May 2012

Mick Reedo

Please help.... I have a vw sharan 1.9 tdi 2006 Ive been told that i have seized my engine. My engine code is BVK. Ive looked high and low trying to find one but not muck luck as the engine BVK is the latest. Ive noticed that AJM and AUY codes seem to have the same layout / kp / hp, But unsure if they will slot into my Automatic Sharan. My old engine has served me proud covering a whopping 184k. The car is still mint thoughout and would be a shame to let die. Please any advise would be great. Read more

Sandman5

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polo auto

About 8 years ago I got some excellent advice from you people here in the Back Room Technical forum about what small automatic car to buy. Having had a Clio autobox fail on my, I bought a Polo on your advice and it did sterling service.

Now I'm looking to buy another small/medium size automatic (about 3 years old) and I'd really appreciate your views again on the reliability of auto gearboxes. I'm currently considering a Skoda Fabia or a Ford Fusion - are there issues with either of these? (I think the Fusion has a proper torque converter but not sure about the Fabia, which is tiptronic) Are there other cars of a similar size I might consider? (I've ruled out the Jazz, which I know is well loved but I found the rear visibility awful!)... Read more

hallington

I'm still waiting on various dealers to come back to me, 1 has a Honda civic auto 1.6 2003 with 79000 on the clock, he's making sure there is some service history, it's been company used and 1 lady owner and it will be around £2800. Do you think roughly that's an ok price for a 9 year old car?Whilst waiting my car was a citroen and I've just seen a citroen c4 automatic 1.6 2007 with 120000 but it's diesel and has amazing fuel rates, it's around £3200. Any experience with the c4's? Thanks :) Read more

hallington

Thanks both, I've since read that the C4 prior to 2009 had 10 different recall faults so not a good car. On auto trader I have found several auto civics but they all need their cambelt doing really soon, which when you are spending £3500 -£3800 for a 9 year old car to me seems a lot of money, because aren't they only 16k new? But a local guy has got one coming in just under the £3000, so thank you for those specific issues to look out on on a honda civic. I know I'm asking a lot of questions on the forum, but I will be going into debt for the first time in 4 years to buy another car and I don't want to make a mistake :(

hillman

Can anybody point out a succinct source of information on the effects of accidentally running a diesel engine on petrol.

I bought a Morris Minor MM side valve many years ago in Zambia as a project. Not only were the speedo mileometer gears worn out (didn't work) so I had no idea of the mileage, but the car emitted so much blue smoke from the exhaust that following drivers couldn't see beyond. I refurbished the engine and enjoyed 11 years of motoring before I gave it away when I returned to the UK. I imagine that a similar effect would occur if petrol were accidentally used in a diesel engine.... Read more

Armitage Shanks {p}

6 years ago I put about 5 litres of petrol into a PSA diesel car. I added 25 litres of diesel to top it off and a triple dose of Miller's Diesel + ( Liked by some and reviled by others!) The car has a further 60K miles on it and still runs fautt free

Billsboy

It had to happen. After 53 yrs driving and over 1 million miles, I have picked up my first speeding ticket. I believe that the fact that I have gone this time and distance "Points free" demonstrates that I am not a serial offender and I accept the outcome philosophhically.

Having been a CPC holder for major transport organisations before my recent retirement and involved in driver training with the FTA etc., I will not take the course if offered but accept my punishment like a man. The offence took place on the A127 at Laindon on Friday 18th May and my reason for posting is to check whether any other Backroomers have suffered the same fate at this location.... Read more

Leif

I am in favour of cameras, enforcement and safety, but the three are not directly linked, and speed in itself is not the problem

Bad driving is THE problem, of which speed is one aspect of this. It's also the aspect that is easiest to police.

If we had cameras that would catch other aspects of bad driving we would have these too, but we don't....

Roly93

I have a pricing dilemma on my hands.

I need to sell my fathers Feb 2003/03 Passat S diesel 105BHP after his recent sudden death.... Read more

tony g

Hi ,roly

Very difficult to find a car like your fathers with such low mileage ,in addition the passat has always been a sort after car .

Having checked equivalent cars on autotrader ,I think you should ask £3000 ,possibly £3500 ,it would be competitively priced even at £3500 .

Regards


Tony g

Sandman5

Hi does anyone know what colour range there was available in 2009 does anyone know any links to the range of colours that was available in 2009. Read more

Avant

There was a facelift in 2009, and the colours may have changed, I don't think by much. I bought my first Octavia new in 2009 - that was Race Blue but you had to have the vRS for that and the yellow.

Post-facelift there have been quite a few pale metallic colours, including pale blue and pale green which are quite pleasant.

brutamuk

Hi,
Posting on behalf of my dad. He's just bought a 60 plate Nissan note from motorpoint in derby for £8500. It was advertised with 4500 miles on the clock.
He collected it wednesday, and has noticed in the past few days that when he starts it up the mileage initially shows 16000 before resorting to 4500.
Unfortunately I was unable to go and view the car with him, and point out the obvious mistake. Motorpoint have used the trip computer reading for the actual mileage.
He didn't receive the logbook or spare keys with the car as it was located in newport and delivered to derby on Tuesday. They said they would get the additional bits to him this week as they had been left in Newport.
The order paperwork shows 4500 miles and I guess the logbook will show the correct mileag when he receives it.
Where does he stand on this? Motorpoint have told him to call back on Monday during office hours. I want to deal with this for him as he is old and can be easily put off by brash sales staff.
He wants to keep the car but I think he should be entiteled to a partial refund, but not sure how much to expect. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Bruce. Read more

bathtub tom

>>He didn't receive the logbook or spare keys with the car as it was located in newport and delivered to derby on Tuesday. They said they would get the additional bits to him this week as they had been left in Newport.

Delivered by porcine air mail no doubt....

iFocus

Hello All,

Abit of a post to sink your teeth into and suggestions a plenty! Some of you may have seen a previous post or two of mine regarding my Octavia. Its currently on a down hill spiral of needing things doing to it. Firstly it needs discs and pads all round, 2 new tyres, airbag light needs resetting and the fault in the system repairing, fuel consumption has dropped from mid 50s to early 40s too? And last but not least the turbo is whistling louder than it used to!... Read more

unthrottled

A well maintained octavia 1.9 PD will fulfil all your criteria-at a cost of much less than £4000. Octavias are not the most exciting cars on the road, but you'll find the trade-off between performance and running costs of the octy very tough to beat. These are decent cars. If you're disinclined to replace consumables such as discs and pads on your current car, how will you feel about spending that after you've shelled out £4000?

It is a perculiarly British disease to overspend on the initial purchase of the car and then try to save money on maintainance.