July 2003
One for DVD, David HM et al,
Today I was allocated an 'R' reg Volvo double decker that is fitted with a retarder on the gearbox which aids braking. Basically, the retarder slows the bus through the gearbox until the final 15mph when the foundation brakes cut in. On this particular bus, the retarder was not working and has not been for a month or so. The foundation brakes were fine, but you always had to be aware that you were braking without a retarder as it requires extra effort.
My question is - what would be the consequences to me personally if I had an accident and it was found out that I was driving a bus that I knew had a faulty retarder? On every one of these buses, there is a switch in the cab that allows you to turn the retarder off, but the depot engineer decreed that this should be wired to the dash alarms so that if you attempt to switch the retarder off, you get a constant 'ping-ping-ping'. This is to discourage switching off of the retarder.
Over to you, guys...
Cheers
Rob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast." Read more
I have just erred. I let my MoT lapse by 3 weeks and was stopped for a spot check. I received a HORT1 to produce docs within 7 days.
I took the Golf for a new test and the tester said that's the last paper one I'll get. He showed me a card, which operates from next year and you get your car tested, they input the pass details on this card. You go to the post Office, who swipe the card and sell you road tax etc.
I went to the police station, mortified, as I've never been a motoring outlaw before.
I received a HORT2 and the pc on the counter was grinning. "Do you know what happens next? " She said.
"Something horrible" I said.
No, you won't hear anymore. That's what always happens.
So, if that's true..... WHY Mot? Why?????? etc
Read more
Mea culpa, Sean?
Say three Hail Marys for your sins.
Mea maxima culpa.
Hi
For reasons that I won't go into here, I am finally having to retire my trusty Granada as I face having to spend upwards of £50 per week on petrol. So, perhaps unsurprisingly, I am after a diesel.
My brother's brother-in-law has a 1989 Golf GTD for sale. It has done 138k, part service history and is quite tidy by all accounts. It had stood since February but started first time when my brother went for a look-see at the weekend. It needs a new/re-con radiator and a headlamp lens but is otherwise apparently pretty sound. The asking price is £100 - 150.
Do any of you BR-ers have any experience of these rare beasts? What is the likely cost of the rad and lens? And, most importantly, is the car likely to stand up to a lot of motorway driving?
As always, your advice and comments are much appreciated.
Cheers
Rob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast." Read more
Thanks for your replies so far.
Gen - my Granny only does 35 mpg if I'm on a long run and pootling along at 60-65. If I'm on my 25 mile trip to work and invariably late then I will drive a little faster than that (not too much though m'lud). It's a lot of town driving too, so I'm probably only getting low to mid 20s at the moment. Basically, I'm doing about 450 miles a week at the mo, and I always like to have at least a quarter of a tank just in case.
David - it has an MoT until next Feb. It's not worth getting it done again, is it??
I suppose that I should reveal that I've gone and bought it now, shouldn't I? My brother called by unexpectedly - apparently he'd told me that we were going to see it tonight! Anyway, it seems very good for the money. It started immediately with no churning or sluggishness, there's no scary smoke out of the exhaust, it sounds tight and sweet and drives well. The only bad point was that the temp light started flashing on the test drive but I have been assured that it just needs a new radiator. Still, for £100 plus the cost of the radiator, I think I've got a bargain!
Anybody any idea of what mpg I can expect?
Cheers
Rob
"Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast."
Anyone help ?
I have a 1994 Omega CDX with a standard radio which I want to upgrade with a CD player.
Can anyone tell me how I get the old unit out?. I made an attempt at this operation the other day by inserting 4 suitably sized pins in the holes where the "extraction" tools would go.
This enabled me to withdraw the unit a few cm's but then encountered resistance which I could not overcome and was reluctant to force.
Needless to say. I abandoned this attempt in favour of seeking advice.
Any help gratefully received Read more
My lasting contribution to this community.....
I asked the dealer what needs to be done and they said the Omega has a 10-digit display and the CDR500 CD player unit only requires an 8-digit display.
