August 2002
Unfortunately, this is a fact of life that you have to just accept. It is comparable to getting zits or wrinkles as you grow up. You can apply various cheap and/or expensive treatments - whether preventative or curative. At the end of the day, it is cosmetic only; what really matters is the personality underneath. At least that is what most people claim! Read more
In his road test on the new Merc E Class, HJ says:
" ... So what?s this paragon or engineering excellence like to drive? In a word, brilliant. ......
...... There is no other saloon car quite like it. It really is ?engineered like no other car in the World?. ...."
In last weeks Sunday Times, Jeremy Clarkson says of the new E class:
"..... I guess that?s why the BMW 5-series, now in its sixth and final year on sale, is still the car to beat. There?s a sense, as you turn the wheel, that you really are part of some unholy Darth Vader-style appliance between man and machine. ......
...... As with the old E-class, the best of the bunch is the diesel ? specifically the £27,435 E 320 CDi. The five- cylinder 2.7 may not be the smoothest or quietest diesel in the world ? or even the smoothest and quietest diesel in my garage, come to think of it ? but you can?t argue with a top speed of 145mph and 45mpg.
This, then, is a very good car. Apart from its wonky styling, it does nothing wrong. But where?s the little detail that enlivens a trip and burns a journey into your memory chip? I couldn?t find one. Which means that you?re still, unbelievably, better off with a 5-series. .... "
So who to believe: HJ or JC ?
Read more
I agree with all the above, but.....
Has anyone else noticed that you can park away from all other cars, at the furthest point from the supermarket entrance, and be the only one in a rank of bays. When you come out you're in the middle of an isolated clump of cars which have clustered around you.
Is it drivers' herd instinct or do the cars get lonely and get together when they think no-one is looking?
:o)
Terry Read more
On the radio this morning, and over the last week or so, has been an advert encouraging people to take a break when they're driving to avoid getting over tired.
Sensible advice.
However, it also says 30% of all motorway accidents are due to someone being overtired.
Really ? Seems a bit unlikely.
Still, with 30% being speed related, 30% being overtiredness, that only leaves us another 40% to find. Probably about 2 more causes to find and then there'll never be another motorway accident. Read more
Mark,
Sorry if I diverted the thread with my post.
Thanks for deleting the nutter cojones so promptly...hope Postman Pat is not too advanced for him.
Regards,
Matt35.
I know this has been answered twice but I'd like a definative answer.
Is legal protection worth bothering with.
Presumably if you're in the right you can sue yourself and win costs. If you're in the wrong you can't and if they have no money and no insurance there's no point in going to the law anyway.
Discuss.
--
Parp, Parp!
Note: All Toad posts come with an implied smiley. Read more
>>in spite of paying for NCB protection, the premium following a claim would be the same as for someone who decided not to pay the extra for NCB protection? - i.e. your para about x% loading
It certainly can be. There is some advantage in the protect NCD/load approach since it does leave some discretion and some space to argue, whereas with the loss of bonus there is not.
To know if they were exactly the same one would have to know to identical cases, which I do not.
Hence the reason for the caution - ask what will happen in the event of a claim. Ask if it will have *any* effect on your premium.
M.
Just found an old thread in the Archive that I think I've got a solution for.
If you're still getting a low speed clunk when setting off in the MINI, the unofficial MINI website explains it : www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6733
Basically, it could be the ABS self testing or auto central locking.
If it isn't this and you've found the cause I'd be interested to know what it is.
Lee.
(Who's really going to be talking about MINIs a lot if he gets the chance!) Read more
I have just read in today's paper that another emergency service worker, a paramedic, was seriously injured while attending to a motorist parked on the hard shoulder of the M4 near Bristol. A lorry had run into the back of the ambulance. (The motorist subsequently died following the collision.)
During a visit to Italy, I noticed, on the only motorway I travelled on, that lay-bys are provided adjacent to the emergency phones. These are large enough for a HGV or 2/3 cars and provided a much safer refuge for the stricken traveller and emergency worker.
Surely the employers of these workers have a duty of care for their employees and should pressure the government agency responsible to bring about major improvements to halt these tragic and unnecessary accidents. Read more
Toady:
Bikes using the hard shoulder would make it more dangerous for those unfortunates whose vehicles have broken down and are stranded there.
Whether you or the majority of bikers would ride with super observation at a speed below the suggested 30 is not the point of my argument. Any change to allow the use of the HS would encourage the twits (not my preferred choice of spelling either but filter-friendly)to ride down there at silly speeds with respect to thier obervation.
Also, car drivers, a small number of whom currently choose to use the HS illegally if it suits them, would be even more tempted if they saw bikers using it.
Andy
Leif
I think the best strategy is not to get too worked up about it. It's annoying - especially if it's your own money - but you can't stop it, short of "guarding" your car all the time.
By the time the car is three years old it will look like all the others. Alternatively, you could do what we do - always try to take the Citroen C15 white van to the supermarket. Then watch the beemer and merc drivers scatter!
;-)
Ian Cook Read more
Hi. Where can i find cheap insurance for a young(19) male driver in the UK?
Cheers! Read more
Yes my son started with Axa and is still with them, to reduce the premium they gave him a one years ncd, also he tells me he got 10% off for dealing on line at renewal, you can only do this if you are accident free (over the last 3 years i think)
I have an Omega MV6 2000 new face lift model, just bought it. The computer complains about two things:
Coolant Level - when its fine, toped up to the level for cold, been like that for two weeks, has NOT gone down any.
Washer Level - this again has been toped up to the full. And works.
What I dont understand is why the dumb computer still thinks that the washer and coolant level's are both low?
What can I do to resolve this - any ideas? Try resetting the computer? Are Vauxhalls renound for this error message in the new models?
Taa. Read more
Scotguy...
For what it's worth, my MV6 (1996, 207k..) regularly flashes up complaining of low washer fluid, then may or may not change its mind.
You have discovered one problem with buying a car with lots of bells and whistles: More to go wrong!
Yours aye
Browse
In JC'c Sunday Times column on 25 August, he has changed his mind about the BMW M5. He now says:
" Jeremy Clarkson: If you?ve got speed like this Audi?s, nothing else matters ....
.... Speaking of predictable, and the war, I?ve had a £57,000 Audi RS6 on test this week ....
...... But the RS6?s colossal power does something very rare with German cars. It puts a smile on your face. And for that reason alone, I think it?s actually better than something I used to think could never be beaten: the M5"