August 2008
For my next company car I'm looking at either A6 or 5 series. Does anyone know when new versions of both cars are expected, to give me an idea for how long I will have the 'current' model?
Cheers Read more
I had new front discs and pads fitted to my Ford Focus last November at a main Ford dealer in Devon. However during the MOT in July it was found that the front discs were distorted so the car failed.
As I had 12 months guarantee on the brakes fitted last November I went back to them and said they shouldn't have gone after only 4000 miles. They measured the discs and agreed they were distorted and that was what had caused the brake judder through the steering wheel. They only replaced the discs this time. Now when I drive the car either first thing in the day or initally after it has sat for a while and apply the brakes, I notice some squeaking from the brakes which seems to disappear once I have driven a mile or so.
Do you think this is normal and if not should I go back to the garage again ??
Thanks
ps Do you think the calipers need attention Read more
>>surely if the pads are at fault
You can't say anything so definite about brake squeal. The presence of brake squeal does not necessarily mean that the brake has a problem. A squealing brake is no less efficient than a quiet one.
There has been research into the problem of disc brake squeal dating back to soon after the introduction of disc brakes. The problem is so difficult that there isn't a production line cure which works for all cars. For some cars, the application of copperslip grease to the pad backing contact points will cure the noise, for others, chamfering the leading edge of the pad material helps - in some cases, simply taking the brake apart, and putting it back together, doing nothing! cures the squeal. Th research is still ongoing, and there is no catch all answer (a similar, related problem is clutch judder)
By all means, ask you garage to check that the brake is OK, i.e., there is plenty of material left on the pads, that nothing is sticking, and that all fasteners are good and tight, but, if the brake is fundamentally OK, I wouldn't get too wound up by it.
Does anyone know how to replace a headlamp bulb for a Mazda 6? Read more
After the obvious RTFM (not done on my Mazda6 for a bulb change) then the dealer might be happy to help. Previous marques dealer's have obliged and Mazda seem keen on service....
e.g. book car in for first 12500 mil service and text immediately to remind follwed by a phone call the day before. Then a call after from the dealer to see if all okay. Followed by a call from central person to see if all okay. Followed by a customer satisfaction questionnaire for the service.
I have a problem with the indicators on my partners 2.5 v6 vectra.
The indicators intermitentally come on with the keys out of the ignition. stayin on constantly, not flashing. This problem seems to be worse in hotter weather.
I have to pull out BOTH flasher relays to get the indicators to go out. However, the green warning light on the dashboard still stays on.
Sometimes tapping the end of the dash beside the fusebox turns the warning light out.
Please help, this is driving me potty
Dave
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I had similar problems with a previous car.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=41513&...f
Hope this helps.
Hi folks.
I used the A50 from Stoke to the M1 today and as I passed the A38 Junction near the Toyota factory I was certain I noticed signs for services with the entrance fed off the roundabout for the A50/A38 junction. I've checked several mapping and aerial picture sites as well as carrying out a bit of Googling and cannot find any reference to services there. Can anyone confirm these services exist and, if so, are they open?
Cheers Andy Read more
There is also a garden centre just off the A38 (about 200 yards off the roundabout) on the way into Findern about a mile north of the A38/A50 junction with a decent cafe as well. Access to A38 north and south - would go there in preference to the services anyday.
Quite busy Sunday lunchtimes.
Last time I was past the services were not quite open
www.extraservices.co.uk/location_derby.html
My Clutch is slipping on my 1.9dci engine in my 04 reg Scenic. It only slips when driving at speed, e.g. in 4-6th gear, put my foot down to accelerate and it slips. This only happens when the engine has been running for a few miles and is warm, not when cold. It has done 99,000, it had a new clutch fitted at 62,000. Wonder if it is clutch plate, but surely a clutch should last longer than this?
Any suggestions?
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You are going to have to strip it down to find the fault may I suggest you fit all the parts including the master cylinder assembly normally the 1.9dci clutch is one of the better parts of Renault see plenty of Lagunas with starship mileage on the original clutch.
