Took the family down to the New Forset for a picnic yesterday, and the traffic on the M27 and the traffic through Lyndhurst reached new heights of horrendousness.
I know Lyndhust has always been bad, but yesterday it took us 45 mins just to do the 3 miles from the M27 to the otskirts of the town (A337), not to mention the time it took us to cover the bit of the M27 from the M3.
Has anyone else experienced this torture lately ?
Unfortunately, it is difficult to get most places down there unless you go thro Lyndhurst, unless you go miles out of your way and then get caught on the approaches to Bournemouth.
I will certainly think twice about ever visiting this area again, even though it is not far. Read more

Hi
I was wondering if it is possible to do a DIY air-con condenser change.
We've had two quotes with one just under £500 and the other between £450 - 600 depending on whether the part is a cheap pattern with 0 warranty or a genuine one with 1 year warranty.

I don't know how much work it involves but condensers are on eBay for £160 and about the same from AutoVaux.

According to Haynes it looks like a couple of hours reasonably straightforward work to get access to the condenser & dryer BUT I have no idea how to disconnect their pipes from the rest of the AC system and more importantly perhaps how do you reconnect the pipes to give a good seal? Haynes says you need to get a qualified person to replace o-rings. Is it really hard to change the o-ring or is it hard to obtain them?

Thanks Read more

I have always liked the look of these, rather than the normal coupe/saloon version.

However, I don't really know much about them and would value any advice. My intention would be to run one for 3-5 years / 50-75k miles. I would be spending around 6K.

Are they a reasonable prospect at this price or is it all image? Which engine would be best, etc?

What I am getting at is the question of whether a 3 Series Touring is a viable and reasonable proposition when compared to a straight, run-of-the-mill, family car. For example, if I get a newer, high mileage example to reduce the cost, could I expect reasonable service from it for the above period, whilst at the same time driving a good quality and capable vehicle that has already suffered a great deal of its depreciation in somebody else?s hands.

The image/status/prestige isn't that important but service and quality is, hence looking at what I think would be a 'hard wearing' car.
Read more

Model Polo S 1.4 TD Oct 06

I knew a hatch/boot light was not an original fitment when I bought it.. But it seems a paradox that you get heated and remote door mirros but no light in the boot/hatch?

It is 'standard' on the SE bt colud not get one at the time.. just upgraded an S instead to near SE spec.

However, the S model must be wired for the light fitting even if it is not fitted..

Anyone fitted this light aftermarket? Also I'm not positive about this but does the SE have a 12V cigar lighter type socket too.. wolud be very useful for me.. charging photo equipment batteries etc while travelling.

I used to be a mechanic years ago, so although things have changed a lot since I'm confident in doing most work inc electrics properly (using quality connectors if necessary) with proper wiring advice.

Any advice welcome.

Ta
Read more

Had the deep joy of driving (sorry, creeping) along the M62 on Friday from Leeds. It was busy the whole way, with the speed ranging from about 5mph up to 40 or 50. I picked the middle lane and drifted along, leaving a wide gap between me and the car in front, which brings me to my point:

If I'm doing 30mph in my lane and YOUR lane (blue Ford Focus in particular) comes to a halt, my gap is not your acceleration lane. Do not think that because your indicator is on that you are perfectly entitled to just pull out, forcing me to stamp on my brakes and making the jam worse behind me. During the hour I was on that road, I stayed in my lane and you leap-frogged your way along, annoying other drivers and taking risks. At the end of it? I was ahead of you by about 50 feet. So there.

One of these days I'm going to buy an old landie with huge bull bars and the next time this happens, my foot might not get to the brake pedal fast enough. Since you pulled out in front of me, you'll be the one to blame, and I might have to clean your paint off my metalwork.

What else really annoys you when driving?

Oh - one other thing. During my trip I saw a car on the hard shoulder with a nasty dent in the back with a traffic officer parked behind him. Shortly ahead I noticed another car driving very erratically, and coincidentally with a matching dent in his front bumper. I suspect the two are relevant, since the car I spotted was in immaculate condition apart from the hole on his bumper. I got his number plate, should I pass it on to anyone? Read more