March 2008
Just had my 1994 1.6 Corolla MOT'd.
FOr the 2nd year in a row the HC emissions are approx 100ppm, although in previous years they have been down at 18-20ppm.
Any ideas what has made it suddenly jump so much in the last 2 years ?
I dont think it can be running rich as the CO levels are very low.
Is this anything to be concerned about, althogh it it hasn't changed since the one last year ...?
Read more
Had it now a week. Totally satisfied with it, doesnt put a foot wrong really.
Ride is a little hard on unbroken surfaces, but then the handling makes up for this.
Fuel economy for what has been mainly town work has come in at 26 mpg, not bad at all considering the manual is supposed to average 30 mpg combined.
Auto gearbox is smooth although not seamless, kickdown is not very keen.
Engine is very refined but does appear to lack torque for such a big engine - feels like a 1.6 rather than 2.0 - this may be due to the gearbox more than anything. It also seem sto idle very low ( 500 rpm or so ) when warm but maybe this is normal - doesnt affect the driveability at all.
The interior is excellent and is all we could ask for.
Overall, no regrets at all. Read more
I wonder if they'll ever
do a 6 cylinder version of the engine?
>
I do hope so, that'll cause some cold sweats in certain German boardrooms.
Imagine 6 pot diesel power and total reliability, and a dealer who treats you as a customer...intoxicating.
Hi all,
Got a call from my little sister last night. Think her words were "my car sounds like it's going to fall apart!". Basically, a really loud sound coming from the front of the car (she thought it was the engine), so I went out (in the rain) and dragged her home.
The sound was a constant grinding, followed by a bang on every wheel revolution (increasing in frequency with speed). Pushed it home, and had a look this morning jacked up. The RHF wheel doesn't rock backwards and forwards (as my MGF did when the bearings were shot), but it's extremely difficult to turn by hand (ok, nearly impossible to turn by hand).
Does it sound like bearings, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Oh, and if it's the bearings, will I be safe driving it to the nearest garage (about 5 miles), and what sort of price am I looking at?
Cheers, Read more
Can you turn the drive shaft relative to the wheel, that is can you detect free play in the CV?
What's the state of the CV boot?
Have you checked the wheel nuts - sorry but it's been seen before.
Could something have collapsed in the disc/stone jammed in there? Could be worth taking a wheel off and having a look.
What work has been done lately?
Is it regularly serviced?
Well, it's been a while since I've started something that will no doubt stir up a hornets nest, so here goes!
I'm going to be changing cars this year, the first to go will be the Mondeo V6, I'm putting it on Ebay as soon as I know that the TF is back up to full strength following the HGF.
At the height of summer, around late July, I intend to sell the TF and will most likely be looking for a diesel. :-(
I know I said that I wouldn't get a diesel, but there is a possibility (I will know for certain by July) that my mileage may take a sudden increase above the 20,000 mark for which I think a diesel may be best suited.
The cars that I'm considering are as follows:-
MG ZT CDTi 04 model on - I like this car a lot, it looks good, drives well (apparently), has the BMW diesel engine but without the BMW problems (failing turbo and inlet manifold).
Ford Mondeo TDCi Ghia X 53 reg onwards - love the spec on these following the facelift and I think they're pretty comfortable, tyres should wear slower than the MG, parts will never be a problem but I've heard tales of MAF, EGR and injector problems.
Jag X Type 2.0d Sport - As per the Mondeo really, also concerned at possible discontinuation leading to plummeting resale values.
Volvo S60 D5 Sport - I really like these to sit in, but only like the looks of ones following the 2004 facelift. Heard of no major problems apart from heavy tyre wear and some injector problems. Concerned that this may be replaced soon and consequently the resale value of older ones will plummet.
Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport - Again, I would only have the 53 reg model onwards, I don't like the old ones, probably a bit too small and a bit spartan, but I like the look of the car and it's the only diesel that doesn't seem to have common problems whilst still returning good mpg.
Audi A4 2.0 TDI Sport - As per the A3, but I only like the S-Line model.
So, what would the backroom buy?
Budget is circa £6K, I'd be asking Joe Dowd to look out for whichever car I get to ensure that I get a decent price.
(typo in header amended)
Read more
Blue
I've recently bought a ZT190+ (hence changed my user name from primera man!). I have had a couple of hiccups with it (one being an accident which put the car off the road for 7 weeks), but, overall, I am very pleased with it (touch wood).
It's extremely refined, feels very well built, looks fantastic and is very quick - although I think I actually drive it more slowly than the Primera because it's so great to waft along in. OK, it only does 28 mpg and will be penalised under the VED changes, but I still love it. Oh, and for what you get, they are very cheap. The ride is very good on smooth roads, but a little fidgety on poorer surfaces - only to be expected with a sporty car.
I did worry about parts supply, but all I can say is that all the parts I needed after the accident were readily available.
Before buying my car, I did consider the more sensible option of going for a ZT diesel. I test drove one, but really didn't like it. The car was very nose-heavy, the brakes seemed to struggle with the weight and it just felt like an old-fashioned noisy diesel. TBH, I felt the diesel engine just didn't suit the sporty nature of the ZT. It may be that the car I tried was unrepresentative, because the diesel owners on the R75/MG ZT forum all seem to rave about their cars.
But personally, I wouldn't go for a diesel ZT. I'd recommend the ZT190+ I have. They'll be even cheaper now with the VED changes. My annual mileage is ~14k, and I reckon it will cost me another £600 per year in fuel over the Primera, which to me is a price I'm prepared to pay. But a 190 would probably not be a good idea with an annual mileage of 20k. Of course, you might be able to consider a 190 if you don't go for the job you're considering and your annual mileage is less.
