February 2009
Week after next I'm on a business trip to Scotland. Now, some of you will know that I am a Scot but have been ex-pat for many years. Also, when you live in a place you don't tend to pay to sleep there !!
Anyway, thing is, I normally just use Travelodges and so on because they are relatively cheap and convenient and are usually clean. I am self-employed so cost is relevant but I was just interested to know if anyone would like to make any suggestions re the overnights. I shall be alone so four posters etc are not high on the list of requirements.
I do use Expedia and Late Rooms.com sometimes but I am more interested in personal recommendations.
So...here's my trip
Monday - drive up to central Scotland, finish day in Auchterarder.
Tuesday - Start day in Helensburgh, finish in Linlithgow.
Wednesday - Start day in Aberdeen, finish in Glasgow.
Thursday - Start day in Hawick and then drive home to Cheshire.
Any ( cheap) but good recs for hotels/food ? Read more
Now reported in the Surrey Herald -
"A blogger who posts under the name of Honest John..."
tinyurl.com/bnmjp8
Another "blogger" also gets a mention. Read more
:-) Well spotted Manatee. HJ and jbif make the news.
and:
I'll lock this now as it was debated before. Will merge it later.
First post, be kind to me.
I am looking at buying a second hand C4, possibly 55/56 plate and am wondering what happens to the prices when the new 09 plate comes in. Is it best too wait for a few weeks or will it make no difference?
I have been to a dealer and they refused to give me anything of the price of the vehicle on the forecourt. He did offer me a couple of litres of petrol lol. It was very well priced to be honest. I did walk away though.
Cheers Read more
I would buy one when it was car-shaped and not looking like a robot ;)
The central locking system has stopped working when the driver's or passenger's door is locked with the key. The symptons seem rather intermittent in that sometimes when the driver's door is locked the pump in the boot whirrs for about a minute but has no effect on the other door or tailgate locks. Ususally, however, the petrol filler door locks. Similarly, when I press down the passenger's door knob the pumps whirrs but again no other doors lock.
I've opened up the driver's door and all (i.e. wiring and pipe) looks OK but haven't removed the lock as yet.
I've also opened up the pump and it looks clean and dry. I've also removed the yellow end cap and have noticed that the valve (which I think is supposed to detect a vacuum and stops the pump) sometimes flaps from side to side when activated as above. Occasionally locking the driver's door will OPEN the adjacent rear door - very strange.
I have a feeling that these problems only started after the icy weather when I had to enter through the passenger's door.
Is it possibly a problem with the door micro switches? Is it possible to test the system by disconnecting the pipe from the pump and sucking or blowing?? How can I be sure the pump is functioning correctly?
I would appreciate any suggestions as to how I can diagnose the problem before I start to strip each door and attempt to trace the vacuum tubing or replace any parts.
Thanks in advance. Read more
My car is soon to be going in for an insurance repair as someone else drove into the side of it with a glancing blow.Damage is slight denting of rear and front door about the height of his bumper and I don't think the damage warrants new doors
As the car is VAG Magic Black, can I expect the repair to be perfect and as good as new ?
I have never had a car repaired before so am a little fearful that when it's done it might not be as good as I expect.Has anybody had a repair done that was truly invisible ?
Read more
Has anybody had a repair done that was truly invisible ?
yes, yes, no, yes.
In the case of the no, I took it back and they sorted it out, which then became a yes.
Some time ago, I changed the CV boots. After a while, I noticed part of the circlip that holds the CV to the drive shaft poking out the new boot. I pulled out half a circlip!
The drive shaft had a bit of float, but I assumed that as everything was bolted together no harm would happen.
Would this fail an MOT, and if so, where on earth do I find a new circlip?
To add to my woes. I'm in the middle of replacing my lower suspension arms (see e-bay item 150325402246) and the drive shaft has slipped out of the CV inside the boot! Read more
I may be wrong but I use nylon cable ties for this purpose and they work well and cause no damage.
Hi all
Getting ready to buy SWMBO a nearly new car - aiming for March. We've just driven a 1.25 Fiesta today and are trying a 1.0 Daihatsu Sirion tomorrow and a 1.0 Yaris on Sunday. Personally, I favour the Sirion - I like its odd-ball looks and 5 year warranty - but I think she may go for the Fiesta as it's more mainstream and is probably easiest to drive plus loads of Ford garages.
Anyway, what do you guys think of the following deal from a Ford garage - 2008 plate 1.25 Fiesta Style Climate 5dr with reverse sensors (which SWMBO really likes) in a nice metallic red for £7k? Only done 2k miles. Despite some pushing and no part-ex, don't think I'll get more than, say, £200 off that price.
I think it may be a bit expensive, especially as this is an old model now. But I do like the low mileage. I'm a bit reluctant to buy an ex-rental car, but it seems unlikely to be one with such a low mileage. What do you guys think? Read more
brg190 pete
Autotrader (national search):
1 x 0808 Sirion 1.3S air 4k £5994 trade
3 x 0808 Sirion 1.0S air £35 tax 1k £5995 trade
6 x 0808 Fiesta 1.25 Style 5dr Climate 3k £5994 trade
5 x 0857 Yaris 1.0 T2 3dr 6-10k £5999/6000 trade
Notwithstanding the comments on the end of SAAB thread, I'm very pleased with my 9-3 convertible Aero T2.
But after 19 months and 13000miles, it needs new tyres on the front.
These are currently Continental Sport Contact 2 225/45 R17 94W.
Whilst they've never given me a scare, and they've been as goo/bad as anything else in the recent snow etc, their tread pattern (four grooves across the tyre with only the shoulders with any radial grip) have always worried me. I've always had "zig-zag" types before - but what do I know.
Any suggestions for a better mileage with adequate grip? Read more
"I replaced the front tyres with AVON ZZ3s"
I put Avon ZV5s on our Galaxy - they seem to be a good tyre and, as a bonus, are made in England.
I have wet carpets on the offside only. Can anyone tell me the most likely place that it is getting in? Thanks. Read more
Have you checked for corrosion underneath at the sills just behind the front wheel arches?
Does old engine coolant+flush have to go to the council dump / somewhere else? Thanks Read more
Good to know it can go through the sewage system, thanks.
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Well, if you are going for luxury, try the Roxburghe just off the A68 !!