June 2005
I hear that shortly, lead weights will not be allowed for balancing wheels (obviously only when changing tyres). Is this true?
If so it is nice to know that the European parliament is so concerned for our health. Read more
Hi, just a quick question, my friend is intrested in buying a imported shogun or toyota surf, anybody got any comments to make on these cars, thanks.. Read more
I recently bought a Toyota Landcruiser but beforehand did (albeit briefly) toy with the idea of getting a Surf...
Some good sites for Surf stuff and discussions....
www.yotasurf.co.uk/forums/
www.showmesome.info/hilux/
www.toyotasurf.asn.au/
www.4x4toys.co.uk/homepage.html
There is a bit of a cult following in the UK with (IIRC) something like 6000 Surfs already in the country.
I've never personally liked the Shogun/Pajero though it seems to be a competent vehicle and has quite a following - however I recall a fair number of Pajero owners who crossed over to Surf ownership due to reliability issues.
Yesterday I had a long day in the car, mostly on A roads where I was able to cruise at 60 plus "making progress" when conditions allowed. Late afternoon as I turned from an NSL road onto a minor lane the car suddenly started to patter quite badly. I put that down to the change to a rougher surface and continued nearly a mile to the village I was visiting. As I slowed to a stop, the patter turned into a heavy vibration, and I got out to find the nearside rear rapidly deflating with smoke pouring from it and two hand sized chunks of tread missing. Talk about a close one! The tyre was otherwise ok, with about 3mm of tread remaining and I don't remember kerbing it at any time.
Luckily I was only about 200 yards from my BiL's house so I was able to limp down and use a trolly jack instead of having to rely on the toy that Ford supply. This has made the week a very expensive one for rubber, as I was booked in to have both fronts replaced this morning and I had both tyres on the bike renewed on Wednesday.
And my shoes need new soles, to add insult to injury. Read more
May not be excessive but it's quite an achievement.
I have read and heard recently about the fact there are to be some changes next year on company car tax for diesels but cannot seem to get a clear idea of what is to happen and how it will affect me. Can someone help please?
I drive a 2005 Volvo S60 D5 S which is a Turbo Diesel, 2.4 litres with a CO2 of 166g. With the Diesel surcharge on company car tax of 3% because it's not Euro IV this makes it taxable at 23% of it's list price for the 2005/06 Tax year.
I have heard that the 3% levy will be scrapped for 2006 but is this on just Euro IV cars or would it apply to me as well? Any advice appreciated.
Also I pay tax on the 'list' price of the car. Is this the Recommended Retail Price of the car when new or the 'On The Road' price when new? Read more
I suspect that there will indeed be good deals to be had on the Euro III diesels as manufacturers clear stock. I think to get the best deal it would be advisable to check with whoever is selling them. Awareness of little things like this can save £££££££'s (well, maybe not 7 figures.......).
Of course it could be argued that if you have EURO IV you would be kinder to the environment but if they are going to e sold to someone else 'cause they have already been built why not.
I was reading in the latest edition of Land Rover Owner that supplies of both the 1.8 and 2.5 K Series engine will dry up by the end of this year. This leaves LR with a bit of a problem, since the new Freelander is not due until well into 2006, autumn I think. Rather than enter into an arrangement with SAIC, LR are looking into which Ford engine can be slotted in from one of their range.
This presents me with an interesting challenge. I have been offered an 'R' reg 1.8 Freelander quite cheap on the understanding that it needs a new engine. I have not inspected the car but I suspect it's HGF, apparently not unknown on the 1.8 K Series. Now assuming I get the car cheap enough I could
either:
1. Get a replacement K Series
or
2. Being me, I like a good challenge. At work we have a 1.8 Mondeo that's up for sale for £350 (it's an old MK1 model) so I was thinking of buying the old Mondeo and seeing if the Ford engine will fit.
It's a long time since I did a engine transplant and I suspect the main problems will centre around the electronics side. But I'm up for a challenge, will let you know how it goes.
Not sure SWMBO will be happy, I'm rarely in the house as it is... Read more
Thanks for all the replies. Having thought about it more, I'm going to pass on this project. I want to get my Dauphine running before I take on anything new. Also Mrs Xileno keeps on about the new bathroom I (allegedly) promised last autumn.
