August 2003
...that's big enough for my drumkit (at least focus - sized), budget of max £8,000. What car would people recommend for reliability and safety? Having read the previous threads about VW reliability I'm starting to think that everything I know is wrong. It would need to be reasonably powerful to lug all my equipment around. I was thinking about 2nd hand, maybe A3 / new shape Corolla / Focus / new shape Megane.
It's my first post, so thanks very much in advance for any advice,
Richard Read more
Have a 'wee' problem a need a bit of advice...
Recently purchased a Peugeot 206 Diesel 1.9 with 12,000 on the clock. A nice looking car with a bad reputation (according to many reviews on-line) but putting this down to simply a few disatisfied customers I went ahead with the purchase as the car looked and felt solid. However, after 200 miles there is a grinding niose from the left wheel (I took the car back to the dealer for them to change the discs and brakes, after about 30 mins. arguing,they were going to charge me £250). That's the first problem what the hell is that noise...Secondly the Peugeot dealer promised to send me the log book and spare key after 1 week the log book has not arrived and they just blow me off.. Can I demand this item and if not what can I do to get it...(I am in half a mind to give the car back,as I hate to admit, it falls way below my estimation of what a good car should be...
Please help as I see trouble brewing...
Cheers, Craig
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Here's a conundrum for you:
Vectra 1.8 Elegance's with heated leather seats, climate control, ESP + traction control, metallic - ie £2550 of optios on top of a £16380 list price car = £18930 at list prices
Although imported from Cyprus and badged up as Opel Vectras, these are brand new.
I saw them yesterday in Motorpoint for....£11999 !
Cheapest UK-supplied one I could find was £16077 including the extras.
So that's £6931 or 37% below UK on the road list price and still £4077 less than cheapest UK-sourced one.
I think this is a startling deal, or am I missing something????
I know it's badged up as an Opel, but...
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PS - forgot to note the car I was talking about above was the *Escort*
Hi,
I may be offered a short-term contract working in Ireland (Republic of), for about six months. If I decide to take my current UK-registered car with me, does anyone know for how long I can use it before it would require Irish plates?
Thanks Read more
DD
Obliged. I will learn eventually
D and C.P.
I mentioned the SORN aspect as the law requires that if the Excise Licence expires then SORN has to be declared irrespective or not of the use of a public road. Failure to do so is an offence period. The vehicle is not being exported permanently and will be temporary out of the country so will still be on DVLA books, nor its owner a non resident of UK. . Declaring SORN (free) if the licence expires in Eire could save a lot of hassle this side of the pond. It may well be that as a result of seeking the advice of DVLA that this will not be necessary.
Further, a current Licence maintained cuts out SORN, the possibility of being pulled by the Garda through an expired Licence on display in Eire and liability to Vehicle Registration Tax there and being prosecuted for not having one on return to UK and driving home.
As I have said in complicated cases I am a believer in contacting the relevant Authorities direct for their interpretation and if the wheel does come off then you have some fireproof backing.
DVD.
I have a 3.5 year old BMW 520 which needs new brake pads. The main dealer quotes 118 pounds to fit these, whereas a local garage quotes 45 pounds to fit non-BMW pads (Ferodo), or they can fit BMW pads for more if I want.
Is worth paying the extra to have pads fitted by the dealer? -rumour has it that some people don't like buying BMWs that have servicing done by non-main-dealers, but does that extend to brake pads, which are a fairly routine item?
Someone said that because the brake pad warning sensor has been activated, I might need a new sensor -is this true? Read more
Remember BMW dealers enter all service details on their computer which is available nationwide. I personally would not buy a BMW less tha 5 years old without a full BMWSH.. and that includes BMW computer s/h.
Having said that I bought a 6 year old E30 320i with full BMWsh and changed all dampers and pads myself......
madf
Hi, my 51 Hatchback has a small area of rust around the near side drainage hole. An area the size of my small finger nail has flaked away (still have it) with surface rust underneath.
I have taken it to my local dealer who says its not covered under the 12 year warranty but would be under the 1 year paint warranty (car 19 months old). He has taken some photo's and will send the case to Ford to see if they will cover it.
Any comments? Anyone else had this problem?
James Read more
I have spoken to Ford Protect Customer Service (and again just confirmed it) that you can have the FIRST service done by a garage as long as genuine parts are used. For the 2nd and 3rd year you would need the 2nd and 3rd year service done by a dealer. This is in line with some European law.
The 2nd and 3rd year are NOT a manufactors warranty but a dealer backed one.
Thanks for your comments.
Cheers.
I've got a 2000 Y Maserati 3200GT bought from a main dealer.
It's an Auto 4 sp box.
When the engine revs are between 2000-3000rpm and being driven slowly through that range, I hear a deep whooping sound.
The dealer suspected that the auto box levels needed topping up - and so they did this. They then said that this has fixed the problem.
The day the car came back - guess what - I replicated the problem again straight away.
I know it's not a common car, but can anyone suggest what may be causing the problem and any serious suggestions to get it fixed.
(It almost sounds like an air leak on the Turbos but the dealer said this is fine)
Thanks
Pete Read more
If the noise is coming from the gearbox then it could be that the filter needs changing.
The problem is a clunky vibrating type noise from the engine. Initially it was only happening when the clutch pedal was released, but now it happens at both times. It only happens when the accelerator pedal is not pressed (ie the car is coasting) and does not get louder/quieter when the speed increases/decreases
Some further info that might help one of you to \'diagnose\' my other problem (the vibration). The gearshift starting vibrating whilst in gear and making a right racket whilst on my way to work this morning. It only did it when the accelerator was not pressed and whilst travelling at higher than 40/50 mph.
Just wondering if anyone had any ideas, considering someone else had the same problem a few months ago.
Thanks Read more
Theyre fine
I have a 1994 2.5 CDX and the air distribution switch in the centre console does not seem to do anything !!. The air distribution seems to be stuck on demist. The fan and heater controls work fine.
Has anyone experienced anything similar or can anyone shed some light on this.
Much appreciated Read more
Hi All
Could anyone give me some idea which car should I choose as I intend to keep the car for 3 years (54000 miles),ie :runnig cost and resale value etc>..: Brand new (53)Toyota Avensis T2 hatch and Pre reg (03)Nissan Primera hatch SE .
Many thanks Read more
I have contacted them but they have none :(
Browse
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DD,
I only occasionally cart my drums about in the car (we normally use a big van), but I've always had a fiesta (you can fit a whole kit and more just in the back with the seats down - amazing). It's a good thought, but I'd rather something a little more conventional, I think.
The more I think about it the more sense a primera makes good sense - 4 stars from ncap, and a huge great boot.
Thanks for the help,
Richard