July 2001
What are ideal new cars for the elderly in the 8K -13K price bracket? requirements are; easy to get in/out, 4/5 doors, good visibility, automatic (but enough vwoomf to get up 20% inclines), short, slim (to get in and out of garage), reliable.
I've looked at Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Wagon R, Fiat Punto. Anyone have any views? Read more
Interesting. My copy of the Mobil 1 On the Record bulletin arrived this morning, announcing that Mobil 1 is now used for initial fill by Aston Martin, TVR, AC, Jenson, Strathcarron, Porsche, Mercedes AMG and Chrysler. I had thought of Mobil 1 as something to use after an engine has bedded in, but perhaps it's a question of engine design. Read more
These are specially formulated grades of Mobil 1. Not the 0W/40 available over the counter anywhere.
HJ
I wonder if anyone has had any experience of buying and running an ex police t5 for a number of years.?
Ive been tempted in the past to buy but have been told that.
they are expensive to fix
have been hammered (driven hard from cold, kerbed etc.)
impossible to sell on.
any views would be appreciated Read more
West Oxfordshire Motor Auctions is the place for this sort of kit (see auction directory). The cars coming through now are old shape V70 T5s. You get the occasional Kent or Hants one at BCA Blackbushe. Hants use automatics because they get twice the front tyre life out of them as from manuals (13k instead of 6.5k).
HJ
I am looking for an E36 BMW 328i (made from 94-98) and am reading that they can suffer premature bore wear caused by high sulphur content in some UK petrol. The car I am after must have a full BMW service history and to be in my price range will have to be an earlier car and probably have to have 60000+ miles, how do I go about safeguarding against buying one with premauture bore wear? Were most of them recalled or is it only a small percentage that suffered? I may buy from auction in which case is looking for smoke on start up a good enough indicator?
Any advice greatly appreciated.....
Ian Read more
All alloy block 320s, 323s, 328s, 520s, 523s, 528s, 728s and Z3 2.8s were vulnerable to this problem until late 1998/early 1999 when they began to acquire steel bore liners. E46 3 series are all okay. The only way to be sure is to buy an iron block 325i, or to buy a later car which has had a new engine fitted by BMW. (NOT a replacement engine as at least one reader bought one of these only to find that the independenly replaced engine also had a Nickasil bore lined block.) The main two reasons why these blocks turn into oil burners are dirty oil and prats starting them up just to run them out and leave them on their driveways all day long to impress the neighbours. This results in the over-rich start up mixture trickling down the bores taking the oil off so next time the engine is started the Nickasil liners get worn away.
HJ
What does anyone make of this new Citroen C5 thingy? Didn't Clive Sinclair do the design?
Actually, looking at the styling the car reminds me of Barbra Streisand but I can't immagine why, he he. Read more
Separate road tests of the C5 and C5 estate on this site. Discounts have been there to be had from kick-off. But the estate is the one to go for. It actually looks about right, unlike the hatchback which is strangely weird at the back.
HJ
Can anyone help me with an intermittent ongoing problem. I have a Toyota Space Cruiser automatic, and every time I accelerate, to pick up speed whilst taking off from staionary, the carb overfuels?, I have to release the accelerator, and them very gently start to accelerate again before the vehicle will drive normally. But in Londons slow moving traffic it will always cut off, when I have to start again, high rev, and drive off.
At speed the problem seems to disappear. Any suggestions for this problem, and its cure.
Regards
Moosa Read more
Oh dear what is this world coming to?
Parts personell of 15 yrs vintage not knowing what parts constitute a carburettor!
That's why I send my parts guys on new model technical training courses as and when, alongside our technicians - so that they can understand today's/yesterday's motor cars and components.
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The Toyota Yaris Verso 1.3 auto is perfect. See road test on this website.
HJ