How to get rid of an expensive bird

[MarkMas]

Less than 40mph.......

Well, there's your problem then, if you had been going a bit more briskly, it would have ended up like this:

 

[conaero]

Less than 40mph.
We're used to them, thousands of them here. Although despite reduced shooting, they're less numerous on the roads now, presumably not driven from covy.
On the outward they were all over the road, so I was acutely aware, cautious, alert, more so than the norm to be expected.
On the return..........
This was a section where there aren't usually any. But I was still acutely alert, driving moderately. Corner of the eye, dart from the covered verge. Not a chance for the poor s0d.
Despite the low speed this was a big fat heavy bird..... I only later learned.

Matt very kindly rapidly obtained a complete replacement grille surround etc. They range from about £350 to over £1000 depending on the colour. Apparently original was some special bronze ~£1000 , but as Matt said they all look black. Silly isn't it?

Ironically, on return delivery the aircon compressor clutch failed, and subsequently the filler developed a leak. Completely unrelated, but Ashley and Matt insisted that they have her transported back at their cost.

At the same time, and having become quite fed up with the USB connection to the NIT saga (recall blood on the seat), and knowing how Matt is meticulous, I asked Matt to sort out the wiring. I must praise his temperament, tenacity, and good grace.
It proved quite a nightmare; broken connectors, flaky looms................. This has had several NITs in it, the one replaced was much younger than the car, and this was the last attempt with a 2015 latest variant which needed proxi align. So you can imagine the state of the looms and surround. I'd completely forgotten that the first owner had had an Apple thingy converter box and additional wiring. As soon as that was recalled then job was done.

However, as is his temperament, Mat didn't like the tell tail signs of past removals on the surround, so some judicious steaming and leatherette renovation, good as new.

I'm as always delighted with what Ashley and Matt have done.

I'm pretty confident that now, after last year's very major works performed by SportItalia, (happy to share what) The gal is sorted to a condition that I'm proud and confident.

So thank you SportsItalia, thank goodness that you're around. Not just the cost effectiveness , but the attention to detail, fairness and someone who I can trust to identify and do what is needed.


Oh, if anyone wants a NIT, I've a spare one, and loads of internal disks too.

Robin

Thanks Robin. My OCD does ruin my workshop efficiency but it not all about money for us, it’s about doing the very best we can.

Just one thing to add to your NIT upgrade, we had to download your proxy file, send it to Italy, have it modified to cater for the new hardware, re upload then proxy align which thankfully sorted it.

The leather below the NIT had several dents and impressions from previous NIT removals so using my trusty steamer, heated and hydrated the area and massaged it out.

A steamer is a great bit of kit on interiors. For anyone using one, on real leather on the seats you can go quite aggressive but on the PVC ‘peal’ panels, go easy as you can heat it too far and it melts, splits then you are in all sorts of trouble.

 

[CatmanV2]

I had one of those. Used BBQ tongs. Smaller bird to be fair.

View attachment 81667

Did you marinade it long? Wouldn't be much eating on it
C

 

[Bebs]

I had a couple of blackbird chicks climb into the engine compartment of my 360. First they shat all over the plenums, then I flushed them out by just opening the hatch. A few hours later they’d bl00dy climbed back in again!

 

[Scaf]

I had a couple of blackbird chicks climb into the engine compartment of my 360. First they shat all over the plenums, then I flushed them out by just opening the hatch. A few hours later they’d bl00dy climbed back in again!

View attachment 81696

At least they have good taste

 

[montravia]

Thanks Robin. My OCD does ruin my workshop efficiency but it not all about money for us, it’s about doing the very best we can.

Just one thing to add to your NIT upgrade, we had to download your proxy file, send it to Italy, have it modified to cater for the new hardware, re upload then proxy align which thankfully sorted it.

The leather below the NIT had several dents and impressions from previous NIT removals so using my trusty steamer, heated and hydrated the area and massaged it out.

A steamer is a great bit of kit on interiors. For anyone using one, on real leather on the seats you can go quite aggressive but on the PVC ‘peal’ panels, go easy as you can heat it too far and it melts, splits then you are in all sorts of trouble.

"Just one thing to add to your NIT upgrade, we had to download your proxy file, send it to Italy, have it modified to cater for the new hardware, re upload then proxy align which thankfully sorted it."
Indeed, I went from a 7.1HW unit to 8.1HW. Previous swaps of 7.1's were accepted on the CANBUS initialisation chatter, but yes 8.1HW was identified as alien to the HW configuration and expected a configuration file change. Quite a palarva, but I'm completely delighted. The NIT has been the issue that has irritated for 5 years of ownership. I'm more than grateful.

"The leather below the NIT had several dents and impressions from previous NIT removals so using my trusty steamer, heated and hydrated the area and massaged it"

Whisper...... it's astonishing what he can do. The interior and external refurbishment last year has knocked years off the car. The NIT surround looks new now.

As said before: It's the attention to detail, and desire for the best that can be done. Both mechanical and cosmetic.

Robin

 

[Felonious Crud]

In three easy steps.
From this:-
View attachment 81629

to this:-

View attachment 81630

1. Call Matt and Ashley.
2. Arrange transport with Dan to SportsItalia
3. Arrange transport with Dan from SportsItalia

That's a posh hen-house.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Thanks Robin. My OCD does ruin my workshop efficiency but it not all about money for us, it’s about doing the very best we can.

At some point, Matt, I'll persuade you to spread the SportsItalia love to the world of Astons.

 

[GeoffCapes]

I thought this was going to be a thread about divorce lawyers!

 

[Scaf]

I thought this was going to be a thread about divorce lawyers!

That thread would be:
“Getting rid of a bird is expensive”

 

[Wattie]

I had a couple of blackbird chicks climb into the engine compartment of my 360. First they shat all over the plenums, then I flushed them out by just opening the hatch. A few hours later they’d bl00dy climbed back in again!

View attachment 81696

Clearly they were hungry and were looking to eat the 360 Spiders they thought were inside!
I’ll get my coat.