October 2008
On the subject of motoring journalism, has anyone had the pleasure of reading anything from the late L.J.K. Setright? I came to like his unique style whist reading his 2002 book 'Drive On: A Social History of the Motor Car'.
He displays a depth of engineering knowledge and challenges the reader to think in a way that no modern motoring writer gets close to. His intelligence radiates through his beautifully crafted prose and provides a genuine source of intellectual stimulation.
I found it a refreshing break from the usual tedious ramblings of Clarkson & co, whose current chat show called 'Top Gear' is an affront to anybody with half an interest in motoring.
In all fairness, it was probably JC who got me interested in cars to begin with, when I was an 8 year old lad. That's probably what he's best suited to, attracting the younger audience. I just wish Top Gear would go back to its roots as a motoring show instead of the vulgar, tedious, sad, laddish entertainment show that it has become.
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I noticed on the last MOT the advisory said the brake pipes needed doing, I checked the state of them before they bought the car and discovered they looked brand new, he said he couldn't remember what work was done but they did all the advisories.
However they seemed to be made out of some kind of plastic like you get on washing machine flexihoses. My dads car (same car) had the brake pipes done last year and they are metal all neatly put round the fuel tank, on my car they seem to come from under the sill.
Is this dodgy workmanship? I am going to have a good look under the car on saturday when my machanic puts it on the ramp but until then?
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Thanks and I assume there is no problem with one of them coming up from
behind the sill? I guess its passed the MOT so its fine.
I think the MOT will only consider the condition of the pipes, not the route they follow. I doubt whether the route is safe/advisable or not is an MOT concern.
To the 'old' MK V, it seems. I have been pricing up a new 1.4TSI 5dr hatchback to replace my nearly 4 year's old MKV 1.6FSI 'SE'.
There are only 3 models on offer i.e. 'S' 'SE' and 'GT'.
My biggest gripe so far is that a sunroof in no longer an optional extra on the 'S' or 'SE' only on the tarty, sporty 'GT'
However about £17.5k seems to be what I'll need to pay, which includes metallic paint, parking sensors and a steering wheel that will enable me to control my radio!!
It may be, arguably, a much better car but my goodness you have certainly got to fork out the money and this is for a car that is supposed to be cheaper to manufacture. Read more
You'll get 10% off the Audi (possibly more through a broker) - I bet VW won't be offering that of a Golf VI yet - so back to £17k.
Local Audi dealer is also offering a minimum £1,000 dealer contribution on all new cars too - £16k!
Hi Folks,
I'm in the lucky position that I can do most of my own basic servicing, eg replaced both front discs and pads on the pandoo for £35!! not poor quality neither, discs were QH. I've been looking at code readers on Ebay, to look at any faults so the proverbial wool can't be pulled over the eyes with any future faults. I know by looking at the forum the "proper" gear runs to tens of thousands. I just need basic reading, to point me in the right direction, anything OTT would go to the respective local specialist. I fancy the ELM 327 which looks like an interface which plugs into a laptop and comes with various software, or an U581 which is a small handheld scanner which reads you off the codes. Anyone got any of these? are they worth having? which one is the best for basic use as I have described. Or should I not bother as they are a waste of money? Thoughts from the knowledgeable please. Read more
MAC Tools do the bit of kit you need. EOBD code reader. Will read the fault codes and clear them with a narrative and 'P' codes only about £60, will fit in your pocket.
Dont be tempted by cheap, apparently professional kit on eBay. Its quite likely a Chinese copy and unless you can read Mandarin..............
Hi
I've got a problem with the heater on my Fiesta
the fan that blows through the air has stopped working, the cigarette lighter has stopped working as well
I've checked the fuses and they seem to be fine
The front left light is also not working, I've changed the bulb and agaim checked the fuse.
I've got a feeling that it's all related
Any ideas???
Thanks
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***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Volume 2 *****
RCS900 Toyota Main Dealer Closed
This is a sign of the times, and I'm amazed that this franchise has closed in Slough.
