October 2009
Car is a 93 1.9TiD 150 (same as Vauxhall 1.9CDTi). The cambelt is due and have a couple of questions...
1. Is it possible to easily view the cambelt (ie take a cover off) to see if it has been changed?
2. Seems sensible to change water pump at the same time, what is likely cost of this part?
Thanks
Mike. Read more
Podcast: The Dangers of Luxury Cars and GPS
IEEE Spectrum editor Steven Cherry talks to contributor Robert Charette about the risks and implications of technologies that are meant to make driving better. Recently, a California Highway Patrol officer and his family died in a car crash when he was unable to stop his Lexus ES350 from accelerating. In New York state, incomplete GPS information has contributed to an increase of commercial truck accidents, which has prompted potential legislation. Charette discusses how these particular stories illustrate the automation paradox--the more human operators rely on computer systems, the less likely they'll be ready to respond when those systems fail.
Tech Talk: Making Talking on a Cellphone While Driving Just A Little Bit Safer
Eyal Ophir and his colleagues in Stanford University?s CHIMe Lab have designed a system that moves a cellphone caller?s voice around inside the car. Their goal was to build some kind of tool that can help multitaskers pay attention to their driving when it?s most critical. The system puts the voice up at the driver?s level when road conditions are relatively safe, then drops it down to the driver?s feet when conditions are more hazardous.
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Decisions, decisions...
My wife and I recently bought my mother-in-law's car (2001 MkIV Golf, 55K miles - v.clean, good runner) and now want to sell one of our 2 cars - but we are agonising over which to sell:
(1) Mine - 1998 BMW 535i V8 Auto (leather seats, tiptronic, 83K miles, leather, walnut etc etc - gorgeous motor but thirsty on the juice (27-28mpg))
or
(2) My wife's - 2001 Volvo V40 1.6S (not a lot to be said (!) except low mileage - also 83K).
Will do 27mpg around the town (her usual run) or 36mpg (open road).
We have 3 kids and 2 medium sized dogs, which the Golf will (just about) cope with - but we want to keep it as it's such a good runaround and has had the timing belt issue (which dogged the MkIV Golf) seen to at the last service.
My inclination is to keep the Beemer/Golf and get rid of the Volvo - what would you do? Read more
Keep the BMW - if you look after it well you won't lose much more money on it.
If I were you I'd flog the Volvo and see how the Golf copes with your family over the next few months. If it turns out to be too small, trade it in for an Octavia or Golf estate of similar vintage.
Just noticed a weird problem with my '01 clio dci. When I switch the ignition on and wait about 5 seconds the oil light goes out without the engine running! Obviously not right. I suspected the oil pressure switch but not sure where it is,haynes manual is useless. My renault dialogys cd no longer works after I upgraded my computer so that's no help. Is the oil pressure sender the one on front of engine,to the right of oil filter, with a single wire going to it? If so I tried grounding the wire and light still goes out on it's own (without engine being started!). Strange or what? Read more
No, once light goes out it doesn't come on again til I switch engine off. Hence the reason I never suspected a fault til I left ignition on without engine running! It's a strange fault.
A few weeks ago I was px?ing my VX220 for another one from a decent local garage. Bearing in mind it sells very expensive cars (Ferarris/Lambos etc) ? I asked before I went to view it when I could take it away to which they said that day.
Anyway, off I went fell in love with the TT Convertible 225 (with every added extra) ? BUT found a few things which immediately caught my eye ? centre of steering wheel not aligned properly ?. Hazard button pushed right in and wouldn?t pop back out? tear in the loather of passenger side. I questioned it to which they confirmed it was fully hpi clear blah blah but they?d have it sent to their repair centre and I could pick it up once it had been looked into. I left 5 mins before the place closed.
The very next morning (7.30am) got into work and the car had been taken off the website and when I called and spoke with another sales rep I was told the car had been sold so I know someone else hadn?t offered them a better deal!
Anyway, 2 days later I got a call saying they were not prepared to sell me the car as after closer inspection it was apparent it had been in a serious crash ?.
Im glad they told me and Ive now found another new car (hopefully) BUT surely this should have been checked BEFORE it was put up for sale?? Do you think they knew it had been in an accident? The price of the car did come down considerable within two weeks.
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"But if I hadnt have noticed these things they'd have let me drive off in a truely dangerous car that evening ... ? "
Up to this point the problems you found were 'cosmetic' but hardly dangerous. Then you mentioned the airbag warning light.
You have a point in that you would expect cars to be prepared to a good standard for the customer in order to secure a sale rather than them walking away, certainly for a private sale you would expect to do this..
I agree with BB, ultimately they didn't want to sell you the car or got a better offer with a more saleable px perhaps?
Greetings - first time here so please be nice!
