July 2003
Wow!!! We've got a BMW Z4! :-)
Arranged a little surprise for my dad at work, he didn't have a clue it was coming! Anyway, fantastic car, lovely sounding V6 engine, loads of toys, and we love it to bits. Even has James Bond style run flat tyres, even a stinger can't stop us now! :-)
Shame that it was raining though. :-(
In case anyone is wondering how we avoided the year long waiting list for the car... we got a cancelled order from the dealers!
Blue Read more
After driving around much of this afternoon wondering why so many cars around me were making funny noises, I finally realised it was mine.
As far as I've sussed out, there is a squealing noise that only seems to happen when I'm driving slowly, downhill, and applying the brakes. And not every time either.
Please, someone, tell me this is not something to worry about! Having just had the MOT done at some condsidderable cost, buying my tax today, and knowing that insurance is due on Sunday, I don't think I could cope with knowing there's yet another thing going wrong!
HF Read more
Just to say (because I know how annoying it must be not to get feedback here!) the noise hasn't happened again.
So thanks very much to Dave and David.
We have all heard that some cars can be absolute dogs. Some Land Rovers and Alfas are awful suffering a never ending series of problems. And yet I expect that most owners of these makes love them. I know a Land Rover owner who has had no problems at all. Why is this? Can't be a Friday afternoon car as the various sub assemblies are made and bolted together on different days. What is about certain makes that leads to some samples being complete dogs?
Ever heard of a Micra or a Yaris with a series of faults. No? Thought not. Read more
Here is a sweeping statement, but I think it holds water.
When a car manufacturer brings out a new model, it will be have been tested in the arctic, and in death valley, a few will drive several hundred thousand miles. BUT there will be faults, problems, niggles, design cockups that wont have been washed out. Plus given that its never been built in volume before, there will be problems building it that will appear in the owners hands. So the statement is, that the first years build of any new car will have a higher chance of being a dog. For manufacturers that are not renown for quality build anyway, they will be worse dogs.
Rule 1, avoid buying a car in its first year of production.
Rule 2, avoid buying cars where production has shifted from 1 factory to another, - another year of dogs.
Rule 3, avoid buying cars that have had major facelifts or spec (ie engine) changes - 6 months of pups.
Buy a car that is nearing the end of its production life, all the problems are known and built out, you get more toys for your money because the manufacturers need to shift them. But buy it cheap because the new model will depreciate your older model badly. If buying second hand - all the same rules apply, plus you get the benefit of a cheaper car because its the old model.
My 2001 Corolla 1.4 has a recommended tyre pressure of 32 all round. However I find the ride a little bouncy (even though the motorway pressure is supposed to be 36 which would be even worse).
My questions are :
1. Would reducing the pressure improve the ride
2. What would/should it do to the handling
3. Would the tyres wear quicker
4. Would it make a difference on the economy
The Manufacturers seem to be pretty exact on what pressure they specify ? Does it really make all the difference, especially once the tyres are worn and the shockers, brakes etc are no longer new.
Any advice/experiences received with thanks ! Read more
You forgot 1) safety
Trust the manufacturer on this. Admittedly Corollas don't ride or handle especially well, but you are unlikely to be a better chassis engineer than one employed by Toyota.
As for specific recommendations - I'm afraid I don't have any. There was another thread on this a while back and the outcome seemed to be that you just have to live with it and enjoy the car's er... other qualities.
What is the difference lx and Zetec models of Mondeo and Focus- is it just trim, or does one have sportier (harder) suspension.
To any Mondeo experts out there, do the late mondeo 2ltr ( around 99 model year on) have very slightly different engines than the early cars? My old What car magasines suggest a change from a 128bhp to a 136bhp engine. This might explain why hj's car gives up to 40 mpg and the 2ltr 97R mondeo i had didnt. The focus according to what car stats has only ever had the 128bhp engine. Is this true?
I ask as i have been very tempted by a 00V Mondeo 2ltr Zetec estate i have been offered. Read more
The 2 litre Mondeo actually went down from 136bhp to 128bhp not long after the facelifted mk2 came out to improve emissions/mpg I believe, so in theory your 97R could of had either engine.
I'm a loser, baby....so why don't you kill me?!
I've got a mercedes 208 deisel van which has done almost 200,000 miles. It always starts on the button, hail, rain or snow, I've never had a problem with it, the trouble is that it doesn't have power steering.
That didn't bother me until recently, when I damaged my wrist in an accident.
My dilemma is this, should I replace something thats served me well and that I know and trust with something that is an unknown quantity?
