February 2005
From AOL's front page, one of the fluff articles from "AOL motoring". Percentage of value lost after 3 years ownership. No clue who compiled the list or how they came about their figures.
Top 6 cars:
BMW 116 SE 49%
MB C180 SE 49%
MINI Cooper 50%
VW New Beetle 54%
Jaguar X type 2.0 V6 55%
Mazda 2 1.4 Antares 55%
Bottom 6:
Perodua Kenari 77%
Suzuki Alto 1.1 GL 76%
Perodua Kelisa GXi 1.0 76%
Nissan Primera 74%
Kia Magentis 74%
Hyundai Accent 1.3CDX 74%
I am not in the market for any of these cars, but that Nissan Primera looks an excellent buy at 3 years old. Especially when they are generally considered reliable cars, not sure the same could be said for the other 5 bad performers. Too bad I can't fit comfortably in it.
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Hi
The brakes on the Laguna, are really starting to Bind, its the ones on the front .
What i really need to know is what is going need to be replaced .ie is it just the disc's / pads or the discs and the pads, together,
I just need to know the procces really so when i take to the garage, at least i will know what im on about.
Although I am going to get it fixed, Just out of interest what would happen if i left them.??????????
Also when you first use the car on a cold morinng, and apply the brakes there is a sort of harsh rubbing noise but at about 60 seconds into the jounrney they atre fine, and this happens every morning.
Thanks in advance
Stephen
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1983 (A) Vauxhall Astra 1.3L
1993 (K) Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0i GLS
1999 (T) Renault Laguna 1.6 Read more
Hi Everyone thanks for your replys
I have now got it sorted, and some new pads fitted and the bakes now operate, as they should
Thakns again
Ste
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1983 (A) Vauxhall Astra 1.3L
1993 (K) Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0i GLS
1999 (T) Renault Laguna 1.6
Hi Folks,
Long time no talk which is a good think..I think!
Anyway the surprises keep coming on my Pug 206, which if nothing else keep me wondering and guessing...
Went to check the oil a few days ago and there now appears to be a whirring noise coming from the engine. I can only guess it is from the belt beside to the left of the engine but it almost sounds like someone has spun one of the pulleys, without the belt attached, does that make sense?In essence like a pulley spinning freely, which you can hear when the car idles...
Does the pully need oiled.. or is the belt perhaps loose?
Anyway help would be greatly appreciated, the car is a Pug 206 1.9 diesel 2001 with 60,000 on the clock.
Cheers and thanks once more,
Craig
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Don't know why the last bit did not come up, (*****)
Posted a swearword perchance?
Does anyone out there know how to reset the engine management warning light on a turbo diesel Rover 25. I had a problem with a sensor which I have fixed but cannaot afford to take it to Rover for them to switch the light off. A friend has Bosch diagnostic equipment but it cant seem to communicate with the Rover system. There must be a way of cheating the system.
Any suggestions would be welcome. Read more
Unfortunately the car broke down again and the AA have towed it to my local dealers.
Will have to fork out a bit of cash but it should be ok when I get it back.
Apparently, if the light stays on, as it did, the fault hasnt been fixed
Thanks for your suggestions
BBC 1 now - worth watching or Sky plusing for later. Motoring related it might be you or me nodding off tomorrow. Read more
This thread reminds me of an experience of mine which still serves to remind me of the dangers of driving when tired.
A few years ago I was driving home from Birmingham to Warrington on the M6 after a long, tedious day. After a while I realised I was tired and becoming drowsy, so I pulled off at the next services for drink and a breather. After parking, I decided to take a nap so reclined the seat and closed my eyes. Approx 15 mins later I awoke suddenly and had forgotten where I was - I came bolt upright, gripped the wheel with both hands, brake and clutch pedals both depressed, eyes staring - I thought the car was still moving and I was asleep at the wheel. After a couple of moments I realised all was still and safe. I don't think I have ever been more afraid in perfect safety in my life. I got out and walked around for a bit to settle my nerves before continuing the journey. Power-napping? That's one way to describe it.
