May 2008
Hi
Need to swop cars, and for many reasons one of these on company hire scheme seems the most apt for my needs. I am not a FIAT fan, but as I will be giving it back in 3 years, I can cope with most problems, but just wondered if anyone out there can give feedback on mileage and reliability.
I have read HJ's guide
Thank you
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Guys, are any of these models any use as my new job involves occasional long Mway trips but I quite fancy one of these as an affordable newish alternative to an older Japanese model
thanks! Read more
just an update on the panda 100mpg figures. 150 mile round trip to the wirral this morning, mix of A and motorway, couple of spurts up to 90 mph on M6 to clear trucks etc. mostly stuck between 60-70 and trip on return showing 44.9 mpg. it,s definitely improving as the engine loosens up.
We are all conversant with the Mercedes Benz A.B.C. and E. types, even the M and R.
Whatever is or was the 'D' ?. Read more
Didn't 'E' stand for fuel injection or at least injection as in einspritzung?
Think it did once, didn't the W124 200 have carbs and the 200E have injection?
Neglect that owners *seem to get away with*
brake fluid and antifreeze changes?
I used to speak to some people with older cars out of main dealer servicing who just used to shrug or look blank when I mentioned it.
The difficult thing is proving its required, beyond concerns of `boiling brakes and total failure` that we all know about.
I mean why hasn`t a friends 13 yrs old Golf seized its ABS unit since its never had a fluid change, the ABS unit is covered in rust and crud and the fluid dark brown. It doesnt go down brake boiling hills, but why does the ABS unit work like new?
Similarly who actually bothers to change modern antifreeze in older cars, lots of these would seem to be lucky if they were even maintained at a 50% solution of the correct spec.
What else it at the top of the neglect tree while *seeming* to escape unscathed.
Unlike for example the opposite, such as engine oil and filters.
Regards
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I dont think checking the colour of the fluid in the reservoir is any kind of indication. The mucky stuff is down in the pipes.
For reasons too boring to go into I am forced to drive a Corsa C all weekend.
It is the Comfort model, but it is proving rather uncomfortable at the mo, cos I can't work out how to change the position of the steering wheel. Is it possible to adjust the wheel rake on this model? Grateful thanks if someone can tell me how. Read more
SQ
You will lose most of the value of your car if you go ahead with
this because cars are very difficult to sell unless they have 255/35 19" rims with
nobs on.
If he sticks the 15's back on when time comes to sell it'll be fine
THis one's a brain teaser:
I have a 2001 C5 2.2 HDi. A simple pulley failure caused the alternator drive belt to come off. The car drove 50yards without the alternator charging then stopped it has never re-started!
Citroen main Dealer has fitted a new battery, high pressure fuel pump, camshaft sensor, water pump and cam belt. £1400 later still no start. Any ideas? Read more
I don't know about any ideas - but this dealer certainly hasn't anyone with any!! Don't pay for incompetent guesswork.
Which pulley failed; the alternator over-run clutch or the rubber-bonded crank pulley?
Given the items replaced; has anyone actually checked for bent valves? What's the rail pressure when cranking? What codes were present?
I washed and polished the car today after half an hours thunderstorm, the part of the car parked under a tree looks like it was never cleaned. It's almost like the sap from the tree has striped off the polish I put on.
I used Autoglym Super Resin topped off with a couple of coats of Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection.
What would you recomment to seal the car from tree sap ? Read more
valmiki if you can post a tin of Collinite to Germany for a tenner I'll
have it :)
aaahhh errrrr never knew you were in Euroland!
Best have a look around, you'll probably be able to pick up a tin over there a lot cheaper than what they are over here ;-)
I'd like to add to the Collinite love-in - lasts a long time! I just don't have the time anymore - helllloooo Wash & Wax
Don't get me wrong, I like to read Mike's articles in the Daily Telegraph and Auto Express but he seems so low and depressed about modern motoring that I think we should do something to lift his mood a bit.
Even his picture in Auto Express looks like that of a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
I don't know in which part of the country he lives but could we not throw a surprise party for him where we pick him up in a nice Lambo and take him for a few drinks with some nice ladies, maybe well out in the country where he can enjoy a bit of traffic-free motoring (before the drinks, obviously).
It just seems so sad that a well-meaning lad has reached such a nadir in his life.
If we don't do something soon, I can see him spending the rest of his life on a bicycle or, even worse, a scooter.
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Thanks dc. Never really noticed him though. I quite like Andrew English and James May, and always look at what John Whitmore has to say (although I don't always entirely approve), but the best thing in it usually is our own leader's column...
My bid for OBN celebrity...
Please advise on how to replace No 6 spark plug( next to firewall) on my Nissan Xterra.
Is there a special tool ? Thank you for your time and any suggestions.
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can any body help my wifes 216 has a starting problem when i turn the key it turns over fires then cuts out and if you keep trying it it will do the same i was towing it home the other night and i decided to try bumping it and it started and run fine parked it up tryed it the next morning and the same will not start again when i tryed to start the car you can hear the fuel pump buzz for a little wile thanks dave Read more
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Or possibly 1 warranty that lasts 5 years ;-)
Peter