Need to replace the NCT5's on my Beetle soon, but looking for a better tyre in their place.

Although good wear (got 60k out of the whole set, with a front/rear rotation a while back), the main problems with the Goodyears are excessive road noise (a problem I remember from Michelin Energy tyres, too). The new ones need good grip all year (not just summer - go skiing every year), too.


Anyone tried the Continental Sport Contact 2 ? Read more

Several of the posts here about "what car to buy" suggest that many of us (who don't want to buy new) are genuinely not sure. You know you want to change, but to what? So how about swopping? Not sure about all the practicalities involved, but let's say you have a nice, well maintained vehicle. If (thru' this site) you post what you think you'd like to change to, then a list could be compiled quite easily. I would imagine that most posters here look after their cars, although nothing is guaranteed, of course. There would have to be cash "adjustments" for different values. Such a swop system would get round the problem of trying to sell privately - often a nightmare these days. Prospective swoppers could even have a trial period (with temporary insurance cover), altho' this could only work between people who live reasonably near each other. Yes, swopping would not suit everyone, and many regulars will come up with obstacles I haven't thought of, but one for discussion, BRs... Read more

I have just taken a leap forward in technology and of course complication from a 1988 simple lowish spec Sierra to a top spec 1998 Mondeo II.

Time to revise what I carry in the boot! What would you suggest is reasonable to carry?
The subject has been covered before but it finished up needing a trailer to carry the suggested kit.
So lets start from basics.
What can go wrong and what do you need to do something about it or fix it?
What can happen to the car that YOU can do something about?
What can happen to the car and someone with a little more skill can do about it?
I am ignoring any more complex problems for this exercise.
I am assuming protective clothing in inclement weather.
I am ignoring survival rations.

My own answers produced this list.
1. The car just stops
2. A flat tyre
3. A flat battery
4. A blown bulb
5. Need a tow for a short distance
6. Exhaust box dragging on the road
7. A leaking water hose


So from the above list what is needed?

1. Reflective tabard, warning triangle and a torch.
2. Extendable wheel wrench, locking wheel nut key, gloves, plastic sacks to kneel on and put the dirty wheel in.
3. Jump leads and instructions
4. A proper set of spare bulbs. Instructions and any simple tools to access them. (If I cannot sort it then perhaps some other soul can.)
5. A tow rope and instructions.
6. A small coil of suitable gauge of soft wire ( wire coat hanger?) and pliers.
7. Hose bandage.

A first aid kit and a fire extinguisher are the two items often required in other countries and are good additions to the list above.

As I think there are few things that I can now tackle, my list is fairly comprehensive.
So in addition to the recommended checks of fluids, lights, tyres etc I would add:

Have the wheels removed and checked so that they come off easily and then ensure the nuts are on with the correct torque.
Remember no trailer and the list may be useful to a new driver.

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Hello all

I have a golf mk III. After my rear electric window made a loud banging noise the other day, I took the car to my local garage who have "repaired" it with a cable tie and a split pin (my kind of guys!!!)

The only problem now is that when the window hits the "fully up" position, it pauses and then drops back to approx half way down. I took it back and he says everything is in the same position within the mechanism as it was before (you can tell by the dirt, it lines up 100%)

Is there any way of resetting the sensor so that it knows when the window is at the top?

Cheers Read more

Err, um, we have a tie for first place. (Damp squib or what!!)

Due to naughty underhanded campaigning by NoDosh in the previous round, and quite possibly earlier rounds to keep the Alfa 156 in the Garage (thus consequently screwing up the voting in the final round), Big Brother halved the nominations for the Alfa, and this brought the final results near as damn it equal to the nominations for the TVR.

The Seat Leon scored considerably less nominations than both the TVR and the Alfa, so 3rd place goes to the Spanish one.

As the nominations were so close after the amendment by BB, the winners are the TVR & the Alfa.

This decision *hopefully* won't make ND too smug.

Here is a reminder of the results in reverse order:-

13th - Renault 5, (prematurely evicted for instigating a riot.)
12th - Vauxhall Vectra.
11th - Lada Samara.
11th - VW Golf.
9th - Austin Allegro.
8th - Perodua Nippa.
7th - Toyota Landcruiser.
6th - Citroen 2CV.
5th - Peugeot 405.
4th - Ford Mondeo.
3rd - Seat Leon.
1st - Alfa 156.
1st - TVR Tuscan.


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