April 2002

LPG Conversions

Mark on 24 April 2002

Andy following your post I have made some enquiries about LPG conversion for your Explorer.

There is a company in GarstoN L\'pool who have been doing LPG conv for over 25 yrs called AutobuilderLPG.

They are currently doing a lot of V8 work and seem to know what they are about, I have met the owner and he has a RangeRover he has converted to LPG.

You can contact him at kennysmith@autobuild.freeserve.co.uk or tel him on uk 0151 494 1782.

He has recently converted an aircooled VW flat four with no small degree of success if that is a reference.

sorry I chose not to join earlier thread but it did seem to wander off subject.

as ever

Mark Read more

Slow response

Bill Doodson on 23 April 2002

I suppose this is one for Martyn,

I get a very slow response at the moment when I open up the back room, I use Netscape 6. The lefthand side where the threads are has little boxes and lines that take an appreciable time to load up. They have only appeared in the last week or so, Que? I have a cable modem so usually its instant in internet terms.

A puzzled Bill! Read more

markymarkn on 23 April 2002

ADSL here is ok, although it was running a bit slow at work today (T1).

Perhaps the backroom server was busy doing something like installing updates or defragementing.

Mark.

What will this little lot cost?

chris on 23 April 2002

Hi,

How much roughly do you think the following would cost on a 528i bmw?

repair of rust to rear spoiler (small amount)

Service interval 2 by BMW

New rear brakes Read more

John S on 24 April 2002

Chris

Inspection 2 is the big one - about £330/350

Rust - you need a quote; no-one can guess over the net, but like Guy Lacey, I'd have thought the spoiler would have been plastic.

Brakes - Rear brakes and pads are about £75 from German and Swedish - probably more from the dealer.

But, frankly, why don't you just pick up the phone and ring the dealer - they'll be able to quote for straightforward items from a price list.

Regards

John

Timescale to replace a new vehicle

Paul Richards on 23 April 2002

Has anybody got any facts and info on the most cost effective period to keep a new vehicle before replacing it?
Do you keep it 3years, 5 years or just run it into the ground?
Any useful advice would be appreciated. Read more

Doris on 27 April 2002

Ian

Thank you VERY much for all the business from your friends - that Chris is especially nice

Love

Doris XX

PS I'm feeling a bit s*****d out at present, so please can we delay your usual
lunchtime visit on Monday?

Can someone help me value my bmw?

chris on 23 April 2002

Hello,

I am considering selling my BMW 328I Sport. It is in excellent condition and has ESR, Sport pack - including 17inch alloys, bmw bodykit, 1/2 leather sport seats, 6 stack cd system, recent michelin pilot sport tyres (£190 a piece). In addition to the usual spec of these cars it has got a BMW fitted rear spoiler. It also has FBMWSH and 87k on the clock. It has 12 months MOT, tax and is due for a service in the next few hundred miles.

If someone could give me an accurate price I would be greatful - the guides vary a lot. Read more

Chris on 27 April 2002

hi,

Have now sold the bmw privately. thanks for the help on the matter

Question Z3 2.8 & Bore Wear

Brett on 23 April 2002

Hi all

I am looking at buying a BMW Z3 & have about 15k to spend. I have been told the 1.9 is underpowered & to go for a 2.8 The problem is I can only really afford an R reg 2.8 & am worried about the bore wear problems I have read about. Should I give up on a 2.8 or are there some things I can do or look out for to minimise any risks

Thanks

Brett Read more

J Bonington Jagworth on 25 April 2002

A friend of mine who tried a 2.8 recently said the fly-by-wire control system gave a noticeable throttle lag that wasn't apparent on the 1.9. That wasn't powerful enough for him, so he bought a Boxster...

Written off cars

Paul E on 23 April 2002

This is not a joke - anyone have any ideas who may be interesting in picking up a written off Fiat Uno Fire for parts etc. from the Surrey / South West London area? Someone who wouldn't charge? Is there any possibility? Read more

Andrew Barnes on 23 April 2002

>
> Take the registration plates off it and leave it either
> somewhere round Battersea or even better on the hard shoulder
> of the A3.
>

You'd have to remove the VIN number / engine number as well.

Andrew

grabbing autobox

Lee on 23 April 2002

I have had a Scorpio for two years. It is RWD and has an electronically contolled autobox. All the gear changes happen when they should, but over the last year it has started to snatch at some changes. It only happens on light throttle, most often around 15mph/1000rpm when gently braking, or around 20mph/2000rpm on the way up, but it can behave perfectly doing the same things, and seems to have good and bad days.

Suggestions on tests/observations to narrow down the field and find the cause and the cure would be very welcome as it's the only thing that spoils my enjoyment of the car. Read more

Lee on 24 April 2002

Thanks Phil, that's probably what I'll do, it makes sense to be sure about that before going further.

Imaginative plea in mitigation required...

UKC32 on 23 April 2002

A few days ago, someone (anonymity preserved) posted the following in one of the speed camera threads -

'My last motoring offence was described as 'using an unauthorised class of vehicle on a motorway'. Due to a combination of circumstances, none of them my fault, I was nabbed for riding a push bike on a motorway. Can't remember if I got an endorsment or not, but I was fined 7 quid. Haven't used my bike on the M27 since.'

I asked how, but got no reply. Sounded pretty comical to me, but seems it was posted in all seriousness, critical of those who exceed the limit from time to time.

I haven't been able to figure it out - how circumstances can conspire against someone so that they end up riding a pushbike on a motorway without it being their fault, other than getting hooked onto a wing mirror. Or perhaps car broke down, bike on roof, going for help? Or Alien abduction, returned onto M27?

Can any would-be lawyer help with a short but suitable plea in mitigation? Read more

J Bonington Jagworth on 25 April 2002

I hope the horse's speedometer was properly calibrated...

Question Honda Prelude (1992 - 1996) - Any Backroom experiences ?

David W on 23 April 2002

My contact has decided to look at slightly older Preludes than the latest model I enquired about a few days ago. He just likes the detail of the older shape better.

Any stories about the models around 1995?

Even better seen any mint examples near Peterborough? There don't seem to be many locally.

David Read more

Sorrera on 26 April 2002

Great cars, performance reliability, looks. The swoopy prelude is far superior in my opinion to the current model.
There were many more variations of Jap preludes. e.g. some had 4ws some didn't. JAPS were offered the 2.2 auto, UK only had 2.3 auto IIRC. Having said that I read a review in Revs or similar whihc said the 2.2 coupled with the auto bax was the best prelude.
Hopefully your mate got a UK car or a Jap car that only has the "toys" that dealers over here know about.

Prices for these cars are dirt cheap, must be one of the great performace bargains given the cast iron reliability (Mazda MX3 V6 being another). Low price is due to reasonably high insurance and image of it being an old mans car.