December 2009
Don't believe it! After five years' ownership and 83000 miles without so much as a bulb blowing (averaging around 67 mpg), my yaris D4D cut out today soon after setting off from home. Pretty cold weather, around -4 overnight with it left on the drive, but I've never had this problem before with any other diesel I've owned. Problem started with a slight hesitation after about half a mile (started without problem), and waited until I got onto the dual carriageway to lose all power and then die completely. Managed to coast to a lay-by and then tried starting it again after five mins, which it did. Set off on full beans, but then cut again more or less straight away. Re-started on the move and managed to limp home in second/third. By the time I got home it seemed to be pulling absolutely normally, so the only thing i can think of is waxing fuel. This seems unlikely though, as the other car (07 Honda CRV) parked next to it, filled from same pump, set off no problem. Any suggestions as to where to look? Left it parked in the garage overnight, so we'll see whether it gets me to work in the morning. Whaddya think is the problem? Read more
Anyone have any experience of this type of thing. Appears to be a fabric covering for the driven wheels to help in snow. I have a job that I feel obliged to get to whatever the weather and have always managed (but sometimes only just!). Just wondered if these are recommended by anyone on here (they won't break the bank for the occasional use I'd have).
All comments appreciated. Read more
I bought a pair back in Feb and have now had a chance to use them. Our house is up on a hill in the Cotswolds so which ever way you try to get to it, it involves a ~10% or more hill.
First go was down a hill signed as 20%. The top was almost sheet ice and the rest slippery slush. They were great, didn't feel the car slipping at all.
Used them again the other day to get home. Main road closed so had to go cross country up/down some very steep and narrow country lanes. They did pretty well. There is no way the Mondeo which seems to have no grip in snow would have made it home without. Suspect the Mondeo's problem are the pretty worn Bridgestone Turanzas.
I think autosocks are great. Bit of a hassle to keep taking on/off when you get to gritted roads. The big downside is that they can get ripped up easily. On one steep county lane I ended up wheel spinning and in the process it has shredded one of the socks to the point where it is not fit for use. The sock obviously got down to bare tarmac. The other is basically fine bar a few small tears. Much easier to use if you have two people in the car as you have to partially fit, roll 1m then fit the rest.
I am considering winter tyres as a more permanent solution but will replace the worn sock and be more careful next time. Well worth keeping in the boot to get out of a tight spot.
If you do buy them keep a bin bag in the boot as they are dripping wet and covered in snow/slush once used.
Hello all, new user here.
My wife has owned a Mini One Convertible for just over two years. Bought from a main dealer with 14k miles and FSH. Serviced by them since and now has 26k miles. The car goes to and from the kids schools, shops etc - usual local mileage, no racing, mods or anything silly. Went out of warranty in May but we decided not to renew because what could possibly go wrong on a car of this age, mileage, use etc!!
Last Tuesday the con rod blew out of the block with no warning at all. Engine is a total write off and cost to acquire a new one from BMW and fit is c. £5.5k Main dealer has been brilliant and currently I am being asked to pay £1.1k as a contribution to the labour charge. I'm now discussing direct with BMW as I'm still shocked at such a huge failure on a car of this age and condition.
Has anybody heard of this before. I've trawled the web and found one similar case in the USA. And how much more do you think I might persuade BMW to offer me. Ultimately they are about to lose two customers - my wife who has lost faith in the car and me as I'm about to change my BMW 525 and will probably go Merc or similar now but not BMW!
And any idea what might have caused such a dramatic failure?
Thanks all. Read more
email the Moderators and ask if they would mind emailing MidSussex on your behalf.
Hi my 2 litre diesel estate 92,000 miles has been leaking oil steadily for a while now. I left it in with my mechanic and he is baffled as to what is the cause. He says there is more than usual backpressure coming out the filler opening but none from the dipstick. He thinks this backpressure is forcing oil out someplace. And this might indicate an engine rebuild. This time last year I spent close to 5 grand on high pressure oil pump and a new turbo (not to mention just having had the timing belt done), so I really don't want to get into more expense. Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions? Read more
Actually it might be a good idea to get shot of this car now rather than spend more money. These engines can be quite troublesome.
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
Hi thanks i have found it now cheers.
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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
Read more
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.
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The fault logged is consistent with fuel icing up...