September 2009
I bought a C5 station wagon 2.0 HDI auto at the beginning of June (in Spain). I've done 3,500 miles, a mixture of town driving and a number of 200 - 300 mile runs. I had a Renault 21 and a Laguna II, both petrol, before the C5 and can confidently say that the C5 is by far the quietest (from inside the car). I really feel it's a big step up from the Renaults. Drives beautifully. It's a big car, something I'm still getting used to. Very spacious inside with a good size boot (not so in the saloon model). It looks great in black with chrome trimmings.
Gear changes are very smooth, hardly noticeable at times. On uneven road surfaces and winding dual-carriageways (there are many in Spain) I find the Sport mode for the suspension and steering a must. Otherwise the car wallows. With this mode connected the ride is extremely stable and comfortable. Acceleration is sluggish from a standing start, better once doing 30mph and very good at higher speeds. On a 10 mile run to work through town traffic and along some fast roads, I'm getting 32mpg. On the long runs, 44 mpg was the best return doing a steady 75 mph (120kmph) and using cruise control. At a slighty higher cruising speed (80 mph) 40mpg was the norm. I reckon I could get up to 50mpg at say 65 - 70 mph, but purely stop-start town driving would probably be as low as 25mpg.
The seats are firmer than in the Renaults. It's annoying when something exists in your old car, but is not available in the new one. I miss the card key (although it didn't always work properly). The cup or can holder is positioned between the front seats and therefore useless to the driver (obviously don't want us to drink and drive). Finding the horn buttons in the centre of the steering wheel is taking some getting used to. I have to use a cable to connect my Tom Tom Go to the aux sockets in the glove compartment to get the commands and stored MP3 audio files over the car's audio system, but this does not pause the car's radio when the GPS gives directions.
Overall I'm extremely pleased with the car Read more
Aren't starter buttons a backward step? Why are they being re-introduced? Read more
Good description.
My old Regal made a noise that would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
At least it did the day the exhaust fell off.
I'm having a problem with my Focus 1.8. Sometimes it doesn't slow after taking my foot off the accelerator and whilst moving if i put it into neutral, the car will rev on its own (upto 5000rpm) then when breaking only just before the vehicle stops will the revs drop to an idle. Also whilst the car is revving like that in neutral, if i push the clutch down then the revs tend to drop.
I have changed the 'throttle housing' and 'throttle position sensor' but made no difference.
Someone also said it could be the 'idle control valve' which they showed me was situated tucked under the inlet manifold. I don't know what to do cannot afford a visit to the ford dealership.
Should i get a different inlet manifold from the scrap dealers?? Read more
Hi, I had a mate who had a similar problem and it turned out to be the speed sensor. When the garage disconnected it, just to prove a point, the problem stopped. When they connected it up again and guess what! Tis worth a look
When ordering my elder daughter's fourth Toyota Yaris, I was looking over the new Prius and was offered a test run in one - a fine example of long-term thinking by the salesman at the excellent Octagon Toyota in Bracknell, as he knew I have a new Skoda. His reward is that I'm happy to tell anyone how impressive the new Prius is.
The previous Prius II was very good in town but not at its best on the open road, where you need to rev the petrol engine noisily, and not vey economically, to get decent performance. The new one, with an 1800 cc engine and 3 modes (Power, Eco and electric only) allows you to choose how you drive depending on traffic and your own mood. Power gives a good solid shove: it doesn't feel as if you're racing but the speedometer (with a useful head-up display in the windscreen) shows that speed in increasing quickly.
Road tests I've seen have said that it's not much fun to drive: I would dispute that, as the steering is light (which I like) and direct, and handling is sharp enough to be fun without the ride being over-firm. Seats are comfortable with lots of (adjustable) lumbar support, which I personally find essential. The Prius has far more room in the back than most competitors: the boot is shallowish (because of the need to store the batteries) but it's enough, and there is a big under-floor compartment for laptops etc.
Cristicisms - not much. I don't like the foot-operated parking brake, although at least it's mechanical and not electronic. It's not easy to find in a hurry, and there really is nothing wrong with a normal handbrake. And I'd prefer a wheel to adjust the seat backrest angle. But that's it.
With a 5-month old Octavia vRS which I'm enjoying greatly, I'm not changing yet. But for anyone looking for a car in this size and price range (£18-21k) it's worth puting on a short list in its own right, even without entering the debate about whether a Prius is more eco-friendly than a diesel. It's a lot quieter than most diesels, and with the choice of modes available, economy is, I would expect, comparable with a diesel depending on how you drive it.
The ultimate question - would I have one as my next car? It depends what's around in 2 to 3 years, but at the moment - probably. Read more
As a doctor, the word Prius is far too close to the similar word priapism which describes an uncontrolled, how shall I describe it, proudness of the male member that can only be reduced by surgical means.
This sums up the whole concept of this ill-conceived car in my mind.
The hybrid is a Dodo-like branch in the evolution of motoring.
Hello,
Our son damaged his tyre and wheel over 2 months ago in a pot-hole near where we live. He was coming to visit us. The tyre loses air, buckled wheel, and slight pull.
We all live in Lovdon and pay council taxes to LB.
Like most he works, does not take his car to work as he works in the city, car is parked in his garage. He first contacted LB a few days after the incident and was straight away told to claim on his insurance. The hole was very large, approx 16" across. I know because I have driven past it several times. Our son got caught out in the rain and it was dark, so full of water.
