November 2005
Recently in London Hired a renault scenic tdi1.9, nice engine, power, economy and torque, easy to obtain 45mpg. However poor interior erognomics, no arm rest, electric window switches placed too forward as well electric miror switches, column stalk design confusing as well electronic dashboard.
Oh and long term will it be reiable , one door failed to open properly?
Over to you guys... Read more
Hi Guys,
I've got 3 questions about my recently purchased Mondeo (it's an X-plate new shape 1.8LX) and so far im really pleased with it.
First of all its done just over 38,000 miles, should I be thinking of a timing/cam belt change yet? I know in FAQ of this site it recommends a change at 40,000. Does anybody know roughly what this costs to do?
Secondly, I like to change the oil every 6,000 miles on whatever car i've had in the past, used to do it on my clio every 6 months/6,000 miles. What type of oil should I be putting in my mondeo, Synthetic? Semi-synth? the standard stuff?
and last but not least, just wondering if putting 'super' unleaded in my car would make any difference at all? is it worth it etc???
Many thanks in advance guys...... and sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure I look after this car properly.
Thanks
Lee Read more
... and thanks david, I'll check Asda. I like to carry some in the boot just in case anyway.
I'll check the Rapid fit for sure, its between 20-30 quid I'll let them do it.... as for the 97RON I'll give it a go when my tank is empty, it currently full with the 95 standard so i'll check the mileage the car does with both fuels in from a full tank.
Thanks again guys, as always you know your stuff.
Lee
I am very tempted with the prices quoted from buymynewcar.co.uk for the new Focus ST. This was mentioned in the Weeks Best Deals section. It seems to good to be true.
Has anyone purchased a new car from buymynewcar.co.uk ? What sort of thing should I be wary of? Read more
Beware, they may sell you a crazy Focus in a strange orange metallic colour. Then you'll be sorry.
Looking to get at least 3 years out of my next car; need reliability, be as big or bigger than Cavalier Hatch, 2 adults two children and good mpg 40+, not too bothered about looks status, must be comfy and not too pricey on spares; opinions please,
Merc C220 Diesel, FIL has one with no problems at 220k other than diesel pump, 55mpg, not too sure about standard seats, anyone know what the leather ones are like compared to standard?
Audi 80, don?t know too much about them but I admit I do like the look of them over the other two, assumed reliablilty etc, not sure to go with the diesel.
Avensis, reliabilty and I was thinking the lean burn engine, what year do these finish and the VVTi?s start, I am aware of the engine problem on the VVTi?s, any bigger probs on the lean burn ones. I seem to remember issues with front brakes.
I?ve read the CbyC breakdowns, nothing too onerous for any of the above, opinions please.
Thanks
Ellis
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Funny isn't it, but a dude at work has a 10 year old Polo, swearing never to buy a Japanese car again, as they were "bland" and "lacked character" and "so boring on the inside". Perhaps he's right, but I wonder if those owner satisfaction surveys such as top gear and j.d power weight the final result on "character of car" or how easy is it to live with the car?
Hi any auction view subscribers this is a bit of a cheeky request but I would like to know the sale prices achieved in the BMW auction at Brighouse today. I would be willing to make a payment (via paypal is probably easiest) to the heplful back roomer if this is possible. Many thanks in advance Read more
You won't have details of ACTUAL vehicles sold & amounts they
made.
The AuctionView DOES allow account customers to see 'average' selling prices,
at various mileages.
In fact, the ONLY way you know the figure a vehicle
made, is be in the auction hall, at the time.
Or read HJ's AuctionReports, from time to time.
VB
HJ doesn't do them now does he?
Hi - any help appreciated - BMW saloon 316i 1992. On start/ignition off the central locking/burglar alarm fuse (number 7) blows - this means the car wil not start until it is replaced, so it must have something to do with the engine immobilizer. Are there any common faults with the system I can check before sending it to BMW? Many thanks for any help. Ian Read more
ABS light on usually indicates a fault with a wheelspeed sensor ,usually one of the fronts.A diagnostic check should identify which one.The relays on these are fairly reliable & I would not consider changing them at this point.
