April 2004
Hi Guys
On Thursday evening last my car was parked unattended about 3 doors up from me.It appears that three of my neighbours heard a loud cracking noise (loud enough to be heard indoors) and looked out to see the local paper delivery van driving away from the back of my car. They didn't actually see the van hit my car , but are fairly sure it was this vehicle that caused the damage to my car.
Basically the bumper now has a large crack in it , which will mean that I have to replace it through my insurance.(Having to pay excess etc).
I only noticed the damage on Friday , and reported it to my insurance company straight away.
My neighbour came round last night (Saturday) to say what she had heard and seen.
I am after some advice please as to what to do next - should I report it to the Police even though at this stage I don't have any details of the offending vehicle?
I am planning on calling the papers head office on Tuesday to try and track down the driver.
The van makes regular weekly deliveries on a Thursday to my neighbours house.
Any advice gratefully received!!
Thanks Read more
I recently purchased the above car and it was delivered on the 24th February. I've had so many problems with it in the first month it's unbelievable! Not at all what you expect of Honda... First of all immediately after delivery the brakes would screech when coming to a stop, this only happened once they were warm. I took it back to the dealer, surprise surprise they couldn't recreate it, but as soon as I drove away, you guessed it..screeeech. Took it back again this time they heard a slight noise and resurfaced the brake pads and discs. This has cured the screech but the brakes sound rougher than they did before.
The next problem was with the metal effect surround for the gear gaiter. Everytime I put it in gear it creaked. Took it back again but they managed to order the wrong part and just replaced the rubber gaiter and not the surround so it still creaked. Finally managed to order the right part and replaced it, now it no longer creaks. The thing that made me angry about both these instances was I was assured that these things were 'normal', why on earth do dealers always insist on saying that, I'm not stupid I know when something isn't right!
Yet another problem is with a noise emanating from the engine once it's warm. It happens when moving in either 1st or reverse when the revs are between 1500rpm and 2000rpm. It's a kind of rattly rough sound and disappears outside that rev range. It's been steadily getting louder, again dealer insists it's normal and is 'just the take up of the engine'.
Then there's the interior rattles! I was told repeatedly that Honda's don't rattle. There's a buzz in the roof lining, this occurs when driving over even just less than perfect road surfaces and is right above my head. It can also be heard when replacing the sun visors or just tapping the roof lining. There's a tick-tick rattle coming from somewhere near the steering wheel. The whole dash seems to rattle when driving along a normal british road, I believe it's the vents but can't be sure. There's a rattle on the door frame, just behind my head, so I can hear it all the time. It's not just me, other people can hear these noises and think it's not acceptable. But isn't amazing how dealer's seem to all be hard of hearing?! I was accused of having sensitive hearing and being paranoid because it's a new car by the dealer. But this is my fourth new car so I know what to expect!
All this from a month old car, so much for Honda's improvements to the 2004 Civic model! I bought a Honda because I heard they were brilliantly built and never went wrong. Have I bought a lemon? What would you advise me to do?
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Yes all in all I think Honda are an excellent manufacturer and they're warranty covers everything for the full 3 years. And there are not many who will believe in their product and replace the car just to keep the customer happy.
The problems with some of the Swindon built cars, and if you pop over to the forum of Honda Revolutions you will see there have been a few, may not be all down to the assembly but also quality of parts. The new Civic was meant to be Honda's first attempt at the mass market and therefore this meant keeping costs down. If you look at the quality of plastics used in the Jazz for example you will find them better than those in the Civic.
I think it will interesting to see where there the next generation 2006 Civic is built, will it be Swindon?
I have recently picked up a volvo s40 GDI at auction (see new car advice thread). www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=21008
In honestjohn\'s car by car breakdon he notes that this engine is designed for 98 ron unleaded and faults have occurred wehere cars have used lower standard octane rated fuel.
Could anyone explain this in more detail, the guide book and sticker in the filler cap says use 95 octane unleaded.
