December 2004
Seeing as how we are about to jump into 2005, what is the backroomer's Car Of The Year 2004?
For me its the Aston Martin DB9 - great looking, great performance, just need those 6 numbers to drop for me though.
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I'm looking at new Estate versions of above as opting out of company car.
Performance figures are very similar, but obviously the diesel will use less fuel, but it costs £3K more, so doesn't appear to make sense unless it's worth more on resale (prob at 3yrs, 80-90K miles).
Any thoughts, anyone? Read more
Thanks for this - I have heard similar things about Mercedes dealers but apparently when Mercedes themselves get involved then they sort things out.
Sweeping generalisation - ALL franchised dealers are crap.
What I'm concerned about is the 'corporate' level of response when things go wrong.
The response you get when going in for test drives is usually down to the individual you happen to come across. Out of Audi/BMW/Merc where I live (Chester), Merc were the best and BMW the worst. I've been into my local BMW dealer twice and never managed to actually speak to a salesman. I rang another BMW dealer and sales answered with answerphone!!
Hi.
Having problems with the electric windows on my escort.
It used to be that with the engine off, the windows would work when the doors were open, and would only work when the doors were closed if the engine was running.
Over the space of 2 days there was intermittant working with doors shut and engine running, and now they dont work at all; although when the doors are open everything is fine.
(hope thins makes sence so far)
Ive sone some investigation and it appears that the window circuit must be some way connected with the interior light - as when the doors are open and the interior light is on the windows work, however as soon as the door is pulled too enough to shut of the light, the windows stop. This is the same regardless of whether the engine is on or not.
I thought it might be a fuse or relay problams but Ive tried all the fuses and they seem fine, had a look at the relays - cant see anything wrong and have tapped them all - still nothing.
Not being able to find the Haynes manual doesn't help either.
Anyine got any ideas?
Cheers
Dave. Read more
I should have remembered about the fusebox..I posted on same problem some months ago..Job didnt get fixed as too many problems with electrics.
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Steve
Morning all
Recently acquired a 1997P Peugeot 106 1124cc, with 60,000 miles. Smashing little car, great to drive with PAS etc. Its got a full service history and everything seems fine, however it has started making a ticking noise from the engine. Its nothing loud (only audible when idling), and a mate reckons the cam followers are sludged up a bit but thinks theres no point doing anything about it as it wont affect the longevity of the engine, just makes it a bit noisier.
My question is then what are cam followers, and is what my mate says right about leaving them alone? I'm not bothered about a bit of extra noise as apparently the TU series engines weren't the quietest of things when first made anyway.
Also, any pointers of what else to watch out for on 106's in general?
Thanks in advance
Ben Read more
other 106 problems:
disks can corrode unevenly if little used.
Rear wheel cylinders leak after about 8 years
passenger side lower suspension arm balljoint wears due to water ingress.
watch alternator drive belt for slipping (squealing) - easily adjusted.
Rust in seams under spare wheel.
Check all radiator hoses: the more complex ones can split and leak.. if bad head gasket goes £££s
madf
Having decided to follow HJ's advice on changing oil frequently, I'd like to know whether frequency of changes should be determined by mileage or time.
If I do 12,000 miles a year, but 6000 of those in the first 4 months, should I change after the 6000, or after 6 months? Read more
Agreed, RF, but not many schedules nowadays suggest any changes more often than yearly ...
Apparently we're overrun with deer in this country and they want to start culling them news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4133919.stm, to reduce car accidents amongst other reasons. What's your experiences of these wonderful creatures? Do you see them as a motoring pest or a joy to behold when you see them particulally for your children?
Also a website for tips www.deercollisions.co.uk/ on reducing motoring deer accidents Read more
I can't think if I posted this ages ago - I don't think I have but sorry it that's untrue.
Not a deer I know but one night I had picked up my Mum and Dad and we were going home. It was around midnight and we were driving down a pretty remote, dark (no lights) and fast road. As I rounded a bend, for a split second, I saw a fox leg it across the road. Not even a hope of even reaching for the brakes - bang. Sadly, I hit it and even though it was small, the noise was horrendous - God knows what hitting a deer would be like.
Anyway, we turned around to out it's out of it's misery because it would most certainly be in pain having a car go over it. As we were going past on the other side, we saw another car go past so couldn't swerve to do it. Seeing the fox, it's back must have been broken but it was looking around (head only moving). Turned around further up wondering if I was going to be able to go through with it but thankfully, the other car must have hit it as it was pretty dead.
It does sound heartless but you can't leave it lying there awake in the dark after being hit at 60mph.
I'm hoping that's the last thing I hit....
