Were you watching the news just now? Had a new VW on, can't remember the model name. Point of report was to show how economical it was compared to hybrid cars.
Meaningless figures given were that the reporter had driven it from Wolfsburg to the BBC in London. I think he said 450 miles, but it may have been 500. He also said the fuel cost £37 and was impressed by the fantastic economy.
Now, a quick calculation suggests that he did (say) 500 miles for £37 - about 52 euros. That diesel in Europe costs about 1 euro a litre so he did about 500 miles at (optimistically) 10 miles a litre. That is 45.54 mpg isn't it? My old BX did more than that, my Berlingo does a lot more than that - and I bet ther are many people on here who would be very disappointed with that mpg from their cars.
Now, I might well have got it wrong in what he said exactly, and my maths ain't too hot either!- so can someone tell me what was so great about this new VW that made it worth putting on the 6 o'clock news???
--
Phil Read more

I have signed up to buy a 2001 Passat 1.8 20V SE car from a delaership pending a test drive.

When I first saw the car I was unable to tet drive it as it had a flat battery. They informed me today that they couldnt get it started and were sending it to a VW garage to go through a full diagnostic check and get it up and running.

I am now having second thoughts about buying the car as it may be a fault somewhere that is draining the battery somehow.

Any advice on what I should do? I really like the car, but this is making me a bit jittery, as I have suffered from a car with electrical problems before and it was never out the garage.

The car has a FSH and seems to be in great nick apart from the flat battery.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Shooto Read more

I just want to say a very big and genuine thankyou to Gromit {P}, Mad Maxy and stunorthants 26 for taking the time and trouble to reply to my email. I have learnt a lot from your replies.
I personally found the quality of the Lexus IS 250 and 220D sport outstanding. The Audi A4 2.0 litre diesel is also a lovely car.The cabin quality is darned good with Audi.I think it is a very good looking car. I noticed the servicing price is far less with the Audi than it is with Merc. or Lexus. If you get a 140 bhp 2.0 diesel the insurance is at a lower level. The better 170 bhp 2.0 litre diesel Audi has the highest insurance of the three cars unfortunately ( around the 2.0 litre mark on all the three makes). One just has to wait and see what the Mercedes C Class will be like in the mettle. I know with the Lexus the 250 is quite thirsty and the diesel 220 apparently didn't have the best gear ratios. They say the 220.D sport has much better gear ratios, but being sport it will have a hard ride. They are all lovely cars though. Read more

What's the story with the "Pencil" type coils ?
RAC man said they were a common fault but after a bit of fiddling our 1 coil seems to have come back to life - 150 miles on and touch wood it's been fine.

any one had any experiences ?

Thanks Read more

I am in the market for such a vehicle. Will be purchased new and used hard for 5 years value at end not an issue.

Not much in the HJ car guide but 4X4 magazines car of the year 2007. Seems laughable cheap, S model at £15k direct from Ssangyong.

Am I missing something? Read more