May 2006
***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Volume 44 *****
Speeding (mostly excl cameras) Vol 42 is closed and this thread has been started.
For the continued discussions around the subject of speeds & speeding, usually excluding cameras which are in another thread.
Older versions will not be deleted, so there is no need to repost any old stuff.
A list of previous volumes can be found here:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=18848
DD,
BackRoom Moderator Read more
I have a 2 year old diesel A4 and I am concerned that my climate control is not working to full efficiency now we've had some warm weather. I set the temp to LO and fan to full, but I just dont think the air out of the vents is as icy cold as it should be. Is it likely that the system needs re-gassing after only 2 years ? Or is the Audi aircon compressor just a bit puny ? Read more
Yes, I imagine this was dealt with under warranty, however, they report that no fault was found... The report sheet doen't mention warranty either.
I didn't think that Audi's warranty covers investigation work where no fault is found or the item has ceased to function where the car has been used 'not in accordance, etc.'?
El Dingo.
Hi. I'm thinking of buying a Renault Laguna. It will be around the R or S reg.
Is there any bad points I should know about this car?
I've not owned one before so I dont know what to look out for.
I've been told they can have electical problems, but is that on the newer shape one's?
Are they a good car or will I find myself cursing I bought one.
I've had a few cars in my life and wanted a change. I've never owned a Renault.
Many thanks for any help. Read more
In fairness, it would appear from the Laguna websites that the earlier version is less prone to almost everything. I had to do some research of a (as it turns out) well known problem with the "resistor pack" on the climate's fan on a fully loaded R reg totally lavished with neglect by a neighbour, never been serviced for me to know. He has owned it since it was 18 months old. It's in very goood nick considering. The fan is the only thing thar's ever broken on it..
My firm has acquired a site, a derelict pub in a ropey area of Bristol. The car park is open and is being used by the locals as off street parking. I have absolutely no problem with this, in a funny sort of way, they're looking after the site for me. If i tried to fence it off, i'd be forever replacing fencing....
However, sooner or later the cars are going to get in the way of JCB's and piling rigs and i'll need them moved.
As the people parking are effectively my neighbours and i need to get along with them while we're building, i don't want to rub them up the wrong way. So I need to devise a "clearance plan" and would appreciate some pointers and views from the BR before i put it into practice.
1 - leave leaflets on cars notifying keepers politely that works will be starting on (Date A) and can you not park here after (date B) thank you very much, plus a huge board on site.
Date B will be deliberately early.
2 - As Date B passes, cars still parked will get a leaflet along the lines of "please move your car, XYZ clampers start next week". Appropriate XYZ clamping signs go up.
3 - if there are still cars there, get the clampers (or buy our own clamp) and get clamping!
4 - last resort - don't know? if someone leaves a car with a clamp attached, i run out of ideas. Am i allowed to remove the vehicle? Can i trace owner legitimately?
Stages 1-3 seem ok, but stage 4 needs a bit of work. I could report any leftover cars as abandoned to the council, but they may not be interested as it's private land.
All views appreciated, especially from the viewpoint of someone who is going to have to move their car.
Thanks in advance Read more
Thats possibly to deter the "travellers" who move in and are hard to remove legally, in the time required.
Are they really as unreliable as everyone makes out? I'm considering a Y-reg high mileage (108k) 1.9dci Dynamique. It's got full history and I've made a deal to straight swap it for the Focus (51, 106k, 1.6 LX). I'm wondering if it will be as unreliable as everyone tells me. And if the driving will really be that poor... Read more
I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole. my company got five new 54 plate 1.9 dynamiques. 3 of the five have had to have new gearboxes after around 60k, all of them have had problems with the clutches. the tyres wear horrendously on the outside of the tyre due to poor tracking which can only be adjusted at a main dealer. You cannot replace the lightbulb without taking of the bumper - around £60 to change a light bulb !!! - never again
Dominic
Are they still at Dunsfold this series?
Presumably they reset the leader board then if it's a new car. Read more
Mmmmmmmmm, heavy sarcasm duly noted.
With the rising cost of diesel and the thought of saving some of our planet's scarce resources, I have decided to do as the politicians preach.
Yes, it should also save me a bit of cash.
No, I will not be hopping on a bus or train.
