February 2004
First 4 versions of the Golf were a commercial success so we have the Golf MkV. This car bears little resemblance to the Golf Mk1 other than its VW's model in that sector of the market.
The same could be said about the Toyota Corolla - the latest version being completely different to its predecessor.
On the other hand, had the last version of the Ford Escort been a commercial success would the Ford Focus have seen the light of day? The same could be said about the Fiat Uno/Punto, Cavalier/Vectra and many others.
We then have models named after previously successful models eg Mini, Rover 75 etc.
Obviously the decision to change, retain or re-introduce the model name is a marketing decision; but are the motoring public gullible enough to buy, or not, simply by the name on the boot?
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Did anyone watch this program on ITV tonight? The appalling quality of some of these drivers is such that they will still be dangerous even if they do pass their test.
The lady called Sue will NEVER reach a decent standard of driving - she has no understanding of roundabouts or other drivers. If she passes her test it will be indicative of how we let dangerous drivers onto our roads.
Mind you, it's easy to see where these appalling drivers on the roads come from.... Read more
Hi CM, well she hasn't tried one yet but she did manage to spin the Felicia's wheels going up the hill a couple of weeks ago and I've never been able to do anything like that :)
Lots going on so I'll drop you an e.mail later this week.
It is possible that some wheels from one brand of car will fit another brand of car.
Question is, is there a website out there showing which wheels are compatible with which cars or cars that have the same stud dimensions?.
Regards Mal. Read more
There are definately some which are multi-brand. I'd expect the VW Sharan and the Ford Galaxy for example.
I'd recommend doing a google using 'PCD' and 'Offset' in your search terms.
Couple of weeks ago, driving Gloucester towards Cirencester along a bit of single carriageway. Filthy weather - windy, raining, still early morning, not properly light. Queue of stationary traffic coming (or rather not coming) in the opposite direction. Lots of dazzling headlights reflecting off wet road.
And lo, sitting in the middle of the road, as though they owned it, headlights blending in with the cars', were 4 motorcyclists, sitting ON the white line, right legs on the tarmac in the lane coming the other way. My lane.
Daft!
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I was going to add another purpose to the long list of the many uses for brake fluid but I won't....
A colleague of mine is looking for a Corrado Storm. There is one in Autotrader,
tinyurl.com/33ojr
it mentions a \"alcohol system\". He rang the owner who said it was a performance system from the states.
Has anyone heard about this and what exactly is it? Read more
I would search long and hard for a completely unmodified Corrado Storm with one or two careful middleaged drivers who kept up a FVWSH and preferably garaged it. It will take some finding but if found will be depreciation free and as good car. Any modified Corrado is one to avoid.
since taking delivery last year of new 03 reg noticed that 'last' door closes with a 'clunck' (like a seat!), not with a tight 'thump' for which a vw golf has/had? a reputation. and which my old mk iv s98 reg did.
also 'schwish' noice of cars passing in opposite direction in my view definitely louder than in old car. as if a window not closed properly.
my guess is door frame and/or window at drivers seat not tight, but vw main dealer unable find fault or do anything, "as water is not entering cabin"!
anybody with similar experience / known remedy, please ??
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I had a similar thing on my S Reg.
I could hear the passing air through the front offside door. I thought that the dealer would think that I was being too pedantic. He said, however, that he knew exactly what it was and would fix it. When I picked it up he told me that it was sorted so I drove off. The noise was exactly the same and was still there when I part-exed it.
Just found the front caliper has seized on my Megane (1.6 8b 1998 ABS) which has rather worn down the pads a lot. Looks like I'll have to replace the caliper, is there anything I should look out when doing this job as it has ABS? I've done a caliper replacement on non-ABS cars before without any trouble.
Not really sure why it decided to seize up, its not like its particulary old. I managed to wind the piston back in with a G-clamp, but it did feel stiffer than I would expect.
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Its absolutely identical, which is nice. I also had a quick look on EurocarParts website and searched for a Megane caliper and it listed 205/309 versions under some Megane models, so that shows the commonality between the parts. I don't think manufacturers like to admit some parts are common between other manufacturers, to keep the spares prices high and not to admit using parts 10 years older than the car.
I would have expected some pulling I suppose, but didn't really notice it, probably not helped by my front wheels needing balancing which may have masked some symptons. I was getting squeaking sounds which were brake dependent which did make me curious. I think the seizure didn't force the brakes on very hard, just enough to get them wearing down. I changed the pads about 2-3000 miles before, and the other side were only 1mm or so down, but can't be sure when the seizure started. The previous pads were evenly worn on the both sides, and obviously quite low hence the need to change them then, so the caliper wasn't seized back then.
Had a fright in my Citroen Synergie yesterday. The oil pressure light came on at some traffic lights after a blast down the A1. It went off as soon as revs increased to 2000 or so. Lifting the bonnet showed fresh oil streaming down the front of the engine apparenty from the oil pressure switch. I've replaced the switch (and topped up the oil) because I could see oil seeping out next to the single contact on the switch body with the connector off and the engine running. Now, I've had oil pressure switches fail before on Citroen CXs but I've never heard of them failing on an XUD engine. This is confirmed by the local Citroen dealer who hasn't heard of a failure either and the parts wizard doesn't keep them in stock. Anyone out there care to comment?
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land Read more
Sounds like a simple switch unit failure to me.
Replace it and relax, it'll be fine.
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
Can anyone explain why coolant is flowing into the expansion bottle on my Rascal van when the coolant is hot, as it should, but is not being drawn back into the radiator as the engine cools.
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Is it filling up and losing water from cap?.Or is the coolant level remaining the same.?
i own a 1998 audi A6 1.T. the handbook recommends castrol SLX which is about £38 in halfords. would people reccommend using castrol magnetec but change it every 5000 miles (inc filter). surley its better to change the oil more often - though th guy uin halfords said i can only use castrol SLX - i wonder if his on commission?!
your advice would be appreciated
thanks Read more
Even VAG admit that "Using ordinary high quality multigrade oil will not cause any engine damage", and all the "new technology" boils down to is the availability of oils that can withstand longer service intervals.
I stick to my belief that a reasonable quality oil (and filter) changed frequently is better for an engine than a very expensive oil left in for a long time.
Browse
Of course we are gullible,that is why the marketing people will change the names to 'suit'different markets or keep the same name for a product that is totally different from the one that it replaces.Remember,marketing people are very important and clever than we are.