October 2005
I have been offered a 2000W 2.0 Bora Sport with 113K miles. The car is in average condition with full service history and a few scratches here and there but nothing serious. However, i have heard that the gearboxes on these can be problematic, and indeed it feels a little baulky into 1st sometimes. Additionally sometimes when pulling away it feels a little spluttery / hesitant. I guess this could be something simple like a sensor or something horrid like an ECU. Does anyone have an opinion on the price? Is it cheap but am i going to sopend as much fixing it as buying one without the "problems". Having said that it feels solid enough generally. Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received. Read more
Does anyone know how to undo the rear seat on the 156
I have "lost" something down the back, but not sure how I can get to it. It does not have any obvious fittings that I can see.
Thanks
Read more
It´s my first time on the forum for a while (no home internet) so pardon me if I ask a silly question!
Where are the links to contact hire/leasing offers? My son-in-law may well be looking to acquire a Shogun or Landcruiser for his business & I suggested a trip to hj.co.uk, only to recv. a text saying "can´t find ém"!
OH & BTW , ¡Hola! from a soaking wet Costa del Sol!
--
Roger. (Costa del Sol, España) Read more
Look at the Week's Best deals on the right hand margin and click on "read more" - scroll down and you'll find the dsg lists and a link to another company.
Don't tell the Vectra-fans such as Jeremy Clarkson, but it seems that General Motors may go broke.
Both the Times and The Grauniad report The Bank of America saying that there is a one-in-three chance that GM will have to file for bankruptcy.
See w********************/article/0,,5-1819743,00.html
and
www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1589111,0...l Read more
"Ah, bring back the days when your (1960's) Ford Cortina was rusting through from the inside of the bodywork at the end of its 3rd year ;<)"
Yours was obviously one of the better ones then? :-)
madf
The brake lights failed on my Omega - diagnosed as a knackered brake light switch.
On replacement, the cruise control no longer works.
1. I'm assuming a link (because of the effect touching the brakes has on CC, I assume they are related)
2. Are there different brake switches for Omegas with CC, or is it possible that the right switch has been fitted incorrectly?
I'd like to know the likelihood of these, as it's been repaired by a garage with whom I have lost favour, and I want to know my facts when I take it in.
All helps appreciated (as always).
V Read more
In the interests of a Happy New Year, I thought I should let you know what the results were to a few technical questions I've asked on here. If anyone's interested, that is.
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I ignored this one till I sold the car. Amazing how little you need cruise control once you decide it's not worth the effort.
V
Yo!
205 turbo diesel, start up grey smoke.
Any suggestions? Read more
If you have pre-heaters, most probably poorly-combusted fuel due to low cylinder temerature at start up. Most likely you have one or more defective glow-plugs so that at least one cylinder is not being pre-heated. I would start by having the glow plugs checked.
If I'm right, the engine will be lumpy and rough after starting cold, clearing up after a few seconds. Hot starting will be smoke-free.
friend who recently purchased a rover 03 plate wants some peace of mind.
warranty direct quote -
Policy Type: Gold
£20.68 per month
£227.52 for 1 year cover
£455.04 for 2 year cover
£661.88 for 3 year cover
Policy Type: Driveline
£14.88 per month
£163.72 for 1 year cover
Make ROVER Mileage 20000
Model 25 IL (84)
Engine 1396cc (Petrol)
Manufacture date 2003
What do you reckon?
value for money?
they are tempted to go just for the driveline 1 year cover for now.
driveline cover includes -
Driveline Warranty
DRIVELINE COVER
Protection against the cost of parts and labour following a mechanical or electrical failure, cover against failure of a part or a part that is about to fail causing even greater damage including those parts that have failed due to wear and tear.
Claim limit = £5,000 per claim
Excess = £25
With Driveline Cover all of the following parts are covered and we will pay the parts and labour costs if you have to have something replaced. Parts not specifically mentioned are not covered
ENGINE
Cylinder head, Cylinder head gasket, Valves (excluding decarbonisation, Burnt or pitted valves and valve seats), Valve springs, Valve guides, Camshaft and bearings, Cam followers, Hydraulic lifters, Push rods and rocker gear, Timing gears, Chains, Belts and tensioners, Pistons, Piston rings, Cylinder liners and linear seals, Connecting rods and bearings, Gudgeon pins, Crankshaft and bearings, Oil pump and oil pump drive, Distributor drive gear, Distributor drive, Flywheel and ring gear, Flex plate/auto drive plate, Inlet and exhaust manifolds.
