September 2006

kazimodo

Any advice would be appreciated. On acceleration, when the clutch is depressed my revs go up as if riding the clutch but I'm not. It's been in the garage twice now and they've checked it over but keep saying that they can't find anything wrong. It doesn't happen every single journey but almost and it's getting worse. Has this happened to anyone else. Read more

Hamsafar

I think you mean not depressed?
If so, the clutch must be slipping, maybe the clutch plate splined hub is not sliding freely on the shaft which it is mounted on, or as already said, it is oily or worn. Either way a new one would be required.
Are there any funny noises, or notchy feel in the pedal travel? sometimes bearing tabs can break making the pressure uneven causing binding.

Thommo

£3 on Ebay inclusive of P&P.

So cheap now have about six so they can just be left where needed, car boots, garage, bike shed etc.

Peanuts for an essential piece of safety equipment. Read more

Big John

Time to buy two extra HV vests!

moonshine

This has been on my mind since hearing a comment mayor Ken made on the radio. It was part of a conversation with a black cab driver and Ken mentioned something along the lines (this quote may not be accurate) "diesel particulates that cause cancer". I remember reading an article a few years back about the PM10 particles and a link to cancer. Anyway, my question is - does anyone know of any web reliable websites/research from a reptuable source related to this subject?

This is subject that I have a personal interest in as may years ago (15 to be exact) I worked as a motorcycle dispatch rider in London. When I would get home from work my face would be blackened from what I assumed to be soot from the buses and black cabs. I always wondered that if my face was getting that dirty what must the inside of my lungs be like? If there is a proven link between particulates and cancer then surely all diesels should have particle filters as a legal requirement?

I'm looking for information based on research and real science so please don't post about any links to sites with pseudo science sites or opinions - I'm after the facts!

One other thing - this isn't an anti diesel thread :) Read more

Lud

Pretty soon someone will start claiming that a daily whiff of
diesel, or petrol, or benzene helps ward off some illness.


A village mechanic in the banana belt of northern Tanzania, with whom I drank moonshine liquor but shared no language, was a firm believer in brake fluid as a medicine. He used to snort it to cure colds.
tr7v8

Just found ths website that enables you to search for cars in films!
www.imcdb.org/
Read more

Stuartli

There's an awful lot of work gone into a remarkable website.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by

Thommo

Ignoring the propaganda bits in the article.

As I have said before the solution to any perceived pollution/energy shortage problems lies in:

1. a step change in energy generation capabilities and;

2. a step change in battery technology which has in essence not really change much since they were invented

Could this be 2. I wonder?

the-post-postmodernist.blogspot.com/2006/09/so-lon...l Read more

Sofa Spud

We could have a vote on which of the three i mentioned above shows the greatest promise!

My vote goes to the Modec van. If it sells well they could broaden its appeal with a hybrid version with a 'get-you-home' engine and generator designed to come into use when the batteries have run down.

The Tesla is an interesting toy, but then so, arguably, is a Lotus Elise!

Th G-Wiz is very small and basic and you could get a VW Fox for the same price. But it should have very low running costs

Jono_99

Following on from a number of articles recently, I would appreciate thoughts on the car position I am about to be in.

Currently drive a Porsche 968, but my annual mileage is increasing, and becoming more and more motorway based; it seems a shame to rack up miles inthe 968 (which is still low mileage at 65k miles), so it has to go (I have space for only one car). Having had the fun and engagement of the 968, I fancy something a bit more 'luxo barge' like, and given that I am up to about 15k miles per annum, diesel makes more sense.

But what to get - 5-6 year old diesels are going to have 80k miles on them, and so will be up to or over 100k within a couple of years of my ownership. While I am aware that people on this forum do run diesels to high mileage, there is a clearly a higher risk when I take on a car from someone at 5-6 years old.

