July 2007
I just want to make sure that I understand something correctly.
We are thinking of down sizing from a large estate car to a small car as we only really need the size to transport bikes nowadays. And, our daughter is getting bigger so having three bikes in the back of the car looks like it might be a bit unstable.
We have been considering a car with a maximum nose weight of 55kg. So, does this mean that I can use a bike rack for 3 bikes as long as the total weight does not exceed the weight of 3 bikes and the carrier? I was thinking of the type that support the bike by the cross bar rather than the version that you slot the bikes into and secure by an upright post.
Also, is there anything else I should consider if using this method of carrying bikes? I do appreciate that boot access would be difficult. Any help would be greatly apprecaited!
Thank you. Read more
Hi all,
The head gasket went on the wifes 1998 Frontera a little while back. When the garage fixed the head they sheared a bolt off the heat shield (the heat shield which covers the manifold I think - to the right of the engine when looking in).
This now rattles all the time and drives me crazy when driving it! Vauxhall dealership told me this can be taken off and was removed in the future models built after this one. I took it off, lost the rattle but when I lifted the bonnet I got a bit worried everthing was getting a bit too hot so put it back on. Does anyone know if it's safe to remove this heat shield?
(I don't trust main dealers!!)
Thanks all. Read more
Funnily enough it went to vauxhall about a week after for a seperate problem with the alarm, the garage did the usual vehicle checks and noticed this bolt was sheared and suggested I remove it as this shield isn't necessary.
The garage that actually did the head weren't interested in fixing the sheared bolt, told me to go away and stop being pedantic!! It's not them who has to listen to it all weekend!!!
Currently running on AOL motoring channel:
1-10: tinyurl.com/3ynspm
11-20: tinyurl.com/39rv7p
21-30: tinyurl.com/ywogsy
31-40: tinyurl.com/2ov2ud
41-50: tinyurl.com/3bnvbn
Read more
It's AOL. What do you expect? Balance?
madf
Not sure if this has been seen before.
www.tinyurl.com/2e7xfw Read more
I am sure that in the incident at the spa bus stop, one of the drivers got out and tried to attack the other,
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Our 97 Passat has done 115K and needs replacing. We do about 1000 mile a month. Just me, the wife and the boy in the family.
We would like to spend about £10K. We have really enjoyed the Passat and only in the last two years has it needed any significant servicing. So, we wouldn't be averse to getting another one. We would probably buy a car and have it for 7+ years.
My wife is keen to maintain her "image" (tsk) and so won't consider a Mondeo or any Skoda. Thoughts were on a Honda Accord or Aventis but would appreciate advice. Willing to consider something different.
Thanks in advance. Read more
get a badge to be snobby about and
consider an Audi A4 1.9 TDi 130 (2001-2004 shape) or a BMW 320d?
Or better still, a carefully selected mid-to-late sixties Rolls-Royce would probably keep the lady happy unless she has noticed how many scrap dealers, greyhound racing fanatics, travellers etc drive them... Shouldn't drink more than 100 gallons a month at your mileage either... :o)
Hi Guys
The wife has got a new job which would involve getting the train to central london, as a result she will not need a car to do motorway miles.
So I have decided to sell her 2005 VW polo 1.2 twist while it still has some equity and am going to replace it with a banger as she only needs it to get to next village around 2.5 miles away.
She sometimes has to do the nightshift as she is a doctor, so i wouldn't mind an old car being left in the station overnight.
The question is what banger?
I would like to spend between 500 to 1000 pounds I have seen a 1995 volvo 440 1.8 for 500 quid, are thses ok?
I was thinking something japanese or a volvo.
Kush
Read more
"If you're going to crash, or if you want to be cosseted while you play with lots of toys"
Or crash while distracted by the toys! Can't help feeling that they contribute to more than a few...
One of my neighbours was in the car with his girfriend when she turned right across the front of one of a pair of motorcyclists on an open country road. The motorcyclist lost control of his bike and slid into the front wing of neighbour's car and survived with a broken leg and severe bruising. The motorcyclist says there was no indication; girfriend says she checked her mirrors and did indicate, but because of a bend in the road and the speed he was travelling, he had no chance of avoiding her car. Why didn't the motorcyclist pass down the left of her car? Why did he choose to overtake a right-turning car? Why did girlfriend (with a spotless driving record for 20 years) pull across in front of the motorcyclist?
Many of these questions would be answered if the car and bike had "black box" recorders in them. So how much would they cost? Would backroomers like them in their cars or not? Will they appear in the future?
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land Read more
Terribly sorry PU.
I knew it was someone with an edit button who can change words at a blink of an eye to make it look like they've said nice things about the moderators ... :o)
Avon and Somerset Police are mounting an anti drink-driving campaign throughout the summer............ roadside checks would be carried out at known hotspots .......
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6921358.stm Read more
And stop bothering the grownups.
Yes, young man!
ô? That's ALT 0244
--
e Prôf - Another Recycled Teenager
I was wondering do the newer shape focus car mats fit my older 1999 focus? or have the focus's (mk2, mk3) have different car mat sizes? anyone know the answer? Read more
I always found with previous Fords that the genuine parts were excellent and not too expensive...
I have ditched the verdant pennant insurance because of cost and I have just taken out annual breakdown cover with Europ Assistance via QuotelineDirect for £59. Pretty good - it gives UK assistance at home, recovery etc. It also covers European motoring for up to 90 days as long as each trip does not exceed 21 days.
A tiny catch which does not affect me, but might be critical to some at this time of year: European cover does not start until 10 days into the policy. So take it out nice and early. Read more
My Peugeot 306 is 10 years old. These breakdown insurers want your confirmation that the car is less than 20 years old, so you are OK on that front. They are a bit picky about servicing though - e.g. they won't cover "worn friction material" i.e. clutch plates and brake pads unless you have had the car serviced "in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations".
They say that's the reason for the 10 day delay - supposedly it gives you time to get it ready for the trip!
Otherwise it seems very good value. It's cheaper for me than Green Flag for the UK alone.
Browse
This is the recommended downward force permissible on the towball so if your rack is mounted on the towbar then 55kg is your lot. I've used the type that has six webbing straps to secure it to the tailgate for years and never had a problem - in one 'emergency' situation' even had five adult bikes (and the five adults) on/in a Fiat Uno ( only for a couple of miles - sunny day suddenly turned to a torrential hail storm). If I was buying again I give serious consideration to the roof mounted type.