May 2006
Looks like Naseem Hamed has got a reasonably lengthy stay at Her Majesty's pleasure after his dangerous driving last year in his Mclaren-Mercedes. He's lucky he didn't kill the other driver.
Rob Read more
After 40,000 fault free miles in 20 months the Mondeo has gone, and having been a critic of Citroen on here previously I have bought a Picasso.
Is the 2.0 HDi SX, and am really impressed with it. Does remind me a tiny bit of driving a Transit, but it is very comfortable, and an excellent family car. Eldest daughter loves it- loves the fold out tables for drawing on and being able to see over the hedgrows.
Was surprised by how much interest it got from my neighbours too (although mostly young families round my way).
Did expect it to be a bit roly- poly reading the reviews prior to buying, but personally haven't noticed any of that.
Finally- thanks to all the Citroen owners- your comments about reliability were one of the factors in buying this car. Read more
Hello PW,
Hope the holiday was good and thanks for the reply.
We tried a '55 1.6HDi Desire model. I thought the seats were OK we'll probably try another Picasso just to see if it was a wierd day. Certainly we'll try for an hour or so this time. I really liked it and agree that they are very relaxing to drive, the diesel is very smooth and undiesel like and all the cubby holes are clever.
That said, we're testing a 1.6TDCi Zetec CMax (same engine) on Friday. Sitting in the seats of an LX model without moving, the wife was immediately happier with the seats. I assume the Zetec ones are the same (??) and the one we are trying has the sat-nav with digital climate control fitted, which appeals a lot. I'll feed back!
Anyone have any opinions on a Seat Arosa 1.4 Manual? (T-Reg)
Cost to run/ repair etc?
I've been looking at a 106 but a Arosa has come up nearby!
Thanks
Phil
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Should also have pointed out there is no Arosa crash test but the Lupo is basically the same; check that the Arosa has an airbag (was an option on the 1.0, not sure on the 1.4)
Hi
My Golf has just passed 60,000 miles and needs cambelt changing, I got a quote from Volkswagen for £500 .
I phoned a local garage and they quote £90 VAT.
The costs seems so far apart any ideas on what an average cost would be for a cambelt change??
Thanks Read more
Had our Golf TDi pd 115bhp cambelt done at a VAG main dealer last year, paid around £320, (had a brake light switch at the same time) using my loyalty discount card (10%?). Does the £500 quoted include service too?
Mk3 TDis belt was done using the link above and was straight forward enough
As Iam unable to obtain a manual for my 2.0 TDCI 130 PS (53 plate)mondeo ghia will you kindly advise the procedure as how to remove all relevant covers etc to find filter and drain plug,thanks in advance.
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T reg. 149,00 miler was running great till it cut-out pulling 2,000 rpm. The motor was hot at the time and re-started easily. Tickover is smooth but won't rev up now. with my foot on the accelerator the motor starts to run a bit rough and stays on tickover. Very hard to start if left overnight, black smokes for 5 minutes then clears and ticks over smoothly. Help Read more
No engine management light so I'll check the cat.
On the A435 between Alcester and Redditch there's a radar-controlled speed warning sign that tells you to slow down.
Unfortunately the sign's behind overhanging tree branches so you don't notice it until you're about a yard in front of it.
You're then distracted by lights appearing out of the foliage, just as you're going around a sharp bend. I suspect this sign is going to cause more accidents then it will prevent. Read more
Would you be referring to the one on the campus ring road that gives up at 34mph?
And why should he not visit? Nobody in their right mind would visit a dead horse. In this day and age, if a manufacturer such as Vauxhall and Peugeot have even voiced the possibility of plants or jobs to go, there is nothing that government can do about it. Government had enough practice with British Leyland to demonstrate why they should not run manufacturing.
Both Peugeot and GM have problems of their own making whereas Toyota and others have clearly demonstrated as to how it could be done!
The fact that Darling is getting a preview of a new version of the Avensis is in this case irrelevant. The car, IMHO, is not attractive to look at, at all.
The poor chap, but that is his job, will get collared about the other redundancies and will have to pay lip service. He won't be able to change anything. The people who will/may lose their jobs should get a life and move on rather than go on strike. Read more
Yes, I've been around plenty of plants in my time, inc. Japanese plants in Japan. I once had to use the toilets at Longbridge - seeing the state they were in helped develop my understanding of why the workforce there were so grumpy!
Well I decided, what the heck what is redundancy money for, and went out and bought a Fabia vrS today. One year old, 05 plate in bright red.
It was a total different buying experience to any car have had before. It was bought from a small independent Skoda dealer.
He knocked £500 off screen price for not having a trade in. He gave me an hour test drive (which was enough). He insisted that it would get the full manufacturer service before going to me (as opposed to the usual "safety check" some dealers give you. He took me through to the valet bay and introduced me to the guy who would be preparing my car. I asked him if they could make sure that they waxed the alloys for me. No problem, they will take them all off and clean them then wax both inside and out. He also explained that from today they would be preparing my car and building up layers of wax each day till I came in and collected it. When I queried why there were no car mats, it was because they already had them out cleaning them and they looked brand new to me!
No pressure to sell me finance, in fact the question wasn't even raised.
A fantastic buying experience, totally different to the hardsell, 10 salesman working out the one branch that I am used to before.
I hope the ownership experience is just as good. Read more
"Image counts for a lot!!"
Very true - SWMBO is a Daily Mail reader and all that that implies, and she would need a lot of persuasion. Compared with the current MINI, a Fabia would be a better bet for the occasional long journey she does. Interestingly you say the Fabia is a better bet in town too.
I think we'll hang on to the Civic until early next year and see what the facelifted MINI is like.
Thanks to all for the comments - I feel reassured about the noise if we do consider the Fabia.
I understand that some people on here have had problems with their C5 HDI clutch pressure plates.
What are the symptoms?
My C5 has started slipping in higher gears, but only when accelerating hard around 55 to 65 mph. The revs rise to 2,500 then drop to just above 2,000 before increasing in line with road speed. Does it sound familiar?
Thanks
Ben Read more
Its a 2.0 HDI 110 (With plug in box!).
Any ideas whats causing the slipping as I am 100% sure it isn't worn friction material.
I can't see clutch kits on GSF or EuroCarParts. Grrr.
Valeo now make replacement kits for cars with dual-mass flywheels. www.valeoservice.com/html/unitedkingdom/en/actuali...C
No idea how much they cost, but it says 30% cheaper, so I'll ring my local Valeo man, and the Citroen specialist and see what the figures add up to.
Still its a nice car. Any ideas how long a clutch change takes?
Ben
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As this thread keeps straying from motoring discussion, and most things have been said about Naseem's conviction making the subject pretty well exhausted....
Thread locked - DD.