April 2003
My wife and I both have cars each with our own separate insurance policies.
I would like to buy an additional car to use occasionally,say for commuting (Max.8000 miles pa). What's the most cost effective way of getting insurance cover for this car? Read more
How many miles should a set of tyres do on an Avensis, sensibly driven!
I'm thinking a new set every 30,000 miles - reasonable or optimistic?
Thanks,
clariman Read more
That makes me feel a bit better DD, but there's not even a possiblilty of swapping these ones, one of them is a hair's breadth from been illegal. :(
Blue
Hi,
I have a 1993 Polo Genesis. It konked out, and I traced the problem to fuel (no fuel to the carb?).
I removed the fuel pump and had it tested. It worked OK.
I connected it back to the car, but no go(dead).
I assume the problem is now electrical.
Anyone had similar problems and help please on what I need to check next.
Thanks,
Barry. Read more
Hi,
There is a bank of fuses under bonnet(passenger side) I don't know if any of them are associated with the fuel pump but all lookOK.
I have tried to trace the electrical cable from the fuel pump (next to petrol tank) to the front of the car.
Could you tell me please where to locate the (relay / inertia switch ) you have mentioned.
Thanks,
Barry.
My 1999 Golf 1.6 has just let me down. The mechanic says the bearings in the gearbox have just gone. It's only done 30K, is thbis unusual and what are VW like re goodwill if out of warranty? Read more
Is this an engine power issue, Dave's Octavia is an SDI ie not a lot of power and seems OK. A similar discussion took place about VW CV joints. Non turbo diesels OK, powerfull turbo diesels eat cv joints. I cant pass comment on mine (Octavia 1.4)as it hasnt done enough mileage yet.
My old 1.6TD Passat is still running around with its original gearbox at 180K+ yet again not much power, even with the turbo.
Fiesta Mk4 (1996) 5dr.
I noticed yesterday that when I am carrying a load there tends to be a creaking of the nearside rear suspension unit (I assume its the suspension!). I have carried similar loads in the past without noticing this creak. Further support for a problem with the suspension is that when I am driving without a load, I really have to make an effort for it to creak over the speed bumps (trying not to take off!).
Is this a typical problem with the Fiesta? I ask because nearly all my problems to date have widely been recognised as Fiesta issues.
Is it an indication that something (shock absorber?) is about to pack up? If so, are these units expensive, and should they be fitted in pairs?
As always, any advice appreciated
Moby.
Read more
I've seached high and low on the Web for reviews and specifications for the old original Mini,but can only find limited information.
I've tried all the usual sites,but most seem concerned only with the latest cars.Even the special club sites do not appear to have such information.
During the last few years of production there seemed to be a multitude of special editions,but it is hard trying to find detailed information on them.
Also it would appear the last Cooper models were slower than the previous ones and only as quick as the basic model.
I would appreciate any help as far as personal knowledge or websites are concerned.
Regards
Steven. Read more
Thread write locked as the same question is being asked in Discussion - so to save repetition in both forums, please reply to StevenM's question there please.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=12...0
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Dynamic Dave
Back Room Moderator
mailto:dave_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
I've seached high and low on the Web for reviews and specifications for the old original Mini,but can only find limited information.
I've tried all the usual sites,but most seem concerned only with the latest cars.Even the special club sites do not appear to have such information.
Duing the last few years of production there seemed to be a multitude of special editions,but it is hard trying to find detailed information on them.
Also it would appear the last Cooper models were slower than the previous ones and only as quick as the basic model.
I would appreciate any help as far as personal knowledge or websites are concerned.
Regards
Steven. Read more
>Classic lasted 40 years, which I'm certain the BMW version will not.
Here here. I am not knocking the BMW mini. It is a clever piece of marketing and style but has several major flaws. For a car of its size, it has a shocking waste of space inside. The use of styling lines from the old mini has been very well done, yet some proportions do not look quite right, the roof line a tad too low, the wheels a tad too big. Its a nice fun car.
IT IS NOT A MINI THO.
And in truth, neither was the later versions that ran off the production lines.
The original mini, was design genius, pure and simple. The doors for example, no window winding gubbins, the string door handle, and huge door bins. The seats, back and front, space underneath for small cases. The space saving cone suspension, the boot lid with its hang down number plate so you could load up a lowered boot lid. Transverse FWD with gearbox in sump. Four people and their baggage, in a car that small, that handled that well, for that price, and those running costs. This was truly motoring history of Model T proportions. Ground breaking, and as yet never really matched in its influence on car design.
the car was slowly destroyed over its years, the bigger wheels, wind up windows, etc etc.
The new Mini, is just another (good looking) car.
My 1991 BMW 318IS has suddenly begun to overheat quite badly. On the way up to London the needle was just off the red zone on the temp. guage and this was with the heating on full blast! The inlet side of the radiator is very hot and the outlet side and pipe is stone cold. This suggests to me a thermostat failure but these are pretty rare aren\'t they? It could perhaps be a broken water pump - again quite rare. The problem is much worse at high speed than just cruising around town etc. Any ideas/help would be much appreciated. There is no gunk or \"mayonnaise\" in the dipstick or oil filler hole and no noticeable water loss. thanks guys, Matt Read more
Thanks for all the help guys. I replaced the thermostat last night and hey presto - it was absolutely stuffed and the car is now running at just below mid-temp despite me hooning it around to try and get it to boil! Good diagnosis chaps! By the way, anyone intereted in tuning cars and decent exhausts have a quick look at my post in the classified section here - if you mention Honest John and your name I may do you an even better deal! Cheers guys,
Matt
Hi gang - as detailed in the Tech forum today, mum-in-law's N regn. Punto 60 sx Selecta has been playing up. The auto-transmission is the problem and the car has now been taken in for repairs several times in the last few weeks. The garage have told her they've fixed the problem more than once yet it has quickly reappeared on each occasion. I think she's now c. £700 worse off and the car is today back in the garage having gone wrong again on Friday. She's pretty fed up that the car hasn't been fixed and now wants to sell it and give up driving altogether but will want to get the car fixed properly before doing so to avoid hassle with any future purchaser. We both think the garage have been ripping her off but having spent so much money with them she's inclined to try and get some redress.
Has anyone got any thoughts on how best to proceed: a) with respect to claiming against the garage and b) with respect to getting the car properly sorted out prior to selling it ?
As always, any feedback very gratefully received ! Read more
Thanks very much for the feedback VB. I'll pass it on to MIL. She's still waiting to hear what the garage have to say - they haven't contacted her yet so I'll keep you posted. What do you think about getting the box sorted by an auto-specialist ?
Whilst rebuilding an escort gearbox I appear to be unable to fit a replacement 5th gear onto the splined shaft. I tried loads of heat and lots of pressure but it refuses to go all the way on, I know they are tight but this is solid any ideas Regards Peter. Read more
Browse
Alfafan - that's exactly what happened with me! I checked the Lloyd's TSB site and they quoted £252 with Churchill. I then checked Churchill's site and they quoted £200 exactly. Is it any wonder some people don't bother with insurance anymore?