If you have any other queries on the ZT, let me know.
Help! My Nova 1.2 has started exhibiting an odd fault - I'm pretty sure it's the carb as the distributor was recently replaced and there's no tell tale rev counter flicking etc.
Basically, about half the time, the car's idle goes up to about 1000rpm from the usual 800 ish. When this happens and you're driving along, there's a big reduction in performance and the car struggles to accelerate, usually in a jerky fashion. Then, when you're up to say 60-70, and take your foot off the throttle and put it back on, there's a big flat spotty sort of jerk rather than smooth take-up. Sometimes going up a hill it's difficult to keep the car going at even 60mph.
Fuel economy is unaffected, it's still 45-ish to the gallon regardless. The problem comes and goes. Usually it lasts for a couple of hundred miles before going again. I wonder if it's a bit of dirt floating about inside the carb or maybe that pump diaphragm, though that usually affects the fuel consumption as well. Any ideas of what I should be looking for when I strip down the carb?
Cheers
Steve Read more
If I remember correctly (it's over 15 years ago since I last had one of these apart!), it's difficult to imagine a more easy job than to strip and clean one of these carbs.
You're looking for any signs of dirt at all. Take plenty of time to blow through all the jets and passages with an aerosol carb cleaner - preferably one that has a plastic tube on the valve that allows you to direct the jet of fuild into the jet or passage.
If you do find lots of dirt, then,
a) fit an inline filter in the fuel line to make sure that no more bits get into the carb
b) find the problem - it's either the tank or filler pipe rotting, or the rubber fuel pipes rotting from the inside out.
Hi,
Does anybody know what has happened to the "Edition" models of BMW 1, 3 and 5 series that were mentioned on this website and elsewhere recently?
On the 3 series it offered metallic paint, bigger wheels, and leather for £750, and looked very good value.
They appeared on the BMW car configurator at the beginning of March, but they have now gone, along with any mention of "Edition" from the BMW website.
Surely they didn't sell so many cars in two weeks that they withdrew the offer?
Martin Read more
Speak to a Dealer, I ordered one of these last wee, coming end of April
Hi,
My astra is sitting about 2 inches lower on the drivers side at the back.. I have just had the rear springs changed as it went through its MOT. I got the car from my uncle for nothing as it has been sat in his garage for 3 years.. everything went ok on the MOT (except the springs change).
It was sitting unevenly before any work was done...
Any help appreciated... I am rather new to fixing cars but can do most things and have plenty tools.
Can you confirm the year ? - shown as 1994 in the original subject line Read more
The Astra F was updated in 94. The revised versions have the chrome v grille. These later cars were fitted with gas shock absorbers instead of the hydraulic ones fitted to the earlier models. Strictly speaking the ride height should be determined only by the springs but when I fitted gas shocks to the rear of my old cavalier to replace the original hydraulic items I noticed that the ride height was raised slightly. Has the car ever had replacement shocks fitted? Is it possible that only one side was done and the wrong type fitted given that the car is right on the change? With regard to the springs some aftermarket suppliers do a standard and a heavy duty rear spring for these cars. The HD versions definitely do raise the ride height. Is it possible that one side has been fitted with an HD spring by mistake?
Hope this helps
Yesterday in the carpark of one of the Homebase's in Bournemouth. Spotted it from miles away because of its distinctive C-pillars / rear quarterlights.
Big (seemed very big!), swoopy, different and the pale leather interior looked very cossetting. Central dash had too many buttons on it though and reminded me of a 407.
Glad to finally see one and glad something so different exists. Read more
Just had a test in one, and I came away much more impressed than I thought I would. Now I'm used to a V6 Merc diesel which is pretty smooth, but this thing was on another level altogether - I assume it's the acoustic glass that helps. The word 'Smooth' doesn't do justice to the car. It's so quiet you think it's hardly moving - until you check the speedo.
The heads-up display is superb for the speedo, and should be compulsory on all cars!
It didn't feel as big as I feared to pilot down the road, but the steering would take a lot of getting used to - the dealer says he will lend me one overnight to see if that will help.
I can almost do a straight swap for an 06 Executive with all the toys and low miles for my year older Merc with higher miles - very tempting!!
I have noticed many people driving with a little yapper sitting on their lap,(most seem to be elderly retired hat wearing folk) and the dogs paws on the steering wheel, where do these people leave their brain cell.
Is this a common occurance or just around Surrey and London
I had an encounter, with a lorry driver, who couldn't see his wing mirrors because of said dog, whilst driving on the north circular, and he therefore couldn't see my indicators - he did however see what I thought of him !!
I hope when they cause an accident- they are banned for LIFE, but will probably get away with 3 pts and a 30 fine Read more
Many years ago, when moving house, my dad was driving down to Devon from Manchester with the cat in a box in the back of the car. Shortly into the journey, the cat escaped from the box and climbed onto his shoulder. She spent the next 4 hours sitting there, gazing out of the window at passing cars...
He said he got some funny looks from other drivers!
Evening all.
Can anyone please advise if any other Suzuki models use the same size steel wheel as the 2005 WagonR?
This is the wheel that comes as standard on the WagonR having the 165/65x14 tyres.
Thank you Read more
Thank you CBG. This is the info I have been looking for.
Much appreciated.
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Interesting that you say that this has changed over the last two MOTs; [admittedly from an extremely low base] did you fill up at a JET or Total garage last February?