July 2009
Well, where do they go? You don't see many on the roads in winter, either parked or moving, and you don't see many parked on drives. Read more
Just leaving the house this morning, I overtook a cyclist a few yards up the road....... and he wasn't on the pavement !
No, that wasn't the different bit, this one was negotiating our speedbumps and holes
with no grip on the handlebars, but using his hands to hold open a tabloid newspaper, reading it as he pedalled !
Skilled or what ?
Look, Mum, no hands !.....Look, Mum, no teeth !
Ted Read more
This guy really shouldn't have let go of the bars -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar1pmFyGQAg
Have you seen the new Mini 'FIRST'? (on HJ's home page). I've never understood the mass appeal of the Mini, mainly on account of it's price. However, this looks quite good at £11k and five years servicing at £185, 53 to the gallon, but what a shame it's only 75 h.p. That's really miserly and just plain underpowered. Surely they could've squeezed the 1.6 Diesel in. It'd be more economical, faster and tax for £35. Would have been hot cakes for sure. Anyone care for a jolly good argument about this??!! Read more
That's because you've never driven one...
Or worked on one...the heater cables would come adrift behind the dash, i helped a mate fix his.
You can get your hand through the small gap, that's when you discover the stamping was never fettled so you don't get all of your hand back.
He bought it for his wife brand new, didn't like the feeling of the steering, i had a look in the steering box, no oil, topped it up and it leaked straight out.
She left him not long after, i don't think the car was any influence.
Hi all. Over the last month or so I've been mulling over the idea of buying a classic/soft-top for summer use. Budget around 3-4k, dry use only and garaged. The idea would be for it to be a keeper.
I've narrowed my choice down to three. Within budget I reckon I can get excellent examples of either a Triumph TR7, a rubber bumper MGB or the MkI Mazda MX5 - pop up lamp Lotus Elan copy.
All three have excellent spares backup but there are cons with each :
TR7 - Rust, build quality, performance
MGB - Rust, engine out clutch replacement, potential overdrive problems
MX5 - Not very British is it...
As you can see/know the sensible choice is the Mazda all day long. I am put off with the idea of constantly battling rust on the two BL cars...but I like the idea of running one.
What does everyone think. Anyone got any experience of running one of these.
Thanks Read more
How much would a privately sold mk1 Elise cost now? I ran my '97 R plate for 3 years, bought new after a substantial wait, in all weathers throughout the year, and it was a paragon of virtue. Almost as much fun as the Spitfire of my youth.
Just some spent some time working out some statistics my dads car currently does 30mpg and he does 12,000 miles a year in his dying Fiesta I have worked out that he spends nearly £1800 a year on fuel. I've done the stats for my Corsa and I am getting 42mpg which is calculated from a pure city run sample. I do like to rev it a bit but I do avoid braking and drive very smoothly which is why I am probably getting a good MPG rate. My dad also drives smoothly but gets 12mpg less (his engine has lots of problems).
So its all very well saying my banger costs me £500 a year in repairs (dads Fiesta) which is a lot cheaper than buying a new car but what about the fuel costs? It feels like I am for ever filling up my Corsa but its because I am a believer in the swear worlds law and if I fill it up I will probably crash it (my dads car was written off the day after he filled the tank for the first time in his life) Read more
Worry away, it's your life. Just don't expect me to. >>
;-)
!!! Yes, we know, you are not worried. Repeat after me, I am not worried. Look in to my eyes, deppe in to my eyes, I am not .....
Really, I am not ...
;-)
Hi,
Is £400 too much to pay for a second service for a Polo?
Read more
20,000 mile service for my Lupo 1.4S cost me £112 about 5 years ago at my local VW franchise.
Just an oil change and usual safety inspection etc. by mechanics who are familiar with the marque.
my son was driving home last night he went through a deep puddle he did not notice the was a exhaust back box in the water as he went overit it hit is sump and made a hloe in it he only new the was a problem was when his oil light came on but by the time he could stop the engine hads seized so it looks like another engine or take the sump off and have a look any ideas anyone thanks Read more
Eddie, could I ask that you add some punctuation in your posts to break up the sentences a bit and thus make for easier reading.
ps, could you also lose the 'txt' talk as well please.
Thanks, DD - BR Moderator.
I know this should be in the computer thread (or maybe IHAQ)...
I keep getting Telegraph emails (I'll stop short of calling them SPAM for now) but never signed up to any. Do any other backroom members get these. Got two today alone.
Of course I could set up a rule to delete them but curious how many Back Room Members get these.
I assume it is just somehow me for now.
Actually I have just got two from Telegraph Promotions (not Telegraph Perspective).
Suggest you Blacklist promotions@mailer.telegraph.co.uk
Rob
Read more
I get a variety of Telegraph emails including promotions, perspective and traveshop. Don't recall ever subscribing, assumed they were a result of membership of this site and failure to tick all the opt out boxes on initial registration.
Might read them if I'm bored otherwise just delete. No big issue; it's not like they're phishing or malware riddled. I use the same email address for pretty much everything so no clues that way.
I have been unable to locate any test reports on the automatic version of the i20. Anyone have any knowledge of a relevant test report or anyone had a test drive of the auto? Read more
Hi,
Anybody had an issue with a failed compressor in a 2006 or 2007 Mk V Golf? It may affect other VW models due to part sharing?
I have done some digging and come across a few sites who claim that there is a known issues with Zelex/Valeo compressors but a phone call to VW and my local dealer was met with blank looks(ears!).
Any help/experiences welcome.
Thanks Read more
What are the symptoms of the compressor failing or starting to fail?
My 2005 Golf is quite hard to drive when the air-conditioning is on - it currently seems to put a large load on the engine and fuel economy drops by more than 10%. This hasn't always been the case - it was fine when it was new and I didn't notice any difference whether the air-conditioning was on or off....
Browse
The title of this thread reminded me of that Peter Sarsted (sp?) song 'Where do you go to my lovely?'
Except I doubt soft-tops go to St. Moritz for winter.
SWMBOs CLK is used all year round, which is why it is just as handy to have A/C on a convertible as a tin-top. I save my 2CV for sunny days, and keep it tucked up in the garage over winter, though.