February 2004
I would appreciate any advice or recommendations on a decent second hand 7-seater about the £4-7k bracket. Majority of time I only need 5 seats with PLENTY of storage/luggage space, occasionally 7/8 seats but luggage space not an issue then. So I was thinking that most small people carriers are out, and maybe an estate is best option. I'd prefer a diesel, but petrol would be ok if mpg was good. Inclined towards Peugeot 406 Estate or maybe even a Land Rover Discovery. Is there anything else I could or should consider??
I'd appreciate suggestions for others I should consider or views of Peugeot and Disco Read more
While out for a walk this morning I couldn't help noticing a scooby drive past and thought it sounded quite nice. This got me wondering why V8's and to a lesser extent V6's soounds so appealing.
There must be a scientific explanation somewhere why an offbeat V8 burble sounds pleasing. Something to do with odd and even harmonics perhaps...? Read more
Not even sure what's under the bonnet but I was mightily impressed by the sound of the Skyline that exited the roundabout behind me yesterday and rapidly disappeared, despite my efforts to stay within earshot.
First one I've seen OTR.
I have a 1993 Metro (K series) and I notice that changing the gearbox oil is not mentioned in the service schedule. I have checked the level a few times and oil that dribbles out is nice and clean. When I checked with a Rover dealer, I was told that the oil is no longer changed throughout the live of the car! Read more
I have always been keen on changing gearbox oil, especially on older cars. The cost of the oil is £5-10, while a failed gearbox is £500? often more than the car is worth. With older cars the secret is over maintanance of servicing. Plus who wants to live with a difficult gearchange. Same on automatics. Changing the oil is easy and cheap.
Oil Consumption on motorbike
I have a motorbike/ scooter with a 125cc 4 stroke engine and it seems to use some oil. In town, it uses none whilst on longer 70 miles + journeys of higher speeds (50-60mph) it can use a little oil (perhaps less than a quarter on the small dip stick between the low and max marks).
The bike has been serviced from new with oil changes every 1000-2000 miles. It only has 17000 miles on the clock. I did once overfill the oil a little and rode for 100 miles after which I drained it. Could this be the cause?
My question is: is it normal, how can I stop this and should I worry about it?
Thoughts appreciated.
Greg
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My 750 uses approximately 1 litre per 1,000 miles, I have to top it up twice a week. In general, there's no obvious smoke from the exhaust, but the back of the bike has a nicotine-like stain on the seat unit and the tailend of the exhaust. My other bike, 1,000cc I've only had to top up once in over four years, and that was only because the oil light comes on if it isn't over the maximum in the sight glass. I wouldn't worry unless/until it gets worse.
Police vehicles ?visibility I brought this subject up before. I am looking for a place in the Sussex area where they can supply, design and apply the day glow stickers that you see on police vehicles. I am aware that Viscount International (341 CHIGWELL ROAD, Essex) can do this, but is a bit of a trip for me (almost 200 miles both ways); I hope someone can help me. Many thanks
email address removed at poster's request Read more
slightly tangential...
In this (last?) weeks Autocar there was a picture of a Lancer Evo VIII (?) belonging to the Norfolk Constabulary which has the full batenburg livery for the front half of the car and a bog standard red paint job on the rear half.
If your approaching it from the rear the only visual clues where the roof lights, which were quite low profile compared to usual.
Some poor guys going to get a nasty surprise soon... :-)
Chad.
currently on my third subaru, a 2.0 litre estate, MY97 with 82k miles and full history. Within the past few days a rear end whine has developed, noticeable over 40mph. The rear axle is covered in oil, but not dropping any on my drive, so this condition could have existed for a while. Is the noise cause for serious concern, especially if transmission related? the car runs fine, but better safe than sorry. Any ideas please on what I should check out?
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Have you checked the diff oil level and was the oil changed at 60k? Even with FSH this is the sort of thing that is skipped.
I have to replace two front tyres on a 1998 Mondeo 1.8LX.
I have been recommended Goodyear Eagle NCT 5 tyres by a Ford Main Dealer.
I have not used Goodyear tyres previously so would appreciate any positive/negative feedback from people who have used them.
Cheers.
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I understand a Focus is very different from a Mondeo but I'm sure my Dad's saloon has Pirelli P6000's on it. The car handles...amazingly to be honest.
Hope this helps
Adam.
--
"Ah...beer - my only weakness - my achilles heel if you will"
Hi all
I thought someone might find this useful.
There will be a free emissions test tomorrow (Thursday 26th February) between 10am and 3pm. The venue is ASDA car park near the Trafford Centre. Its an informal day, so if you fail, you won't be fined, just given a leaflet advising you to get your car looked at by a mechanic.
www.cleanervehicles.org.uk/
Thanks
Jonathan Read more
Hi a change of pla has seen me abandon plans to tour europe in an old ZX.
So im after a hyundai Accent New shape/Old face if that makes sense?
Preferably 51 plate 1.3si, even the auto if its cheap enough. got around £3 grand maybe more at a push for the new diesel 1.5.
Questions...
1. where's best to buy it from, theres a few in the auto trader but are they common in auctions? I havent seen one over the last 2 months at bell vue?
2. i heard there is big clutch and gear box problems with V/Y and a few 51 plate models - where some owners had this rectified due to a design fault under warranty, others haven't - how do i physically check it out without waiting for it to break?
3. Are there any other known common faults to look out for?
4. What sort of price should i pay for a mid-milage 51 plate?
5. is the kia rio the exact same under-pinnings as the accent or is it the shuma II? Read more
You are right they did have quite a few gearbox & clutch problems(known design flaw), most have been replaced apparently.
They have a few owner comments over at www.parkers.co.uk
Hope someone can help...
Have a '95 Cavalier 2.0i (Ecotec Engine) and have had the engine management light come on occasionally. Read the fault code (paper clip solution), and the code is number 92. According to my 'script', this means:
"Camshaft sensor - Incorrect Signal"
Have not a clue what this means. The light only comes on at start up, and if you let the engine run for a minute (literally) and then turn off and turn back on again, the engine managment light does not come back on....
Car appears fine - doing 40mpg, running smoothly, oil clean....
Two thoughts - either the sensor is faulty (if so, how accesible is it....). If there is a problem at the camshaft, what should I do.
Thanks in advance
Jono Read more
.......and check cambelt tension - loose belt can generate same code !
Regards, Adam
pp Andrew !
Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble.
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We used to have a Montego estate with the rear facing seats similar to the Laguna. However after seing one in the scrapyard which had been rear ended I never let anyone sit with their legs there in the crumple zone.