July 2005
Rummaging through the 'car cupboard' in the garage yesterday, revealed that we're running low on car waxes/polishes. The last two bottles we had were Autoglyms 'Super Resin Polish' and Turtle Wax (green bottle, the name of which escapes me).
The Turtle Wax was, quite frankly, a waste of space. It left the car looking 'ok' but never lasted more than a month and wasn't good with swirls.
The Autoglym was a bit better, but unlike many on here, I wasn't all that impressed with it. This was further reinforced by a recent test in 'Practical Classics' where it came bottom of the 6 tested with a score of 3 out of 6. However, they recommended Bilt Hambers 'Auto-Balm' and Meguiars ?Clear Coat Liquid Car Wax.?
Although these two waxes/polishes came out on top, they didn't test Zymols 'Cleaner Wax' which I hear is quite good.
So, my question is this: Out of these tree waxes (Meguiars, Bilt-Hambers and Zymol) which would our Backroomers recommend?
I'm swaying towards the Bilt Hamber product since the magazine raved about it, and besides that, it comes with a clay bar (Auto-clay) at a reduced price which I hear compliments the effect of the wax
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I'm not a Peugeot fan, but the 407 does stand out from the crowd. As a potential replacement for my Volvo S60, they look really good value at under £11k for a 54 plate 2.0 petrol. And living in France as I do, servicing must surely be cheap and easy to arrange? What's the catch?! Anyone out there own one or drive one?
Equivalent Mondeos seem to be a bit pricier, before anyone recommends the Mondeo TDCI...! Read more
"I would have expected that French roads would be worse than ours so I'm wondering how well they'd cope (although it being French you would have thought it would be up to the job)?"
The French roads are indeed better than ours in the main. Its cos they spend OUR tax money maintaining them! (Rant over)
Read in today's paper that some manufacturers are finally waking up to the fact that women buy cars and have in many cases plenty of knowledge. I'm no lady but I welcome the trend; I have always been suspicious of car salesmen since I got 'done' as a youth, I treat everything they tell me with a pinch of salt until I have verified it one way or another. Being a gallant male of the species I've no doubt a woman trying to sell me a car would fare much better. Terrible chauvinist that I am. Read more
Dylan - yes these questions are VERY important to the dealer as they form a large part of the back end bonuses that we get.
As i deal with brokerage customers (full fleet discount)we get very little from each deal and so we rely on these back end payments to make sure we are profitable. A few of the questions on the survey are not applicable to brokerage customers but i always ask my customers to tell a little white lie and answer them on my behalf - pretty much all of them do and i feel that this because i pride myself on going that little bit extra for my customers.
Under Promise - Over deliver.
Went to a Mazda Event on the weekend at Knockhill. Had a laugh driving RX-8s around the circuit and driving challenges in MX-5s. Biggest topic of conversation was the unlucky people who were going to end up with all those thrashed (clutch/brakes/tyres) 'Mazda demonstation model' cars. Read more
Many, many years ago CAR magazine (IIRC) did a group test of off roaders with a Land Rover, Range Rover and a Toyota Landcruiser. The first two perfomed well on the off road sections, but the Landcruiser ended up with either a cracked chassis or bodyshell. Toyota were not very happy about it. Wonder what happened to this vehicle?
I need some advise on how you can tell if your car has been clocker.
I am looking to purchase a 2 year old car with 12000 on the clock and wanted find out if there is anyway of verifying the mileage. I have checked the services etc but this doesn't clarify the mileage for the past year which was approx 3000 are there any other ways of checking??
Thanks Read more
You are right to be cautious, these cars are just the sort of vehicle that would be clocked.
I would get a full RAC/AA inspection on something of this value. If the owner objects, run away. Ask the inspector the question directly, "does the indicated mileage reflected in the condition of the vehicle"
Ask the owners why the change in mileage, and see if you believe their answer.
We are considering a Kia Sorento diesel as a replacement for our now rather tired Discovery TDI 300.
(Yes, we do need a 'real' 4x4 to tow a horsebox and no, we don't live in a city, so no anti-SUV comments, please.)
HJ has consistently recommended the Sorento, so I would be very interested to hear any experiences of the vehicle. Good and bad feedback most welcome.
