November 2008
hello had my 307 hdi 90 for about 2 months been great car but to day i noticed when setting of and going through gears as i go to accelerate there is a flat spot 1-2 seconds then picks up when driving along great no problem car is well serviced and been using millers diesel additive any ideas Read more
The missus wants a FM transmitter thingy so she can use her iPod in the car. There seems to be a wide variation in prices, so I imagine some will work better than others. Any recommendations?
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I got an iTrip and big disappointment.
First was I made the stupid mistake of pointing it at the radio, when in fact it needs to be pointed at the aerial ( on the back of the roof) .So the iTrip then needs to be on or near the back seat-not very practical.
other was that my RDS/EON radio kept rejecting the signal as too weak and spending 5 mins going up and down wavebands looking for replacement.
For the Last few months i have been having problems starting my car. When i turn the key it clicks, but does nothing else. I have to keep turning the key on and off several times before it eventually turns over and starts.
Any Help would be welcomed
Thanks in advance!
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I would agree but it could also be the ignition switch. To check, run a wire from the battery + and touch it on the small terminal on the starter - make sure the car is out of gear! If the starter then operates its probably the ignition switch.
As the government are trying to drive people out of gas guzzlers and 4x4s by way of punitive taxation, and trying to persuade us to buy zero emission shopping trollies, I find it rather odd that VOSA and "Traffic Officers" AKA Wombles are clocking up thousands of miles on motorways every year in the very same gas guzzling 4x4s, financed by you and me...the taxpayer. Can it be justified by the fact that it might snow once or twice a year or is it just another case of do as we say, not as we do? Read more
Police mway patrols round my way used to use Volvo estate cars, which always seemed to me like a good tool for the job. Durable machines, with a high degree of safety for the occupants and plenty of space for cones and other such stuff.
I'm not so sure that the Highways Agency's 4X4s are quite so well-optimised for the job in hand. Less luggage space for all those cones, reduced occupant safety, and higher risk to other vehicles if something goes wrong and the car crashes, as well as higher emissions. I can see the advantage of enhanced towing ability, but how often does the average HA patrol car use that facility, and would it be better to have dedicated towing vehicle on call?
I can see arguments for and against the 4X4s, but I don't know the answer to this. Given the number of vehicles deployed (152, all 4X4s, according to the very informative FAQ page at www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/11235.aspx ), I would hope that they did a proper assessment of all the factors. Given that the HA commissioned research work in relation to other detailed operational matters such as fending (see that FAQ page again), I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they did undertake some sort of analysis before committing themselves to a 4X4-only fleet.
(PLEASE try to be specific in your thread headers. The word Ouch!! does not convey what the thread is about. It's attention seeking by attempting to create a mystery when there is really none at all. You could at least have filled in the vehicle details. HJ)
Talking to a dealer today - they took in an absolutely unmarked 07 X-Trail Columbia, top spec, factory sat-nav, etc, for 9K
They tried to shift it at 10.5K, then 10, then 9, the a final desperate attempt at 8,500....no joy.
So, of to auction it went, and achieved £7,780!
Wish I'd known about it ;) Read more
HJ
feb issue of what car mag page 130.
Nissan 6 out of 30.
star model x-trail 01 to 07. with only 4 failures per 100.
in association with warrantydirect
As for the reliable crv take a look at the whatcar readers feedback.
i was surprised to see so many negative comments, unhappy owners.
I have owned a Suzuki SX4 for the best part of a year and really like the vehicle having done 23k miles in it. However on 1st November someone ran into the back of the vehicle and pushed it into the car in front, no major damage mainly front and read fibre-glass "bumpers" and rear crash crumple bars. It did seem to be taking a long time to fix so chasing up with the body shop and following the trail back to Suzuki UK I find the delay is due to parts being awaited from.....yes you've guessed...Japan! It appears that despite protestations to the contrary Suzuki doesn't hold much in the way of stock in the UK, if they did I would not expect a front bumper and a headlamp to be back order items from Japan. So Suzuki owners and prospective purchasers be aware a minor shunt could see you off the road for six to eight weeks (my prediction for my case).
