March 2006
Afternoon everyone
We picked up a brand new Nissan X-Trail last week. We got the 2.2 diesel version with a reported 37 mpg. However, on my rough calculations we are only getting approx 28mpg and yet we are driving very sedately at the moment.
I'm aware that on new cars, they are not fully economical and takes time for the engine to bed down before becoming more economical. However, this does seems to be a remarkable low fuel economy rate.
How many miles does diesel engines needs to cover before they become more economical? And when this occurs, can I expect an improvement of approx 10mpg?
Thanks.
PS - Apologies to those who has seen this post elsewhere!
SVM Read more
Just been offered an old Bmw 735 E32 1988 7 series for about £700. Tempted to buy it as a second car for a bit of fun, however the car by car breakdown doesn't seem too happy about these cars, suggesting I should get it checked out by a specialist before I part with any money.
All well a good if the car cost 10 times as much, but not at this price.
Other web sites have been a little more encouraging, basically saying that if you stick to using specialists, don't worry about every little thing (heated cup holders and the like) and as long as the engine and gearbox are in good working order and you check the obvious, the costs should be pretty low (as long as you ignore the oil well draining thirst).
Anybody got any thoughts on these cars?
Read more
Near you there will be one or more independant BMW specialists.
These people know more than some BMW dealers,the one near me gets more calls from our local BMW dealer than he makes to them!
See if they can keep the thing running for a year whatever the electrics do,you might have to get secondhand parts for them to use.
But what a lovely,lovely car for the price of a long weekend in Paris.
Robin
Hi
I have a CARK91 nokia car kit... I need power... where is the best place to take it in the dash of a Peugeot 406?
Maybe a silly question, but would it be possible to simply attach a conventional cigarette lighter car charger to the end of the power cable?
Cheers. Read more
From the rear of the radio as you will have to connect the yellow to the radio mute,you can use either the switched or the unswitched feed.
Just been looking on this US site www.csgnetwork.com/oilchangecalc.html
at this progam for oil changes and came across this statement.
This program will calculate the calendar time of 90 days in the immediate past. If you have not had the oil and filter in your motor vehicle changed between that date and today, you are exceeding most manufacturers maintenance suggestions. The general guideline agreed upon by most manufacturers worldwide is 3000 miles (about 4800 kilometers) or 90 days, which ever comes first. Check your owners manual for specifications for your vehicle.
I know this is a US site and their cars usually do higher mileages than ours, but surely this is a slightly excessive regime. For the record I have my oil changed every 6,000 miles. Do the Americans use any of the extended service intervals with fully synthetic oils?
--
Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
Read more
It is like many aspects of life, deeply cultural. Our American friends thought all the light bulbs were blowing when we stayed with them, as we switched them off as we left the room.
I found it odd that 3 months was almost a religion. Mind you oil is very cheap and plently of Kwik fit type places do an oil change in the States for peanuts.
I think every 6,000 is fine, although talking to some mechanics at an independant, they refered to a BMW of an 'old boy' that had 3,000 mile changes. The inside they commented was like a sparkling jewel!
The Focus (51-1.6) is having issues once again:
a) Clutch-related noise? On depressing the cluth, changing gear, and bringing the clutch up, as it releases there's a long whinge/whine sound.
b) Gearbox is getting difficult to put into first and fifth, and reverse (though this has always been an issue) - it's started not engaging first in traffic sometimes and popping out.
c) Engine seems louder/harsher/harder than normal at motorway speeds - like it's working harder to get the same revs...(3,000 is really noisy).
d) Really smoky start-up.
e) On hard-left turns, something around the driver's side front wheel makes a loud thud (kind of as the body leans a little toward that side).
f) First thing in the morning, as I drive away, about 10 secs after switching the engine on and as we reverse up the drive there's a single loud bang, which jerks the car and steering.
I've changed the oil (to the correct spec), but I fear I'm needing a new clutch (possibly new gearbox) and the louder engine coupled with bang and smoke is worrying, along with the loud thudding that's begun to sound. Any thoughts on what the car needs, apart from possibly a lot of money? Read more
They sound more like problems than 'issues' to me.
Do you work in IT? (lots of IT people seems to call faults/problems 'issues').
Any insurance experts out there? I travel out to my clients each day. In effect my place of work each day is my clients place of business. Most insurance policies cover you to travel to and from your place of work. The question is do I actually need additional cover for business use? Read more
When I renewed my insurance last year I found the insurance company had moved the goalposts - again !
Original cover was SDP ( social, domestic, pleasure) + business use without any restrictions: "to and from a place of work"
Following year included: "to and from a permanent place of work"
This was further identified as "a single place of work" - and as my then company was multi-site, I would have to upgrade my insurance for an additional premium !!!
The outcome was a change of company and full Class 1 use for only £10 more.
You MUST read the RENEWAL NOTICE very carefully.
They are happy to take your money, then refuse to pay out when a claim occurs.
The other thing to remember is to consider part-time/evening "occupations".
There are just the 2 of us, the kids having flown the nest, so we can now enjoy a car. We want a convertible with a solid folding roof. Don't ask why, we just do! An SLK is beyond our means so don't go there. A 206 seems to have problems with its roof. Rather like the 307CCs and MeganeCCs. Reckon we will be buying a 1 year old model and keeping it until the wheels drop off. What do you guys reckon? Read more
At first glance I might be tempted to think I would be better off looking elsewhere but these few faults are nothing compared to what could befall me if I went for a 307CC. "User error" seems quite a common fault on a lot of cars but in reality it is because the manufacturers has made things too complex and there are too many electronic boxes. (Still cannot figure out the i-drive on my brothers 5 series and neither can he!) Assuming I shall be buying one still under warranty I should be covered.
Anything else?
I drive down this road every morning on my way to work. Is this sign legal? Its at the entrance to an industrial estate with a VERY rough road. There are more pot holes than in a pot hole factory!
photobucket.com/albums/d151/sidspud/?action=view&c...g
Read more
Wally, take it you are a big Duran Duran fan?????
Am I alone in experiencing slowing speeds on accessing the HJ site? It's been getting worse for me over the last few days.
Am I alone? Read more
Regarding the speed of the site.
It is something we are aware of and the matter is being looked into.
DD.
Good Morning
Following the FAP issue suggs from BBA reman (thank you so much screwloose) has been to have the 406 2.2HDI scanned. Rang up local Pug dealer & asked. 'is the dash warning light still on?' they ask. 'Not now,' I reply. 'No point then' they say. Apparently the system doesn't store/log error fault incidents. Is this really true?
If so I guess I'd better lug it around until the FAP ignites & then troll to dealer, ensuring I don't go over 50mph, thus provoking a passive regen & putting out the light.
Thank you all again.
--
www.bayingbasset.com
Read more
Browse
.jpg)
You have had the car for a week. YOu cant work out the average MPG in a weeks driving, it needs to be averaged over a 1000 miles. YOu dont mention what kind of driving you have been doing (urban, school run, motorway driving)
Dont treat this thing gently, they really need to be worked to get them run in and perform nicely later.
About 10k is right before you get any idea of what this thing is going to give you.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >