Our flying visit to Kent meant just one night of something approaching sleep before we headed home. Departure time ended up delayed until mid-afternoon. It had gone 4pm by the time we actually got moving out of Tunbridge Wells.

Traffic levels ok at the moment…

On Monday, we’d sailed around the M25 without hitting any congestion. There’s usually more chance of winning the lottery than getting a clear run around the London Orbital, so I was well chuffed! Lightening doesn’t strike twice they say, so we had no such luck on the way back home.

Ugh! Everything slows to a crawl

We just about kept moving though, which is good. With a shot engine mount and tired clutch, pulling away smoothly in the BX requires some considerable effort. On the plus side, it seems quite happy to potter along on tickover in second gear, and can pull from barely moving in third. It’s pretty good if things keep moving.

Warning signs greeted us with the good news that there was long delays on the M4 – our route home. They gave us plenty of warning, and the slow traffic meant we had a lot of time to consider our options. We could aim for the M3, then cut up to the M4 later. Or we could cut through Windsor. Lastly, we could go up the M40 and find an entirely different way to get to Wales.

The M3 seemed a logical idea, as Windsor would surely be jammed up. It turned out that the M3 was also jammed up as everyone else had the same idea. We found ourselves sitting stationary in the lane for the M3. This didn’t seem such a good idea. The problem was, the traffic on the M25 had picked up pace, and there was a lot of it. I had to wait for a suitable gap, then absolutely nail it, unleashing the full fury of the BX’s 71bhp. Not something I’d like to do again to be honest, but disaster was averted.

By the time we reached the M4 junction, Sally Traffic on BBC Radio 2 had informed us that the blockage had been cleared, but traffic was taking a while to clear. Sod it. The M25 was now jamming up quite horribly, so that put the M40 plan out of action. We’d opt for the M4. The problem here was the great volume of cars joining the M25 from Heathrow. They were flying down our inside, while the M25 traffic we were in was slowing down. We needed to be in that left-most lane, as it became the M4 exit. I watched the nearside mirror for a gap, while trying not to crash into the general queue of slowing vehicles. I spotted a gap, checked my blind spot and as I did that, the Volkswagen Golf that had just undertaken me, pulled in front of me and stopped dead as it tried to join the main M25 queue. I glanced forward again just in time to swerve into the M4 lane. I was not amused. It was a good job the lane was clear!

Sure enough, the M4 was a bit slow, but as we passed a burnt out lorry, we were glad of our timing. If we’d left earlier as planned, we would have been caught up in a solid traffic jam as the fire was put out.

I was feeling pretty tired by this point, so we pulled over and Rachel took over driving, reporting that she didn’t like the steering or the throttle pedal. The latter is at an uncomfortable angle, the steering is more of a mystery. I suspect some play where there should be none. I shall try and find it.

After an hour or so, we reached the Severn Bridge. Always a good sign!

Severn Bridge. Croeso i Grymru!

It was a rather splendid evening. We joined the A449 at Newport, and stopped for another driver change. We then drove on into the night, with the BX proving adept at remaining in fifth gear for 99% of the time. It’s surprisingly relaxing to drive on country roads – no need to keep dropping cogs to find the power as I do in the Sirion.

We arrived back in our village at about 9pm and when we turned the engine off at the local hotel (where tea-critical milk was purchased) it was the first break the car had enjoyed since we set off from Tunbridge Wells. We managed to cover 598 miles in total, and 290 on the Tuesday thanks to various potterings in Kent.

The BX more than proved itself capable though. Not bad for a 26-year old motor.

Yesterday, we sailed serenely from home in mid-Wales to Kent. It’s not a journey I usually enjoy, but traffic levels were relatively light. We didn’t hit traffic until Tunbridge Wells! That’s pretty good going.

I was thoroughly reminded why I have such a soft-spot for the BX. It ate up the 250-mile journey with no drama and no discomfort. We clambered aboard, drove it hard for many hours, then clambered out again. Best of all, I filled the tank when I purchased the car last Tuesday, and it still doesn’t need another fill, even after 400 miles of driving. That’s a pretty heavy first week of use!

My biggest concern with going back to BXs was that with this one, I’d miss the turbocharger of my previous two. I have to say though, while acceleration is never dramatic, the non-turbo diesel builds speed well enough and there are many advantages to the non-blown engine. For a start, it’s a lot more simple. There’s less to go wrong and the engine bay is also considerably less cluttered. That makes it a delight to work on.

I buy diesel, for a more natural experience.

I did think that the taller gearing of the turbo diesel was an advantage – it makes motorway driving a bit less frenetic. But, I’m not sure that greater cruising potential makes up for the need to keep stirring the cogs so much. With my new BX, I can stay in fifth gear almost all of the time. It’s a lot more relaxing. It didn’t feel that frenetic at a 70mph-ish cruise either, though perhaps the lack of a rev counter helps. You can’t see how fast the engine is spinning!

Simplicity is a good thing!

What really impresses though is comfort. After hours behind the wheel, I had a joyous lack of aches. Compared to the Sirion, broken road surfaces were nothing to fear either. Which is good, as Kent is full of destroyed roads. The only mild discomfort came from the frustrating lack of a clutch-foot rest. Perhaps I can make one though. Huge mirrors and small window pillars take a lot of the stress out of motorway driving too, though when traffic levels build up, there is a danger that everyone else can out-accelerate you by some margin when things clear again. You have to try and predict when things are going to pick up again, and mash the throttle into the carpet before you really need to start accelerating. It’s a technique I’ve developed through many years of 2CV ownership. So is maintaining momentum. On the twisty, hilly roads of south Wales, the BX’s fine cornering behaviour enabled me to avoid having to slow down too much.