I've been looking at getting a car as I'm moving way up North and will be driving back to London at weekends, so plan on getting something fairly big so it'll be quite comfortable, but I don't have a lot of dosh to splash.
My plan was to get a Vectra diesel, but I've seen a Vauxhall Signum online (2005 1.9CDTI 150, 106k miles, £3,600) and am reasonably interested. My OH also seems quite keen on it... however the website (Autoquake) shows the service history and I'm a litte bit concerned.
Seems to have had a bit of damage and repairs for a noisy turbo. I just wanted some advice on whether these things are OK or I should walk away...? Thanks in advance
These are the 2 pages:
www.autoquake.com/archive/17627-FM05TGN/cache-IMG_...G
www.autoquake.com/archive/17627-FM05TGN/cache-IMG_...G
Cheers Read more
Go on, Bellboy, tell us! I'd guess something French, unless you're responding to the thread and it was a Signum.
Hi everyone - just found this forum and I'm really hoping for your help!!
I currently have a Vauxhall VX220 and love it BUT due my current work location chaging (from 2 mins down the road to 1.5 hours away) I've put it upo for sale and am looking for a comfy, reliable sports car. I've found my dream car although having one or two doubts after reading about engine problems.
Here are the details:
2000 Boxster S
2 owners - first was an older couple who had it from new and the current owner had it bought for her by an ex-boyfriend (who is a Porsche owner himself) from a Porsche dealership. As a suprise he also had it resprayed metallic silver/pink (via Porsche - they dealt with it all) and she's given the Porsche dealership her permission to let me have access to all her details if need be.
Mileage - 53,000 - she has done only 9,000 miles since she's had it (2 years) as she uses it as a weekend car.
It has full Porsche service history and in April last year it had a main service along with having brake pads etc changed.
MOT/service/tax are all due April 10.
The car itself is absolutely immaculate - bodywork is perfect and the interior is literally as new.
I've had a hpi check done and it's clear.
I'm just waiting for my car to be sold - she's agreed to hold it for me for a few weeks .... I will be having an AA inspection done before buying it.
What do you all think??????
Thank you in advance.
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I loved my Boxster S, but I'm not sure I would recommend a 10-year old one for a 1.5 hour (3 hour return?) trip to work. Things like suspension will be needing (expensive) attention at this age, and nothing is cheap on a Porsche, or any car with comparable performance.
Check the small print exclusions on any inspection report - you may find they are not worth the paper they are written on. Certainly that was my conclusion when I was thinking of buying a used 996.
I think if I were you I would keep the VX for weekends and get a cheaper rwd commuter car (older 3-series?)
But if you do go ahead, don't forget to factor the cost of a decent respay into your calculations ...
Got a astra 1.6 8v ,about six weeks ago it broke down ,i did know about a oil in water so thought it was head gasket ,went in to local garage spent £800 including cambelt,head skim, new thermasat,pipes ,was told maybe will still get little oil on water as maybe in system.
got worst and 2 weeks later got the full mayo now in water and useing a lot of oil ,so went back in to garage and he has had head off again and saying the head is ok and it must be the block cracked and now need new engine.
Is it some thing the garage guy should of seen or it it just bad luck like he has told me Read more
Is the mileage genuine have you checked?
Take it for a second opinion what have you to lose?
Another engine fitted it will be running for the sake of £450-500, you may have been bitten but not burnt!
I hope I can get some good feedback on this subject.
My wife has a 2002 BMW 1.8 SE. It has been a good buy with few problems or unexpected costs. Mileage 60,000 .
I am thinking of trading it in for something newer and more economical but after reading of all the problems with diesels I will probably stick with petrol and go for 1.6-1.8 Focus or Astra. However looking at the prices you dont get a lot for your money. I will pay cash but not a lot- £8000 -£9000. If I change this car now my wife will be having it for a LONG time.
Should I just keep the BMW?
ANy idea on what it is worth- standard car with a few small scratches.
Just had a service and new front brake pads and new rear shockers fitted. I use a BOSCH approved garage and find them very good.
thanks for any feedback
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many thanks for your messages.
My wife likes it and doesnt really want a Focus so I think we will keep it for a while longer.
Anybody here with any knowledge of these bikes ? I have some photos to post if so. Read more
I did briefly own a "Talisman Twin" in the sixties, can't really remember much about it, just one of those cheap bikes of the day.
When i lived in Birmingham i worked for a few months at King Dick tool in Kings road Tyseley, near my home. Excelsior factory was just up the road. Other nearby names were Lucas and Girling.
The area was one big manufacturing area in those days, so many sadly gone now.
The whole area smelled of suds oil !
Browse
Same tale here, I stopped and investigated. Nothing further was going to result so I resumed the journey. A new spring was obtained on Monday, it being a Sunday with no more hindrance than taking it easy until then.