July 2006
Hi
My electric sunroof will only tilt upwards and will not slide back as it should. When I press the button for it to slide I can hear a "clicking" noise from the roof.
Does anybody know whats the cause of it not slidign back and could anyone recommend a repairer in the manchester vicinity please? Read more
I've got an '02 1.8 mondeo and it's leaking on my drive.
I know where the coolant/water is coming from but I don't know why.
looking from underneath the car, above the exhaust mounts at the front of the CAT are the two pipes taking the water to and from the interior of the car, and just below these two pipes is another pipe that doesn't go anywhere. It's dripping from this pipe.
I'm presuming this pipe is a run-off/vent/overflow type of thing, but what has happened to make water come out of it, and how do I stop it?
Thanx in advance for any advice given
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Yup ! He he !
Visited a well known national supermarket garage in a fair sized town nearby to mine today who are charching 99.9p per litre for unleaded.
Returning to my own town 15mins later exact same supemarket is charging 96.9p per litre.
My question is why the difference?
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So would you drive half a mile to save 1p per litre? - I certainly wouldn't principles or no . However that difference will certainly be having an effect on the dearer garages' sales and it may well be forced to lower its prices to retain business. The interesting thing about free markets like petrol is how quickly competitors react to price changes and how comparitivley little difference there is between the highest and lowest prices
Hi all,
As part of my car buying research, I've bought a copy of Glass's Guide. It's a May 2006 copy - my thinking being it shows worst case scenario - ie, the most I should have to pay for the cars described within at trade price at auction.
However, the adjustrment has got me somewhat confused. For this example, I will use a 2002/52 plate 530i Sport.
With 42k miles, a 52 plate 530i Sport Automatic trade books at £14175. A manual trade books at £12500.
With 100k miles, more my sort of thing, the price is £9975 and £8875
So, from this I decude that manuals are NOT sought after and this is reflected in the residuals. Fair enough. Seems to adjust with mileage fair enough as well, the higher the mileage, the lower the price and, logically, the lower the difference in residual value. With it so far.
But then it says:
'Values inc des met paint, leather and Comms Pk. Models wothout Comms Pk less £1500'.
This is the bit I just dont get. It appears that the lack of the Comms Pack (Navigation system, television and phone system) reduces the price by £1500, whatever. Thats £1500, irrespective of mileage and age - so it takes £1500 off a £20k mint 03 plate with 10k on it, and £1500 off the leggy 100k miler.
Now, given that the Comms Pack is far from commonplace in the 530i, it means that if I want a 100k mile 530i Sport with a manual gearbox, desireable metallic paint and leather interior but I dont want a Comms Pack, I should expect to pay...
£7375 - less infact, £7375 if I was buying 2 months ago.
This seems too good to be true. Surely the comms pack cannot have a £1500 effect on residuals of 100k mile 4 year old cars? I'd understand if this was a low mileage car on a dealers forecourt but high mileage auction fodder?
Now, Glass's is supposed to be pretty accurate. Can I genuinelly expect to be able to get a 52 plate 530i Sport with 100k for under 7500 quid if I dont want satnav?
Generally, I have figured that for my budget of £8k, I should be able to get:
2002/52 with 90k or more
2002/02 with 80k or more
2001/51 with 70k or more
Would you guys agree with this appriasal? Or am I missing something pretty fundamental about using Glass's Guide?
It's quite staggering how much of an effect mileage has - it seems pretty good I can buy a car for less than £8k which, if it had half the miles and was on a dealers forecourt, would attract a price north of £16,000.
Note, I'm aware of the running costs of the car, the potential pitfalls of buying at auction, etc etc - so this isnt an 'is it too good to be true' post.
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0252 530d 100,000 less £4,125 (June gude)
Hi,
my mates Vectra SRI 140ps, S reg, 84,000 miles has a stalling problem.
It will jump start ok, battery is flat even though it is a new battery. After 1 minute of running on tick over or driving, all the dash lights come on very dimly, abs, airbag, engine management, the lot. Even the rev counter drops to zero even though the engine is still running.
