Recently took delivery of a brand new Ford S-Max 1.8tdci Zetec. Its a fabulous car but has been let down by a string of minor trim and fitting faults, all of which have been sorted by the supplying dealership.

However one fault still persists, which is that if you do not turn and hold the ignition key long enough it is possible to make the engine produce an almighty clatter, but not fully fire up. This clears if you shut the engine off and start it again.

I just wonder if any other S-Max drivers have found the same fault and whether their dealer was able to remedy it? Ford are aware of the issue, allegedly, but have not come up with a solution - so until they do their line is 'if you start the car according to the Handbook it will start without problem'.

This is a very annoying problem for me, as it is not difficult to recreate this fault if you inadvertently start the car too quickly. Read more

I noticed today how quickly the brake discs on my car get that light covering of rust on them, especially with the weather being warm and wet.

So I just wondered if the rust contaminates the brake pads and would that affect their performance? Read more

Any DIY options for repairing cracks in black plastic front bumpers?
N-reg Micra driven into a parking bollard!
Bumper is cracked but stable.
Are there such things as black filler materials available at Halfords etc.?

Thanks
Mike Read more

Just put my girlfriend's Clio DCi through its first MOT, which it passed. However an advisory notice was issued, because the front discs were pitted and worn (the garage also did a service, so they had the front wheels off for a better look). The car's covered 34k, and the discs and pads were fitted at 24k, about 10 months ago, for which we have the receipt (even though she didn't own the car then).

Anyway - the supplying dealer, who fitted the discs and pads, says the parts are only warranteed for 10,000 miles, and the discs have been on for 300 miles longer than that(!!) They've agreed to "have a look" at the brakes, but won't necessarily do anything else.

Should I put my foot down and argue that 10k is unacceptable for a set of front discs?! I previously thought that the original pads/discs hadn't lasted very well at 24k!! Any advice welcome. Read more

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