November 2004
Hello all,
The time has come to sell my 3 Series, and I've been doing a bit of investigation, and reading some interesting threads on this forum.
I've put the car details into "What Car?" online valuations, and paid the princely sum of £2.50 for a "Glasses Guide" valuation. Guess what? They're quite different in their figures!
"What Car?" gives a price of £9,300 as a Private Sale figure, dropping down to £8,000 for a straight Trade figure.
"Glasses Guide" gives me prices of £8,200 for an Excellent Condition Trade-in, going down to £6,200 for a Below Average Condition Trade-in.
So, what gives? Which, if either, valuation is right?
The car is a 1999 T-reg 318iSE (E46) saloon, with dark blue metallic paint and beige leather interior.
It's been owned by me from new, has done 52,000 miles and has a full BMW service history.
Interior condition is absolutely 1st class, with practically no marks or damage. The paintwork has a few scratches and paint chip etc, and a few marks from bird droppings; overall I would describe the exterior condition as being good/very good.
What value should I advertise the car for? And what figure should I accept?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Nick
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Good morning everyone. Got a good one for you but first I have to set the scene.
Decided to check all the fluid levels, top the screenwash up etc... Upon doing so, I saw a cable near the battery which doesn't connect to anything. There appear to be similar cables coming from the battery and going to the air cleaner but I can't really see where this one should go. The cable in question is covered by a hard plastic coating and has a sort of squarish connection which obviously clips onto something.
I'm not *too* worried as the car drives perfectly but I'm pretty sure it was connected to something when I last looked because it's obvious as soon as you close the bonnet.
I understand the description is vague - if I can, I'll take a picture and post it on the MSN group. Any ideas how I go about this?
Many many thanks
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Adam Read more
I may look in the Haynes manual given I asked for Focus brake pads and got given Ka ones.
Focus - Ka - they sound similar I suppose.
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Adam
Is there a simple way to tell if my colleagues Passat Est TDI SE 2002 has Discharge or Normal head lights. It has two spherical lenses for the Dip Beam and manual Height Control. It also has LHD and RHD control switch behind the N/S head light. This car was an import. Regards Peter Read more
The type of bulb is usually stamped in small text on the lens, if it begines H, eg H7 they are Halogen, if D such as D2S they are Discharge!
If you switch them on and off it will be obvious, as they go on and off instantly instead of fading, also when first swiyched on, they go through a fancy starting procedure over a second or two where they change brighness and light intesnsity.
anyone any ideas, ive got a 306 and sometimes if i put my put down there is a scraping sound and a puff of smoke then it dissapears if i to turn it off it will then over run reving up. but then it is ok after that the engine runs fine oterwise can anyone help,there is oil in the airways, iremember once my brother over filled his with oil and it reved up and wouldnt stop, could it be the turbo any ideas? Read more
The turbo should have no detectable in out movement and just a trace of side play - just a basic check though and might not pick up worn seals. Usual to find some oil contamination in the intake side with these engines from EGR so dont condemn turbo on that. Strange noises can be caused by blown inlet manifold/intercooler gaskets so check those before replacing the turbo.
If turbo needs replacing i found easiest method is:-
1. Remove top and bottom engine mounts (not mounting under battery)
2. Lower engine on jack and rock forwards
3. Remove IC + pipework and inlet manifolds etc.
4. Disconnect exhaust/oil feed pipe etc. and remove turbo + exhaust manifold from top of engine.
hope this is of some use.
Question. I've received a summons from the Traffic Enforcement Centre at Northampton for a parking offence commited in Bexley, London. I live in Greenwich,London. Can I be taken to a County Court in a place other than where I reside and not even in the County where the offence occured? Tis offence offence occured more than 12 months ago.
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Northampton is the national centre for traffic enforcement. Ring the guys/gals there and ask their advice. You q will be a regular. The staff are DCA Civil Servants and have no allegaince to Bexley, neither are they on a %age.
As DVD says this is recovery action, it purpose is to authrise the Bsailff . You cannot file a defence. The venue for contest is (a) Bexley Council and if aggrieved(b) a Parking Adjudicator. There are about three circs, all to do with enforcement being premature, where you can file a "Statutory Declaration". This is a serious issue and fibs will get you in v hot water. If you did the "crime" pay up now.
See also the two Parking Adjudicators Websites www.parking-appeals.gov.uk/ and www.parkingandtrafficappeals.gov.uk/
I have returned home to find messages on my phone and my mother worried.
