October 2003
The luxury version of the Jaguar XK8 is marketed as "Vanden Plas" over in the U.S. I had to verify this as I didn't believe it myself. I wonder if it comes with veneered picnic tables in the seat backs?! Funnily enough they've not used the VP moniker in the UK... Read more
I'm up to buy a new Mondeo diesel.
I'll be doing 30k miles per year, mostly motorway, and I'm debating either the 115bhp or 130bhp dci unit is best.
Ford are currently offering 2.5k off the 2003 model year Ghia, in effect old shape, plus any dealer discount.
Has anyone got any advice on which engine to go for and if there is a great difference between the 2003/2004 model apart from cosmetic changes and a few more extras.
Thanks
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Was driving up the A1(M) on saturday just south of Peterborough, making good progress, when the matrix signs said, 'work force in road slow' started to slow down. Then hit traffic that was almost at a dead stop, after probably 10 metres it was a dead stop. Sat there for at least 45 minutes with nobody moving. People were getting out walking up the road, there were a few picnics at the central reservation and embankment. Then suddenly we saw people running back to there cars then we all started moving again.
The hold up was due to merging 4 lanes to 1, then onto the hardshoulder, once we started moving it didnt take long to get through so i'm not sure why it was held up like that for so long. Read more
I bet nobody did a Michael Stipe and wandered off into Peterborough though......
Interesting tale from the weekend. My brother, who lives in the South of England, watched the rugby twixt England and SA, then was on his way to Fratton Park to watch Portsmouth face Liverpool. He was stopped by Plod, and sat for a few seconds thinking "What did I do wrong?".
Plod walks up, says "Sorry to stop you, but I see you are wearing an England rugby jersey. What was the score, please?" Read more
Also many years ago while a young lad in the Army I was out with 3 mates on a Wednesday afternoon heading for the pictures when I was pulled.
The copper wanted to know why he regularly saw several cars containing young blokes with short hair, obviously squaddies, out and about on Wednesday afternoons. Well, it's sports afternoon isn't it? Everyone knows that!
Thank you to the tax payers for my Wednesday afternoons off.
In the supermarket yesterday I bought the Sunday Mail, in which was a full-page article by Kate Hoey, focusing on the recklessness and arrogance of some cyclists. As if to prove the point, as I was walking home I was approached by a cyclist on the pavement travelling faster than the road traffic. This apparent adult, well into his 30s, bounced off the pavement and into the road -- against the traffic -- in order to avoid me and then swerved back onto the pavement between parked cars to join a stretch so narrow that it is difficult for pedestrians to pass each other, let alone to accommodate stray road traffic. Of course, he was absolutely safe because he had one of those faintly comical helmets on.
I've seen so much of this that I am inclined to agree with the headline on the article: "The real menace on Britain's roads are [sic] selfish, aggressive, law-breaking and infuriatingly smug Lycra louts". What do these people think they are doing? Read more
One of my earliest momories was whan i was 5 or 6 and went to the sweet shop (they had them in those days) with my mum.
The three small shops are set way way back from the road with a paved area in front and the road is wide but comes to a dead end and large parking area.
I had got my 10p mix and stepped outside the shop and was promply knocked flat on my face by a push bike. i only had my ballet clothes on and a tutu does not offer much protection i can tell you!!!
After the tears had stopped...... the cyclist picked himself and his bike up and walked home. My mum had given him a right telling off i can tell you!!! I was cut and brusied but im pretty sure the guy learnt his lesson! As a little kid i always rode on the pavement, as i big kid i ride in the road. I try think about other people when i am cycling or driving, be the other people on bikes, horses, walking frames, cars, vans lorries or buses. If everyone did the same we\'d all be alright!
I've presently got a 98 s Xantia diesel with almost 110k. I need the car for regular 150 mile round trips to work.
It could do with new spheres fairly soon and possibly a cambelt- I know the scheduled interval is 72k but I've read that the 2nd change should be sooner at around 36k to replace the tensioner. All in this is going to cost a few £100.
I am considering getting rid now and using the proceeds plus the money I'd need to spend on maintenance and a little more on a newer model HDI.
I could spend the money on my current car but I'm conscious that any major component failure like a head gasket or gearbox could write the car off financially.
What are backroomers thoughts? Read more
Agree with above.
98 is still young for a car and 110K is not excessive these days.
It sounds like you've maintained a good service history whilst you've had it and, as MM says, you should use a GOOD independent specialist.
FWIW, I recently sold an L Reg Xantia that had been well looked after. Just before I sold it I changed the accumulator sphere and paid £30 for it. However, you can get them even cheaper than that from Andyspares (part of GSF). According to my local cit specialist it's 15 mins work to change it. It took me longer because I don't have access to a ramp.
