It's coming to 60,000 and therefore timing belt time. I've fallen out with main dealers and found a reasonable independent close by (done a good job so far). Question is do most people trust cambelts to independents? Also I'm told by a friend that this may be a "difficult" cambelt and could need the VW computer to reset timing afterwards (he only trusts main dealers with his cars!). Has anyone done one/had one done and know whether or not it is out of the ordinary? I hope to use the local guy - not asked him yet thought I'd ask here first.

All help appreciated. Read more

From Drive on! The social history of the motor car by L. J. K. Setright (2002: Palawan Press; 2003: Granta)

p. 139, footnote 109
"Unlike petrol, which evaporates very quickly, diesel oil is persistent in its liquid form. When it is spilled on the filling-station forecourt, it remains where it falls, spreading in puddles which soil the shoe-soles of all who pass by and notably making slippery the soles of the driver when he gets back in his car and addresses the pedals. When it is spilled on the road, it remains there for ages, and when it eventually sinks into the pores of the tarmac it will be floated up to the surface again by the next rainfall. So long as it persists, it is the most dangerous skid-inducer of modern times, having in particular killed a multitude of motorcyclists and maimed many more. Spilt diesel is indeed the most criminal of noisome emissions, but not the only one for which the engine can be blamed: there is much evidence that its exhaust fumes are strongly carcinogenic, but because early emissions legislation was aimed only as such exhaust ingredients as aggravated smog, this accusation was largely ignored. Efforts to revive it [emissions legislation, presumably] have been actively resisted not only by the engine manufacturers but also by the transport industry whose heavy goods vehicles rely on diesel to the exclusion of all else." Read more

From Drive on! The social history of the motor car by L. J. K. Setright (2002: Palawan Press; 2003: Granta)

p. 122
"In fact the catalytic converter performed no atmospheric miracles: no processes took place in it that could not and eventually would not occur naturally in free air. All the catalysis did was to accelerate the processes of nature, but by preventing the concentrations of contaminants that nature would deal with rather more slowly, it offered prompt treatment at a price that those who would profit reckoned people would pay. That is why all our cars have to be corrupted by catalysts today, including Hondas -- despite which Honda engines are still the world's cleanest, as well as the world's liveliest." Read more

okay im considering renting a specific car on a trip to usa

i can only find it on a US site rather than a UK all inclusive deal

can anyone advise what add ons or insurance i need ? as i hear alot of it is silly add ons

the site is www.midwaycarrental.com and the add ons it brings up are- personal accident cover,cdw level 2,rlp insurance,rlp and sli package??

id like similar cover to the all in you get when using a uk company...i.e fully comp with sensible excess in the event of theft or damage

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Apparently the sun roof seal for the TD5 1998 Land Rover Discovery is also used on a Peugeot but I dont know which model, anyone know which model it is please. Read more