June 2005
I have got a Rover 414 si 16v which needs the front downpipe replacing. A chap is selling a downpipe he bought for his 97 416 saloon but never got round to fitting it. Does anyone know whether the downpipe will fit the 414. Read more
A bird recently poohed all over my nice shiny black car. When i tried to wash it off, it had went hard and was stuck to the paintwork and would not come off. I scrapped it off lightly with my nail and scrathed my paintwork. Can anyone tell me of another method which does not scratch my paintwork. Many Thanks. Read more
There are some more helpfu hints on a thread further down on the same subject of birds' droppings. Probably one of the moderators has a clever way of merging them - to make Birds' Dream Droppings perhaps.
Just had my 95' Laguna MOT'd today, It passed. But, 2 years ago the same garage made an advisery about the steering rack being loose!! Havent touced it in the 2 years, car has done 10k and no mention of it on either last years or this years!!! In fact, I cant remember having ever had "Advisery's" rectified and the following year they never appear again. The MOT system is a complete farce as far as I can see, It is in desperate need of updating and standardising. Discuss. ;o) Read more
Thanks Roger, been after a place like this for a while now.
I've an Alfa 147. I cannot get the rear piston in the caliper to return in order to fit new pads. It doesn't appear corroded as the boot is still well attached. The hand brake mechanism is directly linked to the cylinder. I am wondering if it is something to do with that. Suggestions to roblarder@yahoo.com Read more
You usually need to rotate the piston on rear wheel disk-brakes.Halfords sell a tool to facilitate this procedure-without it it`s a pig of a job.
My car, a Bora TDI PD 150 sport is coming up to 3 years of age, so I am looking at my options.
I could perhaps get an extended warranty, once VW sorts them out, but worry that it might be money down the drain.
If I go to the bookies I can get a good idea of the chances of getting my money back. poker and roulette the same. but what is the return rate per 100 pounds spent on extended warranties? is it in the public domain? I understand they won't pay for "wear and tear", but who decides this? surely the system relies on the goodwill of the operators, who in order to make money must be giving out less than they are taking.
I feel it might be best to not get the warranty and use a VW specialist garage. the other option is to replace my car with a new one with a new warranty.
My gut feeling is that since my car has been quite healthy and has done only 37,000 miles cheapest to keep, and go without warranty.
has anyone looked into this or faced a similar decision?
thanks
John Read more
Extended warranties are usually a complete waste of time, whether it's for a car, a TV set or whatever.
Even if you do have to pay out for unexpected repairs occasionally, the overall cost is normally less than the accummulated cost of the extended warranty.
Use your specialist VW outlet for your Bora (I have the 1.6 16v SE model) and forget the warranty.
Just remember, for example, that a very large slice of Dixons' annual profits are down to staff pushing unnecessary warranties to customers as hard as possible. Some of them cost more than the actual product that's been bought.
Most people forget that there will be at least a 12 month manufacturer's warranty and, especially with electronic goods, anything that is going to go wrong will go wrong very early on.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
Looking round my local Saab dealer yesterday evening, I noticed the had a Rover 75, presumably taken as part-ex on a new Saab. Out of curiosity, I had a look round it. 03 plate (June 03, so two years old), 16k miles, 2.5 V6, very good nick - £7,995. A good deal I thought.
I am now semi-seriously considering buying one (not that one, I'd want an estate) but what's the catch? I'm assuming there soon won't be any Rover dealers around, but not a problem as I wouldn't get it serviced at one anyway, I'd find a good independent specialist. What about spares? Are they likely to be available for many years yet? Anything else I haven't thought of? Am I being ridiculous? Read more
Mechanical spares shouldn't be a problem. They're made by Quinton Hazel, Lucas (etc) and you can buy them over the counter at Halfords.
Body parts (wings in case of an accident, etc) might be a problem in the future.
I've driven Rovers for the last 10 years and I'd buy another one, if it was cheap enough.
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Relax, it`s a Rover!
Can anyone help or share advice relating to bodywork damage due to bird droppings?
After removing the offending material I'm left with a mark in the laquered surface. I've tried Auto Glym resin polish but can still see the mark. I would guess the laquered surface is damaged.
Anyone got any ideas how I can restore the surface? - its orient blue metallic on a new BMW 5 Series if that makes any difference.
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A tip my son gave me is effective if you can't get to your stock of cleaners, polishes, etc. Cover the splodge of bird poo with a sheet of newspaper, pour water onto newspaper until it is saturated, leave for 15 minutes then wipe up with the wet paper. Bingo - bird poo completely gone.
I know this general subject has been covered at length before, but I'm specifically after Michelin Pilot Sport CUP tyres. There is only one distributor in the UK (hence the vastly inflated prices). I'm going to a trackday in France in July, and I wonder whether anyone could offer advice on if it's cheaper to get them there, and if they could suggest any retailers?
TIA,
Bruce Read more
Ask over on the Pistonheads forum www.pistonheads.co.uk loads of track day drivers over their someone will tell you where is cheapest.
If you're into trackdays you should be over their anyway, loads of petrol heads!
Jim
I am having difficulty finding a high street bank that will provide a British Car Auction friendly Switch or Delta card with its business account.
So far all the banks I have approached only issue a Visa Company Payment Card which BCA understandably dont accept.
Does anyone in the trade know of a bank the does a business account with a Switch or Delta card?
Again sorry this isnt the usual fare here but thought it was worth a shot. Read more
Nat West
RBS
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
Back in the good old days, certainly before the 1980s, it was possible to give the screen a decent soak before turning the wipers on. It is a source of constant irritation to me that it is now universal practice to activate the wipers in conjunction with the washers - particularly this morning, as I ran out of washer fluid & could only get more and more frustrated as the wipers gradually turned the screen into a murky haze.
Am I the only one to feel that there is no need to link the two functions? And do others yearn for the good old days? And why did this ridiculous practice come about? Read more
"There is never a time when you suddenly want to clean your screen..."
Yes there is. Apart from the vomit scenarios, I often get agricultural produce etc. splashed on car and when that low sun is in your eyes and you are in the middle of an overtake- boy do you want a fast wash!
Come to the High Peak of Derbyshire where even the cows are free range.
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I wasna fu but just had plenty.
Browse
Thanks guys, the downpipe is the same, bloke wants 20 quid for it so will save myself a few bob. cheers pmh for the website info looks very useful now I don't need to harass the local spares shop so much!