December 2004
According to Haynes, only Volkswagon G11 Blue coolant should be used on these engines. Is this still necessary or can any proporietry antifreeze be used? Read more
** Poll now closed. Results here:- **** www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=27919&...e This weeks poll, as suggested in an email by Rebecca:-
Read moreAny chance you could rephrase "I realise someone elses need it greater than mine"? Read more
The results of this weeks poll are:-
Poll 21. When was the last time you parked in either a disabled or parent/child parking bay without being authorised to?
Never. I wouldn't consider doing so = 82
Within the last day or two = 7
Within the last week = nil
Within the last couple of weeks = 3
Within the last month = 1
I always illegally park in them and take my chances = 3
I am a blue badge holder, so I am authorised to use them = 2
I only use the child parking bays when my kids are with me = 17
If you want any results from earlier polls, then mail me at mailto:dave_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
Recently, the Telegraph reported that you can save £1000 on a convertible if you buy in December or January, according to Glass's Guide.
However, a CAP survey shows that, while car sales grind to a halt in December, demand jumps a lot in January.
If I wait until January to buy a convertible, will I find dealers less willing to give me the sort of discount Glass's think I should get? Read more
Lizard,
Every convertible is different with regard to noise, practicality etc. Try them all, and drive them all as you plan to drive your own (even if the dealer squeaks from the passenger seat).
I notice the government recently had a campaign to alert drivers to the need to move over to the left on Motorways and not hog the middle or even outside lane. I like to think I am a considerate driver but having recently returned to using the M25 Jct 5 to 11 on a regular basis I have come to the conclusion that it is safer to stay in the same lane.
If you try to follow the Police advice and move into the left lane when it is clear ahead you rapidly come up behind a truck or other slow mover and then other drivers in the middle lane wont let you back out! Most of the time you end up braking and using far more fuel. I have tried staying in the middle lane but then you end up undertaking slower traffic in the fast lane. I think we should use the US system Find a lane and stick to it undertaking is legal and the whole system just works better! Read more
Of course I should have said dawdling along indicating right....
Must be too much brandy in the mince pies...
Just done the booze cruise, I was given a do and don't leaflet. ''You must have dipped headlights on at all times now'' it said. It didn't seem to apply to the French though as not many seemed to obey that rule! Vive La France! Read more
- The new French law on daytime headlights is "on trial": motorists are requested to comply but it's not compulsory. The Government will look at the road death statistics in 6 month's time and try to see if any lives have been saved.
As you've noticed though, most of the French are ignoring the new "law"...
Some bright spark worked out on national tv that it'll cost an extra 20-quids worth of petrol every 10k miles to keep the headlights on.
Even more nonsensical: the motorbike lobby are up-in-arms because they reckon that bikes will be less visible if all the cars have their lights on too...?! Eh?!
Hi Room
I have a BMW320CI Coupe on a 2002 plate with 30k on the clock. The box is manual and I have noticed when I pull away in 1st gear a bit sharpish as I change into second the revs stay at the same level as if the accelerator is stuck. Is this a fault or is it a quirk of the BM engine management trying to maintain revs whilst changing from first to second. It doesnt do it at any other time ie second to third and is behaving very well in all other areas. The gearbox is a little clunkier than the other 3 series I have owned but nothing too bad.
Any thoughts??? Read more
You guys are being really helpfull so thanks for that....
I have only had the car a couple of weeks and I think I will get it checked. Engine revs "flare" thats a great expression and fits the symptom. Interested about the throttle damper, Do 320cis have them? assume they must have perhaps thats it and I just havent noticed the flare in other gears due to lower revs in 2,3 4 & 5?
Hi Room
I am looking for the best PC web based traffic reports that has live updates. I have a TrafficMaster YQ2 but I would like to check the M25 before I leave work to see just how grinm it will be and plan my escape from the office. Any ideas on the best sites???
I know the AA site is fairly good
Thanks John Read more
I have checked traffic reports for my journey home daily for about 4 years now. The best I have found is the RAC.
The RAC website usually gets it right more than the AA in my neck of the woods (Midlands)
Locally I can buy Esso, Total or City Diesel at supermarkets.
No Texaco or Shell at all locally.
Which brand is next best?
If I make a 10 mile round trip I can buy BP Ultimate costing 6p per litre more! No extra mpg but a bit better acceleration.
--
I wasna fu but just had plenty. Read more
HJ reckons BP Ultimate is best, I buy it because
my local is BP, I reckon Shell or Texaco are marginally
better though.
HJ's READERS reckon BP Ultimate is well worth the extra money.
I haven't tested it because I haven't had a diesel for
long enough.
HJ
Sorry, HJ, yes the readers. However I find that my Mondeo TDCi runs just a little more sweetly on BP Ultimate than normal BP, supermarket diesel etc though a bit more sweetly again on Shell or Texaco both of which, I understand, come from the same refinery and both of which are cheaper than BP Ultimate.
Have 2001 Amazon UK,which has two big faults.
The nearside remote mirror does not function, when parking a trailer or reversing into narrow space between high walls I find the mirror indispensable so this is a real problem for me. Toyota replaced wiring loom, mirror, motor and control switch by drivers side.
Second problem is the height control, it has a life of its own. Selects LO with 4 on board and despite handbook saying it will only remain in LO at speeds of less than 19mph we have photo of it in LO at 70mph!
Toyota currently replacing sensors/
Both these problems have needed many visits to workshop without resolution and I would like to know if anyone else has this experience? Read more
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The results of this weeks poll are:-
Poll 22. Have you changed your driving style as a result of reading posts in the Back Room?
Yes = 38
No = 62
If you want any results from earlier polls, then mail me at mailto:dave_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk