Thanks matt35.

Just to add my support and experience for modern-day TDi's. I had "often wondered" about diesel and whether they really are all that they're cracked up to be. So, just under a year ago, after many and varied petrol cars, I got my Toledo TDi 110 and would echo all the positive comments re performance, acceleration, refinement and, oh yes, 50+ mpg!

100mph really does sound and feel like, ooh officer, 60!

In principle I agree, but I would contest such a proposal for the simple reason that it gives the Chancellor another tool to extract money out of motorists.

First the MOT, then VED??

Think about it!

Personally, as the current law allows police to clamp down on poorly maintained trailers that are on our roads, I say lets use this fully to begin with.

If a small camping trailer on the road has severe corrosion around its A frame or load capacity then it should be confiscated and crushed, or at least ordered off the road until suitable repairs are carried out and inspected by a police mechanic - simple as that!

If a braked trailer is carrying its normal braked capacity and the brakes are not working, then the law is being broken. If on the other hand the brakes are disabled and it is carrying it's unbraked capacity, then that is OK.

H

I have had an Oct 2000 6N (Last Model) 1.4TDI 3 Door SE from new. Car has just done 72000 miles. I spend 95% of my time on Motorway at 60-70Mph, which is pretty fast for the M25 and usually get 630 miles out of a 45lt. tank (£33). I have twice got 680 miles before my bottle went. The car would be very happy to spend all day at 80-90 mph and give 570 miles from a tank.
It is a fine motorway and open road car. Not quiet at home in the city.
I had a none start problem when the car was a few months old and VW rescue were called many times. It appeared to be a problem with Relay 109 which was under the dash by my right knee (Controls Fuel pump and Glow plugs) once I was shown this all I had to do if the Glowplug light failed to show was to push the relay in. I was going to do this until the car went for the first service.
Eventually the car ground to a halt and was recovered to the dealer for three days. I was told that they traced the problem to a faulty ECU that was sending the wrong signal to the relay causing it to open and close rapidly and vibrate out of it?s socket. The ECU was replaced. This cured the problem.

Now at 72K an outer shield around the rear silencer box has corroded through. I don?t know if this will be a problem on it?s first MOT in October.

Both front tyres were replaced at 30K due to punctures. Still on the original rears (Michelin).
Heater takes ages to heat up and in winter have to wear gloves and woolly hat consider Heated seats.
Never known a car to go through so many lightbulbs.

For the service record -
10000 03/01 £65
20000 07/01 £192
30000 12/01 £85
40000 05/02 £240 + (Change Filters)
50000 10/02 £140 + (Change Brake fluid)
60000 03/03 £900 + (Cam Belt change & Discs and Pads all round)
70000 07/03 £84
I think the PD engine should have special oil and have just noticed from bills that VW dealer has charged for 3 different oil types. Will take it up next service.
I would buy another car with this engine maybe an Audi A2 TDi

My wife bought a Yaris GLS at the same time and hated it.

lex freechoice ( www.lexfreechoice.co.uk/ ) and best4cars (www.best4cars.co.uk/) seem to have a good range between them. The latter seems cheaper as they were offering a 1.6 renault megane (£9800 worth) at £199 a month over 3 years. I think you can add maintenance too so it shouldn't cost you anything beyond your monthly payment.
teabelly