June 2004
I have a year 2000 BMW e39 5 series that has done 30,000 miles. At its recent service, I was told that it needs new front discs and these are not covered under the warranty as they are ?consumable\".
Has anyone had similar experience?
And have you had any success in encouraging BMW to contribute to the replacement cost?
Rgds, Tony Read more
Hello all,
After my first year of car ownership (and third party insurance in my name) I have decided that I will upgrade to fully comp insurance as it's only a touch more in the second year. Anyway, I have been told that fully comprehensive cover entitles you to drive any other car third party? Is this true? It would be most helpful as sometimes I play taxi to my Mum and Dad when they want to go out for a drink so being able to drive his would make a lot more sense on those occasions.
Your input would be most appreciated.
Cheers
Adam Read more
Aunt has now had it confirmed that other car's insurance will pay for repairs to her car. Don't know what is happening to the other car though!!
Probably asked a million times before, but indulge me please!When is the best time of year to be a buyer/seller of a used car?
Im not talking convertables, 4x4's or ecotics etc as prices for these depend on the season/weather, just your average family car. TIA for any replies. Read more
I agree with the dealers bonus,if you can find out when they need to sell the last car to make bonus numbers then you will get the best deal,saves them having to register it themselves as a demonstrator.
hi, im changing the drivebelts on a rover 414 1996 non air conditioning model. to change the alternator belt you have to undo the bolts for the lower mounting and bracket. one of the bolts on the bracket (higher one) doesnt have enough clearance to get a socket and ratchet on. i can get a combination wrench on but that cant undo such a tight bolt. im just wondering what others are using to undo it. Read more
14 or 15mm ones aren't they?
--
groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
I am having warranty problems with the A/C on my Audi A4. It has been serviced by an authorised Audi dealer for the first 2 years only. I had its last 40k service done at a Audi specialist. At 27 months the A/C motor and CD player have stopped working and Audi UK are informing me that the terms of the 3rd year state it must be serviced at an Audi Dealer for the 3rd year and as such the warranty is now void. This is because the 3rd year is an insurance based guarantee all be it offered and operated by Audi thenselves. I have explained that the service would not effect the A/C or CD player and they have now said they will consider a part contribution. I do not feel I should pay towards the repairs, but of course I wouldn't !! Is this legal or do I have redress for the full amount of repair? Any advice would be appreciated. Read more
The EU has ruled that all cars bought new in the EU have to come with a minimum 2 year unlimited mileage manufacturer style warranty. This can't have the restrictions on servicing. The OFT has recently suggested that manufacturers can't tie customers to dealer based servicing even with the dealer portion of the warranty.
www.oft.gov.uk/News/Press+releases/2004/85-04.htm
The link has got mashed so you need to add a + before the releases bit instead of the space.
I think it is great news as having these restrictions means that consumers have had to put up with second class service from a lot of franchise dealers because they have customers over a barrel when it came to warranties. I wouldn't bother with a new car until I knew I could take it to a trusted independent rather than a main dealer. As I'd probably buy either a fiat or alfa romeo it is doubly important as they have some of the worst dealers in the known universe!
teabelly
My father in law has a car that is now coming up for 4 years old. The manufacturer's warranty was for three years.
When the car was still well under warranty, he detected a faint noise from the back when driving. He worked for many years in the motor trade, and knows cars well enough to have an idea what it was; he was sure it was a wheel bearing. He reported it to the dealer at service time.
The dealer said they could hear no noise and there was nothhing wrong. f-i-l was unhappy but dealer was adamant. Although he mentioned it again at the next service, still in warranty, they still said they could find no fault. Perhaps at this point he should have tried another dealer; he did not.
You know what's coming. At the last service (now of course, out of warranty), he reported it again, and the dealer took the car for a day, at the end of which they said "well, it's the wheel bearings on both sides".
Is he right to feel a bit hard done by here would you think? Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer will give anything towards the cost involved, as the car is 4 years old now sir, and out of warranty...It's only £250, but nonetheless! I should add this is a Major Manufacturer. Read more
Thanks HJ. Ford Direct car under (balance of) original Ford manufacturer's warranty, rather than mbi. I think you're right though - my experience is ALWAYS that if you ask very nicely you get way better results than hopping up and down, and I know f-i-l thinks the same way, so we'll tread carefully.
Worth a look. I have no connection with it.
www.lawontheweb.co.uk/road Read more
Thanks PU. Duly bookmarked. I hope I never need it and that this was a waste of time, though.
I have fresh water leaking into the front passenger footwell in my '98 Passat. It doesn't coincide with rainfall but appears sometimes days afterwards as a steady drip for, say, half a cupfull. As far as I can see the source is the doughnut shaped grey sponge to the right of the footwell. Can't see how it gets there. Read more
Thanks for the advice, sadly the drain holes are clear, under the bonnet is dry, as is the pollen filter and the space it covers above the fan.
I would be very grateful indeed if someone could help me to diagnose a noise that my car has been making for nearly a year now. It is a 1991 E30 318IS 16v m42 engined car (110k miles) and only between 3000 and 4000 RPM it makes a harsh and very noticeable buzzing noise. This is best described as being like a mini chainsaw buzz and although it ONLY HAPPENS WHEN WARMED UP, it does always do it ie not intermittent.
Cam chains have never been changed, nor has tensioner but a \"knowledgable\" friend said it sounded \"more than just a cam chain\"!
Could anyone also let me know what oils to change when I service the car - gearbox and diff (I have not changed them in two years) as well as engine? and finally how often should the brake fluid be changed - done a year ago with dot4). Thanks in advance.
Matt Read more
Thanks for all the ideas - will do as suggested. The car has no cat (thank god!) and so it could be something else resonating.
Should it be circular or a larger oval shape ? Read more
Well if it's oval shaped you've got at the moment, buy another oval! IIRC the 1.1/1.0 engines on these had round ones, garage guy may be thinking of these.
Browse
.jpg)
Brakes are classed as fair wear and tear items. Unless the discs have physically broken and the car is still under warranty, then I'm afraid there's little you can do.
Many factors can prematurely wear discs, such as washing the car and not going for a drive to dry the brakes afterwards, for example.