March 2003
Does anyone know if the auto box on a 2.5 V6 Omega is supposed to down shift on a closed throttle (i.e. going downhill foot off accelerator)? I thought it used to do this (occasionally) but have noticed recently that it tends to roll on downhill and on the level without any appreciable retardation. I have had the inlet manifold off to do the rocker cover gasket and it seems to have occurred since then. Is downshifting triggered by the vacuum in the inlet manifold which may be suffering a leak?
Many thanks
Jon
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When I listen to Medium Wave, which I tend to do a lot, I am getting a huge amount of interference from the car stereo. Sounds like static but is vaguely related to engine speed and is loud and thorough enough to totally cover the station itself.
What with the CD changer, Sat Nav, Phone kit and everything else, I had just resigned myself to not really being able to listen to MW anymore.
But here's the weird bit, which I daresay has always been the case but I only noticed today - when you push in the cigarette lighter to heat it up, *all* the interference stops and MW is clear as a bell; although as soon as the lighter pops out the interference immed. returns.
There is no interference on anything else, including FM.
Any bright ideas ? ("bright" excludes any smart comments about using the lighter more or leaving it pushed in). Read more
Fiddled with it last night.........
1) touching the aerial has no effect one way or the other.
2) the portable radio on MW seems to work quite well in the car, although there is some interference, you can listen to it.
3) Haven't had a chance to do anything about an earth wire to the radio body yet.
I see that the price of oil is falling today and is currently at a 2 month low. So, presumably petrol prices will follow suit and start to come down pretty quickly. Yeah right.
Seriously though: how much do oil prices have to fall before petrol does start to come down in price. The oil companies always claim they try to absorb increases in the cost of oil and only increase the price of fuel reluctantly. Given that petrol has gone up markedly recently, surely a fall in the oil price should mean a fairly rapid reduction in petrol costs? Read more
I think the guys are fully aware of the risks they run but save soooo much that they are prepared to take those risks. Neither are "working" cars, but they both do high mileages with their jobs.
Nevertheless, I will pass on these warnings...
I have to say, I don't like them doing it as it means I pay more as a result!
I'm not sure if this is the page that this should be posted on,but here goes.
I'm after some tube or a kit for a capillary oil gauge on my grasstrack car.I've tried all the local motor factors,and to no avail.They sell brake pipe,which is too large a bore,but not this stuff,which is very small.At the moment it's part metal,part plastic,but I would like to get my hands on a complete plastic kit.
Usually,you get the tube if you buy an aftermarket gauge,but it's only the tube and fixings I'm after.
Can anybody point me in the right direction,or does anyone have a kit lying around that they don't want?
Thanks. Read more
Can you remember what they charged you?
Why is it I am loyal to the Honda brand.
Have I been successfuly seduced by the marketing of the brand or is it because of my own experience of their reliability.Could it be the showroom experience, they are friendly and a lovely cup of coffee is available FOC.
I confess that I have never even considered any other brand in my last 4 purchases.
Possibly if I had looked at say Audi or BMW for example I may have been tempted ( for a bit more dosh of course).
So I must be the type of customer the car manufacturers and dealerships must spend zillions on culturing.
Am I guilty of allowing myself to be relieved of my money by seduction and manipulation. Read more
Many people have had several BXses and Xantiae. More than a handfull carry on to top 250,000 miles with little more than regular servicing and sphere changes.
From a local forum. I found it rather amusing ...
This is the second time I've had an Avis 318i, and both times I've seen the same thing written on the keyring. First time around I thought it was just somebody being a comedian. This time round, I figured that it's an internal nickname and I think it's cool.
The key-ring as got "White BMW 318 G-String". I assume it gets this name because of the look of the facelifted front end. It does look a bit like a G-string if you look long and, well, hard... ;o)
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Wasn't Dan's Bangers was it? I don't know the guy/company at all, but he's based in Gwent, Wales, and his ads are well worth reading. It doesn't quite sound like his style though.
Hi all
I am probably being relocated to France in the next few months and I shall be taking BCZ with me. Does anyone know what I have to do in terms of documents, MOT, tax etc for a long stay - we are talking possibly years!
any help appreciated.
cheers
BC
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www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/exptimpt.htm
You could get caught out with the SORN regs doing it your way???
