May 2002
These days in a contra flow system I notice thousands of temporary cats eyes installed. Is there a machine they use for this. How does it work and how do they get them up again. It just seems quite a feat to do this. Kind regards MikeyJay Read more
I am looking at a 1983 example of the above with a view to buying it, it has a full MOT and has covered 160 000 Miles
There are two concerns which I have about it and I'm hoping one of the backroom boys can alleviate ( or confirm ) them.
1. The Engine rattled slightly on start up and the oil pressure guage didn't go to the top until the car was driven, then it fell to halfway when ticking over. I took the oilcap off whilst the engine was running and some oil splashed out, - is this a buildup of pressure in the crankcase or is it usual ?
Also it smoked a tiny bit when I gave it some stick on a dual carriageway, however it pulled well and didn't feel tired.
I am concerned that the above points indicate worn piston rings or valve guides.
2. The steering felt incedibly vague around the straight ahead and a little bit wandery on the road at speed. in fact it was quite unnerving. it this normal ?
Otherwise the car is in fantastic condition with electric sunroof, original Mercedes alloys etc.
and the guy is only asking for £ 500.
Should I ??
I am looking at it as a long - term investment as a second car and a future classic.
What do the backroom boys reckon ?
Best Regards
Marc Read more
Thanks for the tip - it is a very good forum & I have joined. Taking the head off my original car on Monday to see if it is the valves.
I bought another in the meantime. It's a one (now deceased) owner, 85,000 mile FSH from the same garage, 230E in chocolate brown/tan cloth w/ 4 headrests & 2 armrests, elec sunroof & crank windows. It needs a new bumper & the grille has a minor 'car park' ding in it, but apart from that & a really good clean is very presentable. I drove it the 600 miles home after buying it at up to 100 mph for short stretches, more often 80-85 ish & it behaved beautifully. Returned 26+ mpg for the whole trip, didn't consume a drop of oil or water & all gauges were rock steady. If it is just a head on the original, green/black car I'll get it fixed & have to sell one of them.
Having taken HJ's advice ( and that of many contributors to this forum ) I recently purchased a Mondeo 2.0GLX Estate MKII, year 2000 model from the Great Trade Centre. I was fortunate enough to get the remote key, but no others with the car.
Having read the handbook it explains that the keys need to be "matched" to the car, apparently it is possible to do this with two keys ( ie match a third )but if you only have one key it appears to be a dealers job ?
I rang my local Bristol Street and they want £15 +vat for each key, a standard key not a remote and a further £42 +VAT for the service team to teach the new keys all they need to know.
They tell me it is a "complicated procedure involving the interogation of the diagnostic system". I dont mind paying the £15 for the keys but does anybody no if I can carry out the "teaching procedure" myself ?
Further is there anybody else who may be able to do it other than a main dealer ?
cheers
Jim. Read more
They also advertise in Ex & Mart. That's how the crooks do it as main dealers want to see all the paperwork.
I am contemplating buyin a new or nearly new car towards the end of the year. I quite fancy the idea of a convertible the Saab 9-3 looks good as it comes complete with everything but sat nav as standard (leather,climate control,cd player,etc...)
Does any body have any first hand experience of the Saab and any problems with it?
Also could anybody recommend anything else in this class. Read more
Why not go the whole hog and get a95 Aero
A stunning machine especially with 5speed auto,
Traded my old 95 in for an aero in January, this new one is leagues ahead,
I have always wanted a Honda and now have bought one - a 17" rotary mower. The dealer was pretty vague about servicing he said - "get it serviced once a year and...oh yeah don't leave any (unleaded) petrol in it if you are not using it as it turns to water" What's he on about? How ofter should it be serviced? Once a year sounds like a lot to me - you may only use it 20 times in a summer. Read more
"This on a tekumseh/flymo/electrolux/B&Q own brand engine, usually known by me as "starttyoubustard" or similar after a quarter-hour of priming and pulling and re-locating my shoulder joint!"
I love your use of words there!
Get a mower with an electric start - easy!
