October 2006
Just back from a holiday in Capetown.
There are several saloon versions of familiar models that are not available (as far as I know) in the UK.
I have been driving a Corolla Sedan auto ( a bit noisy but OK for our needs)
us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i1023/102399_00mg.jp
g
I would have thought this would sell well in the UK
Also saw the new Yaris saloon (Echo in some markets ?)
tinyurl.com/thy2f
Quite an improvement on the old ECHO with its add on boot.
Perhaps it might be released here?
Almeria saloons abound.
And to bring a smile to Adam's face.
Not only were there lots of the new Focus saloons (and very few 5 door) but for hire purposes the auto Focus are classed (not with the Corolla in group D) but with the auto Camry in group E.
IF you still want a NEW RHD Golf (still in production) which is a 1985 model tarted up then look no further
www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=754&f***icleId=3203298
Read more
Anyone au fait with Ibizas? A friend of mine is undecided between the FR and Cupra and the associated petrol and diesel engines.
He definitely wants the Ibiza, it's the model he is undecided on. Read more
Easily the TD130, if only because it costs half as much in fuel and half as much to insure. You friend needs to drive a few though, the power delivery of the two diesel and petrol engines is vastly different
Hi
I have a 1989 mk2 golf 1272cc 4 spd with a starting problem. She'll only turn half a revolution of the flywheel before stopping completely. Any ideas what might be causing this? The engine turns ok by hand, there is no water in the cylinders, the electrical ignition system is all ok (sparking ok) and the carb appears to be working ok. The golf was stood for at least 3 months while I was away travelling - seized starter perhaps? Is it worth my while taking the starter out and cleaning or shall I buy a new unit?
Any help really appreciated!!!!
Cheers -R Read more
Check the battery leads are tight and clean, follow them to the starter (red one) and the gearbox (black one).
If they need cleaning disconnect the negative (black lead) at the battery first (this is for your safety and also protects the car from potential short circuiting)
Then undo the gearbox / starter connections.
Wire brush the lead ends and where they connect too
Smear vaseline on them, reconnect and tighten
Connect the battery (black lead)
Try to start the car ;-)
On a local housing estate, one small section of road has had 'no waiting' signs (on poles) erected along it, but without any accompanying yellow paint on the road surface or kerbstones.
Are the signs alone enough to enforce the parking restriction, or do they actually need the lines? It would be quite possible to draw up between the signs and fail to notice them at all -especially at night - and the lack of yellow lines would not alert the driver to go looking for them!
I've not fallen foul of them, but was just wondering, should this happen to me elsewhere.... Read more
I hope that that isn't a confession of sin(s) committed.
If so then shame on you and back to the willpower.
If not then well done again on your ability to extend your life by years, breathe clean air all around, taste food, have more sexual prowess and hopefully unlike me put on masses of weight that won't shift.
dvd
Hi I don't know if anyone can help me but I have noticed that there is a bit of side to side play in the front bearing when I get hold of the propshaft and rock it on my 2.3 Sierra Diesel diff.I have removed the prop and I can feel hardly any play with it removed,the prop is obvioulsy making it feel worse because I have got more leverage with it fitted than when it is removed.Question is a bit of play normal,is it anything to worry about? If it isn't is this a specialist thing to get repaired? The oil level is fine. I am very mechanically minded as I was a motorcycle mechanic for 17 years.Thanks in advance.Andrew...
--
I do like my Diesels to be Turbocharged for that extra OOMPH!!!! Read more
If it doesn't leak and doesn't whine or rumble, I'd say it's very unlikely that the pinion bearings are at fault - normally these will make quite a noise, even if only slightly worn. More likely is play or end float in one of the u/j trunions in the prop shaft. Are you sure you are checking for diff pinion bearing play at the actual flange next to the nose of the diff casing?
659.
Hi,
This is my first post. My key fob isnt working, I've bought a new battery but that's made no difference. Any advice what to do next - I read about reprograaming but don't really know how to do that.