All you need to do is..........
With the Ignition on
Press and hold the 4 & 6 buttons on the set
Then switch on the radio keeping the 4 & 6 pressed
and the display will show "10-digit" which will then "toggles" to "8-digit"
Let all the buttons go and the job is done.
Right result
Steve
Have been recommended to try them for a recon engine
Has anyone used them if so can u give me your verdict please? Read more
The following is from today's electronic Daily Telegraph (all and any copyright fully acknowledged):
>>>>> " Motor warranties first in line as OFT flexes muscles
By Roland Gribben (Filed: 01/07/2003)
An investigation into new car warranties was launched by the Office of Fair Trading yesterday as it unveiled a programme to make greater use of its considerable powers to crack down on businesses attempting to cheat the consumer.
The inquiry follows complaints that the current set-up restricts competition because owners are pressured into having warranty work undertaken at the garage where they bought their cars. Manufacturers do not specify where new cars must be serviced but owners risk losing warranty protection if work is not carried out by an authorised dealer.
John Vickers, OFT chairman, said the study will look at the "pros and cons" of warranties. " <<<<<<
Read more
for details of the OFT study, go to
www.oft.gov.uk/News/Press%20releases/2003/PN%2089-...m
if i want a nearly new car when is the best time to buy, now or in august when new reg's come out? money wise i would prefer to wait till august but is it going to make a difference? Read more
There is no right answer; my feeling is that with manufacturer bonuses often stressing the bigger selling periods (i.e., September) the dealer may actually have more to play with then and August will just be an order taking period. Of course I could be completely wrong and only the dealer with all the figures at hand can really tell you.
As far as nearly new is concerned, I would wait until September. Of course you have a better chance of getting a car with the current plate on, but an 03 car will typically lose an extra 3-5% over the next two months purely because of the plate change.
The big impetus for this is not so much private people who care about having the latest plates but the rental companies who always want no more than one plate change out of date. That in turn pushes down the price of others, but if your car is common on rental fleets, they're probably the best bargains.
Call me sad, but this question has been driving me up the walls. I was writing my profile for the site and naturally I had to say what car I had. I then did a very fast recollection of all the other cars I have heard people drive in the BR and it made me think whether I drive the worst/cheapest car in here. Can I officially claim to drive the crappiest car in the BR? (not sure how much of an honour that is but its something!). my AX is 91, done 140k, there is no section of the body which isn?t either scratched, rusted or dented and I bought it for £200 last year, and I would guess its worth about £50-100 now. Is anyone out there who thinks my car is better than his/hers? Speak now or never !!!..... (if no one protests I will mention this honour of having the worst car the BR in my profile !!! ) . PS. no cheating here guys. This must be the car you drive everyday and use and it must have an MOT, not the banger in the back of your garage which was last used 35 years ago!!! Read more
Are you sure you're as young as you claim CM ? :-)
I am about to buy a used european car through a company called Micronet.com. it appears to be a great price. I just wanted to check if any body has heard of them? has any advice. They are supplying me with a one year old 10,000 mile Nissan Xtrail diesel Sport for £12,900. Any tips on bargaining them down? Read more
Hey thanks for this. The reason I am buying from them is that i need a left hand drive. So have to get from the continent any way. All your advice greatly appreciated.
\"Police, Camera, Action! producers have decided that Alastair Stewart is no longer an appropriate frontman for the show after being found guilty of drink driving.\"
3 times over the limit.
The world\'s gone mad. They\'ll tell us that Nick Ross has been fingered for burglary next!
subject Title Renamed. DD. Read more
Probably enough on this subject, I feel.
Browse
Bighammerman,
I don't think that the VI would be interested in driver comfort items. They're only concerned about vehicle roadworthiness. An uncomfortable drivers seat wouldn't bother them - a loose one would! And as you know, drivers defect reports are sort of filtered, safety related items are usually dealt with promptly, others put back until time permits.