September 2004
Not to hi-jack daisy1's thread, here's a polish related phenomenon.
I've used Turtle Wax since the dawn of recorded time, it always seemed good enough to me and the right price. However, here's something odd on which maybe the buffs (no pun) out there can throw some light.
My car is metallic black, pretentiously named "Panther Black" by some creative thin-tank at Ford. This week I got round to polishing it for the first time in about 10 months. The sides, roof, boot lid etc came up perfectly and gleam per the expected.
The hood (bonnet) however doesn't clear. The cloth seems to be pushing the polish around rather than bringing it to a shine, and the result is a sort of dull smeared effect. Energetic efforts reduce this somewhat, but the bonnet still doesn't achieve the shine the rest of the car does. Car was cold when washed and polished. I washed the hood again just in case there was something on there that shouldn't have been, result was the same when the wax was reapplied.
Weird or what?
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Can someone help ? I can work out SWMBO, IMO or even IMHO, but what about others ? what is LOL or is it IOI ?
ta Read more
>> When i was in the Airline business there was also:
>> BOAC - Better on a Camel
>>
or British Overdue Airline Company
And at the time of the Profumo scandal - Bend Over Again Christine
Has anyone ever used the JML scratch remover on their car and if so how effective is it?
Cheers
Stuart Read more
mines in the bin too!
Do the team think that humps and bumps damage your car and if so what sort of damage is caused? Read more
Speed humps are not a good way of controlling speeds as their
effect varies based on what car you drive
true, it does vary. However, they do put some restraint on the speed of most vehicles, which is the aim of the exercise. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
So is there a better way to limit speeds in residential areas? Self-restraint doesn't work on lots of roads, so what else can be done? Speed cameras? A police officer on every corner?
Morning all,
What is it with me and timing belts? I'm obsessed. Anyway, I would be very grateful for help with regards to the above. It's an S reg but only done 40k so I would like to know:
a) The official figure for a change
b) The recommended one which all of you will suggest.
Many thanks
Adam Read more
Haven't been popping in here so often lately but recall there was a meet due in Dorset last weekend IIRC. What happened?? Was I imagining it? The thread's gone and not a comment from anyone since so far as I can see. Did ND terminally embarrass himself or is he still recovering from the effects of excess cider in a hedge somewhere? :) Read more
HF - That's true as I said but why promise and then not show? We hoped to be at DanJ's but couldn't for reasons you appreciate. However, IIRC quite a few people said they'd be at DanJ's then didn't show for no apparent reason. Sadly, we didn't get our holiday in Dorset this year so ND's event was out too. Having said all that we've still managed to meet up with a few BackRoomers, shared a bevvy (or three) and had a laugh haven't we. How many others here have done that?
No. 2 son has just bought one (Blimey, they handle!) and very pleased he is too. BUT he is starting to get keen on tuning this little potential rocket, so can anyone recommend specialists in tuning parts for the K series? TIA. Read more
If its rechipped. you lose warranty. assuming it has been bought under a gaurantee. K series is bomb proof bottom end wise. but IIRC MG have taken it to its limit. though some say it can be better. I actually doubt this due to head problems and of course HG failure. though this depends what you intend to do. or no2 son
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Was mech1
Having been told the van would definitely be ready on the Friday of this week (New Nissan Primastar LWB). I gently pursuaded them to do everything they could to get it to me by Thursday.
I took the insurance cover note in Wednesday and the salesman said they had done one job on it and the second job would be ready later that day.
"So if I wait half an hour I can take it with me then eh? :)" came my reply.
"...second word's off :)" he replied - or words to that effect.
He said definitely Thursday (the day after), will see what he can do about that day.
At around 4.30 pm he told me over the phone I could pick itup that afternoon - yippee! :)
At approx 4.40 pm I received a call on my mobile whislt my FiL was driving me in and about 3 miles into our journey.
"Sorry Hugo we're having problems with the computer system. Getting the vehicle registered and taxed is giving us problems. :(
No probs, tommorow it is then - thanks for all your help to date.
This may seem boring to many of you but this is the first time I have ever bought a new vehicle.
A little gift for the guys that worked on it and the salesman is in order here. Despite their computer problem that stopped me getting it on the Wednesday, they seemed to have done one hell of a lot to get it ready. I am acrually very impressed.
That's Mumfords of Plymouth. I believe I got a good deal - not the cheapest in the country I'm sure but if I get a fine balance of value for money and service I can't complain.
So, the first trip is up to London with some of my late mother's furniture for my sister and my father, then to collect a spiral staircase on the way back for our house.
H Read more
Legacylad
To be fair I chose this van very quickly and did not even consider many others at all.
I went on the basis of advice being given by Commercial Vehicle Contracts and Vans Direct etc, as being the best value for money. As someone else on this thread said, Nissan were giving some huge discounts on their list prices, and we're talking £10,900 plus vat for a 100bhp LWB low roof. Similar vans are being offered on e bay for within £500 of that price up to 6 months old with mileage of up to 4000. I even saw one for the same price with 3000 miles on it.
