Hi all,

I have a really annoying squeak coming from the back of my astra - it seems to do it while driving along bumpy roads etc or when coming off the drive etc.

It sounds like I have a family of talkative chipmunks on the parcel shelf but after further inspection its seems I have not.

Ive tried putting tape round the parcel shelf pins, checked the boot is shut tight with no movement, nothing seems loose, but its still there, and its still annoying me. Its not a really loud noise nor is it always there - just happens every so often, sometimes worse than others.

Any ideas or suggestions of how I can stop it?

ta

Mark.

p.s. The car in question is my beloved mk2 astra cdi. Read more

I have recently had some warranty work (used car) carried out by a well known Rover main dealer in SE London.

I had a lower radiator outlet pipe split.
I took the car to the dealer and explained the exact fault - I even drew a diagram for them! (I knew the precise details because I had to effect emergency repairs in order to get the vehicle to the garage)

They charged me for a radiator pressure-test , saying this was a requirement of the insurers, before they would agree to the claim. I checked with the warranty company who said they did not ask for any diagnostic work.

I am disputing the garage fee ( 0.4 hour @ £64 per hour) saying that the test was unnecessary and in any event, they would have seen the fault if they had simply removed the bottom hose--work that they have already been paid for.

It would seem that diagnostic work is not covered by the warranty, but this is not stated in the policy document.
Has anyone any experience of similar problems? Read more

Who was driving - speed camera loopholes !

I am told that some people with 'points' on their licence ask friends or relatives to say that they {the friens / relative} were driving.

The ?guilty person may pay the fine, of say their 90 year old grandmother who has not driven for 15 years ? {but has kept up their medical certificate}, but granny takes the points.

Or perhaps more commonly, say the ?innocent? wife has taken the points for him, he insures the car 'any driver' the insurance will remain largely unaffected ? certainly cheaper than insuring a named driver with 9 points? In this way too, then anyone can 'take the points' for the speding driver.

Speeding drivers keep their licences clean and insurance low, they insure their car as any driver and then anyone can take the points for them.

I assume that many get away with this? No problems hiring cars either this way.

Perhaps some people even take a driving test and apply for a licence in a false name - used to put the points on?

Clearly the police and government know that this goes on and perhaps other similar ?scam?s, but they do nothing about it.

Does this not prove that speed cameras are used mainly for generating revenue and have little to do with road safety?

Tom Read more

Mid 90s, cheap and fast.

I am considering buying a circa ?95 Rover 800 fastback, as they are so cheap and indeed fast.
Dear all in the back room,

I cannot decide between a Rover 800 Vitesse {2 litre 4 cyl turbo , 200 BHP} and an 827 Sterling {24 valve 2.7 litre auto ? Honda Engine and power train}

The 2 litre in slightly more economical and faster, however a turbo charged Rover 2 litre engine will be more ?stressed? than the Honda 2.7 litre normally aspirated unit.

I would assume at that age that a turbo will be nearing the end of its life? The Vitesse is perhaps more likely to have been thrashed, has expensive low profile tyres and lowered {road humps !!!} lowered suspension.

The petrol and insurance are not a problem. Which is likely to give me the least problems?

Any suggestions please, on the Rover 800 above, or can you suggest any other motors that are as well equipped, large, cheap fast?

Thanks Tom Read more

Delightful piece on Home Truths this morning about how one woman dealt with the problem of teenagers riding trial bikes where they shouldn't.

www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hometruths/fightingback.shtml

If only it were always that simple! Unfortunately the culprits round here are pack animals, or under 10 (ie below the age of criminal responsibility), or both. Read more