Or have power steering fitted to my existing van.
I dont know if it can be done or how much it would cost, I would consider anything up to £1k to be money well spent if it was going to be a 'proper job' and not give me any trouble afterwards.
What do you think, am I being too sentimental about a 13 year old van?
Thaks, John Read more
I hate to say it but if I were you I'd be looking to change for a newer model, either the same shape or possibly an early Sprinter that should be available for under £3k.
If your van is as good as you say it is, it should be worth nearly £1000 to someone who won't mind about the lack of PAS.
If you find a good one, you'll get an extra five or six years out of the Sprinter and PAS for a comparatively small premium over having the work done on your current van.
Hi
Two questions for y'all...
1.
I have recently purchased a Fiesta 1.25 Zetec-s and am very impressed, apart from a slight hesitancy that feels as if the engine is "missing" when under load around 4000rpm. Any suggestions to what this may be?
2.
The car has a FSH and has currently 61k on the clock, but I would like to know the cambelt service interval - any ideas? Also what is a typical cost? I know the belts are around 20quid, but how much or long would the labour be?
Many thanks in advance
Moby. Read more
No need to get the statement carved in stone.
1.25 zetec engine cambelt interval IS 10years or 100k.
Bit scarey i know but thats the official ford line.
It would seem that some overseas vehicle importers actually make good use of the internet. Nissan South Africa have an on-line illustrated parts catalogue for Nissan vehicles:
www.nissan.co.za
Then click on \"Owning\" then on \"Parts\". Then there are instructions to help you.
I have checked a few part numbers and they are the same as the UK - cars are RHD, as in UK. Read more
It's shame other manufacturers don't supply the same sort of info for the aftermarket! Hats off to Nissan (RSA!)
With block exemption.......you never know what is round the corner!
If you've been reading recent posts, you might know that I've just taken the Golf TDi for it's MoT.
It passed, but not quite just like that.
The emissions were OTT.
The advice was "change the air filter, put some Miller's Dieselclean Plus in the fuel, change the fuel filter and run it for 600 miles.
No, I need an MoT certificate today, mate.
Right then, off to the M62. We're talking 5000rpm in 2nd gear and 75mph. Goodness me!. The old girl fairly picks up her skirts and goes. I have never run this engine to 5000 rpm before.
James Bond. People behind were putting their headlights on, with all the smoke. Never seen anything like it before in my life. After 3 miles in 2nd gear, there's no smoke.
Back to Testing Station and clear pass. Absolutely clean.
Italian burn-up, or something but minimal emissions and cert in my hand.
Environment? Air filter? Fuel filter? Millers? Point of it all?
I'm asking. Please answer.
Read more
Thank you.
People, not as privileged as we are, will pay fortunes to get their cars passed.
"It's the rotary diesel pump, Sir, we can change it for £400" and such.
This must be what Honest John is all about. Try ringing VAG (VW-Audi Group at Milton Keynes.) Don't want to know. Ask your dealer, Sir. Then ring your dealer. Bring it in, Sir. Only £112 per hour, plus parts, oh yes. This is true, by the way.
The whole world is going mad.
Why isn't your info published loud and clear, so everyone would know?
Anyone checked out the ukcarbroker site.
They quote £6500 - £ 8192 on T3, 1.0, 1.3 or 1.4 D4D yaris.
Could a 1.4 D4D, 3 door, T2 be a first new car bargain at £7395.
or T3 at £8192.
3 year warranty, breakdown cover, home delivery.
Plus a years free insurance (up to Sept 03) !!!
Plus they hold their value better than most.
Read more
T3 lacks both aircon AND sunroof.
Just my point, and seemingly not available as an option either. (Only option at all seems to be metallic paint according to the price list) At least before there was the GLS that had a sunroof (early models) or aircon (later ones) at a lower price than the SRi or CDX which the TSpirit seems to replace.
What's the difference between retail and on-the-road prices BTW? I note the price list has (for example) the T3 D4D for £8590 retail, £9200 OTR. Why the extra £610?
Also, I note the 1.0 is now listed as having 64bhp compared to 68 originally. I wonder if this will be enough to take it from acceptable to underpowered? Especially in TSpirit form with aircon etc putting extra load on the engine. Presumably this is down to the mods to pistons and ECU they have made to meet the latest emissions standards? I can't find any specs on the Toyota site, so I can't tell if it's reduced consumption or how much effect the new MMT has either.
Browse
Park it? Eh? what does that mean?
My dad lives in it :-)
Blue