April 2008
Hi,
Was it (and is it still) an offense to have an empty washer bottle?
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Well, I didn't buy the A3 Quattro (see separate post) because a) I wanted to treat myself to something with more executive toys than it had as well as nice performance, and b) cos I found that car that is the subject of this post.
Basically I am smitten with it, with one or two provisos.
It is a Merc CLK 320, it is the new shape (pillarless doors) but an early one, on a 52 plate.
It has black leather, electric seats with memories that also memories powered steering wheel position, and mirrors - this is really important since Mrs G and I will be sharing it, and it has all the usual toys over and above that.
It is in lovely nic, in fact the interior especially does not show it's age however..
1. it has 93,000 miles on it, but seems to have a full service history, is the mileage anything to put me off (I would only do 9K miles a year). A friend of mine who chauffeurs in E Classes reckons they are good for 150K miles without too many issues.
2. the suspension knocks badly when you drive over a speedbump. To be fair, the dealer (not a merc, but an independant specialising in mercs, BMWs and Porches, had only received the car the day I saw it (in part ex), told me before the test drive, and told me the front bushes and roll bar would be seen to. Without asking, he also told me that he would give a 6 month warranty on the vehicle and have it MOTs desipte the fact it has 6 months MOT still on it.
Bearing in mind the high spec (it really has everything on it), and that apart from the suspension (which apparently will be sorted) it is in LOVELY condition, I think I will buy it, but would firstly appreciate comment from merc owners on the above issues,.... also I am considering paying for an independant inspection to further put my mind at rest, would any forum reader like to recommend a vehicle inspection company?
BTW, history wise, the same dealer sold it to is last two owners, and judging by what else I saw in the showroom take a lot of pride in how they prepare vehicles for re-sale, every one was a drool making car of some description!
Guy Read more
heres a question for the forum about the CLK
I have the model with electric memory seats. The seat electrics are all good, the memory store/recalls all work. In the System Menu I have enabled the feature whereby the key used is meant to automatically recall a seat position, but it doesn't appear to work.
The manual is not very helpful, it merely tells you how to turn the feature on, but not how to actually assign a key to a seat memory.
P92 of manual tells you how to make/recall seat memory positions, as I said this works fine.
P134 tells me how to turn on the key dependence feature.
I have two keys, I use seat memory 1, mrs G uses 2. But basically the feature doesn't seem to work. Any ideas?
Is the seat meant to move to the desired preset as the car is unlocked? or only after the engine is started (it doesn't appear to do either).
How do you select which key recalls which (of the 3) memory positions.
Help would be appreciated
Hi from a newbie. Been lurking for a while now.
I'm looking to change my vehicle later in the year, and for a variety of reasons a slightly-used current model Nissan Navara (D40) appeals to me. However there seem to be some "issues" with this truck, highlighted on other websites (eg What Car? owners reviews), namely:
1. Reliability - there are an awful lot of reports of low-mileage clutch failures (I'd be buying an auto anyway), and problems with the rear axle. Also, previous-model Navaras seem to have had a habit of throwing conrods out of the engine, and I've seen at least one report of a similar event with the D40.
2. Poor customer service - a common theme when owners have had problems with Nissans is indifferent customer service from both the dealer and Nissan UK. This doesn't seem confined to just the Navara - many Xtrail owners and smatterings of others, (eg 350Z, Micra) have posted similar complaints. These include problems contacting Nissan UK (excessive waiting for phone to be answered), getting Nissan to admit liability for faults under warranty, delays in authorising warranty work and delays in obtaining parts (weeks in most cases).
I'd always thought of Nissan as a bombproof bet as regards reliability and this has come as a bit of an eye-opener. I am having severe doubts as to the wisdom of buying a Navara, and I wondered what backroomers felt about this? Read more
Hello Twitcherman and welcome.
We were thinking along your lines last year, but after much research and a disappointing test drive in a pathfinder (which we also considered) virtually same vehicle, which went into limp mode on the test drive. SWMBO didn't like or trust it and i know who's in charge.
We bought a rival vehicle, but i daresay there are as many good navara's running round as any other.
I think you've already found the major problems with them though, so as there are alternatives it may be worth making enquiries at other suppliers.
It sounds to me like your already dismissing the nissan anyway.
Ok so the deal with my car
IT's a 1.8T 1998.5 AEB motor quattro
PLS help
Had a misfire the other month cel came on. Show misfire and then drove like crap for a day got it VAG'd and found a ignition control module was done. **note, car ran fine before this. BOOST level was at 12+ psi and levelled out at about 10 psi. NOW after we replaced that (same part number) new module the car does not go into boost past 4psi. It starts to bog out and misfire past 4 psi or more than70% on the accelerator pedal.
