December 2010

ColW

Our Peugeot has been stuck in snow for a few days and when I finally drove it out (over some compact snow) it has started making a knocking (big-endy) type noise from the rear.

All I can add is that the frequency of the knocking increases with speed and disappears under road noise above about 30-40mph. Also, weirdly to me, at lower, noisier speeds, if I compress the brake the noise disappears immediately, i.e. before I have really decreased in speed at all.

Can anyone make any suggestions as to what it might be?

Thanks in advance.

Col Read more

galileo

My back right brake disc does not turn when the alloy turns! Left is OK.

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andy from embsay

I'm in a slightly unusual company car scheme that's ending - it's an employee ownership scheme which is basically a PCP but I don't have the logbook. At the end of the scheme there's a GFV which in my case leaves a bit of equity - trouble is I'm not sure if I can access it.

The GFV is c£18k and the trade in value is around £22k. I'd obviously like to use that equity as part of the deposit on my next car. Trouble is the scheme people say that I have to settle the balance before they'll send me the logbook - which I'll need to trade it in. Now I could probably lay my hands on the money, but I don't want to put that big a deposit down - I was thinking about the £4k in the car plus another £4k or so - meaning I'd have to buy the car, trade it in for (say) £22k against a £32k car leaving an initial balance of £10k to finance. However I really want £24k on finance (ie the £18k to buy the car less the £4k I want to put in) so I want another £14k back.

Question is - is a finance company likely to be able to cope with this relatively complex situation and do the finance based on £22k but with £14k of it coming to me as cash? Or alternatively would the dealer be able to do something? It just seems a shame to hand back a car with a few grand of equity in it (and I know I might be wrong about the equity - but I understand XF's are holding their value reasonably well and it's very low mileage).

I did say it was unusual...

Thanks in advance! Read more

andy from embsay

I'd assumed that we buy etc would be a bad idea and would try to get you in and then knock you down - and one of the internet dealers I'd spoken to reckoned their dealer would only give me a few hundred quid more than GFV - so it may be that it won't work anyway!

Looking at a new X3, and probably on a long HP deal (as the new CCA regs mean you can pay lumps off as ans when) with a deposit of about 20% or so.

The scheme's a work one - so I guess that when it was set up they expected people to take another onewith them, but now the scheme's ending we have to go elsewhere.

justadriver

Just got my insurance renewal with nice little note added in Terms and Conditions... There will be no payout for ANY claim if I exceed the stated mileage.. So it looks like I'll have to modify my mileage quote even though I may well not go over that. I input my details based on my average over the past couple of years and never thought any more about it. Also got extra conditions about anyone at all who I know takes vehicle will not be covered ( normal ) but insurance will not pay out in case of claim. What If they take the car without my permission and I report it to police? Read more

justadriver

Many thanks LucyBC. my wife passed her uk test nov 2010, having lived in 3 other countries and possessing foreign driving licences for 25 years, but the question that comes is How long have (you or) the 2nd driver held a uk licence. So told truth. Specialist quoted £398.25 + £20 admin fee. local broker here in wales quoted £295+ £20 admin. As I read more and more tales of woe about companies refusing to pay out i took HJ's advice and did lots of checks, by the way it is Chevrolet insurance via GMAC underwritten by Provident. Did application online via Chevrolet website simple and very easy to use.

Was however surprised to see how many brokers came up offering insurance indirectly as well as insurance companies, Best alternative was daily mail, Beat that quote including cashback, then confused, then moneysupermarket finally Elephant....

Avant

I'm sure my fellow-mods will join me in wishing you all a very happy - preferably merry - Christmas and New Year. For me as a church organist the joy of Christmas is not in the endless shopping but in belting out the well-loved hymns and carols and being glad for what we're celebrating. But whatever gives you your own joy over Christmas, have plenty of it!

Particular thanks to those of you who spend time on here giving advice freely and willingly to people who ask for help. That too is part of the spirit of Christmas, and it really is appreciated and a big part of what this forum is for. Read more

nortones2

I've almost cooked the dinner for 25th. We have an aversion to roast turkey, so it's a beef casserole, slowly cooked, in stages. 2nd stage tomorrow, with the accompaniments and the fish for daughter who avoids meat. Anyway, TT or not, happy Xmas to all including HJ who possibly is in a warmer climate. Have a satay or three:)

billautobill

anyone had the same problem no fuel getting through from pump all relays seem ok if you pour some fuel into ports starts no problem does not seem to want to pump fuel through itself any ideas would be welcomed bill Read more

billautobill

thanks very much for the advice will give it a try cheers

Supertramp

Can anyone recommend a good firm that supplies gas/fume extration equipment, we're looking for something suitable for a diesel repair workshop with a welding bay and wondered which firms you could suggest following good experiences or quality products Read more

musicbailey

Hi, I've got problems with my Clio losing power and becoming gutless after driving fine for a few miles. It's an intermittant problem as sometimes it's ok but when the problem occurs it's not just mildly, it's totally gutless. It's a turbo diesel engine.

Any ideas, thanks. Read more

musicbailey

Thanks very much for that, I've googled it and everybody says the same. That's great and thanks again.

Chippychap

Hi Folks,

I live in West Yorkshire where they invented hills.... Read more

Chippychap

Thank you.

max1/

Hi thanks for everyone who replied to my previous inquiry and i have narrowed down my search now to these two models.My budget is 5K looking for a petrol version only do 4K mileage a year we have two small dogs and one child. please can you give me some advise which one i should go for should i be worried about high mileage also

Regards Colin... Read more

SteveLee

Well I must have been lucky - it fixed his problem.

misterp

Current car Corolla D4D 2003 with 70k. Some cold start problems in this extreme weather, but generally satisfied, but aware that 7 years onwards things can start niggling.

I allways have fancied a RAV 4 , or more recently Jeep patriot with new Merc engine.... Read more

OldSkoOL

I've had 4 Ravs in 7 years.

Starting with a 3dr, then a XT3 petrol (dire engine) and the 2 XTR diesels, awesome package!...