June 2001
My wife (who is 5 feet tall) is looking to change her Peugeot 106 for a larger vehicle. She has aproblem with the seat squab catching the back of her legs. Has anyone suggestions as to ways to either modify the 'deaper' seats in larger cars or cars with short squabs? Would modifications affect airbag operation?
Help/advice gratefully recieved
DJL Read more
Should I change the cam belt on my VW Passat 1.8 SE earlier than the 80K miles shown in the service booklet?
Thanks, Phil Read more
Stuart,
Spot on there. With the BX diesel the hydraulic pump runs from a belt driven pulley on the end of the camshaft, opposite to the timing belt end.
So effectively the work done to raise the car in the morning is routed via the timing belt. And as my physics master used to say "with energy you don't get something for nothing, it always comes from somewhere". The load to pressurise the hydraulics to 2500psi then raise the car off the ground must be substantial.
Other models have better arrangements with many hydraulic pumps driven directly from the crank pulley.
David
Fingers crossed I will be offered a job this week that comes with a fully expensed company car. Always having had to pay my own way on these things, I am unsure as to the penalties that this new 'perk' will bring to my pocket.
Will I be taxed to the point of pain, or be able to put all fuel on the company card without worrying?
Also on another front, I will be sorry to have to say goodbye to my Citroen ZX XUTD. It is the best motoring decision I ever made. All 143k miles of it!
Any comments greatly accepted on either disposing of the ZX, or the pitfalls of the 'perk'.
Regards
Simon Read more
Ian
I used to be self-employed, but worked from home, and therefore no commuting miles came into the equation. I have been PAYE for the last few years, and the relief of not having the tax man on my back is great.
The job, if I get offered it, is a 10 minute cycle ride from my house. I feel inclined to cycle to work on every available opportunity. But this is not always the sensible option, as most of the time I will be configuring systems for people and training them at their premises - wherever they might be in the UK.
Sweaty suits are never a pleasant working environment for anyone!
Simon
I have recently bought a 2nd hand Citron AX as a run around.
Saddly the radio does not work because it is coded and the previous careful lady owner did not know the code!
Can any one recommend a DIY fix for this problem or is it of to the citron dealer or local auto electric? Read more
Stephen
I don't know where you live but if you are likely to be in the Bristol area contact:
AK Securities (Andy) 07831 782722. He did a very quick and professional job on my Xantia, but does need to see proof of ownership.
Hi all
Anyone using a Kenlow water heater. I belive they are good for cars that do short runs and do not get up to temp.
Any points of view? what do they cost?
Can you point me to there web page Read more
Oh Dear!
my Kenlowe Hot-Start has conked-out AGAIN! I have not had much luck with it, although Kenlowe have been good inn replacing broken bits promptly.
However, I now face a further bill, to have the heater unit re-fitted & to return the duff one.
Using the tyresonline website mentioned in previous threads I have come to pretty much the same conclusion as HJ as regards tyres. My shortlist for the above vehicle at present is as follows:
Continental ContiEcoContact EP
Continental ContiPremiumContact
Pirelli P6000
Incidentally, I am replacing Michelin Energies that I have found to be so-so.
Can anyone recommend a tyre that they have found particularly good on Rover 618/620's, or would one of the above be a good choice? Read more
Just to clear up any confusion, I meant Conti EcoContact CPs, of course. The EP range are for small runaround type cars, and CP for bigger cars.
(I know BMW drivers get a bit of stick on these pages but...)
I bought a '92 518, 65k in January, had just been serviced with five
green lights on the service indicator. Now 5 months and 6k later I've
got two lights left and no sign of an oil change indicator light on.
Recognising the importance of frequent oil changes can anyone tell me
whether I can rely on the indicator to tell me, or should I stick to my
own intervals of 6months/6k? Also, if I do do it myself is it worth investing
in the tool to re-set the indicator as suggested in the Haynes manual.
Many thanks, courteous BM driver (usually the wife). Read more
Nope, can't remember, and when I bought the reset tool I binned the notes on the trick ! It involved bridging two of the diagnostioc connetion socket terminals through a certain resistance, but can't for the life of me remember.
Regards, Adam
Honest,
Looks like we may have to depart with my beaut Audi A6 1:8T SE 1998(R). It has been the best car I've ever had (don't pity me!!) It has done 106K and has a fully stamped up Audi Service history. It is silver and is faultless. I still think it is one of the best looking cars on the roads today.
Having perused the Autotrader site it looks like similar models with that mileage are starting at about 8K. What is my beauty worth and what is my best way of realising it's full value...........will the fact it is silver make it worth a few more quid? (doesnt have leather standard SE spec)
What about selling it at auction......
Any advice, hints etc would be greatly appreciated............. Read more
How do I go about finding people who are preoared to pay sensible money for my 1997 E230 with only 58000 miles on the clock?
I will shortly be selling my Golf 1.8T and am uncertain about how to receive payment from a private buyer. Do I take cash and how do I know the notes aren't forged? How do you check if a bankers draft is real?
Thanks
Andrew Read more
If you botherered to read what I wrote about banker's drafts (it's there on this site) then there would be no chance of accepting a forged bankers draft.
HJ
Hi - a friend collected his brand new car yesterday that he plans to take abroad next week - unfortunately he forgot that you don't get the V5 for a number of weeks and you do need to take this when you travel abroad - don't you?
What other options does he have - is there any way to speed up the delivery of the V5?
Also, should he have been given any paperwork by the dealer - he handed over his bankers draft and was given the car, keys and service book - he didn't get a receipt or any other paperwork - is this normal?
cheers
Martin Read more
John
The form that you get for a company car is a VE103, valid for one year. Cost is about a fiver, from your leasing company, or the AA used to do it when they had shops! It just states that you, while not being the owner, are authorized to take the vehicle out of the country. A word of warning - if you do bother to get one, check the details. I found the VIN number was wrong on mine, obviously carelessly entered into the system by the leasing company. I had visions of me discussing with a French or Spanish (gun-carrying) cop, why my documents were 'not in order'.... I know this is a bit late but I have only just spotted your entry.
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My beloved is 4'11" and found that when she drove our old Volvo 740 if the seat squab was set Horizontally rather than slightly down at the back the seat was fine. If your wife positions the seat the correct distance from the wheel the airbag wont be a problem i.e. with the arms extended fully the underside of the wrists should rest on the top of the steering wheel.