November 2010
Recently I have beem interested in the new VAG 1.2 TSI 105 engine as it is supposed to be potentially very economical. Some reviewers just post the official figures but others do post what they achieved and sometimes it is surprisingly far from the official figure. To give one example in one of the regular journals there is a review of the Skoda Yeti with this VAG 1.2 105bhp ehgine and DSG gearbox. Somehow the reviewer manged to get only 34 MPG! Now I suspect this is due to the way the reviewer drove the car.
What I particularily like about Honest John is that via the videos one can see to a certain extent how he drives the car and in what circumstances. So when he achieves 46mpg in the Polo with this engine I can believe it is a good guide to how economical the car can be.... Read more
Im in need of new tyres and as the winter looks like it could be a long one I was considering some good winter tyres as apposed to my ususal conti premium contact 2.
However, predictably the stocks levels of winter tyres are very low. My usual tyre size is 195/55/15 and I am struggling to find any available.... Read more
Of course I would buy a set of steel rims for 14" tyres. I just wondered if there was any significant difference between grip on snow /ice
Son has just bought a 95 disco 300tdi, it has a number of problems.
1/ Heavy black smoke when under load, accelerating or pulling... Read more
Check the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. A good place to start on these and known to give problems. Try blocking it off and see if the condition improves.
Ok will try that thanks. One thing point me to where it is located please if you can.
Im in need of new tyres and as the winter looks like it could be a long one I was considering some good winter tyres as apposed to my ususal conti premium contact 2.
However, predictably the stocks levels of winter tyres are very low. My usual tyre size is 195/55/15 and I am struggling to find any available.... Read more
Narrower is usually better in snow.
So i keep hearing, however the 265 section winter tyres on my pick gripped so well that 4WD wasn't needed at all last winter, and was only used to exercise the system....
Article here
How can a car not have a registered driver? Obviously also not insured etc. Evos must attract the attention of polise so how did this one get away with it?... Read more
For those that may have missed it:-
We cannot open the bonnet with the key on my sons Ford Focus. His battery needs charging and we cannot get in. Would appreciate any help/advice Read more
spray some lube oil in the lock which will disperse the moisture once it unfreezes.
Warm the key and use a hair dryer on the lock to warm up and then lube so it dosen't freeze again.
Is it just me. I find people in the motor trade seem happy to hand out their sw***y business cards giving their email address, but are then unable to reply to you when having sent them one.
I am trying to buy a replacement car at the moment and having done the showroom bit, have followed up with email. Complete blank, no reply, nothing. Are car sales so plentiful at the moment that they are not that bothered? It's about time this trade gets back into the harsh realities of the real world again.... Read more
I have to agree with you totally and it is sad to hear!
I usually change 4 cars about every three years and to be honest its not a pleasant experience and normally really hard work trying to get someone to take you seriously!
I actually once went to purchase a new sports saloon and was asked by the sale guy to sit down in his office and have finance approved first before i even got to see the car as it wasn't on display!he didn't even ask was i aware how much it was & how would I like to finance it !
I didn't want finance as my accountant had told me how much I could spend on a car and it was a business purchase!
I left the showroom as they refused to bring the car out and started making excuses as to why I couldn't see it.
I manged to purchase the same car 21 miles away and then returned to the original dealer and spoke to the sales manager! 2 weeks later but it didn't do any good but I felt better!
I have experienced similar experinces 3 times, in fact with Audi at Crawley & BMW in Sussex I refused to buy iether in the end as they were so above themselves, but I have to say i had a similar experince with jaguar as well.
In fact when I ordered my 2nd jaguar I went back to the same dealer who was 120 miles away because they were the only ones who would take me seriously!
Why should I have to dress up ! just to go and buy a car, I thought jeans & t shirt were quite acceptable these days.
I really don't think half of these car centres deserve any sales, the smaller places tend to be better and offer a more personall service, & don't by BMW or Audi they don't deserve the business.
Have 2.7D XF Premium bought in Sept 2008, 15,000 miles.
On October 18th car failed to start . Jag Assyst diagnosed starter failure and arranged removal to Rybrook Chester. Replaced starter but then found problem was starter harness, but problem in getting replacement. ... Read more
Not an uncommon issue with any vehicle manufactures these days, my sister is a fleet manager and she always says BMW were worst and when they had a fleet of BMW's with failed thermostats with a design fault they were out of action for months !
With something as simple as a starter harness , ( I supect the eyelet melted or burnt) I'm suprised someone couldn't make one ( no engineering skills left in these dealerships these days!...
no drive on screen says" trans safe mode" Read more
suggest you chack battery state, and cable connections etc first. This used to be common for popping up on the dash or the trans lights flashing when connections were corroded or poor or the battery was failing. This doesn't mean the battery won't start the car !!!!!!!
You can have a battery that will upset the electrics, especially if its a fast fit battery with the pop over terminal post convertors, these are fatal on RRovers...
Hi all,
I'm planning to buy a Nissan primera 2003 from a independent dealer who is like 60 miles away. He told me he's giving a 6 months warranty provided by "WMS".. I did read some bad reviews about WMS that they blame most claims against wear and tear and refuse to cover.... so it's kind of like not having a warranty !... Read more
A little old but just thought I would add that the paperwork may be correct in saying a dealer's service history but they aren't always good dealers.
Many years ago, when I was much younger and naive a Rover dealer (by Soho, London) service the 216 I had. Upon arriving home I noticed the oil (level and viscosity) was the same as before the service! Still got charged for oil but they were a poor garage with poor staff. Then with Renault not long ago the oil noted in the service manual states various ones used: 10/40, 5/30 where 5/40 is the recommended oil! Got the stamp but what does that tell you about the supposed competency of the 'experts'? Most people don't know what oil type is needed but expect it will be done properly by a dealer. Funnily enough (may be a coincidence) but after a two year minor service (10/40 oil used) the car came out and a whistling noise was noticed immediately. They said it should ease off but didn't. Another dealer checked and the flaming Turbo was faulty. Went to the garage fine came out with a faulty turbo. Strange how that first garage shut down not long after. Perhaps no where to tie the horses?...
Browse
After having a whole host of issues with a previous MKV Golf which weren't resolved to my satisfaction, I was put off buying a VW Tiguan due to the HJ Car by car review which said "What's Bad: Fit, finish and quality of trim poor", and went on to list One Owner's list of fit, finish and trim issues. Despite this I did make the purchase, and after 1 year of ownership haven't experienced and of the issues mentioned and am overall very satisfied with the vehicle. I can't say that the statement "What's Bad: Fit, finish and quality of trim poor" applies to my example.
That said, I personally rate, and recommend HJ reviews to friends. They are always my first port of call when contemplating a new puchase.