March 2003
I've got one of the above fitted on my VW Passat but am terrified of the day when i lose the key and cannot get a replacement. The company who supplied it have since disappeard to who knows where. Is there anyway of disabling this device before it disables me and my car?
1995 M reg TDI Passat
cheers! Read more
www.roadragetest.co.uk/
I got 50%, how about you? ;-)
Dave. Read more
I got 45%.
I might be soft, but when I am put into some of these situations, I always say to myself "will I make a difference".
Answer is no, unless I could stop them and beat them up. Of course, I am not very strong so it is pointless.
I do wish I was a police officer. I would arrest them for speeding, dangerous driving, attempted murder and the public order act. Wouldn't this feel great!!
Anyone know if vw are taking orders for the new soft top? Read more
What's it like with the hood up? (This is the UK...) I'm not surprised that they are still quite easy to order, I'm sure current owners will trade up to a cabriolet as it always had ten times the cachet of the tin-top.
It will be interesting to see if the cabriolet is as compromised a car as the standard Beetle - visibilty is awful in the standard car.
Couple of threads I've been reading have got me going on one of my own rant-inducing pet hates - highway authorities who seem to have an inexhaustible supply of white paint.
Examples: the two-lane sections of an A-road which suddenly become one when the highway gods decide it is in the public interest to cross-hatch one lane with white paint just in case someone dares to overtake; the insane 'dollop of paint' mini-roundabouts which, in one case near me, were removed within a year because everybody was driving over it; another notorious case near me where an A-road was 'pinched' into one lane for a tiny section to slow people down. Result: the accident rate went up and, once again, the feature in question has now been removed.
Just get the feeling these days that highway authorities nationally must waste millions on unnecessary road furniture deemed necessary by 'experts' who sometimes don't understand the way ordinary drivers think and operate and work to a theory which they are never going to tune into.
I understand the psychology behind some of these features and applaud efforts to make people slow down and think in certain circumstances, but the amount of white paint, road furniture and road signs is becoming almost distracting in some cases.
Rant over, responses welcome... Read more
As they are all left hand drive, perhaps the road sweep driver thinks he's in the middle of the road?
BMW are selling an ES version of the 318 with alloy wheels, sports suspension and other extras, total value £2520 for an on the road price of £19950, available on 5.4% APR. This seems like a good deal which I might go for but I am concerned about the sports suspension. Does this mean the car crashes and bangs over every minor bump in the road? Does anyone have any experience of this modification on the current 3 series? Any advice appreciated. Read more
It won't be soft and supple, but shouldn't be too bad. The deal is a good one, especially the PCP option you mention. Test drive in a standard and ES should do it for you.
When I looked a few weeks ago they were offering a discount of up to £1,200 on the Touring 320d ES. Makes the deal even better.
I picked up an 1991 3 series a couple of years ago more by chance than anything else. It's clocked up the miles, nothing's gone wrong and I love it.
I was thinking of getting a K or L reg E36 (318i) and wondered if anyone had any general thoughts on them. Have I been very lucky with my present BM or are they a safe bet?
Read more
I might be wrong, but I think the 323 and 328 engines were carried across pretty much unmodified from E36 to E46. The 325i is very close to the 328i on power and torque though, but of course will be from 2000 on and therfore more expensive.
My personal preference would be for an E46. On the other hand, that says more about me than about the cars. I think that, if you primarily want a pure driving experience, get the E36, because it will be cheaper. On the other hand, if you want a BMW for the sake of style, practicality and safety as well as driving pleasure, get the E46.
The E46 will still be worth more after a few years, and in three years' time, when the newest E36 saloons are 8 years old, they will be a bit 'third rate drug dealer,' even the last of the 328is. If you're still grinning because of the smooth, powerful six and the great handling, you won't care, but if you want a prestige car, lay out the extra cash.
Help!
I've recently changed from a mondeo to an Astra ls, I drive 1000 + miles a week and I am suffering. Back ache, side ache, I've never driven such an uncomfortable car. Any thoughts on a 3rd party support I could purchase to help ease my problems? The mondeo never gave my any back problems.
Regards Benjamin
Read more
A word of caution, I know the handbook of my Astra
[1995 model] says not to play about with the seats -
something to do with the seatbelt tensioners.