The rubber rain channels (if that's the correct term) on the roof of my June 03 Focus are becoming unstuck. In fact the lumpy appearance of one of them makes me think that it had had some sort of rectification work before I got it. (And no, I didn't spot it before I bought it, otherwise I might not have bought it.) I've not seen anything like this before, neither on a Focus nor on any other make/model of car. Is it a common fault or have I been unlucky? I'll claim under the warranty the next time I'm anywhere near my local dealer.
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L\'escargot by name, but not by nature. Read more
Could it be crows?
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshir...m
We have trouble with the at work pulling out the wedge gaskets from the windows.
Hi
I have a 2001 Clio with climate control, today whilst driving to work I had the aircon on (set @ min) next thing hot air, as if set to max, no matter what no cold air can anybody help, or has anybody encountered similar problems with aircon / climate control ?
Regards Read more
I read the messages about VW dealers with horror.
in the last few days I posted some comments about rapid wearing tyres on my Mondeo. The local Ford dealer, who supplied the car, in Irthlingborough, said they could not look at it when I went in last Friday, but agreed to take it in the next day, lend me a car, and keep mine until after the Bank Holiday. This they did, lent me a new Fiesta, and rang me later on Tuesday about it. They showed me a bent stabiliser bar, and did the job. The bill arrived today, total £65.75, including £28 + VAT for the part.
No request for money for loan of Fiesta, just 'Please leave the fuel gauge as you found it'.
Excellent service. Read more
I have just had the best service i have ever had with a Ford dealer, and thats after our family owning fords for 30 years. A real eye opener. All my questions were answered, i was allowed to see all the inspections taking place, and ask annoying questions, which were answered in Good humour. I am so pleased that i have written a quick letter of to Fo Mo Co, and left some good feedback. Excellent service Perry's of High Wycombe.
Morning all,
As you probably don't know, my insurance is up for renewal on the 19th. Being the fully prepared person that I am, I've been getting online quotes.
Now I'm not going to mention the company simply because it could be construed as me having a go at them - in fact - I may even do that by the end of this post but I need a bit of advice.
I'm currently with the company in question and have been for the last year. The 19th will see the start of my third year of driving and so, 2 years no claims. For the purposes of this quote, I'm forgetting the 3 points I will undoubtedly be getting in the next week because I don't want to complicate matters.
Anyway - the online quote I received from the company was for the princely sum of £712 TPFT. Whilst that probably sounds bad to you, no-one else can come close so I saved my quote in case they did anything rash like raise the premium and relaxed sipping a cognac thinking how I'd got one over on them.
However - I got a renewal notice through today from the company quoting me 12 quid short of a grand. Obviously I'm pretty damned annoyed and it's not that much of an increase in the grand scheme of things but it's a bit more drinking money so out of principle, I've decided to try and not pay it ;-)
I know that websites give you 10% discounts here and 12.9% discounts there so that would accout for some of the increase but I don't see how, as a loyal customer for 1 whole year, I should be penalised (which effectively is what it is).
Can I;
a) Take out the quote online (I doubt this given I've been given a quote which probably overrides all online ones)
b) Let the insurance lapse for a day and so not being one of the company's take out the online policy the next day?
I realise I'm coming across as a stingy student moaning at how the world's doing him an injustice but having spent nearly 4 grand in 2 years on insurance, I'm not in any rush to fork out loads again. If I have to pay it though, I have to pay it.
Many thanks for any help you can offer,
Cheers,
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Adam Read more
What can I say machika? Knowing then what I know now, I would still have got this car. Nearly a year later and I still smile every time I take it out for a blast.
Still - the occasional bank robbery helps.
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Adam
On Saturday the 25th SWMBO and I will be travelling from home (just inside the M25 at junction 10) to Airton, near Skipton in Yorkshire.
I would appreciate any advice BRers could give on the best route to use, we will leave at about 8am. Read more
Thank you all for those responses, food for thought.
Now where's that large scale map book to see where all these routes go............................
Browse
Dunno what stainless steel they put in my wrist but it's not magnetic - I tested it near a superconducting magnet at uni. (So perhaps not the wisest of ideas, but I needed to know...)