September 2009
can anybody help i have been trying to change the bulbs in the instrument panel but cannot disconect the speedo cable there must be a way could somebody please tell me how
stan the man Read more
It has an AEE engine. Anyone know the belt change interval, what else needs doing at the same time (tensioners etc.) and is it DIYable? Read more
I am currently considering buying a new LR Discovery 4 3.0 litre GS. I have been checking prices offered online through various brokerages/agents eg Broadspeed.com, DrivetheDeal.com and uk-car-discount.co.uk.
Naturally the prices they quote in comparison to the Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price are very tempting (even if their deal involves retention of the VO5 and consequent potential issues with insurance).
List is £35,048 including metallic paint. Prices from the agents/brokerages range from £31,000 up to £32,500.
I have seen some (by no means all or even a majority) of reviews of the brokers/agents on line by actual car buyers based on their experiences of ordering through the brokers which make me concerned that should I order through them, 8 weeks or more later my order may be cancelled if the car cannot be sourced by their dealers.
This would thus cause me problems having to source a car from somewhere else especially since I need a 7 seater before January (new child on the way) and the 2.5% increase in VAT from 1st january.
Alternatively, I could order myself through a main dealer and thus end up paying a higer price compared to the broker/agent.
Does anyone have experience of purchasing a similar car through one of these brokers/agents that they would care to share?
Many thanks for any and all replies. Read more
Many thanks for the helpful replies :)
I am currently talking with a main dealer to see if he can come down to an acceptable price.
Richard
New legislation will propose that taxed cars, on or off the road must be insured
tinyurl.com/mqb9oj
Read more
But if it helps reduce the number of uninsured drivers then the winners will be
everyone who actually pays for their insurance.
I cant see that it will make much difference, people who drive un-insured are already breaking the law, I dont see how adding another law will help. Whats needed is more enforcement, if 1 in 20 cars are un-insured then these ANPR cameras must be catching thousands every day.
I also love the way that insurance companies always say that un-insured drivers are costing everyone about £20 on their premium, they make it sound like they would pass on the saving to drivers - NOT!
Having worked in insurance for many years (as did SWMBO) I'm just a little cynical...
I've seen the latest Golf advert a few times lately. The one where, in a variety of situations, other cars have some of their positive attributes as being 'like a Golf'. I think it's quite a clever idea. I must admit that there have been times I've described my Octavia as being a Golf GTI underneath. The ad must be liked by VW marketing for perpetuating the car's UK 'premium' image.
However, one of the parts of the ad has a supposed motoring TV presenter (who has a passing resemblance to Peter Kay) handbrake turning a car and describing it as handling like a Golf. Now the exterior shots of the car, though not revealing much, are of a BMW 1-Series, but I'm pretty sure the interior shots are of the latest Honda Civic.
I can't really make out the other cars in the ad. Do other manufacturers get bothered about having their cars featured as second-rate in other firm's ads? Most other makers use old models from their own range, perhaps with disguise.
James
Driver of an Octavia (Like a Golf, except for the price, practicality, dealer experience, ...) Read more
not a uk force but still looks fun.
www.policecarmodels.com/ki119vwbepoc.html
My 306 1.6 petrol Meridian will occasionally fail to start in the morning. Just prior to engaging the starter there is no sound of the fuel pump running. The starter turns the engine over but there's no sign of a spark. Removing the key, locking up and leaving for a few minutes seems to help it start (immediately as usual). Coilpack and plugs changed a year ago. Any ideas would be gratefully received. Ta. Read more
hi guys
got a 1999 astra mk4 1.6 16v which is running on 3 cylinders, on removal of the spark plug one of them was covered in oil which is obviously causing the problem, as you look under the bonnet its the one farest right, that however is the end on my mechanical knowledge :-( what causes this and more importantly how much should it cost to put right
thanks in advance for any help you can give me
gaz Read more
compression test first
these engines are renowned for burning valves out
Hi,
I am in the process of buying a used Ford Mondeo from a franchised dealer. I am supposed to be going to the dealership tomorrow to fill in any paperwork and to pay (I am paying cash, no financing) and collect the car. The only issue is that they have told me that there will be a delay of several hours from me signing the paperwork (including the sales invoice/contract) until I can pay and take the car away. They said that once signed the paperwork has to be sent over to their administration office.
On this thread (I created this current thread because the one below is a bit of a long read about other issues before this specific question crops up):
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=78...3
NowWheels has advised me that this is a long time for the paperwork to be processed.
I had expected that I would be able to check the car, sign and hand over the money and then take the car, all in one go, rather than there being a delay when the car is out of my hands for several hours. Of course I can check the car before handing over the money, just in case it has been damaged in those few hours, but I will still have signed the contract for it. It is also a pain because it will take me over an hour to get to the dealer and back in the morning and then an hour later on in the day when I pick it up.
I just wondered if anybody else had any experiences they could share in terms of how long this process should take. Is the dealer exposed to any risk by letting me take the car away if I have just signed and paid, or is this just bureaucracy?
One other thing with regards to paperwork, I think I need to make sure that I get the following:
* V5 slip (I think they mail off one half and give you the other)
* Warranty details
* Service history
* Manual
Is that right and is there anything I have missed.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as this is my first car and I have no idea how things work. Thanks also to those of you who have helped me so far it has been very valuable.
Read more
SQ
Is that right and is there anything I have missed.
A written receipt for the money you've paid out - a V5 is not proof of ownership.
Does anybody know who did the talking like that? i remember he had a bald head but ive never found a link to him,made me laugh when he was explaining engine thingy bits
any youtube links?
thanks........ Read more
Thanks guys,his name has evaded me for yonks,off youtubing nowsy bonny veewoygee
Evening all,
In my previous life as Rob the Bus I attended a Back Room Meet in North Barnet in the summer of 2003. A few others were present (Spikeyhead, Marcus, HF amongst others) and the great man himself turned up which was fabulous. The thread concerning it can be found here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=15...4
Thing is, I can't find the photos from it any more. Have they vanished into cyberspace or does someone know where they may be lurking?
Cheers. Read more
"Struggling Microsoft ... "
;-) If Microsoft fits your criteria of "struggling", the world's economy is in a far worse situation than anyone anywhere had previously imagined.
Some general answers in this thread:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=4&t=72...2