August 2002
Hi all
Ive just brought a d reg pug 205 junior 1l and its got a small problem, when I go to pull off theres a bg flat spot before anything happens, and then sometimes, it just dies on me when im coasting, ive heard this talked about on this forum, and aparently its a common problem. but nobody has said what the problem is and how to go about fixing it.
Any ideas greatfully received.
Cheers in advance
Andy Read more
I was hunting around for information on how the new number plate system worked, and came across the following site:
www.car-registration.co.uk/
I found it strangely compelling, but then I still have my Ian Allan book of locomotive numbers up in the loft somewhere...
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com Read more
"Richard..
very sad, but then,so do I and its over 50 years old and still on my desk.
alvin"
I had to refer back to the original post three times before I realised that the reference was to the book and not the leak ! !
I'll soon be changing my 1993 1.6LX Mondeo, which is insurance group 7. Unfortunately, any of the cars I fancy changing to, such as BMW 525TD or Mitsubishi Galant 2.5 diesel, are group 14/15.
Any idea on how much insurance increases per increase in group?
(for an average driver; over 30, average mileage, full no-claims bonus). Read more
So get your heads around this then. I have a protected max NCD. In the last 3 years my wife has had two no fault claims where she got our excess back and a replacement windscreen which apparently does not count as a claim. One of the accidents was on her insurance and not mine.
I got a quote from Direct Line but when I mentioned that someone had attempted to break into my BT van while I was at work they added an extra £40 to the premium even though I don't own or insure the van. So what does my protected NCD pay for when I have made no claims to my insurance company?
Now here's one to get the know-alls into overdrive. Here it is the rainy season and my daily paper's motoring pages carries an article on appropriate driving (do not attempt to cross water above your hub caps unless you have a diesel, learn how take the fan belt off and replace it and carry a piece of hose that fits your tailpipe so you can reroute your exhaust higher, don't follow anything through deep water until you see it come out the other side etc etc -- well this is the tropics).
Anyway the writer disapproves of ABS, he says it instils false confidence, like seatbelts, because it may provide feelings of invincibility and overconfidence that such gadgets (sic) will get you out of a jam no matter what (sic). He also says ABS is ineffective on slippery roads.
He also goes on to say...boy I like this part!.....that BMW's and other fancy (sic) brands encourage bad driving because they are advertised as superior and safer cars.
.....this is too good not to share, so I now stand back..... Read more
In my recent test drives, I've been testing the effacy and feel of several different systems in different cars.
There's a big difference in the feeling given by each when stamping the middle pedal - the Punto without ABS felt like it was never going to stop, with ABS it still felt like it wasn't going to stop but at least you could steer, even in the car lurched around. A Golf on the same piece of road, going faster felt altogether more solid and stopped in a more controlled manner.
A new Clio feels as safe as houses and inspires confidence, but a non assisted new Ibiza slews and slivers across the road, hardly inspiring.
I agree with DW about the feel of the Citroen brakes, they can apply a lot of retardation with a small pedal travel, but will lock very easily if you're not used to them.
However, I think people don't realise just how close they are to the edge of controlablity when braking hard, once the wheels lock you're not much more than a passenger unless you've got the idea of cadence braking, and that's not a natural instinct. It can be the only explanation for the usual lane 3 convoy of cars 10 feet apart at 75mph.
Lee.
......and straight into the river! WTF was going on there? From the cameras, she didn't even slow down!
Without being 'ageist'you have to wonder about some of the older people driving. I wonder if the police will check her for eyesight or even driving without due care and attention? Read more
Poll 17. Who thinks that the mobile phone law has been a complete waste of time?
Yes = 56
No = 34
What Mobile Phone Law = 2
Poll 16. Which are your favourite roads to drive on?
Motorway = 4
Rural A roads = 44
City A roads = 1
Rural B roads = 24
Estate roads (city B roads) = nil
Off Road = nil
Poll 15. Have you ever driven uninsured?
Deliberately = 23
Mistakenly = 14
Never = 61
Poll 14 (which is in three parts)
A) What do you consider MOST when buying a car?
