July 2004
I remember reading some time ago that certain OEM hard tops are extremely vulnerable to theft, - I seem to recall the Mazda MX5 and also BMW 3 Series convertibles, when fitted with the optional hard tops, are quickly and easily removable by the pond life opportunists.
My son is considering buying a Porsche Boxter and was wondering if anybody on the forum owns or runs one of these vehicles and knows if their hard tops are secure from theft or not?? Read more
"The most powerful diesel engine in the world"
www.bath.ac.uk/~ccsshb/12cyl/ Read more
"Sounds like a variable pitch propellor might be an idea..."
Or a decent gearbox with reverse. One out of a Hillman Imp should be able to handle the power.
V
I recently had a problem with my car misfiring and being bad to start (Merc C220CDI). I have now got it back, in full working order, but am £975 the poorer after the garage had to replace all 4 fuel injectors. Can anyone top the £1k? Read more
Do German & Sweedish/Eurocarparts do them?
Hi
Can anyone give me any info.about oil leaks on the above.I have had this car for 18 months and it has been into the main dealer 3 times with an oil leak- nothing major but some oil collecting on the engine and then dripping below.The last time it went in,7 months ago, the garage fitted something which i believe was to cure a design fault; but the garage were cagey about discussing, although they didn't charge me.It is due to go in again and it would be nice to be armed with some knowledge if they try to mislead me.
Thanks for any help. Read more
Sorry, can't help with the cause of this, but my X-plate HDi (90) has remained free from engine oil leaks so far (92K) - and if that isn't tempting fate.......
CG
I have had a canister of this get-you-home stuff in my boot for at least five years and have never had to use it. Can anyone say what its shelf life is please? Read more
I wouldn't use this sort of product. Several motorcyclists have been killed using an aerosol product that has claimed to seal a leak. The tyre has subsequently blown out with catastrophic results. Mikey.
Are 4x4 enthusiasts and tree huggers mutually exclusive?
I hope not! 4X4s are a very useful tool for all sorts of rural purposes.
Unfortunately they also have inappropriate and destructive uses, such as the \"greenlaning\" you mention, or as Chelsea tractors ... but that doesn\'t mean that those who dislike those uses hate the vehicles in general. Read more
A green lane is a public road. 4x4 drivers (I am not one) have every right to use them, as do any of us. If a town dweller has a 4x4, where else can he drive it off-road if he wants to? Why would anyone want to stop him from doing so? I don't get it. Envy? Nannying? If the track becomes churned up, the council surely has a responsibilty to repair it like any other road.
We're talking about a very small amount of land here. There is a huge length of public footpath and bridleway where vehicles are not allowed. Aanyone who doesn't want to see vehicles in the country has plenty of space to go where they won't be seen.
I've had far more problems with ramblers than drivers where I live. Not generally a pleasant group of people I'm sorry to say. Almost always noisy, frequently arrogant and often rude.
I am about to dump my old Sierra.
Before that I want to de-install a Nokia car phone kit - the old hardwired type not a Bluetooth.
It was installed for the company by Vodafone but it will be me to re-install it.
Is it possible to remove the aerial glued on the rear window or is it a case of buying a replacement?
If I need a replacement where can I purchase one? Read more
Glad to hear you removed it undamaged Henry.
Adam
Following on from the bodykit thread and the discussion of badly customised Novas and Escorts, here's a related spin-off.
It's not just trainee panel beaters and tyre fitters that build these Kev-cars. Over the years motor manufacturers have been guilty of producing their own dubious styling mods on high-performance versions of their ordinary models - in effect the factory-built Kev-car. Think of those high double aerofoils on the back of some 80's fast Fords - was it the Sierra XR4i or the Mk1 Cosworth Sierra? What about the Rover Streetwise? Even Porsche have made some outlandish additions to some of their 911-based models. OK, these were genuine fast cars, but a 160mph dog's dinner is just as ugly when it's parked as a 95mph dog's dinner.
What other manufacturers made their own Kev-cars? Examples please!
Cheers, Sofa Spud Read more
On the subject of rover, what about the Streetwise? Grim or what?
hmm, it looks pretty naff. But for urban use, I rather like the idea of increased ground clearance and bumpers designed to take knocks. Maybe someday someone will pick up the idea and produce something practical without the pretentiousness of the Streetwise ... but I suspect that a useful result would be much more radical
Hi
Can anyone help with a battery drain problem? My Mother has a N plate BMW 328 Cabriolet auto, which has (since purchased and not from new), refused to start after say a week of non use as the battery is completely dead? BMW (several dealers) and auto electricians seem unable to resolve. The car has had numerous batteries (probably 10 in the last 8 years) and possibly an alternator or 2. I imagine that there is some kind of drain and that this could be checked by breaking the circuit to the battery and putting an ammeter in that break in the circuit and seeing what sort of current was being discharged. The car has a serious factory alarm which seems to alarm itself if the car is left for a few minutes and a tracker. What would be a normal drain in amps for a car like this? Some people have said that with an alarm and a tracker it would be likely that the battery would not hold up for more than a week but I find this hard to believe.
Many thanks
Kevin Read more
Thanks!
My son's Fiat Punto 1.2SX (1998) battery keeps going flat after a week or so if he doesn't use it, its a new battery as the old one exhibited the same problem and was 'tired' anyway. The alternator is charging OK, the car exhibits no other problems. I've checked for the usual things like interior/boot lights or radio left on. Are there any known faults that drain current such as central locking or other areas that I could check or isolate by removing the fuses? Read more
Had this very same problem with a Punto 55. In this case, the radio was on even when you thought you'd switched it off. You needed turn the volume/on-off switch really hard.
BTW, I notice car dealers seem invariably to remove boot light bulbs when cars are out on display, presumably so they will actually start when required!
Browse
I know yours is a Boxster, but:
www.911uk.com/forum/
might be useful as well - posts seem to attract replies, at least.