May 2008

lecky

Can anyone tell me where I can aquire/purchase a circuit diagram for a Kangoo van 05 reg Haynes don't appear to do one, Peter Russek Publications do one which is good on the mechanical but the print on the circuit diagrams is bad to read and there's no componant ID Read more

lecky

thank you for that info much appreciated

Happy Blue!

Through son #1 distracting me, I managed to rip a hole in the sidewall of the NSR tyre of the Outback. I know that I could do with at least one new tyre elsewhere on the car and I need to get the spare replaced urgently.

Buying four new tyres seems sensible, putting the spare I have just used back in the boot. But, I don't really like the Geolanders that come as standard as I never go off road and would prefer something comfortable like a Michelin, but don't know what to go for. Any ideas anyone?

Size is 215/55 R17V Read more

quizman

A femail friend had a blowout today and wanted a new Pirelli zero rosso tyre. One quote was £185, another was £115 both fully inclusive.

It just shows that you should always get a few quotes.

I have had Dunlop tyres on several cars in the past. Never again, I think you can do much better with Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Pirelli etc.

PR {P}

Wonder if anyone can help, we got hit by a large stone whilst driving in the GFs new Bravo. This cracked the windscreen. Phoned the insurance companies repairer, who ordered a new screen. 1 month later (dont ask!!) the windscreen turned up and was fitted today. On the way home the GF noticed windnoise from around the screen once up to motorway speeds (it was ok at lower speeds). She phoned the windscreen people who told her it may take time to settle in and to give it a week. Normally I wouldnt mind this but in 2 weeks were are travelling down to Italy in this car, so want it right. Does what they say sound plausible, has anyone else had this sort of thing happen? Thanks in advance. Read more

nick

Get a hosepipe on it and see. You don't want to find out in a thunderstorm miles from home.

samsun

I've just bought an Alfa Romeo 156 on a x reg its a 2lite t spark Selespeed. Its done 76000 miles and I've been told its had cambelt changed 500 miles ago. I paid 1250 pounds for it,granted there's a couple of prangs on body work to be sorted and no tax but ive looked on ebay and trader etc and there going for 2000 plus?. I've also told there not the most reliable car around and that the Selespeed are known for breakdowns atc.can any one put my mind at ease and tell me what they think of these cars and gearboxes and any known probs etc etc,thanks ray


Subject line made more readable and typos corrected Read more

samsun

the car starts first turn of the key,ticks over perfectly and pulls in every gear etc has it should,thers scratches to front and rear bumpers and dent in rear panel,all electrics work etc but starter motor makes a slight noise wen starting been told he had it checked out at recent service and its fine???? im just paranoid about all the negative hype about the gear box?

disco dave

does anybody know the code for a standard renault radio? Read more

mikev

You should be able to get the code off a Renault dealer - they keep them on a database

jjb1966

Does anyone know if it's necessary to change entire unit to convert from RHD focus to LHD focus or only part of the unit or is there an adjustment mechanism in built in the units. Car is 1997 Honda CR-V.

All contributions greatly appreciated as I need to re-register my UK reg car in Spain and don't want to spend any money unnecessarily. Read more

CRV Driver

I wonder if Grease Monkey could advise me on the same issue for my Honda CRV 03. I have also seen a set of lhd headlights advertised on ebay at the moment - wondered if you might look at them and tell me if they would be suitable for my CRV? Very grateful for help.

OAP

Advice required please.

As you can see from my handle, I am getting on a bit, so, at what age should I start wearing a hat when driving? :o) Read more

OAP

Many thanks for all the interesting replies and for some good advice. Without hesitation I award first prize to Helicopter. The only thing he didn't mention was that I ought to be driving a Honda Jazz but perhaps he knew from previous posts that I already do that.

I must confess that this started out as a tongue-in-cheek thread following a joke which MBH and I shared about the need to beware of drivers wearing hats (hence the smiley in the OP) not anticipating that it would arouse so much interest.