Then the engine starts to back fire and gradually loses the battle and stalls with a cough and splutter.
It first happened 3days ago on the way home from work, then after 30mins started ok, only to die again a mile up the road. Now its stuck on the drive with a flat battery, and when jump started, does the same even when sat on idle.
Any idea's???
TIA AdyBee... Read more
It was the alternator. You guys were right 8)
Ady...
Had a minor shunt in the Focus recently (not my fault) causing damage to the rear bumper, drivers side rear door and wheel.
My insurer sent me to SMB Motors of Denton (nr Stockport) and the service was really excellent. My car is now better than it was before the knock, with new wheel trims all round, a new tyre and perfect colour matching which I was told was difficult on solid red.
In short, I would recommend there service to anyone. Read more
I've taken a real fancy to the BMW 330D - it seems to satisfy the dual urges of real driving pleasure in comfort, and respectable diesel economy in manual spec.
Can only afford an earlier high miles one, and got my eye on a 2000X 330D SE Tourer with 101k on the clock - standard apart from (stupid) 18-inch alloys and xenons.
It's advertised at £9k, so bearing in mind what a dealer would offer for it at this time of year, with those miles and of that vintage would a bid of £8k be too cheeky? Any pro haggling tips appreciated as I'll be on the blower shortly...
The feeling I get is that cars like these really aren't moving unless the miles are low and the warranty's cast-iron - if not, the price must be very keen.
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The car takes on another persona once it has been re-mapped. I once owned a 5 litre V8 Mustang GT and my re-mapped 330d is easily the equal of that car in terms of power and acceleration.
On a BMW forum I haunt, there are a few 330d owners who have come from Impreza STIs and Mitsubishi Evos and never looked back.
I have a "battery charge fault " message on my display and a whining noice from my alternatoer. does this mean the death of my alternator which means renewing, your comments please of wise ones, Read more
I don't know what they charge. - The Battery !
Can anyone tell me whether this car would be a reasonable buy for £1250? It has PAS, is silver and has only done 10,000 miles. I have heard low mileage is not a good thing but how much of a problem would it likely be in a car like this? It has been owned by the proverbial elderly lady driver since new and she is now unable to drive any more so is selling it. It has almost 1 year's MOT and several months tax and has been well looked after and serviced. Is this a reasonable buy for my hard up mature student son or should it be avoided?
Any advice would be welcome. Thanks
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Had a long chat (on behalf of a relative who has a Puma) with a Ford Garage about this very point. They phoned Ford whilst I was there and the recommendation was 10 years 100,000 miles for the 1.7 (suzuki) engine. However parting shot from the Service Manager (who was very good) was if the customer wants it changed, we'll do it obviously. Do it.
Hi All,
Help me out here please- too many decisions!
I am about to receive £5k from my late grandfathers estate and being a bit of a petrol head it will have to be spent on something that moves.
I know it is not a huge amount but enough for some fun so here is my shortlist - please chip in with experience or suggestions( please - no Mondeo TDCI s!!)
1. Current car Astra coupe is in fine condition worth £4k?(51 plate 80k fsh 1 owner) could trade in for £9k worth of TT or similar 2+2
2.Always wanted a Harley ,get 2 yr old for £4k ish for an 883 sportster
3.MGs either a midget -seem to get a good ish one for £3k pre 72 tax free with change for running cost over the next few years or blow budget on BGT V8
4.Have always loved VW Karmann Ghia but would use all the budget to buy with nothing left for disasters on the horizon.
Am about to move house so garage space not a problem options 2,3+4 would be used high days and holidays only Read more
Harley
These sunroofs normally work on an outer cable like a brake cable on a pushbike against a cog attached to an electric motor.
Last one i took to bits was in a saxo with a vinyl roof and it was made by webasto,ive got to say i failed and jiggered it and had to remove the electric motor to facilitate shutting of the roof.
Moral of storie? do as you posted find a place specialising in sunroof repairs,most likely they will also do retrims in cars that kind of thing.Make sure the roof isnt of the easily removed "cassette type" as if it is a morning easy work should have the old one out and a s/h one in .