Colour = 5
Cost of insurance = 2
Economy = 20
Performance = 21
Reliability = 40
Cost of servicing = 2
Depreciation = 6
B) What do you consider LEAST when buying a car?
Colour = 38
Cost of insurance = 8
Economy = 4
Performance = 3
Reliability = nil
Cost of servicing = 14
Depreciation = 22
C) How many miles do you drive per year?
Less than 5k = 2
5 to 10K = 21
10 to 15K = 25
15 to 20K = 10
20 to 25K = 10
25 to 30K = 7
30 to 35K = 4
35K and above = 13
Poll 13. If you could choose any, BUT ONLY ONE of the following optional extras, which would be your choice?
Air conditioning = 78
Sun roof = 6
Leather seats = 1
Electric windows = 17
Satellite navigation = 4
In-car DVD player = 2
Alloy wheels = 1
Poll 12. Which do you prefer to drive?
Front wheel drive = 34
Rear wheel drive = 28
All wheel drive (permanent not switched) = 13
Dont know, as I have only driven one of the above = 9
I don't know whether my car has front, rear, or all wheel drive = 2
Poll 11. A person is lying at the roadside. Unable to see who they are, or if they?re at all injured. Would you?
Drive past, swerving slightly to avoid their body and carry on with your journey = 3
Drive past, pull over as soon as it's safe to do so, and phone the emergency services = 46
Stop immediately and offer any necessary assistance = 33
Other = 8
Poll 10. When you stop for fuel, do you generally?
Brim it = 58
Stop at the first click = 33
Stop at the nearest pound or 50p after the first click = 25
Other = 16
Poll 9. What type of gearbox do you prefer?
Automatic = 42
Manual = 46
Poll 8. When do you top up your oil level?
My car doesn't use any oil between services = 40
As soon as you notice it's dropped below max = 13
when it's mid-way between max and min = 30
When it gets to min = 18
I never check my oil level = 8
Poll 7. When driving through residential areas, on average, by how much do you exceed the posted speed limit?
I never break the speed limit/I try to keep to the limit = 37
Up to 5 mph over the posted limit = 52
Up to 10 mph over the posted limit = 19
Greater than 10 mph over the posted limit = 7
Poll 6. Should speed cameras be removed for a trial period of 6 months to see what effect they really have on accident rates?
Yes = 86
No = 36
Poll 5. How often do you have your vehicle serviced (including basic oil changes)?
As per the recommended service interval = 102
More frequently than recommended = 39
When it breaks or doesn't run correctly = 14
Poll 4. In your opinion, the MG company is?:
on the verge of a great revival = 79
facing huge challenges = 53
sinking fast = 28
a dead parrot = 41
Poll 3. Whilst driving, have you used a mobile phone since the law was changed last year?
Yes = 52
No = 59
Poll 2. What fuel do you use in your main vehicle?
Diesel = 40
Petrol = 76
LPG = 1
Other = 2
Poll 1. Have you ever driven whilst naked?
No = 103
Yes = 16
Can I canvass you sages for an oppinion? Up to £6k to spend,annual milleage 12k usual mix of commute and days out. I am thinking Accord/avensis/Primera 2 yr old 50 k miles or corolla with lower mileage. I want ABS and aircon, nothing to attract attention, and maximum reliability, modest running costs for 8 years. Are all these pretty much the same or does one stand out ( I know they are bland motors as such but I want VALUE)
Mark Read more
I've owned a Primera and found it a better drivers car than I had imagined. The Service manager of a Nissan Main dealer opinioned that they gave very little trouble.
HJ's Car-by-Car breakdown on this site rates them all quite highly.
Hondas seem to fetch more in private sales - they don't have the fleet car image of the other two.
Marcus
Im in the process of offloading my current car before its time to pop over to Germany to collect the new BMW.
However, a thought came to me which someone here may know the answer to.
What actions can (should) you take to reduce the risk of a potential buyer who's having a test drive in the motor you are selling, going past a speed scamera above the limit and setting the thing off?
