[14x02] August 18th, 2008

[rps]

Originally Posted by Whappeh

The Headlight bit was hard to believe too. Made me that he could do the Golf with one hand.

Yes, but notice that he always changed the right headlight. If the Golf 5 is similar to the Seat Leon 1 (derived from the Golf 4), the right headlight is easy to replace but the access to the left one is blocked by a radiator hose (or so it says in my manual. I have not yet needed to change it). So for changing that you need to disconnect the hose, which probably means (partially ?) emptying and refilling the cooling system.

I already knew about the Megane's headlights because a colleague of mine had two. He said that replacing the headlight is not only difficult but also a bit hazardous. The mechanic that changed one light bulb for him got his arm scratched because the access is really tight.

Some magazines (L'Automobile Magazine, for instance) report on their reviews how easy or difficult it is to make trivial maintenance (change a light bulb, check oil and water levels, replace a flat, IIRC). But it was nice to see this on TV.

BTW, Renault is not unique in making it difficult to replace headlights (Peugeot is also bad, IIRC) and this is getting worse. The ridiculous bit is that in some countries (Spain, for instance) it is mandatory to carry a lightbulb kit in the car. But these cars are homologated for sale in those same countries!

[The Chad]

Renault is simply feeling the pinch of the week global economy right now. Margins are becoming smaller and smaller on the cars that manufacturers have to sell, and often selling a car requires selling it at invoice and offering a cash-back incentive just to get the car off the dealer lot. So the manufacturers are making it easier on the dealers by making it next to impossible to do trivial work yourself. But then look at how easy cars are making it to tell you they need service. No more dipsticks on BMWs, almost every car has a complicated computer system with sensors to tell you exactly what needs serviced on your vehicle, and when that service needs to be completed.

Go try to buy a laptop without being offered an extended service plan. Look at how many computers make it next to impossible to do something trivial like replace a hard drive.

[Mytola]

Really a decent episode. But... They HAVE to learn how to pronounce "Porsche"... gah.

[lamboman]

Good episode IMO. The new guy seemed better this week than last week as well.

[pepitko]

much more sorted than last week's "un-organized" episode if you will, very enjoyable with all segments very interesting. 8 for me. I like the direction FG is currently going

[4G92Lancer]

Originally Posted by anthrax

Liked the convertible crash test.

Did someone noticed the annoying sound inside the RX-8, like piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ?? Funny thing Tiff didn't complained about that.

Well, Tiff does say "Time for the RX-8 and it's wretched beeping rev limiter" (03:14-03:19), so I wouldn't exactly call it a compliment...

As for the episode, i'll happily take the abuse and admit that i'm enjoying this a lot more than Top Gear. Sure it's still needs a quick polish, but at least the Fifth Gear guys really do try to keep the show fresh, and don't just rely on tired gimmicks.

However, if I had to moan, the Lewis Hamilton section did seem a bit too desperate (at least Clarkson got 5 minutes) and they've really got to be a little smoother when seguing from the set to the clips. I'm certain Jason's piece was about three sentences in by time we caught up...

[Solberg]

I gave it a 10. It was the best Fifth Gear episode in ages.

Toms SL review was very good.
Toms crash test was good.
Johnnys bit was fucking awesome.
The new presenter seems much better than I thought he would be and I enjoyed the light bub segment.
Tiff shoot out was also very good IMO.
GT2 review was great but a little short.
VBH part was the weakest.

[Cobol74]

You know the polls for TG and FG are about correct IMHO - how odd.

[wikkedsnaab]

Well there you go, two very watchable episodes of FG in a row. Who would have thought!

Interesting how VBH has been tucked away into only one segment per ep. Definitely helps improve things. I didn't care for the Lewis Hamilton thing much, but not being a Brit...

Tim is good... he's not as funny as Tom or Jonny and I wish he'd ditch the pink shirt but he's not out of his depth and is obviously a car nut. The whole Renault thing was a tad auto-geeky but strangely interesting to watch.

Just checked Tim's Wiki page - jeez, he's done some stuff...

It's not Top Gear but unlike previous series' you can watch an episode and not feel like that's an hour of your life wasted you'll never get back.

[lesnessman]

As someone who actually has not minded VBH over the past few years, I have to say I'm disappointed with her current role--and wonder how she's not. Whatever your thoughts about her, we know she can actually drive. But the first two eps have her doing celebrity fluff pieces? Is this going to be a trend? All it does, I think, is play to the stereotype that women don't drive, they just show up on camera and look pretty. Much like MotorWeek (shudder) always has a vaguely attractive woman doing the "in the news" segments but never, ever behind the wheel.

I have a theory about some of the more recent format changes. Fifth Gear was started partially in response to the death/ressurection of Top Gear, yes? And it was supposed to be the more "journalistic" program? But now there's a lot of interstitial host segments and the like, and it's all a bit daytime. I wonder if maybe a couple of years ago, Tiff threw up his arms and said enough, I don't want to do hosting segments any more, I just want to drive? And then they handed the presenting duties to VBH for a few years, and maybe she's done the same? "Enough presenting, I want to just do segments?"

At least the new host isn't bad. First episode was a bit dodgy but he sold me with the headlamp segment. He can stay.

[Scooby5]

I like the new series.

I worry a little that they are heading too much towards TG by testing cars that are a bit stratospheric with regards the normal buyer, the GT2 and SL for example this week.

FG gets a reputation for catering to the normal buyer (Jonny's segment this week is case in point) i think and they have to be careful with that, however they have a much better mix than TG. There's maybe more for more people but having said that we might conculde that TG is now more entertainment than motoring show. FG is still a motoring program with little in the way of BS.

I have been surprised VBH is taking less of a role this time out and i'll reserve judgement on whether its good or bad but the new guy fits in with the overall presentation, again making it more of a motoring program for the normal buyer.

[halllo_fireball]

I didn't think I would say this one day, but I really like the new Fifth Gear series. Somehow they have managed to find a nice way, without copying Top Gear all the time. Also the new presenter is really nice

Jan

[chitownjeff]

Originally Posted by Smurfen

those studio boys seem to cheesy for my taste still i gave it a 7, abit better then last episode . and the hamilton segment, tbh. i was expecting something better there.

I agree, I didn't like ep 2 either. I thought they were going to race golf carts or something - instead it was pretty boring. I think Lewis is more into Top Gear.

I don't know - maybe they have to many presenters.

[vroom2]

What were the three cars that jonny showed that could be bought for 3k?

[fbc]

^ E34 M5 ( ), SportKa, MK1 MX-5.

[vroom2]

Originally Posted by fbc

^ E34 M5 ( ), SportKa, MK1 MX-5.

thanks a lot

[nats123]

@Danski
whooooa...relax dood, no need to write an essay on which show is better. Just watch.