7 spokes and they are a definite improvement over the sturdy (Mitsubishi Glanza? Starlet?) 15s it had on before, but 14" tyre choice is trickier. Would be cool to sort a meet up. I might even have my car fixed soon... (don't hold your breath!) Weather looks dry and not-freezing this week so ideal for driving/fixing The V6 is an experience etched permanently onto my memory banks now, not dissimilar to any other near-death experience, haha - I recommend a ride lol |
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Post by Snomad on Jan 20, 2020 8:10:47 GMT
Thanks for the invite, and the welcome to the forum. A Sunday blast could work well for me this week. You're right - there are some massive piles around here! Piles of 'what' depends on whether you're considering the Braxted estate or something a little newer  Re wheels: I was in contact with Fizbne about his wheels, and he put me on to those Vredestein tyres. So far I have nothing but good things to say about them. A 185/60/14 weighs 14.4lbs. The Bridgestone Super RAPs came off an imported Pulsar GTiR. They are 14x6 +38. Unlike just about every picture on the web mine have a reinforcing outer lip which makes me think they were designed for rallying. Currently trying to decide if they should stay white or if I should get them polished.  |
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Post by Zed. on Jan 20, 2020 10:53:12 GMT
TThe Bridgestone Super RAPs came off an imported Pulsar GTiR. They are 14x6 +38. they 4x100? thought the Sunny /Pulsar GTI/r were bigger pcd  (I have a set of ex NME gravel / forrest Enkei 15" & they do not fit Mazda / VW etc. suppose I should measure  ) Rich. |
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Post by V6 on Jan 20, 2020 10:58:26 GMT
Welcome along Snomad You are more than welcome to join us. I have some minor jobs to sort over the next couple of weeks, where the weather is likely to be shocking anyway. So I will put that down time to good use. Your car looks ace. Love the black body and cool steel wheels (they were one of my initial thoughts, along with watanabes). Mine was so boring and OEM when I bought it, although in great condition. In fact my Enkeis arrived before the car did So enjoy the journey. Every tweak makes a difference in the right direction. |
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Like all the other UK coastal towns, I'm sure they see a different side come friday night with the kids out.
(I have a set of ex NME gravel / forrest Enkei 15" & they do not fit Mazda / VW etc. suppose I should measure 
)
le sigh