September 2012
I recently took the Q7 for a drive and although it's a good, sturdy and solid drive, I feel it's a bit over-rated...seems to be a common thread for me on experiencing the drive...No doubt it's a good vehicle and all that sort of thing but I cannot escape whether it's truly a good buy. Also it is disappointingly small inside for such a large vehicle. I expected more versatility...I have yet to drive the Merc GL or ML, or any others, but somehow feel I may be better served by something other than the Q7. Who knows?
Maybe a look at the more practicle range like the Landcruiser, Mitsubishi Shogun (although not a premium brand may be more versatile?) or similar?
I'm looking for a versatile, all-round, family vehicle which has high seating and space that a 4x4 would usually offer, but still have a premium feel or status with some level of performance. Some mild off-roading (green laning) would be good but I don't need any major towing capability. A mini bus (MPV) is not really an option, but a consideration against over-priced, over-rated 4x4s that will not be used to their true potential.
I would appreciate any opinions on cars, comparisons and encourage constructive debate on the points I made, both for and against. Useful and Passionate perspectives appreciated.
Best,
K Read more
Hi wondered if anyone could offer some advise, my mitsubishi lancer 1.6 2005 model has what can only be decribed as a knock/chattery noise when driving over broken roads at slow speeds. the noise is coming from the front suspension . hit a speed bump at normal speed it doesnt do it. To date ive replaced both lower arms [inc ball joints], antiroll bar bushes inner and outers, both front shocks inc tops.Getting a bit fed up now, if anyone has any experience of this and possible cure i,d be very grateful, thanks. Read more
Hello
Just to check a couple of things....the work carried out was not at a Mitsu dealer?...
Can anyone help me! My Volvo is occasionally cutting out after starting. This is an intermittent problem - sometimes when I turn the engine on, it runs for a second or two and then cuts out, then when I start it again, it either runs or just keeps turning over without starting. If I leave it for a while it always seems to start eventually. This has been happening on and off for about two months. My local garage diagnosed a problem with the throttle housing and this was replaced, however the problem is still occuring. The car is currently at the garage - they've had it for a couple of days but it has started fine every time they've tried. I'm worried about getting stranded and I don't want to get rid of the car -any ideas? Thanks Read more
Didn't notice which lights apart from the engine management light and the car's at the garage now. When the diagnostics were plugged in 3 codes came up which all pointed to the throttle housing issue which is why it was changed. All very frustrating.
Considering that diesel cars are more expensive to purchase (both when new and second hand) and potential repair costs are significantly higher, at what point do diesel cars become uneconomical ?
I have a commute of 500 miles per week, so I will cover somewhere in the region of 25,000 miles in the next 12 months depending on how many times I'm sent overseas. Unfortunately my budget (£3-5,000) only stretches to a car that has already done around 100,000 miles already, and I need a car that will accommodate a tall family of 4 plus 3 dogs - so a reasonable sized estate.
Is it still worth looking at a diesel, or should I spend less on a similar aged petrol car and suffer the lower mpg associated with it ? Read more
We have been considering numerous cars, we currently have an MG ZT-T CDTi, and have considered (among others): Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Passat, Ford Focus and Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra...and the list goes on.
My inlaws have a UK spec 406 petrol auto estate in France which although it is rather gutless and uneconomical suits is for the time we spend over there so I had considered the diesel one. They certainly look good, an if they last upwards of 200,000 miles would certainly last me a while.
Good afternoon
Ford dealer (and HJ) says Powershift gerabox needs 3 year oil change at £250... Read more
According to me PowerShift is an extremely efficient device. Ford poweshift gearbox has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to reduce soot emission.
24 hours after a routine service and MOT the VW dealer phones me to tell me that my auto gearbox oil should be changed, cost £180. Car is nearly six years old and milleage is 42000. Necessary or not? Read more
The aircon in my Octavia was not working - so had the gas replaced (£40), still not working - garage said the ecu probably needed resetting but could only be done by a Skoda garage. The Skoda garage insisted on a diagnostic check (£80+) to tell me, what I already knew, that the climate control was not working.... Read more
I don't know your car but all heating systems are similar, the air regulating flaps in the heater are operated by servo motors, unless yours is fully mechanical which I doubt, if you can gain access to these flaps you should be able so set them manually, but you won't of course be able to change the settings while driving.
Hi thought I would ask from some help/advice from you all. Bought a 07 Captiva LT in October 2011. Had the lights on dash board faults and after several visits got a new accelerator pedal which cured this fault, then took it into garage for service in June and they broke the sump plug so had to get that fixed, off the road for another week and now it broke down last wednesday, engine was making a rattle noise and no power.
The garage eventually got round to looking at it yesterday and have called to say that the engine is done, something has went wrong with the crank shaft and I will need a new engine!!! The car has only done 68000 miles, i bought it from arnold clark and they are a chevrolet dealer. A new engine would cost £8000 and they couldn't source a recon one. I had bought autocare cover which is rubbish, they will cover to fix the engine if repairable but only up to £2000. But to find out if it is fixable they need to strip the engine down and I am liable for cost of this if they can't fix it. ... Read more
GM -- you're thinking of Chrysler.
The Captiva is the same car as the Vauxhall Antara.
Hi there
Looking to buy a used estate for a family car. Our budget is less than 4000 euros.... Read more
Out of the two you've narrowed down, I say the Focus. Cheap as chips to run (I had a 52 plate LX). Passat won't be a hatch so it'll be a pain to transport things. Spacious and a reasonable ride/handling. But, if it's 9 years old, you've got to consider condition above all else, as IRC says.
After 120,000 miles the drivers seat in my 520 is giving up, there is a lack of lower back support, and the middle of the upright part of the seat from neck to waist provides minimal support. You feel like your shoulders are being squeezed forwards and together !
I'm told all seats do this after a long service. Can't afford to have the seat rebuilt, so wondered whether anyone has similar experiences and suggestions - besides strategically placed cushions.
I was told about seat beads, does anyone have a view on these?
Cheers Read more
Super helpful, thanks. Had a look under my seats today and apart from some awkward tight spaces seems like replacement should be straightforward.
You may be right about my preferences, but when I do choose a car it will be a vehicle that first and foremost meets my transport needs, then I look at budget, quality, reliability etc etc and finally will SWMBO wade in with the 'image' question. I can have anything other than a Skoda, but she is coming around.
BTW, whilst I wont have an X6 I see nothing wrong in an X5 as long as is it driven sensibly. Pity they dont make them with seven seats........