June 2011
Hi,
I am looking to buy my first car as my wife is now expecting, I over 30, I have had my licence for about 3 years but have never had a car or been insured for one, what car would be best in terms of cost both for the car & insurance & obviously reasonably reliable.... Read more
Just has a front OS coil spring replaced on my 2003 fiesta (petrol) by an independant local garage. Total cost £177.00 (for 1 coil and 2hrs lab)
this semed expensive for a common fix and was curious if others could tell me if i have been taken for a ride!... Read more
would of expected about £30 ish for the spring and an hours labour per side. So if its an independant and their rate is £45 per hour , £75 ish +vat. I would ring them up about their labour rate and check whether they replaced 1 or 2 ! that would worry me more ? Its possible they had to get a spring from a dealer and may of paid a lot more for the spring ! I would of said the price you paid is for a pair supplied and fitted so may be you need to ask some questions !
Can anyone please help several months ago the unblock diesel filter warning came on followed by anti pollution fault resulting in the car going into 3000 rpm limp mode. I have checked that there is fuel additive still in its tank and also removed the particulate filter and checked it's condition which was quite clean I also have a reciept for this being changed 10000 miles ago. The strange thing is if I unplug the maf meter it still says anti pollution fault but no unblock diesel filter and also does not go into limp. I have had the fault codes read with a Bosch scanner at a local garage and this gave particulate filter as fault but I am reculctant to replace it as I don't think this is the problem due to it's condition, age and the fact that it works fine with the maf meter disconnected. Please help as I am pulling out my hair with this one and I want to change the car. Read more
Ford main dealers were the last ones to change the oil on my Focus 1.6 Ghia '55 reg and in doing so they overtightened the sump nut/bolt and left it rounded.
I used Bolt Grip (made by Irwin) to release it and Halfords has a replacement 'Sump Nut and Washer Kit' HSP608 at £2.99.... Read more
It looks as though SAAB are hitting the wall again ... sigh. Read more
Mmm. Maybe I'll buy a Winehouse 2.0TID Estate ...
I have a 2008 model petrol Ford Focus. It's due for its 3 year servicing. It has run 23000 miles.
An independent mechanic has been highly recommended to me. However this mechanic is a mobile mechanic. He doesn't have a service station. He comes to the customer's home and services the car there. He carries all his tools in a van.... Read more
Thanks all for your advice.
Actually the car is a February 2008 model. The next service is due in July, as the last one was done in July last year. Hence the MOT has already been finished in February. I have bought the car second hand about 8 months back, and this is the first time I will be getting it serviced....
I have an X Reg Fiesta 1.8TDi and due to all the showers and downpours we've had recently I have just noticed water coming from the Heater Matrix/Centre console area. (Passenger side).
When I got chance to stop I ran my hand under the centre console and I could feel a hose that was wet. Would anyone know where the water could be coming from?... Read more
I had a similar Fiesta with a similar problem. Apparently the front fascia/bodywork is not particularly well sealed at the time of manufacture. Mine went back to the main dealer some five times under warranty! Check under the carpets too.
Unless it is your heater itself leaking the only answer is lots of newspaper and learn to live with it!...
I have an X reg 1.8TDi Fiesta and due to all the showers and downpours we've had recently I have just noticed a leak coming from the Heater Matrix/Centre Console area. (Passenger side).
When I got chance to stop I ran my hand along the underside of the centre console and I could feel water coming from a hose.... Read more
I have a '56 reg 1.9 CDI SE (with aircon, as that also seems to matter) Primastar and every power steering pump supplier tells me I should have a pump with a 5 or 6-groove push-on pulley. However, all who spoke to my mechanic agreed that it looks as though the engine takes a bolt-on pulley. I'm not sure if it's got the original engine or if it has had a 2.0 engine fitted. The reconditioned pump that I was sent works fine except for the fact it's so noisy I can hardly hear the radio! I am sending it back and have ordered a re-manufactured one from someone else (who also said it seems strange as he's never heard of a 1.9 engine taking the bolt-on pulley) . However, before I have it fitted, I thought I'd ask if any other Primastar owner has had the same thing crop up? Read more
Hi there.
I've just passed my full UK license test, and I was wondering how do I go about organising temporary insurance cover for test drives/driving home a new car? Does anyone have any recommended companies that I can try?... Read more
Big dealerships will probably ask you to sign an insurance form. You ought to get 'driveaway' insurance too; I got a week on Ford when I got a Focus from Evans Halshaw. If you're going to small dealers or private sellers though, it might be worth getting a week's worth of insurance and making all your viewing appointments in that time! You can google 'insure for one day'. I've had day insurance for about a tenner.
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Look at 55/56 Plates :-
Renault Megane...