June 2001
I've seen the postings re. falling Mercedes quality. Today I read in July's 'Car' magazine that Mercedes quality problems cost them £1billion last year - 30% of Daimler-Chryslers profit.
Warranty cost have apparently grown 3 fold in 2 years with worst offenders being A class, M class and V class.
This certainly seems to bear out the various comments on this site.
regards
John Read more
I have a Carlton Estate, many miles under its belt but still a good workhorse that has started shuddering when braking hard.
As it is possible to feel the brake pedal fluctuating combined with a noise a bit like the ABS coming into effect I assume a warped disk.
Does anyone have any other suggestions before I start replacing all the disks to find out which one is the culprit.
Could I get this effect from a worn front wheel bearing? I believe I can detect a very slight amount of slack in one wheel.
Over to you experts! Read more
Alyn,
Yes I have an all disk model. No drum handbrake thank goodness.
Problem solved by changing the rear disks.
The outer, visible faces, of the disks were OK but the inner faces were heavily rusted. The car is used frequently but the symptoms appeared instantly, not an increasing problem but from one day to the next.
Regards,
Tony
Having established it is sound advice to change the Vauxhall EcoTec timing belt /pulley by 50,000 at the latest I'm a bit worried about a Brava 1.4 I look after.
Customer not keen on any more than minimum work, have mentioned timing belt/pulley to them before but a rather blank response. Car has now convered over 40,000 miles.
I know HJ mentions the plastic pulley tending to go so look at a 30,000 interval but have any of you heard of or dealt with this actually happening?
David Read more
It has happened to my wife's Bravo 1.8 HLX whose belt has a longer design life of 72000 miles but lasted 34000. The cost of damage could run to £1000 at main dealer prices.
I would advise the customer to either have the work done or take out some form of warranty. However, in order for the warranty to remain valid, the service record should be maintained. This could mean replacing the belt anyway at between 45000 or 60000 miles depending on the schedule.
A warranty which covers the airbag system and the rear wash-wipe would be useful.
I have just seen a Toyota Avensis T plate , 80,000 that had been used as a reps car. It has been serviced by Toyota, missed the last one at 75,000 but was serviced in Jan.
It has four new tyres, the spare is flat, it has scratches all over the palce (one serious) but drives very well.
Does anyone out there have an idea what it's worth. I am thinking £5K...
The back has been used and abused the rest of the car is fine inside.
All comments welcome - should I be concerned about it going 6,000 miles over the last service - all be it only since Jan.
Good buy or not?
Thanks Read more
It's worth about £4k.
HJ
Two questions:
1) Anyone know a cheap source of NGK CR8E (or equiv) plugs for my bike?
2) Failing that, is a quick scrub with a wire brush acceptable for a pair of 2.5 year old plugs or do they really go off with age? Read more
There is probably a mark-up of 100% on the retail price of spark plugs. Look up motor factors in your local yellow pages, ring round and see if you can get the things at trade price. But beware - some of these places have different prices for professional mechanics and the ordinary punter. There is one group of factors called Partco that charges the most appalling prices.
You might also find another manufacturer's equivalent for your plug is cheaper. If you can find a Bosch alternative - and there will be books listing equivalents - you might be able to order them cheaply from German & Swedish, which sells by mail order from a place near Heathrow airport
Is the opinion still that the problem with Vauxhall timing belt pulleys was pre 1997? Or have any of you seen failure on the later cars?
Just been looking at a '95 1.4 Nova facing a £1000 bill after total destruction due to pulley/bearing breakup.
David Read more
Going by the recently purchased S reg Vectra I was looking at for a friend last week, vauxhall still have a problem here from the noise emanating from the belt cover. A new belt and rollers was fitted under warranty!
Dear All
I need to replace a pair of 225/45's and a pair of 245/40's in the next couple of weeks (both 17'', Z-rated).
I currently have Michelin Pilot Sports but experience tells me that they are quite expensive. I'm sure there are better-value tyres - and I'm hoping some one can suggest them.
The Michelins have lasted 38K on the front and 18K miles on the rear (328i). I'm looking for similar wear rate but perhaps better grip in the wet.
Many Thanks Read more
In my experience, anything Micheldever Tyres is seriously good news
Check 'em out!
Is supermarket fuel truly any worse than the named brands? Given that it sells at the same price (remember the days when it was a bargain?) can we not believe that it is just the same?
I ran my car solely on Tesco's for 1K miles, then 1K miles on Texaco only, and discerned no difference in peformance and 0.2 mpg on fuel economy (which may have been down to mix of driving). I know it's only 1K miles on each, but it's at least an attempt to be objective. I may, of course be missing the point by looking at fuel consumption, as the long term effects may be what matters.
I know there's a flood of anecdotal evidence going to deluge into this thread, but does anyone out there have any definitive evidence? Are there any websites (like the ones about engine oil additives) that try to give an objective view? Read more
If your local garage charged as much as mine - once making the papers as the dearest garage in Britain - you wouldn't support him!
Regards
john
I know that I can't use a 'normal' tailgate rack for the Espace due to its glassfibre body...does anyone know where I can get (purchase or rent) a proper Espace rack (that fit into the roof rails) other than from Renault?? Read more
Together we'll keep those averages up. Keep up the good work.
Chris
Browse
I agree entirely, my previous 80's car had excellent paintork and my 1 year old Merc is CRAP(excuse the French).
Dealrs and Merc are just not interested.
So much for German quality. what a Joke
There is no way I would ever shell out for a Merc again
It is absolutely ridiculous that you have to consider buying something like amourfend for such an expensive and supposedly quality car.