April 2003
I feel a change of name coming on, as the Bora is once again running like a three legged donkey suffering an asthma attack, and i regret buying a car where you have to undo 6 bolts, 3 pipes, replace 2 gaskets and remove half the inlet manifold just to replace the number 2 spark plug
I like the ride, the solidity, the level of performance, the quiet appearance
I don't like the unreliability, the inability of the dealers to come up with a permanent fix. in fact, I don't like the dealers full stop.
I dont like the fact that it only returns 30 mpg and uses 1/2 litre of oil every 800 miles on a 30 mile a day journey
So what should I be looking at ? It has to have 4 doors, not me a mini/supermini size, preferably have a boot, must be a good car to drive (a drivers car ?), and have a good 'feel of solidity'
When I bought the Bora, it was a toss-up between that and a Honda Civic 1.5 vtec, and I went for the VW because the Honda appeared under-equipped (too many blanks on the dashboard) and you had to push it a bit to get the benefit of the VTEC but I could concede I made the wrong decision
I drive 15 miles each way to work but then might well put a couple of hundred motorway miles in at a weekend, and at a push want something that's going to take me to Innsbruck in relative comfort, which is why I don't want a small car
I eagerly await your opinions....
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up Read more
Everyone says we're gonna be ripped off but we've found a sierra on a K plate(1992) with only 61,000 miles, new clutch, new gearbox, new brakes, 10cd multichanger, infinity speakers in a custom shelf. The only rust is a tiny bit starting on the rear wheel arch. The car looks in really good nick, starts from cold and drives well (at the moment!!) there were no obvious leaks and the interior is in perfect shape, but we've been told that sierras are not worth more than £500, the lowest we can get it for is £675. SHOULD WE BUY???????????
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Woulda thought the best aspect for the sierra is that its a quickish car for banger money. Itll break but itll be cheap to fix. Spending money on mods would be a bit silly though.
My E-reg 1987 Passat with the 1.8 engine, pierburg 2E2 carb has developed the problem of the engine running on after the ignition is switched off. The choke unit seems to be working ok, it comes on, keeps the revs at around 1800rpm until the engine is fully warmed up and then drops off to a steady 800-900rpm at idle. A local mechanic says these carbs are very problematic and has advised to change to a weber conversion for around £300 all in. This seems a bit drastic and was wondering if anyone has suffered this problem? Any cheap remedies/advice?
Thanks T Read more
T
I had one of these cars until last year with 1 or 2 carb problems - it did have 210k when it was sold and I maintained it via german & swedush parts. Anyway the answer to your problems will be found in the Haynes Solex & Pierburg Carb manual wwhich can probably be viewed at your local reference library or bought from a Haynes stockist. The only issue that wasn't covered by the manual was when a blocked off vacuum connection at the base of the card perished - itwas blocked off with a rubber bung and not viewable from the top. IIRC there are 4 vacuum takeoffs but only 3 are used .
Which one would you rent with Europcar ( www.europcar.de ): Vectra 2.2 auto or Mercedes SL350?
I'm not old enough for the SL (you have to be 27)
What if I told you the SL was cheaper for a weekend by about £20? (About £220 - one of the cheapest ways known to drive serious performance cars, seriously fast, is to go to Germany and rent them from Sixt or Europcar) Read more
Makes sense, if that's what you want it for.
I once booked a Corsa (i think, or similar) from europcar in germany. I was very upset when I ended up with a zafira (for no extra charge)...since the petrol consumption on that was terrible...and so on the 1500 miles plus i did in that car i "lost" money on petrol i reckon.
Perhaps the auto is more since it's specially tailored for the across the pond friends who can't 'do stick'.
My father has just brought a 1997 omega 2.0i cd 16v estate for £3000.00
when he starts it up in the morning the engine rattles for a while, until it warms up.
does any one know of any problems with this engine and should he try to return to the garage he got it from.
thanks for any replys. Read more
If he'd rather do this than get a full refund, I suppose he should go for it.
Of course, be very careful - your father has signed a contract for the full amount and in law there is such a thing as loss of a bargain. Because the dealer has breached the imlpied term of fitness for purpose if a recon engine is actually justified (I'm not sure it is and how come either the dealer or your father didn't notice this start up rattle in the first place) then, in theory, you could push for more.
Of course, being a bit 'tappety' probably doesn't justify a whole new £1k engine, especially given that the dealer has access to labour and parts at trade prices. £3k is cheap for a 97 Omega estate too. Although the whole situation is slightly bizarre and he could possibly get more, as Mark says, he'd be put into a better position by this recon engine, so although getting it fixed free, but not replaced, or a straight refund might be better, there is a certain logic in getting the new engine put in if he plans to keep the car for several years.
LONDON (AP) ---- An off-duty policeman who was caught riding his motorcycle at more than 125 mph on a highway was jailed Tuesday for three months.
Thomas Cunningham, 37, was speeding toward Liveral in northern England when spotted by a police patrol car last July. The car followed Cunningham at speeds of more than 125 mph. The speed limit was 70 mph.
Cunningham was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday of dangerous driving and jailed. He also was banned from driving for three years, meaning it could be difficult for him to do his job if he returns to work as a policeman.
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To me the sentence is just downright offensive when we have people commiting crimes that actually have victims getting away with community service or, in a lot of cases, a whole lot less. Even the WWTBAM guy who tried to steal a million quid the other day got away with an 18 month suspended sentence!
