August 2002
Hi Guys,
I wonder if you can offer any advice.
I bought a new 320D in back in March this year. Several weeks later I went down a pothole which damaged my rear offside wheel, which I replaced.
The steering also felt different, I then got a Tyresafe compound fitted which also affected the steerting.I then dropped the car off to my local BMW dealer who KDS's the vehicle and altered the steering, this did improve the handling but things still felt wrong.
I then had the tyresafe compound removed which also improved the handle, but again there was still something not quite right.Two weeks ago the car was KDS's again, they re-aligned the steering again and I did not really notice any difference.
The steering feels very light and is also very sensitive to the road service in that it follows the road camber considerably. On braking around corners the car steering pulls against you.
The car cannot really be driving unless using both hands as it seems to pull against you.
The local dealer seems to think it's me but I don't think so. I would be grateful for people's advice on how to get the problems fixed. I am considering bringing it to another dealer and asking one of their engineers to take it for a drive to get a feel for it.
Thanks for your help guys.
Rory.
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I drove by the accident(heading north) on the M40 at about 3pm today. From news reports it appears that a lorry heading North crossed central reservation and hit a van and another lorry. 4 dead and the lorry caught fire and burned out.
The Southbound carriageway was closed from Junction 15 to Junction 11 a distance of 18 miles. A Northbound lane was also closed. You can imagine the traffic chaos.
When I crawled by there were loads of police cars and motorbikes and police just standing talking, but very little discernable activity by workmen. The 7pm news has just said that the motorway is still completely closed over 12 hours after the crash. The fire has damaged the road surface and experts had to examine the lorry. I can't think of another country that would close a motorway for 12+ hours for a 3 vehicle accident.
I also got caught up in the chaos last month when the M6 was closed in both directions at Junction 29 for the whole day. This was because someone on a motorway bridge was waving a gun. Even long after he was arrested the motorway remained closed while the police looked for forensic evidence. From the reports I heard nobody was injured and the gun wasn't fired.
I do not knock the police normally, but I repeatedly see an apparent lack of urgency to get traffic moving.
C
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I'm glad to see your message, MLC, and I want you to know that neither the tabloid comments nor the ill-informed tat reflect the opinions of the site, the forum or its moderators. In my former incarnation as a fireman I worked at too many scenes of carnage, first on the M1 in Leicestershire and later on the A23 and A27 in East Sussex, the great majority of them the result of the two mentalities which prevail on today's roads -- "stuff you mate" and "hurry-hurry".
The forum's policy of allowing contributors, as far as possible, to have their voice means that we can't censor opinions that don't tally with our own until they start to impede the smooth running of The Back Room. Even then (as you've no doubt noticed, MLC) it's impossible to satisfy everyone.
Finally, don't allow the adverse remarks of a few dickheads to turn you away from the forum. You're welcome here.
Martyn [Back Room moderator]
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mailto:webmaster@honestjohn.co.uk
I have just got a new car for the wife and now I need to decide which of our other cars to sell.
Car 1) Peugoet 106 1995 1.1 5 door hatch with 40,000 miles & FSH. This is currently my car, it is in very good condition and has been in the family since new.
Car 2) Fiat Punto 1998 60S 3 door hatch with 50,000 miles & FSH. This has been my wifes car. We brought it 'nearly new' and although it is mechanically sound, the body work has suffered from a few shopping trolley knocks, and bird poos etc.
Whichever car I decide to keep I will be using for my daily commute to work (66 mile round trip on fast unconjested country roads).
So, which car do I sell? I think there is only about £500 difference between the 2 cars values.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
hca Read more
You could always keep both cars and get rid of the 'trouble' - it'd probably save you a lot of money in the long run and cars don't answer back, hog the bathroom, throw things, have periods etc. etc.. No offence to your wife.
Having returned to the UK from Germany recently I find the cost of motoring to quite cheap up here in Bradford.You do not have to tax or insure your car or have a MOT .I do notice one or two people who have these but are quite few.You can deal drugs quite openly commit just about any crime you like.Also seat belts are not required ,red lights mean nothing,speed camaras are no problem as you will have not notified the DVLC of your ownership of the offending vehicle.The reason for this utopia is there are no police on duty.Bradford has two officers for night duty in my area and they do not have time for anything as trivial as untaxed or uninsured cars.walking through town one day I counted over 50 untaxed cars and then gave up.Perhaps this is where Customs and excise should looking.One more point I am returning to the the German Republic in two weeks time for good to a land that still thinks law an order to be an important thing.In my short stay here I have had my car broken into twice with the police response being nil.
