November 2008
Joined the M67 (Denton-Hyde-Mottram Cheshire; only 5 bmiles long) from the M60 last night.
Old Polo in front (lady driver) decides to overtake car in front of it on the slip road but as it gets level with nearside car it slows down to the same speed. Result both lanes blocked. 300 metres later when there are 3 lanes I overtake Polo and then pull into N/S lane. Only doing 60mph. Polo about 55.
Watched her in my mirror. Motorway is a series of long bends. On LH bends she pulls into N/S lane. On right hand bends she pulls out and occupies the third (O/S, overtaking) lane. Fascinated I slowed a little to watch and yes on LH bends she drives in the N/S lane and on R/H bends the 3rd lane. Does anyone have an explanation for this?
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Hi All
I've just bought an A8 4.0TDi which runs like a dream, but when its hot it refuses to start. When cold it will start every time.
I'm guessing its a sensor somewhere on the case telling it not to start because it thinks its too hot but where?
Also the temp gauge sits at 50 which has to be wrong.
Help!!!
thanks
Rick
{header amended to remove duplicate entry of make/model & year/engine details as this gets automatically filled in from the compulsory boxes you already filled in}
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Rick,
Did you ever get this sorted? Im having the same issue with my car, probably the same car haha
In the never ending search for a replacement car for 'er indoors, spotted a Vx Astra 1.4 life (poverty spec, but with all the necessary gadgets). 55 reg, 26000m for £4200.
I would appreciate any informed comments on the compatibility of the smallish engine with the car and any reliability issues. A Focus was the preferred option, but this is around £1000 cheaper than an similar age Focus.
(I know these 'what car' threads can be annoying at times...but it might eventually get me to make a decision :) ) Read more
I'm renewing the car insurance shortly. For once I waded through all the paper that arrives with the renewal notice to find a new condition added under "Care of your car" saying that you must have a valid vehicle tax disc.
So if you forget to renew the tax you may find your insurance is invalidated which strikes me as odd.
Worth checking your policy.
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I once made the mistake of querying something like this with my (then) insurer.
It had to have a valid MOT to be insured and they would not under any circumstances cover the vehicle on it's way to an MOT station to get one.
I've never seen the requirement for VED though.
A number of today's papers report that Chancellor Darling is going to postpone next years VED increases to stimulate car sales - large and powerful models being those that will benefit most. VAT to come down too apparently.
Aaahh... green motoring. Nice while it lasted. Read more
... its become tedious and we're locking the thread. "
Quite. DD
Met a mate yesterday who had bought a very nice looking X type Jag about three months ago - Y reg 3.0ltr Sport 98k for £2.500 -- very nice car - He turned up yesterday in borrowed car - seems the Auto box won't select or keep a gear - they think it's a solenoid in box but not sure - He is gutted. -- at least it is easy to get box out as it's RWD (yea) ;-)) Read more
A seller is just as likely to be completely ignorant about the car ...
Hardly. The chance of a buyer knowing anything about a seller's vehicle (except in general terms) is just about zero. Many, perhaps most, cars for sale privately will have been owned by their sellers for some time, who may well (as many backroomers have stressed) be selling for a good reason. But your point must be valid for forecourt cars which have been traded in. A few may have been maintained at that garage, but the 'sellers' there are unlikely to know much about them.
Seems that not so long ago, a car would keep its value far better than these throwaway plastic pulley kind of times. Looks like buying new these days is very foolish even if new prices are lower now in real terms. I don't mean to sound bashful, but I'm gonna declare what I managed to recoup on the 2 cars I have bought new in my life and let's see if I can be beaten ?
1) Saab 9 - 3 SE Convertible Auto , bought brand new from a large main UK dealer In October 1998 on the S reg , kept 27 months & 27000 miles. Bought new at £24000 , sold on 27 months later at £21000
2) Smart cdi ( 800 cc diesel , a brilliant car ) Left hand drive bought new from a Benz / Smart dealer in Belgium in November 2000 at £4800 , add VAT paid here and fetching costs plus SVA / Light conversion , say £6k in all, kept 30 months and 24000 miles , sold on at £5350 .
I still remember the reg numbers on both Read more
This also doesn't count, probably! When I worked abroad and was able to buy cars tax free and with a 15% discount from the maker I bought a 1994 320SL, new, and made a good 25% on it as there was a waiting list for them in the UK at the time
I actually used to visit these forums many years ago before I could even drive, but came across it again today so thought I would re-join... Some of the discussions on here are really interesting, and I love talking about cars so hopefully I can add some of my wisdom to the debates, lol!
I'm Dan, 21 years old, student, and I drive a 57 plate BMW 116i. Previously I had a Ford Ka, which I had up until this summer when I had a run-in with a foreign lorry on the M40 :(
Love my Beemer and think it's the best looking/handling hatchback you can buy. I smile every time I look at and drive it. Any other 1-series drivers on here?
Anyway, hope to stick around.
Dan Read more
Welcome back :)
I can't remember who you used to be though - not the guy who had the brand new MINI Cooper and wanted to be a car salesman??
Hi all,
I have just completed a full & very thorough service on my much loved BMW 328i SE & now want to reset my service schedule computer readout. Is it possible I can do this myself or does it have to be carried out by a main dealer/BMW specialist.
I have done the servicing myself as I am mechanicaly minded & was not happy with it being done at the main dealer last time it was due, as I ended up doing things that had been missed.
Any replies would be appreciated,
Regards, redils Read more
Unfortunately it's not worked & I don't know why !
redils
Hi there.
My girlfriend's 05 plate Streetka has just started to act strangely.
The ABS light on the dash started flickering about a week ago, not staying on for any determinate time before going off again, sometimes happening once a journey, or every five secs. Then we were out and the Ignition/Battery warning light came on while driving and stayed on. We tried turning all non-essential electrics off but to no avail. I also noticed that the headlights, on dipped beam, seem to get dim/bright as you rev the accelerator. I'm not sure if all of these are linked (possibly alternator not providing power?) or three seperate problems. As a non mechanical minded person, thought I'd see if anyone can help on here.
Any advice will be appreciated as we spoke to the Ford garage, and they quoted £160 just to run the diagnostics!
Thanks for looking.
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This sounds as though the alternator isn't charging correctly. There should be codes stored in both the ABS and the engine management ECUs giving further info.
Unless it's under warranty and you have to go to a dealer; most garages now have the means to read the codes.
Browse
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shudder... now that half the road is covered with paint and gravel southbound one has to join queues of waddling 45mph mimsers there... but more than once in the old days one sometimes came across bits of bike and biker strewn over a disheartening distance of road... too quickleham through Mickleham makes a frightful muckleham so to speak...