July 2009
When starting from cold 1st. thing in the morning. the airflow direction seems to have developed a mind of its own. The air direction changes through several modes without me touching the control switch.Naturally it wouldn't 'perform' for the Mazda dealer and although they think they know what it might be they won't replace anything until witnessed.In the meantime can anyone throw any light on the problem? Read more
We have a 1999 1.0 Micra and it has started rattling at first start of the day for about 3-5 seconds. I think that this is the timing chain and after it has gone quiet the car runs OK. It has had its oil changed twice a year (as per HJ recomendation) and it has done 44,000 miles.
Question 1: In view of the car's age is it worth repairing?
Question 2: If I leave it to rattle, about how long have I got before something catastrophic happens and the vehicle breaks-down for good?
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its nothing to worry about 44,000 miles is nothing for these engines. it be good for over 100,000 miles.
I?ve just had to get some rear tyres for my wife?s car and I am really surprised at some of the prices for these tyres I was quoted. No need to go into details of the car but I asked for the price for Continentals, same size, same speed and load rating for all my quotes. A large national tyre fitter quoted me £100/per tyre and immediately came down to £90/tyre when I said that was a bit expensive. I said I still had a few quotes to get and I?d come back to them if they were the cheapest. He then advised me to come back to him anyway and he would see what he could do.
Out of interest, I went to that company?s website and checked the prices there including fitting, valve, balancing and tyre disposal. £149 for the two tyres vs £200/£180 quoted on phone!!!
I phoned my local indie fitter, same tyres, £75.10 per tyre was his first and best price. He did not know what I had been quoted by the other retailer.
So £149 for the national that I had to go online to get the best price or £150.20 for the indie who immediately gave me his best price. I know that the national was just trying to get a better margin from the phone price but how much business are they losing by doing this? I certainly went to the indie for the sake of £1.10 but I feel a better ?moral? service.
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So £149 for the national that I had to go online to get the best
price or £150.20 for the indie who immediately gave me his best price. I know
that the national was just trying to get a better margin from the phone price
but how much business are they losing by doing this? I certainly went to the
indie for the sake of £1.10 but I feel a better ?moral? service.
The national firm, with all its corporate overheads etc etc, probably doesn't make much money at £75 per tyre but has to offer that price online to compete with all the other online sellers. Knocking 25% off the price could be knocking 75% (or more) off their profit.
They probably rely on people just walking in and paying the full price. What does seem a bit stupid is to quote a highish price to people who are obviously 'phoning around. They might as well quote their lowest price up front or else just not bother.
Has anyone seen an aftermarket air con system that can be installed yourself?
I'm imagining something you plug into the cigar lighter and then connect some hoses through the window.
Thanks for any suggestions.
There is a thread in technical by the same poster so this is locked. Replies to this thread also moved to technical. Read more
Has anyone seen an aftermarket air con system that can be installed yourself?
I'm imagining something you plug into the cigar lighter and then connect some hoses through the window.
Thanks for any suggestions. Read more
>>Isn't it a bit worrying that you need to ask graduate engineers that question?
I haven't done any interviewing for a while, but, the thing that used to amaze me was the number of graduates with good degrees from proper universities who would fall over on the most basic question. It was quite shocking.
As we were interviewing for consultancy roles, we were as interested in the way that candidates reasoned and argued their case as we were in them getting somewhere near the right answer. We were, after all, looking for people who wouldn't be an embarassment (either way, too geeky or too dim!) when put in front of a client.
Cigar lighter works fine, but i cant use any thing eles. i.e sat nav or phone charger. Can someone please help me. will need Sat nav within the next 2 weeks. Thanks in advance Read more
I would think a main dealer could supply one of these.I have a power socket (original factory fit)in the rear load space of my 01 mondeo estate.hth
Very Excited to collect the car from the dealer tomorrow.
is there any particular things that I should be aware of? (First time new car buyer....)
Do I need to give the car a run-in period (say for the first 1,000 miles?)
Or any other general things I should be check before I pay my money?
many thanks.
{txt talk edited out and replaced with proper words} Read more
Hi Everyone
Got my car on Sat!
very nice car indeed!
driving very smoothly, just need to get more used to it when around corner!
thx for all the info!
well after so long at looking at a focus (been stalking them on auto trader since chrimbo) iv got an apointment to see one on sunday! its a 2.0l zetec...67000 miles...one owner from new...full ford service history its £2295...most of this will be cash plus my little fiesta part exchange...any questions i should ask??
thanks
Adam Read more
The depressing thing intending this to last 10 years is that I'll be 44
and STILL not driving an Aston Martin v8 Vantage. It's never going to happen is it matey.
Maybe not - but if you do manage to get the spec that you quoted within your budget then you can get some consolation from the fact that you're driving. a SERIOUSLY good car.
Good Hunting! Let us know how you get on.
This chesnut again !
From past exeriences, I vote Glasses
Anyone else ?
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You can check what other traders & private are asking ...
but you can't so easily check what they are getting for them - you'll have to guess that. Quite a few may not sell at all and end up on Ebay.
Over the next couple of weeks I need to move a double bed from London to Herefordshire. I normally hire a van for this sort of thing, but could I do it with a roof rack? The frame of the bed comes apart, so it's really just 4 bits of wood and a mattress. I'm sure it's possible for short distances, but is it safe for a 150 mile journey?
In the same vein, it possible to buy a 'tray' to fit onto roof bars? In September we're going on holiday, and unless I buy a new estate car in the next few weeks we'll be going in our 307. I've considered roof boxes but we need to take a pram and a wheel chair, so a 'tray' to carry awkward shaped objects sounds easier. Read more
It will help if you can use the bed frame to box the mattress in top and bottom.
Then as said tying down well will be fine, i just hope the weather is too..;)
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Thanks for the tip but it does it manual and auto mode.