March 2011
Apologies if I posted this in the wrong place, ie. The Ask HJ questions page, and it's been looked at twice.
Hello,
Apologies if this comes across as a rather long winded one... The decision isn't an easy one, hence a simple bit of advice would be most gratefully received!
My growing family, currently myself, wife, 7 & 4 YO boys, Labrador and perhaps baby addition, are looking to swap two cars for one, and there are several, hopefully not mutually exclusive, requiremens to meet...
The two cars to replace are an Audi a4 avant, and a jaguar xkr coupe. Between them we have practicality and reliability, through to performance and driving enjoyment. As a family most driving is urban, with longer trips thrown in. Yearly our mileage isn't that high so whilst economy is a consideration, it's not the primary factor.
The two car types we are tending towards are SUV or mid size bigger engined estate, so would someone care comment on the shortlist if they have any experience of the proposed choices we have ?
Audi; fancy an rs6 but is the practicality/enjoyment totally negated by the huge fuel costs it would require?
Alternative a q7, like the idea of 7 seats, but is it simply too large? The best engine choice is probably a diesel I'm thinking?
Mercedes; again the choice between an e class (heart says e63- The last model had 7 seats?) or the m class SUV, which if I'm honest isn't a big contender.
BMW; the new f10 5 series touring, can't find any confirmation if there is a forthcoming m5 touring to hold out for, or again, the x5 appears to be a very useable car, probably in diesel guise..
Lastly, the Porsche cayenne. The appearance has improved and it looks to be a very sturdy contender, be it the diesel or "S" model.
Apologies once again for what is a very broad swathe of questioning, but after two garages (Porsche and Audi) the choice is seemingly harder, and far from impartial when you do ask the sales rep. When you mention the shortlist , said salesperson then proceeds to spend more time denigrating the other makes than promoting his or her own!
With regards, and thanks in advance of any comments or advice from anyone who has experience of these models!
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I brought a 10 year old car 3 months ago and have just had it MOT'd. Been told there was a fault with the ABS light needed to invesitgated. I paid Renault £95.94 for the testing and they have said that someone has removed the instrument cluster and messed about behind it and the instrument cluster needs to be replaced at a cost of £389.57. I have called the garage and explained that from the information i have found (CAB/Consumer Direct) that up to 6 months after buyer i have the option to have the car repaid (which i want). They have said that they could not possible afford the £485.51 (instumnet panel and testing) and that i can have my money back minus reasonable usage. I assume that if they "cannot afford" the £485.51 they will be offering me less for my car. Do i have the right to get the car fixed and they try and get the money back after? The garage that i brought it from want me to call them back after they have spoken to Trading Standards (who they say will agree with them and that i should expect what i get when i buy a 10 year old car). I would much rather have my car reapaid than get rid of it or have the garage give me less than the cost of the tyres! Read more
had car for 6 years, to pass the mot in 2010 ka needed new racking and power steering pump, first ever fitted in my ownership, cost over £1000 to repair. i had slid into kerb in ice and that had caused the damage garage told me. 2011 mot passed all ok, within 2 weeks car steering felt wrong, monitored for a few days and took it back to the garage, they were busy and i had to tske it couple days later, told it needed a nother steering pump. garage thought it wrong within the year, held onto car to speak to ford uk. they were not taking any responsibility as the part was one day out of warranty when i felt a problem, and nine days by the time the garage had looked at it. ended up having to pay to get car back but now trying to get some answers from ford and their dealership. anyone had similar problems? Read more
I would think a pump that only lasted 4500 miles was 'not of merchantable quality'. or 'fit for purpose'. Do they know why the pump failed? Were there any external factors? If it really was only one day out of guarantee I think they are being unreasonable. I would try trading standards.
peter n - thanks for your reply, the ford dealership held onto the car to speak to ford uk, they were not interested, we are aimimng complaint at dealership now after advice from trading standards. wanting to gain some advice on waiting from dealerships excuses/explanations- seems strange it failed after getting through mot only 2 weeks earlier....
I've just changed the heater matrix on a 307 and there's a leak where the pipes attach, I did grease the 'O' rings before refitting but it looks like they need to be changed. Peugeot only sell them as part of a pipe kit -£60 +VAT! Does anyone know what size they are please. Read more
I know that but the motor factors may be able to offer you at least a couple of OD's. I doubt the 'O' ring is a special to type size. Regards Peter
Very sad to note that Bristol Cars has gone into administration this week. Another great name passes, but with new car construction down to less than 2 a month it was hardly a great surprise.
A real pity in my opinion, they at least dared to be different and the fact that most folks wouldn't have a clue what one was was a major plus to those who did. Read more
I must admit, I have to agree with Sofa Spud.
As a business they were relying on trade with a tiny niche of society, ie people with loads of money not much sense and with extreme eccentricity !...
Can the outside temperature be changed from F to Celsius Read more
Subtract 32 , multiply by 5 and divide by 9
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A warning light which consists of a picture of a car with a giant spanner erupting from its roof keeps appearing on my 2002 combo van.
The handbook states that this means that a problem has been detected in the engine or transmission electrics. Although it seems to make no difference to the van whatsoever when it lights up.... Read more
Hi.
The indicators on my car have recently starting beeing when used, sounding like a reversing lorry. It sometimes stops if going round a sharp corner but usually comes back on again. It does not sound at all when my lights are on.... Read more
Only thing I can think of is that some cars have additionalt circuitry to sound a beeper (when indicators are being used) if a trailer has been plugged into a tow-bar electric socket, (black socket).
Even if you don't have a towbar/socket, it's possible that your car may have such ciruitry (that might be failing)....
good evening first post so please bear with me,
i have a citroen c3 2008 that the central locking, interior light and time/date have all stopped working (time/date just keep re-setting to zero).... Read more
Hi John
Since new I have noticed a burning rubber smell from the rear off side wheel arch. When it first happened I thought it was a stuck brake. but as it only happens now and again I forgot about it.... Read more
Do you have an Auxiliary heater fitted. Check in your option codes on the ID label either in the service book or the one in the Spare Wheel bay or ask your dealer. Regards Peter
Browse
From my reading they have not said what they will pay for the repair, rather that they will not pay that sort of money to replace an instrument panel when the car was sold for £1000. It is a different matter if the car goes back as they can fix it up for probably much less than the cost of your instrument panel and sell it again.