Cars that float my boat are an A4 / A6 with the 2.5tdi engine, or a 330D - not only that, but they appear to have better reviews than comparable MB's at higher mileage. Am I simply asking for trouble buying this type of car at this age? If not, what would make sense? I have thought about sourcing a W124 MB (probably a petrol auto), which would of course be cheaper, but over 15k miles a year, I am looking at spending a good slice more on fuel - which could go on potential diesel maintenance costs!

Suggestions appreciated...

Jon Read more

Jono_99

Your a true gent Martin - however, having sat in the garage for monhs, Mrs Jono has finally got around to getting someone in to install it next week!!

KR

Jon

legacylad

After the best part of a decade running Legacy estates, I sold my last one privately 18 months ago as my business, a retail store, meant that 6 days a week I ran my trusty VW Transporter and the Legacy spent most of the time sitting in my garage.
After a spot of unexpected bad health, the business is now sold, and the VW will most likely be having a mid life transformation into a camper!
I have a max of £8k to spend...buying privately or via the auctions, and want reliability, a blend of handling & performance, all in a hatch or estate body. I would equally be happy to spend £1k on a decent Primera GT!
None of my friends & personal contacts have anything to sell at the moment, and my choice is narrowed down to a Skoda Vrs model or Seat Cupra (on HJ's recommendation). My previous Legacy estates have all been 2.0 litre models. Great handling, reliability but lacking outright performance.In a few years I may be able to afford a 2.5 Sport Tourer, or Impreza 2.0R Sport, but for the moment they are beyond my budget.
MPG of 30+ overall would be required, although I do not expect my annual mileage to exceed 10k.
I am not a badge snob so will not be prepared to pay over the odds for certain marques...methinks a newish 320d SE Touring would not be in budget, as it seems to tick all the boxes.
Any suggestions gratefully received


Read more

Happy Blue!

Why not look for a first generation Forester Turbo S.

You can definately find those for less than £6000 and the performance is good, with supreme reliability and a good ride handling compromise.

306hdihelp!

Guys n Girls, have search forum, but got confused! Gf's 306 2.0 hdi overheated yesterday. Check fluids, all fine. Is there a way to check waterpump, and / or fans? Anything else you can think it could be? Is water pump, is it a hard job?

Thanks in advance.

Chris Read more

LeighB

Stuck thermostst??
Perhaps first thing to check and cheapest cure if that's what it is?

Thommo

Now I always park way away from the herd in supermarket car parks as I am capable of walking some yards unaided plus I hate my car getting dinged. I regularly return to find another car parked so close to mine that I have to get in the passenger side in an otherwise deserted area of the car park but thats another discussion.

Camberley Tescos have outsourced the car park management to a third party firm. There are huge signs up saying that the 'child parking section' regulations will be strictly enforced and fines issued to transgressors.

What is the legal status of these fines?

I don't know the fine amounts but lets say £50, this is vastly in excess of any economic damage to Tescos if any.

If I received such a ticket and took it to court they would need to prove I parked without a child (CCTV footage?) but how can they defend the cost of the fine? Read more

duncansand

It may or may not be enforcable - I don't see that it matters really. It's their car park, they can make whatever rules they want as far as I am concerned. As far as I can see, they are trying to make it easier and safer for a section of their customers they value. Nothing wrong with that. What's the big deal? Very simple, if you don't have young kids, don't park in the very small number of marked bays and you won't have to find out about what is and is not enforable. It's not as if they scatter these spaces randomly across the car park to catch you out - they are usually very clearly marked.

Collos25

Pics of the estate here:

www.autobild.de/aktuell/meldungen/artikel.php?arti...6

{post edited to remove 'estate' from the subject header, and include it in the main text instead. Also so as to merge Imagos's post into this thread - DD} Read more

RobC

I think Ford have learnt from the launch of the Mk 2 Focus where they played safe with the styling. Although I have only seen the estate pictures, the new Mondeo certainly moves the game on and bodes well for future models.
It will be interesting to see how Vauxhall react with their all new Vectra in '07/'08.