February 2008
i am considering purchasing one of these pumps that plug into the cigar lighter. would appreciate reports if they are a worthwhile purchase
tucks
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I am urgently searching for an automatic car so am constrained by what is available used and locally.
Initially looked at Renault as I like their cars but very few around locally and I am aware the older autos are not the most reliable - saw a Clio 1.6 auto 2002 52 plate with 20000 miles.
Have however just driven and like an 56 plate Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 auto and am very close to buying. Is there anything specific to beware of though?
Car has done 9000 miles and I think was a 'fleet' car.
Only other make I had thought of was Nissan with the Micra and Note but not the most inspiring of cars - though presumably pretty solid and reliable?
Ford has nothing locally, only through Ford Direct so cannot view/test drive.
Andrew Read more
I have an old lady of a Vectra B 2.0 auto. Having had it since (it was) 6 months old it is growing rather old gracefully. I think it has the Toyota type gearbox as used in Volvos & others.
I consider that the auto gearbox (albeit 4 speed) and engine combination is the best I have ever experienced. It does what it should, changes smoothly, kicks down when it should etc. It does have the gb oil changed every 2-3 years (even flushed once that is no mean feat).
I have had many autos on hire over the years - and have never come across such a good combination of engine and auto box, and that includes Fords, Peugot, Volvo, Saab & other Vauxhalls. I have had a few Astra 1.8 autos that have been good but I thought the gear changes were jerky (Astras a most certainly very much more agile than my Vectra B). For my next car I will likely look at an Astra 1.8 or diesel auto, having read some threads that suggest to beware of the easytronics (that are cheap @ auction).
Hi.
Has anyone used these products as I am thinking of doing so as I have(like most owners) acquired some minor scratches and scuffs on my year old (metallic silver) car. Some of these are self inflicted by too rigourous cleaning with the wrong cloth trying to remove bird lime and tar marks etc.
Are these polishes the ones that take of a layer of paint or does the colour just fill in the scratches so you have to regularly reapply. Are they better or worse than all the other scratch removal products out there such as scratch x or autoglym paint renovator?
Do you have to do the whole panel and will the repair be noticed?
Any advice welcome, even if it's 'don't bother'!
Thanx.
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Have used both at different times on red VW golfs worked very well
not tried the silver
Hi,
I have been encountering a problem with my Clio on/off for over a year now. The problem is that when the engine is started from cold the revs fluctuate up and down. If the accelerator is pressed causing the revs to rise when the revs fall they will then fall to nothing and the engine will cut out. If the engine is just allowed to idle for a short period the revs stabilise and there is not a problem from then on.
I would appreciate any help/advice on the matter.
Thanks
James Read more
The bank that I work for has an on-line noticeboard with items for sale.
I often have a look at cars for sale for a laugh - the prices some people ask are truely ridiculous.
Ford Focus 1.6 automatic
MOT -October 2008, taxed till October 2008.
Model: Ford Focus 1.6
Automatic
Mileage: 65000
Year: 2001
Colour: Dark RED
Doors: 5
Have a guess how much someone wants for this Read more
All there on Google:
alice.clarke@.....com or call 0779 264 7... deleted by me1!
Hi,
OK, speedo has died, the only thing that still works on the lcd is the gallons used, anything to do with mileage has stopped working.
The rev's, petrol etc in the cluster are all fine though.
Been advised the speedo is dead, the gearbox etc i'm told has been fully checked.
So, i understand i can buy one second hand from a parts specialist for around £40 to £70... better than the dealerships £600 inc fitting i was quoted.
But what happens with the mileage, does that get transfered into he new speedo or do you end up with the mileage the previous car had done? Also if you have the mileage of the old car, i know you woudn't be able to change it for obvious reasons, but how do you notify the correct people.
Any advice would be great thankyou. Read more
Specialist firms like BBA-Reman [01634 230055 and let it ring] do it.
From "The Daily Telegraph":
"Under the proposals skilled drivers would effectively earn a store of credit which they could draw on to avoid having penalty points imposed for minor speeding offences and other minor transgressions."
Various other points mentioned in the article. Various interesting reader comments. Read more
Typical example of a daft idea by an opposition MP who wants a bit of media attention to bolster his profile. Zero chance of it ever happening as well he knows.
Helo all! Hope someone can help!
X reg TDI with PD Engine (115) with a leaky tandem pump, i have been told that these pump units have no servicable parts yet the leak appears to be coming from the 'End plate' on the pump itself...... Dont want to pay VW prices for a new one if it's just a gasket y know??
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Yeh dont expect this from VAG! managed to get a second hand bosch one from 24/7 spares.
Anyone out there running an A4 with the 2.0 (non-turbo) petrol engine mated to an autobox?
I'm not too worried about economy. If there's a special offer on this out-going old-shape model then could it be a bargain? Or does it have reliability/performance issues and will it be totally eclipsed by the new shape A4? Read more
I know some with a four year old 2.0 FSi auto and it seems fine, it is the previous model though I guess.
Hi,
Can anyone recommend a reliable diesel engine?
It seems everything I read at the moment worries me.
I've a (very) unreliable Ford Focus estate which, over the past 6 months has cost me more than £1,000 to keep on the road and has been off-road at the garage for more than 5 weeks - it's had ECU and fuel injection problems, clogged valves...you name it....
From reading this forum, the 130bhp Mondeo seems dogged with similar problems, ditto the Mazda 6.
I'm after a diesel. It needs to have a big boot for the dogs. It needs to start in the morning without worry.
The Skoda sounds great but I've been warned off them by a Skoda forum because they are quite low to the ground and I go over grassy fields reasonably regularly over the summer.
The Honda Accord sounds ideal - but I'm worried that some suffer low mpg figures (if they go down to the low 30s I could just get the 4x4 I'd love to have but for the consumption!)
Help!!!! Read more
Engines have been fantasic & my 2.0 & 2.2TDCi have worked very hard
towing sometimes covering 5000 miles in 3 weeks all over Europe . Don't have a
bad word to say.
>>
I think this is another factor in diesel reliability, ir the harder you work them the better they are.
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review of about 20 models in last weeks autoexpress.