Thanks Read more
what year is the clio?
basically the battery falls out of its holder at the slightest touch so you are forever having to open the key and replace the battery back in the holder. i have combated this on my girlfriends key by placing small pieces of masking tape over the battery to hold it in place - so far so good
if this problem is not related to your keys then maybe get your car diagnosticly checked - that should sort it
Car has immobilised itself with lights on rear view mirror alternately flashing. Have tried both spare keys including wallet key with no effect. Does anyone know how to fix? Is there a sequence of reset to follow? NB: Car also has a habit of cutting out whilst driving. Happens at all speeds, all the dash lights come on, then engine cuts back in before you have stopped, very weird and quite un-nerving!
Read more
I have a Mazda Tribute, great car but as it's 3 1/2 yrs old and out of warrantee (we did not opt for extended warrantee option) we're looking at getting it serviced, etc. by independent Mazda garage in Northumberland or Tyne and Wear. Has anyone here got any suggestions/names of garage?
And should we now have an oil/filter change every SIX months? (instead of previous o/f change by dealership every year - we do 10,000 miles/yr in it)
Also, what's the timing belt like on this car (belt or chain?). I guess that has to should really be changed after 4 yrs regardless of supposed reliability of car, am I right? (car has 30,000 miles) Read more
Got some dot4 brake fliud yesterday to do fliud change in vw polo, noticed the container had synthetic on the side.Has dot 4 always been synthetic?have not noticed on previous containers-says its compatible with dot 3 and dot4
--
rustbucket (the original) Read more
DOT 3/4 will mix with any other DOT3 or 4,it is SILICONE that won't mix!
--
I do like my Diesels to be Turbocharged for that extra OOMPH!!!!
Sorry to start a rant about things that should have been obvious already, but having witnessed yet another amazing display of ineptitude from my local Beemer dealers I felt it necessary to post!
The 3 series needs new discs and pads on the front, I rang my trusted independant for a quote, then rang the local dealers just so I can reassure myself the the independant is worth it (on one occasion we have found the dealers to be only £5 more expensive for a new exhaust system then the Indie).
1st call:- I asked if someone could give me a quote for some new brakes, was asked to leave a number so that someone could call back, fair enough, maybe they're having a very busy spell.
2nd call (received 2 hours later):- Guy didn't really know why he was ringing me so I asked again, he then asked for my numberplate, and, on finding no match on their system (they haven't had their grubby hands on my car yet) he asked for the chassis number. I asked if that was really necessary to give me a quote on some new brake pads, he assured me it was as there are lots of different types and it could make a big difference to the quote (for god's sake it's an E46 323 Ci, according to Euro Car Parts there is only one type of disc and pad available for it) I said I couldn't give him it right away as I was actually driving the car and I agreed to call him back with it.
3rd call (10 mins later when I stopped):- Asked to speak to him again and was told he was on the phone, so, starting to get annoyed now but not showing it yet, I asked if I could leave my chassis and he could call me back between 1pm and 2pm as I was in uni, only to be told that she couldn't promise as he might be busy. Now starting to show my annoyance I asked if I could get a price off someone else only to be told I couldn't as there was only one person in this morning who could give a price on anything service related. I said I would just leave it which was met by a series of pathetic apologies before I said goodbye. I think the receptionist actually did sympathise a little given the tone of her voice, and it's not like it's her fault, but I found the whole experience very frustrating.
Anyway, I'm calling my local back to book it in tommorow, they said it will be about £160 for Euro Car Parts, or less if I was happy with a cheaper part supplier, which I'm not. I think it sounds a fair quote, and the local BMW specialist Indie wants about £240 for the same job.
Just as a side note to my little rant, would people stick EBC Greenstuffs on this car? I'm tempted by a lack of brake dust!
Blue Read more
I might ask if I can just supply my own parts then in that case, that way I know roughly what I should be getting.
As for doing it myself, I'm not technical at all and I don't have the time to waste learning how to do it and then sorting out any mistakes I make (I need my car to be working 24/7 without fail), it's worth £100 of my money just to pay someone else to do it! :-) As it happens, I reckon that they're not charging that much to fit them at the local place, probs about £80...
Blue
Browse
.jpg)
Have you seen any recent Lancias? The words 'lovely' and 'Lancia' can no longer be used in the same sentence.
I had a lovely-looking Lancia once - that's why it pains me so much.