My Suzuki experience, excellent vehicle, good dealer support, appalling manufacturer support. Read more
Trev
Sorry for the time taken to thank you for your feedback on the SX4. I live near a Suzuki garage that also handles the Hyundai i30. When I was there I asked them about comparing the two cars and I felt that that particular salesman leant more towards the Hyundai. However, at some point he will arrange a test drive in both cars. I always find it amusing reading the reviews in the mags - you can almost predict what they are going to say. The noisy engine 1.6 petrol was a major criticism but no one, apart from the drivers like yourself, can actually add the valuable information - in this case that the engine will eventually smooth out. I was impressed sitting in one at the showroom and like the high position. I have an old 97 Megane and have to lever myself out each time - I am only slightly overweight!. If you have any other observations over the coming weeks, I would be glad to hear again from you.
Many thanks
Brian
Ok this one beats me, a couple of weeks ago, after avoiding umpteen puddles, I managed to get caught by a fairly deep one, what's worse is I didn't see it at all and hit it a some speed.
Consequently the car was not happy, seemed to be firing on 2 or 3 only, dreadful rattling sound, from what seemed like the exhaust, misfiring, but seemed better on idle.
When any revs put on it would cough and splutter, but did notice it was getting better, the longer it was left running - I assumed it was drying out.
HOWEVER - although the car was driving noticed that the rubber exhaust mounts had caught fire !!! Oddly enough after putting fire out and leaving it for a while the car stopped misfiring and in fact drove better than it had in a long time.
Took it to a garage to get a new mount and he advised me that what probably happened was water got in the compression chamber, stopped it firing and fuel then went up the exhaust and caused an explosion, taking out the cat-con, he went on to say that a bit of debris probably got stuck and caused the exhaust to over heat and consequently make the mounts catch fire...hmmm How gullible can I be?? but as it didn't cost anything, I didn't give a monkeys
Anyway it had been driving well for the past 2 weeks, seemed more economical as well, so yesterday treated her to a car wash, all was fine until today, for no reason it starts to behave like it had been thru that puddle again, misfiring on high revs or when power needed (ie going up a hill) idles fine though, until its revved.
Have no idea what the problem could be. Any suggestions guys?? I fear the timing belt may have slipped, but smooth idleing dispells this.....doesn't it?? Read more
It was the misfire that caused the exhaust to overheat. Unburned fuel passing into in the exhaust was burning in the cat - possibly with fatal consequences for the cat itself.
First check that the air filter hasn't been dragged into the intake pipe. If it's been wet, change it. Then carry out a compression test to check for bent rods - rattling on a petrol isn't a nice symptom.
Hi
I have run and towed a 'van with a 1997 2800 TD Automatic. It has NEVER let us down. Costs have been for routine servicing (by myself) and oil/filter changes every 3000 m.
Mileage is 125000.
However, she's a bit dated now, no airbags/ABS and other "essential" extras.
I am searching for up to date honest opinions on the new Shogun - 2007 3.2 TD Automatic. Comments on the reliability index are not encouraging(!)
If not the Shogun -an alternative please, must have 4WD diesel and auto, to tow max 2000kg.
Thanks. Read more
Wow - a thread coming back from the dead afer a year.
I was reading some interesting stuff today on the comparisons of different products and how they compared when a price:weight ratio is applied.
And generally speaking lb for lb a car comes out at the same price as a...............
Hamburger.
Nothing more than a funny little statistic to share with you on grey dull wed pm.
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From HJ's report above:
"A scant 5 years ago, this 82k mile Mercedes S600 twin turbo V12 cost someone way over £90,000. Yet today, despite a postponed VED penalty, it was knocked down for £10,250."
That seems a real bargain. Still a bit surprised at how well Mini's and BMW's are keeping their value though.
All three rear belts were fastened when I collected the Focus after its MOT.
Why?
The obvious answer is to test the belts.
But I would have thought the tester would want to make sure the buckles came undone as well, so he would fasten them and then unfasten them.
Leave it how you found it is not a bad maxim, either. Read more
I think that this is the link you mean: www.swov.nl/rapport/Factsheets/UK/FS_MOT.pdf
Interesting stuff.


did not get the code it just said mass air flow fault it was a ethos scanner that read it