December 2009
Hi all i want to know is, where is the diagnostic plug located for a 525d e39 bmw on a 03 plate please.
Thanks
Jason Read more
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Rob
(I must be mad volunteering)
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Volume 2 is here !
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Hi general question,
If you aren't using your porsche boxster around the track is t OK to swap the brakes and discs with non-porsche parts if they are suitable and to the same standard. Also is it OK to use an autocentre rather than a porsche dealership to replace pads and discs.
There is a reccession on but I don't wat to damage my car or its value.
Thanks
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Genuine front and rear discs and pads cost £700 or cheaper better made copies can be had much much cheaper.
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Well wishers to Rattle.
Carry on in Christmas Chill thread - locking this one now prior to creating a new one.
This vehicle is, as you can see, just over six years old and has recently passed 50K.
It has always started at first turn of the key. Today it was reluctant to do so even though the engine was hot.
Is there a simple way in which *I* can tell whether the battery is near-flat or is coming to the end of it's life?
I am not mechanically minded. Read more
Years ago batteries seemed to gradually fade away over a long period but now it seems to be quite common for them to be fine one day and then dead the next.
Hello Everybody,
Last week I took the plunge and had Vredestein Wintrac Extreme fitted (actually just the 2 front driven wheels) on my Mondeo Estate - I live on the hills above Keighley, West Yorkshire (260 m altitude) and for the past couple of years have been fed up with being unable to get off my estate and onto the main road.
The Mondeo was absolutely pants in anything from a few flakes of snow (205/50 R17 tyres) - I live at the bottom of a 40 m long incline I just couldnt get up it !
From reading up on Winter tyres (or more relevent Cold Weather tyres) I decided that as they are cost neutral in the long term I would have them fitted.
Last night I had to collect my daughter from work at 9 pm ( an isolated country pub) - the Mondeo was totally transformed and I could almost drive as though there was no snow.
The few other cars I saw were unable to get up any of the hills and I saw 2 cars which had slid into each other (going downhill).
I will definately get 2 winter tyres on the back - coming down the hills I could feel the grip on the rears was not there at all.
However, all in all, the 2 tyres on the front were incredible and I can recommend them to anyone who is concerned about their safety in winter.
I would like to point out that the grip from the tyres in cold weather is astonishing - you can really notice the difference and I feel so much safer.
Once we get ice and snow thrown in, then they really are a no brainer !
Hope this is helpful !
Matt Read more
Work colleague described his S Type Jag as unuseable/undriveable in the recent weather; bit the bullet and imported 4 winter tyres and says that, whatever they cost him, they have made the car at least driveable and overall, transformed. I think he may have been looking at £1000 but he is well pleased.
I have recently moved to a nice quiet country setting in the back of beyond. Roads are not great and get very muddy and slippy. My car is not going to get me out in the winter months if we continue to have weather like it is at the moment.
I want to buy a cheap 4 wheel drive car, dont want Jeep type stuff but it does need to be big enough for me the wife two kids and the dogs of which there are two.. I need something with reasonable economy reliable and safe. I have ruled out Landrover Freelander and Discovery as I dislike both Oh and suzuki as they feel like they are made of tin foil.. Any ideas?? price wise I only have £4k tops to play with.
Many thanks Read more
Just so long as you're not selfish and don't go off-roading just for your own fun, and don't churn up unsurfaced lanes.
I had to my first snow driving tonight, my road had about 1 inch snow on it. As I left my road I felt my back wheels slipping (the rear tyres have about 5mm tread on them) and I managed to get down the road at about 10mph then slowly braked but then it felt like I lost all grip and the car skidded slightly.
After that I didn't get out of 2nd gear and didn't drive any more than 15mph until I got onto a busier and thus no snow road.
When I drove back the car was fine, so what did I do wrong? On the way I back I think I was a lot more slow in realising the clutch so did I just attempt to acelerate too quickly?
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There was a Citroen Saxo behind me who took the corner at speed almost lost
complete control - when I looked in my rear view mirror his car was swerving
all over the place. I parked my car as quickly as possible to get out
of his way. Afterwards he started speeding up! Why do people drive like this in
the snow - are they suicidal?
Sounds to me as though he enjoys driving, knows what he's doing and is making progress in an "exciting" manner. Probably been on an IAM course for his 18th birthday present and showing off.
Many of you will be aware of the fact that most powerful German saloon cars are electronically limited to 155mph. My understanding is that there is some kind of gentlemans agreement between the big German car firms to electronically limit their most powerful models in order to have half a chance of maintaining de-restricted autobahns. Can anyone verify this?
Interestingly, in recent years, more and more cars from Merc, BMW and Audi's ranges have been qualifying for this restricion. It is remarkable that some mid-range diesels are now capable of these speeds with plenty of low-down poke too, it does beg the question - why do people bother with the vastly more expensive top-end performance models anymore?
Regarding the removal of these limiters, is it something that Joe Q. Public can have done or does one have to be a company insider or racing driver to unlock the hidden bounty? With some of the most powerful saloons reportedly capable of 200+mph (M5, RS6 et al), are these cars actually engineered to cope with these speeds. I mean, in terms of brakes and suspension etc, a car that can do 200mph will need much more heavy-duty kit than one that will do 155mph. Do manufacturers actually design these cars with 200mph in mind and then fit a limiter? Read more
was limited to say 120mph
Like the Japanese do, you mean? :-)
Ok, ok, their limiters are set at 112mph but the rest of it applies.
Trying to work out the correct battery spec for my Focus 56 plate 1.8 TDCi. The original Ford one is rated 80Ah. Spoke to Ford who say that it is not covered under warranty and they listed 4 different types. The most expensive being the 80Ah one at about £140.
Must I use exactly the same rating and is calcium type battery critical? I believe Varta do a Blue and Silver range and Bosch do a Silver range, but havent a clue if they are equivalent to calcium.
The reason I believe I need a new one is that it turned over fine first attempt this freezing morning. Left it for 10 mins with heated screens on. Well thought I switched them all on, but front one seemed to have turned off, so turned it on after 5 mins. Then switched car off for 5 mins. Got kids in and then tried to start it. Turned over but would not go. Managed to jump start it later and checked battery voltage which was 14.4V whilst running, so believe alternator is OK. Read more
The Varta silver 574 402 075 3162 should cost around £80 inc VAT if you shop around motor factors. I bought one last week for £68+VAT, it's code is E38.
Varta are excellent batteries, I use them on my cars, tractors and combine. They last much longer than Exide, which I used to use.
Bosch batteries are exactly the same as Varta, they are made by the same firm.
As has been said you must use calcium batteries on your Focus. Bosch/Varta are calcium.
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Hi thanks i have found it now cheers.