June 2006
Hi,
I am bored rigid with my v70 'classic' (aka old model) tdi. I keep looking around to see what large diesle estates are about but there isnt much choice. bmw 5 series is too small. passat/a6 are OK, but we've had several audi, merc E-class is expensive plus the rust and diesel reliability put me off.
Anyway, I have been thinking about an XM, would I be mad? Im told that the suspension is more reliable than people think. They are big and the psa diesels have a good name, the xm is galvanised, the xm-club forum has lots of people clocking up hunderds of thousands of miles.
There are not many about and many are autos - I would want a manual. Anyone care to comment?
I guess this applies to mercs as well - how do you do a hill start with a foot operated handbrake?
Read more
hi guys
Over the last three years the steering wheel of my car has gradually gone off the straight ahead position presumably due to wear and tear.
What are the components that need replaced?
Does anything else cause this apart from kerbing etc?
cheers
Read more
>>Traking by a nupty that only adjusts one side,
More than likely,had front tyres on mine replaced and got them to check tracking(would have been better off doing myself)steering wheel out of straight afterwards.
Took it back and they realigned tracking as it was supposed to be done,While I watched.
I usually stay and watch,even comment when they go wrong,but this time I went for a walk while they did the job....big mistake!
--
Steve
Hi I'm just following on from posts from Stanton Man made a while ago about the Rover air flow meter. I too got passed a quote for a lovely total of £335 for replacing air flow meter plus labour (and new air filter). I sourced a meter for £110 (compared to Rover's £180 before VAT). Just wondering about fitting the meter. Is it a serious job for mechanics only??? Does the ECU error message on next service make a difference to the running of the engine??
Sorry if that sounded ignorant, I'm in over my head methinks.
Read more
I was curious as to whether anyone on the forum has had or currently has, an Ecotek valve fitted to their petrol engined car. The reason I am asking is that I have read that they increase economy - but this is only by 1%. However it does increase performance also.
I would like to know whether anyone has positive or negative results with theirs, if the item does benefit performance and economy, are there any drawbacks.
Many thanks Read more
AS: I happened to come across this site www.fuelsaving.info/biog.htm where a number of gadgets were examined. Its interesting to read the comments on people who persuade themselves that this junk works! A number of periodicals including a deadly rival to the Telegraph appear to be smitten by it. Revenue?
Disabled bay painted around car
A council has apologised to a woman who was fined £60 after workmen painted a disabled bay around her car.
When Shirley Hatcher, 67, parked her car in North Road, Southampton, Hampshire, there were no parking restrictions in place.
Mrs Hatcher, of Priory Road, said: "I had just gone to the hairdressers and when I returned there was this disabled bay and the £60 fine."
A spokeswoman for Southampton City Council has apologised for the error.
I saw the funny side of it the next day - you couldn't make it up
Shirley Hatcher
Mrs Hatcher said: "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it.
"My car was covered in polka dots from the paint they had used.
"I was fuming, absolutely fuming, all I could think was what sort of idiot did this.
Occasionally things go wrong
Southampton City Council
A spokeswoman for Southampton City Council said the authority would cover the costs of repairs to her car.
She added: "Occasionally things go wrong no matter how hard we try to get things right.
"We were in error, as was our painting contractor, and we're very sorry.
"We are doing everything we can to put it right, and to examine our processes to prevent anything like this happening again."
Read more
There is certainly enough c*rp around to help them! Once the plantation is growing properly there could be a flying display by the Red Pigs!
Does anyone know of a good independant saab specialist in the Manchester area, I've 75k on my 9-5 and whilst main dealers do a good job it is a bit pricy
Regards
Dominic Read more
Thanks for that, still trying to find the name of this garage in Edenfield as well...
Anyone got a clue?
Cheers
Ian.
Having cut the grass I sat down last night to watch the France v Togo match with a couple of tins, this got me thinking.
Unleaded is around 95p a litre, I reckon the little Honda used around 20p worth to cut the lawns
Diesel is £1.00/ltr on which the Mondeo will take the family, I and a load of luggage perhaps 12.5 miles.
The 1664 was bought cheaply at Sainsburys, £16 for 24 440ml cans which works out at £1.51/ltr so the two cans I consumed cost me only £1.32, while they were most enjoyable they ultimately served to ensure that I fell asleep through Jonathon Woss.
Last weekend I was staying in a hotel where Bud was £3.50/pint or over £6.00/ltr. So I spent more on three pints a night than on diesel getting the family there and back, a 250 mile round trip.
Makes fuel seem fairly good value. Read more
And coal.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
I have an Alfa Romeo GTV 2.0 TS (2001), recently I have noticed the car has been running very hot. I've had the thermostat replaced a few days ago, but this didn't sort it!
Driving at low speeds and through slow moving traffic the car's temp reaches to around 100 on the temp gauge causing the fan to kick in. Also when pushing the car hard it also tends to heat up rapidly, again causing the fan to kick in!
I have checked the oil and water and they are fine (no mix of either!). My next plan of action was to attempt to replace the water pump, however before I do this I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what could be causing the car to be running hot?
cheers.
Read more
With the aircon on the radiator fans are on all the time. It realy does sound like circulation problems throught the radiator, but nothing as bad as an airlock or water pump.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Just bought a EX- AA VW transporter chassis cab with the fibre glass box and electric /hydralic car lfe at the rear and roller shutter workshop body
Great bit of kit but i cant get the rear lift to extend or the winch to work
Is there a set procudure to make this work?
Any AA patrols out there who can help
My AA man has never seen one let alone use one ?
HELP!!!!!! Read more
have you looked to make sure they havent removed the motor(s)?
after that look for the main power cord to the alternator/battery it will have a kill switch somewhere i would have thought (the big red key type?,i have one on my wagon for the winch in case of emergencies)
They are a nice piece of kit those.
Anyone know who wrote the music in the "give them something to watch" advert?
Read more
::remember Dave, Google is your one stop shop::
Its called We Control, by Hyper.
www.songofthesalesman.co.uk/ad.aspx?let=peugeot
Browse
Phil,
Problem with the citroen centre is that I am in north yorkshire and its a long way to go to look at a car.
Ive never even driven a citroen, how does the Xantia compare in size terms to an xm ? I have to say that I dont go for the styling of the C5.
As I get older I seem to be spending less on cars, even though I have more cash to spend. I just object to spending thousands on something that I dont like. If bmw did a large estate I would be tempted because I do like their handling - but the cars are too small.