Thanks
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As the new owner (2 weeks tomorrow) of a rare sight on british roads, the Hyundai Terracan (1 year old), I can recommend these vehicles for power (& performance, relative to other cars).
2.9 turbo diesel engine, good enough for towing 2.8tons I believe, and actually relatively comfy. IT doesn't get the best press in the world, but you can buy one brand new for about £17K inc leather. The 5 year warranty is better than the Kia.
As for the JD Power survey, I reckon they didn't sell enough Terracans to be eligible!!
But the Kia Sorento seems to be a good car, just out of my price bracket!
Hi all,
My other half has a 2000V E46 318Ci. From time to time, it will just cut out completely. Restarting on the key and it goes, so not a huge problem. Just concerned, if happens at **mph in the fast lane of a motorway, could be dangerous.
Is this something that might have a BMW-specific cause, or is it likely to be a generic problem (fuel starvation, dodgy connection etc)?
TIA,
Alex.
--
Dr Alex Mears
Seat Leon Cupra
If you are in a hole stop digging...unless
you are a miner. Read more
Conked out again on tuesday, diagnosed at the garage as... cam sensor- so spot on Dude!
Cost £172 to fix: £47 for the diagnostic, £70 odd for the sensor and £56 for labour to fit (an hour). Does this sound reasonable? The garage is a small independent, and if this is a decent price I will use them again.
Cheers,
Alex.
--
Dr Alex Mears
Seat Leon Cupra
If you are in a hole stop digging...unless
you are a miner.
Hi Folks,
I'm interested in buying a used Jaguar XKR. I know that the new model is due next year and that that might be a better time to buy, however, I'd really like to get one now.
I think that I'd like to get a face-lifted 2003 4.2 version. I think that it should hold its value reasonably well when compared to slightly older 4.0 cars. I know that I would like SatNav and the adaptive cruise control as a minimum in terms of extras.
I had thought of a Jaguar XKR 100 which seems to have every extra but I'm not sure what depreciation will do to this car relative to newer 4.2 models.
Would anyone recommend any other extras in particular to look out for? Any comments on what to look out for in terms of mileage, faults, etc? Does my choice sound like a good one? Is my strategy sound?
I've spotted a 2003 (03) 4.2 XKR with the extras I'd like. The only thing is, the mileage is around 40K. I'm assuming the majority of this mileage will be motorway. Anyone got any opinion as to whether a car with this sort of mileage after 2 years is an ok buy or should I be wary.
Any advice gratefully received.
Cheers,
JAH
P.S. I joined and posted over the weekend but it seems the site had technical problems and my post and account were deleted. Just in case you've a feeling of deja vu ;-)
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IIRC the orginal XK8/R had a five speed auto, they are now fitted with the same ZF box as fitted to the S type. A colleague (who owns an S type auto) drove the five speed auto box XK8 last year and said compared to the 6 speed it was a dog - constantly hunting for the correct ratio, the 6 speeder is a vast improvement.
i have a Honda CRX with a B16A2 engine. when i start the car from cold, it idles very high (2.5K) then will slowly (after 10-15 mins of idling) drop to between 1 & 1.5k.
it normally cold idles at 1.5k & warm idles at 7-800 revs
can anyone tell me what the problem is?? Read more
is your car fuel injection or constant depression carburettors?
>>
its fuel injection
It is now compulsory in some EU countries to have a refective jacket in in your car Austria and Italy for sure I think Germany later this year.One other unrelated subject the much vaunted German toll system for trucks that uses high end technology and cost millions {against the sticker in the window in Austria}does not work very well and does not pick up trucks that are driving without paying. Read more
"Even better is the fact that they get covered in grease etc and not my clothes. Everyones a winner ;o)"
We are required to wear reflective vests at work and of course some are so dirty that the regular clothes underneath them are much brighter than the vests themselves. i personally don't see the need for them in my workplace, but if wearing one means that I am able to sue the pants of the company if I get squashed (and survive) then I am all for it. Winner indeed 8-)
Browse
Autobalm
Great advice, works a treat. Albeit not a permanent solution I believe the car is too new to be using polishes on it.
Goes on very easy but has to be the hardest wax ever made to remove/buff!!!
They tell you to only use a small amount-Use even less!!!
Thanx for the tip!
Jman