June 2001
My brother-in-law has just had his car converted to LPG. For the conversion, the company has used an LPG tank that fills the spare wheel hole. They have told him to keep his spare in the garage and have supplied him with a tin of "approved" sealant, "as used by the Police, you know, they don't carry spare tyres any more". Also "the MOT says the spare has to be in good nick, not that it has to be present".
Now the obvious question is what happens when he gashes his tyre rather than just holing it, but I also wonder if the law *has* changed, or if he's having the wool pulled over his eyes?
It all sounds a bit convenient for the LPG company to me. Anyone know the facts? Read more
I've driven only two diesels: an Audi A4 several years ago and just recently a Rover 220. I recall that the A4 was very torquey low down in the rev range and was surprised to find that it was only upwards of 2500--3000 that the Rover provided much punch. Do diesel engines vary that much or might the Rover need attention? Read more
Stuart wrote
> "It does vary from model to model, eg the current Rover 75 with the detuned BMW engine is as flat as a fart at low revs. The car absolutely cries out for an autobox" - the Rover 75 is now out in diesel-auto form and is, as you quite rightly say, a real dream to drive - the autobox is really suited to this engine. I took one to Basingstoke recently and really enjoyed driving it - averaging 45 mpg during the run. The 75 diesel with a manual 'box does indeed feel a little 'breathless' but seems at home on the motorway at speed. See my earlier thoughts ref TuningBox - there is one available for this model - it should provide the extra 'buzz' required
Someone is bound to bring this one up, so it may as well be me as I go past it every day.
It is reported in the papers that the speed camera at the bottom of the M11 going into London has been flashing up to 2,000 motorists a day.
This translates into over £800,000 per week in fines at £60 per ticket.
However, this should (but won't) make the authorities ask themselves whether the location or limit is wrong.
The camera is a quarter of a mile or so after where the limit drops from 70mph to 50 mph. There are two lanes, plus a third one (outside) which is hatched off and therefore out of use. The road is straight but leads into a shallow bend a little further on which is safe for 70 mph+.
Now, if the camera is set with the customary 10 mph margin, the assumption is that 2,000 vehicles are going along that stretch at 60 mph+.
Which leads to the assunption that if that speed is unsafe and the limit justified there should be 2,000 accidents per day, or close shaves that have only been avoided by luck or the skill of the drivers.
In fact there are very few accidents on that stretch (about one every three months at a guess).
So something is wrong.
QED Read more
Don't get me on speed camera and civil servant inaccuracy!
I just get so peeved about Government departments which operate with astoundingly high error rates and think it is all right. Send your tax return in for the Inland Revenue to calculate and they promise to get it right with only 3 out of every 4.
I have heard that there is a new Fiesta out at the end of September this year. At the moment there's a really good offer on a new Zetec S for £11,000 with £700 off with no part ex or £1500 off for my L reg Ford Escort Diesel with 75,000 miles on the clock, £750 off the finance, free insurance for a year, and low 5.9% finance which sounds good.
I like the car, and I know that if I like it and want it, I should go for it, but is it a wise move? Especially with the new model due out? Perhaps that's why there is the special offers as outlined above!
Any advice greatly appreciated. Read more
Will you not be forced to go through Ford Credit for the finance.....saying that I think they're doing low-interest deals at the moment on some Fiestas. check it out with your main dealer.
Still think you should go for a 1.25 Zetec!!! Buy a cheaper Fiesta now and spend your money on the new one which comes out later this year/early next year!!
Guys,
I'm forced to "come out" in one aspect of my life here, I'm an enthusiastic supporter of the Citroen BX.
For my sins I write the monthly BX column for the Citroen car Club magazine. The CCC is perhaps unusual among "classic" car clubs in that they support every Citroen from the early days right through to current models such as the C5.
We have a thriving feedback to the BX column but, by the very nature of one make clubs, our thoughts about the BX are a little "in-bred".
People's opinions of the BX are usually firmly OK or Rubbish. As this site has a broad base of motoring enthusiasts I thought it may be of interest to canvass you views on these cars in their twilight years.
So if you ever owned, had a ride in, maintained, loved/hated a BX or have any stories to tell please post them here. If you have a large submission and think it too detailed for the forum please e-mail me direct.
I hope to publish a selection of these comments in the August/September Citroen Car Club magazine, for those non-members who are interested I'll also post it onto my emerging personal Citroen website.
So good or bad (you won't insult me), do let me have some snippets.
