August 2006
www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=...4
I'd love to see this happen. Everything I read in the article seems to be exactly what I think should be done with Jaguar (ie smaller coupe, remove the X-type, redesign the XJ) and he seems serious...of course won't happen if Ford decide not to sell it, but still...
And Britain would finally have a properly British car company. Read more
Back in April this year we moved into a 4 year old house (on an estate) which backs onto a single carriageway A road. There's an embankment and trees in the way and the negative of some road noise was offset by the positive of not being overlooked.
Early in the purchase process we discovered that the road was scheduled to be widened into a dual carriageway (further from the house not nearer) but we decided that this wouldn't necesaarily mean double the noise etc and stilll wanted the place.
Anyway, we've moved in...very happy etc etc....but have recently received letters from two different surveying firms offering to get us compensation for the future dual carriageway on a no win no fee basis. So I guess my question is a moral one - on the basis we already knew about the plans - isn't claiming for compensation a bit like moving next to Heathrow and then moaning about aircraft noise?
Or is it a case that the Highways Agency will have put money by for this and we're entitled to it? Read more
Out of interest, you've all said avoid the no win no fee brigade.....any particular reason for that?
Ambulance chasing leeches.
You can try for compensation from the council or highways authority and it makes no difference if you knew of the construction or not.
If you didn't know because your solicitor didn't find out during their searches, then that could have been another avenue to pursue compensation from.
Martin
This is a friend's car so all of this is a bit third-hand at the moment....
The car is a 1998 Renault Scenic 1.6 Auto (I know, the work of the devil) which yesterday broke down and had to be trailered home. The symptoms were, whilst in Drive (or 1, 2 3) the engine would rev but the car wouldn't move. If left for say 30 mins it would drive for a couple of minutes and then cease moving again.
Breakdown man apparently said to try changing the transmission fluid otherwise it's a new gearbox job.
So changing the fluid seems a sensible first step - is this relatively easy to do (or even possible - assuming it's not a sealed unit)?
If that doesn't sort it (which I am doubtful) any thoughts on the way forward? Is this an auto specialist job and megabucks?
Thanks! Read more
Run away, run away ...
Just taken delivery of a new A3 Sport 2.0TDi DSG. I've read a few comments of late on here that would suggest it is overrated, overpriced, a "secretary's car" etc. etc.
Yet, I love it. I've driven Golfs, Octavias and all of those, and just changed a Fabia vRS for the A3: the A3 just feels "right". The DSG is great on twisty roads (I did a Chesire/Shropshire/West Mids thrash last night, the worst part being torrential rain on the M54) and the auto is great in traffic. Reverse is a bit jerky, and I am still not used to the lag when you press the throttle in "D", but the whole car just makes me smile.
Is there something wrong with me? Am I getting old, or am I just a pretentious "secretary wannabe"? : )
Discuss! Read more
I'm about 4'2". My rear passengers are fine!
I have received confusing information form DVLA and other sources regarding the use of an EU driving licence whilst resident, i.e. not visiting, in the UK Some say you have to excange it for a UK licence within 3 years and some sources suggest you can drive on it until you are 70. The DVLA site is confusing and speaking with them at some length both face to face ( Visit ) and agin today by telephone give different results. Any ideas or pointers. Regards Peter Read more
Don't think so. The 3 yeras is to do with residency. If you are not resident in the UK you can not drive in the uk if you are 70 or older without obtaining a UK licence and medical. If you you are resident in the UK then your EU licence falls invalid on your 70th birthday or when you have been resident for 3 years. The wording of the legislation and the DVLA web site is very poor. Regards Peter
I am running a 2005 mondeo 1.8 LX estate at the moment and cannot for the life in me find a panel light dimmer the handbook shows a rotary switch adjacent to the light switch but this does not exist.Perhaps it does not have one if so its the first car in recent history that I have had without one or is it a test like finding the bonnet release . Read more
I always have mine on full brightness, i cant stand darkly lit dashboards.
The rear wiper blade on the Ford Focus II seems to be about 2" too short and when in use a wide untouched band is left at the top of the rear screen which is just where a tall person looks through.
Does anyone know of a larger suitable replacement ? Read more
So why do some manufacturers fit too smaller wiper blades rear/front ?
It seems such an easy thing for them to get right, I don't understand !
What are your opinions and experiences of 50% brighter headlight bulbs ?
The car mag reports sound impressive, anyone used these bulbs ? Read more
I thought Osram == Philips?
A female friend is looking to replace her 97 Civic with the new shape Civic. At this stage not interested in any other cars.
As with any car purchase, I am recommending that she buys used rather than brand new but these Civics seem to be few and far between on the used lots, and certainly seem to be holding their value.
What should we be looking at, she probably does less than 10k a year. Will the 1.4 be enough or is it underpowered for such a big heavy car? Are there any issues which we should be aware of? I have already told her that as part of the test drive she needs to take it to a car park and practice some reversing due to the rear windscreen visibility issues.
Any help / advices gratefully received. Read more
Yeah they are. I think on the base model there is only one and then all others have two.
My Astra 1.7dti suffered from a flat battery I started it using jump leads then when I disconnected the leads the car shut down. I've had the fuel pump ecu replaced a new alternator and battery, yet the EML is still illuminated apparently reading fan relay faults the air con isn't working either. I've replaced the fan contol unit with a second hand one and still have the same fault could I have two faulty fan relay units or is there something else I should look at. Read more
Hello ralph,
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I know the subject's been done to death before and that I've said this before, but.....
Platform sharing is all very well but in my opinion Jaguar's X-type has less grace and poise than the Ford Mondeo it's based on.