We have all seen the "Earn up to 30000 per year" adverts on TV and in the papers.
I was doing some rough sums and came to the conclusion you would have to work 60 hours a week to earn that, taking into account fuel, car maintenance, franchise cost etc.
Bear in mind a 10 hour day as an instructor would only allow time for perhaps 8 lessons max when taking into account travelling time between pupils, lunch break etc.
Any DI's on here like to comment? Read more
You can turnover £30,000 a year with a 'normal' 40 hour week - 30 hours or so lessons per week plus getting to appointments, organising diary etc at £20 an hour.
If you want to earn £30,000 a year (especially down the franchise route where they get a few hundred quid a month off you) teaching hours need to double - very hard work.
My dad has had periods a few years ago of doing 50-60 lessons a week and 12 hour days (especially in summer) were not unusual, he's down to about 30 a week now as he approaches retirement.
He has done alright, but the family mortgage was paid off soon after he started (only £16 a month mind!) nearly 25 years ago, I left to go to Uni just after he started and received a grant so family didn't need to support me and my sister was into full employment at 18, so outgoings were modest.
With a mortgage and family to support there are better ways to earn a wage.
G'Day People...
I've had a C6 from new (now 18 months old). From 3 months of age it's developed an intermittent display fault... all displays turning off completely for indeterminate periods of time, or HUD glowing bright blue and then scrolling off the side of the screen. It has also switched off the ignition whilst in the fast lane of the motorway, resulting in no power to any systems. Has anyone else had a similar issue as my dealer is at a loose end? Read more
If it's anything like a 607; I'd start with changing the underbonnet fuse box.
Greetings All. Slight concern over increasingly sloppy engagement of first gear from standstill, sometimes it feels as if it's not going to go in. The condition is now spreading to second on the move and I'm wondering if this is wear (121000) or gearbox oil problems. Any advice would be welcome.
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Thanks Shadyarea, that could be good news.
Evening all. Looking for some guidance on the trade-in value of a 2005 Citroen Dispatch. It's the 1.9D 815kg Enterprise in Arctic Grey. 23,500 miles with part service history and not in bad nick. I've got two valuations off the net already but I can't get one from the Glass's website as they don't appear to do vans online. Any help much appreciated. Read more
The trade-in value will depend on what you're trading it for. Don't get hung-up on sticker prices and book trade-ins - the only figure that matters is the swap price.
Browse
Hi Jusef,
The BM is (depending on the size of engine you are after) the cheaper car to run and is absolutely stuffed with standard equipment.
It seems that the closer to a car's replacement you get, the standard spec of the out going car improves.
As you are to run it as a company car it is worth looking at the current 5 series. On the 520d the co2 emmisions are at just 140g. This means company car tax, even with it's high list price, very very low. If you are paying 40% tax it works out almost £100 a month cheaper in company car tax to you personally to run than the 2.0d Audi. The Audi engine is low power and unrefined whereas the BMW engine is nearly 180hp (about the same as the 2.7TD engine you can also get in the Audi) and as sweet and quiet as can be.
Your employer should be pleased with the claimed 53 mpg too from the BMW.
I bought a 520d SE Touring recently and had thought about waiting for the new BM. What changed my mind was that the standard equipment on the 2.0d SE would probably be less than on the current car, the list price would probably be higher and discounts hard to find for a year or two. Also whilst waiting two years I would have paid the Chancellor a few thousand pounds in personal company car tax on my previous car that was less efficient.
Depending on the broker / dealer you should get circa 10% off list at the moment and there is a cheap upgrade for a 6CD changer and Sat Nav for £350 (should be over £1,600). It seemed a no-brainer to me and I am delighted with the car. 8,000 miles in, averaging nearly 47mpg (not any long trips recently to get this up yet - lots of nasty slow traffic commuting), supreme comfort and a great involving drive when you want it.