I have recently bought a Mk3 Golf 1.8CL complete with dented door but almost complete VW service history and 100K on the clock which seems to have a rattle thats either developed or i've just noticed. There also now seems to be more vibration on the accelerator pedal at motorway speeds now than there was. On startup from cold there's a brief rattly / knocky noise that's reminiscent of an old Triumph Vitesse i had with a shot bottom end. This settles down to a bit of a rattly clatter (which you can't hear in the car). It only seems to make the knocky noise on startup (but still rattles when warm), from cold which seems strange (if it was the bottom end), as i would have thought it would be more pronounced when warm (thin oil). I'm thinking of taking the sump off if it's accessable and seeing if there is a big end with more movement than the others. Am i barking up the wrong tree, if not is there any mileage in just changing the bearing shells rather than having the crank reground etc?

Any ideas? Read more

Father in law has a Volvo S70 2.0 (think its a 10v). has 93,000 miles - 98/S Plate. Dark Blue, aircon etc. Great condition.

He's had it up for £4000 but cant sell it for love nor money. What will he have to do to sell it, without completely losing the plot money wise? How much do you guys think its worth? Read more

The amount of clutter alongside the roads in towns waiting to become the "immovable object" in the case of a minor accident or error resulting in a vehicle leaving the road is becoming ridiculous.
There are lamp posts, telegraph poles, electricity poles, trees and road signs sometimes on average about every ten yards, including many which are redundant and have been chopped off at waist or head height and just left there, often for years.
Can't waiting restriction signs go on a lamp post like they used to? (and why do they always face the road - if you are parked next to them you can't read them through the roof of the car and if you aren't parked next to them you have to stand in the road to read them?)
Must every sign have its own pole?
Must lamp posts be on the kerbside rather than at the back of the pavement with a slightly longer head?
If you are looking for ways to make the roads safer (and less unsightly) much could be done with a little thought. Read more

Is there something wrong with the Autotrader link? The drop down boxes just remain blank. Read more

Will they throw the book at him?

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of former Formula One driver Eddie Irvine, after he was caught speeding on a scooter with no licence and no insurance, court officials have said.

The 38-year-old was arrested by police in London on July 24 this year for driving at over 30mph on a scooter through the city's Hyde Park, with no scooter licence and no insurance.

The former Jordan and Ferrari racing driver, who won four Grand Prix in Formula One, was charged with excess speed, no insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with licence.

The facts were proved in his absence at a court hearing last month and he was due to appear before Bow Street Magistrates on Wednesday for sentencing but failed to attend.

When the court heard there was no contact from the racing driver a warrant with bail was issued for his arrest.
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