A large man turned up at our door asking to look at the car, at 930pm. I have not given my address to anyone enquiring about the car. He claims he got the address from a friend in the police whom obtained it from the registration number. I included it in the ad as it is a personal reg and thought it may affect the value.
He then returned again 10mins later, and said he would go for a meal and return yet again an hour later. My mother said she did not know if anyone to do with the car would be in so gave him my mobile number. He said he was over for a few days from Ireland. The number he rang me on starts 00353
This all sounds rather dodgy to me. What do people here think? I cannot get rid of the reg number from the ad as there are plenty of bid now. I am hesitant to remove it completely as it appears to be doing quite well. I am worried someone might come back and try and pinch it. Read more
lol..
Since everyone is being so helpful with routes, would someone like to suggest the best way from Cambridge (west side) to Oxford (centre)?
Autoroute insists the quickest way is M11 / M25 / M40, but I doubt it as I'm starting at about 5.00 pm (this Thursday) and need to be in Oxford by 7.30.
I'd have thought A428 / A421 / A43 / M40 / A34 must be a better bet.
Any ideas will be gratefully received! Read more
There are several P&Rs in Cambridge, one at every entrance to
the city (almost). I use the one at J11 of
the M11 (Trumptington) and it is a very efficient service, for
a single chap like myself, works out expensive for a family
though.
£1.80 return and up to 3 children under 16 can travel free with each adult.
Looking at HJ's car by car breakdown, I see that there is suspicions about the clutch on 130ps Passats. This should also be extended to 130ps A4s.
Am suffering some problems on this 10 month old car (10k miles) and although they are fixing them it is annoying. Not critising the dealer - Dane Audi, Chester, as they are very helpful, but it is just not what you expect after spending 20 grand.
Firstly, the car has always been difficult to get into 1st when stopped. Originally put it down to being new but then it got worse to a point when if it was damp or cold in the morning, until the engine got warm each time I pulled away the car juddered or kangarood. My dealer looked at it and asked me to monitor. Didn't get better (or worse to be honest).
Then 3 weeks ago when SWMBO was hoovering it she noticed the front passenger footwell was wet. Had to wait a week for a courtesy car and nuked the carpet each night to keep it dry on my way home from work. Dried it out but when it was raining it got wet again.
On Monday this week they looked at the car again for both issues and couldn't find the cause of the leak, taking the heater, etc. apart to see if the problem was from the matrix. Advised to monitor - not rained yet. Also looked at the clutch and now decided I need a new one and a new flywheel ? To be done under warranty.
Driving home from the dealer, the dash now rattles which drives me crazy and am worried that once the car is taken apart it may get worse - again no criticism of the dealer, just general experience of life !
What do you think ? I know that Audi are covering it and getting it fixed, I just feel rather fed up with the car now and wonder what will go wrong next.
JAJ
My point is, that even if Audi are Read more
Thought I'd give an update.
Was due to hand car to local dealer on 3rd Dec. Night before CD player (in-dash 6CD unit) went pop and broke too. Handed in to dealer and was given nice brand-new A6 1.9TDI Avant (old shape) multitronic to play in.
Thoughts on A6 are that the extra size would be worth having - boot is enormous compared to A4 and that extra rear legroom is beneficial - even if your kids are only 7 and 2, it's nice not to be kicked in the back constantly. The multitronic was fun for the first 10 minutes then I figured that it was less hassle and smoother to let the computer do the work for me. I've had a couple of these gearboxes in rentals and honestly always get bored and go back to regular auto eventually. On day 3 of the courtesy car had a puncture (3rd this year ...) and was beginning to feel really down with Audi. But - again the dealer (Dane Audi of Chester) showed itself in a good light. One of the service assistants had seen me at the side of the road and recognised the car, called the dealer and then they immediately called me on my mobile to see how they could help. Very effective - within about 10 minutes of having a puncture a 'god' had seen and called to help !
Overall, was impressed with the A6. Seemed a little dated inside but everything worked well. 1.9 engine struggled a bit with autobox and weight and consumption was at least 10mpg worse than my A4. Door bins seemed a very good design and much more effective than mine with their hinged openings. Very quiet on the motorway on a run from Chester to Leicester (gosh - we all go fast on that tollroad !). The rear screen and tailgate get very messed up - never noticed that as badly before. Don't know how long the front tyres would last though as it always seemed to trigger the traction control pulling away, even though I wasn't being an idiot. It always seemed to be damp so I'm sure that didn't help but it didn't seem right. The size of the car seemed to shrink when driving and it really enjoyed twisty roads - seeming to shring and be more 'chuckkable' than my A4. Also seemed (again my be a misconception) to have a better turning circle and more able to get around my crazily designed, tight cornered office carpark.
