April 2006
Hi all
I'm after some new tyres and noted a website where you can buy tyres and have an approved local garage fit them. The website's name is black circles (www.blackcircles.com/ ). the prices look decent, hence my interest.
As far as I understand, you purchase the tyres and arrange for them to be shipped to a local garage, with whom you make an appointment to have them fitted.
I'd appreciate any experience anyone has of this. I'm particularly keen to know how easily the bookings were made and how rigidly they were adhered to, as I share a car with my girlfriend and I can't make repeated or lengthy visits to garages.
All comments gratefully received. Alternatively, if you know of any decent tyre fitters in the Bath area I'd be interested to hear - my old favourite Bathwick tyres lost my confidence, which I won't go into further based upon comments in the 'naming and shaming' link at the top. Any other decent alternatives (good prices and reasonable car taken over the car) would be useful and appreciated.
Cheers
Matt
{Subject header renamed as several other online tyre websites are also being mentioned in this thread - DD}
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Morning all. Long time no post from me.
A friend of mine drives a company car, and last week the company received a request from the police to identify the driver of the car. Accompanying the request was a leaflet showing an overhead gantry, displaying a red cross, with the question "Do you know what this means?". It would appear that my friend had been spotted driving in a lane so marked on the M60 recently.
It looks as though they intend to issue points and a fine. So your thoughts on the legality of this please.
As far as I am aware (I don't have a copy of the highway code to hand), these signs are advisory only. Unlike the ones on the M25 and M40, there is no bounding red circle, making it an instruction.
I can think of many reasons that she could give for not obeying the sign, besides it not being an instruction. She could have spotted the sign and was looking for a safe gap to merge into. She could have not spotted the sign when in lane 1 with a high sided vehicle to her right, and then moved over into lane 3 eventually. etc etc
Truth is, she doesn't recall passing under such a sign. Until any NIP arrives we don't know what they are going after, but I bet they haven't kept the evidence. My take is that these signs are often kept on after the event, that they are taken with a pinch of salt. As I came to work this morning there was a sign displaying "CONGESTION J7" on the M56. It was 0430 hours, and the motorway was deserted. About 11 hours out of date.
I'll get back to lurking again now.
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You often get 40 or 50 speed limits flashing when the motorway is (almost) clear as a bell. Lack of confidence in these signs does tend to undermine their authority.
And if you actually slow to 40mph you'll get rear-ended by the rest of the traffic still doing 80. I obeyed one of these signs on the M4 with a 30mph limit, it was terrifying! With visibility of around a mile I did twice the posted limit of 60mph and felt safer. As you, I never saw any reason for the reduced limit.
Is there a list of Band A cars anywhere?
Thanks Read more
In answer to your earlier question, some time in 2005 I think, the bands were renamed without the thresholds changing. AAA,AA,A,B,C,D became A,B,C,D,E,F. This, plus this year's addition of G, brings them into line with the efficiency ratings you see on household goods. Cars will now display the same sort of colour-coded sticker.
Now here's the thing. Friend loves the A4 and the 323, but which should he choose? Both 1.8's, both roughly same cost to fuel/insure.
I've heard question marks on the Audi's reliability and the 96 SE he's looking at has done 107k, while the 97 Mazda has done just 82k and we've not heard of any problems with this model. I like the looks of the Mazda, but I have to admit, the Audi interior is a good one...both are clean, tidy cars from what we saw, and have what he called critical conditioning (ac).
He's not a racer, and likes the way the both drive, though he reckons the Audi's brakes are TOO sharp (??)...while the Mazda's steering is a bit light...
So which would you choose? Read more
Parts prices are probably more expensive for the A4? Maybe draw up a quick list of 10 things that wear out and get a price for the lot.
I'll start you off...
Clutch
Exhaust inc. cat
CV joints
Discs
Pads
Oil filter & plugs
Aircon radiator
GSF is good for Audi parts, but worth checking.
groups.yahoo.com/group/PlymouthFreecycleUK/message...2
OK, so it's an old one. But it's got to be worth it for mucking about in some fields surely!
I suspect the car isn't a million miles away from Plymouth.
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Thank you Hugo - didn't know about them, but have now signed up. Having just delivered a whole pile of computer gear to the local tip, I'm feeling suitably guilty!
What sort of noise do these make - and if they start to kick in on a long journey do you go off down the motorway making a great screeching sound? Would this also score the discs? Read more
Check Control includes front brake pad wear sensing on 2000 Vauxhalls HOWEVER on replacing brake pads, the wire has to be purchased separately - many owners and/or mechanics don't bother and just tape the old cable up to the suspension strut.
My car has recently started to make a "howling" noise which starts off at about 25/30mph.I have checked all the usuals like clutch in,gearbox in neutral,brakes on/off with no discernible difference.My own suspicion is that the n/s front wheel bearing is on the way out as there seems to be a slight reduction in noise on roudabouts (turning right effectively).
Is there a foolproof way of isolating the culprit wheel? I have already tried rocking the wheels from side to side but they all feel ok. Thanks for any advice. Read more
i suppose bearing in mind the noise factor you couldnt bearing it any longer well done
i hate having to "guess" which bearing might be noisy empty my wallet and then find im wrong.
Hi all,
Just got back from a long working holiday(3 months), on my return the battery on my car was dead so I re-charged it, having done this the battery lasted a few hours and died, I thought the battery was dodgy as it is over 3 years old so I bought a new one, but the new battery did exactly the same and drained overnight.
I also have to mention an electrical burning smell when I attached the battery, the only other thing I can mention is the starter motor was replaced just before I went on holiday.
The car is a 1996 P reg Golf 1.6 CL mk 3, 85,000 miles
Any ideas what can be wrong? any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Read more
Very possible as some are on the shelf for some time. I always trickle charge a new battery to get it off to a new start. Then you can pretty well exclude a battery problem.
Hi Guys,
Got some conflicting information regarding changing the rear discs and pads on my 2002 Peugeot 406 estate lx HDi. My colleague (who is a technician like me) says that the caliper will need to be wound back in prior to fitting the pads, using a special tool (although he says it can be done with a pair of grips). But Haynes manual says all thats needed is to push it back using a screwdriver Against the old pad or using a G-clamp. I've just had it Mot'd and its reported that the o/s/r disc was corroded so as I've got front judder I thought I'd change the discs and pads all round in one go. Anyone out there tell me which it is??
Thanks
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These are the views of Robin the Technician with 35 years in the trade. I fix, therefore I am... Read more
I also have a 2003 406 estate (110HDi). I just changed my rear discs and pads last week as the discs were rusty and badly scored. Mine had ATE calipers and you can just push back the piston quite easily.
Hi Guys - Still having problem with Passat. No acceleration up hills. Have had new MAF sensor and New Air temp valve fitted - seemed OK for about a week. Then started car up one morning and blue smoke from exhaust and very low power. Has the turbo gone kerput? Car has dome 162K but serviced regular. Next service due in June/July. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Read more
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