You'd expect people to slow down especially if you told them to but what if they don't? Anyone any ideas \ hints etc? Read more
So true John,
I was offered a test drive when we went see a private sale Mondeo which we subsequently bought.
I refused, as my insurance only covered driving other cars on a third party basis. The owner took us for a spin and all seemed fine. No problems in the last year.
On a previous occasion some years ago I was being driven (too fast) under the same circumstances in an Audi 100 with 60K on the clock.
As the owner was concentrating on his driving, I took the opportunity to look in the glove box at the service schedule. It said, Next 6000 mile service due at 100,000 miles.
( figures from memory but may be wrong, get the gist?)
The owner seemed genuinely surprise to find his car had done so many miles. Someone had given it a haircut. (the trade term for clocking)
Following the demise of Asda offering a fuel card with points to be redeemed for future shopping bills (I bought more fuel, instead of food shopping), who now offers the best value scheme?
As the Shell station near the Asda store price match, I have now started to use their card. Looks like the discount ends up at just over 1p/litre, with added points if you buy enough fuel.Double points too, if you get a Shell credit card.
Seems a better deal than:-
Esso-nothing
BP-Argos points
Total-Boots/M&S vouchers
Tesco-Store points (not one on my routes anyway)
???? What have I missed?
As I spent nearly £8000 on diesel, last year & it's my own money, I do like to save it when I can, even if it's only 1p/litre!!
Mark
PS Make that £800 on diesel, plus loads more on duty! Read more
David W
Beefeater in fact, no more (my choice); not posh, but relaxed and friendly and grub not too bad - at least, in our local one.
You can get a pint of half-decent bitter and a nice bottle, too.
Was taken there in a Matiz which came about 70 miles for the job - remarkable how they can get about on 800cc.
Tomo
VW documentation on when to change the cambelt on the 1.8 Gti Turbo isn't clear, any idea on when/mileage it should be changed.
thanks,
KW
Read more
Certainly gives me something to think carefully about....I just wonder how much changing the belt and tensioner will cost?
I mentioned this a while ago but it kind of got lost and I can't believe the difficulty I'm having in a getting a decent answer from BMW customer service.
Basically the manual for my 528 shows all other models (520,523 etc.) apart from the 528 being on v rated tyres, the 2.8 model is listed as W rated. Now I assume they write this for a reason. My BMW approved 528 has been supplied on V's the spare is original and a W. BMW say.....
"Thank you for your recent email regarding speed ratings on tyres for your
BMW motorcar.
I can confirm that V rated tyres will be fine with your vehicle although, as
the handbook states W rating is preferred. The difference between the two
is 10 kph. V rated is a maximum speed of 220 kph and the W rating is a
maximum speed of 230 kph."
Well if thats the case did they just kind of think it would be nice to list the 528 as a W or was there some serious technical input into the decision and if so the above answer is not really acceptable. I might as well downgrade the oil a bit, or dilute the coolant slightly.
I know it's not a life or death difference between the two but it doesn't seem unreasonable to expect a BMW dealer to supply a car to BMW's specification.
Thanks, Ian
p.s according to the BMW customer service "girl" it's not alright to drive with a tyre rated above a W or to mix speed ratings on the same axis! her words exactly at which point I realised the subtlety of the discussion was clearly lost on her!
don't mean to be sexist honest Read more
When my 309 speedo showed 123 I had to laugh HOWEVER I don't think it was far off because the rev counter was slightly redlining (6200 rpm) and on the flat it will indicate 110, which is a few mph more than the book speed (107 i think) but not 10% inaccurate or whatever. Its a 1.4 (75 bhp, ish)
Bearing in mind the engine probably performs better than that of a new, 'test' car, how much will the speedo actually over-read?
Browse
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Richard, I'd agree with you about cleaning the carburettor. The single choke Solex is a simple little beast but seems prone to blocked jets - probably made worse by the fuel hose from the filter to the carb starting to break up internally due to old age. I managed to clean out the carb on my old AX without removing it - just remove the top cover from the carb, (very carefully, so you don't damage the sealing gasket) and you can get to all the jets.
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com