October 2002
I am thinking of buying a Jag 3.2v8 approx 2 years old. Is this a good idea as Honest John seems to imply? What are servicing costs from 40,000 miles onward. Can a local non jag garage do most jobs? Anybody got experience of this model? Read more
My dad bought a 99 Megane 1.4 (E7J engine)this summer, which had a noisy tappet. Rather than take it back to the dealer, he adjusted things himself, and now says it has an erratic idle when hot. Any connection with aforementioned tampering? Read more
Johnny,
These engines are extremely sensitive to valve clearances, and are easilly upset by slightly tight clearances. It is better to leave them 1 or 2 'thou loose and have a little bit of tappet noise and avoid the risk of a burnt valve seat.
Regards, Adam
My car insurance renewal arrived for £290. I ?phoned a couple of companies in the yellow pages, they were more expensive, so I decided to stay put.
Then, in the junk mail, arrives a letter from an insurance company which said that it would ?guarantee to beat any renewal by at least £10.
I ?phoned for a quote, quoting the letter ref and £10 guarantee.
They quoted me circa £360. I reminded them of their offer and said that I had expected a quote of £280 or less.
Again they stuck to the £360 figure. So I renewed with my existing company.
I wrote to the {£360} company, to complain that they had failed to fulfil their guarantee. I enclosed a photocopy of my renewal and asked that they paid me £10. The ?director? replied and said that the ?guarantee applies when you take out a policy with us? and that he ?cannot imagine anyone taking out a policy with us which is more than their renewal?. Hence he could ?not imagine? anyone taking up his guarantee, hence there is no guarantee.
Has anyone else experienced similar? I do not care about they £10, what annoys me is them backing down from their guarantee.
Paul
P.S. Why is the time stamp on the HJ website GMT and not BST?
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"Junk mail" is a waste of a word.
It's just junk.
As I plan on changing my car early next year I have started the usual gathering of brochures and drooling over the lovely pictures. Unfortunately I wont be buying one straight off the production line but will be looking for as few miles as possible with £15k being my streched to the max limit.
For long enough I have seen the 5 series as the main contender for replacing the Omega, however on my budget I will be struggling to pick up a 530, and would more than likely choose a 523/528 on a V plate with 50k on the clock.
However, an S60 T5 whizzed passed me today and it rather caught my eye. On looking up the T5's stats it sounds fairly impressive and certainly looks more than capable of whooping the local neds on my often crazy drive home from work on the late shift.
Volvo's I know little about, has anyone had any experience of this model, not to mentioned the Volvo customer experience in general.
Cheers
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My brother has just taken delivery of an A4 2.5TDI. The engine is extremely noisy compared to my D5.
Hi,
The Clio has blown it's head gasket (thread below), and I've had it sorted out by an independent. Now I don't know a whole lot about how engines work, but could someone tell me the answers to these questions?
1) What causes a gasket to go? I'd rather not have another do the same...
2) Should the car be as good as before if it's fixed?
3) What should I look out for after it's been changed? Are there any trouble signs I should look out for?
Cheers,
Lee
(now suffering from Renault-based poverty syndrome)
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See recent thread on "Saab 900s". My old Saab 9000 had new head gastket at 148,000 (first time engine had been opened up). Just had a new gasket, no skimming of head, and still going strong 50,000 miles later. If the head was fixed properly, should be good as new, assuming that all relevant checks were made to investigate why (mine was just old age).
My handbook specifies 205/60R 15 91W tyres (BMW328i). I fancy a bit more grip than current P6000's and want to get Goodyear S03's. These come in 205/55R - does the lower profile matter? I doubt it, but don't want to ignore manufacturers recommendation.
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Just remembered, if you have an accident and the lower profile tyres are not compatible with your car, speedo etc. then the Police will find out, I know an officer who does crash investigating and he knows this kind of stuff inside out. When this is found out you can end up in big trouble and without insurance, so honestly, I don't think it's worth it...
Followed a German-registered car this evening through Petersfield, Hants., badged Renault 'Thalia' which appeared to be a late-model Clio with a boot - quite nice looking, actually. Anyone else seen one/have any info. on it?
P. Read more
Guessing - they mean the icing on the cake? Odd syntax there, I must agree.
I feel I need to let off steam at Chrysler Customer Services after having the run around for nearly 2 months...
On 8th August I noted an unhealthy noise coming from by Chrysler Diesel Voyager and reported it to my nearest dealer, 5 days later they took a look at it and advised it would need a 5th gear input shaft which would need to be ordered. They advised that it would be safe to drive until the part arrived but needless to say 2 days later the gearbox siezed and the vehicle required recovery... and that is the last I have seen of it,, Numerous calls to both Chrysler and the dealer have failed to produce the parts required to effect the repair and my demands for a replacement Gearbox have been refused. Chrysler have provided a hire vehicle under the terms of the warranty but I really would appreciate my own vehicle back..
The latest from Chrysler is that the part SHOULD be in stock by the 28th October meaning that I might get my car repaired sometime in November meaning that it will be 3 months since the car has been drivable !!!
I think I had best sell the vehicle before the warranty runs out assuming that I actually get the vehicle back before then. !!!
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I run a Jeep Wrangler. I must say I've found the customer service from my local dealer poor. You don't by any chance live in the Leeds/Bradford area?
Anyone know where these can be got hold of in the UK for reasonable rates? Seen em in the states go for ~90quid obviously getting one locally would be better.
cheers, dave. Read more
You may find the ones you've seen are really basic, and will only read outputs from specific emmisions related sensors. OBD was specifically set up for enviromental reasons, rather than full scale electronic diagnosis machines that do everything from alarm status to tyre pressure sensors.
Is there times of the year considered to be better to sell a used car? Read more
I always try to sell in the summer -- so the car will start 1st time on a test drive!
I suppose it depends on when the MOT date is.
Mike
Browse
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Geoff,
On the assumption that only the engine changed from straight 6 to V8 then definitely go for the 4 ltr.
I had a 3.2 straight 6 and the auto gearbox was awful. It really thumped into gear on occassions and was not a nice drive. My dealer fitted an aftermarket rear suspension up-grade which helped but still pretty bad. When I bought my XJR (straight 6) the auto box was superb. It appears that the 4 litre electronic box is made by Mercedes.......need I say more.
I sold my XJR in February and with only 35k miles and still had a couple of months Jag extended warranty it made just under £15k as a private sale. Dealers were offering me £11k.
I would have thought that a late (1997 P) XJR with the straight 6 engine would be in your price range and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. Just buy the right colour/interior combination and it won't lose too much in depreciation as well.