November 2002

FastShow

OK, I did post something about this in another Transport 2000 thread, but it kinda got lost among the other posts. As posted on another site:

I was thinking about knocking together a spoof-type T2K site, but basically one that's pro-motorist rather than anti-. The domains www.transport2000.co.uk and www.transport2k.[anything] are all available, so thought it might be amusing to stick something on one of those. I've already registered www.transport2k.co.uk and www.transport2k.com to get started on.

Basically it would just need to put across the motorists point of view for once - but it could be amusing at the same time. Reckon it shouldn't be too difficult to get a bit of support going as well, especially with Clarkson's pretty famous dislike of the group.

Anyway, I'm willing to foot the bill for domains and hosting for the time being, I'd just need a bit of help with content and wondered if; a) anyone thought this was even approaching a good idea and; b) if anyone would be interested in helping out.

That's it for now. Read more

dan

Bump!
Hey what gives with the site? I've just subscribed and would be interested in getting involved. Who has contributed/joined, as the site still looks like the prototype. Anyone? Boff l suspect from a previous crosspost that you also post on PH. If you ever wanted a clear thinking bunch of pro-car contributors, get them involved as well!

If you style sheet the pages you could vet and format conributions pretty easily. I think the best way to start on this is to avoid any frothing mouth rants and definitely avoid repeating ADB mantra, like global warming is a conspiracy against the motorist etc...

I think its very important to mirror (flip side of coin not mirror in the download sense) the information on T2K.org but avoid mentioning them and make the site look nothing like theirs even though its navigational structure could be identical.

ianb

My friend has a 2002 Renault Laguna DCI and everytime he goes through a puddle or the weather is particulary wet, the engine starts playing up (loses power and starts 'chugging'). The dash reports an injector problem.

I seem to remember a few years ago that some french diesel engines had the air intake at the bottom and hoovered up any water, straight into the engine.

Is this the possible cause of his problems, or have they changed the design since then? Read more

RichardW

Low mounted air intakes are common these days - you get cooler air which helps emissions and performance. Check before fording anything deep!

I doubt the problem here is water ingress as that is usually quickly terminally for the engine. Sounds much more likely that a connector somewhere is not properly seated and water is getting in and causing errant messages to the ECU (don't forget modern diesels have nearly as much electronics as petrols!). The dealer should be able to simulate it with a hose pipe...

Richard

CM

My mother wants to change her car but is not sure what to get. At the momnet she has a Golf Mk3 VR6, so she wants something that is as quick if not quicker.

The other requirements are that:
- it is an auto (due to a dodgy knee)
- it has a easy access boot which is a decent size (ie a hatch which can drop the back seats)
- the car itself is not too long/big

I thought that maybe an Alfa 147 GTA might do but not sure on whether it will be available as an auto.

Any suggestions would be appreciated Read more

CM

Would something like a BMW 3-series

or Audi A4 be suitable. They are larger cars but
the quicker versions would be available as autos.

Think they might be a wee bit too big. What about the 3 series compact? Does anyone know whether there is a decent sized boot and can the back seats go down flat?

As for a new knee, the doctors have tried that one but using a clutch on a long journey knackers it and it can just give way!
KABBABAB2


I have an old banger which I run as a second car and i'm
trying to work out what the least I can pay to insure it
is?

I have a policy in my own name for another vehicle which
allows me to drive other vehicles third party only. The
exception is that it doesn't cover other vehicles owned
by me; fair enough. If I register the 2nd car in my partners
name then technically it's not owned by me so my insurance
should cover me to drive it? sound reasonable? Is this legal?

(might prove problematic when I try to re-tax it but can
save me 12mths insurance in the meantime).
Read more

John S

LHM

Yes, it is an offence to keep a car on the public highway without insurance. For just the reasons you describe. Doesn't have to be a motoring offence to result in a claim.

Absolutely - KAB is just trying to cheat the system to everyone's detriment.

Regards

John S

Steve Somers

Other daughters Clio has a cool heater
I've bled it,checked for exhaust gases (recent new h/gasket), visually inspected controls, both in and out are HOT (???) but little hot air.
Forced flushing with a farmsize hose improved things slightly.
Rad flush emptied my wallet of £1.80 and little else.
A local radiator refurb company says to try bleach!?
If its iron rust - what can 'dissolve' rust?
If its alloy heater matrix corrosion why is there apparently good water flow?
If thine heater offends thee - RIP IT OUT? (entry wound via dashboard!)
SS :0(

Read more

Phil I

As both in and out are hot your trouble is on the controls .
Common fault here is the clip which holds the bowden cable (on the right hand side of the box) allowing the cable to slip slightly which then means the flap doesnt close correctly.
Try holding the flap shut with the end of the lever and see if you then get hot air to vents.

hth
Phil I

Steve Somers

My daughters MR2 limited edition came with sporty 17" alloys and 205/45 tyres ALL NON STANDARD
I agree with previous posts unless driven HARD (which she doesn't) all they will give her is a big ego and loose fillings.
QUESTION:>- what pressure should oversize low profile tyres run at - I can argue myself UP for speed and down for road area - or is it related to vehicle weight??
Ben Chapman - are you there? or , of course , any other expert!!
Read more

PB

I'm off to an auction again this week. There are 8-10 cars I want, of the same type, within a reasonable range of spec/mileage/age. I have my favourites, including the first one through but most would be OK.
I've plenty of auction experience but not of this situation and I've not bought this car before - so I have only the black book to go on.
The more I think about the strategy the more confused I get. Go early because everyone is holding back? Or not because the auctioneer knows he has to set a price level. Go late when people have bought what they want, or not because everyone else has waited?
Any ideas?

PB. Read more

PB

What actually happened... the early ones were cheaper than the later ones. The first few went for average book price, the last few just over top book.
PB.

Steve G

Had a real eye opener at Blackbushe today.
In one of the holding compounds the staff were using a forklift to move cars around. You could be forgiven for thinking these cars might have been old bangers or non runners but no ! these were top notch lease/prestige cars.
I've seen salvage yards/auctions using forklifts (totally understandable) but why use this method for driveable cars ?
It must damage exhausts and other pipe work underneath the car.On one car in particular the side skirting was flexing so much it must have been close to snapping (it may explain why i often see 156's with cracked sideskirts at auctions....?).
Maybe i'm over reacting but it seems a daft way to move perfectly driveable cars.
I will be taking a closer look underneath future potential purchases at auctions. Read more

Paul Mykatz-Tinks

Steve, I think you need to write to BCA (tell them they're rumbled) and/or the motoring press. This has got to stop. Brake/fuel lines could be damaged.

Ian D

So does anyone out there categorically know which oils under different names are the same, and therefore where good money can be saved?

I have read (but am not sure) that Comma Syner-G 5W40 synthetic oil (readily available in 5 litre cans for £20) is the same as Halfords fully synthetic 5W40 (£27+ for 5 litres) which is the same as Esso Ultron 5W40 synthetic (4 litres for about £27).

Also is BP visco 5000 5W40 synthetic the same as any of the Mobil 1 oils??

Any definitive information gratefully received!
Ian Read more

Chas{P}

Ian
I do not know about where Halfords buy their own brand oil from but Comma is part of Esso and offers very good value for money.

There is a lot of consumer oil buying decisions based on brand or price but if you compare oils on their viscocity and specification there is a huge price range for basically the same quality oil. Turn those cans round and read the specifications for a true answer and then decide how much you want to pay.

I did a thread some time ago on this subject - type 'Oil Specifications' into the Site search and it should come up.

HTH

Charles

The Watcher

A similar car to that in HJ's auction report was slated by clarkson in The T**** recently! He reckoned the back end didn't know which way the front was going and the scuttle shake was phenomenal! (There being too much not that there was so little of it!)

Hmmmmmm! Can't wait for the new Saab 9-3 convertible myself. Yummy! Read more

The Watcher

Actually HJ even the M3 at auction would have been ordered at least 9 months ago for it to be new and available now on import.

9 months ago the pound was trading around 1.65 (beginning of Jan 02) so the price paid then, gauranteed by forward contract, would enable a greater saving than I can produce now.

Just thought I'd point that out.

Myself, I think paying nearly 50k for a car is way too much.