April 2008
Having travelled in a few Skoda Octavia taxis recently, something strange struck me: the rear seat (the base,cushion, squab, whatever it's called) seems unusually short. With my legs stretched out, barely 2/3 of my upper leg was actually sitting on the rear seat, and I was beginning to find it uncomfortable.
Is it a cunning way of fooling us that there is more legroom than there really is and hiding the car's Golf origins?
Do Czechs have unusually short legs? (Thinking back to Italian cars of the 1980s which forced most "northern" European drivers to sit at the wheel legs akimbo)
Or - is it just my imagination? Read more
Interested in buying a peugeot 206. Like the 2005 1.4 SE 5door hatchback. Would like climate control... is it ok? The one Ihave looked, the climate control seems to be very noisy.
Also welcome feedback re what goes wrong with this model, only ever owned a VW Polo. Any advice ? Thanks Zorro Read more
It is proper digital climate control, it has a digital display with the temperature on, and you press buttons up and down to adjust it. There is none of that analogue circular knob stuff.
I think his gf also has it on her 1.4 53 plate GLX but not sure. Hers is the multi plexed one but has been reliable, but then she has only done 5000 miles in it in the past 3 years!
Higher costs for drivers caught on phone
James Coney, Daily Mail 9 April 2008
Drivers convicted of using their mobile phone while at the wheel will see their insurance premiums hiked by a third.
Allianz Insurance has become the first company to upgrade the seriousness of this, so it is now treated the same as a careless driving offence.
Previously insurers had only dealt with this conviction as if it was a routine speeding conviction, which incurred three penalty points.
And many insurers could follow in the footsteps of Allianz, as they are forced to help the Government and police clamp down.
It has been illegal to use a mobile phone while driving since December 2003. But this hardly stopped the number of drivers prepared to break the law.
New legislation to increase the penalty for using a handheld mobile phone while driving came in to force in February. The original £30 fine was increased to £60 and drivers now get three points on their licence.
Allianz Insurance admitted it was a difficult decision to make but felt it was a responsible move to discourage dangerous driving.
Neil Walker, motor manager for Allianz, says: 'By increasing the premiums for drivers with mobile phone convictions we are reinforcing the fact that this is a dangerous and needless act.
'If you are convicted of using a mobile phone while driving not only do you face a fine and points on your licence, you will also suffer the added financial burden of increased car insurance.' An experiment by the Transport Research Laboratory found that drivers who used a mobile phone while at the wheel had less control over their speed and longer response times.
And while drunk drivers obviously drove worse than those under normal circumstances, they were better than those who used a mobile phone. The drivers in the experiment also reported that it was easier to drive drunk than to drive while using a mobile.
While using a hands-free mobile phone should make you exempt from the legislation, you can still be prosecuted if the police do not believe you have proper control of your vehicle.
According to the AA, the average motor insurance policy is £629. This means those convicted of driving while using a mobile phone face a hike in their premiums by a whopping £208 a year.
They could also find it harder to switch to a new insurer because the price of their quote might suddenly become more expensive.
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I agree with this.
People using mobile phones whilst driving are a danger to other road users - simple.
"met a lot of very clever people with no common whatsoever."
So have I GB ;)
I think Sat Nav adventures are good press really. Something to focus on when reporters can`t be sent out into the community to ( breathlessly) report snow `particles` are falling.
Regards ;)
hi ive been experiencing a rattle noise from the front of my car at speeds over 60mph, ive found the problem ,its the plastic guard within the wheel arch it vibrates at high speed and is very intrusive on such a quiet car . Has anybody else had this problem and what have you done to fix it.
Iam thinking of removing the plastic surround and sticking some rubber sticky stuff ( draft excluder ) to the underside to stop or damp the vibrating noise and then replacing the surround what do you think Read more
Just had the same on my 08 Focus, the wheel arch lining moves around at the bottom and vibrates and knocks against the body causing very annoying rattles etc at various speeds. Problem fixed by glueing a small piece of rubber about 2 inches long and 1/4 inch wide in between the lining and body, it did seem worse on the near side however did both. Strange that for about 2p a car a couple of clips would stop this occuring.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!...
