November 2004
Having long considered lots of cars, varying from Audi A3's, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astras and 1998 -> 3 series. I keep coming back to the Golf, though there is a slight question mark over its reliability.
I have read numerous reports on problems with window failure and coil pack issues.
Can anyone tell me how this affects the 1.8 20v (NON TURBO) as many reports seem to state that it only affects the turbo (with regards to the coil packs), but that doesnt sound right to me, as the 20v is the same engine but with a turbo stuck on?
Also why did VW drop the 1.8 20v in 2000 and left the only petrol model the dire 2.0 8v.
I took the 2.0 8v out for a test drive the other day and the engine was harsh and slow,(it actually put me off going through the rev range as it sounded so terrible) in 3rd it barely accelerated. Found it very hard to fault the rest of the car however. I actually consider the plastics in the golf to be better than the 1998+ audi a3 and bmw 3 series compact (latest one), with the audi coming a close second.
Also I have heard about premature cambelt failure at about 70k-80k, surely the cambelt change should be before then, anyway?
Any further details would be greatly appreciated. Read more
My mate has a 1997 Loadbeta with a 1948cc normally aspirated diesel engine. It's done a 140,000 miles and whilst the chassis and bodywork are OK the engine is shot. The cylinder head is cracked and the bottom end is also very very tired. Does anyone know what engine we can use as a replacement?. The original engine we understand, is a Peugeot design made under licence by Tata. Someone has suggested the old Peugeot 504 / Sierra 2.3 These engines may well fit but these are like rocking horse poo and/or have been 'taxied' to death. Someone else has suggested that the Peugeot 405 diesel will fit. Whilst these are more readily available, they are a transverse engine and because of that we're a bit sceptical as to whether or not one would fit. We've tried a number of online partfinder sites without success but have a contact in the scrap trade locally from whom we could source an engine very cheaply if only we knew exactly which engine to use. Can anyone help?
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I'm surprised the engine has has its day at only 140K. If this is the engine I'm thinking off, they were as tough as old boots in the 504 and 505. Anyway, that's another issue...
I doubt you will find a decent 505 now, IIRC the very last were on a H plate, that makes them 14 years old plus.
I would try and locate another Tata to obtain the engine. You need to make sure you don't spend too much time and money on this car, with all due respect they don't have much value on the second hand market despite being good workhorses.
Good luck!
{Moved from Technical Matters. DD}
Can anyone tell me what other manufacturers offer quickclear heated front windscreens, other than Ford?
Thanks
Charles Read more
A firm in Finland used to make heated windscreens to Volvo and others since 1988. They could make heated windscreen on order to most any car. I have had these installed on three Pajeros/Shoguns, and they worked great.
The company is now bought by Pilkington ltd, and since then they stopped producing these windscreens, as they say; ?they didn?t fit into their new product philosophy?. So if anyone has connections within Pilkington: Please apply pressure.
(Pilkington division in Trondheim Norway still have some for Pajero/Shogun and Volvo 740 / 760).
I want one for Toyota Colorado, any make will do.
Hi
I have the above car with above Lucas-Girling ABS system which uses a lot of mechanical levers and valves to get the job done with no electronic components. I posted a queery to this a while ago at www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=9373&v...f .
Being as there's been a fair turnover of BR members since then I thought I'd put it up again and ask if anyone has had any success with freeing up this kind of system? Quick recap, the "Anti-Lock" bit works fine, it just doesn't want to apply the brakes again (well, for a while [an hour] at least!). All curtosy of my gran who owned the car for 13 years and never ever used the ABS or (by the look of it) never had the brake fluid changed! I'm tempted to buy some second-hand modulators off e-bay and maybe try them out if push comes to shove, or to take apart and have a look inside! They go for peanuts.
I look forward to your comments!
Mike Farrow Read more
Hi
Well, it depends if I can do it myself! I have considered the coversion route, but wouldn't I have to declare this the the insurance company? I'm unsure as to how they'd take that! I'm not surprised having owned a car with the mechanical Stop Control System that it didn't become too popular!
