August 2008
I saw it moving in forwards into the space behind me, big and French - something for the weekend perhaps? as it slowly nudged into me.
Thought I was up a Paris back street for a moment, but no, wet old Yorkshire.
Had a little chat with the driver and ended up giving directions as to how much space existed front and back as it went back and forth trying to get in.
No harm done (unpainted plastic bumpers on the van) and not a buck teethed badge snob in an old 6 cylinder banger, but rather a charming Lady of my own age.
We smiled, chatted a little and I watched her limp off, first to the cash point, then the city post office, then being hugged by another younger female a little further on..
I was struck by the fragility of the human condition..the loneliness of sentience, despite friendships and the overarching brooding of impending eternity and non-existence.
Despite our 120 collective years, that would likely be our only interaction.
So what`s the point?
Well, two things really. Firstly all this took place under the scrutiny of the city camera`s and she had not put a 30min (max) ticket on her motor.
I watched front and back, for the appearance of the Stasi, that have now taken to wearing fleeces as a uniform in an attempt to blend in and creep up on you unnoticed.
(Its so bad that I get a ticket from the machine and hold it up to the camera even though I`m just waiting in the car for my wife for a few minutes.)
Anyway, my wife returned and off we went, but I would have put a ticket on her car under the wiper if said, Stasi foot patrol had arrived.
The other thought was, people are far more important than cars.
Regards Read more
It's been an ambition to own an Aston Martin for many years, but I'm only just at the "right age" for one. I've heard several people say the current V8 Vantage is a well sorted car and I suspect the market for a 1-2 year old model is dead given the current economic climate.
I know the thing is going to depreciate by the hundreds each month, but ownership is still cheaper than renting one a couple of days a month and I wonder just how flexible the dealers are going to be on price. Autotrader shows plenty clogging up the forecourts and I'm confident enough to go in and make a silly offer knowing there's always another, identical spec, just up the road.
Is this a completely barking idea? Any pointers or "things to look out for"?
Perhaps the more economical BR members could persuade me to just bank the money to weather the current financial storms, but I smell a buying opportunity that could soften the depreciation a little over say 2-3 years ownership.
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Sorry ,,, you are far too eager.
I'd wait till next febrauary.
By then most dealers will be absolutely desperate, the economy will be in recession, the weather is cold, no-one in their right minds buys a car in February,
hi guys my dads got a rover 416 sli L reg with what we beleive to be a handa engine , trouble is there is no spark at the plugs , weve tried different plugs leads cap still no spark , is it down to the coil if so what make of engine did rover put in these , also someone suggested that it could be the crankshaft sensor , but we`ve looked and looked and cannot find it , any ideas welcome thanks Read more
I have the same problem. Can anyone help? The relay for the fuel pump seems to be clicking OK, and I'm sure there is fuel as it smells of petrol. There is no spark. Have checked the voltage at the distibutor. The two pin connector has 12v at the black wire when ignition is switched on.
When the cap is off there is 12v to both connections on the top right of the coil.When the other connector is separated there is no voltage to any of the connectors until the ignition is switched on when the three central pins in a line (next to the single pin) show 0.4 volts. Can I do any more checks, or do I just take it as read that the whole module is US?
The link goes to an HJ story from earlier today.
tinyurl.com/5afhuy
If people are only now being threatened with jail, what was happening to them before given that they're putting people on the road who, presumably, aren't up to passing a driving test?
Blimey! The ones who can't drive and have passed the test for themselves are bad enough!
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I've recently replaced the faulty indicator stalk on my 2003 Partner Combi with a second hand one. Unfortunatley the remote central locking now doesn't work (although the key in the lock does) and I've worked out that the reciever for the remote must be in the indicator assembly.
Does anyone have any idea on how to reprogramme the central locking? Turning the ignition off and pressing the lock button hasn't worked.
Thanks
Ian Read more
I went with a farmer friend of mine to have 4 BF Goodrich tyres fitted to his Landrover Defender.
I noticed that the rear offside brake pad had no lining at all, was scoring the disc and was seized up.
This Landrover passed it's MOT only 3 weeks ago.
How can this happen? Read more
The brake discs were very rusty on the inside, I don't think the mechanic looked.
The MOT test station did not check the brakes, because the Defender is 4 wheel drive, it is difficult to do. You can't put them on the usual rollers.
My Defender was MOT'd at a different garage, they did not do a proper brake check either. The mechanic reversed it and said that they seemed OK!
My friend's Defender has had new rear brakes put on today at the same garage which passed it before.
When farmers take animals to market, the wheels are sprayed with disinfectant, which is acid, so this might cause brakes to seize. My friend's offside rear brake was very seized.
No-one wants their vehicle to fail an MOT, but if the brakes are seriously faulty they should fail.
The speedometer and Tachometer lights on my Clio have sudenly stopped working. Petrol, temp and warning lights still working. No dimmer switch on my version.
Any ideas?
sniknej Read more
One for DVD?
Can anyone tell me which Act includes the provisions for seizure and crushing of un-insured vehicles? Read more
When seized a Notice will be issued setting out various matters including recovery by Owner/Reg Keeper from Police Pound/Styorage Area . At this time a Certificate of Insurance must be produced by the said Owner/Reg Keeper covering use of vehicle when it is taken out on the road. DOC is not an option I seem to recall. Likewise driver must show Driving Licence.
dvd
I've informed a friend about the change in fuel tax laws, where alternative fuels attract no Excise Duty so long as you use less than 2,500 litres a year - enough for about 17,600 miles. He's just bought a nice 1997 Passat 1.9TDI (90bhp) version and would like to know whether it can be run on veg oil, or veg-oil/diesel mix? I don't know anything about this model but can someone informed advise me, or point me to a good info source.
Ta.
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I run 0-50% (depending on season) veg oil in my 2002 Passat V6 TDi (not PD)
It runs like a charm *touches wood* at 140,000 miles, I bought it at 112,000 miles
hi my gear stick is torn need to replace tried to un screw dont work took of the top bit where selection numbers are no bolt and nut in side anyone got any ideas how i remove it to replace any advise welcomed cheers andy Read more
Hi,press down and turn.They are very tight!!Good luck
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that was no lady, that was some poor sod's wife. jag.