Later today, we have to drive another 250 miles back home. We’re likely to share the driving. It’ll be interesting to see how Mrs TheWife gets on with the BX. It’s a good few years since she last drove one.

After one day, I decided to refit the power steering belt. I’ve decided I no longer want to be a guinea pig for whether it causes any long term problems with the car or not.

Sirion is super-light again

Some people wondered what the insurance implications of this modification were. Surprisingly, my insurer (Peter James) was very happy to simply note the modification on my file with no charge or concerns. A bit too happy in fact that they put the change through even though I’d only asked whether it was possible!

I must concede that while annoying, the assistance perhaps isn’t the greatest evil in the world. Turns out I hate it far less than my good lady wife. She really does prefer steering with feedback. Sensible lady!

So, the belt is back on, and I went for a drive with my new HD camera.

Today, me and the 2CV have swapped the rural idyll for city living. Well, after I’d removed the reverse light that is, as its mounting had broken.

Travelling twin-pots – destination Leicester and Wisbech

The Dyane decided to stay with us for the weekend because it doesn’t like the rain. It belongs to a friend who lives even further east than I was planning to travel today. Fine weather today convinced me that there was only one car to drive. After all, what do I crave most in a car? Comfort! The Sirion is woeful at providing this, while the Discovery is far from perfect. So, 2CV it was.

My decision was pretty much justified, though only by factoring in the brilliance of noise-reducing ear plugs. They don’t block all noise, but take the edge off – which in a 2CV is pretty useful. On mine, the roof seems to be flapping, which really doesn’t help. I need to adjust it. Engine noise is almost entirely cancelled out though, and with the engine doing over 5000rpm at motorway speeds, that REALLY makes a difference!

It’s the ride comfort that really makes the difference though. Less noise helps, but wafting along over bumpy roads is just great. Even the sectioned part of the M6 after Jct 6, which is like driving up a kerb at 50mph in the Sirion, was noisy but not uncomfortable. Impressive.

The 2CV is also fairly joyous in traffic. Low gearing means you can swiftly get the clutch up, and still be moving very slowly. A heavy flywheel makes it reluctant to stall too. That was handy as there seemed to be a rugby match ending when I reached Leicester. There was LOTS of traffic.

The view this evening is rather different.

The mean streets of Leicester

Yes, the phone on my BlackBerry is woeful. Tomorrow, I’m busy with a photoshoot (the details of which will be revealed one day) before heading back to wet West Wales.

I’m a member of the Wales and Wye Laning Group, and yesterday was the first time that my Discovery actually managed to make it to an official laning session with the gang – it has previously been very good at breaking and the only other official laning trip I’d attended was in a pal’s Mitsubishi Shogun.

The weather rather put a dampener on my photography plans, so you’ll have to make do with only two shots. Sorry. Neither of those are particularly interesting, but then it is quite difficult to get good action shots of a car you’re driving.

Discovery pauses for a breather with colourful 90

It was a really nice group, with trucks that weren’t heavily modified. I cringe a bit when laning with a group of seriously kitted out machines. It always looks like a gang ready to do battle with Mother Nature. I don’t see greenlaning like this. If you want a battle, go to a Pay and Play site. What I want to do is explore what my Land Rover can do, while enjoying some amazing scenery. My aim is to pass through with barely any sign that I was there at all. I do my utmost to avoid wheelspin, or getting stuck.

No-one got stuck on this trip and everyone had a lot of fun, me included. I absolutely love dropping the Discovery into low box. It massively changes how the vehicle feels and responds. The only issue I had was that the engine was over-cooling at times, not helped by strong winds and gentle throttle application. I think a better thermostat is needed, as it currently takes about five miles to get it up to temperature at all. Not good.

The weather was challenging, with rain of varying intensities and angles. Quite a lot came inside. There was even snow.

‘Twas a soggy ol’ day

It didn’t really harm my spirits. I very much enjoyed our six-hour session. It made me realise – the Discovery is a very capable all-rounder, and can handle motorway pace without issue. Rather than spend what little money I have on another car, perhaps I should continue with my restoration of said Land Rover instead. This sounds a monumentally sensible idea, and therefore I reserve the right to ignore it totally.

To many school boys, only two things are important when it comes to cars. How fast and how quick. School boys aren’t very much interested in MPG or practicality, and looks are entirely subjective and good for arguments in their own right. Truth is, many of us car enthusiasts don’t really grow up. Even when I’m driving feeble machinery, I get a massive kick out of driving it hard. My poor 2CV will surely bear witness to this. She’s been pretty harshly driven for our entire 106,000 miles together.

It isn’t necessarily how quickly a car accelerates that generates appeal though, it’s how it does it. This video contains three very different vehicles taking part in the 0-60mph dash. The final one is quickest, by some margin, but which one is your favourite? Hop aboard as we put a Wartburg 353, a Daihatsu Sirion and a Mercedes-Benz 300E W124 through their paces.

Which one would you like to take home?

I drove away from my home today planning to have a gentle drive in the 2CV. She had been sheltering away from the weather in my garage since before Christmas. It all went a bit wrong though when I found myself driving towards a local greenlane. Perhaps a quick explore would be fun! Fun is certainly one word to use…

Happily, Elly seems remarkably unbothered by yet more harsh treatment. I guess after over 100,000 miles of my ownership, she’s rather used to it…