March 2005
Has anybody had difficlties with their communications to Arnold Clark customer services/after sales care manager?
Glasgow/Cumbernauld area.
Four letters to them since 27/01/05 and only one reply since 31/01/05 (which was dated 07 October 2002)?????
Den.
I'll let the facts stay here for now but please just keep to them.
Hugo - BR Moderator Read more
Hello All,
I'm having trouble costing out the difference between running diesel and petrol cars. I've run diesels for quite a long time and have always been happy with the mpg.
However, some time ago I bought the wife a used Nissan Almera 1.4 petrol. She's a gentle driver and regularly gets over 40mpg on a run. What it's average is, I don't know. The car has cost us nothing other than routine servicing.
My car is a V. Astra 1.7 td (Isusu engine), which has done 146K miles, but still does around 45mpg on average. I feel like a change. This car has cost me quite a bit in repairs - it needs some shims adjusting at the garage every year, for instance.
Now, the cost of diesel is about 4p a litre more than petrol at the moment. Diesel cars cost more to buy and, I think, cost more to service, even nowadays.
We'll do about 10k miles a year in the next car, whatever it is. Do I buy petrol or diesel looking at it from an economic point of view?
Best wishes, Read more
Tunacat: I think you're right. The Japs do seem to have the edge mechanically, even over the top German makes. My idea of an auction buy of a Nissan Primera is looking more and more sensible.
Madf: Yes, of course you are right - there are plenty of unreliable petrol engines around, or so I read. However, when they have to be fixed they don't seem to incur the quite enormous bills that some unlucky diesel owners get stuck with. This is only my impression garnered from www. but firm data is hard to come by elsewhere.
Given my bad luck with cars, I'll be safer with petrol.
Thanks for your replies.
Cheers
Just noticed that the bulb illuminating the digital clock (down in the centre console) of my '99 Accord isn't working. The clock still seems to be functioning, so I assume the bulb has blown. A trivial fault but still annoying.
Does anyone know how to get access to it? I can't see any obvious screws anywhere (although I haven't yet looked closely). Read more
Probably too late now but if you pop out the two fresh air vents above the clock you can reach in and change the bulb, 5 minute job.
Andrew
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Simplicate and add lightness!!
Hi, just a quick question, just noticed that my 1995 mk1 mondeo 1.8lx is hissing when its idling. The engine sounds lumpy when idling, and idles around 750rpm, which I believe is normal.
I havent managed to isolate the exact location of the hissing, plan to look again in the morning, although it does appear to be coming from just below the distributor area. Im 99% sure its air, as there are no visable signs of coolant loss.
Is this major? Surely a drop in airpressure will just result in low mpg... any thoughts or ideas to this problem? Hopefully its just a hole in a pipe which can be fixed easily (not sure how that would happen!)
Any feedback greatly apprieated, as I plan to travel to Wales in the morning!
Thanks in advance
Read more
Vacuum T piece under coil is split.Ford part# 7038378.Very common problem.
When I bought my Citroen C8 last October, the dealer politely declined to fit my trusty Hollywood towbar-mounted bike rack on the grounds that it would make the tow hitch protrude into the reverse sensors' line-of-sight and would confuse the system. This I accepted. The plan was to fit the rack when I needed it and remove it when I didn't.
On Saturday, I had to retrieve my daughter's push-bike from Nottingham, so I fitted the rack. Just as predicted, for the first couple of times in reverse, the system bleeped wildly. Funnily enough, now the system works as it did before. Has it learnt that the bike rack isn't something I'm going to back into?
Is it smarter that your average bear, faulty, French?
Can anyone shed any light?
Hawkeye
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Stranger travelling backwards Read more
More importantly Hawkeseye, has it increased the distance at which it turns into a solid beep so you can't reverse your bike rack into anything?
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Mike Farrow
We realize that this subject is in danger of being flogged to death but would nevertheless appreciate the advice of those of you who have much more experience than me......also some previous threads have been just a little too technical for us.
My wife I hope soon to do a tour round the West Country and would welcome a voice telling us exactly where to turn without having an argument beforehand!
What we need is just a UK guide at minimum cost and as simple as possible to set up and use. We don't mind whether it is a dedicated unit or a PDA with GPS added. We really don't need a PDA but it's smaller size appeals and if it costs less we'll go for it. Charging from cigarette lighter socket also appeals.
Suggestions as to possible place to buy would be welcomed.
Many thanks. Read more
(1) There is a forum for TT owners at: www.streetfinder etc...
There is a far better one at:
www.pocketgps.co.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=v...3
every now and again whilst driving the engine will rev out of control and i have to switch off the ignition before it destroys its self.after restarting it will run ok for a while and do it again.the throttle is,nt sticking and all hoses are intact.the carb has been stripped and cleaned but this still happens.
thanks Read more
I dont know the motor.But have you checked the accelerator cable for fraying?.
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Steve
My Spitfire has poor compression on number two cylinder. 100 psi as opposed to 125ish on the other three.
Not a huge problem at the moment, but does make cold starting a bit tricky.
I understand that poor compression generally narrows it down to head gasket, valve stem seals or piston rings.
Any advice on how I might work out what it is? There's no water in the oil, and no oil leak from the head. Read more
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try the oil test and check the valve clearances.
Taking the head off would be simple enough, but I'd like to be able to work out what's wrong before I do it.
does anyone have or had the above car 2.0 turbo,
has it proved to be a reliable car? Read more
I bought an 95,000 mile R reg (1998) in 2002, the TiD version. I reckon it's a good, solid comfortable car (fabulous seats, quiet cruiser), with more than enough power. I have spent a fair bit on it - new under floor plate, rear shocks - and routine servicing isn't the cheapest. However, it isn't a Ford or Vauxhall, and you do seem to pay for a bit of prestige whichever way.
For £8,500 and years of life yet, I reckon it's a good secong hand deal.
I've been looking for ages for a Mondeo at Blackbushe auctions, and have noticed Mondeos seem to be very cheap at the moment. For example, today a 2.0 Ghia 02 reg with 110k miles went for £3375, and last week an 02 1.8 LX with 50k went for £3800, and a 53 reg 1.8 lx (I think), with about 53k went for £5400. They all had reasonable service history, are all decent colours, the first two silver, the 3rd a sort of 'champagne' colour, and all seemingly in decent condition, with only the expected stone chips and car-park dings.
Any opinions as to why Mondeos are so cheap, for what is a very decent car - is it just over supply, or is there some 'trade' reason?
Read more
I read a few years ago, that posh hire car firms registered their cars in the names of people with double barrelled names, Lord, Lady etc.
Probably could not get away with that now, but it still makes me chuckle when you see a Roller being sold as having a titled owner.
Browse
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Quite enough I'm afraid.
No naming/shaming around here. I'll let the thread stand as it is, but please don't continue it.