February 2004
Hi There, I am currently researching Mercedes Benz for a university dissertation.
Does anybody know what new vehicles are coming in 2004 or beyond?
Many thanks
BCZ Read more
I recently purchased an engine from (Deleted) Spares and had it delivered to my garage for fitting.I have a Mondeo in good condition,one owner,and want to keep it.
The mechanic phoned me and said to come and see the engine,as it was not in good condtion and he would not fit it to the car.I went and looked at the engine,and it was damaged with about 15-20 hammer marks on the pulley and other places.I agreed it was not to be fitted.
I phoned (Deleted) Spares,and they said they would send a replacement.This was two weeks ago! I have phoned them,and I was so fed up,that I cancelled the order for the replacement engine,and asked for a refund.
They have not given a refund,and I have phoned them at least a dozen times,but without success.They said they would collect the engine and then give a refund,and said they would collect it on Friday last.They have not and are giving me the run around.
How can I get a refund,---and has anyone had any dealing with this company? Read more
You have indeed misinterpreted my comment, but no harm done.
It was just that DVD seems to know the right answer to every question, right down to quoting all relevant legal sections!
Now I understand why!
My 1998 Audi A6 2.5 TDi has over 150,000 miles and is getting to the point where I think I've had my money's worth from the original glow plugs.
I have been quoted over £200 by a (non-franchise) garage to change all 6 glow plugs. This sounds like a lot of money what I thought was quite a simple job involving cheap parts.
What is 'reasonable' for this type of job? Read more
Seems a lot to me as well. You have certainly had your moneys worth out of those but if the car starts easy and doesn't miss-fire on start up, then forget it. If you can get at them, they are easy to test without taking them out. If you want to know how let me know.
For several years I have used Michelin "Energy" tyres on my 405 and Punto. They closed the only remaining UK factory, so I decided to swop my allegiance at the next tyre change.
About a month ago the local garage did a good deal on Goodyear, so I had a couple of GT2s fitted to the front of the 405.
The car immediately felt very "twitchy" (the steering got lighter and it felt as if you were driving in a crosswind), as if the tyres had been inflated too high or the tracking was out. I have had both checked as correct. I am aware that new tyres will make the steering feel lighter usually, but not "twitchy"
Could be the rear, I know, but the problems came on immediately after the tyres were changed.
Has anyone a similar experience with these tyres
Oh yes. I bought Goodyear on the assumption if not UK-made, then at least in Europe. They have reduced the UK factory last week, and when I checked the GT2s were made in Turkey
Read more
The GT2 is quite an old tyre design now, but it used to be considered one of the best T-rated tyres about 5-6 years ago.
It's also the tyre that allowed the Merc A-class to roll over too easily when first launched, until they altered the suspension and used a less grippy tyre.
Some tyres are bound to suit some cars less than others, and unfortunately, it seems the only way to find out is to buy them.
As for the country of manufacture, I have had most made in Germany, and one (of the same model) made in Indonesia, it turned out the Indonedian one was a grey import from the US.
Taken from thread \"Pierburg Carb\"
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=8799
the engine runs fine. After covering a couple of miles, it
will start to misfire, gradually getting worse until it cuts out.
After a couple of minutes, the engine will start again and
run for maybe 2 to 20 minutes before cutting out again
Exactly the same problem here,on a Golf Driver,G reg,1.6,but with one difference,mine ONLY does it in cold or wet weather,its fine in the summer,any ideas?I`m about to start checking the stuff in Andrew Moorey`s very helpfull piece on carb icing,(23 nov,02).
Also,I`ve recently noticed that the vacuum reservoir has no pipes whatsoever coming to or from it..could this affect the cars performance?? Read more
The Mk2 1.6CL does have a inlet manifold hedgehog plus an internal carb. electric heater.
Had a test drive yesterday. Fine machine: very capable chassis, meaty steering (maybe a little lacking in feel), great brakes, great seats, rock-solid build. Engine (surprisingly, to me, though I'm a VTEC virgin) flexible. Gorgeous looks, of course.
The only negative was what I took to be road noise, a background presence that was always there. Curiously it didn't change with speed, or vary that much with road surface. In fact it was most noticeable in town at under 30 mph. Don't think I could live with it.
Sum up: great car, great value. Cooper S with works conversion on balance a better proposition - it's more refined.
But I wouldn't make a final decision without driving both again. Read more
I bought a Type-R five months ago and love it. Yes, there is some road noise, though either this diminished slightly as the tyres became used, or I just grew used to it. Anyway, it doesn't bother me now. You do need to turn the radio up load to hear it on the motorway though.
Haven't driven the Works Mini, so can't comment. However, with the Civic you're getting a proper sized hatchback for £16k (with the aircon option, through a broker), whereas the Mini is £18k and a bit small. Depends on your main requirements.
Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability.
Plod has been warning kids recently not to use their silent, battery powered scooters in public, either on the road or pavement. This is due to their "motorised" status, which would therefore require a licence, etc. etc.
Has the country gone mad? Why is it legal for kids to ride their pedal-powered bikes at up to 30mph, with no licence, insurance or anything, but illegal to ride a 10mph top speed puny electric scooter? And why aren't the following illegal, as they could also be hazardous:
Joggers
Horses
OAP electric buggies
I don't see any distiction at all between kids electric scooters and OAP buggiesin particular.
What would be the best way to distinguish between those methods of transport requiring a licence and insurance and those that don't. Perhaps top speed? Maximum power output?
Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability. Read more
I spent a very embarassing afternoon in Casualty last year after my foot got run over by a granny-buggy travelling at high speed. It bounced over my foot leaving me with a very sore set of toes. Painful, but the old lady was distraught, so I didn't take it any further. Got a few laughs in college though! It was partly my fault for walking on the pavement, I suppose, but....
Thinking back, I should have told the Daily Mail, they'd have a right go about little old ladies on a rampage.
The Yellow (Engine) Warning Light on my Rover 600 Diesel flicks on and off accompanied by loss of powere and almost cutting out then recovers. According to handbook this warning light indicates a problem with engine emissins. Incidentally this only started to happen after a drive through wash but that ma b coincidence ? becuse its getting worse after a week. Any suggestions? Read more
Good tough reliable engines, these L-series diesels. Bit noisy compared to the latest common rail diesels but very fast and economical.
Tony Martin the Norfolk farmer recently released from prison after shooting an intruder in his home was questioned by police on Friday for eight hours about some number plates found in his car. What could be illegal about those plates that would interest the police? It is early days yet and we don't know all the details but I wonder in what circumstances the police found them. Read more
Yep, this thread is remaining write locked.
One of our cars, an elderly Volvo 760, needs its front tyres pumped up every fortnight. Pressure drops from the set 28psi to around 15psi. Both tyres are quite new. I have had the valves replaced and this has not changed things. The car has alloy wheels - could these be causing the problem if they are corroding on the rim? The rear tyres which are the same age and make don\'t lose any air at all. Read more
Cliff,
I think the supply of inner tubes must have been the tyre fitters' idea. Michelin would never condone this because fitting inner tubes loses the 'slow deflation' benefit of tubeless tyres. When a tubed tyre gets a nail in it, it will normally lose its air very quickly and that can cause the vehicle to go out of control. It's a bad idea and the tyre fitters should have known better!
Yes, I've seen your Triumph post and given it a bit of a contentious reply, all in the interest of lively discussion!
Yours Triumphantly,
Dizzy.
Browse
"Car" Magazine (Feb 04) had an item on upcoming Mercs.
It's been replaced by the March issue now, but tracking-down a copy shouldn't be too hard.