October 2011
Looking for a bit of advice for a first time car buyer, interested in learning about a basic diesel engine.
Any suggestions appreciated.... Read more
I have been informed by my local BMW dealer, Bavarian, that fitting any tyre not homologated by BMW will invalidate the cars warranty. Any advice? Read more
I think BMW are yanking your chain. If you have say, a suspension failure that can be directly (but unlikely) attributed to the tyre you fiteed, then they will deny warranty. However, a tyre is a wear and tear item and you can choose to fit 'better' tyres if you wish. I don't think any court in this fair land would rule in favour of BMW if they denied a warranty clain on say a wiper motor failure just because you fitted different tyres.
...
Hi all
I had an electrical problem with my car that went away in the spring but is now back again. It occurs first thing in the morning or after sunset, more specifically when the temp drops below 5 or 6 degrees. The boot won't release from the keyfob, the dashboard button or the manual hidden switch above the rear reg plate (i have to use the key the old fashioned way) and the doors randomly lock and unlock them selves both before and after ignition and whilst driving.... Read more
Check that the plunger on the bonnet catch is not seized.
I recently changed the engine in my 2005 Mazda 3 1.6 tdci. The old engine had run on its own oil and was shot.
I bought a 2008 fiesta 1.6 engine, swapped my loom and ecu, clutch, starter and sensors over but left the fiesta injector pump on it as it has much lower mileage.... Read more
Hi GT450
Did you ever sort out your problem?...
I have a 1998 Toyota Avensis. I had a problem whereby the key fob would lock the car and prime the alarm, but would not unlock the car. I could manually unlock the car with the key, but that triggered the alarm.
I have disengaged the alarm by removing the hazard lights fuse, and am now simply using the key to lock and unlock the vehicle. However I understand that the hazard lights are part of the MOT and therefore this can only be a temporary fix.... Read more
I had this on my Skoda Superb a while ago - fixed by changing the battery on the key-fob
...
Can anyone suggest any tips for removing wiper arms that won't budge? I've removed the nut off the (splined?) shaft, but the arms won't shift. I've used penetrating fluid and given the end of the shaft a 'light tap' as hard as I dare.
Any more suggestions gratefully received before I go and buy a special tool! Read more
Hi, car failed on emissions, garage is fitting a new lambda sensor and also said a new cat might be needed. Any ideas if I will need a new cat from these readings?
CO 0.68%... Read more
Recently i have left the army and joined an engineering company in "civvie street". After chasing the army for my P45 over some months now i have recently recieved a letter stating i have been over paid and owe the army £985. the letter goes on to say that legal action will be taken if no payment in 7 days. I still haven't recieved my P45 and my last 2 pay statements. do i have to pay the money back? this is obviously there mistake why am i liable for repaying the costs?
any help much appreciated.... Read more
I have written (Recorded sign for) to the address given on the letter and asked for copys of the offending documents plus the outstanding P45 and wage slips. this was on the 21st of Oct. suddenly all is quiet. If i do get all the documents back and what they say is true then i will offer to repay over time like you say FB.
Unfortunately Happy polo ever since the new wage system JPA went in there has been nothing but c**k ups of this nature including being underpaid by the services and still its always the soldiers fault. heard of a case of a guy being DD'd because he wanted to take the army to court over being underpaid for a year....
Hi folks, looking for some advice..
I'm looking for a small car for a 15 mile round trip commute (in a city)..and the more research I do the more confused I get..!
Would anyone be able to help me out and recommend some motors?
I have a max £2k budget (credit card only sadly, so would have to be trade) and will be driving in the city every day, with a 4 hour motorway trip once a month. I don't have a large family (2 peeps + 1 small dog) so don't necessarily need a big car or a big engine.
Would love to get something reliable so I don't fear the dashboard light of death each time I get in (it'd be a first!)
Any help much appreciated..
Read more
I'd still stick to a £2,000 limit, maybe £200 or £300 more if the right car came along but I'd definitely take my time researching and finding the car that suits me and is in good condition with history. You could end up with a dog of a Jazz for £3500 and miss out on a cracking Fiesta, Panda, Yaris, Picanto for £2000. If you don't know what to look out for on a used car, take a friend who does. if it was me, I'd then pay off credit card balances or if I didn't have any buy some premium bonds and cash them in when I needed to fund some repairs. A set of decent tyres, new MOT, brakes pads all round, exhaust silencer and you'll need £500.
...
I may be looking at a 2.0 Auto Octavia Estate (2003) in the near future. Does anyone have any comments or experience of a.) the 2 litre engine and b.) the auto gearbox? I'm particularly interested to hear about known problems, weaknesses, reliability and economy.
I should make it a little clearer - it is the 2 litre petrol engine and the old school (torque converter) automatic transmission that I will be looking at. I believe this engine/transmission may have also been fitted to a similar aged VW Passat (and possibly a few other VW or Audis of that era).
Browse
i would have thought that vw's 'sdi' engines would be all three of these things.
maybe something like...seat arosa/ vw lupo could be good.