I am looking at some point in the future to buy a replacement for my R reg Megane 1.6 classic saloon. I have had this car for four years, nearly five and apart from the usual noises and minor problems with the electrics - keep having to reposition the bulbs in the back light clusters - I have been happy with the car. It is comfortable and relaxing to drive and runs well along smooth roads; less so in stop-start mode. I have looked at the Hyundai i30, which I know HJ has sung its praises, and it looks very well made; and everywhere has received good reviews. However, I occasionally see the new Megane Saloon 2006 onwards and have to say there is somehting about it that looks attactive. I know that the Hyundai is probably the better car, and also looks good, with a better engine (?) and probably better built and more reliable. But, I am left wondering whether it will be as smooth and comfortable to drive. The interior of the Renault looks better as well. I have not driven either and won't do until I have the money to buy, but how would 'you' base your decision in a similar situation? Heart maybe for the Renault ,or more with the head and the Hyundai i30. Read more
OldskoOL. Wise words. I have just finished posting a message on Mazda 3 saloon v Renault Megane Saloon both post facelift. Reading what everyone has written has made me realize that I am drawn more to saloon than to hatchbacks. As I wrote in my posting, this makes me conservative, liking a bit of luxury and holding onto cars longer; so be it. It also tells me that at least I know where I am going.
Any help please.Fitted a secondhand compressor to air con as original had a gas leak and getting parts to repair down here in Spain is a virtual no go area.Anyway,works fine,better than before apart from a terrible rattle from the clutch when first switched on.Two or four attempts later the noise stops and I can use it all day without probs.The noise is the clutch connecting and releasing at an alarming rate which improves each time you switch off and on again.Had the pressure checked and that is correct and the power supply is not fluctuating?Changed the clutch with the original which was perfect but exactly the same result.My last bit of hair is about to dissapear so any advice would be very much appreciated.
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While I'm on here,and in fear of taking the pee.Anyone got any ideas on a faint knocking from under the car.Seems to be from the corners,front,back and often not at all.Is it just my Focus being difficult cos I cant find anything with the slightest play or signs of wear in it.It's just passed it's ITV/MOT and even telling the examiner did'nt help.He could'nt find anything either.
hi, problem with judder at low revs especially when lifting foot off accelerator.Have done the usual ie,cleaned all breather pipes from rocker cover & crankcase,changed rocker cover gasket due to excess oil covering spark plugs & fitted new ht leads & plugs.No engine light coming on & drives really well at high speeds .Had the car 3 years now & it has 140k on it,fitted new idler control valve last year when experiencing erratic idling.Maybe its getting past its sell by date but its a workhorse any ideas would be greatly appreciated many thanks
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hi thanks for that will get it checked out
Hi,
I've currently got NGK glowplugs but they don't seem to last very well. Does anyone know if Bosch do suitable glowplugs for my 306 and if so what the part number is? I have had a look on their website but can't find actual part numbers...
Many thanks. Read more
I've got a set of Bosch plugs in my 306TD - all's well so far!
If so, what's the reality of the parking situation? Read more
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008...l
In summary, there is NO legal enforcement in place and will not be until October at the earliest. The legal expenses and the wages and costs of those contracted to provide enforcement but legally unable to do so will total £500,000. I forecast a senior honcho down there retiring with a vast index linked pension "To explore other business interests!"
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I found my old Austin Maxi had the most comfortable drivers seat ever. You'd never think so from first impression, it felt like you were sitting on top of it, but it was the only car I could get out of after hundreds of miles without feeling crippled.
Nowadays I feel crippled getting out of any car, but I presume that's down to me.
I also found the old ex-BT HA Viva vans (remember the bright yellow ones?) remarkably comfortable. It looked like it had about a quarter of an inch of padding on a solid plastic base. Is it me?