October 2004
Workload is becoming somewhat heavier, Alan, Dave and I are becoming somewhat busier, and a new nut in the nuthouse would be a breath of fresh air.
Therefore we have granted Hugo his very own edit button and welcomed him into the fold of the elite.
Hugo has always contributed in a way we're comfortable with and we are equally comfortable that he will prove to be a valuable moderator - and he's probably taller than No Dosh, less pedantic than Dave, but sadly unlikely to be better looking than me.
It'll take the morning for registration amendments, e-mail accounts and the like to catch up, but no doubt he'll show up soon with his shiny new buttons (because we get more than just an edit button, you know !).
Welcome Hugo, and I'm sure you'll be as supported and well-understood as the rest of us - which means you're pretty well screwed.
Be gentle with him, please.
Mark.
p.s. I can't see that dividing my annual ploughman's into 4 is going to be easy. Read more
I've read in many threads in the Backroom about the General dislike of Mercedes and the alleged poor build quality.
Now the Mercedes I have driven over the years including current models the quality seems fine to me, but I guess it's the 'definition' of poor quality is the issue that needs addressing.
Is it the way the car is screwed together, ie poor panel fit, loose stiching on seats, rattles whilst driving etc or is it the quality of materials used?
My definition of poor or good build quality would be quality of materials.
So that makes the current Fiat Punto just as good as an E class IMO.
opinions please.. Read more
There are two aspects to this. One is literally the quality of the materials and construction and the other is reliability.
In the first case, lots of former cheap manufacturers are catching up people like MB and BMW because of components made by third parties and production lines designed by third parties as well. However the quality in the first category does not necessarily relate to the second.
Our new Hyundai Trajet has rather cheap internal fittings, the quality of the plastics is no better than average and the finish of the door edges etc can only be described as poor (there are sharp edges at the corners), but nothing has gone wrong and in the long term it is likely to be far more reliable than a Galaxy.
I am currently driving a Galaxy for a couple of weeks and the overall quality of finish and of interior fittings is far higher and the car has a much more sophisticated feel than our Trajet. However, look at the reliability ratings and the Trajet wimply won't let you down half as often as the chocolate bar.
So what can we conclude from a car which looks and feels solid?
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
My daughter's Peugeot 106 intermittently produces a squeal from the engine. Can happen when stationary or moving. Lasts for seconds or up to a minute then disappears. Most likely to happen when cold or soon after starting but also has occured when engine is warm (not fully hot). Doesn't stop when clutch is depressed nor does it seem to be clutch release bearing. Any ideas welcome and appreciated. Thanks. Read more
Andrew thought that to be off rover 420..Dont know the pug.see your point though
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Steve
SWMBO wants a new car. After 6 happy years with her A6 it is time for a change. This is not going to be a fun time for me, the list of musts and must nots is growing by the second.
- it must be smaller than the A6 (easy);
- it must not be an Audi or a VW, neither of us likes the new A3 or the A4 and the local dealer has been useless of late;
- it must be petrol, she only does 6000 miles a year and has hated the various diesels we have owned / been loaned;
- it must not be a BMW;
- it must not be a Citroen, a salesman at the local dealer was rude to her dad;
- it must have climate control;
- it must not have leather seats;
- it must have 5 doors;
- it must be as comfortable and "high quality" as the A6;
- it must not be a 4x4;
It will take months won't it? There is no real budget constraint but when she actually finds what she wants I can negotiate like hell.
I favour a C-class Mercedes estate.
Read more
I would back up the earlier suggestion of a Subaru.....but the larger one, the Legacy, all come with climate control, most have cloth seats if you dont have the luxury pack version. Slightly smaller than an A6.
