November 2010
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
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?...
my engine management light came on last week the car has been running fine no probs although it has been well over due its service, i took it to a friend to run the diagnostic to avoid the main dealer price he said that the code showed it might need a lambda sensor but might just be it needs a really good service.... so i took it to my dealer for it well needed service and MOT they said if it was the lambda sensor it would fail its MOT but it passed could it have been just in need of a good service the engine management light is still on but will that just need turning off now????
Also im quite concerned about the timing chains on the micras iv had one before and it stretched at 40k miles, i got 28k on this one and am concerned about this one stretching is it something that is checked to prevent it stretching or should it be changed at a certain mileage?????? Read more
Micra timing chains need clean oil. Not servicing it on time means dirty oil...
When I see a lot of the problems people ask about in the forum, I sometimes wonder if everybody here wrote or e-mailed to the manufacturers about what a lousy car this is for electricals or whatever, surely mass opinion will do something. No vehicle manufacturer can ignore the power of mass communications nowadays. From when I started driving in the 1970's car reliability was 1970's car reliability, but I have just bought a 2009 car for £7000 instead of its RRP price of £16000 aginst a new car that was £12000 in 1992 (new to new prices) Bigger depreciation now on the korean, but far better equipped and also far better fuel economy than the honda engined rover from 1992.
On the web forum I have found lots of good information on Dual mass flywheels, Particulate filters and driving style with both of these things on the car. What I never was asked at the dealer was whar would the car be used for!... Read more
Nice article OldRoverboy.
There are a lot of pitfalls buying a second hand car or a new car for that matter.A bit of research goes a long way.Cars with a long warranty are populair people want peace of mind owing a car....
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Ok will try that thanks. One thing point me to where it is located please if you can.