I have a buddy think of buying one of these, who has asked if there is anything he should be aware of or known problems

I know these things have an easy life, but my own advice is that the thing is going to be massively underpowered for modern roads. Has anyone any useful information? Read more

I have a 1996 1.8 Accord. If you let go of the steering wheel it pulls hard to the left. Its not the tracking and its not the camber of the road. I havent hit any curbs.
This problem seems to be getting worse.

Any idea what might be causing this?

Cheers. Read more

Question,
What is a global solution to common rail diesels being misfueled? (With emphasis to elegant mechanical/electrical engineering rather than ( for example) a triangular *cat flap* on the filler neck and matching pump, oh, and with just a nod to occam`s razor :)

Some suggested parameters
It needs to work anywhere, not just a UK solution, so its ok at that rural garage in France and over the EU borders.
Its a good engineering solution before cost cutting is considered.
Misfueling costs to be limited to a tank drain exactly the same as if an old type engine was completely filled with the wrong fuel.
( Therefore completely removing the common rail issue and restoring the status quo)

My thoughts on the subject
Minimum expense all round would be some sort of filler neck device, but how would it work in Istanbul for example?
Someone is going to cross a border and find the diesel pump won`t fit.
An onboard car solution then,not filling station related? An initial thought was a sensor in the tank that picked up on the petrol and shut the car down, pump stops running when the filler flap is opened and car is totally dead the until tank is drained?

The car manufacturers
You would have thought that as they have the knowledge and engineers to develop the complex systems on modern cars, that a solution would be relatively easy. But is cost an inhibiting factor? or is it really not wanting to add anything to the cars that highlights the potential weakness of common rail when run on petrol?

I`m just a simple home DIY mechanic and have no technical solutions regarding this issue, but thought it may make an interesting topic for some of us to learn from engineers on the forum.
Regards Read more

Just wondered if anyone has used this yet and what results they are getting?

Im using millers diesel power plus in a 306 hdi and wonder if its worth swapping?

cheers
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I have, although neither very extensively. I don't need seven seats but quite often want more than four, and would value something that will carry an adult bike and some rear-seat passengers at the same time. This makes the C4P and the S-Max front runners because the last five seats fold in any combination (which the Zafira's don't) which allows for maximum versatility when travelling with children and bulky sports kit for our aspirational, highly active outdoor lifestyle. (Because, of course, I'm a sporty, adventurous type and not a fortyish, balding dad - but you knew that, didn?t you?)

I've driven each for about an hour, on a mix of familiar roads and in some town traffic to see if I could cope with something so bulky - no problem in either case. A few likes and dislikes:

S-Max likes:
very easy to drive with no fancy tricks to the controls ? everything works as you?d expect;
good seats (except in the LX) and plenty of room for a 6'6" driver and his size 12 feet;
room for another of me in the second row and for a child with legs behind him;
adequate performance in 1.8D version I tried ? sure the 2.0D would be ideal
quiet and relaxed - my motorway cruise speed is about 2200 rpm in 6th

S-Max dislikes (not many):
rather jiggly at low-moderate speeds over uneven tarmac (although smooth enough when cruising);
silver-painted console and orange-backlit LCD displays seem lurid to one used to subtle Swedish interiors;
some rather low-rent plastic below armrest level, but looks like it would be easy to keep clean.

C4P likes:
beautiful, covetable design object ? evidently done with real flair and imagination;
smooth ride but still well-poised at speed;
excellent view out;
fabulous interior in gorgeous materials;
well-shaped and supportive front seats ? a world away from the washing-up sponges in the first C5;
quiet and powerful 2.0D engine but even 6th gear is on the low side;
loading aperture with 3rd row folded 100mm taller than S-Max.

C4P dislikes:
Central speedometer ? presumably it?s just beyond your right hand in LHD but in RHD it?s just too far away; rev-counter is too small and requires too much concentration to use intuitively;
Auto-everything functions confusing: auto-wipers work well, auto-lights don?t;
Not enough space behind a tall driver for a tall adult; seatback tables reduce kneeroom;
Semi-auto gearbox hard to drive smoothly, although this will presumably improve with practice. Not so the push-button parking brake ? truly horrible and you?ll see a lot of C4Ps with brake lights on at traffic lights;
Worst ? and this probably knocks the C4P on the head for me ? I couldn?t find a comfortable position for my redundant left foot. There is a footrest but it just gets in the way ? I ended up resting the side of my foot on the floor, which won?t be comfortable for long.

I?d be interested in other people?s thoughts, since these two are clearly chasing similar markets. It may come down to a Head-v-Heart argument for some ? the C4P looks fantastic but I suspect the S-Max will work better for longer. Either way, the Mondeo estate looks redundant ? the S-Max is no bigger but offers vastly more capability.

Finally, does anyone have a current, authoritative view on the implications of sitting in the third row of one of these during a rear-end collision? The S-Max has substantially more car behind the last row, which weighs heavily on the Head side of the argument for me.

Clive
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