Hugo
Is there a good garage anyone can recommend in E14 in London? (Limehouse/Commercial Road/Popular area)
My CV gaiter has disintegrated on the motorway run back to London tonight and there is now grease everywhere (in the wheel arch, on the tyres and front wing). I do not have time to fix it and I do not fancy driving it back to my usual garage in Cambridge. Unfortunately I do not know the area as I have only moved in a few weeks ago.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks,
Garrison Read more
Yes I have but they are all far away from central London. I am looking at somewhere close to tubes/DLR in Zone 1/2 so I can get to work after dropping the car down in the morning. I live off Commercial Road and I work at London Bridge
Currently my QX is without a CV gaiter and grease at the n/s front.
I have a 1998 V40 1.9TD.
When accelerating, there's a delay between accelarator pressing and car effective acceleration. After this delay the car has a good acceleration.
This is a bit annoying when changing gear. For example when changing from 2 gear to 3 gear, the car slows down a little and then starts to accelerate after 2 or 3 seconds. The driving is not very smooth.
Nothing more seems to be wrong, the engine not having strange noises and have a good top speed.
What can be wrong? How can I fix it?
Thanks Read more
I\'ve added this thread as there are a few links to ferry sites and info on cross-channel shopping. ND
This ties in with the HM Customs thread below.
I have not visited the Calais supermarkets but friends tell me that the savings are not huge compared to UK Cash and Carry stores. The prices quoted in the newspapers today seem to confirm that. To make the savings seem bigger they quote \'UK High Street\' prices which are much higher than I have ever seen - let alone paid.
Assuming that you are a non smoker, and not intending to bring in tobacco products for resale, just how much saving do you make on a car load of booze?
When you have to offset any savings with travel costs, plus spending a day on a ferry and shopping(nightmare) is it worth it?
Those are questions - not statements.
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Windscreen wipers (sad aren't I, but I have a thing about
replacing them regularly to reduce judder & smear) pair for Clio
8.38, for 106 GTi 12, for Berlingo 15 ( prices in
Euros). The 106 price for a pair compares to £12.99 for
just the driver's side wiper in Halfords.
I've just paid £18 for 3 blades for the Grand Cherokee at ATS Auto factors - I reckon that compares well with the French price but I'll check them out like for like next week when I go myself. Hopefully the pound will continue to strengthen against the Euro with all this talk of interest rates going up (it's an ill wind.....)
Phil, you didn't mention oil - that's been a good saver recently. So has washing powder, so much so they're stocking it on the ferries now. Basically most things are better value than in rip-off Britain but if you don't have any vices maybe not by enough to make a day/short trip worthwhile unless, as you say, you want a decent meal out and a bit of a change of scene.
Terry
My daughter is TRYING to purchase a Mini One from a BMW agent, but she has had to do ALL the chasing. Any one else had similar problems with BMW/Mini franchise????
Their main interest appears to be BMW Corporate and a mini sale is of little interest - trying to find an email address so we can deal with BMW HQ direct any one out there have a contact???
K2 Read more
Before Mrs Vansboy decided on her Mx5, we visited the Mini/BMW dealership in Stevenage.
The all female sales staff were VERY clued up on their product & most helpful.Lots of brochures & open cars. No silly, long delays, if you wanted one, either.
Contrast this to the inter-connected BMW showroom, un-attentive salesMEN, not really interested in letting us loose on any of their, row upon row, of silver cars!
Even the service customers sitting silently drinking complimentary coffee & watching the giant plasma screen tv, looked miserable.
Probably just thinking of how hard the credit card was going to be hit!!
VB
Browse
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Find info detailed below - Ford are unbelievably strict with this. A car can ONLY be purchased in the name of one of the people below and Ford will often ask for proof of the relationship if it is not a direct/same address relative. Employees have been sacked for abusing this and pensioners will lose any entitlement to this scheme likewise if they abuse it. Your friend's grandad would be the one in the wrong and personally I'd say don't bother.
Eligibility
You are immediately enrolled as a member of the Ford Privilege scheme as an employee of the Company. If you are a retired employee of the Company, or a surviving spouse in receipt of a 'Ford' pension, you also qualify.
You may, in addition, nominate qualifying relatives to benefit from Ford Privilege. Qualifying relatives are defined as people who have the following relationship with you:
Wife Brother Father
Husband Sister Mother
Son Brother in Law Father in Law
Daughter Son in Law Sister in Law
Mother in Law Daughter in Law Step Sister
Grandmother Grandson Step Brother
Grandfather Granddaughter Step Mother
Step Son Step Father Step Daughter
Niece Nephew