I also chose it because of its 6 speed box.
The likes I have of the van is that it's quiet due to the bulkhead I had fitted (included in the price). There is a bit of wind noise from the ladder racks but this is not irratating. The ladder racks I got with it are genuine Renault ones (The Primastar is a rebadged Renault Trafic). The bolt down with cap head screws taking an allen key.
The sixth speed is not really for accelerating but I use it as a cruising gear. If I need to accelerate after decellerating I change to 5th or even 4th if conditions stipulate.
The engine will not overrev due to a limiter installed. I like this as it's an anti monkey device when it comes for MOT. However, it's a good idea to get to know the van before overtaking as you would in a car. Running out of power in an overtake can be quite disconcerting. The engine won't rev faster than around 4000 rpm. Sometimes a quick gear change when overtaking is necessary to get a higher gear and lower the engine speed.
One or two things I don't like about it:
It's been back to the dealer to have 2 things fixed under warranty. Firstly the engine management light came on and the vehicle went into limp home mode. This was put down to a loose connection. Secondly the reversing sensor decided it wasn't playing in the wet. Hence a new one had to be fitted. This fault meant it was at the dealerships for two separate days, one for them to identify the fault and one for them to fit the new kit when it arrived.
The height of the roof is actually lower than in my old van. I really think the designers missed a trick here. They have included a slightly raised cab roof but then it slopes down for the cargo area. If they had kept the roof the same height all the way along they could have got an extra 2" to 3" head room. This doesn't sound a lot but when using it regularly it can be quite a lot. Having said that this loss of height has not affected my use of it.
Compared to the demonstrater with my local dealership, this one is a little flat. Now that could be due to the fact that the demo has done some 9000 miles and mine has only done around 1800, but I will ask a dealership person to take it out for a spin and get their view.
Would I buy the same again? Yes I would. However there are a number of vans out there and I would want to look at more next time.
MPG - I have estimated at around 36 on a reasonable run on Cornish singe carridgeway roads. That's not too bad at all. I guess the motorway would yield higher MPG, especially when you can use that 6th speed for longer.
I'm glad you're going for the LWB. They quoted the loadspace in the SWB as being 2.4m Long, However this is the maximum loadspace and loading sheet material could be an issue if you want to load them on one side secured against the van. The LWB has a quoted loadspace length of 2.8m. This tapers down to just over 2.4m when taking into account the bulkhead (or seats if you don't have a bulkhead). This allows me to insert the 2.4m long sheet materials such as plasterboard etc on their edges to avoid all the other junk I have in the van. In addition the LWB has around 200kg more payload capacity
A friend in the village who is also a builder has just got the Vauxhall Vivaro SWB. I suspect he may regret going for the SWB
H
Hi,
Just had my Passat TDI 110bhp chipped & wow what a difference! The sheer torque increase is fantastic and instead of foot down-delay-go its foot down-GONE. The car is atleast 30% more responsive and great fun to drive, the fuel econ has increased as an extra bonus over a 45 mile journey I clocked 55.7mpg compared to my before chipped reading of 48.0mpg. So my advice is get it done its well worth it and if you do lots of miles you will soon recoop your £305.00 in fuel savings alone. Mine was done by Simon @ ccctech.co.uk & he was excellent, he carries all the software with him so any probs he can sort it out there and then. If anyone wants his contact details just let me no.
Pete Read more
The economy increase is a genuine statement. I've had my Mondeo TDCI 130 'chipped' and aswell as showing a couple of mpg increase it now feels distinctly sporty.
VW group cars respond particularly well to chipping and you should see 160bhp easily. It's the 380Nm of torque you'll love though!
My mate wants me to change his indicator switch on his mk5 escort, but i've looked at the haynes manual and it mentions that i need to remove the airbag to gain access to this switch. I'm a little hesitant to do this because i've been told that the airbag can sometimes activate itself. Can anyone give me any advice on this, and if it's worth attempting it. Read more
I've replaced am indicator switch on a mk 5 escort with a one from the scrap yard, and its still not fixed the problem. The indicator will not switch off after being activated. I've tried turning the steering wheel several times but theres still no joy. Is this a common fault on escorts, and would it be the switch itself thats faulty or the indicator cam on the steering wheel thats worn.
As said earlier, any automotive product described as a polish will be abrasive.
From tests carried out on the radiator of my vintage car which being german silver, not chrome, a mild abrasive is needed.
Autoglym resin polish is abrasive, but not much. Pretty well what you would expect. Not much cop on the radiator as far too much effort needed.
T Cut has proven to be just the biz for this. Abrasive enough, yet nowhere near as aggressive as metal polishes. I'd never use it on paint though!
And going beyond, plastic sidesceens, nothing expensive needed, brasso works superbly.
Scratches in glass and hard to shift films (can happen to new cars). Jewelers rouge. You need to protect the paint or insides from this as it will scratch paint. Mix with water, and use small hand held polisher. By hand does work but needs mucho elbow grease. A well known windscreen company gave me a pot so I guess they buy it in bulk for not much.