July 2002
***Originally posted in technical matters - moved here due to lack of response!***
Hi,
My father was recently hit from behind on a motorway, and I was wondering if anyone else had any experience with BMW's 5-series in this situation.
The car that hit him was doing about 70mph, whilst he was doing about 30mph. On impact, the drivers seat was thrown backwards, as the bolts that held the front of the seat to the rails broke. The result was that he was left facing the ceiling of the car, trying to brake to avoid hitting anyone in front of him.
The car was an R-registered 520i. He has pursued the issue with BMW UK, and after much correspondance they have returned a verdict, (without having examined the seat), that there is no problem with the seat doing this.
This is not a BMW-bashing attempt - I am just trying to find out if there are other people out there who have experienced such a reaction in a crash, with this particular car.
Thanks,
Stuart Read more
Hi everyone and nice to have found this discussion group.
Having just purchased an ex-fleet omega 2.0 16V gls (1999/T) with 89K on the clock and full service history, I would like to ask a few questions to experienced motor enthusiasts/mechanics and pro's.
So far I am extremely impressed with this car, which also has an auto box. I would have preferred a cdx with a 2.5 or 3L, but am more than happy with the more cost effective 2L model. It lacks pull on steep hills as you would expect, and acceleration is more audible than physical!
First question is that I often find the engine sounds rather "diesel" like, especially on start up when compared to my old cavalier 8V 2L. Is this normal and if not, what could be the cause? It sounds a little clattery to me, not too serious but not silky smooth as I would expect.
Next up is the auto box. Is it a good idea to get the oil changed in the transmission given its high mileage, vauxhall told me theres no need. I find in neutral the car idles very smooth but in drive when stationary (foot brake on) I can feel a little vibration.
Another point is what I guess must be tyre noise, a low mid frequency rumbling except at very low speeds. The engine sounds almost silent with the windows closed, so can I reduce the tyre road noise somehow? softer tyres?
Phew a lot to ask I know for a first timer, but hope someone can help out.
Regards
Simon
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hi simon
just did auto oil change on my 2.5 cdx oil was very dark
had done 100k and it has helped a lot
How was it for you? The prices tempt but was the service ok?
www.tyres-sold-online.co.uk/homes.htm Read more
Interesting you should mention Britannia in Hinckley.
I thought they were good value, and they have adverts in the local press which suggest that they don't take the P like other tyre sellers.
But they wouldn't price match another local place - Walkers - who seem to have unbelievably good prices on Goodyears. This was just on little 155/70x13s for the wife's car.
Back to online tyre places. Have you looked at www.tyres-online.co.uk? Only £5.29 for valve/balance - total price £33 for 155/70TR13 Goodyear GT2s (but I paid £27 at Walkers). And they fit at your house.
can anyone direct me to a newer source of information on pattern (rather than makers "own") oil filters. After reading Car Mechanics I had a look at www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study
This is obviously a few years old, done by a layman rather than a professional, and based on American sources not British, but it does seem to indicate that many sources of what I had believed to be OE standard replacement parts are now manufactured in the third world, and may be of doubtful quality.
I used to insist on Fram or similar. Its enough to get me to buy Peugeot parts. Can anyone direct me to a suitable OE standard maker/retailer? If anyone has a web address for any newer study than the one above I would be grateful.
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Dave, I assume you are looking to save money on filters. If so, just buy the manufacturers ones, they rarely cost much more, maybe a pound or so, sometimes they actually cost less than Halfords prices. Even if you save £2 per filter, with 2 filter changes a year, you'll save a grand total of £4. Probably about as much as it will cost you in phone bills scouring the net for info on aftermarket filters.
Hi I've just bought an N -reg 1996 1.4L Polo with 28000 (genuine) miles on the clock, the bodywork is in great condition, the engine bay is clean and there are no visible oil leaks etc. Also it seems to drive very smoothly, with no strange noises and the gearchange is fine. The only problem is that it has no proven service history since about 1997/8 - the last service I know about was at 10000 miles. Now I'm pretty sure its *has* been serviced, or at least had the oil changed etc., but I really don't know what else has been done.
What should work should I have done on the car to bring it to the level of servicing that it should've had at this age and mileage?
I was thinking along the lines of:
1. Change Oil + filter
2. Replace air filter
3. Check disc pads alround, change if necessary (esp. front)
4. Check gearbox oil (or replace anyway?)
5. Change sparkplugs
6. change Pollen filter
7. Flush radiator and engine block, fill with G11 or G12 (my preference for longer-life) VW-approved coolant
8. Replace brake fluid
9. Check cambelt, replace even if only slightly worn
Does this look reasonable? Is there anything else I should get checked and/or replaced?
cheers
Paul
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Simple - SWIMBO - She Whom I Married But Older
Thought you meant She Who Instantly Must Be Obeyed for a
minute.