Hi,
Just wondering what method people recommend when changing oil. Are you the "drain, change filter, refill, start engine" type or is it worth taking a little more time to pre-fill the oil filter, dry crank with plugs removed etc.
Alex Read more
"does the same answer apply to oil for motorcycle engines as well?"
Whatever you do, do NOT ask this question in a motorcycle forum!!!. 8-)
Personally, I use car oil in my bike engines, both mineral and synthetic. Never had a problem engine wise, but on one bike the clutch would slip if I used full-synthetic oil. That bike had known clutch issues from new, so I don't place the blame squarely on the oil and continued to use it in other bikes.
I recall a few years ago when Mobil 1 introduced their bike specific oil. I regularly used Mobil 1 car oil in my bike, so I asked the rep at the booth (Daytona Bike Week) about the oil and he said it was better for bikes as it had less anti-friction additives than the car oil, presumably better for bikes where anti-friction additives could cause clutch slip.
When I found out the price was almost double that of their already pricey car oil I was shocked and cheekily asked him why the bike oil with less additives cost nearly twice as much as the car oil that had the additives, and that it should be the other way around. The oil with additives costing more than the one without. He shrugged his shoulders and said he doesn't set the price. I muttered quite loudly that those new "motorcycle" container labels must be costing Mobil a fortune as I walked away. 8-)
Huge choice of 4 seater estate or hatchbacks, but which principle to follow: higher mileage prestige (C Class, 40,000; Jag X type etc) or plentiful (Mondeo Ghias with 10,000) or big depreciations like Signums? Or Mr Reliables like Honda Accords/Avensis.
Current Passat TDI Auto has been great, cheap to service and run to current 57,000. Read more
Hamblins at Rushden are very good Vauxhall dealers.
Drove a Toyota Avensis (petrol) as a hire car around Lagos (yes Lagos Nigeria) last month. Beautiful car and coped with the HUGE potholes remarkably well.
The sunroof on my 1995 estate has stopped working on the tilt. The slide still works - any tips?
Steve Read more
Could be a few things.
Could be the switch.
The motor is in the boot and there is a plastic cam wheel and microswitches - something could have gone wrong there.
Could be the mechanism that's jammed.
Check carefully and don't mess with it too much - you can get into a terrible pickle with these Merc sunroofs. If in doubt let the dealer or a specilist do some diagnostics.
Looking for a AStra Diesel, after reading the CBC, I'm looking for the views of people who have owned them, which is the best to go for in terms of speed and economy? I dont want anything that runs our of steam half way up an incline, so I'm looking at something around 99 bhp. There seems to have been a number of engines, also must be reliable. I do about 1000 miles a week.
Thanks in advance. Read more
Thanks very much for all the feedback, this is exactly what I was looking for. To clarify, it is not the new Astra, whichever MKnn that is, I've lost count:-))
I have to say that i am very surprised at the seating issue though. In the past I have had a number of Novas from a 1.2 to the Gsi, and a couple of Cavaliers, and always found Vauxhall to be comfortable, but I guess seating is a very individual thing?
I have driven an old 1.7td cav, and that was quite impressive, I can only assume the newer engines must have been an improvement?
I would be looking at spending around 5k, 6k max. So its looking like a 2.0 dti, however I would be interested in anyone who has driven the 2ltr and 1.7 ltr.
Someone in a club forum in which I participate has reported that, checked against GPS, his speedo is up to 10% optimistic.
I've read somewhere (here, perhaps) that optimism is built into every speedometer, there being some widely applied legal requirement on motor manufacturers to guarantee that their speedos can't possibly display a speed slower than the actual speed. I've always assumed an error of up to 5%. Has anyone else measured against reliable sources of reference? Read more
Better optimistic than the reverse...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by


land rover defender must hold its value as better than most,3 years old in good condition still ask 75% of new price and if you bought one 40 years ago you might even make a profit if you sell it now .some in good condition at this age double the new price. good 14 year old discos still ask 25% of new price