May 2004

Piglet

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the cars on offer at CarGiant?

Was there at the weekend looking at diesels. Seemed like a fuss-free way of looking at a wide cross-section. My first visit but was not overly impressed to tell the truth. Wondering if it is worth a return trip.

Looked at a dozen cars or so. Some had no history at all (but verified mileage??), others were abused by previous owners and not well prepped (ciggy burns, dirty interiors, one with sugary drink residue all over the central console!). Found one very good Ford that ticked all the boxes, but discovered it had sand/grit on the engine under the oil filler cap.

Im not a petrol head (or diesel head for that matter), and thanks to some research on this site among others, I feel I may have had a narrow escape.

I realise they sell at rock-bottom prices and I cannot knock that. Did I get them on a bad day? Is it just a case of you gets what you pays for?

Maybe I am being over-choosy, but I was expecting good clean cars at private prices. Any thoughts?

Cheers

Piglet
Read more

Vansboy

Why not save their profit element? Just go to the auction yourself??

VB

hm

306, 1995 DT, 150K

I have recently replaced the front struts, springs, wishbones on the front of my dear old 306.

Since the work the car drives perfect, holds the coners, no bouncing, I could not be happier, however, every so oftern there is a funny vibration type noise.

It sound like a window chattering (but it is not) It definately comes froms the suspension area, on a certain road @ 55mph it sings away, It happens more oftern when the driving with passengers.

Any ideas, the springs appear to be in the little slots and not be spun by hand, I have noticed that when on full lock there is a slight clunk noise which I guess is a spring moving but I can not work out how, or what to do about.

Could it just be the old girl is old, and the new suspension is still hard?

Help, it is a very annoying issue.

cheers

H Read more

r1ch1e

If its noisy when damp its more than likely the dust seals are just getting condensation or something in them and just making that noise against the actual strut seal (like a damp window being rubbed) Might be worth just whipping the wheel off, lift the dust cover and make sure the actual strut seal hasnt gone and theres no actual fluid on the strut.

JimT

Has anyone out there had problems with scrotes stealing metal valve caps from their cars?. I lost all 4 from mine whilst it was parked in London for a few hours. So I replaced them, only to have them all nicked again. This time my car was parked in Bedford. On the grapevine I have been told that kids are swapping valve covers at school. Anyone else heard of this????? Read more

Mapmaker

'Doesn't this tend to happen with car caps?'


So what were you putting your metal caps onto then?

dimitrisv

Hi.
I'd like your advice about the durability and reliability of the cvt or easytronic gearbox. I want to buy an automatic supermini and my favorit ones are the Honda Jazz CVT and Opel Corsa 1.4 Easytronic. Does anyone know how many km can I expect them (the gearboxes) and especially the cvt to work properly? Does they need any special maintenance? Are they repairable?
I live in Thessaloniki, Greece. Here Hondas come with 7 year unlimited km warranty and Opels with 6 year/ 120.000km. If I buy one is it better to sell it after 4-5 years when it will still be under warranty?
Thank you all
Dimitris
Read more

Singer-G

Have a look in the "discussion" section at "Auto v Manual" by "mapmaker". CVTs have been mentioned there

Forum Chipsaway
nodnar

Anyone out there had any experiences with Chipsaway for minor stonechip repairs ? I've had a quote and am still undecided as to how the final finnish will look - is it still visible after the repair ? Also, how good is the colour match and does the repair last with age ? Read more

Edd

Since chips away are a franchise you will get good and bad dealers.
I've heard both good and bad stories of them just make sure you use one with a good repuatation.

Simbad

Just purchased a 99 (v) VW Sharan 2.0. The rev limiter seems to be cutting in at just 4500 rpm..any ideas..I was guessing this may be an ECU controlled figure that can be changed ?

Also have manifold blowing noise and a little oil leaking from sump..any advice on these 2 welcome if you have experience but i am guessing i just need to take it to my local mechanic to find out the damage !!

Cheers

Sim Read more

Ivor E Tower

Simbad - please join us at www.fordgalaxy.org.uk and post your queries. We are a sympathetic lot (OK so some of us have a strange sense of humour) but no problem is too much for some of our \"techies\". All Sharan, Alhambra owners welcome as well as Galaxy owners.

See you there soon.....

Manatee

For those with broadband or a lot of patience as it's a 14MB download:-

www.wiredvideo.com/clips/tonys-car.shtml Read more

Vansboy

Another £50 coming your way, courtesy 'You've been framed!!' I guess!

VB

Waino

It's a '97 Mk2 Mondeo 2.0 estate on 98,000 miles. When the engine is picking up after negotiating a junction it has a tendency to snatch especially if the gear selected is, say 3rd, when it would prefer 2nd. It also has a slight jerkiness when slowing down (reported on another thread). These problems have gradually been getting more noticeable over the last 10,000 miles. Apart from this, the engine runs well and average fuel economy is about 34 mpg.

Any thoughts on the snatching? Many thanks. Read more

Waino

Thanks for finding the original thread. The (independent)mechanic who sorted the problem made the same comment as Dynamic Dave i.e. it's worth getting Ford's own leads.

frostbite

I recently changed (dialup) ISP and I find that after authentication there is always a delay of app. 63secs before the connection proceeds.

My previous ISP also had this 'feature' on one of the available numbers but on others the connection was instantaneous after authentication.

Anyone know what causes the delay? Read more

owen

Thanks for all your help with the in-car MP3 stuff, i've just ordered a Sony CDXF5500 from mcs-direct so hopefully i'll be able to get some CDs ripped and mp3-ified over the weekend!

HF

......stereo?

(It's ok Hugo, you don't have to go into rehab yet! Car, fingers crossed, is ok.)

Radio-cassette today has done a strange thing, It comes on for a few seconds, and then emits an extra-terrestrial raspberry sound for a bit, and then packs in. Keeps doing it.

Is it terminal? Could it be a loose connection?

Please don't tell me to get a new CD thingie because that is beyond financial capabilities right now.

Is there anything I can check out, or sort out? - the only thing that makes driving bearable sometimes is my beloved music!

Any advice gratefully received.
HF Read more

Dynamic Dave

DD,
it was a quick cut and paste, what
was in front of it?


h r e f (without the spaces between each letter and < before the "h" and > after the "f") Can't post it any other way than this otherwise it becomes invisible.