March 2002
The bug has done someting to IE6 that prevents me getting into the website to make any changes. So the main site's a dead zone for the time being. On top of that, for another stupid reason, I can't get my mail. So if any of you were wondering what's going on, that's it. I am one very seriously fed up geezer. The PC is in the shop to uninstall and re-install IE6. Meanwhile I'm messing around with a laptop here that doesn't contain any of the files or facilities I need.
HJ Read more
Can't pretend that I'll go into as much detail as Mark (Brazil) on the C5, but I've just spent the weekend with an A4 2.5Tdi Sport Multitronic so thought you might be interested in a few thoughts.
Pros
Build quality - both perceived (interior surfaces) and real (thud of doors)
Sports seats - perhaps the best I've tried
Refinement - a touchy subject with diesels, but this one was very smooth once moving. Not sure how much of this was due to the transmission. However, you could still tell it was a diesel at idle.
Steering wheel transmission controls - change gear like Schumacher. Would probably get bored of this after a while though.
Wipers - strange this one, but they were substantial and cleared the screen brilliantly.
Cons
Transmission - I've owned autos in the past and this one was very average. From a standstill there was a second when nothing happens as the belts sort themselves out. Then as you press harder it takes off like a bat out of hell. Got used to it but still annoying and not something I could live with.
Chassis - very wooden with no flow as you would get in a modern Ford or BMW. Steering was lifeless with little feel.
Rear seat space - very average for a car of this size. I know they want people to buy the A6, but the lack of space is inexcusable.
4 spoke steering wheel - triangular rim which was uncomfortable to hold (sports wheel would have been much better)
Bose sound system - don't know how much this option costs but very average results. Standard speaker system is fine.
Fuel economy was indifferent and worked out as 34mpg (using the computer) over 250 miles of mixed motoring. I wasn't hanging about but this is someway off the official combined figure of 40 (does anybody get these with modern Diesels). Best I saw was 37mpg on a 110 mile motorway trip.
In short didn't win me over.
Simon Read more
You pays your money ..............
Audi has a different image from BMW and Mercedes, but I think the quality and styling are at least on a par. The spec on my 2000X TDi is pretty comprehensive, the only extra I paid for was the CD player, but this means that the car also has a cassette player (which I've never used, but many would). I wouldn't pay an extra £500 for metallic paint - I had gloss black and it looks the DBs (when it's clean!)
I'd have another one. Dealers are fairly friendly and down to earth, certainly compared to some Merc and BMW dealerships I've used.
Regards,
Pat
Mum's R97 Accent Auto failed the MOT on a 'snapped coil spring'; price £260 to also include a foglight lens and 2 bulbs. How do we get these for a lower price, or are they expensive to repair full stop? Read more
4 x Jamex/Eibach/Koni/Avo/Boge/Spax springs can be found for around £100 - not sure if they supply the fitment for this vehicle but surely worth a try. I wouldn't be surprised if it were the fog light that caused the expense. VAG foggies for MkII Golfs have been up to £100 each - now cheaper.
Has anyone ever bought a car which unbeknownestto them was a leased or hire purchase car and lived to retain the car?
Rita Read more
I bought a second hand fiesta with cash from a Ford Main dealer, FSH two previous owners, didnt bother with the HP/insurance check since I assumed that a main dealer would check these (and it would be illegal for them to sell the car with outstanding HP).
Almost a year later the car was stolen....no problems except that the insurance company were taking a long time, broker chased them up and it turned out that someone at the dealer was playing a fast one, selling a car with HP, then taking it back in PX then putting it back on the forecourt and selling it again.
By now I was within a few weeks of leaving the UK for a job in Australia so I could do without the hassle, so broker persuaded the insurance company to pay up and take the dealer to court themselves rather than leaving the whole thing in my lap to sort out. Insurance company paid out to me and I was happy but took several years to sort it out after successfully taking the sales dept to court. Turned out this wasnt the first occurrence so they were happy to take the effort on this one.
