June 2009
I'm thinking about using the Dover - Boulogne crossing in a few weeks and I wondered what the service was like. Do any Backroomers have any experiences or views they'd like to share? Read more
Some shots of going fast where it's reasonably safe, and more of utter stupidity, culminating in the death of one man.
tinyurl.com/mwvu4b (Links to the Telegraph)
There's a video clip, of which I have not watched the last few seconds (hopefully they've been censored, anyway). Can't really add anything worthwhile to the above.
Film ends just before the biker goes under the wheels of the camper van. Read more
What a tragic waste of life
That's the bottom line and of course the lives affected forever by this.
Guys, a friend of the family has had this problem for nearly a year.
The car stalls at random invervals, can go for several days with no problem and then a stall out of the blue, usually when menouvering, e.g. at junctions. Has been in the garage several times and had all the ususal checks, fuel pump, injectors and so on. The has just had a service but is still stalling.
Very strange, has anyone else experienced this, or have any suggestions.
Many thanks
Rich Read more
try cleaning out throttle stepper motor.If it works then returns replace it.From memory they're about 100 quid
Hi,
Today I went to Edinburgh for the first time. I ended up at a traffic junction where there were 3 lanes. 1 to left, 2nd to go straight, 3rd to go straight and right.
When I entered the junction the signal was red and I was in the left lane so I stopped. However, after a minute or two I saw the Green Straight Arrow (For going straight). So obviously the cars to my right started moving . At this stage I also moved a bit front (crossed the signal) to turn left, however immediately I realised that pedestrians were crossing in the road I wanted to join so I stopped (After crossing my light and before joining the left road). I also noticed that vehicle behind me did not move past the traffic light at that stage.
This was in heart of Edinburgh, I am sure there must plenty of cameras out there. In the above situation, do you think I might have been captured on camera ? The worst bit it was so confusing and now I am so worried about the incident.
Thanks Read more
As general info :-
The Edinburgh tram works are causing traffic chaos in the central area, I now use public transport (wash your mouth out) to access the centre of the town.
Hi
My friend has recently bought a BMW Z4 2.5 2004 model. Basically I would like to get a faster car than him as he is bugging me intensely.
I would like someone to tell me what cars are faster so I can bug him back.
I have a budget of £10,000.
Thanks in advance.
Read more
www.clubformulaford.co.uk/forsale.html
You may have to add lights etc yourself but item 2 on the page is 2,5k under your budget.
I bought a renault laguna a couple of days ago, and as i started it up and pulled away yesterday morning there was a constant ticking sound coming from the engine. It hasn't affected the power or performance of the car at the moment was wondering if theres anyone who can give me a rough idea of what the problem could be. Thanks Read more
Is it rpm related?
I'm having real trouble finding a decent tyre fitting company at the moment. Here's the problems I've had lately:
Tyre place 1 - Bought a 'premium' tyre, all in cost around £90, it was a brand I had never heard of, sales guy was confident it was a good tyre. The tyre wore unevenly very quickly (properly inflated and tracking all ok) and caused the car to tramline/wander really badly. The cheap £50 chinese tyre it was replaced with was far better.
Tyre place 2 - This is the place I've used for many years. However, new management meant all the staff were sacked and replaced with polish workers. New machines installed, one of which grips the inside the wheel with 3 'prongs' and leaves loads of digs on the inside of the alloy.
Tyre place 3 - First problem was that they didnt seem to hold any stock and tyres had to be ordered in. Went in yesterday for them to be fitted, on my way in I picked a new tyre weight from the floor (clip on type) and handed it to manager with a comment of "someones lost a weight already, better put it in the bin before it gets stuck in someones tyre". My tyres were fitted, I paid up and went off home feeling happy that maybe I had found a decent tyre place. Later on I spotted a new clip on weight on the drive, I assume this is from one of my wheels (I'll check later this morning). I get the feeling they are using clip on weights for alloy wheels, IMO you should only use stick on for alloys.
Am I just unlucky or are all tyre places this crap nowdays?
Read more
I go thorough 3 sets of tyres every 2 years. ALWAYS go to a local independant. Best for price, usually service and will normally do wee favours for free such as switching wheels back to front.
Look after them they will look after you.