It will take me a a few minutes longer to get to and from work, but why should this bother me.
This could be a seasonal thing, so if its wet, cold or dark I shall resort to the car.
Also on Thursday's I will still use my car as I have to collect my daughter from her dance class.
The distance to and from work is about four and a half miles on relatively level ground, half on a quiet country lane, the balance on a main road.
I need to loose a few of the pounds I have gained during the winter and get a bit fitter. So all of you had better watch out - starting next week I am going to start cycling to work (not a pretty sight I must admit as I have just turned 52).
I have dusted off my old mountain bike - a Dawes model I bought back in 1984 and made with 531 racing tubing. It is light as a feather with 18 gears and I have a gel saddle cover.
It has none of the mod cons like suspension of current models, but it does what it says on the tin - it gets me from A to B. The tyres and tubes were replaced last year for the first time and everything works as it should.
It will feel great to be back on the saddle and out in the fresh air. After a few practice runs, I felt no pain or sore bits, so I am looking forward to doing my bit to save the planet.
If you have any tips that might make my ride better or safer, please contribute.
So please give all cyclists a bit of extra room as you pass, you never know it might be me.
--
Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
Read more
Just don't stack it.
Thinking about getting an Air Compressor from Argos or somewhere cheap because every time I go to Asda to blow my tyres up their tyre inflator isn't working.
Does anyone else have one / experience of using them? Do they do a good job?!?
Cheers Read more
We invested 60 pounds in a proper compressor, which is extemely handy for doing car and tractor tyres, and the bike if I'm feeling particularly lazy. :)
A friend has a 1993 Rangie Classic Vogue SE 3.9 EFI which has the ABS warning light on but it doesn't seem to be faulty. Is there a way to determine what the fault could be without going to a specialist (as there isn't one nearby) and can the light be reset? Read more
This site might help
members.mud-club.com/library/?articleid=19
My 97 2.0 Picnic started overheating yesterday. Checked the levels and all seemed ok.
Only thing that I could see was that the cooling fans were not kicking in at all.
I have looked all over and I am unable to see what looks like the fan switch to by-pass it to see if the switch is gone, or it's an additional electrical problem. On previous cars you could "short" out the connection to get the fans on all the time. I am looking to do this, just to see where the problem lies.
The stated fuses appear to be ok, so if anyone can point me in the direct to get the fans on to prove them or not, it would be great.
Ta
Read more
Sorry for the long delay chaps :)
Yes, it's not an import.
Yes it has aircon.
Yes the fans turn by hand
I have not been able to see any relays (can't see any listed in the manual) and the noted fuses in the fuse box under the bonnet are ok (two of them, one for each fan I assume).
I noticed it started to overheat on the way into work one morning. 8 miles of country lanes 40 ish mph it was fine. When I got to a roundabout, the needle worked it's way up. Heater on full to try and get rid of some hot air and a short run, brought it back down.
On the way home, the needle was up and down, though never very high.
Levels checked when got back and they were normal. No gunk in the oil and the rad did not appear to be leaking anything. No water residue around the engine bay or on the plastic cover at the bottom.
I shall give the cable a test as recommended when I get backs...
Thanks
"lso his force has a 6% clear up rate on burglaries. I bet the residents of North Wales don't think that is a result!"
That was Daily Redtop propaganda from last year which was later discredited. Brunstrom's troops are currently in the top ten of all forces, they occasionally appear in the top 3 of all forces on detection rates (that's per BCU not Force i.e. The Force's 3 BCUs regularly feature in the top ten nationally.One of his BCUs is regularly top of all the national BCUs in most crime detecting criteria including all-crime) - these are audited stats not made up ones. It was some redtop that caught his dughter not his Scameras. Ask yourself why that area attracts the lowest insurance rates in England an Wales - I know 'cos I pay insurance on a property there ! I remember from a presentation he gave when he was the ACPO Roads Policing portfolio holder - (he isn't now - another myth) that out of 1600 front line Officers, he had 8 or 10 on Scamera duties. But that would never make happy reading for propagandaists would it ?
I'll probably get booked there next week after all that.
Oh and their Force Policy on speeding is 10% + 1, that was from a conversation with a Traffic Bobby from North Wales last month.