Then....you can send the wife out to mow the grass as the excuse "I can't start the mower" is no longer valid :-)
MG-Rover Questions? Click on www.mg-rover.org
What should I put in my 1989 325i (130k on clock) I have read 10w40 should this be semi or fully synthetic?
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Dizzy - I can't disagree with much of that, although if "synthetics have little reaction to the products of combustion and they readily part with these products on passing through the filter" then they are going to clog it up sooner!
The oil companies' chief interest is in making money, and if they can do that by selling less oil at three times the price, I imagine that suits them very well.
I've nothing against synthetics, per se, but I do rather baulk at the price. I suspect that in most cases, a mineral oil changed twice as often (with a new filter) will preserve an engine at least as well, if not better...
On Sunday, they were filming a commercial in the square opposite my office.
I saw from a distance that the vehicle they were using was a Discovery, but didn't think more about it.
Now I read HJ's latest news, and realise what the whole thing was about!
Next time I see filming in progress, I'll go and snap a few pics, just to give BackRoomers a sneak preview!!
BTW, that red phone on wheels used for insurance adverts? That was nicked when it was in cape town! Recovered a few days later!
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Has anyone any experience of auction buyers recommended by HJ, specifically j.trim, It seems to be a good way of buying their time, experience and attendance and bag a considerable saving in the process. I\'m looking to buy a high mileage (over 100k but not that much) 528 Touring on say a 99T, straight out of a 3 year lease for £11k ish. A couple of questions really, what is the general view on wear and tear generated by big miles in a short space of time, it\'s obviously better than short journeys but surely it can\'t be without wear to the major components? is say 110k miles in 3 years going to allow up to 190k over the next 4 without major mechanical failure or no less chance and expense than buying a 50k version and going to 130k. I have a feeling that the general public obsession with sub 100k cars allows some major bargains to be had with ex lease cars having done over 100k in 3 years which is pretty easy to do with big business and private miles in 3 years. I know HJ once said that only people who put value on these cars were people planning to them a haircut! I plan to keep it for 4 years and don\'t care too much what it\'s worth after that.
Do \"quality\" cars with good specs from lease companies go to auction or do they generally get passed through the trade to established retailers or their own outlets (eg fleetlease and autopoint).
I\'ve noticed that the figures that HJ quotes as glass\'s figures at auction are very similar to the part ex figures available from glasses via the telegraph and carsource.co.uk.
Any help/advice much appreciated.
Thanks, Ian
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Try
www.gtccar.co.uk
\"You are only jealous because you can\'t hear the voices\"
Hi all,
I will shortly be moving house, and am after a very cheap (Sub £500) estate car to help me lug things about, and shift stuff out of the new house - rubbish etc etc.
My priorities are Load space, TAX and MOT.
I'm not really worried about whether it is manual or diesel, economy isn't a huge issue, but I want a manual rather than an auto.
Engine size should be 1.6 or above.
I have some options I'm looking at:
Citroen BX >87 - can be had from about £200.
Volkswagen Passat estate >85 - can be had from about £100.
Volvo 240 Estate >84 - can be had from about £300
Have also considered Carlton, Renault 21, Sierra etc etc
Anyone have any opinions on any of these cars, or any I should look at also?
Cheers
Dan Read more
Not to me I mean..!
I'm thinking of going for a nearly new 01 Y Vectra 2.2SRi because it's such good value but am put off ny all the negative comments about the Vectra. I've been in a couple and think they're OK so are they really all that bad???
Also, anyone got any comments, good or bad, about the Peugeot 406 2.2 SRi? Read more
Marc,
The 406 SRi, now no longer uses the 2.0 turbo engine, but a 2.2 NA powerplant.
I'd have one over the vectra anyday. They look and go superberbly.
Steve
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I remember sliding to work one day in SE Kent about 15 years ago after the snow ploughs had been along our country lane.
They had managed to uproot many many cats eyes, which were littered along the road.
Those things have a huge root like a molar, about a foot long, and heavy with it. Probably more hazardous than the snow.