June 2003
One for the bikers here.
Just got a pirate DVD of this movie, due for release in the Philippines next week and in UK August 1st.
Like the Matrix series and its predecessors, long on special effects and short on plot and acting talent, but a superb motorcycle chase makes up for the gimmicks.
A neatly tricked out poice model Indian V-Twin takes pride of place and will be marketed later as a T3 Limited Edition.
tinyurl.com/djdh
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The engine of my wife's Focus 1.8 petrol model surges by between 100 and 300 rpm on each gearchange. The only way to avoid or minimise it is to adopt the practise of lifting off the accelerator pedal a second or so before depressing the clutch. Tedious.
Also, when coming to a halt or trickling along in heavy traffic, the engine surges to 2500 rpm or so when the road speed drops to about 10 mph - this is with clutch disengaged and foot off the accelerator. The revs only drop to normal idle when the road speed reaches zero. It makes you seem like an impatient boy racer.
Embarrassing.
There is, fortunately, no dangerous tendency to surge when under load.
In fact, thinking about it further, the engine's response to changes in accelerator pedal depression is very slow at all times.
Anyone got an explanation/solution for this? Read more
Thanks for responses. I'll check at the next service to see if there's a rogue Mondeo component lurking under the bonnet !!!
I called in at my local Shell station today and they had a sign at the cash desk announcing that Mondeos were prohibited from using the carwash 'due to the possibility of damage to the vehicle'. Is this a countrywide ban, and why Mondeos especially?
P. Read more
Rover 200 has a spoiler at the rear which can be ripped off during a carwash. There is a sign on a quite a few car washes telling you not to use if you have a Rover 200.
The Vauxhall 3-year warranty seems to be different from what you might expect. My 18 month old Zafira was diagnosed with no refrigerant in the aircon, no leaks could be found and I ended up with an £80 bill after recharging the system. Some 3-year warranty.
BTW GM advertising in the US seems now to be conceding that their earlier cars weren't as reliable as they should have been but that they have improved significantly since. Comment? Read more
Had my 2 year old Vectra regased at the weekend as it wasn't cooling as well as it should. Local mobile chap did it for £57.50. It was down by nearly 50% with no apparent leaks. He said it is common for cars to leave the factory without a full fill. Not just Vauxhalls, VW have apparently issued written notices about it to dealers.
Chris M
At the weekent my freind bought an ex demo civic R-Type 52 plate with 6,000 mls on and immaculate.
Yesterday on his way to work the engine siezed and the Honda dealership recovered him and have given him a courtesy car.
The garage rang him today to tell him the car appears to have run out of oil so it wouldn't be covered under the warranty and they will ring him tommorrow with an estimate for repairs.
He has explained to them that he only picked the car up on monday and was told the car had had a thorough check. They told him it is his responsibility to check oil levels etc. and are bieng quite negative with him.
Needless to say he has contacted a solicitor but what else should he do so he won't get stitched up. Read more
Good news and well done, Marcos. There are a few manufacturers who could learn a lot about customer relations and goodwill from Companies like Honda and, in my experience, Toyota. How many readers of this thread will pass on by word of mouth, over a long time, a positive comment about Honda. This is how reputations, good and bad, are made.
Vauxhall nova 1.2 merit (J plate) has developed an intermittent vibration through the steering wheel. It can happen at cruising speed or during acceleration, then disappears again.
Anyone know the possible cause of this?
Thanx in advance Read more
If (as you say) the effect comes and goes, there may be two sources of imbalance going in and out of phase. As DD says, start with the wheels - though unbalanced wheels are usually only obvious at 40 mph+.
Anyone purchased/used the 'Backminder' ultrasonic reversing aid from Autosonics? Its UK made and appears to have won awards etc., I want to aviod the very cheap Chinese made ones because I suspect they may not survive a UK winter, car wash etc.
Link:
www.autosonics.co.uk/backminder212.html Read more
Ah, I just read the website properly, the external sounder is listed as an optional extra:
"External Audible Warning Reverse Alarm with volume adjustment"
So registered and so disgusted.
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Mark(RLBS) & DVD, you might yet get your wish to see this type of situation tested in a court of law.
From the UNISON website, deja vu, anyone?
PRESS RELEASE
09/10/2003
Speeding Blood Service Driver - UNISON Reaction
UNISON, the union which represents blood service staff, has today called for balance between ensuring the safe delivery of urgent blood supplies to patients and prosecutions for speeding. The call comes in the wake of the case of UNISON member Paul Stockbridge, who was in court today accused of breaking the speed limit. Mr Stockbridge pleaded not guilty on the advice of UNISON when he appeared before magistrates in Stafford. He had been caught on camera doing 41 mph in a 30 mph zone, in the early hours of the morning.
Karen Jennings UNISON Head of Health said:
?I can?t help thinking that if it was my child or loved one that was urgently in need of a lifesaving supply of blood, I would want the driver to get there as quickly as possible.
?The National Blood Service puts drivers through an advanced driving course and they are taught defensive driving. They are trained not to cause risk or danger to road users.
?Surely there must be a balance between ensuring urgent blood supplies get to patients as quickly as possible and the safety of road users. Only if a driver is recklessly causing danger to other users should a prosecution even be considered.?
The case has been adjourned until November 13.
ends
Cockle
I need some advice over what car to get next, have been looking at a few but can't decide..........mazda mx5, honda civic type R, mini cooper S, peoguot 206cc, im looking to spend roughly 14-17k. I always thought i'd always have VW's until i owned my troublesome bug and now i can't decide what to get!
After something fun but need it to be reliable and well built.
HELP!
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thanks David thats really helpful!!!
Hi all,
My rs2000 escort makes this ticking/rattling sound for a few minutes when started for the first time in the morning.
If I switch the car off then start it again straight after it normally goes away. I dont understand this.
Does anyone know what it could be and how to sort it?
It's been going on for over a year and does not affect anything apart from being noisy.
MkV Rs2000, '92, 122k. Regular oil changes.
Best Regards,
Chris Read more
Well its weird..its very regular.
it almost sounds like its coming from the injection system.
there is a normal quiet tick which is supposed to be there but this one is louder and goes away...
Its deffo mechanical...not like a rubbing sound for instance.
Browse
Interesting.
I'll be back!