March 2003
Having owned and loved a lancia beta coupe in the past,and after various reliable german cars,i am thinking seriously about buying a alfa 156(used)! i would appreciate any info on what/not to buy and to check! thanks. Read more
I love the Alfa 156. The looks are great and those rear door handles are a great design for the cars coupe style lines. The sport pack does look good however if i were you I would avoid the very over the top Super Spoiler (toyota supra style wing). My dad nearly brought one but the boss (my mum) didnt like it for some reason so that was knocked on the head - shame.
Thread full and write locked. For continued silliness, please refer to Volume IV.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=14...7
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Hope this is ok, M and DD, since the previous thread has passed its centenary, I thought it might be an idea to open a new one.
Just testing to see if bold, italic and underline work.
HF Read more
I have to admit that I am not sure why this has been moved to the Silly Thread. Cliff Pope's original post was about a serious issue that could have had disastrous consequences and I feel that lumping it in with the Silly Thread trivialises his experience.
I agree, though, that the discussion has become very silly since.
Christ, I sound like that Graham Chapman army major in Monty Python, don't I???
"Stop that, it's silly!"
Cheers
Rob
"Bucket o'lard"
I have a 1998 S-Reg 306 D Turbo that has now covered 85,000 miles. It have done 5000miles without a hitch until last night when it wont start from cold. Turning it over it "hiccups" like it is about to start but just wont. I am not sure what to investigate first. I wait till the glowplug light goes off before cranking - no luck. Could i have a problem with a fuse/relay to do with the glowplugs? A fuel blockage? Air in the system? the injector pump has failed?
would really appreciate any advice..
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thanks for all your msg, i have found the problem and fixed it. My engine had 3 knackerd glow plugs and was only firing on 1 cylinder - not enuff to start it. Its fine now, it is 98model, hope the conrod doesnt go thro the block now. Has anyone any more news on these spate of failures. I make sure i change my oil every 5k and hope it runs reliably for a long time.
Today my local Vauxhall dealer tried to convince me that the rear seat belts on my \'96 Omega were fitted with pyrotechnic pre-tensioners. I can\'t see how these would be fitted, from a mechanical perspective, and there is no metion of them in the Haynes manual. Anyone know for sure whether they are fitted?
I think he wanted to sell me a new Omega rather than a seat belt;-) Read more
Thanks Robert; I know dealers have to be careful what 'advice' they give in this age of litigation; but I think feeding me BS is taking it a bit far!
Dont know the full details as yet, only that 5 people were killed today on the North Circular rd and 1 person seriously ill, i wonder how it happened and i bet again speed came into it.A lot of heart broken families out there today, i lost my 23 year old brother in 1971 to a road accident, he was a pedestrian. Read more
No Leif, I am of your opinion, but the first email which said words to the affect of 'I bet speed was involved' rattled my cage a bit. Not much. I am quite mellow actually! Sorry if it drags up that old argument. :-)
By the way, I personally don't speed. I like to get up to the speed limit (conditions allowing) and *make progress* but don't speed and especially not through towns.
My other half and I set out from Guildford to travel home at the same time. On the M25 he took off like a bat out of hell and I stuck to the limits. He got back 10 minutes before me.
I am opting out of a company car,( tax reasons, lack of choice etc ) and am considering purchasing from new, a Mazda6 2.0. Has anyone any experience of these cars, good or bad ?. Read more
It's a fair point, but there are some things to note.
1. The IS200 6 cyl does free up with use and the odd "Italian tune-up"*
2. There's plenty of poke at high revs (153 bhp).
3. You get used to the top-endiness and drive accordngly
4. The revvy engine encourages use of the ultra-slick 6 speed 'box!
5. If you're really keen, you can fit a supercharger from Toyota Team Europe!!!!
Economy isn't that bad. I don't measure mpg closely, but I would guess it's only a little worse than my old 2 litre Avensis. Inevitably, 6 cyls are going to drink more than 4.
* drive at 70 in 3rd gear for a mile or two.
