July 2007
I've had my Golf for about 18 months (Y reg, 2001, MkIV, 73,000 on the clock, 1.6 SE 16v). It's got full service history but it's been a real Friday car.
In the time I've had it, it's had whole new exhaust system, new oil pressure switch, new rear washer pump, new boot catch, 4 tyres (Goodyears), new brake pads and it's still got some minor stuff that needs sorting - slight play in MacPherson struts, new clutch master cylinder required. I'm basically waiting for the next breakdown.
I bought it for £5500 in Jan 06 and it's probably worth £3500 to £4000 now.
Typical driving is 16 miles a day (commuting), short trips into town and the occasional long motorway journey. I typically get around 38mpg on my commute. I rarely cart much stuff about so space isn't an issue.
So, question is, should I trade it in for a Jazz? I'd be looking at nothing more than 3 years old and I'd want a 1.4.
Any opinions? Read more
I have a 2005 Focus 1.6 petrol LX. It has covered 27000 and shortly after a recent 25000 service, I noticed a grinding noise from the steering when turning at very low speeds such has entering and exiting my drive.
My local Ford dealer has inspected the car and informed that the top shock absorber rubber mountings need changing but the track rod ends are OK (I did mentioned the TSB I've read about on this forum regarding these)
Apparently the warranty does not cover suspension parts after 1 year but Ford will contribute 70% leaving me with a £66 bill.
The parts are £24 the rest is labour. The dealer has spoken to Ford technical and they are adament that this remedy will cure the problem. A couple of questions:
1) I'm told this play/wear will not affect handling etc, but the noise is annoying.
2) The car drives very well, even wear on the front tyres with 3-4 mm of tread left, if the work is done does anyone think the geometry will be affected, the garage say that the tracking will not be disturbed. However previous experiance leaves me less than confident that this will be the case!
Many thanks in anticipation.
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I can't really say if it's affected tyre wear as I only had it done a couple of weeks ago. As far as the steering alignment goes it seems to be dead on what it was before.
Can anyone tell me how many miles past a servicing schedule i can go?
My car is currently on 40,500 miles and i can get it serviced for another week. Will my warranty be invalid if it isnt done sooner. The last service was done at 30,500. It is a Kia Sedona diesel.
Thanks
{Car details added to subject header, as per the sticky request at the top of the page - DD} Read more
If you have a warranty and you do not get it serviced before or on due mileage or date, then some dealers can use this as an excuse to wriggle out of warranty repairs. In reality most may give a leeway of a few hundred miles or a couple of weeks.
All new car warranties I have seen require full service history.
However not sure what happens if you ring up dealer 2 weeks before it is due and they say cannot do it for 5 weeks ...
If not under warranty then it is maybe can go slightly longer past servicing mileage - but really depends on how the car has been treated... in some instances handbooks say you should have it serviced at shorter intervals.
Came down this morning to find my Mazda Mx-5 (H-reg) now has no wing mirrors. 2 questions: Is it legal to drive without wing mirrors? And where would I get some new ones and how dear will they be to replace? Thanks
Subject header amended to make less vague - DD} Read more
As far as I understood, if your car fails the MOT and you remove it from the premises for repair the ENTIRE MOT should be done again and there is nothing in theory to prevent swapping of items that would have been a pass before being changed when the vehicle went in for retest.
Why bother of course but theoretically it could happen. In saying that most MOT stations will only check the failed items when submitted for a retest although computerisation of the system now has overtaken common sense of course.
I've NEVER had a car fully 'retested'. Maybe I just have an honest face??!!! : o )
The dip bulb that I replaced (with much cursing - see earlier thread!) in SWMBO's Focus has lasted precisely 8 months. It was a cheap (£2.50) job from a local motor factor who I know.
Bearing in mind the ridiculous degree of difficulty in changing these bulbs, can any Backroomers suggest a reliable brand/type of bulb that will last a long time? Thanks.
BTW - I see that Halfords will change a bulb for £4.99 - I'm thinking of taking it down there.
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The matter is resolved. I took the car into my local dealer - from whom we bought the Focus and who has serviced it ever since. I told the reception chap that a bulb had blown but the car wasn't due in for service for another 6 weeks or so. He said he would get one of the lads to sort it and I could pay the cost of the bulb when the service was done. After the bulb was changed - and I learned how it was done - I was happy to give the young tech a fiver, which is what it would have cost at Halfords if they had known how to do it!
I'll shortly describe the method, in detail, on the 'Technical matters' section.
I get frustrated by amount of time I have to spend with my eyes off the road and on the A/C management system. My 2000 A6 has digital only +/- buttons for each side of the car. I think this is one of the most crass features now fitted as a fashion accessory. There should at least be a mechanism to combine these into a dual/single selection. The Japanese seem to be able to offer this as standard. Do we really need to be able to set one side of such a small space to be a different temperature to the other ?
In the current variable climate conditions I regularly have to move between 22deg A/C off and the LO setting with A/C on. That entails either 15 button pushes or holding the left and right adjusters in for about 4 seconds each then selecting A/C on or off. These controls are well out of the line of sight. Even carrying it out in three separate actions (left, right, A/C) it's necessary to take your eyes off the road a minimum of 5 times.
Analogue controls for A/C are much quicker to set. Read more
Ubi - from my experience two seconds should be enough, which suggests your car has a fault in the system.
Well against the advice of friends and relatives I went out and bought one today, a lovely example in trophy blue on a 52 reg with FSH including cambelts changed, working air-con and no mayo in the oil cap! A nice half leather and suede interior and large spoiler to boot.
Even after reading CBC breakdown I made sure that the engine cooling fans worked.
I'm very happy (so far) so please backroomers have I made a bad chioce as everyone else i've spoke too seems to think.
"MG? they went out of business a few years ago didn't they?"
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Brilliant choice, enjoy it!
I need some new tyres for a 99 renault scenic 185/65/15/t
anyone reccomend any? used mostly for short commutes and maybe 600 miles of motorway in a 12 month period. Read more
What do you value in a tyre?
What are important factors?
Price
Availability
Noise
Wear
Performance (dry)
Performance (wet)
Personally, I would avoid Michelins as they are very expensive and don't generally give significant advantages over other brands that cost a lot less.
Looks like we are going to end up with a speed gun in every village in Norfolk!
tinyurl.com/3cl2fl {Link to new.edp24.co.uk shortened to restore page width back to normal - DD} Read more
There was no physical projectile TVM. If there had been the windscreen would have fallen into my lap in small cubes (as the same car's screen once did in the outside lane of the M1 for no discernible reason).
hi. Hope someone can help with this or offer some advice.
i was topping up my water yesterday and the bonnet fell and slammed shut - I thought nothing of it.
The next day i went to start the car and am now having trouble turning the key in the ignition - similar to when the steering has locked and you adjust the steering wheel to unlock it. I can normally mess about with it for a bit and it eventually turns (I just keep fiddling with steering wheel) but am scared its going to just not let me start it one day. Read more
Seemed to be working fine again this morning. I'm getting my car looked at over the weekend for another problem so hopefully they can have time to look at this too. Unfortunately i'll have to drive it around until then so hope it doesnt break before then :(
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Any news simon on how you got on - have you reached a decision ?