Apologies if this has been covered, I did check. Does anyone have details of any good online parts companies. I am particularly looking for suppliers of Driveshafts and CV joints.

Thanks.

Steveo Read more

After putting it off for as long as I can, the time has come to fill in the dreaded Tax Return. Looking through the form has given me an attack of dyslexia, and my brain (Windows 52 edition) just shuts down when it tries to process the incomprehensible garbage therein.

Does anyone file online, and is it successful and easy to do? My experience of govenment websites (DSA) suggests not, but is the Inland Rev any better?

Help needed before I am forced to employ an accountant. Read more

.... frequently seem to worry so much about the cost of petrol/diesel or an extra few mpg?

I haven't done all the maths but compared to the amount lost through depreciation I'd have thought a few pence on a gallon or and extra +/- 3 mpg isn't worth worrying about.






Please note Mods. this post is a little TIC. Read more

I have been on holiday most of the summer (kids are off school) and as usual have bought and sold a couple of cars to keep myself amused (I don't make much money on them, by the time all the messing about is account for - just in case Mr Taxman is reading!).

Anyway, I quite like buying and selling Mercedes because I know the cars well and can rectify any little faults. I have noticed that a lot of more recent MB's are showing signs of rust though.

I am familiar with the potential rust spots on the early W210 E-class (e.g. around the number plate area and door handles etc.) but I had thought that more recent cars would be better. From my recent experiences this seems not to be the case though.

A good example was a car that was bought to me this morning. A W-plate CLK in black with 50k on it. I looked around and was astonished to find rust on the boot lid and door bottoms. We're not talking little tiny spots, either. There were a couple of 1x2 inch rusty areas right on the back, were the depression for the number plate is. The paint had blistered up and would have lifted off had a poked it with a fingernail. This is more the sort of thing associated with FIAT.

Older cars, like early '90's, W201 and W124 are still largely rust free. If one does encounter rust it is usually a result of a scrape. They only tend to rust around the jacking tubes in the sills (where the welding seems to destroy the galvanising).

It is very disappointing that these newer MB's are showing this problem. Definitely something to look out for if buying one of these cars used. Read more

I\'m not sure if the dipped headlights on my 54plate Primera has been set up right, for xenon lights they seem to cast a patchy pool of light? without much throw, any ideas.

Joe Read more