I was very lucky....turned out the car thief did me a favour, If it hadnt been nicked I would have tried to sell the car privately
at the last minute before leaving for Oz which would have come unstuck very quickly either for me or the next unsuspecting owner.
ALWAYS do a HPI check even for a main dealer!
I was following yet another farm tractor and trailer outfit today on a 60 mph limit road with some overtaking opportunities.
Problem was, the trailer was huge and high: I could just see the top of the drivers cap. The external mirrors of the tractor were invisible and there was no interior mirror that I could see.
Then we have the problem of no lighting board on the trailer. How can I safely overtake this dude who was travelling at about 20 mph when he could turn across me into a gateway at any time and chop me up. He could not possibly signal his intentions.
I waited for a long straight and, seeing no gateways on the right, dropped into second and overtook him. By this time there were perhaps 10 cars behind us.
I have spoken to some farmers about this and they say they don't have time to plug in a lighting board. Others just put on a notice saying NO SIGNALS.
(Read my mind)
Why are farmers allowed to get away with this totally incondsiderate and dangerous behaviour? Read more
And what about a registration plate?
Civil engineers rarely have them and when they do they are'nt for the towing vehicle!
Answered a knock at the door an hour ago. My neighbour took me out to the drive to see my Mondeo pushing gently into the side of the wife's Renault. Handbrake was fully on. Only had the car a week. It's a Fordsure 2001Y 1.8.
Garage claimed fully serviced before I got it. Anyone had a similar problem?
Tony Read more
Point front wheels out when parking uphill.....
Kev
Woke up this morning to find my Golf had been broken into overnight so need to have rear driver's side window (5 door model) replaced. I've been told by my regular mechanic that there's more than one glass colour (tint). Does anyone know if there's a way of telling what colour tint I have on the glass, other than the not very scientific looking at it and guessing ?
Nothing bar my mini maglite torch was nicked thankfully. Read more
Mark,
It hadn't crossed my mind before but perhaps the guy noticed the C5 and assumed......after all look at the pub it took us to!
David
I'm sure someone here will know this :
I've got a 94 M Cavalier fitted with an Airbag. Is the airbag an MOT requirement for a car of that age, as I think the airbag was more or less an optional extra that came on higher trim level cars.
As part of numerous electrical problems I get the airbag light staying on all the time. Unfortunately when the car was off road being repaired the MOT ran out. I'd rather get an MOT and repair the airbag system at my convenience rather than having it trucked to the main dealers and then to an MOT station. Read more
No, they dont actually TEST the airbag - but they DO have to ensure its not showing a fault through the warning lamp (likewise ABS)...
As for the 10 year thing - airbags need replacing after 10 years to ensure they will 'maintain operational stability and performance in the event of them being activated' - in other words dont moan if an older airbag doesnt save your face!
Nice! Old cars needing new cat's and airbags = even more cars dumped on roadside!
Are there any veterans out there who can fill me in with background family information on the pioneer, James Radley. He owned a Silver Ghost and also built, and raced, modified Bleriot XI monoplanes from his base at Huntingdon. I am researching his partner, Wm. B Rhodes-Moorhouse and require further material relating to their association. All replies acknowledged. Thank you. Read more
Thanks for the reply, John. I would welcome sight of the book. I have a copy of `Huntingdon The Aviation Centre` but there is no reference to Rhodes-Moorhouse or Radley. Look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Brian.
When you first test drove the C5 with the 2.2 diesel engine you had reservations about that particular engine. I would be interested to have the latest view please as I am looking for a tow car for my caravan but do not want an estate and the C5 hatchback 2.2HDi SX has many attractive features including the driving position which is very important. Read more
I like the look of the C5 Estate and was looking to buy one this Autumn. Has anybody had one long enough to recommend it's reliabilty? I also hear it has been subject to umpteen recalls but can not find details of what problems they have been having. Can anyone enlightened me and tell me if the bugs been fixed?
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I believe this sort of dodgy behavior can be avoided by going to the security settings in IE and setting "Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting" to either prompt or disable.
Of course the best tactic is to avoid these sites but what the porn industry does on the internet today others will do tommorow.