December 2010
I found an interesting post on Pistonheads - not the easiest to read, but worth the effort.
Time to change the (wife's) family car (2002 MkIV Golf,63K,good runner but now too small for 3 kids & 2 dogs). (It's been suggested that my prized (but impractical) BMW E39 535i goes, but I reckon if I manage to get her a suitable replacement for the Golf, she'll back down on this!!)
We've looked at estates (doesn't want an MPV) - Focus/Astra good and cheap runabouts, but probably a bit on the small side. Ideally about 3 yrs old so there's still a bit of life in it.... Read more
I would also say reconsider an MPV, so much more space, the sitting up high is good for driver and kids and my Doblo has a split level boot so dog and luggage can be accomodated.
Modern MPV's are just as nice to drive as standard cars but loads more space!
Need help! my M reg Rav4 doors froze during last weeks cold weather now can't lock or unlock doors using key.doors still lock using keyfob though but more importantly after driving half a mile down road engine cut out and wont start. all lights on dash still come on but nothing happens when key is turned fully over in ignition not even a clicking, is this the immobiliser and if so how do i overcome it, preferably without stripping all wires out as car is parked at shop car park at mo. Read more
If you bothered to do a simple search (as I did in 10 secs) you would find the AM2 fuse controls the ignition circuit..
http://www.kerkerinck.de/xa2/tsb/files/BE1009_0_1_ElectricalWiringDiagramCLA20.pdf...
These cars are looking very tempting, for around seven grand you can get a 1.4 SE model which is fully loaded. I have owned a 1996 Ibiza SDi which was largely trouble free and cheap to run, but what are the new shape ones like reliability and costs wise for a 1.4. I was considering the diesel, but the purchase price and price of diesel don't make it worth it as I only do 8000 miles a year. Another advantage is the dealer is just down the road and has won SEAT dealer of the year awards several years running. Read more
Oh thankyou, I know the engines and transmissions are usually the best things about SEATs, but they also seem to have come a long way from the rather basic, not too well made Ibizas from the nineties. The 1.2 seems a bit underpowered and noisy, so the 1.4 is the best bet for me, offering 47 mpg and 110 mph, making cruising more bearable. Also prices used seem to be falling now the new model has become available on the used market and it looks better than the model it replaced.
During a recent service, I was told that they had damaged the oil pump where the dipstick meets the pump as it was corroded, but not to worry they would weld it and leave it up on the ramps over night to make sure the leak has stopped. Unfortunately the van is still leaking oil from the same spot. Q can this be easily fixed, or will I need a new pump? and are the garage responsible as they caused the leak? any advice would be very welcome. Read more
I presume they mean SUMP not pump?
Hi there!
... Read more
I work for Aviva myself as an underwriter - you need to check with the garage if they will insure the car until you collect it. If not phone your existing insurer and have a temporary additional vehicle added until you collect the car and then have the old car removed - round about £11.00 to do but worth it to be comprehensive on both cars until point of transaction.
Laura x
has anyone had trouble adjusting direction of air,ie face,feet,screen etc.turn the knob but always stays on screen
heat adjustment worksfine Read more
If you can locate the 2 heater pipes that exit the cabin,very low down on the bulkhead,there is a thin bore plastic vac pipe that runs along side.This is the main vac supply to the heater controls.hth
has anyone had trouble adjusting the direction of air ,ie face,feet screen etc
the temp etc works fine Read more
I drove a '97 Ford Mondeo Ghia estate for 13 years and regularly read posts relating to Mondeos. In all those years, I cannot recall seeing a query regarding the adjustment of the air direction. My only gripe about that aspect of the car was that the side windows tended to steam up very readily when it was raining.
i have a rover on a 1999 and the central locking does not work at all but the immobilizer dose Read more
I have a Focus TDCI 2002.It has been a bad starter since i bought it a few weeks ago and then occasionally it loses power.I have to pull over and switch off then on and it can be fine for the rest of the journey.A garage told me told change the sensor switch on the fuel inlet manifold.I did this at the weekend and now the car is off two cylinders. Read more
Browse
.....but ultimately it is probably all irrelevant because it was a wind-up
Maybe there's some kind of compeitition going on out there where people try to see how many big numbers they can get in one post, and then how many readers believe it