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Adam
I'm trying to plan a trip down the west coast of France on a tight budget with a few friends. I have two questions for all of you:
1)Can anyone suggest a vehicle I could hunt for £500 - £1500 to transport four people and a load of luggage reliably on this trip?
2)What is the law regarding passengers in the back of a van in France? I suspect they would need proper seats and seatbelts but i'm wondering if I could shove them in a transit / minivan legally?
Cheers Read more
The top end of your budget will ALMOST get you,in auction, an ex Royal Mail LDV Pilot postbus. This will have good loadspace, plus proper hi back belted seating for 5 people.
Not the nicest thing to drive, but reasonably well maintained, a few bumps n dents, but at least you'll be road legal!
VB
Help.
I've just put a replacement engine in my wifes 306 1.9 diesel, I am fairly sure that I replaced all the electrics correctly.
However there is now no power to the glow plugs and the warning light doesn't come on even tho I can here the control unit clicking on. The glow plugs them selves are fine, I tested them with a direct feed.
Also the battery light comes on at the first click of the key.
What have I done
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there may be an immobiliser fitted to the fuel pump.
madf
Hi all
My sister-in-law's 1.2 8v Corsa is running cool. The fans finally came on when I revved the engine, so I suspect the thermostat. Having bought a Haynes manual it would appear I have to remove the timing belt and rear cover to remove the thermostat. The manual also mentions a special tool for re-tensioning the timing belt. Can one of these tools be easily fabricated and if not, where can I buy one from. The Vauxhall dealer is not allowed to sell tools apparently.
Any advice and tips on the procedure would be welcome. I have changed a timing chain before, but this is the first timing belt. The coolant hasn't been changed before so do I need to flush the system, or is the garden hose sufficient? The car has 80,000 miles on the clock so should I look for anything else to replace while I have all these bits off.
Thanks
Andrew
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If the car gets hot without driving it, but cools as soon as you do, then it certainly sounds like a dodgy thermostat.
You don't need the special tool to tension the timing belt. The "twist" test is adequate enough. Using the longest run of the belt between the crankshaft and camshaft, grab it in the middle and providing you can twist it 90° without too much trouble, and no further, it should be at the right tension. An overtensioned belt will humm, a slack one will rattle.
As the car has done 80,000, it's time for it's second belt change anyway. (Vauxhall specify every 40,000 or 4 yrs, whichever comes sooner) You might also want to consider replacing the waterpump while you're at it.
Flusing the system with a hosepipe should be enough to clear most of the crud out.
Hi, it's gonna be a long post, so sit back.
I've replaced my multifunction display unit on my 2000 (X) Peugeot 406 coupe (without Sat Nav). The actual lcd was faulty, so I bought one from ebay (of a V reg 406 glx estate) and installed it. Everything seemed fine- the stalk controls worked, as did the radio and tape. But when I select the (Standard boot) CD multi-changer, nothing - It wouldn't recognise it.
So I exchanged it for another one (from a standard 406 coupe 2001). Installed it, and that seemed O.K., it recognises the cd changer, until I tried operating the stalk controls. Now it doesn't recognise that.
I had to swallow almost £100, on a new one from a main Peugeot dealer.
They took my VIN number and looked it up on their computer parts system, and ordered a new unit (part no. 6155.P8).
I installed the new unit, and to my annoyance, it had the same problem as with my first replacement unit- it wouldn't recognise the cd changer.
So I went back to the dealer and told them my problem. They said it was the correct unit, and the problem of the cd changer
may be due to the BSI (the brain of the multiplex wiring system).
They said it will cost about £50 for a diagnostics check. At that point I couldn't be bothered so I left. (Got a refund on the display unit)
So now I'm back with the unit which doesn't respond to the stalk controls.
So my questions:
Anyone know why my stalk controls/cd changer isn't recognised, and
Is there a simple/cheap way to solve it?
Does anyone happen to know the difference between 6155P8 (up to
build code 09001) and 6155Q8 (from build code 09002), or 6155.N8?
Did I actually receive the correct unit, and I do have a problem with the BSI.
Has anyone had a diagnostics check done (does £50 sound about
right)?
-Would they be able to reprogram the display unit/BSI so it would recognise the stalk controls?
P.s. When I put back the original display unit, all the functions work as usual (the actual lcd is broken).
Told you it was a long post!
A really annoyed owner
P.S. Happy X-mas
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Browse
I sell quite a few Prius and from my observings i would say they are mainly bought by doctor's, accountants, teachers etc.
I think due to the much higher cost compared to a 'normal' car of it's size such as a Corolla or a Focus it is mainly the more well off who are looking for something a bit different.