It's ok, providing you fit the locking device[1] to the pre-tensioners before removal.
[1] It's a "C" shaped piece of red plastic. Vauxhall used to put them behind the door trim, but as they had a tendancy to rattle and annoy, they either didn't bother leaving them in the car at all, or if they did, they were just under the carpet flap where the VIN number is stamped.
hi,
i have a problem with my car that hopefully you can clear up for me, the
car is a vauxhall astra 2.0 turbo diesel MY99 and the fault is with the
engine management.
the engine management light began to periodically flicker at 60-65
mph,then after a few months it remained periodic but stayed on, with a
lack of acceleration experienced. i needed to stop, switch off and then
restart the car to make the light go out.
my local vauxhall garage changed the vacuum pump after using their
diagnostic machine to trace the fault. after a week the problem returned
with the same symptons, this time loss of acceleration is at 80-85, but
the light is still flickering at 60-65, needing the car restarted to
clear the light again.
as i don?t want to get landed with another big bill, i was wondering if
you have any ideas as to what the problem might be?
Read more
Cyril666 had a lack of vacuum due to broken pipes. It looks like they diagnosed the same lack of vacuum with yours and put it down to a faulty vacuum pump, which just so happens to be the most expensive part. They should have checked the vacuum output of the pump with a vacuum gauge, and made the decision to replace the pump on that. If that checked ok then the problem obviously lays with a leak somewhere.
I would go back and tell them the new pump hasn't made any difference, therefore you want your money back, and they are welcome to refit the old pump. And ask them if the fault still showing is a lack of vacuum, if so, suggest they look for the leak this time. You want to hope it doesn't fail to start one morning, otherwise they'll be telling you you need a new engine.
I have a 98 T Renault Laguna and I want to get a new stereo (CD player) for it, because the standard one is a bit naff, before I go shopping for one I was wondering if anyone could answer a few questions for me.
1. The Laguna is fitted with a Radio contol thing, on the steering column, which means you never have to take your hands of the steering wheel to control it (I\'m sure you get the picture) and also the actual cd player doesn\'t have a display, it\'s on the top of the dash (like on vectra\'s).....Would stereos bought today be compatiable with these as I\'d like to keep these features.
2. reading through these forums, what does SWMBO mean????
She Who Must Be Obeyed Read more
2. She who must be obeyed - a slightly derogatory and
IMO sexist
Surely, affectionate?
I'm looking at buying either a 30k 2000W/X Ford Ka or Nissan Micra 1.4 at auction, both of which I would hope to snag for around 3 grand. Can't decide which, and would appreciate advice. These are my requirements:
1. My wife is on a provisional and needs to learn to drive.
2. She's 28, but I suppose I still need a low insurance group.
3. I want to sell the car privately within a year (assuming she passes) for the same amount I paid for it.
4. I want something fairly quiet and smooth riding, so it doesn't drive me insane on the motorway.
5. I want mid-40s plus economy, and reasonable torque/power.
6. I don't want to be getting it fixed this year, so I want reliability (read nightmares about Ka).
7. I'm borrowing the 3 grand, so I can't spend more.
8. If possible I'd like the balance of a manufacturers 3 year warranty to give me auction peace-of-mind.
So I reckon it's narrowed down to the Ka or Micra 1.4 - which is the better bet?
Read more
Jud - you're not implying that the Ka has a belt though are you? Unusually it's a choice between two chain driven cars.
FWIW, I can't decide. The Micra undoubtedly has a better engine, more space and practicality, and is probably quieter (if not more stable) at motorway speeds.
The Ka, on the other hand, handles better, looks more modern and will be easier to sell on due to low insurance and obvious cuteness. A franchise service might also be a little cheaper.
Long term reliability isn't the most important thing because he's not proposing to keep the car for that long. Depending on what's available, I'd be leaning towards a Ka2 or Collection, which comes with electric windows and central locking as well, for easier resale, but it's not clear cut in my opinion.
Browse
.jpg)
>>Following your logic, Railroad, we shouldn\'t bother locking
>>cars or houses if the determined thief will break in anyway
Many farmers don\'t bother locking their tractors and lorries because they know that thieves will simply break the windows. When the thing gets recovered they don\'t want to have to fork out for new glass. It\'s less hassle not to lock them.