I have an 'R' Plate 1998 Renault Laguna 1.8 (8 Valve) RT Sport. It is suffering from very noisy tappets. After taking it to various garages and even having the problem diagnosed as the cam lifters (which these were replaced), the problem still persists. I have changed the oil for some good quality Castrol GTX Magnatec 10/40w, it is slightly quieter, but they seem excessively noisy to me, compared to other Laguna's of the same engine I have heard. I know that this is not the best engine in the world, or the most powerful, but i'm sure it should be quiter than this? Any idea's? P.s The noise seems to quieten down with 97ron super plus fuel in?? Read more
As andrew said above, they are not hydraulic self adjusters but shims. I doubt very much that some engine flush would make much differnece here, plus the 30 odd quid i've just spent on the Magnatec would be pointless. I think Andrew is correct in saying that this needs to go back into the garage (as it's still under warranty) to be re-shimmed, as obviously they did'nt do it right last time it went in. Also can anyone with the same engine, confirm to me if theres is excessively noisy? If not i'll bang some of that Motor-up (LOL) in it, and sell it quick!
Hi all.
One last question about my Corrado, hopefully!
Well it's more to do with the tyres, they all have good amount of tread left on them, however I was duped into buying Kwik fits centaur supreme range.
In the dry I dont have a problem with these tryes. However whe it's wet they are an absoloute knightmare, The car tends to just nose through corners and rounabouts.
Is it possible to get better performance out of the tyres by running them at a lower pressure. (I saw this mentioned somewhere else on the site)
Ross Read more
When driving at sensible speeds wet or dry I expect my tyres to grip effectively. I have also had cheap own brand tyres and there was indeed an unacceptable and sudden deterioration in the wet.
My last Golf on standard Michelin Energys, would merely develop a bit of gentle understeer in the wet, warning me to slow down.
What you don't want is to suddenly feel you are on a greasy skid pan on entering an off camber bend.
Avoid far eastern tyres unless you never use your car in the rain- especially Corrados - far too nice to bend.
Howdy,
I own a completely basic model 1.0 VW Polo (2000-2002 model Y reg) and was wondering if it would be possible to fit a K&N performance air filter to make it sound a bit more beefy?
As the car is still under waranty will it invalidate it and will the insurance premium increase?
I would love to hear any comments,
regards,
Neb Read more
p.s did you guys not have a youth?
Yes, that's why I thought it was cool to rip the baffles out of my restricted Yamaha "Fizzy's" exhaust pipe. Still did 35 mph flat out, but instead of doing it discretly, people heard me coming 10 mins before I actually got there!! When I did eventually get there, due to the advanced warning, they had all scattered as they didn't want to asociate themselves with a prat on a moped!!
I have a Renault Laguna 1.8 RT Sport (8 Valve - Multi Point Injection engine, not single point), on a 'R' Plate 1998. Can anyone tell me the spark plug gaps required? or can you fit them strait out of the box? Thank you. Read more
Cheers Adam, That's great thanks! I wanted to double check the gaps before I put them it. I did'nt want to buy an haynes manual just for that peice of info, although I suppose I could of sneakily ripped open the wrapping of one in Halfords!
Hi,
My father was recently hit from behind on a motorway, and I was wondering if anyone else had any experience with BMW's 5-series in this situation.
The car that hit him was doing about 70mph, whilst he was doing about 30mph. On impact, the drivers seat was thrown backwards, as the bolts that held the front of the seat to the rails broke. The result was that he was left facing the ceiling of the car, trying to brake to avoid hitting anyone in front of him.
The car was an R-registered 520i. He has pursued the issue with BMW UK, and after much correspondance they have returned a verdict, (without having examined the seat), that there is no problem with the seat doing this.
This is not a BMW-bashing attempt - I am just trying to find out if there are other people out there who have experienced such a reaction in a crash, with this particular car.
Thanks,
Stuart Read more
OP post seems to have been written in 2002...
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Cyd,
Wow, that's a lot of information! All of what you suggest sounds very useful, and it certainly gives us some more concrete ideas for how to move forward.
I very much appreciate the time you have taken to find out and relay this information. I will be sure to return to the forum and post any information as the case goes on.
Many thanks again.
Stuart