As it's that time of year again (the one where you sometimes need windscreen wipers on the inside of the windows as well and it is really unpleasant when you have to use deicer on the inside of the windscreen too) has anyone ever used a de humidifier (chemically based) for the inside of their car? does it work?
Tim{P} Read more
Get an Accord - mine produces warm air very quickly -
but only with the aircon on auto. Am told they
run the compressor in reverse or something like that!
Ahh! I do have an accord (tourer), perhaps honda have cracked it again eh? the leather seats heat up equally as quickly as the interior!
Broadcast on Radio 4 this morning...
"That the government may crack down hard on motorway speeds above 70mph as part of the aim to reduce greenhouse CO2 emissions as there is scientific evidence that above this speed the level of CO2 emissions of vehicles increases dramatically"
It was also said that this was "politically sensitive"
Not half.
I'm already gearing up for a kick up the Khyber Pass in the name of motoring. Why don't they simply tax air travel and oh, will it affect trains as well as there are certainly still diesel locomotives around.
Those [people] that do not contribute to the GDP of this country really do not have anything better to do. Read more
"Homes produce colossal amounts of CO2, yet where there should be a sensible debate about how that can be reduced there is a shattering silence"
That's not altogether accurate but I suspect a debate on that is going to stray away from motoring issues rather quickly, but have a look at today's FT for some comments on this and it is a fact that transport (in all guises) is the fastest rising source of UK CO2 emissions.
I do agree with your first paragraph and I think that the 70mph idea is a good example of the kind of "sticking plaster" approach that passes for a meaningful energy policy in the UK
My wife has a Honda CRV and I have a Leon which I am intent on changing.
I do like 4x4's and previously had a Diesel Freelander which was most enjoyable for the occasional week it wasn't back at the dealers :)
Idea is to buy another 4x4 now in place of the Leon and change the 03 CRV in a couple of years.
On Friday I looked around a new X Trail and liked the interior, clever design, rugged looks and an excellent 0% finance deal to boot. I booked a test drive Saturday AM.
I was up early cleaning the Leon inside and out, checked Parkers for trade-in price, took all the paperwork and headed off to do the deal, except for a slight problem:
I didn't like it. Noisy diesel engine, steering wheel like a bus, huge square bonnet, very harsh ride, speedo etc 3 feet left of where they should be and more rattles than mothercare.
The engine has some serious stonk, but the gearing is so low that town driving was quite tiresome and there is no auto option.
I was gutted, to be honest, as was the very friendly and knowledgeable dealer, but it was not to be.
Had a look around a RAV4 today. Very nice but a new model due soon, so I will wait 'til then and perhaps pick up a traded in current version for a song. D4D looks a bit gutless on paper?
Woody Read more
Kia Sorento anybody?
Ain't got one and ain't likely to, but a wealthy mate has and can afford most things. He rates it highly. Also HJ says much the same as do plenty of motoring journos. I don't know?
VBR............M.
My Primera currently has a number of different tyres - 2 Nankangs at the front, and a Dunlop and Michelin on the back. The 2 front tyres need to be changed soon.
My one complaint about my car is the poor ride. Every ridge, rut and hole is transmitted right into the cabin. Of course, this is not helped by the very poor road surfaces where I live (that's another topic - clearly the Govt can't afford to spend any road taxes they collect on repairing the roads - better to spend on another outreach counsellor or diversity controller advertised in the Guardian).
Anyway, can anyone recommend a tyre which would give me a better ride quality and absorb more of those bumps before they get into the cabin?
Thanks in advance Read more
Did you change your wheels? you've changed from 16" to 17" tyres!
Browse
The 106 dCi is the 1.5, same as mine but tuned to give 6 more horses. All the 1.9's give upwards of 120.