I have never been a hat person because a size 7.1/4 hat on a 5'6" body tends to look all hat but back in the 50s I had to wear something on my head when riding my Lambretta so a cloth cap was the answer. Imagine 21k miles with just a cloth cap for protection! Skid-lids were few and far between.

However, I must just tell you that recently I could not resist buying a trilby which caught my eye at John Lewis. There was a choice of two styles....one with pictures of Lambrettas all over it and the other, which I settled for, was appropriately called the Surf Board Trilby. I no longer scoot but I still surf.

Unfortunately, this headgear is not shown on nthe JL web-site so if you want to be seen in what the well-dressed scooterist or surfer is wearing this season, I recommend a visit to your nearest JL branch.

Thanks again....OAP.

TimR

Hi folks,

Anyone here ever changed the strut bearings on a 2001 Peugeot 307? Just wondering how straightforward it was.

Cheers,

Tim R

{Moves across to Tech Matters} Read more

Lud

Went to Frome for a birthday party on Saturday, starting late and taking more than three hours using A30, A303, bear right at Stonehenge and waddle about through Trowbridge and Devizes having forgotten to take the map. Somerset in May has much to recommend it, and so does that end of Wiltshire where we spent the night with wife's cousins in Corsham. Bats in the gloaming, West country phonemes rumbling quietly in the street, took me back a bit and very nice too. Of course gave the traffic cauldron of Bath, where I was raised during the war, a wide berth.

Came back early Sunday afternoon on M4, uncrowded, where the middle lane was often doing a relaxed 90. Reminded me of posters I have seen here who complain that they are stuck in the middle lane at 60 because of all the trucks on the nearside and all the mad Beemers in the outer lane. A twenty minute jam for a crash, which plod finished sweeping off the road just before we got to the front of the tailback. Motorways are much much quicker and much much nastier.

The garish yellow squares of oilseed rape on Salisbury Plain don't offend the eye, but the stench the stuff gives off at this time of year certainly offends my nose. I don't get hay fever but I imagine those who do will agree with me. Anyway Somerset apple blossom is in another class altogether. Read more

doctorchris

The title of this thread intrigues me.
Sounds so much like the title of a detective novel that I may steal it and write a book around it.
When it becomes a bestseller, Lud, I'll send you a few quid from my royalties.

Martin1981


I'm finally looking at calling it a day with my elderly 306 1.9TD, cambelt due for replacement and radiator is now leaking beyond the Radweld repair stage. The car is 14 years old and has a staggering 222k on the clock and as such the cost of getting these 2 items sorted is lilkely to be exceed the value of the car.

The cars I am considering, in order of preference are as follows:-

1. Peugeot 307 HDi (although I have heard they are not as good to drive as 306?)

2. Focus 1.8 TDi/ TDCi (good handling, latter engine is better?)

3, VW Golf TDi (poor handling compared with Focus/306?)

4. Fiesta 1.4 TDCi (excellent economy supposedly- although maybe a little underpowered?)

5. VW Polo TDi

Ideally, I am looking to spend £3-3.5k but am willing to go up to £4k as an absolute maximum. I have never driven any of the above cars, so I would like a bit of general advice/ feedback from any owners of the above in terms of reliability, performance, comfort, handling etc in order to assist me with my research and help me make an informed decision. I cover approximately 25k per year, so economy, comfort and to a slightly lesser extent performance are the main prioirities.

Any advice is welcomed.

Cheers

Martin Read more

djt100

Have a look at this thread here, I'm looking for exactly the same thing as well.

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=63...8

A coupl of things i've found whilst looking.
1, All the diesels are expensive and I'm not seeing a lot of value in spending £4k when i can get an older model with similar miles/service for £2k.
2, Cheap one sell in the blink of an eye even with 120k on them.

As for your choices,
I've had a 307 xsi petrol 2.0 and it's really heavy car so performance was rubbish and visibility is a nightmare.

SWMBO has a 1.4 polo 2002 model and it's not comfortable for long distance driving and very noisy, If it was better i'd use it and get her a new car rather than look for me. I'm guessing a diesel would be no better confort ot noise wise.