So if showed some cel lights for misfire also had a throttle body not operating properly so swapped out the throttle body with a new one and resolved the 17953-p1545 Throttle Valve Controller: Malfunction
During all this in Neutral the car can rev no problem, no misfires. This problem only in drive or underload
I thought that since it only acted up while driving regular. And the engine seemed to not be breathing well so decided to try changing out the Catalytic Converter to high flow one.
STILL SAME PROBLEM
If i keep my foot floor to the ground and let the car bog out and misifire car it will shoot out a cel. This is only if i try to floor the pedal and hold it. otherwise daily driving and no boost the car drives perfect but not power:( Like driving a 1.8 that wishes it could hahaa
ONLY codes now are
>>Cyl.3 Misfire Detected
>>Cyl.2 Misfire Detected
>>also have 18014-P1606 Rough Road Spec Engine Torque ABS-ECU Electrical Malfunction
NOW my question is could Rough Road Spec Engine Torque ABS-ECU Electrical Malfunction make my car do this? I'm in this fix for a good $1200 now and really don't think it's the ABS unit that could make my car act this way.
A fresh diagnostic would be helpful Read more
Glad to hear that you got it sorted. It's very easy to take a wrong turn and head off into headache territory.
Dr Michael R. Smith, Chief Executive of Energyfiles, the oil and gas forecasting company states:
"By 2012 the world will have begun to enter a new, permanent energy capacity-constrained environment waiting on real large-scale alternatives to oil in the transport sector. After 2012 the oil price will begin to move rapidly upwards, past $200, $300 and even $400 per barrel, hardly affected by declines in demand which will be unable to keep pace with declines in output. Demand will be forced down in many uncomfortable ways."
www.energyfiles.com/oilprice.html
Buy a big car at your peril!
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MrTee>>You cannot say that to release that energy, we have to expend an equal amount of energy.
I don't. I only say that in order to store that much energy, you have to put that much energy in.
Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is a way of storing energy. Burning it is a way of releasing the energy again.
When you carry water up a hill, you are storing energy; when you bring the water down the hill, you release energy (think Dinorwig Pump Storage Scheme - PU will give you a tour this afternoon if you wish as he is in the area). In order to release that energy you ALSO have to put bacon sandwiches into the operator, and burn candles so that he can see; that energy is much smaller than either the energy stored or released. The energy stored, however, equals energy released.
Hello and hope you can help
I have just been ripped off by being sold a 2001 Zafira diesel which had unkown cold starting problems (private so nothing I can do).
It has been into my garage today to have some new spill off pipes fitted but still having problems. They put a vacuum test on it which showed a drop in pressure so they said I need a new fuel pump? It is showing code P1220 on test.
It has already had a one way valve fitted in the fuel pipe so obviously the problem was known to the previous owner.
Are there any other suggestions I could try before changing the fuel pump (a cost I cant really afford)?
If it is the fuel pump - why does it start all day with no problems?
I am not technical (a natural blonde) so no jargon please - just info to pass onto a mate on a trial and error basis.
Thanks
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Thanks I will - I will let you know how it goes
If a manufacturer recommends that a model is run on 98 octane petrol, will it be damaged by running on 95 octane or will there merely be a reduction in performance and/or economy? Read more
In reply to AlanGowdy I have a Smart Roadster and run it on 95 unleaded with no problems.
If you read the handbook it says that if 98 octane is not available in your country the car can be run on 95 without harm. If so performance will be reduced and fuel economy worse.
No doubt the ECU recognises pinking (knock) and retards the ignition a tad.
On my 1925 Bullnose Morris,which preceded the Smart, you had to alter the advance/retard yourself with a lever on the steering column-the Smart thinks it out for you!
In view of the increased price of 98 I don't think it is worth it.
I still get more than 50mpg in a very hilly area, and the performance is still enough to frighten me!!
When I had my car serviced at a well-reputed Smart specialist he said he used 95 in his own Roadie when he was doing a long commute to work,without problems, and he was happy with the performance.
These cars are such fun to drive that a second off the 0-60 time is hardly relevant.
Put in the cheapest 95 you can find and enjoy it-you are also only putting out 121gm CO2/km-one of the cleanest cars around.
Recently noticed a tinkling noise coming from the engine when stopped at a junction / lights etc... in my 2004 1.3 CDTi (48,000 miles)
Took the car into local garage and they said it was the Idler and belt.
Booked in and got these replaced, picked up car and all seemed fine. Next day and 50 odd miles later the noise came back.
Anyone come across this problem before and know what the fix is?
Any advice much appreciated. Read more
these suffer from fuel pipes vibrating on th bulk head but i would be hard pressed to call it tinkleing can you hear it from outside the car with the bonnet up ?