I drove past Monday, business as usual.
Tuesday they were loading the cars onto a lorry.
Wednesday - completely empty, not a soul in sight, every car gone.
So, it's either the competition from Trade Sales, which seems, considering Citroen just opened a new showroom just down the road, or they cannot sell cars in the current financial climate.
Trade-Sales hasn't looked that busy either come to think of it... Read more
"Couple that with the fact that nobody is paying their bills, cash-flow is negligible and the banks aren't keen to lend to rocky businesses."
And the other part of it is that "Rocky businesses", in the banks eyes, include each other.
Tragic.
8 years ago when I moved into my current house (on the edge of a housing estate)...Many people parked on the street and the small local hopper (18 seater?) buses use to come through the estate maybe carrying 2 to 3 people with no problem.
8 years on we get full size single (30+) decker buses with only 1 - 2 passengers struggling to get through past parked cars and the tight corners in the estate. On a couple of occasions
the driver has had to get people out of the house to either move their car or fold the mirrors in. The amount of street parking has actually not increased, but the introduction of humps mean the buses now pitch slightly left and right.
Of course anyone not an OAP or on benefit will pay the bus fare as it costs over £1 to go for just a mile away, so they take the car.
The bus company constantly complains it is struggling with costs...so my question is what ever happened to the small buses.. are they disappearing from other areas as well?
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Re Roads and inconsiderate parking - this is a residential area, it sort of gets used as a rat run and also because so many many people live here, the bus company feels obliged to go here.
The estate was built in the 1960s - 70's and some of the roads in the 1880's. Many houses are terraced or the were only allocated one space per house in parking areas.
The fire engine doesn't seem to have a problem. I suspect it maybe a couple of inches less wide than the bus.
Question is where are people meant to park? They probably could shave a couple of inches off the pavement but I guess it is too expensive.
Disability - strangely there is a large LDV mercedes van that takes disabled people
somewhere? everyday, it is operated by a private coach firm I guess on a charter, is a 12 seater and has a special lift at the back for wheelchairs. It is smaller than the buses.
My mate was a bus driver but gave up as he got fed up trying to take the huge single decker buses down cornwall's narrow harbour and town roads on roads packed with tourist traffic. (Ever visited St. Ives? you'll know what I mean).
I am having trouble with a newly accquired Honda Civic.
As soon as the car warms up the revs fluctuate between 1000 and 3000 rpm.....this has got so bad that the car is undriveable as it stands.
I have cleaned the throttle body and checked the cable to no avail.
From internet research the finger seems to be pointing at the idle air control valve!!!!!
The car is new to me so I am not sure where it is on this model....only that it is near the throttle body/inlet manifold.
I had a similar problem on my daughters corsa and cleaning the EGR valve solved the problem.....not sure if this prob will be so simple.
I have the car on approval so if the fix is going to be expensive I will return car.
Any advice appreciated. Read more
Don't overlook an air leak or a coolant temp sensor problem?
I took my Clk 3.2 into the main dealers for a 'B' service yesterday and when I was driving it home I noticed the odometer was showing an extra 2000 miles! they only had the car a day so there is no way anyone spanked it up to Scotland and back. The dealer tells me this is impossible and I am sure they wish I would go away but I know for a fact that these phantom 2000 miles have appeared though I can't prove it. Anyone ever heard of this before? Read more
Has anything more come of this? What mileage does it show on the Service Sheet? If I was 100% sure that 2000 phantom miles had appeared on my odometer I would be kicking up a stink about it thats for sure.
Might it not be better to introduce a separate forum devoted to "I Have a Question" posts - on the same 'level' as 'Discussion', 'Technical Matters', 'Classifieds' etc.
Maybe it's just me, but I find the current system somewhat awkward to navigate.
Just a thought... Read more
Make and model don't have to be entered so can be left blank for non-model topics
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Just had a look at sniffpetrol.
'I caught it with a dab of oppo and off I went'
You're right, it's too close to the truth for comfort!