April 2010
I'm very confused
I'm after something fun, yet slightly practical (basically back seats for the kids). I drove a 330i Auto Coupe yesterday. Brilliant engine, feels quick but i have a dilema. ... Read more
Exceptional circumstances ? Not to change a cambelt yet.
THE background of the car
I have a 2002 VW Polo 1.4 tdi pd that I bought new, the car has only done 14,300 miles.
At 4 years old and 10,000 miles the cambelt and tensioner were replaced as per "1a test VW recommendations" (whatever that means) by the local VW main dealer at a cost of £348.
The car is now 8 years old and only 4,000 miles on from the last cambelt change and it is according to VW 4 years or 40,000 mile recommendations, ready for another replacement.
Before someone tells me to sell it because I dont use it enough the car is worth far,far more to me than the price a 8 year old car would fetch.There is not a scuff mark on anywhere it is almost in the condition it came out of the showroom when first bought.
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The reason for not changing the belt for another year and the 1,000 miles or so that it will do in that time.... Read more
Do it yourself - the belt probably only costs about £20.
Hi everyone,
Got this most annoying issue with my car, been the same for numerous months now.... Read more
Well I’ve just driven in to Exeter on the A30. Beautiful morning little traffic no pax or load on board. I cruised at 85-90mph whole way.Lucky you weren't pulled in then :-)
But 150K miles ? I would guess there's wear somewhere, and driveshafts may be only one possibility. You clearly like the car, so spend to keep it the way you like it, if it's reliable in other respects....
Hi
Any diesel speacialists???... Read more
Hi I have just spent 3 days going all through the poor starting with a friends 2001 1.9 Citroen Berlingo's front jacked up 50cm, to simulate an uphill overnight stay.Sure enough the first morning . the motor fired up briefly and then cut out . Just as reported .
After a bit of enthusiatic priming the motor sprang into life .Leading me to suspect the fuel filter priming pump one way valve ....
Hi Guys, help is required :)
Whilst driving over the wknd the EPC & EMS warning light appeared on my dashboard, I commute to work 40 miles a day and phoned up Nationwide Autocentre to potentially book my car in. They wanted a payment of £49 to diagnose the fault which I refused to pay.... Read more
After searching the internet for a solution to the EPC light, I changed the brake switch, the battery ,oil, air filter. Could'nt get the oil filter off or the plugs out!!
Then tried the plug under the accellerator peddle....
Is there any need for a large store, e.g Tesco/Asda/Ikea to display a liability disclaimer in their car parks in case of accident or theft?
I'm assuming the store owns the land the car park is on....
Thanks in advance
MM Read more
There's an old adage here that I believe is appropriate:
"You can't change the law of the land just by putting up a notice saying so"....
Hello - this is my first time posting in the back room!
A friend of mine has been using BP Ultimate unleaded in his 2003 Honda Civic 1.6. He reckons that since using Ultimate, the fuel economy has improved by a few mpg, the engine feels and sounds more refined and the car pulls away better from a standstill. Having travelled in his car quite a lot, I too have noticed these differences. However, I have tried using BP Ultimate in my 1999 Saab 9-3 2.0, but after a few tankfuls didn't really notice a great deal of difference in performance, economy or general refinement.... Read more
Better by volume, as you don't buy fuel by the kilo/pound/tonne (the difference is a litre of petrol weights around 720g, diesel 832g).
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swmbo's 2002 xtrail diesel with 60k Nissan FSH, has intermittent fault of losing power, cutting out and jerky engine. AA said fuel pump. Brought to specialist who managed to experience issue, but it went away after they changed fuel filter and an earth lead. Problem back again after 2 months. Mobile tech suggested turbo and a garage to recover to and do repair. Garage inspected turbo and drove car over two weeks without issue.
Any ideas ? swmbo wants a new fuel pump but big expense without 100% diagnosis. Driving me nuts as I wish something would properly break ! Read more
Without any warning my 2005 185k miles X Trail switches in to limp home mode, unable to accelerate. One click off and then back on the ignition reboots the car. It can go for months without doing it, or several times every 5 minutes. Seems to be a link with rural diesel from infrequently used garages. Nissan diagnostics many years ago said it was a faulty fuel pump, which was definitely wrong, as have driven another 100k miles on the same, original fuel pump. The most plausible explanation I have heard is that it is the potentiometer (which I understand is the accelerator by wire). It happens only at low acceleration, and never in cruise control. Now it is doing it several times a minute after filling with Waitrose petrol and the engine management warning light has come on. Am taking it to the garage and see if they can work out what the problem really is.
Am I right in thinking that there is a scheme that dealers use that can allow them to charge VAT on just the profit of 2nd hand cars (second hand margin scheme)? If that is the case, why aren't nearly new vehicles so much cheaper? Are dealers profiting hugely by "charging" VAT and keeping it as profit?
Presumably the biggest depreciation hit is the loss of the VAT element on a new car. As soon as you buy one, you pay the VAT and can't claim it back. Read more
Qualifying companise that can reclaim the VAT include - car manufacturers, garages, car leasing companies, driving schools, .........................
True of course, but they have to add VAT when they sell on...
Hi there, I have narrowed my car search down to a Focus 1.6 TDCi hatch or estate of around the 2005/early 2006 vintage. My question is whether to go for a 90 bhp model or a 110 bhp one (one without the DPF if I can).
Is the 110 bhp model a step increase in drivability over the 90 bhp or is there not much in it? The car will be used as a general family second car doing shortish runs (8 to 20 miles) with the odd longer run (200 miles).... Read more
Well now you tell me, about a year too late. At least it doesn't have a dpf!
So apart from the potential oil starvation causing dead turbos, DMF problems, leaky injectors... anything else I should be worried about?...
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Hi Celsius,
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