Fair enough he should have lost his licence, there's little doubt about that, but jail!? Madness, IMHO. Read more
Below are quotes from official sentencing guidelines:
Current: "?Dangerous driving? encompasses a range of behaviour from an isolated lapse of attention to prolonged and deliberate driving with disregard for the safety of other road users. Cases at the more serious end of the scale come close to the offence of manslaughter, for which the maximum penalty is life imprisonment. At the lower end, there may be little to distinguish a case of causing death by dangerous driving from one of careless driving which has in fact resulted in death. Careless driving is a non-imprisonable, summary offence, with a maximum penalty of a level 4 fine (currently £2,500). Disqualification is discretionary, and the offence carries 3 to 9 penalty points."
Proposed: "the Government published its report on the Review of Road Traffic Penalties, in which it was confirmed that the maximum penalty for dangerous driving would be increased to 5 years, as proposed in the 2000 consultation paper. The Government also announced in its report that the maximum sentence for each of the three driving offences occasioning death (causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, and causing death by aggravated vehicle taking) would be increased to 14 years."
So, motorists, be careful. You can be jailed for 5 years for dangerous driving.
I want to retrofit Air Conditioning to my 2001 Alfa 156 1.8, I understand it'll probably cost me over a grand to do it but does anyone know of any reputable firms that do this in the North-West? I have only found references to companies based in the deep south, kent n all that..
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I used to buy cars from a company called Diavia that retrofitted a/c to cars,they could not even get there own fleet cars a/c to work properly.I really like a/c,but i don't think i would ever take the chance to have it retro fitted,way too much work,and way too many things to get broken and lost and then thrown away.
Looking at new company car, hyundai coupe S (unfortunately tightfisted boss wont let me have the SE)
Any news or views, it does look the business but is it worth the extra 40 quid a month in tax, currently got a focus zetec (1.4 due to tightfisted boss, see above!) Which is not quick but fantastic fun and looks ok.
Cheers all
(OOPS JUST NOTICED THE CAPS LOCK, SORRY)
Drink Lager Talk Piffle
Drink water and you\'ll notice the caps lock key is on!! DD. Read more
3 Years and about 80k miles, had another look at one today, stroked it a bit, i think i am in love.
and the really good thing is my 17 year old daughter didnt say it was naff, a true compliment from a teenager!
Will definitely go for the extended test drive though, wouldnt be great to get one and find its a complete pig to drive.
Cheers for the replies all.
Keep quaffing!
Drink Lager Talk Piffle
Following on from Darcy Kitchin's thread ('It's not rocket science, or is it?') I really do think that we should be looking at the amount of driving 'aids' that we have in our cars.
I can accept (despite the recent thread) that ABS is helpful in emergency situations as your average Joe would be unable to reproduce the effect, but surely things like Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control, and all the other hi-tech gizmos are going too far.
The argument for is that if they save one life then they are worth it. To this, I agree. However, these 'aids' can give the driver a false sense of security by correcting his (or her) mistakes for him (or her! - this could get tiresome; I'll stick with 'him'). If you get into a car knowing that no matter how stupidly you drive, the car will sort it out then you are going to take risks. But then if, next day, you climb into a different car which hasn't got all these 'aids' and drive in the same way, then you'll like as not end up dead.
I know that this is a tricky one to call, but where would you draw the line? Which driving 'aid' is an absolute must, and which is a superfluous danger? Read more
FIF
Due to a navigational error after being on nights, Madame directed us out of Holmfirth past the Holme Moss transmitter. We were in an aged asthmatic Citroen D Special with a heavyweight Swift caravan on tow. That was one column change into non-synchro first I'm glad I didn't botch.
Sorry about the "when I were a lad ..." bit
My dad had Mk 1 and Mk 2 Zephyr dropheads from new and he fitted overdrive to the Mk 2.
Darcy.
Unusually, did the school run today. Had a good view of the following incident. A woman in a Peugeot estate was moving slowly down the road about 20 mph (in a 30 mph limit) with her left indicator going, obviously looking for a parking space. The car was full of kids, it was 8:45 am and we were within 50 yards of the school gates. On finding a suitable space she slowed and took up position ready for a reverse park. Unfortunately, the moron behind drove right up behind to within about 2 feet of her rear bumper and blew his horn. Mrs Peugeot remained where she was, indicator still on, forcing the car behind to reverse so he could overtake. After reversing he set off so quickly that he took a much wider than needed course past the Peugeot, forcing an oncoming car to clip the kerb to avoid him as he blew his horn yet again. Mrs Peugeot then executed a faultless, accurate reverse park into the space and put her head in her hands. I felt sorry for her, it was school time, outside the school and she was blatantly looking for a space. Is anticipation a forgotten art?
Darcy.
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Darcy,
nope, I agree, it's not rocket science is it? Wish they'd invent an "idiot" camera and use them as often as speed cameras.
On the flip side, I've just driven up the M1 from M25 to Yorkshire at a steady, well, let's say "~70mph" in lane 3.
A speed more than adequate to pass the traffic in lanes 1+2.
For a considerable stretch it was almost a joy as I could keep a sensible distance to the chap in front and moreover, the gentleman in the 5 series BMW behind me kept a decent distance, despite the various loonies who were tailgating him. It's such a long time since I've seen such sensible driving, I wish there were a way I could have thanked him.
Result? We all made rapid (as conditions would allow) and safe progress and I could look out of the front window rather than worrying about what's happening behind me.
In contrast to that, the number of people gesticulating and shouting at each other around London, cutting each other up and generally trying to crash into each other to gain 5 yards in traffic makes me very glad to be living in the "grim" North. Rats in a cage.
Lee.
Lee
MINI adventure in progress
Browse
p.p.s - I have recommended the garage for the Good Garage guide, but in the meantime if anyony is looking for an independent VW/Audi specialist in Bolton, they can email me
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up