January 2007
The scenario is:-
My Father, due to a medical matter, is having to change from a manual to an automatic. He currently drives an X-Type diesel which he is very, very happy with, budget is about 7-8k. Due to now limited mobility the mileage he will be doing is low, but he does not want to buy a 2nd hand starship!!! so either petrol or diesel will be considered - apart from another X-type (which is what I suspect he will get) what else is there! Mondeo's and Vectra type cars need not apply, no matter how good they are (yes I know the Jag is a glorified mondeo, but he doesn't) He is a badge snob. I would also like some suggestions on cars that have a high seating position, making it easier to get in and out of, but that is not an MPV.
Away you go then, lets have the suggestions.
Ta in advance. Read more
I am looking to but a W X or Y reg primera diesel. Does anyone have any experience of these. Are the the new common rail type or the older ones?
Does anyone have any power or performance figures fir this model?
Thanks in advance
xf8u Read more
I ended up with a VAG PD diesel - so far,
very good.
Would be my pick as well.
Hi. My 2001 VW Passat tdi has developed a rattle in the nearside front wheel or suspension. The odd thing is that it only does it at low speed for a second or two, like when I pull away from lights, or pull out of a side-road. Fine when cruising. Turning steering wheel doesn't make it better or worse. Sounds like a loose wheel but isn't. Is it the drive-shaft? Has been going on for couple of months, doesn't seem to get worse. Help! Read more
Hi. No, the rattle doesn't happen in time with wheels' revolutions, it's just a rattle for a second or two, no longer, and always happens when pulling away, for example in second gear, but disappears every time when revs pick up and cannot be heard at all at speed or in third fourth or fifth. It sounds exactly like a loose wheel, like the wheel isn't tightened up properly. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and spend some money.
I'm considering changing my Audi A4 Cabriolet, but have been advised that the car would fetch a higher price if I waited until Spring. Is the case, or would I be better selling now (with a slightly lower mileage on the vehicle)? Read more
TOO LATE!!
Mrs V had her top off again today (on the Mx5) & the crocus & snowdrops are out too!!
VB
Golf MKIII ABS 1.8 single wire O" sensors. It is cycling but 0.2 to 0.7 volts whilst in circuit. I was expecting 0.1 to 0.9 at least. Any ideas the data book does not define the scale of the display. Regards Peter Read more
It might be worth a clean of the insides of the throttle body and edge of the butterfly valve, as these can get gummed up and not "open" cleanly when expected to.
Hi there ?.
I?m after a ?cheap? new/newly-new car which was designed in the nineties with technology from the eighties- ish! My husband bemoans the advances in technology in newer cars as he?s unable to ?fix? these. I know that Dawoo (have I spelt that right?) used to produced warmed-up ancient Vauxhalls but is there any other manufacturer offering the same today? We?re not bothered about badge status, colour or origin ? we?re just after a car with all the complexity of a knife and fork. Someone has pointed me in the direction of a Rover 214 ? but all ideas and suggestions are awaited with interest. Our previously loyal old cars are now dead and dying ?. Help!
Thanks!
Deb
Read more
RE THE SUGGESTION FOR A KA .....
Is there much difference between the 'new' post '02 ka and the original. I know one has slightly higher HP but didn't know whether this made the two materially different in terms of DIY servicing?
Thanks ... discussion has been useful!
D
I'd be interested in others BR'ers opinion on a warranty claim I'm currently pursuing. (sorry, this is a bit long!)
I've had a niggly problem with the automatic shift smoothness on my c270 cdi since I bought it under approved used warranty from a Mercedes dealer last year. Basically, when the engine's cold it's 'jerky' from 1st-2nd for the first few miles or 10 mins running. So much so, that I prefer the 'winter' mode i.e. it starts off in 2nd from a standstill.
I mentioned this first to the supplying dealer soon after I bought the car (they're 280 miles away btw) but didn't worry too much, since I thought any problems would be sorted at next service under warranty & I actually prefer the 'winter' mode change anyway.
