February 2006
If I slow down from fast to stop with my clutch in, the revs go down and engine will sometimes stall.
Never had any problems with this car and only done 64k. It is due for a service but has been main services regular.
Thanks! Read more
In yesterdays Telegraph Business Section:
Google, the internet search engine, has blacklisted BMW, the German luxury carmaker, for breaching its operating guidlines. BMW is alleged to have broken the Google rules by artificially boosting its search rankings. The so-called "Google death penalty" means a search for terms such as BMW or BMW Germany will not produce a link to the company's website.
BMW seem to be trying too hard!
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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Not sure if this is something that Google have been doing for ages and it's only just been picked up, but it's BMW Germany and also I've been reading that Ricoh Germany have been given a similar "death penalty"
Lee -- Do you have any conceivable reason for even getting up in the morning?
Can anyone suggest an easy way to remove engIne oil without getting under the car and removing the sump plug - my car has an awkward to remove and replace acoustic cover. It takes me a couple hours to do each time!
I've looked into the idea of a marine type hand operated oil suction pump but dismissed it on cost. Does anyone know if there is a simple syphon pump on the market suitable or that can be adapted? or anything else that will do the job. Read more
I am about to start my IAM advanced driver training and was wondering what other back roomers opinions are on pass plus/iam etc
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Temporarily not a student, where did the time go??? Read more
Been regularly driving cars and riding bikes for 46 years without any accidents / points / convictions / cautions. I put this down to always taking pride in my driving ability; regular maintenance of my vehicles and frequent thumbing through the Highway Code and Roadcraft publications to keep myself up to date.I try my best not to make errors of judgement and make allowances for those that do. Passed my IAM test many years ago and keep my membership current. You have to make an annual disclosure to the IAM re any points / convictions / cautions that might have been accrued during the previous year and this gives added impetus to maintain high standards in order to'survive'the stresses of modern driving conditions.
I am going to look at a classic vehicle on Saturday, and have just made a "vehicle enquiry" with the DVLA. online.
This states apart from other things, "SORN Expired."
I assume that the previous declaration of SORN has expired, but poses a question which I cannot find the answer to.
If I was to purchase the vehicle, do I become liable for any undeclared SORN and fine, or am I not liable due to the date on the transferance of the vehicle being adequate proof of non ownership of this period?
Also the address on the V5 is apparently his parents address. His name checks out on the electoral register as correct. I never asked him about the SORN when I spoke to him as I was not aware, but will follow this up.
Does anybody have any thoughts on this?
Reggie Read more
Thanks oldman, you are correct. I have rung the DVLA, and after an agonising process of going through multi-menus on an 0870 number, I have been informed, as I suspected that I am only liable for the time I will have owned the vehicle.
With regards to HPI, it's a one owner vehicle, and I have spoken to the original supplier who have confirmed to me that he was the original purchaser. So I may not bother with the HPI, but have not yet decided.
Reggie
I'm 75, able and fit. Present car Shogun. What I need is some advice on what's the best car for me under £25000 new or second-hand, running costs not an issue.
I live in rural North Norfolk and do about 12000 miles a year - occasional trips to South of France and Portugal, but mostly the longest journey is 65 mile round-trip to Norwich. General idea is to find something that will see me out!! Read more
Forester won't have enough ground clearance - it's only a car,
really.
Oh come on MM. It's ground clearance is 200mm. At least 50mm higher than a Focus and very useful, especially if not going off-road for anything other than a grass verge or a a slightly muddy field.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
Every time I've driven down the M20 to get to Dover for the last couple of years, it has been closed between two junctions (can't remember the numbers, but somewhere in Kent around Maidstone). This has involved all traffic leaving the motorway, wending our way through the countryside, and rejoining at the next junction. There has never been any mention of this closure on the RAC or siimilar websites, but it's always there! This has resulted in some very tight squeaks on making the ferry. However, I was talking to a friend the other day, and he said that he'd never come across the closure.
Can someone enlighten me as to what gives - is it just coincidence that I've been stuffed the last few times, does it only happen at particular times (my usual time is probably about 8:00am), and just why is it/has it been closed - there are no sign of roadworks? Read more
There are plans to build a site with full facilities just
north of Maidstone specially for these fairly regular stoppages, but there
is currently no funding available.
Why doesn't Blair ask Chirac to contribute?
Just bought a xsara estate and am wondering why the speedo dial is so dim. I have adjusted the brightness to max as per handbook yet I still cannot see the red KPH dial. As I use the car in France a lot this is a bit of a drawback.
Has a bulb blown? (the dial does light up though)
Has a bulb dislodged?
Is a low power bulb being used?
What can I do?
Any help would be appreciated.
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If this is the case, does anyone have any suggestions for continental driving. An overlay perhaps?
Hello,
I would like to change my orange indicator wing repeater lenses with the clear version (as on the SRi and Elite version. It doesn't state in the users handbook how to remove and replace bulbs etc.
Does anybody know how to take these out. I'm assuming that they're just plastic clips etc?
Any help very appreciated
Cheers - Jon Cunningham-Smith Read more
Thanks Dave and Ishok. Will check out www.forum.vectra-c.com as well.
Cheers - Jon Cunningham-Smith
Hello, leading high street car mag describes New Passat as the best all round medium sized family car. What do fello back roomers think. My mate who works for a very large London based VW outfit regards VW products as expensive and overrated, hehimself drives a Toyota. The problem with motoring hacks is that they ver rarely keep car for more than 12 months, have no idea about real life running costs, and have zero knowledge on design and engineering issues (robustness and quality). Any replies appreciated. Read more
I got the brochure for the "new Passat" a few months ago and although I haven't sat in one yet will be considering one as my next car to replace my Vectra. The styling is much more attractive and up to date than the old model and the list prices seem competitive. The only thing the basic "S" lacks which I would personally want is a front armrest.
I also like the look of the new Jetta, which, as someone has already mentioned, seems to be trying to compete with the BMW 3 series and more perversely the Audi A4. But take a look at the list prices on VW's website. Model for model it seems to be priced the same as the bigger Passat - which seems madness to me. They should have pitched it lower, otherwise I reckon it will bomb like the Bora did.
Interestingly enough the Bora, and no doubt the new Jetta, is very popular in the US, even in white.
Browse
Many thanks to jag and Aprila for the advise.
I have no idea where the throttle body is - maybe I'll get it serviced and ask the garage to do it.
BTW, I had described the problem to the Nissan dealer who suggested they give it a test drive etc (sounded expensive). The mechnic round the corner suggested clening something (it could have been the throttle body but can't remember). Its booked in at Nissan but I'm thinking of just taking it to the local guy (cheaper as well).
Thanks!