June 2007
can somebody please tell me if there is a little bulb behind the odometer is as i cant see how many miles i have done! many thanks
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Just thought I'd share this one,
Coming home about 21:30 last night, single carriageway road, national speed limit, I'm driving along with 2 cars in front of me and we're doing around 50mph. We're on a straight that extends in front of me for some distance, so I'm thinking I'll overtake but I'll wait until the car coming towards me has passed because it looks a bit tight and not really worth the risk.
But then, seemingly, from out of nowhere a newish BMW 3-series comes up behind me, with only his side lights and front fogs on (no dipped beam at 21:30....), hovers on the centre line for a second and decides to risk overtaking 3 cars getting back onto the correct side of the road by the thinnest of margins.
I then overtake where I was going to and catch him up at the next queue of cars (again going about 50mph).
But then funny thing is, after about 2 miles the road goes into a 70mph dual carriageway and when we reach this, the BMW driver sits in the inside lane doing about 60mph.
I just find it strange that some people will risk lives on the road for nothing and there's no real urgency to get anywhere.
Chris
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i have owned 3 since i started driving (22 now, age/experience comments in the post).
not all BMW drivers are bad.. just the majority :P i use my indicators and only pass when its safe, also hate those that overtake so tightly they just about clip wingmirrors.
50 mile round trip, was going to take the bike though wanted to look presentable on arrival so reluctantly took the car, cross country, windy, undulating roads punctuated by a few short straights and right angle bends, pressed on a bit using the torque as opposed to the revs, 1800 to about 3200, hardly any higher, 30 to 50 in 3rd, 40 to 60 in 4th and 50 to 70 in 5th are all pretty quick doing this, also I like the way it immediately pulls as strongly in each consecutive gear as though the rate of acceleration does not slow as the speed rises, engine almost imperceptable above David Gray. Very crisp turn in (I can recomend the Falken FK452s) and responsive steering, really great fun! Not bad for a five year old car with nearly 120k on the clock, really drives as well as when new in these circumstances (I have had it since new), in fact perhaps better, it has become freer revving as the miles have accumulated.
So I didnt regret not taking the bike though off for a run on that this evening weather permitting! Read more
Never apologise for going on the bike. I was going to go to work on mine today but luckily I didn't as I ended up with a meeting 50 miles away and turning up on a bike for that would have been frowned on - clients !
I've just bought a 2004 MK4 Fiesta 1.4, with the 3-part audio system. I would ideally like to replace the audio system with my standard DIN MP3/CD player.
I've seen that you can buy the fascia adaptors on Ebay etc, but I guess you would have to remove the audio part of the dashboard and then cut the 'bars' out.
Has anyone done this on their fiesta, and does it look OK? I'm a biy wary about cutting chunks out of the dashboard! Read more
Thanks for that - I couldn't have asked for a more complete answer!
I might end up deciding its not worth it as well, but I did get used to the convenience of an MP3 compatible stereo in my old car!
Well worth a visit, more there than I expected, free entry and - if you ask at the desk - discounted entry to the neighbouring Brooklands museum. So if planning to go to the Brooklands museum stop of at Merc World first.
Highlights:
'54 300SL - enigmatic.
McLaren SLR - £332k
SL65 - £152k, VGC by SLR standards, also I drove an SL600 in '92/'93 and that was £105k, no turbos and "only" 408bhp.
Maybachs - decadence on wheels.
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Yup had a day there with TiPEC a few weeks ago. Brilliant day out & all for free. Had just got a bonus from work so "invested" £100 for an an hour driving an AMG Merc estate 415BHP, 0-60 in 4.8Sec & £66K! No hard sell but an experienced instructor in the passenger seat & sessions on the skid pan, high speed circuit & a slalom. Wanted to give the 944 a run round the high speed course but he wouldn't let me ;-( One of other members had a similar session in a CLK AMG jobbie. There are also smarts & A class for kids to drive if over 12 & 1.5Mtres tall.
Been meaning to post this all week.
Was up in Surrey at the weekend, West Byfleet, used to live locally, couldn't now, humps everywhere, ended up taking massive detours to avoid the damn things, i.e. five miles from West Byfleet to Hare Hill via Martys Lane and Ottershaw (past McLaren) to avoid two miles of Woodham / Row Town.
Nightmare!
(Cheddar - I was ready with my edit button when I first read the subject heading :-) - PU) Read more
I am just across the road from the golf course, a bit further towards Woking down Woodham Lane - pretty close!
What is the cheapest I could hire an automatic car for, required for 2 weeks?
I have had arthrodesis performed on two of my toes on my left foot which has ruled out driving my car for 6 weeks. I'm now 4 weeks in and like a fool, despite my sick note, I'm thinking about getting back to work. Depends on car hire costs though...any suggests of where and for how much? Cost is the only issue, it can be the slowest most basic pile of excrement...just want the cheapests to get me through a couple of weeks.
Mucho appreciated:-) Read more
Unless there are any local/independent hire companies near you then you're probably talking about £450 for an auto Astra size car or nearer £600 for a Mondeo class of car.
If you're off sick and bored then I think I'd rather spend that sort of money on a holiday for two weeks.
My N reg Brava (Isusu Rodeo) has developed a loud screech when under load. It happens in all gears and the noise seems to be coming from the gearbox.
I've tried changing the oil, but this has had little effect. I've had a couple of experts look at it and they are mystified. It seems worse in third gear.
Apparently similar faults have appeared on early Isusu Troopers, which use a similar gearbox.
Can anyone offer any advice please?
P.S This is my first posting !
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Many thanks Aprila,
The car is presently with a gearbox specialist awaiting removal and inspection. The rest of the car is in good condition - including a recent cam belt change at 100K. Do you know whether an extensive repair will be needed or just a few bearing replacements? Gearbox removal is estimated at £200 and repair at £275.
The other alternative is to sell the car for parts, as there is a big demand from the Middle East.
I have just bought a Ford fiesta Zetec LX 1.25 and it only came with one 2 button remote and key, if I bought another 2 button remote & key how would I program the new key? Read more
The following site has previously been posted for instructions of how2 programme the fob.
www.mirez.co.uk/KeyProg.htm
Although it mentions Mondeo, it *should* work for the Focus as well.
Am on my hols in rural France at moment.
Q - If this country is so agricultural..........where are all the 4x4's? They don't seem to need them here. I have not seen a single X5, Landcruiser etc on French plates, only UK ones.
Q - Why is there still a French motor industry? Reps drive Renaults + Peugeots, the only Mondies I have seen have been on UK plates.
Q - Equally, how can there still be a French motor industry when they seem to keep their cars for so long? I have seen Ami 8's, Simca 1100GLS's, Renault 16's 19's and 21's all huffing and puffing away
Q - Why, when they are doing roadworks on a motorway, are there not 200 miles of cones and 1 lane and traffic jams for miles before you get to them? 'Cos all they need is a van with a flashing "a gauche" arrow about 100 yds (metres?) from the roadworks. Seems to work.
Q - Why do I want to come back and drive in the UK?
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Part of my drive home involved the 2 worst roundabout in Paris- Porte
Maillot and the Arc de Triumph- I used to drive through them like Moses parting
the Red Sea.
You mean that even with a Landcruiser you still had to depend on a miracle from the Lord to get you to the other side? :-)
Browse
Yep
You'll have to remove the gauge cluster though, easy job just 2/3 screws holding it in place.Drop the steering as low as it can go when removing it. You will have to buy the bulbs from Pug, they come with a little screw-in holder. Might be worth buy a few and checking the rest while you have the cluster out.