February 2004
Seleco SVT150 projector tv.no idea of age but anyone know where I can get a user manual for one.Cant find one anywhere tried man/site no joy.it isnt mine but a mate has just bought one which was fully working when bought but knocked it so the focus/tuning has to be done.
Thanks for any help. Read more
Can I expect to lose out substantially in depreciation if I buy an imported new model UK spec Audi A3 (2.0 FSI Sport) over a UK car? Am I right in thinking the 2 year pan-Euro warranty commences from the day the car was pre-registered?
Thanks Read more
I ordered an Audi A3 2.0TDI Sport before Xmas (delivery is 1st of March) from my local dealer, with a lot of effort and bargaining (playing the I'm a poor student etc cards) I negotiated 3% off list price for the car including the options I wanted (metallic, mats, no smoking) and also got an extra £900 on the trade in of my S-Reg Golf TDI Auto. I did find one Audi dealer who was not helpful but the newly opened local appears to be very good. Broadspeed did offer the A3 for some £1000 less than I paid in the end, but I didn't fancy the risk on the car not being what I ordered etc. I didn't seriously consider the importing route since the lowest price I could find was within £500 of the price I had negotiated including the increased Part Ex.
Chris
I've been using GTX Magnatec for some time now, in both a Yaris and Primera P12. I'm happy with the oil, just what do you all think ? I am servicing both vehicles myself now, and tend to change oil every six months. Have used Mobil 1 before, but some time ago in a different car ! I assume Magnatec is a semi synthetic. Read more
Been using Magnatec for a long time now on two low tech engines, a Pug 309 and an Audi Coupe. Both are high milers, both have clean internals, neither uses any oil. Don't want the extra cost and risk of seepage that synthetics may cause and these engines don't need better than Magnatec anyway. IIRC I was impressed by the Magnatec claims about protection on initial start up because surfaces remained coated.
I've just seen a new Castrol Magnatec for >75000 mile engines, says something like it restores the seals that may be past their best, quess it's some kind of rubber lubricant for valve stem seals etc.
Saw something interesting on my way home tonight. I noticed a way back that a car with blue headlights seemed to be flashing his lights all the time. As the car went past (slowly) I noticed that it was a BMW with the projector style headlights, as he came up behind the car in front (daul carrigeway) it moved over quite quickly - I guess thinking that it was an agressive driver wanting to get past. Every tiny bump in the road seemed to cause the lights to flash, I have an audi with these style headlights and I'm sure mine don't flash like that.
Is this a new feature for BM's - automatic flashing blue lights? Read more
Vauxhall have brought some new headlamp features, one of which is reminiscent of the old Citroen DS (?) feature where the headlamps point in the same direction as the steering.
There are two or three differnt functions, worth a look if you're bored www.vauxhall.com/features/afl/index.jhtml
PP
Been reading the backroom for ages. Excellent information and conversations but never have I posted as the knowledge of others exceeds mine greatly.
Anyway....
I paid the congestion charge by internet last Friday (the 13th!) and drove through the zone thinking nothing of it and feeling good that I had remembered to pay in advance for a change. Only I typed the registration incorrectly on the internet form and paid for T121 instead of T212.
I received both the PCN and the receipt in the post today. I spoke to the call centre staff but they were useless, as expected. They even told me to pay and then ask for my money back to avoid getting the fine "upgraded"! Can't see that happening.
Anyway the question is whether making a typo is good grounds for appeal and what you think my chances are? I am appealing anyway as I feel it is against natural justice to fine me. After all it is only money!
Andrew Read more
And the good news is... I was let off !! The nice letter says that I should be more careful typing (true) and they even apologised for the inconvenience (not sure why as it was my fault).
Most entertainingly they warn me that I can't use this excuse later so I must watch the keys. Funnily enough I remember the first insurance certificate for this car was wrong with T121 instead of T212. Had to get that changed so I know I am not the only one.
Thanks for the moral support.
Andrew
Would appreciate any advice on the new VW 1.6 FSi engine, particularly is it cambelt or chain. There seems to be a move towards more chains for longevity. I'm looking at the Touran and thinking of the long term. So, any comments from buyers would be useful, HJ's report gives it good write up.
Does anyone know of an Internet site other than this one, that contains this sort of technical information?
Read more
The 1.6FSI is basically a derivative of the 1.6 unit found in Golf IV/Seat Leon. 1598cc, 16v, alu head and block. That engine has belt driven camshafts so wouldn't be too surprised to find the FSI version has also. Might be wrong though....
I have an 1994 Omega 2.5 V6 which has the following problem.
The engine is down on power, there are no fault codes from computer, there is a small rubber pipe that keeps melting/exploding. This pipe is part of the secondary air injection system. The pipe connects the nearside bank of cyclinders to the centre pipe.
Any ideas? Read more
Thanks for the info.
The pipe in question is the manifold side of the non return valve it connects two copper pipes, but I will check it just in case.
It seems like too much exhaust gas or pressure is going along it.It's fine on tick over but when I take it out for a test drive if the engine gets any where near top revs it blows!
Strange
I need some guidance!
I'm considering changing my 1999 Focus 2.0 Ghia hatch, which I've owned for nearly 3 years, for something a bit bigger as the missus and I are planning on going for child no.2 in the very near future..
I'm not interested in estates, MPVs, 4x4s, or anything French (nothing against the nationality just don't trust the build quality), and prefer my cars to lean more toward sporty handling than cushy ride.
I originally considered getting a year-or-so old Mondeo or similar, but I'm now enthralled with the idea of getting something a bit more special, in particular the 2000> BMW 520i (2.2) SE manual, which is the revised E39 with the "halo" effect headlights.
What I'm somewhat afraid of though is that I'd be condeming myself to 3 years (the minimum time I intend to keep it) of large bills. To get one of these within my budget I'm looking at cars with 65k + miles under their wheels.
Any thoughts or suggestions welcome! Read more
Ok I'll come clean - I chose them, and the missus was quite keen too! :o)
Does the new automatic fine system kick in one second after midnight at the end of a month, or do we still get some "grace" time, I am a bit confused.Thanks
John Read more
John,
Mentioned in the following thread:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=18864
Also details here:-
www.dvla.gov.uk/newrules/car_tax.htm
Over at austinrover.mg-rover.org/ (go to the news flash 18 Feb 04), they say that a Letter of Intent has been signed between Proton and Rover for potential collaborations.
As Proton are working on a few new models at the moment(some look very good), it might be the partner they are after ? Read more
i hope it works out.
would be nice to have a small rover with the reliability only far-eastern groups seem to bring.
hope proton release a new Wira soon, the current model my friends company where going to purchase 8 as a sort of mini fleet, they had a great bargain and just before the deal was about to be sorted out - her company must have looked at the insurance group and the order was cancelled. apparently they are just awful with poor locks, doors, immobiliser.
Browse
.jpg)
The device keo-the-dog is referring to is a Martindale tester. About £10.00 from B&Q - Plug it into any socket and the lights indicate the status of the supply. Can't go wrong with it.