Martin
I bought the Honda Shuttle - private, mint 3.5 years old 33000 miles Price £8k. One lady driver. Great value. We now have 2 Hondas and I am a total convert.
Bearing in mind value for money, I think used Hondas are the best.
Comparing it to my (now sold) 7 year old Beemer, the Beemer seems heavy, over-engineered, complex and very expensive to run. The thought of not being ripped-off any more by franchised dealers (in order to keep up the stamps) is such a relief! Read more
Dogbreath,
40000 miles in less than 4 years. Normally dont ride in snow and ice, if frost on road outside I take the car, normally do about 1300 miles a month. The best bike I have ever owned, having said that had to put two new disks on the front this week and 3 sets of pads that cost 450 quid for EBC's. BUT that is the first time I have done anything other than service it. Went to the NEC for the MAINTEC exhibition yesterday and got 46 to the gallon at speeds of 85-90. What can I say it has done everything I ever wanted and more. Gave it a bit of welly today and 160 on the clock in seconds. Hell what do you want, 46 MPG, acceleration better than 99.5% of other machines on the road and a top end of 180, AND its so easy to ride around town. Fool not to get one. And the first chain lasted 36000 miles.
Bill
Hello All,
On the CBC breakdown, HJ is reporting that these engines are snapping their timing belts at 70-80000 miles and alleging that this is a common problem. I was wondering whether anyone has any experience of this and whether a precautionary cambelt change at say 60000 miles (how much is this at franchised dealer?) is an effective solution.
I ask this because my sister has just bought an A3 1.8T (which looks great btw) and I had shortlisted one for my next car, but if the problem is widespread enough then I will be crossing it off the list!
Thanks in advance
CavV6 and cavWeb fan.
www.cavweb.co.uk Read more
I've read the parts prices on the other thread; perhaps Dave woudl be able to combine the two because otherwise this risks getting a bit disjointed.
Erm... £2k seems like a hell of a lot for parts for a top end rebuild.
The VW franchise, are they not? Fitting a new engine should take a lot less than £750 in labour. The £1800 for a recon engine was from a VW franchise (I realise this is now identifiable but it's not derogatory and it is relevant).
In theory, it could have problems, but it should be at least as reliable as your other engine, which will itselfhave been partially rebuilt. £2840 + VAT is probably enough to write the car off, or very close to it - if you could put it through an auction and get four figures for it, unrepaired, you'd be well ahead at those prices.
Someone who knows the parts prices will be along, but of the two options presented, I would put in a whole new engine, rather than spending money on a rebuild. The best option IMO would be to take neither and get quotes from several reputable garages, unless you have a lot of money riding on having the car now - but a week's car hire is only £150 or so, so I suggest that you can afford to wait.
Hi,
Ive been looking into buying a mk7 smart coupe passion with standard spec plus bigger wheels, steering wheel paddleshift and upgraded speakers. This lot plus a few accessories works out at £9143 on the road. I've yet to negotiate a deal with the local MB/smart dealer, but is buying a smart financial suicide? I cant find any residual value estimates online, i'm worried that it'll be like a Daewoo in that you only get a good trade in if you go back to them.
Any one got any other suggestions for about £9k NEW only, has to be auto with aircon, anything else is open to negotiation.
Tony Read more
DavidHM:
A new Micra auto is infact £8900, but i get your point. I personally would say that a £9k Punto (almost top of the range mind you, whoopeee cushions and a bidet!) isnt that bad value compared to other superminis. Its no better mind you, but it aint no worse!
Cardew:
I did look (02 reg's, not 52 but thats hardly going to make a huge difference) but it made me weep!
My question now is, do i stick with what ive got because i cant see that its going to be worth a lot less in another 6 months time, or do i try my hardest to get out of it while i can, by whatever (legal) means possible?
Tony
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The autobox on my 3.0 Omega (facelift model) claims to have adaptive shift patterns. One thing it does is change down to third when it detects the car going down a reasonably steep hill on the overrun. I've no idea how it all works though.
Cheers - Jon