February 2005
I am moving to Spain this year and have been trying to source a used LHD 4x4 in uk.
I have almost been duped by one rogue dealer on the internet and I want to avoid this happening again.
But the problem is, I dont know where to start looking. All the dealers I have come accross, either dont have diesel, which I need, or dont even have the car that they advertise for immediate delivery. I am beginning to see this car buying thing through a half empty glass rather than my usual half full one!
I have already sold my RHD car, so need to do something asap, so that I can get some things over there.
Has anyone had any good experiences with a LHD dealer in UK to the point that they would recommend them?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, from a cold desperate woman in need of sunshine. Read more
After shelving this for 24 hours to think about it, I have decided that, despite the heavy dose of politics in the article, there is potential for some good non political discussion. Whilst we're all waiting for the date of the next general election to be announced, I suspect we'll see a lot of political scaremongering. Some of it will need to be taken with a pinch of salt.
I will keep an eye on this thread to make sure it remains motoring orientated. I don't want to see political discussions - there are plenty of other forums for these.
If this thread starts to go pear shaped, then it will dissapear.
Hugo - BR Moderator
If you want to see something to spoil your day, especially if a classic car fan or owner, then have a look at:-
img239.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img239&image=scarycopy4xx...f
It's not a very good reproduction, so get your best specs out. Read more
Cars have been capable of 15 years plus for ages. It's just that not many enjoy sufficient routine maintenance or are driven with the mechanical sympathy to last that long.
If anything, modern cars are less capable of lasting so long (at least, economically) because of the complicated and expensive electics and computers they contain.
Hi all,
After replacing the track rod ends on my Fiesta XR2i CVH H reg, I have noticed that the steering is very light, which an be quite scary!, but it also seems more responsive.
I have had the tracking checked and adjusted. But my question is could it be the camber or castor setting or is this built into the suspension components and will therefore never change if not how are these adjusted? Or is the steering now normal with the new track rods because I understand MK3 fiesta's had very vague steering anyway and maybe I just didn't notice it with old track rods?
Any Thoughts. Thanks in advance
Steveo Read more
Its normal for replacement track rod ends. To feel better steering afterwards.Old ones may have siezed up/gone stiff..They generaly do this slowly so you dont notice the stiffness in the steering..If every thing has checked out ok with steering checks..See no reason to worry..If you are you can get a steering geometry check done.This will tell you if camber/castor/KPI is out..I suspect not.But dont take my word for it.
--
Steve
Colud i have some idea how much, i could get for my car as im considering selling it...
1994 (L) Peugeot 306 1.9 diesel non turbo, 3 door, miami blue. 98k miles, mot till Dec, tax till aug, very clean, no rust. Face off CD player, peugeot 'cyclone' alloys.
Parts replaced since ive owned the car (bought April 2004)
New wheel bearing
3 new tyres & balancing
Tracking
new exhaust
new discs/pads
cambelt change
2 services (all filters & fluids changed)
Mot failure which required 2 new front wishbones.
And just a few little things like bulbs etc.
Great runner, 50 + mpg, 2 small car park dents, as to expcected for this age of car. Its a straight honest car, and i would welcome any inspection.
Any ideas
Rich
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After careful consideration I think im gonna keep it, since its only worth say 850/900 quid, and ive spent that on it in the last 12 months! Its not really worth me selling it. If i save up a coulple of grand and get sumthing else in a few months i will put it in the classifieds on here.
Thanks for your reposnses.
Rich
Hi there.
Does anyone have any idea what would be wrong with a 95 tranist that was started then turned off then i went to start it again the immobiliser light flashes quickly and the engine will not turn over.
But if you leave it for about 2 hours and go back the immobiliser light comes on then goes off and a relay clicks in and will start as normal but if you turn it off and try and start it again the light just flashes.
It has never done this before it is a bit of a puzzler..
Chris.
Read more
Hi
Car is an '89 Escort 1.3 HCS (OHV)
I've been a bit of a naughty boy recently and haven't checked the oil in my car since it last had an oil/filter change in January. When I checked this morning, guess what? No oil on dipstick. Slightly bemused by this, I filled up with the 1 litre can in the back and started looking for the missing oil. I didn't have to look far when I found it covering the CV gaitors and box section behind the engine. There was a drop or so of oil found under the oil filter but none on the oil pump nor sump.
I'm going to get a new filter (and gallon of oil!) tomorrow or sometime but I'm just wondering how important the cleanliness of the oil filter mating surfaces need to be? I say this because I was a bit slap happy when screwing the new one on and didn't wipe the old oil off first. Do you think this is what's caused the leak?
Cheers
Mike Farrow Read more
I've often noticed that oil line fittings like this have a very slight, imperceptible taper. It only becomes apparent as you tighten it, and find it getting tight before it seems to have run out of thread.
Also oil is notorious for appearing to leak from somewhere it isn't, but in fact seeping from somewhere near.
I once had a pressure sensor switch that leaked a fine spray of oil but only going fast. It sprayed oil onto the gap between head and block, then ran along the gasket edge and dripped somewhere else. The sensor itself always looked dry. I had nearly resigned myself to replacing the head gasket before I finally spotted the faulty sensor.
Glad all is now well.
As mentioned elsewhere I have been in Houston for a few days.
I have never ever seen such well mannered drivers in my life. Sticking to the limit, giving way, making space for those joining the freeway.
EVEN THE CAB DRIVERS!
Southern manners or (as my American friend suggested) terror of the potential legal cost of an accident? Read more
california should be a different country its so different to the rest of the usa
Feel bad about the odd scratch or stone chip on the bonnet? No worries...
www.ukbikeforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=7980 Read more
Blue
what would you give me for trade in?
two balloons and a goldfish.
Hi, I've seen this term a few times on this site, and was wondering what it is?! Read more
These are particularly applicable to Jaguar v12s, which can run around town and never exceed 2000 rpm. After a few weeks of that they can start to be bad tempered, missing and dropping a cylinder or two. A burst of 5000 rpm in second gear can work wonders, especially before an emissions check. Good fun too, as long as BIB are not around.
Can anyone help me, please?
I have a 1999 2 ltr 16v Exclusive and the headlamp washers do not function.
I have tested the following:-
1 relevant fuses, all clean and unblown.
2 The relevant pump by powering it directly from a slave battery, it works.
Looking at the wiring diagram in the haynes manual, my next port of call should be the relay/timer unit, but the manual does not give a location for it. Can anyone tell me where it is, please?
Whilst I was testing the pump, I dislodged the washer bottle vent and fill pipes. Do I have to remove the front bumper to access it to refit them, and if so how easy is it? The manual does not cover my model year.
Thank you. Read more
Browse
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I live in Spain and struggled to find a clean car for my wife when we moved here, most used cars here are driven to death, underserviced, covered in minor damage, and thats without taking into account the dust and salt if its lived on a costa. Many Spaniards I know who can finance(i.e. Cash) it buy there 4x4's and prestige cars from Germany, I have seen some stunning bargains with full histories and unmarked throughout, although they charge a little more the franchise dealers are best. Try www.mobile.de for the widest choice.
Be aware that the Guardia Civil are clamping down on foreign cars that are in Spain over 6 months, the local station pound is full of British & East european cars that have been confiscated, my wife was recently pulled over in my UK registered car which fortunatly had just come back to Spain following an MOT, they take action and ask questions later...
To get Full EU comprehensive insurance on a UK reg car try Neil Rowley Insurance www.spaininsure.com they do a policy through Liberty (Royal Insurance) that will be based on your SPANISH address.
Hope that helps and good luck
SB