StarGazer
just wondered peoples opinion's
had 9 cars this year !
bmw 320 d sport touring ( suspension too harsh)
rav4 d4d 3 door (too small to carry my stuff in, slighty uncomfy driving pos)
puma (for the wife, sold it)
toyota landcruiser 3.0 d (53 plate, fantastic, but no good on diesel !)
saab convertible 9-3 (wicked motor, comfy, 40mpg)(got bored of it!)
peugeot 307 1.1 (awful, bad driving pos, no power)
rover 214 16v bubble (great car, bought for £2000, sold for £1950 ! after 4 weeks !)
have now got
subaru sti uk (for the wife)
rover 75 cdt 110bhp (for me)
now the rover is very very slow, and i quite like it, but its white, and done 99K miles.
i need something to do 40K a year
i have £15K and the 75 (5.5K i guess?)
what car do i get next? im 33, and i guess i need a car with a bit of image
needs to be a hatch or estate, with roof bars, for family trips & hols
but small enough to get more than 50mpg, as i get £300 a month & 18p a mile
fast but really good on mpg. and xenons and excellent comfy seats
with lumber support, would like red/orange interior clock lights
this is my list
audi a4 avant ? nice but small in the back
a6 (dont like look of, like passat)
bmw 525 d se touring (favourite, but 44mpg)
volvo v70 (again nice, but low mpg)
saab 9-5 estate/hatch/ or is it saloon? (nice but green clocks)
mazda 6 ?
alfa156 sportwagon ? (reliabile??)(looks great!)
not mondao, laguna, vectra, omega.
mg zt-t (ok, but i really dont know)
peugeot 407?
honda ?
merc c/e class? rear wheel drive and old man image
there are too many cars to choose from now, sometimes wish, i just had a company car again !
mmmmm, then again, its fun looking at them all.
but you can never tell how comfy it is after just 1 day driving it.
so can i have any idea's, as i know you are all a sensible lot tic :-) Read more
mg zt
great handling cars
Just saw a commerical for the Audi A6 and I can't believe Audi are still using the slogan 'Vorsprung durch Technik'. Seemslike they've used it for years and years. It's the equivilent of Ford still using 'Ford gives you more'. Come on Audi, it's a bit out of date?
Can anyone remember other slogans used by other manufactuers over the years?
Once driven forever smitten?? Read more
Mark you should be on the stage.
Next one out of town.
my 1997 turbo diesel has developed 2 heater problems,first is speeds 1 and 2 do not work on fan i beleive i need to replace the resistor for fan.secondly when the engine heats up and i use the fan it seems to be damp air coming from the heater as the windows start steaming up.any suggestions please.
*****Johnboy, incase you're looling for your other thread on the Laguna, I've put it into the Discussion section of this forum.*****
Hugo BR Moderator Read more
As someone else has mentioned, check the pollen filter housing is sealed properly.
Details here:- www.puravent.co.uk/products%20frameset.htm to help you locate and check the cover is on properly.
Also, have you got air-con, and does the problem go away when you use it?
Picked up my new XC90 this morning and have been behaving like a kid in toy shop all day. This car has exceeded all expectations.
For the benefit of anyone put off by long waiting lists, the salesman reckons that Volvo are really starting to push these cars through to the UK in greater numbers. Mine arrived a month earlier than planned, and as I drove mine away a transporter with six or seven arrived at the showroom. Read more
I want an SUV!
are they really that good over speed bumps?
Hi
I currently have standard 14 inch wheels on my 1997 416si.
As I need a new set of tyres and wheel trims anyway was considering looking for new alloy/ tyre setup.
Do I have to buy Rover , or would most sets fit
Can I fit 15 inch alloys ( seen some Rover ones advertised ) instead of 14inch ?
Read more
Ebay or alloy wheel specialists/breakers will have OE Rover wheels, often taken off perfectly good cars that have had wheel upgrades.
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
I need one of these but I don't know what the identification marks should be for this engine. Can anyone help please. Cheers. Read more
After my rubbish reply earlier on, all I can offer is the following which might be a little more helpful
I have both the Haynes Cortina 1.6/1.8/2.0 and the Sierra 4Cyl Manuals.
There is no mention of the GT so I assume it is a MK 3.
I do not recall a Mk 4 GT
However
Sierra only lists various electronic systems.
Cortina IV 1976 - 1983 says for distributor
1600 Bosch 76 HF - 12100 - HA Red/Purple
1600 Ford.. 76 HF - 12100 - GA Yellow Brown
2000 Bosch 76 HF - 12100 - CA Yellow/Green
2000 Ford.. 76 HF - 12100 - DA Yellow
Browse
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Do your Worst!!
But please be gentle :-o