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Two things occur to me.
1. How many newcomers this site now has compared to 2000, and
2. These stats still make my mind boggle! What can they be in 2008!
Hello!
My Mondeo (99T hatch, 40k miles) has recently developed a strange noise from the rear. The best way I can think of describing it is a rubbery squeak, like rubber on metal. It is noticable when driving at low speed <20mph, but not really any higher. Perhaps other noise drowns it out by then? I can also generate the noise by bouncing either rear corner of the car.
I plan to get under the car to try and find the problem at the weekend, but does anyone have any hints where I should look first - any known problems?
Thanks all
Andy Read more
I have a problem
I received a car from the above Company based in Blackpool (Wishing Well House 32 Poulton Road, Blackpool, Lancs FY3 7DT - Company Reg 3729183) - it was not as per the spec that I ordered. They have been reticent to offer compensation direct and so I have asked for their insurance details so that I can pursue a claim directly with thier insurers.
It now seems that they are rapidly going belly up and blame their bankers for flawed exchange rates.
It would be great if anybody can supply me with James Stewarts home address or any other details of Directorships that he holds.
There is a fair chance that the compnay may well have been trading without proper professional insurance in which case, if he does try and float another Company of this type, people need to be protected.
If anyone else who hasnt even received their car yet want to tie in with this then please feel free.
Regards Read more
At cost of repeating myself, I can almost guarantee the agent will not be responsible for the error in specification. Anyone importing a car MUST read the agents contract very carefully.
Most import agents I know have a clause in their T&C's between themselves and the buyer, that they (the agent) will not be held responsible for any errors in specification and, that it is up to the buyer to satisfy themselves the spec is correct.
The agent plays no part in buying the vehicle and acts only as the agent with some other services thrown in. The contract to buy the car and its specification, is between the buyer and the Euro dealer.
Our 1990 golf has ten months of its three year warranty remaining. We are taking it to the supplier for the third time for a erroneous air bag warning light reset.
I am concerned that the garage may be treating the symptom not the cause, and that problem will keep recurring.
Any advice or suggestions please.
Chirp chirp Read more
Dear Backroomers
We faxed the dealer and the Golf is booked in for tomorrow. Despite a fax specifying the possible cause, the service reception indicated that they only intended to reset again. This would be the fourth time according to ourselves but the dealer has only one reset on record.
What is the best response
1.Find another North London VW dealer? Could someone recommend one Without the same initials as Anno Domini
2 Escalate to Dealer Principal After Sales Manager or VAG.
Regards>> >>
Walking through a slightly grotty part of town yesterday and blow me parked between the Nissan Sunnys and Sierras was one of these! Never seen one before, a very very chunky thing.
Good job Mark (RLBS) wasn't with me, he'd have had the cheque book out on a flash.
David W Read more
I am thinking of buying one of these as a private vehicle
to keep for a good few years, does anyone know the good and
bad points of this idea and the best places to look for a
late,as new or new model at a good price,
have read C by C onVW Caravelle
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Intermittent ABS Fault
I have a 1995 VW Golf GTI 8V with an intermittent ABS problem. The problem can manifest itself in three different ways.
1. The ABS warning lamp illuminates for no apparent reason with no other symptoms noticed.
2. The ABS operates when braking gently at low speeds in dry conditions with no warning lamp illuminated.
3. The ABS operates when braking at low speeds in dry conditions followed by the warning light being illuminated.
Turning the ignition off/on resets the warning light and the problem may not come back for a couple of days.
A VW dealer has checked the car on two occasions. In each case the fault memory of the ABS Computer was reset but they were unable to find and correct the fault.
Any suggestions!
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And make sure when you fit it that its in "field" that is close enough to pick up the tooth gear, if in doubt about the distance check out one of the others, if its not close enough it may not pick up every tooth, too close and the sensor can be damaged by rubbing against the teeth
Browse
A few years back SWMBO claimed off a council (didn't need to go as far as small claims procedures) for a wheel and tyre for her (then) Citroen Visa. They asked about how much tread was left on the old tyre (it was virtually new) but they quite quickly paid up through their insurers - probably more than the car was worth!
Terry