At the next scheduled B-service (cost £500 ), my local Mercedes dealer replaced a sender unit of some kind, and said it was a common/known problem(under warranty) - well, it didn't fix it. Again, I wasn't too bothered or too keen to have the vehicle away again for 'observation'.
Up to date now: The car broke down a couple of weeks ago, it was fixed under the 'Mobilo' scheme (very well as it happens - bad electronic ignition was the cause) , at the same time I asked the dealer (the B-service one ) to finally fix the 'jerky' gearbox problem - before the warranty expires at start of February. Well, they found the problem - it's apparently a software upgrade or re-flash that's required, so no actual 'mechanical' part was broken.
I checked with the Mercedes Warranty adminstration & was informed the cost would not be covered - as it's deemed an 'adjustment' or upgrade & not a mechanical failure. Of course, I suggested that the car works as a whole & whether the problem is software or hardware related, it manifests itself as a fault - so should be covered (in spirit!) by the warranty .
I'm currently talking to the original (280 miles away one) supplying dealer as well to get their POV
thoughts?
Read more
>>Are you 100% sure they have applied the software upgrade?
I'm pretty sure - if 'upgrade' means more keen to drop a gear when overtaking etc., it certainly feels different in its changing regime (problem aside)
What you say Aprilia, makes sense, even though I'm not a mechanic. (although I'm a species of engineer)
From what I can tell, they're following a problen diagnostic flowchart (they showed it to me) - it looks just likes the flows I work from in my line - decision boxes, with alternative 'fixes' etc. flowing down to a big box saying 'change gearbox' at the end.
I've been (hopefully) as explicit & informative as I could have been in the symptom list I presented with - they've also experienced it independently themselves. I'll gently mention the logic flow you outline to them - maybe they're slavishly following the flowchart more than engaging the brain - I spoke to the (very) young mechanic himself - maybe experience tells in these tricky cases.
is replacing a worn wheel bearing a big job,its on the front near side and its got a bit of play in it but it doesnt rattle or knock or grind or am i paranoid? Read more
it went thru the mot today with no problem,i was a bit worried about the wheel bearing but it obviously wasnt an issue, thanks for the tips tho
No, it's not a wind up apparently
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6312917.stm
Cheers
DP Read more
Don't get too excited. Only RHD (whatever name) MGTFs are going
to be finally assembled at Longbridge from components produced in China.
HJ
I don't think anyone was excited HJ!
A motorist has been caught doing 172mph on a rural A-road, police said today.
He was apparently clocked by a Pc's speed gun on a bridge over the A420, which runs from Swindon to Oxford past Faringdon, Southmoor, Appleton and Cumnor.
If convicted, he would become Britain's fastest speeder in a car. The current record is 156mph.
More here:- tinyurl.com/2rw99y Read more
Porsche have spent what 40 odd years developing the 911 series of cars they go
fast don't break and handle well (so I'm told)
A high speed train was delivered last week into Southampton docks. It will do 180
odd mph. The train will have had a miniscule amount of development compared to the
Porsche because just how much track is available for testing?
We have been testing "the train" for over a hundred years. This model of "the train" is a direct descendent and evolution of the japanese bullet train from the early 1960's. Just like the Porsche in fact.
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To update on this thread, He has now conceded that he has to be practical!! Has also been given DLA which means he can get a car on Motability. As a result he has ruled out Subaru as they do not do Motability and back not big enough for his chair, seems to have narrowed the search down to 2 at the moment. The Renault Grand Scenic and the Citroen C4 Picasso Grande.
I think the Citroen is a better looking car and probably more reliable. He would be able to get the wheelchair hoist in both and his electric chair will fit in the back of both. Only struggling point at the moment is neither come with an electric sliding drivers seat which he could really do with. The C4 can have it as an option with the leather pack at £1800, but as it wont be his he will be paying that out of his own pocket and would not see a return.
So 2 questions really.
1. Anyone know of any companies that will fit an electric seat motor?
2. Have any BR's got a C4 or can comment on the reliability? (yes I know it is leased and therefore not a real worry, but don't want it braking down every 5 minutes either)