He took pics with ruler by side - it was risky as road is busy. About 2 weeks later hole was filled in.
The council still won't pay up. He told them to take them to the small claims.. this was over the phone.
Our son has filed in their claims, took time out to go to Vauxhall for a quote and sent it. He can't really use the car for longer trips.
Is there a standard gal letter around and what obligation does the council have?
Btw, his car is pretty new, 08 plate Astra, very low miles and in good condition.. and he is not try to pull a fast one as he does not have the time for this.
Thank you Read more
Sorry, a bit more. I disagree that you have to reveal an accident to your insurer if you get paid out by the council but you can simply ask your insurer if they consider the hypothetical circumstance to be revealable without telling them it happened.
I have an oil leak around the engine, and top up about qtr litre every 3000 miles. Is it normal for cars to have leaks after a certain age? Mines 7 years. I normally don't do anything about it unless its major. Should it be checked out and what are the likely causes - worn gasket cover etc? And can it lead to long term damage to engine or any components (if I keep the oil topped up)? Read more
Thanks for that, sounds like the best thing to do.
Hi All!
Last week a white MGBGT 18k one owner was advertised on BCA Auctionview - but missed which sale it was in - out of interest, wondered if anyone saw it?
Was it a 'nice' one & what did it sell for, please?
Thanks in advance!
VB Read more
Really need help here.
I have a 99 2.0hdi 406 with moon miles on the clock(but been well maintained)....just about everything on it has been replaced at some time...problem is now it has started to run terrible!... It would not drive above 2000rpm on the road and when taken home and inspected it would make it over the 2000 rpm via the cable inside the engine bay being being pulled but it is sending out smoke that u could see for miles...sometimes black and sometimes grey...occasionally clearing itself for 30 secs and then goin back to being "lumpy" again. Engine sounds fine at tick over.....exhaust gases sound like they are "burbling" when u put the engine under rev pressure. Had the machine on it and it gave out quite a few fault codes P0121,P0221(mechanic said not to worry bout these as they are not the issue) P1138 fuel pressure regulater-P0401 Egr Valve circuit-P0335 rpm sensor-P0571 Brake switch circuit-and P1537 UNDOCUMENTED CODE...... the mechanic advised that the undocumented code or the Egr valve circuit would prob be the problem.....I have checked all the hoses going to the turbo (as i was told to do) for cracks...they look ok! SO now i need to start with the EGR valve stuff,,,,,but i dont know were they are..... can they be cleaned or replaced? will this cure it??? thanks in advance !! JOe Read more
I had same symptoms recently. Sluggish at higher revs and smoking more than usual but tickover was fine. Mine turned out to be the big fat turbo hose which runs from oil cooler over top of engine and down the back somewhere, and where it is bolted to a cast metal joint on the top of the engine, the two retaining bolts had lost their nuts so the hose itself was sound but the joint was working loose and letting more air into the mix, hence it went sluggish under acceleration but was fine at idle. More air was making the fuel mixture wrong hence the additional smoke.
Hi,
A friend has a voyager and sometimes it doesnt start, he tells me he used to bang the dash and then sumtimes the the car would normally start, now the car will not start.
He has told me the fuel gauge and trip meter sometimes do not work and also that he can hear a relay clicking type sound.
I have not seen the car myself yet but am thinking of removing the dials and checking the connetions.
Is this a common fault on the car, whats the easiest tempory repair.
Many thanks
Please reply to post or {Snip, mobile number removed. Do you really want all manner of people calling you day and night?}
Much appreciated
Nick Read more
Both your questions have been covered if you do a search on here how to check the wiring and to remove the dash. Yes if you plug a scanner in and it can't read anything this is most likely because the bus communication is down and is most likely due the the heater panel or cluster.
Hi Everyone,
Hope everyone is doing well, this is my first post so please be gentle, haha.
Would appreciate any advice regarding my newly acquired Audi A3, only had the car a week and up till today it was a dream come true owning my first Audi, I've always wanted to own an A3 and been chuffed to bits so far(Sorry i'l cut to the chase).
Yesterday when i returned home after a short 10min drive, before i switched off the engine i noticed as i sat in neutral that the engine rev's had dropped from a steady 900RPM, to between 500-900 rpm, which was making the car sound like it was "chugging"(best word i can think off). I decided to drive around my street and also noticed that if i took my foot off the accelerator the car felt is if it was still going forward but also that it was "jerky", like it was struggling. Hope that makes sense?
I called the garage i bought it from today but as it is a sunday and sept weekend i've had no joy.
I have already read through alot of the related forums here and I take my hat off to you guys cause its amazing just how much you guys know. I've never really owned my own car so I have relatively little experience with DIY in cars but I am an Electrician to trade so am not scared to give it a go!
Thanks so so much for taking the time to read my post, I'd appreciate ANY help what so ever with my A3 problem.
Regards -D
{subject header changed to give a brief description of question being asked} Read more
Many thanks Peter for your reply,
I'l get in touch with the garage tomorrow morning and i'l let you know the outcome.
Thanks
The electrically controlled seat adjustments might help you here. In fact, when you turn off the engine, the driver's seat automatically moves backwards allowing for an easier exit from the car. It stays in this position for easy entry and then moves forward when you turn the ignition key.