January 2006
Hi,
at the weekwnd I was doing 70 on the motorway and was passed by a BMW X5 doing at least 80.
Both number plates back front were obsquered / replaced by white APPROVED USED BMW plates. It had no trade plates back or front.
If it had passed a fixed camera at 80 mph on the motorway what would have happened?
If the Police had stopped it {I assume no tax} with no trade plates what would have happened.
Seems a good way be beat the speed cameras?
Paul
Paul {Forest of Bowland} Read more
Hi Backroomers,
I quite fancy swapping the Volvo for a Grand Espace.
I've read mixed views on reliability. Does andone have a 'New' style {2002 to date} Espace? If so any good?
I've also read that the engine is shared with the Nissan 350Z.
So is it a Renault or a Nissan unit?
Also, a lot of stories about Renault diesel engines packing up after 50,000 {cam bearing failure} etc. Auto parking brake sounds a potential prob too?
I only plan to do about 8K miles PA.
Wot do peole think plz?
Paul
Paul {Forest of Bowland} Read more
Hi, well thats a bit better then, at least the engine and box are OK. The top spec , {Initiale} 3.5 pertrol {245BHP} go for far less money 2nd hand than the 3.0 or 2.2 diesels.
I looking for a 3 year old example with a 12 month MOT and FSH, 3.5 V6 Initial, Grand Espace that is.
I'm not that fussed if bits of trim fall off.
Paul
Paul {Forest of Bowland}
I suspect you have all seen this site, but if not, have a look! www.honestjohn.com Read more
I visit Honest John's Fish Camp with is very near a place I have in America.
VW Polo 1.4 Sport '02 plate
Getting an intermittent engine management warning light coming on.
It has been happening on/off for a couple of months, VW dealer does not appear concerned when mentioned at recent service and no solution offerred.
Any ideas, solutions?
Also, does this engine have a belt cam or chain cam, I forgot to ask the service desk this.
Thanks,
Triggs
Read more
I wonder if anyone has any helpful suggestions.
Due to a change of job role, I loose my company car in early March having had one for 25 years with the same employer.
I am privately purchasing a new NIssan Primera Flare 1.8 hatchback arriving early March.
Obviously I'll need to insure it.
My wife has 8 years NCD (currently with Esure) on a fully comprehensive policy for our privately owned 1995 Ford Fiesta ; this also has our 22 year old daughter (+ myself) as named drivers . Consequently they cannot add the Primera to the existing policy - because of my daughter's age as well as the fact that I don't wish her to be a named driver of the Primera.
Now the costly part : I had an accident in August 2005 (my only one) in the company car, £2500 claim ; whilst stationary I opened my driver door and a car coming from behind me hit it (both at fault as I didn't see him and he must have been too close) We claimed on the company car insurance.
I have to declare this on any insurance quote or application, whether on a policy in my wife's name (with me as a named driver and keeper of the car) or in my own name.
That little accident appears to change the premium from about £320 to £700 quid or from £600 to £1000 - depending on whose quote I look at.
Are there any insurance companies that might be more lenient due to my previous excellent driving record ?
Any other suggestions gratefully welcomed.
Chris Muriel, Manchester
Read more
Now down to £385 after phoning Dial Direct (part of BISL) who came up in an online session at confused.com
It seems that NU will credit me 3 years NCD provided I have a letter from my employer sating that I only had the one accident in the last 5 years.
Chris Muriel, Manchester
My 95 Mondeo TD recently had problems with an air leak in the fuel system which meant it had starting problems and therefore the starter motor and battery took a hammering, this is now fixed thanks to suggestions from this forum :-) thanks (fuel primer diaphram leak) and has been working fine for 2 wks.
However it now has a new fault! when cold starting the starter motor turns it over but it doesnt fire, and it makes a strange noise and vibrates as if its not turning over properly, it sounds to me as if it is partially turning over then bounceing back and forth not properly compresssing and fireing.
When attempting to start there is a strong smell of diesel.
Could it be that the battery or starter motor does not have enough power to kick the engine into life??
Yesterday after multiple attempts it did start and when running it was absolutley fine, once warm it could be stopped and started again first time.
any help would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks Adam Read more
I had almost the exact same problem with an Escort TD. It was the starter on its way out.
Try and borrow one prior to buying so as to check it out - they only take 10 minutes to fit.
I have a 1974 reliant scimitar gte se5a. It has a lockheed remote servo on a single line braking system. When i press the brake pedal lightly, they stick on slightly and eventually (3secs or so) come off again. Alternatively, when they are slightly stuck on I can release them by pressing hard on the brake pedal. Does anyone have any ideas about what is going on?
Bill. Read more
Sounds like servo to me.
--
Steve
It has been about 5,500 miles since I last had the oil changed in my 2.se '98 Primera, and thought I would pop to National to get it changed. It has done 99,000 miles and still ticks over like a dream. Is it really worth paying the extra and putting fully syntetic oil in or shoould I stick to semi ?? It has had fully syntehtic in the past but when serviced 6 months ago I forgot to tell the garage and they put semi back in... Read more
Halfords were doing their fully synthetic for £15 for 5 litres a week or two ago. Can't beat it at that price.
I have a mazda 323 1.6 gxi 02 plate.
Paid £5500 16 months ago and have no problems so far.
Car now requires a full service, 4 tyres and two front disks and pads.
I reckon service £200 tyres £200 frontdisks and pads £200
Thats £600.
Car is now worth say £4250 Should I spend £600 on jobs or put that £600 toward newer car and trade in or sell?
maybe might have to put in £1000 giving me roughtly £5200 to spend on new car.
Advice appreciated
thanks Read more
OK OK I'll keep it, just thought i would get a few views.
Oh By the way mapmaker, I dont smoke so no problem with the ashtrays however i did notice some dirt on the car at one point...
Hi all,
My mum is selling her little car due the fact that both my parents have retired recently, and running two cars is an unnecessary cost.
Question is - how much!!! I've had a look on Autotrader but there is only 3 matches, and they are all older.
The specs are - R Reg (August 1997) Rover Metro Ascot 1.1 in Aqua Blue (or like that kind of blue!)
It has done 38k miles, just passed its MOT, following having a new radiator, tyres, and brakes changed.
It has been driven by my mum, which can be translated to - slow and easy! (i know this has no bearing on the costs!)
The body work is immaculate, as is the interior.
Any kind of guide for us to work from will be greatly appreciated. I realise this is a Rover, and a Rover Metro at that, but it isn't a bad car! Hopefully they can recoup something from it.
Thanks in advance.
Ben Read more
4 It's a Metro
Plus points :
7 It's a Metro so it handles well.
8 It's a Metro so it has got a sweet free revving 1.1 or 1.8 8v K Series engine that will not suffer the HGF that the 1.8 16v's do.
Browse
In the fifties it was not unknown for open-wheeled racers to be driven on the road, usually for basic rather than racing-speed testing, but those cars won't actually go very slowly. Another usual thing in the fifties and early sixties was racing saloons being driven to the circuit by mechanics, three Ecurie Ecosse Mk 2 3.8 Jaguars in close high-speed convoy, driven by mechanics some of whom were quite louche characters. The authorities seemed to enjoy all of this as much as everyone else. The world is carp these days.