January 2001
I retire later this year. I have been quite happy driving too and from work in a 1997 R Citroen ZX Temptation 1.9D (and before that a ZX 1.4i). I would like something much more relaxed for my retirement. Although I will be doing less mileage, there will be more longer journeys to see family and friends around UK. We have 2 small dogs and tend to occupy all the space behind the rear seats when we go away. As the current car is a hatch, we also VERY occasionally shift something a bit larger. This could be crucial when we move on retirement. Including the part exchange I could spend £8000 for a good used car. I could perhaps manage £10,000 for something special which is going to last. Is it worth exchanging getting a more thirsty car if it is cheaper?Any ideas for comfort, quietness and longevity? Read more
I wondered what you regulars think of oil additives? You know, all the Wynns and STP type product that you can add to engine, gearbox and ATF fluid. I know the 'Rebuild your engine with one can' is junk, but do any of the others make any difference? Read more
If I do get some thick oil (as suggested for my old Polo) at the next change, will any of the oil additives available help to improve cold start protection?
Can anyone explain to me why diesel fuel is dearer than unleaded in UK. Diferential seems to be about 3p per litre. I work in Italy and have unleaded car there and diesel car in UK. Unfortunately the wrong way round. Lastt week Super unleaded cost 64 p per litre and diesel 56p per litre. Is the difference in UK due to Government taxes or distributors Shell etc ripping us off Read more
That would be illegal because you would be avoiding paying duty and woule be subject to the same heavy fines as applied for using farmer's red diesel in passenger cars. (C&E even have the power to confiscate a car found with red diese in its tank.) There has been a discussion about this in The Backroom. You'll find it if you scroll down the messages.
HJ
HJ
I have recently bought an Audi S3 and recently had a fright when after driving on medium wet roads, the brakes failed to work at the next junction. I know to operate the brake (left footed if necessary) to clear the discs after a flood, but the latest models of A3 and S3 seem to suffer from the discs collecting water worse than any of the cars I have driven in the last 10 years. My Audi dealer also admitted an "issue" with the chemical used to deice the roads causing contamination of the discs and brake fade until the coating had rubbed through, but this is a serious issue that Audi claim is common with "open disc" cars (whatever that means). There are numerous discussions about this topic on the Audi newsgroups and forums.
Any comments?
Colin Read more
Dear Colin.
We've had this before with A4s and Passats. There is a modified back plate which dealers can fit to help prevent spray reaching the front discs, but this can result in overheating of the front brakes which is why it is not fitted as standard.
HJ
Thinking of changing my car (not the Merc) I read the Auction Guide in Auto Express and they suggested that you can use an Agent to find your car and bid onyour behalf for c.6% with a minimum charge.
This seems like a good idea and I would be interested to know what Honest John thinks about this service.
Do you take a risk on the quality and hidden repairs, etc., also how specific can you be on the model you require i.e. mileage, full service record.
Anyone out there tried this service ?
Regards, David. Read more
Just got to the end of my first year with a 96 N Omega V6 CDX purchased through Douglas Coker. He got exactly what I wanted from Enfield BCA(even down to a very acceptable colour) the day I after I engaged his services.
So he made his four hundred odd quid very quickly, but that was just the luck of the draw for him - and he certainly did not put me any under pressure to proceed with that particular car.
But I'm delighted with both his service and the Omega.
Accept the fact that it won't be tarted up to a forecourt standard and it might need the odd tyre but the costs to do this for yourself will never compare to retail money.
Not sure what would happen in law if the gearbox was full of sawdust and the whole experience turned sour. Thankfully it didn't happen to me and I would have no qualms about using Douglas again.
On sunday morning on Sky news I saw an article about using old oil from fish
and chip shops.One man on a small scale collected from his local fish shops
and then filtered the oil added I think a drop of sodium sulphate (not being a
chemist I do not no what this was for)) and then to proceeded to run his car
without any problems .He had quiet a cottage industry in his Garage.