Back to the A4 - collected it back on the 13th (10 days later) with a new clutch, flywheel and CD player. The water had been traced to a faulty door seal apparently. So far it hasn't leaked but has spent most of the time parked in Liverpool airport so will test over next few days. The CD player works and seems to pick up more distant radio stations better than before - no loss of signal when driving along the A55 which is good. The gearchange also seems a lot smoother too. So far then all looks OK. Until the next problem ?
By the way - remember an old thread about the stunt show at Disney Paris but just want to add that it was awesome. I want one of those little red Opels (or even a rear wheel drive Corsa for some fun !). Seeing the stunts on screen doesn't do justice to the real-life skills that those drivers show.
Thanks (and sorry for long and rambling thread !).
JAJ
I've just been involved in a shunt. I drove into the back of another car, going at 35 mph through some roadworks. The other party braked suddenly when they saw a police car with flashing lights waiting to emerge from a side road. My fault, driving too close.
Damage to other party (newish Peugeot 306) was dented boot. My N-reg Nissan Micra is all bashed in at the front. Damage is:
* Severely buckled bonnet, won't close.
* Broken light cover on the passenger-side headlight
* Right headlight (driver side) totally smashed, wing section mangled at front.
* Radiator seems OK, but front bar it is attached to is bent?
* Plastic front fascia and number plate smashed in.
As only one headlight would work, the police would not let me drive off. So I got Green Flag out, who effected running repairs:
* Fitted new bulb in driver side headlight, so I have 2 lights working (no reflectors, though, so its pretty dim.)
* Fastened down bonnet with a piece of rope/cable. Still got a major buckle in it!
I drove 30 miles home in it, so it rolls OK. With "serious cosmetic" damage.
Question: I have 3rd party Fire & Theft insurance. Given that it is "my fault" -- driving into the back of someone -- can I claim on my insurance to get this fixed? Or might I be better trying to get it fixed up cheaper elsewhere. Maybe by buying new headlamps from a Nissan main dealer and getting a bonnet from a scrap yard?
Advice welcomed. I will have to call the insurance people tomorrow (Direct Line) and decide whether to get their repairers involved.
Mike Read more
>The main thing was that the front cross member had not been not bent.<
I take it you mean the main chassis bar at the bottom of the car.
Don´t think that is bent...the thinner bar at the top front of the engine which holds the radiator, headlamps, bonnet lock etc. is bent. But it can be bent back easily by hand.
Scrappy replacement is going well. I have replaced one headlamp for 20 quid. I have another scrappy headlamp (also 20 quid) but the retaining bolt is rusted on. Ideas please for removing this...saw thru with hacksaw? I do not have a blowlamp and would not feel comfortable using one in an engine compartment!
When the headlamps have gone in, its time for a scrappy bonnet. This may take some fiddling to get the lock aligned etc.
Dunno about the radiator...I have driven 100 miles since the shunt. Fluid levels OK, engine temp. indicator OK but the heater feels a bit hotter than normal! I haven´t been stood in any long traffic jams yet...maybe get a scrappy radiator replacement while I am it?
In conclusion, the car is 10 years old. I am content to use scrappy parts to get it it in roadworthy, MOT pass condition. If it looks like an old banger so be it!
Mike
Now I'll make no secret of the fact I'm not Citroen's biggest fan. Unfair I suppose given the only one I've ever driven was an old Saxo but the looks don't appeal to me. Trust me - this is going somewhere.
I saw a new C5 today. Odd because I never even knew they were out yet but they must be because one was parked up in Sainsbury's driven by, sorry for not being PC but a rather "trampy" old chap. By that I mean a lumberjack shirt and string vest - honestly...ok - there was no string vest...or lumberjack shirt.
Very subtle changes - I only had a quick look at it as I was holding everyone up but the lights were what caught my attention - certainly nicer than the ....sorry SeeFive (and others) boring tailights of it's predecessor.
That is all...thank you.
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Adam
Road Test at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=149 Read more
Its the Fisher Price look I guess.
Browse
Thanks madf.
Although, it has to be said, four of the six examples are either for Compacts or old shape 3's.
I was deliberately trying not to use other people adverts as the basis for my price on the assumption that everyone adds a bit on top of the price they like, and quickly things escalate out of control into unrealistic prices.
That said, I guess around £7,000 doesn't feel like too bad a target price.
Regards
Nick