March 2004
I am on my third Passat Tdi and have not experienced any of the problems reported in other threads, but three years and 45k miles is the longest I have kept one.
I intended to keep my present Sport 130 for a longer period into my retirement in three years time when it will have covered 60k miles, and then for a few more years at only 6 or7K pa.
In view of adverse comments on this site I am reconsidering but need to keep the outlay to a minimum. It is currently worth about £11.3k in p/x, so what could I buy with say no more than £4k plus the px?
My wife will not even consider a Mondeo but we need this size of car, preferrably a diesel.
Any recommendations would be welcome. (I am looking at a new Mazda 6 later today, any good?) Read more
I would appreciate anyone's advice on whether a one owner,'H'reg Mazda MX-5 would be a good bet - bearing in mind it's mileage of 175000 miles, good bodywork and a price tag of £1000!
Read more
Well Maz,
I lost the car. It was sold to a person who was so keen to get the Mazda that he travelled from Southampton to Kettering on Wednesday evening (arriving at 11pm!) for more than the asking price - and cash too!
I suppose opportunities like that come \'round as frequently as Hayley\'s Comet. That\'ll teach me to dither!
ive lived in the country all my life and find the farmers ability to cover the entire road in very slippy mud without warning infuriating.
before anyone says its country life, i have no problem with following large slow tractors for miles,nor do i mind cocks crowing at 5.30 am , i dont even mind mud on the road if ,as a motorist i got some warning. anyone share my views? Read more
Funny - I thought I'd be ducking for cover too.Retaliation has been less than swift! Do we not have any farmers in the backroom?
To me, the 'Mud on the Road' signs are like a red rag to a bull (no pun intended!) As much as to say, 'By sticking up this notice, we've absolved ourselves from all responsibility, so if you get a touch of our slippery stuff over your chassis, that's just tough!'
I see these things more as an admission of guilt. If the mess is bad enough to need a specific warning, it must be hazardous and hazards ought to be removed.
I once knocked over a tin of paint in B&Q - an assistant immediately put up a sign AND started cleaning it up. It would have been unthinkable just to put up a sign and wait for an army of shoppers to slither around for the rest of the day - and spread the mess all over the shop.
I reckon the same principle applies.
Graeme
When looking to buy a car from the era Catalytic convertors were introduced, is it better to try and find a car that has a cat, or go for one that doesn't? Or perhaps it doesn't matter either way. The car I have in mind is a MK3 fiesta. Read more
Why not run a diesel?contrary to popular opinion there emissions are lower than petrol engined cars especially Co & Co2.in addition because the fuel itself is a lubricant not a solvent the engine will not wear out anywhere as quick.Go for a VAG 1.9 TDI say in a Golf and you`ll certainly be impressed by its poke & economy.Some diesels are fitted with oxidising CATS but these work in a different way to 3 way CATS and should last 200k comfortably and even if it did need replacing it should be appreciably cheaper than a petrol 3way CAT.
I'm looking to buy a MK3 fiesta. I've seen one that checks out, except for the rust around the fuel filler, which I know is a common problem on these cars. What options are there for repairing for this. I have read that a new panel is required, but can't help thinking that for such a common problem on a very popular car someone ought to have come up with a simpler solution. Read more
Son had Mark 3 Fiesta with rust all on panel. Filled and repainted it every year for three years. Still dodgy but NOT an MOT fail when the engine died of abuse and prior neglect.. (It was CHEAP)
Hi all
Well, as I didn't get that VW transporter, I decided to bid on a couple of Rear light Cluster lenses for the Trafic on E bay.
For the total of around £15 I managed to secure them.
The arrived this morning and unfortunately there is a small 1/4 inch hole in the NS one. Otherwise they are both in good condition.
I suspect that it would fail the MOT with that defect and I know I can get the vehicle through the MOT with a small bit of that replective tape over it that Halfords and the like sell especially for this type of problem.
However does anyone out there know of a cleaner, less obvious repair? I need the van to look more presentable with me going into self employment.
Many thanks
Hugo Read more
point 3 ?
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=10...8
just 'cos I know what I'm saying doesn't mean I know what I'm talking about
Running a 2000 registered 525i se, auto with 87k on clock. When going over a bump there\'s a metallic clanking noise coming from the drivers side. Not noticable at all with the window up but very prominent with the driver window down. I think the passenger side is ok, no noise from there.
I\'ve only had the car for two weeks and to be honest only today drove with the window down. The noise is almost like the jingle of metal pieces, sort of like if you held some coins in your hand and shook them.
Also at the same time going from Park to Reverse makes quite a loud clank too. Not sure if that\'s how it\'s supposed ot be. Checked auto transmission fluid and it\'s topped to max. Car was serviced by BMW for the previous owner 2k miles ago.
Does anyone have any idea what it could be, the jingle sound over bumps? Any help at this time would be greatly appreciated. Thx in advance.
S. Read more
While pads are out check for sticking caliper pistons. If one is stuck in the pad may be loose to rattle.
i have recently been looking at the cruisers body shape ? but its interior is very impressive, all the extras etc, has anyone any thoughts on it, do you own one? how much is servicing etc
regards chris k Read more
These were being sold for far less than 10k in the US whilst I ws on holiday.
My E Reg 1300 Golf, which apart from being underpowered, has always run really well.
When I fired it up yesterday it sounded like it was running on three cylinders only. As it sits outside all night I assumed that it was damp. I sat reving it for five minutes and it seemed to clear as it got warm I then drove into work and it seemed OK. When I started it up after work at 18.30 hrs it did the same thing (misfiring, cutting out) and I again reved it up until I was confident enough that it wouldn't cut out on me and get me killed on the way home. It did the same thing this morning so I left it at home and got a lift into work.
I've just started it up in the dark and it started really poorly again and misfired for about five minutes. I had the bonnet up in the dark during this time but couldn't see any electrical leakage of any sort. All the leads seem OK and are fitted properly.
Can anyone advise me of the best course of action please.It has done 75,000 miles and is serviced regularly.
Read more
The car is a load better but still lumpy when cold.
Does anyone know where I could purchase a replacement alloy wheel for a 2002 Clio 1.5 dci Dynamique other than the main dealer. Cost being the main reason (£115 + vat). We've managed to somehow dent the inside rim of one of ours - can't recall and big potholes recently? Are all alloy wheels this soft? Read more
You don't specify the actual wheel size but ebay has loads: tinyurl.com/bw6xtrv
Browse
.....and that put me off buying one (along with several other makes).