Just bought a 53 plate Clio 1.6 16v privilage. drove it home fine, drove it later on the night and the environment light came on flashing, and the car felt as though it was going to cut out, it would struggle as it went from 1st to 2nd etc then give a jolt. i've had a coil changed but it's still happening. Any ideas as the garage is reluctant to give me my cash back. Read more

About 6 months ago, after playing with the air recirculation button and listening to the whirr of the servo too much on my Focus, it suddenly stopped. It's now stuck on recirculate, which means it's misting up very very quickly.

I'm not bothered about the ability to recirculate the air, but sods law would dictate that it's stuck on the one I don't want. Does anyone know where the servo is that controls the flap to circulate the air? I've bought a Haynes manual, but as usual it's as useful as a chocolate teapot. It tells me that the flap is servo controlled, but doesn't tell me where it is or how to get to it!

Thanks! Read more

Does anyone have experience of connecting an iPod to a car stereo system. I've seen those tape adapters, but I wanted to know if there is a more suitable way of connecting it.

I know for example BMW offer connection kits as an option on new models.

Thanks Read more

Looking at the discussion on Mondeos, I would like a cheap one with more comfort to replace my rather basic Focus for the 120 mile round trip commute to work. I was looking to spend £1500 - £2000, but have seen on autotrader a 2L Ghia R reg for £1195, But with 200k miles! It apparently has Full srvice history, and the cambelt was changed at 190k.

Firstly, would a Mondeo be a suitable replacement for my Focus, I realise the fuel costs would be higher, but things like heated mirrors and a heated screen would be nice at 6.30 on a Winter's morning.

Also, any opinions on a Mondeo with this mileage - will it be due for expensive repairs or imminent failures? I assume that a car with this mileage will have few original parts left! Read more

Hi Folks,

Looking to retire (as far as the missed on L plates) my current N/99 Renault Clio 1.9D RL, after sterling service from 25k to 115k miles (work done in 5 years: new radiator (another needed now though, which is quite sad), wheel bearings, exhaust, plus new discs and pads on the front when the wheel came off on the M25, but that's a different story...).

Going some something bigger, and which will look good when turning up at client sites etc, with a budget around £4k, thinking 99 or '00 year model 406, Vectra or Mondeo, having driven the three, the 406s have "felt" best, followed by Mondeo then Vectra.

Would prefer the diesil engine pug/vectra but they may come out a little pricey, have test driven a few 2.0 petrol and done the maths on the fuel cost, can deal with that.

However, reading HJs car-by-car, and what car etc, the list of problems is a little worrying, so wanted to get people here's experiences / feeling for what the car-by-car says, all and any comments welcome!

From the car-by-car then:

* Light Build: Guessing this means supermarket knocks on the doors etc?

* Radiators failing after 3 years. + Coolant loss leading to overheating (same problem, or does the latter relate more to hoses?)

* Rear discs & parking brake trouble after 3 years: From my reading here in the backroom, this seems to be that the parking brake dies if you stop on it, and also seen that discs warp (specifically if you hold the car on the foot brake when it's hot?). Is this a significant issue? Have looked at service histories for the 2 i've driven (99V exec 63k and 00W GTX, both 2.0 petrol, neither had significant brake work)

* Electrical problems: I've seen numerous spedo comments (reboot option noted), and also "406 + water --> elec failure" posts. Anything else significant to worry about.

* Boot not locking on remote: i'll check cars and get dealer to sort if its a problem?

* Indicator stalks failing: not seen comments here in the backroom about this, really an issue?

* HDi timing belt pulley: from what ive read here, easy to keep eye on and replace when timing belt needed.


On initial reading this little lot started to put me right off, but reading the backroom has settled that down a little, i'm looking for you chaps to either settle me down, or put me off, once and for all.

Thanks!

Gavin. Read more