Many thanks.
Thicko2 Read more
There are a few other Japanese DI petrol engines in this catagory - the Toyota 2.0 in the Avensis is a DI engine that had to be 'modified' to work in Europe .... wonder if it will have the same long-term problems .... in fact, I have wondered about Japanese fuel quality for a while - my vvti Corolla really likes high-octane petrol .....
Have a leak on the air suspension of my Allroad (ever since the cambelt was changed and a towbar was fitted). Front offside corner goes down overnight like a Citroen. I suspect the high pressure air line to that corner is fractured somewhere but my Audi dealer seems unable to locate it. Anyone got any ideas? Read more
Hi, I have the 2004 allroad that has recently developed a similar symptom. The FNS suspension goes down overnight. First thought it was due to the cold winter nights but still happens now we're in the summer. It's my next find when I'm next home in 4 weeks.
As above, an oil leak has developed. Initial "head under car" has reveled its at the front R/H (offside). Difficult to see as various bits in way and havent had the car up on jacks or ramp yet. Any historical data on what it might be? Head in bonnet reveals all top parts of engine look oil tight. Read more
At least the sub-frame won't rust. I think it was British Leyland who invented the self lubricating Chassis. Didn't realise Renault had adopted the idea.
Our Galaxy Tdi (2002) has smoke/steam pouring out of the auxiliary heater/small exhaust underneath. Its very dramatic and looks serious. Has anyone any ideas???
Thanks Read more
And who owns Mazda-FORD.
Either I'm imagining things or the radios in both my A6 and company car Megane Scenic get louder as road speed increases.
Can this be true and if so how does it work, is it linked to rpm or mph? Read more
My C3 supposedly has this feature and it was demonstrated to me by the dealer. it doesn't work though.
Oh, and the manual is absolutely hopeless.
On the 1st of September last year I purchased the above mentioned car from an Audi dealership.
Since I have had the car I would say that I have had to add at least 5 litres of oil to keep the car running. I have called Audi on many occasions and all they tell me is that this is normal for the car.
I don\'t think this is normal. I plan to book the car in to get it checked out.
What can I demand from Audi so that can assure me that the problem will be resolved? Can I demand a replacement car from them as this even happened about three weeks after I purchased it. What rights do I have? Does anyone have any tips on who I can write to if I am not satisfied by Audi after I have booked the car in?
Spending 19k on a car only to find that you have to keep topping up with oil every 1500 miles is totally unacceptable.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Ive got one of these bought new in mid April 2004 and so far has covered 13K and used 13l of oil !! \So blow that out ya exhaust.
The first top up needed in the first week of owning the car
Main (st) dealer just giving out the "characteristic" chestnut
After about 7 calls to customer susport Audi technical have said there may be a fault and the car is book in for some engine check on the 16 of oct. Ill keep you posted
Pete
Does anyone know how to adjust the digital clock on my 51 Reg Citroen Berlingo Multispace? My (pevious model) handbook doesn't cover it. Read more
Thanks Dynamic Dave, that worked perfectly.
I have a VW Scirocco with a Pierburg 2E carb thats giving me lots of problems. Firstly it would idle very high ( about 2000 revs ), so thought the auto choke was knackered/ So fitted a manual conversion kit. It still idles high upon start up with the choke off. But when the engine temp gets to normal afyer about 5 mins the revs drop and sometimes cuts out. If I use the choke it wont start as sounds like too rich. ( correct me if I am wrong ) Apart from that annoying problem that even my garage cant fix, it runs really well. I hav e ordered a Haynes Pierburg book. Can any one help pin point the problem.
Thanks Steve
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Try looking at http://www.edgebiz.net/pierburg2ecarb.htm
I had all sorts of advice and discovered a leaking vacuum pipe and a floating ball valve. There are photographs on the link.
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I suspect that they will be very interested in a driver who fails to stop after an accident.