January 2005
I've recently aquired a '97 Golf Mk3 GTi 8v (Asthmatic version) and am considering upgrading it. I want to fit a lowering kit to improve handling (not to look better) but there are so many on the market at different prices I have no idea which one!?
I also have the same problem with choosing an performance air filter - Any recommendations?
Also, I have worn my tyres dangerously low (Although it's a lot of fun in the wet now), What suits a Mk3 Golf Gti performance-wise, but not scrubbs off too quickly?
Any help will be appreciated :)
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I've crashed my car and now the airbag light stays on, but the airbag did not activate. Does anyone know how to get this switched off?
{Shouting edited. DD} Read more
Yup - in this circumstance (crash & airbag light) you *really* need to go to the dealer to sort this one
Are there any VW owners out there that are happy with there dealer service departments?
Be nice to hear a positive comment because negative seems the norm!!
Would especially like to hear a plus for any service departments in the south lincs,north cambridge area.
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Oval Westbury (Wiltshire) were always excellent when I used them. Obliging and competent, no hidden surprises when the bill was presented.
LJK is in today's Indy again, under the headline: 'Safety' features can be downright dangerous. That very briefly sums up his theme, which he ends by suggesting that the only added Safety Feature which does not reduce the driveability of a car in some way is ABS or active 4-wheel steering. By adding crumple zones and other technical solutions, American designers ensured that 'the car most likely to survive an accident was the car most likely to have one'. Later litigation has tended to place blame on the makers rather than a driver's incompetence.
Discuss? Read more
As for LJKS, as the fly-leaf on his book says, he's
"closer on the scale of human potential to Isaiah Berlin than
to Jeremy Clarkson". Isaiah Berlin? Brain the size of a planet.
>>
If anyone is passing by Greenwich station, you can purchase said book, as I did today,
"Drive On! A social history of the motor car" brand new for £2.00. yes £2.00 rather than £25.00. Now there is a bargain.
Sorry I do not know the name of the bookshop and I guess as stocks last.
Also picked up a spiral bound Collins M25 London Drivers atlas 120 pages of maps. ALL books etc. £2.00.
Hi,
While it seems that the general concensus on these forums is that BP Ultimate is the best diesel I reckon my Mondeo runs just as well on Shell and Texaco.
I have been trying Millers Diesl Plus recently, not yet sure that it makes any difference however while filing up with BP Ultimate yesterday I though I detected a faint similarity in the odour from the BP Ult to that of neat Millers.
Could it be that BP put similar Cetane enhancers in BP Ult to those used in Millers?, if so can the Cetane levels be too high?again if so perhaps additive should not be used with premium fuels?
I am speculating, someone will know the answer.
Regards. Read more
Hi RF,
Nice way of looking at it, my ratings on same basis.
BP Ultimate - Crisp, well rounded with a real hint of extra zing, fairly potent so can be taken in smaller measures than most.
Shell / Texaco - Smooth and refined very good value for a VSOP.
Tesco/Morrisons - ok on chips, not for much else.
Esso - Average brew, lacks sparkle probably best with a mixer.
Still interested in the Cetane point though.
Regards.
Hi all. Mrs V just sat her theory test having studied hard for weeks and been practicing hazard perception on what's claimed to be "the UK's best selling driving theory test software".
Whilst the software made it clear that it couldn't/didn't exactly match the real thing it claimed to be just as demanding, if not more so.
Anyway Mrs V. felt that the real thing was easier. The video clips seemed shorter and the quality of the video was far superior in her opinion. All in all she felt far less daunted by the real thing than the practice version, so for anyone awaiting a theory test her advice is to get some software (don't know if I can mention the name Mods.) and practice away.
Oh and BTW, her results (for anyone who's interested):
Theory multiple choice: 35/35! (pass mark 30)
Hazard perception: 57/75! (pass mark 44)
Guess who's celebrating tonight :) Read more
If you've never used Autoroute, then you'll like it probably. For me, it was kind of like going back to Ford after driving Mercedes.
--
Adam
I would be grateful for any feedbck on brakes & perfomance. I have had the car for 3 years, and has 30K on the clock. I dont tow, and no major probs so far.
I live by the sea, and my brake discs go rusty in 48 hours. The car rarely travels more than 20 miles per day, at no more than 40mph (with annuual 2000 mile round trip[s to Spain)
The brakes now need replacing, as the discs are grooved. I want to improve the stopping distance for the long trips, and the longevity of the discs. I have seen the Rossini product, and some enhanced brakes from Rimmer Bros. Any comments, or should I stick to original spec?
Re bolt on performance enhancement for the trips, I have seen Vanaaken, Dieselchiptuning & the Digital Powerbox fro Rimmer Bros. Are these worth the money, or should I leave well alone.
Any comments appreciated.
AW
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Thanks for your feed back. Just to give you a bit more info, we live in Jersey. My wife drives the car during the week, and the nature of Jersey driving is stop/start. The rust does not necessarily go, as braking is not too heavy due to low speeds.
The trips away are done at motorway speeds, so I would appreciate any increased stopping power, but if you think an Rossini, or bigger discs upgrade is not worth it, fine.
Any increase in torque might help on the mountain roads, acceleration pick up etc, hence power ehancement query.
Winnie
Hi
Can anyone help with a wee problem I have with my 1996 Suzuki Swift 1300 gls.I recently changed the oil and filter and after that a "check engine" light came in the dash.I checked the usual oil,water,fan belt etc no problem.Car runs fine and i am told it might be a blown fuse,can anyone confirm this and any idea which fuse it is.Any help much appreciated.
Crofty Read more
Thanks John,I will go through the fuses systematically and try
not to get them mixed up.
Crofty
I've just received s reminder from the Sussex Safety Camera Gang to say I haven't replied to an NIP sent on 6 December regarding a 36mph offence on 28 November. I have never received the NIP.
I phoned the SSCG and the woman informed me that it had come to their attention that a lot of NIPs sent out on that date had got lost in the post. "Just send back the form you've just received" she said.
I was aware of the offence, but on the basis of the non-receipt within 14 days, am I entitled to challenge the invitation to now provide driver details? If so, what are the probable consequences?
I've looked on the Pepipoo site, but there's nothing specific about the Camera Gang admitting their NIPs got lost in the post.
TIA Read more
Do insurance companies up the premium if you get 3 points on a clean licence. Which companies do charge and which do not. Although the NIP was not quite legal due to non receipt and admission by the office you filled in the NIP and returned it. This is taken as 'Guilty as Charged' you no longer have a say in the matter even if you plead not guilty and go to court. Sorry. Regards Peter
Everytime I think of Aston Martins, a picture of a wannabe toff clutching RAC membership, broken down on a wet motorway with it pouring with rain springs to mind.
This is probably not what Aston Martin want but there you go.... Read more
>Forget AM, I want one of these:
Or one of these if you like diesel?
www.jecsouthyorks.co.uk/rtype.jpg
www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/jaguar_r-d6.asp
More pics of the lightweight here:
www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/jaguar_lightweight.asp
Kevin...
Browse
The folks here are trying to discourage you because:
1) Simply lowering it will do the exact opposite of what you are trying to achieve. It will adversly affect both the ride quality and handling.
2) Resale value will plummet.
3) 'Performance' air filters are a waste of money on standard roadgoing engines.
4) People will laugh at you.
5) You'd be surprised how much a good set of tyres plus, possibly, new dampers and bushes will transform what you've got at the moment.
Kevin...