April 2009
The trusty 1998 petrol 406 estate has just passed 100,000 miles.
It does not burn any oil, the auto box is perfect, it tracks, steers and brakes fine, it still even sounds crisp when accelerating
Apart from a bit of piston slap in the very cold weather a couple of months ago, and some electrical accessories not working, it could mechanically pass for new
Which brings me to my point. There's nothing as reliable as a modern car? 20-30 years ago, few cars would reach 100k without at least a top-end de-coke and/or rebuild.
What do you think? I'd be interested in other's experences of their cars at 100k and more.
I am aware there is a separate topic for the proposed scrappage scheme - this car would qualify for that!
Read more
Hi
I think my TT has developed a problem with the computer that controls the automatic transmission as, intermittently, the car suddenly really struggles to apply to the power from the engine, instead sounds strangled and accelerates really slowly.
If I did have to replace the automatic transmission computer, does anyone have any idea what sort of bill I'm looking at? I just want to prepare myself for the cost before sending it in to be sorted out.
Many thanks
Andy
Read more
You need to have the diagnostics read. This may be an engine issue not a gearbox issue. Regards Peter
Had 4 new tyres fitted about 2 years ago. We don't do big miles so they're still in reasonable shape. That is, apart from the n/s rear which got an advisory at recent MOT because it's wearing on the inner 3rd (outer 2/3rds are fine).
This is going to need replacing soon but I'm wondering why this has happened. Is it that the wheel just wasn't balanced properly (which will be remedied by new tyre being fitted)? As it's the rear, it's far less likely to have be knocked out of alignment than the fronts. All the other tyres are wearing normally.
I'm also worried I'll pay for expensive alignment which isn't needed as I'm at the mercy of whatever the garage say. Could an unbalanced tyre wear like this?
Any advice on how to address this would be great. Read more
OK, so sounds like I will need to have alignment checked. Why are tyres balanced then? I presumed that was to do with ensuring even tyre contact with road.
@bell boy - My concern is justified. EVERY time I have ever been asked if I want my alignment checked (on every car I have ever owned) I have been told it is out of alignment. Even when my tyres being replaced have worn evenly. It seems to me a very lucrative quick task for garages to perform. With the mileage I do, evidence that alignment wasn't the issue won't appear for at least 12 months leaving me with little recourse with any garage who says the alignment is out.
Any idea how much I should be paying for getting the alignment done?
cheers
Hi. Does anyone else on here have a Clio mk 2 (around 2005)
Ive just bought one. I noticed before buying that in the boot floor there is a large welded plate. The dealer i bought it from told me this was "factory fitted" and is a heat sync for the exhaust.
I was convinced at the time, but now have niggling doubts. Especially as there seems to be a lot of road noise coming from the back.
Please can other owners confirm if they do or dont have this boot floor plate. Or if what ive been told sounds cotia or dodgy.....
Many thanks in advance Read more
i will try to get a pic uploaded.
@ Rattle that would be good if you could do that, if no one else has replied by then.
Having just spent a couple of nights in the Ferry Terminal carpark at Calais it is apparent that quite a few vehicles have been abandoned there, some in fact had already been ticketed by the port authorities prior to removal.
These are mostly over ten years old, UK registered and not displaying a licence disc.
I assumed that these had been bought cheaply with little tax or MOT, taken over on a cheap day-return ticket, used as holiday transport for a couple of weeks, and then dumped, the occupants returning as foot passengers.
However the difference between day-return and long-stay rates is not that huge so maybe there is a more prosaic (or sinister) explanation?
Read more
It was an 'approved' conversion by a Co. called Basil Green.
Just Googled and there's a great V8 sound on this YouTube clip:www.youtube.com/watch?v=au8VBL6f8vY
As suggested earlier, must have been an absolute nightmare to drive - I has a 2Litre and that was bad enough.
On one of my usual trips to Israel and rented a new Mazda 6 this time rather than the usual Mazda 5 or anything MPV-ish I normally get.
Very nice car, just shows how the good mainstream makers have moved on in the last decade.
I have two gripes.
1. For a LHD car, the handbrake is too far to the right of the centre console between the seats.
2. Even sitting low down, the dials are not fully visible. They clearly face out horizontally, whereas they should be angled up slightly. Its a minor irritation I also noticed on a Peugeot 207 about 18 months ago.
Otherwise, I can't really fault the car. It is smooth, quiet, economical, spacious.
However as I am getting into middle age (mid forties) I appreciate more and more cars with a raised platform. Dropping down into the seats of a regular saloon is so old fashioned when you just slip into an Outback, Forester, Mazda 5 etc. without your spine getting a jolt as your bottom hits the seat base.
Have a lovely Easter everyone. Read more
just noticed no back brake lights
both sides
all other lights work front and back
any help please Read more
yes thanks. tapped back light works fine many thanks
{txt talk replaced witrh proper words}
Hi,
I've heard some bad things about semi automatics and was wondering how founded they were. They break more frequently, better off going with a manual or an automatic rather than the semi as you end up falling between two stools?
Maybe it just depends on the car itself.... anyone's thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks!
(What do you mean, litttlenicky. Do you mean automated clutch manual 'semi automatics'? do you mean preselector dual clutch autos like VSAG's DSG and ZF's Ford Powershift? Or do you mean torque converter autos with 'Tiptronic' function? World of difference.) Read more
"i use mine manually until its warm...then im not using the torque converter"
Your gearbox is an adaptive type and uses the torque convertor whether in manual or automatic mode.
I hope someone can help. My wife's Fiesta 1.4 TDCi 04 plate has a clutch that is about to fail. I have had a couple of quotes for doing the work, one from Ford at £504 + VAT and a local garage has quoted me £587 including VAT.
My question is does anyone know where I can buy the clutch at a decent price and then get someone to fit it? Also, does this car have a DMF and if so, is it wise to replace this at the same time as the clutch?
Any comments will be much appreciated.
Regards,
Ben
PS Mileage approx 85k on original clutch Read more
Have you tried Ford & Peugeot Services for the clutch (FPS) they're based in Romford. Did us a good deal on a new gearbox!
Does any kind person out there know how to take the fuel pump out. I have got the inspection cover under back seats open and the pump is held down by a large ring nut. I have tried to move it with no sucess. Having to replace due to return connector leaking very badly. Any help greatly appreciated. Read more
Is it the pipe from the pump that has broke?
i assume yes as they go brittle and break as you try to change the fuel filter
anyway
you have to push the metal circlip down as you hit it anticlockwise with a screwdriver type tool
i cant remember if you have a plastic large ring to unscrew first
can you post a photo to remind the old brain
be careful of sparks and whatever you do when you fit a replacement be careful with the clips as a new pump used to be $200
if buying a s/h pump be aware this too will be brittle
Browse
.jpg)
I have to confess to being reluctant to replace my 255K, 1.8 petrol Primera, because of some of the scare stories with newer machinery. It's had a few bits wear out, and it's shabby now due to car park skirmishes (bumpers are decidedly untidy now) but it's not let me down in 5 years/80K miles.
Even the second car, a near-13 year old Daewoo with 65K on the clock has proven its worth. The mechanicals on this old bus are the usual GM reliable, but some of the electrics (window winder, ABS sensor, central locking) have given trouble. I'd still trust it 100% to get me from one end of the country to the other and back with no fuss....