TURBOCHARGER
Internal failure of factory fitted turbocharger and wastegate.
GEARBOX MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC
Gears, Shafts, Synchromesh hubs rings and selector shafts and forks, Extension shaft, Torque convertor, Automatic transmission clutches and brake bands, Oil pump, Bearings and bushes, Valves and valve block, Governor and servo.
TRANSMISSION
Crown wheel and pinion, Differential gears and bearings, Bushes, Half shaft and half shaft bearings, Driveshafts, Bearings and constant velocity joints, Propshaft universal joints and centre bearing hubs and wheel bearings.
they will do just under 20,000 miles in the next year - worth taking out?
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In 2001, I took out 1 3 month warranty for my Rover 418GSD, for £120.00, so that I could sell the car. Guess what, within a few days, the alternator went on the car, and when I claimed, they said the claim was approved. All I had to do was book the car into a local garage, and send them the VAT receipt, which would be re-imbursed within 21 days.
Guess what, I am still waiting! Not worth the paper its written on, also they want the money yesterday, but you'll never get any of it back.
I now drive a Mazda 323, and it has been totally reliable!
The Japs know how to produce a reliable motor.
As003
And when did the change over take place?
In other words what is Vauxhalls current executive car? Read more
The thing with the Omega, when it was launched in 1994, it was a very good car. There may be some components quality issues but it was a good design and well engineered car. I liked its aerodynamic, ride and handling and its fuel economy. It was comparable or better than the 5-Series of (88-96) in many aspects, with the exception of component failures (cam-belt, ICV, etc.).
The question is whether GM can launch another large family car that is a lot better than the A6, E-class and 5-Series, as well as being a lot cheaper (priced comparable to Honda Accord and Passat). If GM can make such a car, I am sure it will sell in the less image conscious countries, like Germany.
One option is to look at the platforms available. There is the Commodore platform, though using that would need the platform to be narrowed and shortened. There is also the platform for the CTS, good size too. Both platforms are Right-Hand-Drive capable.
Things is that with the financial situation GM is in at present, it would be difficult for them to gather enough resources to set up the R&D. Even higher risk would be to set up new plants and toolings needed to produce such car.
Noticed the other day that one of my neighbours, who drives a private hire car, has got rid of his diesel Octavia and bought a Kia Magentis as per
www.kia.co.uk/magentishome.asp
I must ask him the question - why? And then I will ask him again - why?
Any taxi drivers out there that could shed any light on this decision? I am looking at the fact that it is petrol, and I think auto, and wondering what sort of fuel consumption he is going to get with that about town?
I really need to ask him ..... Read more
Apparently the owner of the Kia rents it out to my
neighbour and another guy, who basically run it night and day,
and they both pay him £120 a week each. So he
gets a grand a month for sitting on his backside and
arranging the insurance and servicing!
Cabbie Friend of mine does a similar thing, he drives a Galaxy in the car, a mate drives it at night and also he rents a Omega (for the plate) and rents it out to two drivers, night and day again. So that's two cars, total of four drivers (including himself) and he gets a cut of the other guys' earnings!
Apols if this has previously been posted.
My Dad is after a new tv to replace his old, doesn't want to spend Plasma / LCD money and thought he could get himself a widescreen pure flat 36" conventional, with 100hz flicker free and all that. Looking to spend sub-£600.
Why have these big conventional TV's suddenly become as rare as hen's teeth ? tried all the big name stores but have been told that they don't stock them anymore, and i "should really be buying plasma or LCD now".
There's a few 32" models about, and more 28"s, but can't seem to get anything bigger, although i recall they were plentiful a year or two ago.
Anyone know why these have all suddenly disappeared, or even better, anywhere that stocks said TV's.
Thanks,
Chris Read more
And it came this morning.
Browse
Thanks for that, will I just be able to get a hand inside without undoing the clips? I have one end of a cable and I hope that by just moving the seat a little I might be able to squeeze a hand inside to reach the other end.