A friend of mine is looking to buy a 1995 BMW 316i auto. The car has 52k miles up (this is in Guernsey so it's all round-town driving) and 2 owners. It appears to have been well looked-after despite the garage not having the service book to hand (will run the chassis number past the local BMW dealer to see what history they have on it).
We've just returned from taking it for a spin, and my mate has put down a deposit. However, one thing is nagging in my mind...it's the autobox. I took it for a test run and, despite appearing to be one of the slowest-accelerating cars I have ever driven, it shifted up and down fine, went into R or D at a standstill without jerking or clunking, etc.
However, when pootling along at say 25mph, kickdown seems surprisingly jerky. It feels almost like a slipped clutch on a manual for about 1 second (as it revs to about 4500rpm), then appears to engage with a bit of a thud (no clonks or bangs from the box though). Is this normal? My experience of autos is minimal to be honest. I've heard that older BMW autoboxes can self-destruct if revved in Park or Neutral so I wonder if this one is going the same way. Read more
Thanks for the comments Mark, I've only driven new Vauxhall autos over short distances before and the kickdown has been instant. I was surprised there was such a delay in the 316i, but then it was slow full stop.
Phil, I fear my friend has fallen in love with the car and probably won't be parted from it now he's placed the deposit, so caveat emptor I feel! I wouldn't say the box was "suspect", it shifted up and down fine, it was just that kickdown felt odd. I will be scrutinising the warranty when he gets the car.
When should I change the cambelt on a 1999 2.0 petrol Focus?
Ford Service Guide says 100K miles /10 years.
Ford main dealer said 100K. "had no problems with them".
Friend in the trade referred to his fat "Cam belt Bible" which said 1998- every 100K.
but....
HJ Focus review says "some fleets reckon on just 60K....
Haynes manual (Spring 2001) "strongly recommended 40K".
I have also read elsewhere 40K.
Have belts/pulleys been improved and fitted since 1998?
Is some of this 40K-60K advice based on the older belts?
Main dealers charge £200 ( if you want to retain FFSH stamps)
Just had 30K service so a minimum 10K of worry free motoring!!!
I am aware of the potential engine damage. I had a belt snap on a 1600 Cortina (the 1600 escape damage usually)
Your thoughts please. Read more
My son recently bought said Focus Ghia from a small dealer. It is ex blue chip company lease car with FFSH but sold prior to 3years service. Just had 3 year service done for £150 at main dealer (£220 locally). I have RTFM and Haynes so now bits work. Needed to get a new indicator stalk to get the trip computer working which was a DIY no tools job. Plan is to go for annual service and I will do 6 month oil changes and keep an eye on things. I have always run older simpler cars and done the easier items- water pumps, wiper motors but left the complex (or jobs needing special tools) to a friends garage.
Your 5 year suggestion seems good to me. As it is sons first car future mileage is not known.
I have already been on a steep learning curve (helped by HJ tips) with my first experience of alloy wheels. After eventually getting them off the hubs and then applying Copperslip I feel happier The generic checksheet says - with wheels /drums off check brakepads, discs etc. Hmmm
Just a little wary of the complexity of the Focus compared with my old 88 Sierra
My response to sons frequent friendly observation - When are you going to get rid of that old heap - is - What! Every time I fill it up I double its value - cannot say hat of the Focus.
Thanks for your your replies. Most reassuring and helpful
I noticed the item in today\'s paper \"Warp Factor True\" (406 with warping brake discs). It reminds me of my same experience when my Rover 218 turbo diesel was a company car and the lease company garage kept replacing discs.
It finally appeared that the cause was cheap brake pads that caused immense heat build up. Garage claimed the lease company had instructed them to fit the cheapest, not the manufacturer\'s parts.
Lease company claimed the garage was doing a cheap job (except for the substantial costs of several discs over 2 years!).
Net result - agreement for new discs, proper pads. No problems ever since! Read more
I fitted ATE Power Discs and braking has been much better. As the discs are rated for a higher temp, they are less likely to warp.
Again, using the handbrake reduces warping.
What happens on hydropneumatic Citroens with front handbrakes?
Ben
Browse
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Huge one (BCA I think) at Brighouse, just off the M62
Lee.