Hi,

The automatic (rain sensing) wiper function on my 2006 Grand Scenic sometimes doesn't work. This doesn't happen very often but if I put the wipers in 'auto' mode (setting II on the wipers stalk) they continue to wipe when the screen is dry. This will continue to happen whenever the wipers are set to setting II.

After the engine is stopped and re-started the wipers the work correctly in rain sensing mode and all is OK.

Anyone know what the cause of this could be?

Thanks Read more

I've got a 1.9TDi 110 bhp Octavia (2000 model) and am thinking of buying a newer one.
Does anyone know where I can find out the performace figures for that model (max speed, acceleration and fuel consumption) so that I can compare it with current models?

Many thanks Read more

Ok folks, I've recently moved, and now have a garage. Unfortunately this isn't a large double, but a brick built nineteen fifties single, about 2.4 meters by 4.8 meters. As I have a motorbike I want to keep in here during the winter, and to placate the insurance companies, I will need around a meter at the rear to park the bike.

So, with about 3.8 meters to play with, and sub 1.8 meters in width to allow for door opening, what are the recommendations for affordable (sub £9k) transport. This will be without any Scrappage Allowance.

Main use - commute / transport for two and sometimes a labrador.
Would like to see 50 mpg or more.
Used mainly in town and fast A roads. So very little motorway miles.
Must be four seat capable - leg room doesn't need to be great in the back.
Annual mileage less than 12k so no need for diesel.
Me - 6ft in height, average build, so shouldn't be any accomodation issues, although I once test drove a Saxo and kept hitting the door with my elbow the seat was so close to the handle.

Did once own a Smart ForFour (shared same platform as Mitsubishi Colt) and found it amazingly versatile, so I'm keen to look at the new Colt, especially at £8k new.

I'm quite lucky in having all the major marques near me, and am no badge snob, so what would the recommendations be? Horror stories welcome as well as the positive. Read more

So, you are sitting in the drivers seat of your cherished Golf MkV1. Ignition is off, drivers door open. You are about to make a phone call on your mobile. Your car keys are on the seat between your legs. You are in a country village location, not a scroaty area.

You are vaguely aware that a large 4x4 has pulled up behind you and you are blocked in (you are faced inwards towards a brick wall) Suddenly, a man reaches in to the car and attempts to snatch your keys. In doing so, he inadvertently pushes them under your groin and touches your privates with his hand as he scrabbles for your keys.

He gets them, but you have hold of his wrist with both hands and you are jerked out of the car as he tries to make off with them. You struggle violently with him and twist your shoulder badly.

You are 54, have Parkinsons and a heart condition, man boobs and a belly. You are being violently pushed backwards and know that if you go to ground, you are done for.

The guy is younger and stockier than you, extremely violent. As a LAST RESORT to protect yourself and your valuable property, you crack him one, once, to the cheek to try to stop him assaulting you and making off with your keys.

He lets go of you and you get back into the car, you attempt to start the car to get away, but he yanks the door open and attempts to snatch your keys out of the ignition. In fact, (unbeknown to you at that moment) the key fob breaks in half and he has the top half, the remainder is in the ignition still. You think he has the whole key, and you still struggle with him. Again, he is violent and abusive.

Police are called and on arrival, the man still has half your key fob in his hand. His car still blocking you in. Trembling violently after having your shoulder wrenched, and from increased Parkinsons tremor due to extreme stress, you tell police exactly what took place and allege attempted theft and assault . The man is known to police. He also alleges assault and wants to go to hospital as he feels dizzy and sick. An ambulance is called for him after he is arrested.

Incredibly, you are arrested for assault, despite the fact that the other guy still had your half a car key when they arrived on the scene, with the other half in the ignition. This is at 5.30pm. You are taken to the police station. You have chest pains and shoulder pain and paramedics are called. You have an ECG done in the custody area, but marked as fit for detention. You are refused a phone call, despite not meeting criteria for being held incommunicado. You try to explain the facts to the custody officer because the arresting officer failed to give the full circumstances. However, you are told to shut up. You are held until 2am! It is only when you make an impassioned plea to the night duty custody officer and inspector that it is decided that you are, indeed a victim, not a miscreant.

This took place despite the fact that you were a cop for 30yrs, are an upstanding citizen still serving the public through work as a Trading Standards officer investigating rogue traders, car clockers and counterfeiters, identified yourself to police as such, showed identification etc.

Without using blood or bile in your pen, how do YOU think you would feel? How angry would you be? Would it be the last thing on your mind at night and the first thing on your mind in the morning as your gut contracts in a cold and bitter fury at your treatment? Would you wake up laughing maniacally as you wrestle with the idea it could possibly happen?

Answers on a postcard! Read more

Hi,

I've just bought this car and really could do with some advice. I know there are a few people on here much more knowledgeable about these engines.

THe car is a 1999 420 LDi (which I assume is the intercooler version?) I bought from ebay in a bit of a rush., with fresh MOT and defintely an favourable descripotion, seemed ok but should've been more cautious.

The car drives OK, it's possibly a little sluggish and definielty smokey on much throttle. The most obvious fault is that the car won't rev beyond 3200rpm when hot. When cold it'll happily rev (very smokily) but after running for 20 minutues when the temperature reaches half way, it won't go about 3200 rpm. It's like it hits the rev limiter at 3300 rpm, the car doesn't stall but stays at that engine speed and just occilates between 3000-3500.

I've done a quick search on here, and also google, but couldn't fined anything relevant. Any takers?
Thanks in advance for any help. Read more