I know the question apparently may sound daft.
There are several organizations (including some motoring organisations and Conservative Party) are advocating for the limit to raise 80 mph at least, over many years. Many studies have also been in favour of revised higher limit.
So, what is the fundamental problem which prevents limit being raised?
If most people want something but it is still can't be implemented, it usually means there are fewer people who are against it - but they are actually far powerful than millions of ordinary citizens. So, govt. is more interested in their demand than rest of us.
For example, everyone is seemed to against immigration - but govt. is reluctant to impose any control on migrants. Simply because most powerful industrialists are in favour or immigration since it supplies them with cheap labour thus increasing their profit.
Similarly, there is "conspiracy theory" that Congestion Charge is actually welcomed by city millionaires - as it makes travelling through London streets much faster in their Rolls, Aston or Ferraris.
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I was reading a road test of a new Aston Martin and the road tester talked of cruising at 120 mph. on a trip up to Huddersfield. It was a DB4 and the year 1961. Most cars struggled to get to 70 mph then. Folk then would not believe that in 40 years beyond 70 mph would be illegal , that 35 would get you a ticket in a 30 zone and smoking inside would be a crime!
Progress eh ?
As some may know, ever since my Nissan 200SX landed me in a hedge on a wet slimey road, I have faffed around with trying to find something as exciting to drive, with 2 + 2 seating, luxury leather etc, but without the SX foibles. Preferably something 4WD.
Watching Fifth gear was interesting when they put a Escort Cosworth up against a Focus ST, the Escort won by a wide margin because according to the driver VBH it kept grip out of the corners. Well I have no intention of driving anything like VBH, but that just cemented for me the impression that 4WD is going to give me the security I need if in that postion again (coming out of a bend on to a slimey wet road).
Mind you, lesson learnt too about reading road conditions... anyway I digress.
I test drove an 04 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro yesterday. It drove beautifully, was in lovely lovely condition but has nearly 90K on the clock. However with full service history I don't think thats a problem.
It has beautiful 2 tone (black.blue) leather, and all other examples I can find in the usual sites have a cream leather which I wouldn't like. It has the upgraded Bose audio system too, but other than that I felt it lacked things a premium branded car ought to have these days... note the following:
1. crap interior lighting (my old Ford Scorpio had lighting in footwells, and puddle lights in the door, the A3 had nothing but a roof light front and back)
2. no audio remote controls on the steering wheel, my Scorpio, VW Bora, Ford Galaxy, Peugeot 406, even Fiat Marea had those (all driven over last 10 years).
3. No auto dimming rear view mirror - again my 1998 Scorpio had that, so did my VW Bora.
4. No heated windscreen (Scorpio and Galaxy again)
5. No Heated seats - Ford Galaxy and Scorpio both both those in 1998/1999
6. No electric memory seats (Ford Scorpio, Peugeot 406).
Now, heres the thing, I haven;t looked in detail at any Audi, BMW, or Merc before, but the dealer says that these premium German brands are usually badly equipped, however this is not the lead in 1.6 I am looking at, but the flagship 3.2 Quattro.
Given the above, I am being "picky", expecting too much? or have I hit on something not commented on much, certainly there's nothing in HJs review of the A3 (2003) which leads the reader to feel the car will short change him of luxuries.
Certainly in many of the cases above, once you have had these items, you kind of don;t want to loose them when choosing your next car, and a Ford Scorpio or Galaxy, a VW Bora and a Pug 406 are barely the last words in luxury.
Guy
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Thanks I guess I want best of both, the whole reason I looked at the vehicle is the performance of the 3.2 V6 combined with 4WD, it certainly drove impressively. But although all those things listed are non essential "nice to haves" in the case of most of them,they also help make you feel good in the car even before you turn the key, the turning the key puts the biggest smile on your face.
Sounds like SE trim would offer more, but the 3.2 Q is not available in SE Trim.
One thing the previous owner did "tick" was custom leather, the car in question has beautiful 2 tone black/blue leather whilst all other examples I can find have a rather horrid cream coloured leather.
What is the conventional wisdom about high mileage, this has done 87,000 in 4 years, but looks immaculate and nothing felt loose or baggy when I drove it. Reckon it has largley been o n the motorway - it is an ex lease car with full history.
Anything in the history I should look out for,
As for "you should buy a Scorpio"... I would love a Cosworth Scorpion but Ford stopped making them far to early, and never replaced it with anything similar, hoping to customers would buy Jaguar, X and S type I think are horrid, and the XJ just not my thing!
if you want luxury, performance, and 4WD, but don't want to go down the SUV route, then Audi seem to have it sewn up with the A3 and A4 series.
Guy
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A
I'd like to see the Python sketch that goes with that description :-)
JH