February 2006
I've seen an advert for this book (The Drivers' Survival Handbook) in the back of Top Gear magazine and wondered if anyone has bought the book and what they thought of it. Read more
Hi
I thinking of buying a BMW 325 diesel and was looking for some pointers on what to look out for. I like the look of the model a few generations ago, say J to R reg, and my budget is more intune with these. I think it is the E36.
For starters I am not entirely sure of the different models, I believe that the tds is intercooled, whereas the td isn't. Also what are the spec's of the SE model.
In looking around I have found sellers quoting different bhp's, and cars that have been chipped. It is a good idea to chip these engines? I've heard they're supposed to be good for trillions of miles, but would chipping have an adverse effect on this?
Also the manual/auto box debate. I quite fancied the auto box, but anyone any idea how this effects driving performane and/or pleasure over the manual. Is sports mode any good?
If anyone can offer any advice it would be greatly appreciated. From common faults found, to personal experiences, I'd really like to know the beamer before I dive in and but one!!
Cheers
Jim
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There were more than one version of the M51 engine, here is how to identify them at first glance...
Gen1 ones had no EGR or airflow sensor (built into aircleaner assembly)
Gen2 had the above
Gen3 had black plastic inlet manifolds as opposed to aluminium.
(I dont think Gen3 ever went in the E46)
These are only easily visible changes, each version had a whole host of improvements.
The engine needs the oil changing frequently - 5000 to 7500 miles, many older ones may have ignored the servive indicator and have scrimped.
The waterpumps are prone to catasrophic failure leading to overheating - check there is no waxy deposits on the inside plastic of the header tanks, as this could indicate combustion gasses entering the cooling system.
The auxiallary belt tensioners on the front of the engine can become nosiey with age, the damper can squeak and the pulley lever can rattle, cane make the engine sound very ill when it is only £20-50 of parts.
The automatic will be nice, as they thrive on torque, and will remove the turbo lag you would see on a manual. It will also be gentler on the rest of the drivetrain and engine IMHO, no overrevving, shift shock etc...
Good luck!
Does anyone know if you can get the Velofix bike rack retrofitted? As far as I can see, the obstacle is a prepared car has the holes factory made in the bumper. If possible, does anyone know who would do it etc? Read more
Have a look at this site www.renaultforums.co.uk
They may be able to help.
Modii surely?
Hi
Can anyone offer any advise on the following
Whilst servicing my girlfirends standard 1999 (V) 1.3KA i noticed creamy oil round, the oil filler neck.
My initial thought was the head gasket however the car is running ok, not overheating or loosing water, nor is the creamy oil present in the sump.
I've been told ny a works mechanic that this is a common problem with Ka's because they don't "breath" correctly.
Firstly can anyone substantiate this??
Secondly if i disconnect the pipe from the filler neck to the bottom of the air filter and just run a bit of hose "to waste" will it cure the problem?
Any replies gratefully received
Cheers Read more
Just realised all my posts are appearing in the thread. Told you i was new!!!
Thanks to everyone :-)
I'm considering an 03 Octavia TDi with 127,500 miles on the clock.
Am I being silly? It does seem a lot of miles for a 3 year old car, but if its been well maintained and looked after then why shouldn't it be OK?
Any ideas/comments?
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Hmmm I'm not sure I agree.
A car sat on the motorway for 40,000 miles pa is suffereing les stress throughout than a equivalent car doing the same mileage on urban or suburban roads.
Specifically, the gears, clutch and brakes are used less. The suspension will not encounter as many potholes or speed humps. There will be fewer cold starts and starts of any kind, so the oil will be in better condition.
The electric bits are less likely to be used, as motorway driving requires less use of electric windows, central locking, heater windows, mirrors etc, even the air con will be less stressed as a fast car automatically changes the internal air faster than a slow car.
I have bought two high mileage cars over the years. A three year old Honda Accord with 72,000 miles (serviced reguarly) and served until 109,000 with no repairs other than a holed radiator. At the end it was sold to a minicab driver and the only issue was slightly loose steering. We also bought a 93,000 mile BMW 730i with FSH and was four years old. Again, no mechanical failures at all and was sold for not much less than we paid for it 16,000 miles and two years later.
My partner has bought three hile mileage Lexus's and had no problems with any of them. The oldest was sold to a friend who loves it. Itis ten years old, has 160,000 miles and goes really well.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
Dear all,
The other half is considering offloading her 318Ci, having been offered a Honda Accord.
Her 318Ci is an E46 (2000 on a V), in that kind of lilac colour, good condition all round, history, with 69k on the clock. No leather, but does have autochanger and climate. Looking around, I reckon to put it up for £8750. Sound reasonable?
The Accord is a 2000X 2.0 S model, red, with 64k. Friend's father is getting a new company car, gets to offlod this one. It's up for £3k. Good deal?
Ta in advance,
Alex.
--
Dr Alex Mears
MG BGT 1971
If you are in a hole stop digging...unless
you are a miner. Read more
>>>>"I have not driven a BMW for donkey's years"
"I consider BMW's over rated and over priced"
How can you know the second given the first? >>>>
Well said peterb - it is beyond my comprehension that ill informed statements are made on this forum without basing them on direct personal experience, which unfortunately IMHO add nothing constructive to the discussion.!!!!!!
Hi,
I am currently looking at replacing the wife's Scenic for a new HDi Picasso. Several of the brokers on this site undercut the Citroen dealer price (even including the current cashback deal) but can I still make use of Citroen's 0% cashback or is this being too cheeky! I know you pay the dealer on receipt of the car but am unsure if you can use the supplying dealer to arrange finance? With them offering 0% at moment if I can utilise it, then it works out a really good deal!
Anyone used a broker before and done this? Any help appreciated.
Mark Read more
first post here so glad I have found something I can post about
we have just bought a picasso (55 plate 1.6 16v desire) through drivethedeal.com and got 0% finance from the dealer
we also found these guys the cheapest, we did look at broker4cars initially as the web price was the cheapest but this price was increased when the dealer contacted us making drive the deal a few hundred cheaper,
drive the deal dont do part ex though but to be honest the dealer offerd a shockingly low part ex price for our old car that I sold it privatly and got more money
any questions just let me know
Jim
After several years am going back to servicing our cars - question : Do Vauxhall use Torx or Torx plus fastenings?
2002 and 2004 Corsas Read more
my car has become a little juicy compared to what it used to be. is there any recommended additives i could use. i am a bit sceptical about adding these to the engine as there are so many on the market and i dont know much about them.
i dont drive the car hard and very rarely take it over 3000 revs.or maybe there is something wrong with the engine??????? any advice would be very helpfull Read more
as my car is the e36 model it does not have a DISA. it is due for a full service shortley and today i have pumped up the tyre as they were a little low, but not to much. any more suggestions guys ????????
Hi we have a clio 1.2 16v that cuts out,the fault code says airflow sensor but have changed that and ecu harness,can any one help
thanks tony Read more
It could be ECU itself Renault seem to have massive problems with ECU's and various electrical problems ,try the Renaultforum its quite good.


It would have been a waste of money for me as in my 34 years of driving I have never had any penalty points, endorsements, fines, convictions or even been stopped by the police on suspicion of any infringement! Oh,I forgot, one parking fine for infringing confusing wording of signs but I got off because the letter I got accused me of a different infringement to the one I had committed!
Much better to buy the Highway Code,'Driving' and 'Roadcraft'.