January 2008
Prompted by recent ramblings on the subject of older cars, I started to think of styling and indeed technical features which were once seen as desirable but are no longer in vogue. Thank goodness in most cases ! A couple which immediatly came to mind were -
Black vinyl roofs - ( often factory fitted to allegedly more upmarket variants of stock models ) I can remember those scoring quite high on the playground kudos rating if your Dad's car had one !
Bendy Aerials - Six feet long and brightly coloured. Aftermarket fitment to countless Escorts etc in the late '70s.
Any other contenders for the " What was that all about " awards ? Read more
Is there any car which provides that?
One might need to open bonnet at night and it is not always possible to carry a torch.
Why not provide a light inside engine bay just like a boot light?
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Why not provide a light inside engine bay just like a boot light?
Because most manufacturers don't expect you to have it open very often.
Only to check your oil and replenish your washer fluid. They expect you to take it to the garage for anything else!
(exception is on a friend's 55 plate Honda Accord diesel. Sticker on A post - check oil daily! I guess this was when that engine was developing a reputation for consuming totally unreasonable amounts of oil)
Good morning, I have been offered the following in a private sale and would be grateful for advice as to whether it is a good deal:
Volvo V70 D5 estate; 2004, 23,000 miles dark blue with leather. Electric driver's seat. Manual. Full Volvo service history and just been serviced. In vgc except for scratch along one side (estimate to repair £750-1k). Price £12,750.
Many thanks in advance,
Charles Read more
Thanks all, may see if I can get it for around £12k.
A man has died and four people have been injured in a car crash on the M6 motorway which has resulted in heavy traffic delays.
The northbound carriageway was closed between junctions six (Spaghetti) and seven (Great Barr) after a car crashed into a works van in the early hours.
One lane of the M6 has since reopened but police said the other two lanes would be closed through the rush hour.
Motorists are being urged to use the M6 Toll road instead.
I urge motorists to use every other road available and deny the toll company a nice pay day out of some one else's misery. Read more
Yes sorry my mistake I knew it was after I posted and didn't edit !
Just been reading HJ's clearly smitten test of the new Fiat 500. Will they will reproduce the 600 Multipla - surely the first (and smallest) people carrier.
After the Mini, the Beetle and now the 500 - what should the next retro revival be? Hillman Imp?
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I would also be interested in the SD1 - loved the exterior styling and the dash. I did 20,000 miles in one year in a 10-year old one and sold it for a £60 loss.
Hi...
does anyone know where the diags plug will be on my p reg escort 1.6 16v??
All answers appreciated :) Read more
Cheers mate... there is somthing in the passengers foot well...
Scott
Damn, double damn.....and thrice damn. Received a NIP in the post this morning from the Essex boys. 42 in a country lane with 30 limit. Hands up and throw myself at their mercy for a fixed penalty and points. Completely trashed my 35 year clean licence.
Serves me right for lack of attention in an area where there are more cameras than people. One minute it's 30, next it's 40, 30, 40, 30, 40.
In the words of the famous philosopher Homer.....DOH! Read more
has to be said
just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you
(especially where s*****y cameras are concerned)
The two rear tyres on my Mazda 626 2.0 petrol were getting worn, so as I had a new (purchased by previous owner 2007) Pilot Primacy spare I decided to buy another so as to have a decent set of new rears. My local tyre dealer gave me a written quotation for one of these...I said yes...I paid & picked up last night in the pouring rain and dark, but today I saw he had fitted a Michelin 'Energy'.
Obviously a different tread pattern and not as per the written quotation. Is it worth bothering him to change it as per my original requirement, or am I just being pedantic? I have looked at the Michelin website and am unsure as to what action I should take, if any...
Should I say nothing?...incidentally, on my front tyres one is an unbranded H speed rated, the other a Michelin Pilot HX V rated...both have plenty of tread so should I leave as they are?
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Good luck with the Michelin Energy - I had two of them on the old Fabia as I got a better deal than the Conti Ecos that were standard fit - they were absolutely useless in the wet and I couldn't wait to get rid - when they went they still had about 5mm tread! They were replaced with the latest version of the Conti Ecos and normal grip was resumed....
Hi everyone!
My first post here... hope someone can reassure me about the following issue. I have a 2005 Skoda Octavia Classic 1.6. This is the "Mk 1" model with 8 valve "MPI" engine (not FSI) - must be one of the last ones made (registered May 2005). I got the car in October 2007 and have covered 3000 miles, bringing its total to a very modest 13,600 miles or so.
I just checked the oil level, needed to top up, then to my horror found "mayonnaise" inside the oil filler cap. There's a reasonable quantity so I'm worried. I do some very short 1 - 2 mile town trips interspersed with a couple of recent 200 mile motorway trips which I thought would have got rid of any condensation... if that's what caused it. Are there any circumstances in which such an oil / water emulsion is normal in this engine? I guess weather has been very cold & damp recently - would that contribute?
Car is (theoretically) still under Skoda warranty until May 2008... I sent off my "new owner" registration card to Skoda UK when I bought it, so if I need to get this checked out at a dealer I should hopefully be covered for disastrous engine trouble.
What do you think?
Many thanks for any suggestions that you can offer.
Andrew Read more
Common complaint with the Octy's. Nothing to worry about in cold weather. Every winter mine does the same, a nice dollop of Mayo.
I use fully synthectic oil and the Mayo still persists in coming back.
Just something that has got me thinking since i've picked up my new golf. Had a golf before then changed to fiesta zetec s now changed back to a golf and the engine in this one feels stronger and more up for it. The engine in my last golf was a BKC and the engine in this one is a BXE if i remember correctly. What are the difference between these engines there is also a BLS too which are all 1.9 77KW pumpe duse engines. Are they mechanically the same, same seals gaskets etc.
Simon Read more
VAG engine codes can be completely different for very similar versions of essentially the same engine. A change of code can often reflect various tweaks resulting in minor changes to power output and emissions.
Browse
Circa;1975...jacked up rear suspension with a red light illuminating the back axle. Particularly popular on the Ford Anglia (boy racers car of choice in this era) Also those boot lid protectors shaped like trapped fingers ..Hilarious!