August 2009
Visited my local renault, fiat and citreon dealerships yesterday - none of the are interested in doing deasl, they seem to have gone back to list prices since the government scrappage scheme.
Anyway, where not bothered what make it is, but we do want a new berlingo (old or new shape), doblo or kangoo mpv van thing.
Which is the best broker/dealer to approach?
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I recently bought a 2005 (MK III) Lexus GS300 SE. I fully expected the running costs to be far higher than my previous car (2008 Skoda 1.8 TSi), but decided ?what the hell? and went ahead and did the deal.
The Skoda managed 25 mpg around town and up to 44 mpg on a decent journey. The long term average over the 10 months I owned the car was 31 mpg (70% urban / 30% motorway). This was according to the ?on-board computer? which was generally 5-10% optimistic.
The Lexus is a 3.0 V6 6 speed Auto and an all together different animal. The performance figures however are remarkably similar (despite the obvious weight differential 1305 Kg vs 1620 Kg) - 0-60 is within a few tenths and the top speeds are both in excessive of silly speeds (140 mph+). In the few weeks I?ve owned the Lexus it has returned just under 25 mpg in mostly urban use, rising to mid 30?s with mixed use. Last night I had a trip to watch my team in action against the ?Stoke Potters?. The journey worked out at as a 140 mile round trip (averaging 57 mph). To my amazement the Lexus returned 40.1 mpg on the OBC! I obviously thought this was a wild overestimation and rechecked using the ?Brim to Brim? method. This gave 39.9 mpg !! So not only is the car remarkably economical, but the OBC is deadly accurate.
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If you read the Lexus forum and then the various Mercedes forums, there can be little doubt as to which are the better cars..
My Clio is due its first service soon. Cost will be £180, for what basically amounts on an oil and filter change and a visual safety check of other components (yeah, right - just tick the boxes on the service sheet during the tea break).
It seems most of the bigger manufacturers charge around this amount because they know the customer is tied to them otherwise the warranty will be void.
I asked what the cost would be when I first bought the car, so I'm not suprised.....just a general moan that most franchised dealers seem to take the proverbial when it comes to service time. Read more
It seems most of the bigger manufacturers charge around this amount because they know >> the customer is tied to them otherwise the warranty will be void.
That is not correct - see FAQ number 66.
However you need to make sure if you get the work done elsewhere that the scope of the work is the same and that they use Renault oil filter and the correct oil.
It's also worth calling a couple of Renault dealers and asking if there are any recalls or service advisories on the car.
At the end of the day, I think the £180 is pitched so that it's just not quite worth the uncertainty of getting it done out of the network. It is worth arguing about the price though - for the simple first year oil change £150 is more like it on most cars, and some are less. Perhaps get prices from dealers further afield - you could always say you work near a distant dealer.
Looks like Audi have pulled their channel on Sky.
I watched it VERY ocasionally if I had a spare 5 minutes and cound find nothing else. I could never see how this was going to pay for Audi. They claimed that it was a very cost effective way of advertising when they launched but surely advertising only works if you can speak to the people.
A channel on Sky in the 'specialist' pages was never going to attract a large audience. Read more
Any thoughts from you knowledgable folk please on the value of this.
58,000 miles, 5 Speed Auto, 5 Door Executive Hatchback, 58000 miles, Metallic Silver, Petrol, Automatic, ABS, Air conditioning, Alarm, Immobiliser, Alloy wheels, Audio remote control, Body coloured bumpers, Half Leather seat trim, Electric Mirrors, Traction control, Electric windows front and rear, Cruise control, Privacy glass to rear, 6 airbags (side, front and curtain), CD/ radio, 3 three-point rear seat belts, Full service history - all main dealer, 1 previous owner, 5 months tax, MOT until 03/10, next service due 10000 miles more, brand new upgraded fuel pump and upgraded fuel regulator, fold flat and reclining rear seats, very spacious car/ estate, lovely to drive.
Thanks....MD Read more
This is an 2004/04. Parkers put it at about 3.4k (good private)
MD
I have in my bookmarks the guide above and it has always worked fine and for free. However in the last few days when I access it a warning comes up saying attack site. Any clues as to why this should happen now?
Regards.......Martin D Read more
seems to work fine in firefox today (no warning message).
Following warnings lights that ABS,EPS,BAS were malfunctioning car was stopped & engine switched off, gear shift placed in "Park". Later attempt to shift into "Drive" found gear shift immovable and unable to start the engine although plenty of electrical power. Prior to switching the engine off I noticed the "D" display indicating car is in "Drive" had vanished.
Any thoughts gratefully received. Read more
I have had a similar problem. I put the key in the ignition and all the warning lights came on and the key was still in position 0. It would not move to position 1 or 2.. Car was completely immobile. I was towed away. Two days later garage mechanic tried the car and the problem had vanished.
Now what??...
i've had my citroen c4 for the abot two year and every thing has been fine .
just this last 2/3 months the off side rear door wont lock . well you hear it locking but go pull the handle and it opens the hole car so for this i have locked the door using the manual child lock in which you have to enter your key in a hole on the side of the door and turn but i'm worried that ive done the wrong thing .
has anyone had the same problem ?
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Morning all. The 2.2 engine. Are there any known problems with this lump and/or is this the engine that had the 'glossy' bore problem?
Regards............MD Read more
Thanks DD.
The main dealer tells me that the pressure plate is worn (at 27k!) and a new clutch is required.
In trying to learn more about the clutch I've been googling and wondered if somebody can help me understand the difference between the clutch cover and the pressure plate.
Thanks in advance
Ben Read more
They tell me that the pressure plate is worn by the clutch being held down while waiting for traffic lights. I protest saying that it is an existing fault that should be sorted under warranty. (I bought main dealer approved car at 19k miles)
Symptoms are that the clutch is very heavy for the first press after a long journey (40+ miles) in top gear. No sign of any slipping as revs match speed exactly.
It is supposed to be the pressure plate because there is resistance at around the biting point when pressing the pedal by hand.
Ben
Browse
I can recommend Car file.net !! they have been about years all dealings are done through a franchise dealer .They even took my part ex in
Ask for Jonathan