September 2002
AS a glutton for punishment on any out-of-the-ordinary oldies, I am intrigued by a Xantia Activa at £850 ono in today's free local paper. As there appear to be lots of Xantia enthusiasts on this site, can I ask if the Activa is simply an expensive box of trouble or will a decent service record have kept on top of potential problems? I already run a BX 4x4 estate so the risk of expensive part replacements is already something I live with.
David Read more
I'm just coming to do the 60,000 mile service on my 1998 Mondeo 1.8LX and was thinking of changing the coolant. However, my handbook says this is not necessary as Ford's coolant will last the life of the car.
Any opinions on whether I should change it or not? Read more
Ford's coolant will last the life of the car.
The coolant will still do its work and protect the water from freezing, it's the corrosion inhibitors that deteriorate over a period of time. IMHO, best to change every 3 years.
Can anyone make a suggestion on the best, reasonably priced tyre for the above spec?
I've already got over the initial shock of just how much tyres cost for this size (T5 wheels, apparently), but I want to ensure that my money is well spent.
So far, I've been offered
Firestone, Uniroyal, Pirelli / Dunlop (*), F1 Goodyear, (*) and Bridgestone SD3?
(*) were recommended as being good.
Comments, please. Read more
Sorry... the tyres covered the mileage on my Vectra, not whilst knocking about in the garage... lol
It's late, humour me.
Kind regards,
Cyrill666
Anybody had a look at MotorDirect via Lloyds Bank website?
Allegedly up to 20% below the rrp - but where do the rrp figures come from? Do they offer good value (in anyones opinion?) Read more
The cars may be cheaper but the trade in amount they offer is naff. They offered me £12,500 for my trade in, the Volvo dealer gave me £18,500 plus a Volvo special offer which gave me another grand or 3 years free servicing, I took the £1000.
If I had no trade in Lloyds price was about £3000 cheaper than the Volvo rrp of £26,000 approx, so not a bad deal. So it pays to shop around.
Some very kind person snapped off SWMBO's aeriel on her Golf MkIII. I am now thinking of putting in one that goes up and down automatically.
How easy are these to install or should a pro do it? My local car hifi people said that it would be about £140 + VAT fitted and the local VW dealer said £20 + half an hour labour totalling about £50! Does it really take 1/2 hour and do I need all the tools to take out the radio to attach to the back of the radio etc...
thanks in advance Read more
The coathanger aerial is sometimes known as a 'Kirk Aerial'. They are very efficient, especially when moulded into a diamond shape as BTB suggests.
El Dingo (Martin).
A friend of mine has lost his keys to his 98 S Rover 600. He now has the red key from the previuos owner but the car will not start ie immobilised still.
Dealer is telling him that he needs a new lock set plus reprogramming at a total cost of £500. Is this right or should the car be usable with the red key??
Not being a Rover expert,(Ford's my game), if someone could enlighten me I would be most grateful.
Thanks
Charles Read more
No - there is no such card for the Rover 600. All you need to get new starter keys for a Rover 600 is the red "learning key" (which, incidentally should never be used to start/open the car or it could invalidate the security codes in the current plips and keys) and the key number which is supplied engraved on a small metal tag that you should have with the learning key.
Changing the locks is absurd if you have the above.
If you are near Cambridgeshire try Crown Garage in Soham (www.crowngarage.co.uk/rover.htm) for an honest and reliable opinion.
Skoda recommends oil changes at 20,000 miles. Any comments? Read more
TOTH
1 - Castrol GTX is mineral oil IIRC. Synthetics can survive much longer. I would be surprised if the Skoda oil isn't at least semi-synthetic.
2 - You admit to thoroughly abusing your poor old Rover's engine
So, wouldn't you expect the oil to have had it after this time? Does this mean that everyone needs to change their oil every 6 months?
Not necessarily I suggest.
But I still change mine every 5000 miles, because it's a cheap job and I have mechanical sympathy.
Andy
Hi all,
Any recommendations for a 26 year old, 1 yrs no claim, 3 points sp30, heavily modified group 13 motor (and no l don't mean a bodykit).
Who would have me...er l mean my mate.
thanks,
Dan Read more
Oh 50d it,
I mean Pearl Associates??
Alright, this is really 2 related questions!
I was thinking about having my new car Waxoyled after seeing the extent that rust can eat a chassis after just 7 years on old Fiesta. But is it worth it on a 2002 Fiesta? Has rustproofing come on such a long way as to make Waxoyl a waste of money on a new car?
Does anyone have any ideas on what may be a good product to protect the rear wheelarches from rusting on the car? My last one suffered badly and I really don't want this one to go the same way...
Any thoughts appreciated... Read more
Yep, I got the impression that it would be a waste of time, if God had wanted my Fiesta to have Waxoyl he would've made it so in the first place! :)
My elderly father has recently suffered a stroke and is making a remarkable recovery. Somewhat affected still down his left side but with a good prognosis. It is not clear yet whether he will be able to drive again, but in any event my mother intends to ferry him around. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions with respect to a suitable vehicle for him, as his 406 and my mother's 205 are likely to be too small and difficult to get in and out of. Important criteria are ease of access and a high seating position. Also reliability as he wont be doing any more roadside repairs. Almost certainly the new car will be an automatic and not too large for ease of parking, but with carrying capacity for possible mobility aids. Cost is not the major issue. A Yaris Verso came to mind but I would welcome any suggestions from those with greater insight than me.
Incidentally he was taken ill in Germany and has been in hospital there for over four weeks, half in intensive care. The lesson? - always carry your E111 with you. Having one removed one more stress at a difficult time. The quality of care he has received has been outstanding and the family are truly grateful to the wonderful staff there.
Many thanks MGs Read more
Thank you all for your comments, I never realised that the mere mention of E111s would generate such interest! My brother is determined that in the event of even feeling slightly unwell he will get across to Germany just in case.
We will definitely check out the Mercedes A class and the Verso. In these circumstances cost is not an issue, nor indeed is appearance.
Many thanks to backroomers for your suggestions and comments, MGs.
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I have driven one of these, not hard, but it's quite a car.
Stays unnervingly flat on roundabouts and you really do have to resist the temptation to go too fast round tight corners, because you can.
The combination of phenomenal suspension and the 2.0 turbo really is quite fun!
Downside is that there's an extra set of quirky citroen technology.
Like most citroens it's not really very complicated (apart from the ECU) but you do need to understand it, and these cars are quite rare so most independents, and even dealers, won't have experience of fixing them.
If you can find someone who knows the system, then they really are something quite special and once you've driven one, you won't want a 'normal' car again. I didn't