December 2001
I admit I am a complete BMWphobe, but does the COOPER badge on the latest bavarian made wheelybin grate with anyone else. A travesty to the late John Coopers' memory in my own humble opinion. But then BMW have got to have the greatest advertising team on the planet......
slightly :-] Read more
Just heard that Suffolk police started a year long blitz on speeding drivers last January.
Suffolk fatalities in year 2000.......58
Fatalities after 9 months of blitz on speeding in 2001..........102
(September figure, running total)
When will these plonkers learn?
Interfere with the 85th percentile speed and deaths increase. Read more
It's not speed that kills
It is the attitude that kills, impatience!!
Have you all seen the report that police will now use old-style roadside tests to determine if one is drunk or drugged? If you pass a breathalyser you can still be taken in if you fail the Field Impairment Tests. So what's the problem?
One of the tests is to stand on one leg, throw back the head and then touch the nose several times, first with the right index finger, then the left.
What they don't tell you is that the ability to do this test diminishes with age and, whilst a twenty year old might be able to do it quite easily, and older person will lose balance and stumble, drugged , drunk or sober.
We are then quite likely be taken to the police station for further tests to check for drugs or alcohol.
I would be interested to know how you all get on? Care to try it and let me know? I last about 3 seconds at age 57.
When will this madness end? Read more
I live just off of a dual-carriageway which is the main arterial to and from the beachfront here.
Even as I type this (10:20pm), I can hear the guys howling up the road from the beach (ie pub) side well in excess of the posted 60km/h limit. Over the weekends, it gets worse, and the sirens howl all night as the fire trucks and ambulances go to work. There is at leat 1 collision a week in the 200yd stretch outside my place!
so what does plod do? set up a speed trap on sunday mornings, about 7am, and nab people on their way to church...
Came across the following American survey report which is interesting. I wonder, is there any similar report done for UK/Euro vehicles?
Source: J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study 2001. Based on responses from 28,415 owners who bought new in 1997, and owners who bought used 1997 models since.
Rankings Reported Problems Per 100 Vehicles
1. Lexus 173
2. Infiniti 219
3. Jaguar 250
4. Lincoln 253
5. Acura 255
6. Honda 278
7. Toyota 278
8. Cadillac 285
9. Porsche 292
10. Mercedes-Benz 296
Listed as below average in long-term dependability are, in alphabetical order: Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, GMC, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Plymouth, Pontiac, Suzuki, Volvo and Volkswagen. Read more
I think that I remember seeing that the JD Power UK survey has migrated to AutoExpress this year.
The last one I saw made the point that it was based on questionnaires mailed to owners in cooperation with the DVLA who, I gather, were able to arrange that mailings went to the same proportion of each make/model owners.
The results were fairly predictable with the Japanese models at the top and the volume European producers firmly at the bottom. Despite that, I bought a new Vauxhall, a triumph of hope over experience?
I have L 94 Cavalier Hatch and for the 2nd year running there is water comming into the boot on the nearside.
I have had the light fitting off to check the sunroof hose, there was no sign of leaking. I fixed the broken ariel but the water still gets in. Help Read more
there are two pipes running down into the boot, from the sun roof, to drain the water from around the sunroof moulding.
the ends of these often get bunged up with crap so the water goes in the boot.
i also found the rear light assembly leaked around the bottom edge.
Just bought a K93 Polo 1.0 l 3Dr, at what mileage do you need to change the cam belt, The car came with full dealer service history its done 93K miles last service being around the 70 mark.
Appreciate any views. Read more
Definitely right away, for peace of mind, then every 40k max.
Looked after well, it should last ages. We have a 1.4, just keeps on going!
Peter.
Just to cheer us all up,
I'll nominate Bullitt, but its not my favourite. Read more
Bullit - Never mind the same VW appearing all over or that the Dodge loses 5 hubcaps
Ronin - Love the Merc 450sel 6.9 spinning and that Audi really shifts (how does its headlights get repaired halfway through.) Pug Vs M5 exciting but far fetched. This movie was shot at high speeds with the actors in them
Cold Sweat - Bronson really gives an Opel Commodire some stick
Gone in 60 seconds
bmwfilms - the 740 stunts were brilliant except that I cannot figure why it upshifts 7 times on a straight road, more gears that actual ?. Madona, M5 is a scream. Ang Lees 540 is a piece of art except that it remains without a scratch after ramming a Merc W126
For anyone with a petrol car that is a few years old the following might be of interest:
1.8i Cavalier 1993 MY [with catalyser]
Week ending 04/11 = 35.8 mpg over 411 miles
Week ending 11/11 = 36.1 mpg over 386 miles
[Average = 35.95 mpg]
After using STP Fuel Injector cleaner in two-thirds of a tank of petrol
Week ending 25/11 = 38.1 mpg over 427 miles
Week ending 02/12 = 37.7 mpg over 372 miles
[Avergae = 37.9 mpg]
All 4 weeks very similar driving speed/traffic-jamwise over the same routes.
As I drive approx 400 miles per week this represents a difference in just under 3 litres of fuel per week which equates to a saving (at 72.9p/litre) of about 100 quid a year.
Not bad for something which cost a fiver though it does specify usage every 3000 miles. Just as simple is buying a gallon of paraffin and using (I think David W's) suggestion of 1ml to 1l every month or so. The car also runs much more smoothly at constant revs and there has been a slight but noticeable improvement in idle stability.
Dan J Read more
Does HJ recommend this? It certainly seems worthwhile...
Just had a look.
Wheel is pushed so far back a rubber cylinder around the driveshaft is rubbing on the anti roll bar connecting link. ;-(
It's hard to tell what's bent.
The bolt coming up from the lower suspension arm certainly is. The tie bar *looks* ok but I'm assuming the Swivel Hub must be a gonner. Hard to judge the strut itself. I'm guessing I will have to replace the anti roll bar & the link which appears out of sorts.
Can anyone help me out and tell we where damage often occurs after a good clout on a kerb?
Worst of all is that it's in a spot where I really can't work on it. If the AA won't take me it's possible I may have to drive the ******* thing home.
[tsk tsk Dave. No f-words etc., even with strategic asterisks. I'll take into account your circs at the time of writing and give you the benefit of the doubt! Martyn, Back Room Moderator]
All my own stupid fault. Read more
Richard Hall wrote:
>
> Dave, whereabouts are you based? There's a breaker near
> Ipswich that seems to specialise in Rover 200/400 series.
> Last time I went there they had about twenty in stock. If
> you need a new front strut and lower arm (which might not be
> a bad idea anyway) they are worth a try. Let me know and I
> will send you the details.
Thanks for the advice but I'm a long way from Ipswitch! No matter though -sourceing Rover arts is never a problem - there are thousands of them.
Lower arm is cast and showing no cracks - it looks as though it would survive U.S. freindly fire. Tie bar had a *pull* exerted on it. It appears fine - I can't imagine it was stretched.
If it passes an MOT I'll forget yesterday, drive it 'till the big end finally kills the engine and scrap and replace it with another old (non catylist) 414i.
The govt is hoping to use money raised from roads to bail out the railway system. Discuss.
www.portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/ne...l Read more
i would never use buses though, as they always seem to go around each street of a massive housing estate, so a journey to newcastle that takes 20 minutes by car, takes 1 hour by bus.
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Well if it's the case Andrew, I hope his royalties amount to more than the reputed £ 2.00 per car or whatever it was with BL.
Mike