April 2003
I recently bought a 19,000 mile 5 year old 318ti automatic from a little old lady. It's now done 23k and is loosening up nicely! it was serviced by BMW before I bought it and due to it's age they changed the brake fluid, coolant, and plugs along with the oil. It has only had 2 oil services in it's life previously (I guess it was serviced on the "lights", and it has been used infrequently).
It has a 4 spd auto box, should I be looking to change the fluid in this kind of transmission to prolong the life of the box, and what about the differential, would this benefit from change at this age or shall i leave it for a few more miles.
Besides a somewhat lumpy idle (a characteristic of the m44 engine I understand) the car is fun to drive and burns no oil so despite it's low miles it seems unscathed.
Thanks, Ian Read more
Ian,
The question of changing auto box fluid has been aired and argued before on this forum. Having run various automatics since 1970 without ever changing the fluid, I'm not totally convinced of the need for it, however I can't see it doing any harm so I concede that 'it's not a bad idea', given also that modern cars have a much-reduced gearbox fluid capacity.
The service schedules for some BMW cars do include changing the ATF and the diff oil at the Inspection II service (typically every 30,000 or 40,000 miles). Personally, I would leave well alone until the car has reached that sort of mileage and then seek the advice of the local BMW dealership.
Any other Backroom caravanners going to the National Rally? If so, fancy meeting up for a pint?
Terry Read more
And if your mate is willing to lend you his static, then go for it!!! There is no finer place than the English Lakes for r&r (except the Highlands!)
tinyurl.com/9jza
WHY, WHY, WHY??
or maybe this is a technical question?
Read more
Would a loveley moderator please be kind enough to sort out
my incompetent url posting by adding the www?
It didn't need a www. It needed a space adding at the front of it. Refresher lessons freely available at:- www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=3&t=11...7
Was on the way to work this morning, when I was passed by a Beemer.
First, I had to laugh - he had debadged it, but his number plates [BMW540-WP] gave the game away ...
At the lights, i noticed steam coming from under his car - about level with the front doors. I flashed and hooted, he got out, and I told him "there is water p'ing out from there - better stop"
We pulled in just ahead, and he popped the bonnet - by then, water was gushing out from underneath.
Once the steam cleared, it was evident that the leak was close to the bulkhead - I suspect one of the hoses through to the heater matrix.
Then he says: "But the car was only in for a service yesterday!"
I left him at the side, as he phoned the BMW dealer.
"Thank god for MotorPlan," he said.
Seems coincidental that the problem came up the day after a service.
Obviously BMW would have checked such things - especially as they are in for the bill if things go wrong ...
What is your opinion:
(a) Untimely Coincidence
(b) Poor maintenance/checking of work
(c) Inadvertant mistake made at the service - ie pipe/fitting being knocked.
? Read more
5) tyres (supposedly badly worn - passed MOT the previous day)
replaced without permission
Hope you refused to pay for the new tyres.
As for fog lamps, I have asked 2 dealers 2 times each to properly align one of my front ones so that it points on the road. So far they have managed to get it from pointing up at an angle of about 20º to about one pointing up of about 2º. If they can't even sort something this simple out then I am not surprised by their supposed incompetence.
Please, this is not intended to start another 'debate' along the lines of the one we had here the other day.
Just an opinion - this week's poll has thrown up some 147 (at last looking) votes so far.
Most other polls have hovered around the 100/105 mark, apart from the Bull Bar one.
So, does it mean this topic is so emotive that we have potentially another 50% of people voting?
All those quiet 'read-onlys' have suddenly come out and voted, or something else?
Or are there a lot of multiple votes going on?
Would be interested to know the true figures!
HF Read more
If you want to discuss Moderation:
mailto:moderators@honestjohn.co.uk
If you don't want to "speak" to me, e-mail Dave and/or Martyn.
Paranoid conspiracy and persecution theories are better elsewhere.
Could anyone please put me in touch with a Fiat dealership technician ( current or retired ) who was active in the mid 90s ?
Have a semi-technical question.
Thank you, petel@clara.co.uk Read more
Just spent an enjoyable weekend at a family wedding in Lincoln.Wife and i drove down from Ripon.
Met London based relatives who had come up from the smoke on friday by train.
I had to drive them to Newark station on sunday morning, so they could return home.
Seems no trains leave Lincoln for London on a sunday.
The money they would have spent on a taxi could have fuelled my car all the way to London!
Nice to see we have such a flexable rail network.
Keep driving your cars folks! Read more
Mansfield in the largest conurbation without an active railway station but it is being brough back into use soon
The steering on my 98 Primera TD 97,000 mile is suddenly getting heavier
I have checked the tyre pressures, and the PAS fluid level is OK
PAS pump belt tension seems ok, can't access longest length of the belt from the top of engine, will check properly at the weekend thorough the wheelarch.
Assuming it is not the belt being too loose, as I can't hear the belt slipping, I guess it must be the PAS pump or the rack.
Is this likely at this mileage?, and what are the likely costs for replacement Read more
There can be 2 causes. (1) faulty power steering, or (2)a tight steering or track rod end joint.
Before changing the oil I would suggest disconnecting the track rod ends and checking that each wheel moves freely.
Then check the belt for the power steering, and its tension.
Hi Guys,
I suspect the above.
Vaux Corsa L Reg 1.4 LS 82PS
Started losing coolant a couple of weeks ago.
Today started general hesitation and loss of power.
Mayonaise in oil filler cap.
Oil leal (first time) from top of engine block near rightmost sparkplug.
Bubbling sound from behind dashboard (heater matrix ?).
Could anyone confirm, and what I would expect to be charged for renewal ? NOT going to a Vauxhall dealer !
Many thanks in anticipation.
Steve Read more
I was going to say around £350....no, honestly I was.
Browse
Probably not, but take a picture and send it to the local paper.