The second ran it as a large business collecting old cooking oil and refurbing
something like 40000 litres a week I think .He also had a webb site but was unable to
jot it down.It was something like www.oldoil.co.uk I am sure somebody can find it.
Buy the way Aldi here in Germany have cottened on to where all there cooking
oil is going and have put the price up .
Regards Andy Bairsto
Dresden
Germania Read more
Did any of you see the program on CH4 on Saturday evening late called Coconut Revolution? It was a documentary of how the people of Booganville Island (part of Papua New Guinea - but geographically closer to the Soloman Islands) had revolted against a mining company ruining their environment. Their revolt turned into a revolution of independence from PNG and resulted - among other attrocities - in the total blockade of the island by the PNG government. The blockade cost the lives of many of the islanders due to shortage of medicines, food and the like. Fuel supplies were also cut off and only just lately have been reinstated. Their blockade has lasted around 7 years. In this time the Booganville people developed their own form of fuel for their trucks from coconut oil. I believe they said it took 11 coconuts to make 1 litre of oil. This was all produced by hand it seemed - but where there is a will there is a way.
They claimed that their trucks do more mpg on coconut oil than on diesel - but then if you had to do the same work for each litre you would probably claim the same, and they also claimed that they were less polluting (maybe it just smells better).
Anyway, they had used the blockade as an opportunity for developing new self-sufficient techniques (including their own make-shift hydro power) which they otherwise would not have discovered. They felt that the western world had much to learn from them as a result.
I felt it was a real documentary of hope.
Running their own vehicles on self-made coconut oil for 7 years is quite an achievement by any standards - even if used for only absolutely necessary journeys.
what is the effect on a catalysed engine of constant short trips around town, where the engine doesn't ever warm up and is a non catalyser better for this kind of driving? i am concerned with costs of wear and tear. Read more
Whats wrong with your Peugeot. I like them. New car will have horendous depreciation. Why waste money. Spend it a few cruises instead!
Hello all,
I just thought that i would try and get your ideas on what you would consider as a sound first car for a 18 year old bloke.
I have thought about the usual cars such as Novas and Fiestas however i feel that they are far too common and the youngsters that drive them have given them a bad name.
I would like something a bit more original and grown up which i would be able to hold onto for a good number of years. Insurance may have to be an issue though!
I would appreciate it if you gave me your suggestions,
Yours,
Brian Read more
Get a Subaru Justy pre '96 much quicker than Nova and Fiesta and 4WD.
How about a good discussion about reducing the cost of motoring. E.g how many motorists shop around for their insurance?.I myself saved a considerable ammount by switching from one well known insurer to another, a total of 4 policies including building and contents ( sorry nothing to do with motoring costs just thought I would mention it).ps the company in question likes to sponsor a strange game where grown men kick a ball all over this huge lawn and get paid wadges of money for doing it!.Now where was that football chattboard?. Read more
HJ, I had a similar experience, but the guy who fitted my new windscreen implied that the price on the invoice given to the punter has nothing to do with the price paid by the insurance company.
The reasoning behind this, I suspect, would be to con the punter into thinking his insurance company had paid out more than they had (normally without affecting the no claims), thus painting them as the good guys.
my 1994 escort tdlx doesnt seem to get hot until i have driven about 20 miles, the local garage (very good) wont touch it as the whole dash and steering wheel inc airbag have to be removed to access the heater, so have recommended the ford dealer 25 miles away, by which time the heater will be working, and i will have a bill for about £300. is this a design fault or a common problem with diesel escorts? Read more
Try reversing the inlet and outlet hoses from the heater where they come out from inside the car. Only takes a couple of minutes and I have had a good success rate mainly on Fords.
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Dear Rod,
If you're asking other site hitters for their opinions then you've sent this to the right place. If you're asking me, you need to use the e-mail facility at the top of the index bar.
HJ