March 2004
I suppose this fuel is intended to rival Shell Optimax.
Filled up the other day with BP Ultimate diesel and noted that it was 6p a litre dearer than my usual Total. Only did it because we do not have the BP or Shell round our way.
It better be good - a big improvement in mpg is needed to make it pay.
Only obvious change is a bit livelier acceleration up hills. The instantaneous/cumulative mpg readings do not seem to show a vast improvement so far.
Anyone used it with real results? Read more
Well, on Friday night the hardtop came off the cabrio for the first time, and today I went out for a pleasant lunchtime drive.
As the temperature outside was at least 8C it seemed ideally suited to my first drive with the roof down - apologies for any typing errors but my fingers are still warming up again!
Which made me wonder - what is the coldest that anyone has seen a cabrio with the top down? And the coldest that any of us have actually driven one? Read more
Actually saw a half-sensible personal plate on a rag top this week - L1D UP
Now the Mondewoe is going we have decided that we will probably go PCP for the replacement. Has anyone any experience of this with the car leasing companies? After a lot of searching I have got a Primera 2.2cDi SE 5 door quote at 12000 miles per year for 2 years or 3 years inclusive of vat etc but not maintenance for £230. This seems to be very good. I know its not the Mazda but the 6,s come out at a lot more as does the Avensis. If anyone can recommend a leasing company to try I would be most gratefull.
Bill Read more
I've been looking at the AA site lately, and they are also doing the Primera SE for £230 over 36 months, with a £1200 dep. and a final payment of £5000 for purchase.
What caught my eye was over 2 grand off a new punto with the new 1.3 multijet diesel engine. I think thats a great deal for cheap motoring At £520 dep. and £118 a month with a final £2700 payment.
Hi,
I have a 96 P 1.8 Golf, and I've started getting a noise like an aeroplane propellor from the left hand side of the engine. The frequency of the noise is related to the engine speed.
I think from "listening" to various parts with a long screwdriver it's the alternator that's the cause, there's certainly some vibration coming from there.
Could I fix this by taking the alternator apart, or replacing it?
I have the Haynes manual for the Golf but this suggests the way to remove the alternator is by undoing something under the car (PAS pump?) and removing the two auxilliary drive belts from there. Not having the proper ramps/jacks etc I would rather work from the top of the engine rather than the bottom. Is it possible to remove the alternator from the top of the engine?
Any advice appreciated.
Mike Read more
You don't need a ramp etc. All you need is a good high curb (even a low one will do). Put one side of the car on the curb, and then you've got more room than you know what to do with (and no risk that some PFD will drive into your car and knock it off the stands whilst you're under it...)
I bought a V/vectra 4weeks ago It was fireing on three cyl turned out to be burnt exhaust valve renewed all valvestem oil seals When i bought the car and drove it home there was not one bit of smoke But after fitting everything up you cannot see for thick blue smoke Phoned V/hall they said it was a common problem with the vectra that the oil scraper rings stick. Compression sitting at 200psi all cyl yes oil seals fitted correctly
took great time grinding valves and putting seals on Would be very greatful for any help thanks
Ps Exhaust cat had started to melt inside as well so have taken inside out meantime
Read more
Thanks for your reply just about to strip engine down and renew piston rings and just about everything else that needs doing
Thanks again
I have a lightweight sailing dinghy, which I occassionally tow to events. Total weight, trailer and dinghy, is less than 200Kg. Behind my Sierra you barely know it's there, however I'm shortly changing to smaller car, probably a peugot 106 1.4 Diesel.
Does anyone have experience of towing with a car this size. The towed weight is well below the cars maximum (700Kg), and I would only be towing 3-4 times a year, usually between 5 and 30 miles, with perhaps one journey of 150 miles. Read more
I remember my neighbour using a car trailer to tow a LWB Mitsubishi Shogun with his peugeot 205 diesel van..highly illegal i suspect!
Got an annoying surface scuff on one of my wheels - can anyone recommend a good repair service in the South East? Read more
See:
tinyurl.com/24462
for one suggestion.
My wife has an "L"reg bubble shape nissan micra 1.3L with a really annoying problem. The wipers have developed a habit of staying on..sometimes they will work on intermittent for a while, but then they just start running at a constant speed,(speed 1) and refuse to stop! The only solution seeems to be to switch the car off and wait 10 mins or so!!
Any ideas welcomed!
Cheers, Ian.
Read more
Thanks for the guidance Renault family,looks like i will have a busy weekend!! Ian.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I need to tow a car next weekend with a rope (MG conked out at the weekend), and I’m unsure as to the requirements of insurance.
When being towed, is the MG covered under the insurance of the towing car, as it is ‘attached’? My girlfriend will be piloting the MG, and she isn’t insured to drive it. I’m just concerned that she will be driving uninsured, even though I’m in control of most of her movements, so to speak.
Cheers.
DB
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Yes - I thought as much.
I think I'm going to need to have a re-think!
why is it that people park where they are not surposed to,
ie: zig-zags outside schools / yellow lines etc etc
yet think "its ok - my hazard lights are on"
Or today, some bright spark decided to park (on my left) in a nice line of parked cars but slightly sticking out,
my first thought was, that person is moving out of that space, slowed down, flashed lights , then noticed hazards were on but of course all I could see on approach was the right hand indicator flashing - why oh why!!!!
(walks away muttering to ones self!) Read more
When it is on double yellows on the main road during the rush hour it generally means, "I've just ducked into the shop to get my packet of fags and do my Lottery.
Browse
I've been using Safeway diesel on my C5 as I usually 5p per litre off if we do the weeks shopping in the supermarket. The fuel consumption with this diesel has dropped to about 41mpg.
I decided to try a brand name (Shell) fuel and to my surprise the engine ran a lot smoother/quieter and consumption rose to 46 mpg. That said the Shell was 2p a litre dearer than Safeways. Add the 5p discount which makes Safeway around 10% cheaper but its 10% less fuel efficient, so there's not much in it.
I'm going to try BP next.