September 2009
As i turned right twice today a red light flicked on briefly on my dash. I think it is just to the left of the airbag light. It is not one of the lights that come on at start up, and I don't seem to be able to make the light come on so that I can see what it is!
Any ideas?
Debs Read more
I think some of my friends and I are going through the beginnings of a mid life crisis, but whatever it is, we have this embryonic idea to have a 4x4 adventure holiday...but do it ourselves. We're serious about it, it's not just pub talk. It started off as lads only, but a couple of wives want in, so even though mine isn't overly convinced, it's looking like 5 or 6 couples, all in their own vehicles or maybe 1 or 2 vehicles with a couple of mates in it and 3 or 4 with couples.
The idea would be to aim for a trip in 2 years time, the likely venue would be North Africa using a ferry from Southern Spain...(after doing all the appropriate research re safety, overnight stop venues, fuel locations, etc). Some want full on camping, although some (inc me) are more keen on hotels and similar.
It would not be meant as a full on, serious, expert off road trip, but would no doubt involve a fair amount of rough roads etc..hence the 4x4 option.
So....what to do it in?
Most people are prepared to buy something for the occasion and sell it afterwards. I am torn with that (prepared to do so), but wonder if i could combine the trip vehicle with something i'd keep afterwards as retirement looms in a few years and i plan to be in the back end of Devon, somewhere well rural, so a 4x4 as a runabout would be a reasonable option, to keep as a second car, with us regularly updating my wife's car for long journeys etc. So do i buy something old for the trip, then sell afterwards...or..go a bit newer and keep afterwards. I'm not at all 'hands on' with mechanics, but others on the trip are.
My brother advocates a 15-20 year old Landcruiser (he's a mechanic and planning to join us). I was thinking a bit newer, if i'm going to keep it afterwards.
My first thoughts were to spend about £5K on: Discovery/Range Rover/Land Cruiser/ Patrol/ Shogun/Jeep....all diesel and manual....and pick something up from an auction i.e. whatever was sensible at the time...but little bruv has vehemently advised against a Land Rover product, even though i'd have him go right through it first.
My second thoughts are to have something a bit 'nicer' as i'd keep it afterwards and we're not planning on going on a full scale rally, so apart from the odd mishap they shouldn't get completely trashed....so would maybe stretch to say £7K or £8K, but what to have?... Land Cruisers hold their value well, LR's can be unreliable, not sure about the Jeep....which has left me looking at Nissan Patrol's, they're cheaper than Land Cruisers, but seemingly well built and reliable (the UN have enough of them).. how about a good specced Patrol to fulfil both criteria?
What do you people think? Which vehicle should it be? Anyone done something similar before? Any obvious pitfalls that a bunch of amateurs would be bound to fall in? I don't mind some honest feedback. The only thing is, we're not really looking for an organised thing with a company doing it all for us.
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As it 'appens, now then, now then, I was with a university friend of 39 years' duration climbing in the Pyrenees last week.
Gosh, William, that's an awful lot of retakes. Or were the Mountaineering Society's trips just too good to leave behind?
};---)
I have had the engine management light come on and off recently. I had the car serviced but before they could check the fault the light went out. It came back on again and when I took it back it showed fault 1135 Air fuel sensor heater circuit (bank 1). Have read a bit on the forum about this. I would like to try and sort this myself if I can. Could anyone give me some detailed instructions of what I need to do. Thankyou. Read more
I have a 2003 renault clio. Recently my passenger door has started playing up, it doesn't seem to open from the outside when I unlock the car, I have to go inside the car and open it from there, it can then be opened from the outside until I lock the car again.
I think it could maybe be a problem with my central locking but not sure. Any ideas?? Read more
I have exactly the same problem, but with my driver's door.
I thought it was related to me slamming the door shut on the seatbelt.
Did you find a solution?
Am going to start doing 6000mile oil changes on my 2.0 Legacy Saloon. Cant see where the oil filter is in the engine bay!! Anyone got any ideas? Thanks Read more
Driving down the M20 last Friday, on the way to the Chunnel, I was overtaken by a large, sleek, slightly futuristic saloon in a sinister non-metallic black, with no badges or noticeable detailing.
The giveaway was the shapely rear boot-lid, adorned with thin, boomerang red LEDS. It was the new XJ (on a 58-reg plate), doing a steady 90mph.
Looks great - purposeful with a hint of agression. If it drives as well as it looks, Jag will do well. Read more
"It wasn't a big WOW, like my first sight of a CLS a few years ago!"
...I too was 'most taken' by the CLS at the time of its introduction, and, of course, the XF, but having undertaken my 5-hour extended/unaccompanied E350 CDI Coupé test-drive last Friday...
...however, I notice that the first UK Infiniti dealership is due to open in Reading a week on Friday and so until I've finally seen the G37 Coupé/Convertible in the flesh...
We discuss at length people having their cars needlessly confiscated, this could be a more normal situation. Returning from a late grandchild sit at 1am this morning I picked up a traffic car behind me at a roundabout, we were the only cars on the road at the time. It followed me for about 2 miles, (heading towards the local police canteen from the motorway). I made a point of driving normally, speed limit +5, across several roundabouts untill I turned off. Although I was probably checked on a myriad of databases, and had my driving assesed for booze/drugs, as far as I could tell I was ignored. Good job it wasnt next month, insurance renewal time and off the MID for a week! :-) Read more
It was the time of flairs, perms, tulip collared jackets, and ppurple and blue platform >> boots.
Wondered where you acquired your impeccable taste AE...
My own era was more superficially austere: black overcoats, pointed shoes, drainpipe trousers and cracked shades...
Chalk and cheese one might think. Of course they are more similar than people realise. Ever tried Wensleydale?
:o}
Saw an article in Martins Money Saving Tips today. Council MOT stations are set up for councils' own vehicles, but must open to the public too. As they don't do repairs, they've no incentive to fail you. Anyone had experience of this? Read more
>>.. that they don't really want people to hang around while their car is tested,,>>
I'm sure that the independent garage where I have my VW tested would be surprised at that statement - they've never had any qualms about me watching the MOT test, including the last two or three years when the test was first computerised.
help brought my 53 reg a class and no manual with it to tell me the what some of the dash board lights mean.
Brought the haynes book but that tells me nothing to do with the subject. Is there anywhere i can go on a web site and print this off?
{Year of manufacture means just that, NOT '53' from the registration number! Also added some grammar to break up the sentences and thus to make for easier reading}" Read more
Hello all
The cracked ring (on front axle) causes juddering when braking at low speed.
To get round this problem is it feasible to . . .
1. Remove the ring altogether ?
2. Disconnect the sensor ?
Thanks in anticipation. Regards, JobyTug Read more
Thanks for the comments. And for the link Steve. Looks like I've got some work to do. Rgds, JT
Hi there, I'm not sure if this is much use to you as it's for a car 3 years newer than yours but Peugeot's Service Box has a handbook for a 2001 106 - tinyurl.com/nd4lq4 (you may have to trawl a bit for it).