November 2005
Reading the article from the Register, and having heard my dad talking, I understand that it will soon become an offence to keep any un-insured vehicle.
Is this right?
If so, is there a special exemption that can be applied for if you want to keep a car locked away in your garage, in a similar way to how the SORN system works?
Sounds like yet more government meddling where it isn't wanted to me...
Blue Read more
Anyone seen this before please ? Rover 823 ( I think, definately 8** ) with auto box having Sport mode. Suddenly, on starting, the sequence of the lights shown by the auto box has changed and owner finds he is without Ist gear. Car pulls away in 2nd without difficulty, after which only 2nd and 3rd speeds are available. Suspect electrical problem ( solenoid or solenoids ) and would welcome any input on possible cause/cure. Is there perhaps a default setting that could be tried ?
Thank you. Pete Read more
SORRY, as you were! My mistake, car is a 1996 620SLI
Many apologies, Pete.
Not sure if anyone else feels the same but the build quality on mine (3dr 2ltr TD) is terrible. The dash rattles in several places as does the drivers door (well something in it). The whole trim shakes over rough roads - maybe I got one that was left on the line when they went on strike.
Its now developed a tinny rattle under the passenger seat as well. Really does spoil driving it cos its actually a great car to drive.
The drivers window has a mind of its own as well - press up and half the time it goes right down. Read more
I agree... interior of Mk5 is nowhere near as nice or as classy as Mk4. What I particularly don't like is the stupid and totally unnecessary big radio display. Fine in the daytime, but very distracting and glaring at night when it's lit up like a tele! They obviously did it to make it look like a poor-mans SatNav/DVD display, but it just looks rubbish!
I've had 3 VWs previously (2xGolf Mk4 and 1xNew Beetle) and all were prone to rattles and squeaks. The beetle ended up having to have a brand new seat fitted when it was just 3 months old.
I've now "graduated" to an Audi, and find this much much better than the VWs for squeaks. Also find the dealers actually listen to you occasionally, unlike the VW dealers which are just interested in making up profit-driven work that doesn't need doing, rather than fixing the list of things you asked them to look at!
Is it worth while wiring a car up on a diagnosis for a full vehicle report?? does it really check and test the whole car? all electrics ect and how much does it usually cost??
Its with reference to a vauxhall i own.
Thanks Read more
Yeah, thought it was something along those lines!
In an ideal world, it would be great to do that - but in reality it often ain't possible or feasible to do so!
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
My son is making noises about upgrading the radio etc in his MX5.
Current setup is old detachable front radio/cassette unit, standard fit speakers and a 6 change cd unit in the boot.
Problems:
Buttons on radio don't work very well
CD changer skips.
Wants
New head unit, no cassette required.
MP3 compatability to also ditch the CD changer.
Anti-theft front/other device(soft top car)
Must have electric aerial drive.
Muggins will probably have to fit whatever he decides, so-
standard fit would be nice
no 3 million watt amplifier or 12 foot diameter speakers will be needed.
I know nothing about MP3 players, so what is best buy for this application?
I really would like the car to still look "standard", no big holes etc.
Thanks for any advice on radio/MP3 etc received.
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With all the deals at Halfords & Argos, wiith free fitting & brand names, it'd safe a lot of bother, if you let them fit it.
You'll only have problems if it's a later car. The unit in Mrs V's Montana looks very neat - but purpose made.
These guys seem to give the impression, they know their Mx5's, though - www.mazda-cars.com & have range of sound upgrades
VB
Just seen this mentioned "in another place". Seesm to be similar to the old AA site, taking prices from fleet fueld card transactions on a daily basis.
www.petrolprices.com/
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No the postcode problem is more than just one. If I put in my town, it finds four fuel stations, if I put in my postcode it finds only one within 10 miles and that wasn't one of the four!
Planning to do one this weekend and I am sure I don't have a socket big enough to fit the oil filter cannister. Would anyone know the size?, I would like to get one beforehand. Read more
I'm impressed with Peugeot's thinking on the design of this 1.4Tdci engine - the oil filter housing hexagon is one of those sizes which can be undone by a mechanic with either a metric or Imperial socket set. 27mm is exactly the same as 1 1/16" (one and one-sixteenth of an inch). And that's what I use. And this A/F socket is the same one which used to fit something on the old Minis of my youth. Was it the magnetic oil drain plug? Hey hum, so many years ago! The sump plug on the 1.4Tdci engine can be undone with a spark-plug socket!
Here's what 70 grand will get you, if you fancy driving something different. Car film buffs might want one.
www.barrett-jackson.com/about/thepress/autoweek.asp Read more
Has no one else noticed the article linked to is from
2002?
>>
Does that mean it will be cheaper to buy then??
Having just been quoted £85 for a new battery for my Previa does anyone know if those "battery aid" additives you see in motoring shops work?
norm Read more
EDTA (the active ingredient) added to a battery DOES make a difference, removing sulphation, but it is not worth the risk in a car if you want 100% reliability IMHO.
I used it on my old Triumph batteries over the years but the battery was really only needed as a voltage regulator.
Permanent magnet alternator and simple electrics.
Also used it in my BMW K75 and extended life of battery for a few years.
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I wasna fu but just had plenty.
Just back from a couple of weeks spent in Malaysia. Did some driving in Penang. An interesting experience dodging the mopeds/buses/lorries/monkeys.
On some of the traffic lights they have a countdown telling you how many seconds until they change. So you sit at a red light and a red counter says how many seconds until the change to green. Approaching a green light a green counter says how many seconds until they turn red.
Good idea? Bad idea? Read more
"They have the same in Curitiba in Brasil. I found it encouraged people waiting for a green light to
anticipate the change and people approaching the lights to try to beat the change - it lead to quite a lot of
collisions in the middle !"
Is that why French (and German, Belgian, Dutch?)traffic lights go straight from red to green with no countdown or amber "warning" of change?
Phil
Browse
That's the statement that I was looking for, so long as it's possible to declare that the car is not being used and not insure it then that's fine.
Currently when we take one of the cars off road we just transfer the policy onto the car that we are putting back on the road, we certainly don't inform anybody of the insurance situation, just SORN them and that's it.
Blue