June 2006
Hi all,
I'm thinking of replacing my 405 with something else big and comfy. So the question I'd like answering is which has the smoother ride a Xantia or a XM? Either way it would be a diesel. The possibility of repairs and servicing doesn't put me off so I think these are the best choices I could afford. I've driven BX's in the past and was very impressed with the smooth ride.
Thanks.
Steve. Read more
Was given a lift in someones 'new' second hand Mondeo yesterday.
The heating elements really gave the impression of peering through a net curtain.Screen was clean as well. Not sure I could get used to that.
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I wasna fu but just had plenty. Read more
I knew someone would mention that and I thought it would be you!
No - mine doesn't work because it's crap - not because of the heated screen.
The Radio in my 1997 A4 will not release using correct release keys, one side pops out fine but the other side wont budge any ideas of how to get the radio out ? Read more
Be careful once removed you will need a radio code.
My Toyota Previa T3 is 2 yrs 8 months old and went in for a service this week at 62039 miles. I should have got it in a few weeks ago before it reached 60K (the limit of the warranty) but life was just too busy.
The car now needs a new water pump, rear shock and auxilliary drive belt for which Toyota are prepared to contribute parts at £100 plus vat instead of £182.72 plus vat, and for which I must pay the labour (which the dealer will do at warranty rate - £165 plus vat instead of £195 plus vat).
Obviously the lesson is - I should have got the service done inside the warranty period! But ... given that it's 2K over the warranty it's hard to see that these problems weren't present at 60K miles. Toyota customer relations are adamant that their offer is generous - I'm inclined to disagree. But maybe I'm being unfair - after all, there has to be a cut-off somewhere!
I'd be really interested in what others think.
Cheers, Patrick Read more
He's just quoted the labour, not an hourly figure necessarily. (Agree that it would be a silly hourly rate but it's acceptable for three hours' work which these jobs sound like to me).
Overtook a Galaxy TDI (04 reg) last night and noticed in my mirror that under heavy acceleration the car was giving off loads of sparks from the exhaust area under the front seats - angle grinder type showers.
Managed to flag the driver down and let him know, but he just carried on, the car sounded like a bag of spanners. I hope he didn't have far to go.
It was quite a sight and thought it was some type of new 'chav car' accessory! Any idea what could have caused it?
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I followed a Vauxhall Astra along the A36 that was blowing out a smokescreen so thick and lingering it was a hazard to traffic. It literally looked like it was on fire there was so much smoke.
The puerile and extremely rude website B3TA has a weekly challenge to its users - this week it's to come up with fictitious surreal roadsigns.
Click on the link if you understand that when I say puerile and extremely rude I mean it, otherwise you'll probably be offended. Some very funny ones though...
www.b3ta.com/challenge/roadsigns/
{Link made non clickable because of some of the content. If you wish to view, then copy/paste the url into your usual web browser - DD} Read more
My favourite is at glasgow Airport. "Humped Pedestrian Crossing" it proudly proclaims. Lucky old pedestrian I say . . . . . . .
Hi folks
Following some really excellent advice on this site, I investigated the possibility of buying my company car out of the lease. It's a Mercedes E320CDI Avantgarde in silver, with grey leather and CD autochanger but otherwise standard. It's on a 53 plate (November) and will have done 85,000 miles by the time I take ownership in August (80,000 now). I've tended to drive it quite hard and I've gone through a reasonable number of tyres and brake pads, however it has been regularly serviced by my local MB dealer.
The fleet company are offering it to me for £16,300.
Questions:
- Is this a good deal?
- Anything I should begin to worry about at this age/mileage?
It's a lovely car, I've had no problems with it and, being a Mercedes, surely it's good for many miles yet?!
Thanks!
Steve Read more
Why not go into a few MB dealerships over the next few months and see what they will offer as a part exchange against a new one. This will show you if the fleet price of £16300 is fair.
If the trade in values are close to what you can buy it for the go ahead. The wider the gap, the more you must decide whether it is worth it to you.
Also I presume it is on a fully maintained contract, if so make sure things like brakes, tyres etc have been replaced and any small dings have been repaired. No point in you haveing to payout shortly after ownership.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
Well, after reading the C by C breakdowns and various forums I?ve completely scared myself off buying anything at all.
I?ve got a Cav @ 203k, av 38mpg doing 350 miles a week, Vectra C seemed to be the obvious choice but after going on the forum seems all is far from well.
In a nutshell looking for good mpg, economic to fix, fit 2 adults 2 toddlers,longevity, looking to spend 3-4k.
Options with issues I know about.
Mondeo ? clutch, bushes, wind noise
Vectra C ? coil packs, oil burning, flat spots, turbo lag, smoking, clutch
A4 ? brake pipes, air con, cost to fix
C Class ? rust, glow plugs on diesels, wiring looms on pre early 96 models.
I?m open to petrol or diesel, have I just read too much and should accept that no car is far from perfect, on that basis should I stick with ?British? for the benefit of economic repairs. Or I'm thinking I'm obviuosly looking i nplaces where problems are reported, not a true representation of the car as a whole.
Any advice or experience on the above models appreciated.
Thanks.
Ellis
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My experience with Vectra's would suggest otherwise. The 1.9 diesel is
a sound engine if it's left alone.
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Agreed, this is after all a Fiat engine, and the same unit as used in Saabs, Fiats Alfas etc. However the previous GM 2.0 and 2.2 diesels were robust but as rough as a badgers backside !!!
I have a 95 N reg Peugeot 306 XRDT with a keypad style immobiliser and no alarm.
I followed the instructions in the manual to change the pin code but it seems to have locked it, when you input the new code or the original code both the read and green light come on and it doesn't start. The manual says wait 1 minute then try again but still no joy.
Any ideas what I have done and more importantly, how do I fix or bypass it??
Any help would be great as this car is my new pride and joy!! Read more
You need to leave your ignition on for 30 min but every time it fails the time increases by a half hour
I have just has an oil and filter change (at same time as new cam belt) and they added this Ecotek 100 product.
Anyone any experience of it? Is it just a way of garages earning extra money. They used half and left me with the other half for future top ups.
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I am not happy this was done without your prior permission,unless they contacted you to ask permission to add this stuff?.
I didnt read the ins and outs of what it did,and dont think it is of any help to you,using an additive is something I dont like the idea of,even less the idea of a garage putting in without my consent.
I would ask if they give any warranty on this product if it fails,and if they added without permission *do they warrant it themselves*,I would suspect not,but would kick up a stink over it....Rant over, sorry just my thoughts
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Steve
Browse
"the suspension needs a looking over I think."
I would wait and see. If it has been well serviced the suspension should be reliable. Also, if it is your first Cit it may be that you are just not used to the different feel of the hydractive II suspension. If all the electrics work that's a bonus according to many - though all the electrics work on ours also! - as they did on our previous Cits!
Enjoy
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Phil