Thinking back to when I was a lad reading car mags and watching Top Gear in the 90's, I never came across any mention of 'carbon' this and 'eco' that save for the odd eccentric article. I'd like to know exactly when the environmental movement really started to get a toe-hold and affect the motoring world as it has. It seems to me that there was always an undercurrent of viscious anti-car propaganda masquerading as 'environmentalism' but it is only now that I'm dismaid to find it accepted into the mainstream.
For what it's worth, I think that cars are infinitely cleaner that they were even 20 years ago; not simply in terms of CO2 emissions but the great strides that have been made in reducing harmful carcinogens and such that genuinely benefits the health of people who are constantly exposed to traffic. I think that engineers aren't given enough credit for this, the eco movement instead fixated by carbon dioxide which is harmless to human beings.
I am not denying climate change, I merely doubt that we have the power to change it through reducing the CO2 emissions of our automobiles. When you consider that only a few percent of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was put there by us it makes you somewhat cynical of government initiatives. The kind of environmentalism I favour relates to the immediate human environment, not the arrogant notion that we can somehow wield power over the planet.
As the Honda advert once said, question everything.................... Read more
just so happens im in the middle of a feasibillity study at work looking into recycling and green fuels, very intresting subject when you dont just listen to what the papers tell you.
we have developed an idea that will cut landfill use by upto 13% and will use alternative fuel powered vehicles. the government would have you believe alot of things when it comes to these two areas that are just not true, truth is they are are panicking because the EU regs on waste management that come into force in the next 5 years have not even been properly looked into let alone acted on so we can expect hefty fines from brussels and a hike in all council tax bills as a result.
but i digress back to alternative fuels, having spoken to many many goverment personnel and a number of ministers both in the welsh assembly and central government bless em they tried but didnt really have a clue and it quickly became apperent they were telling us what we wanted to hear(mr X would call this propaganda, but really its just ignorance), however speaking to the people who make, distribute and sell alternative fuels the reality quickly comes home to roost its difficult to make on a large scale its a slow labour intensive process the returns on the materials input into the process are still too low to make it profitable the only real benifit to producing it is if its only going to be used in house and you dont mind a slow return on any investment, and this is the reason no-one has successfully created a road side alternative fuel station in this country.
I just thought I'd share my experience today at a VW main dealer today. I booked my Sept '06 56 plate Passat in for a service before the warranty expires. I phoned on Tuesday and they said they could do it today - good start. Dropped the car off at 7.30 am (useful for me) and was given the keys to a 09 Golf estate. Had a call at about 10 am to ask if I wanted the (recommended) brake fluid change and air con service inc 'refresh'. I said yes to both. Picked the car up at 4.30pm as arranged. They had also replaced a rear wheel bearing and the driver's seatbelt under warranty (following test drive, not at my request). Total cost? £347, which I think is pretty good. The car had also been well cleaned inside and out and was spotless. They even found a gold ring and one or two other bits and pieces and left them on the centre storage lid!
I think the overall 'customer experience' was superb. Friendly, efficient and understated. Given the way main dealers get a bit of stick here (esp VW!) this goes some way to redress the balance. All my previous dealings with them has been of a similiar standard.
The garage: Listers VW Evesham. If you live near enough and own a VW I recommend them. Read more
I just always feel that the dealer is working on the same cars day in
day out so should be more familiar with them have the special tools to hand
etc etc.
I think an Indie dedicated to a particular marque is the best option (once you've established their reputation and quality, of course)....because the main dealer won't have a broad knowledge of all faults, because many people stop using the main dealer after the warranty is up...plus main dealers are more likely to employ 'fitters' rather than mechanics. It's an Indie, with all my marques mechanics certificates all over the walls and a computer diagnostic machine relevant to that marque ....that does if for me.
Is it because when people have too much money they forget to drive manual?
;-) Read more
>See there ARE idiots with 50k+ to spend...
There may be a few around but the ones who want a manual Super V are probably in Broadmoor.
>I was hoping to find myself an XJR this summer..
I've been looking for my perfect Daimler for months now. So far, no luck. I've just widened my search to include XJRs.
>but until I can get my clients to start spending money again..
Aren't we all?
Good luck mate, you have impeccable taste ;-)
Kevin...
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Thanks to all for your replies. On balance I think I will use another service this time but look again for a trip in September.