Many thanks,
David Read more
As this thread slips into forgotten history, much like the BX it concerns, I just wanted to say thanks for the interest and comments.
I was quite surprised that the BX is so well thought of by those who posted a reply. I would still like one contribution from someone who had a nightmare of a time with one, just for editorial balance.
I'll post a link to my site in a couple of weeks where you can read the collected thoughts as the Citroen Car Club members will see them.
Worth mentioning that I did ask Martyn for permission to collect this information from the HJ site.
Thanks again,
David
Help!
Does anybody know where I can find websites where I can find an Audi diesel A4 automatic? I would like to know also, for future reference, any good web sites for secondhand cars (except for auto trader and E&M). Does anyone know when the Automatic option became available on the A4?
Many Thanks.
David Read more
According to What Car? for July the A4 130TDi Auto (with a CVT Box) arrives August this year, and it is a stonker.
I am up for a test drive as son as I can get one.
Tim
New Labour are proposing 6000 new policemen!
This can only mean one thing. A *huge* increase in the construction of motorway bridges for them all to sit on.
A side issue would be about 3000 new Volvos... Read more
I must commend your logic here. Also i appologise for not realising or noticing that you dont have to hit anyone to kill them, just so long as you are doing more than is allowed.
Thankyou, Kev
I have aquired a 1984 Mini "25" from a customer. It has failed the MOT and is beyond economic repair. It has a full history, i.e. every penny ever spent, and I was going to break it for the engine etc. However I have discovered that it's a bit of a rare beast, 1 of 3500 so being an appreciator of the classic car and motoring heritage I would rather see it go to an enthusiast for either restoration or the parts being put to good use to restore another "25".Where do I go, I have tried several Mini sites but they are all dealer run or want money to advertise with them. Read more
What exactly is wrong with the car? I am a bit of a Mini enthusiast. The main parts of interest in this model are the seats, door cards etc. Are these OK. If the body is really gone, it may just be worth selling the interior.
Cheers
Andrew
I have recently been driving a 1997 Nissan Primera, the question someone may be able to help with is the capacity of the fuel tank. I drive about 750 miles per week so need to fill up often, but from an indicated empty to full I cannot put in more then £33 worth of petrol. Does this car have a small tank or do I need a new full gauge?. As an aside which modern popular car has the largest fuel capacity- previously I had a Renault lagona which would take nearly £50 to fill up. Read more
The Triumph Herald had a reserve fuel tap, but in the boot. This minor inconvenience meant that it was used as a proper reserve, but saved leaking cans etc. One of BL's better ideas I thought.
Bought a brand new VW beetle in 1964. In anthracite grey it was an absolute beauty. Total price was £624.00. Yes....six hundred and 24 pounds.
Bought it from kays of Derby.
Everything wonderful until one day with about 5000 on the clock I checked the engine oil and horror. It was about two inches above the normal level.
Well I'm sure you know the beetle was air cooled so it could only be petrol which was getting into the sump. back to main dealer Kays and saw Mr Phillips the service Manager. When I told him the problem he threw his hands in the air with horror. "Oh no.... we had one about three months ago with exactly the same problem. We had that car in time after time, did everything to cure it. VW even flew over a valve to go in the fuel line from the tank at the front to the engine at the rear to prevent the petrol siphoning when it was standing into the carb and flooding."
"Surely I said the obvious place to look would be the fuel pump which sits on the top of the flat four engine sump." Course it is said Mr Phillips we changed that twice" Did you finally cure it I said, "Yes we did he said, the trouble is that we still don't know what it was we did which finally cured it"
Exactly the same scenario followed. Kays were very good they had it in for a couple of days, lent me a car and away they went. Every couple of days I had the car back, regular oil changes in the garage where I worked and each time the level kept rising with petrol. To cut a long story short they cured it and again they didn't know how and the problem went away.
Several years later in unusual circumstances I met the ex manager of another Midlands main VW dealer and began to tell him the story. I didn't get far before he stopped me. "I know the story, you kept taking it back etc etc. I'll tell you what it was"
Come on lads..... give your theory. A signed new style photo from HJ for the winner.
Alvin Read more
I'll swap it for a moderately thumbed paperback of Pam Ayres Greatest Peotry Hits, circa 1974.
Browse
I believe the Mercedas A Class doesn't have a spare wheel and I know the MGF Trophy doesn't, it just has a can of sealant in a first aid case.