Just got back from a nice drive up to Edinburgh with my mate. He's just bought a new Honda Accord. Jesus ! What a car. Can't believe how strong the 2.0l engine is in it, or how it manages to do 100mph in 3rd (errr alledgly officer) :o) Read more
Must admit it, I don't get it with the Accord. When
SWMBO was looking for a new car (thankfully she changed her
mind) we tried both the petrol and diesel variants. I hated
both!
Sure they go OK (I wouldgo no further though) but that
dash is really horrible and the seats are not what you
expect on 20k's worth of car.
Can't understand why. I bought a new Accord diesel tourer in March and I love it. First Honda I've owned, and the most comfortable car ever. All of the reviews I've read have commented how comfortable Honda seats are.
Dash looks lovely and when I went to France the first time it got admiring looks from all and sundry. I have not yet seen a new Accord in France.
Hi, i have a Mondeo 1.8 Verona Zetec registered Oct 1996 (P plate) 56000 miles only. Problem - The car will always start brilliantly even in the coldest/dampest weather, revs are higher than standard warm tickover sounda about right, everything seems fine untill you try to drive away. Its almost impossibe to pull away without HUGE kangaroo's you have to rev the engine like mad, this is coupled with a huge throttle lag if the pedal is depressed quickley. After about 4 mins of driving BINGO everything is ok! The car is and always has been sluggish though, just cant seem to compleatly rev out. Anyone got any ideas?? Many Thanks,
Radders (new member) Read more
Where can I find the speedo sender for an L reg 16 valve 2 ltr model? Or any other common reason for speedo failure on these
{Upper Case lettering amended, because it's classed as SHOUTING in cyberland. DD} Read more
The speedo on this year Mondeo is cable driven off the gearbox.However,the drive to the cable passes thro an electrical speed sensor & it is possible that the plastic drive pin has snapped on this sender ;thus no cable drive.
Following a road test, I'm very impressed with the new 407 and not far off ordering one.
Does anyone have any experiences or issues they could share with me before I do? or would anyone know of a Peugeot owners forum I could have a look at?
TIA...David K Read more
Anyone seen the estate? Shocking enough but as...someone who I can't remember said in an earlier post - so different - I actually like it.
--
Adam
Can anybody tell me if (Turbo)Diesel engines are like petrol engines and require some kind of 'choke' on cold start up ? Or do they just fire up and thats it - idle curiosity on my part.
Also I am surprised by the lack of engine braking on the motorway as I keep bowling up behind things after having lifted off expecting the engine to halt my progress more than it does. I thought the higher compression ratios would give me more engine braking than say my 1.8t Golf that I used to drive.
Puzzled P ! Read more
I checked today 1800 = 70 mph / 2000 = 75mph
Hence little engine braking!
Having driven for 15 unblemished years my NCB was fully intact. I left the UK to live in Lanzarote for 16 months. I insured my Spanish car through Linea Directa (Direct Line) using my UK NCB. Now I have returned to the UK and because I have lapsed my UK driving insurance my NCB has gone back to zero!!
Be warned if you stop driving for a period of time your NCB stops as well. Direct line tell me that because the spanish organisation is separate from the UK one they can not transfer the NCB??? Read more
If you go to Co-ops www.cis.co.uk you'll find that they usually give a 45% introductory NCD if you are over 25, even without proff of existing NCD.
I recommend them highly: their default policy includes any driver driving with owner's permission, which I find a very useful safety aid, because I can share the driving on long journeys.
Also, their rates seem reasonably competitive and they don't seem to play the game of upping your premium each year, forcing you to hunt around for another insurer who will also give you a daft renewal quote
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Although it handles and performs well, its a bit to run of the mill, the "visible" build quality and plastics used leave a lot to be desired and it depreciates fast. Admittedly a great car for driving dynamics, but not for much else (for me). The Focus has its problems with reliability, but what car doesnt.