September 2012
Challenge:
I need help to decide which is our best option to replace our Saab 9-3 TiD.
Criteria:
Preferably estate
Under 50,000 miles
As recent as possible
Well equipped
Not too dull
No fuel preference
Prefer German or Japanese
Hope you've got more ideas than me! Read more
When my new car was delivered in July, it came with the usual two warning triangles, reflective vest etc. but for the first time, no spare bulb kit. I asked at a main dealer and was told they are not made or provided for specific models any more as legislation in Spain was recently changed and spare bulb kits no longer have to be carried in the car. (I'm not sure whether this only applies to post-2012 cars, or whether all drivers of all cars are now exempt.) A generic spare bulb kit for "Most" of the bulbs would set me back about 20 Euro, though cheaper kits are to be found on eBay.
The reason for the change is that so many car bulbs cannot be changed by the keen DIYer, so a law penalising drivers for not carrying something they could not actually use was simply struck out. Also so many bulbs nowadays are HID or LED which theoretically last the lifetime of the car. That said, dealers have to fit non-user-friendly replacement bulbs free of charge.
The requirement to carry a spare pair of driving glasses also went out when the government heeded complaints from drivers with "complicated" prescriptions, for whom an extremely expensive second pair was an extra burden.
When I first moved to Spain 20 years ago motorists also had to carry a spare fan belt and the tools to fit it (again, no longer the case) and the driving test still requires knowledge of this and other ""routine" maintenance jobs.
Progress, eh?
Read more
Does the EU know about all these sensible changes to the laws?
Currently got a 59 Plate Fiat Grande Punto 1.4GP (8v). Trade in has 36K on clock and is running out of MOT and tax at end this month; also due a service. Additionally it has some body work damage ( a few paint chips at front, small dent at rear and most noticeably the passenger side sill is dented in and paint a bit stripped due to a car park catch).
... Read more
I p/x'd my daughters 04 plate Punto for a new Twingo last year. Obviously you lose quite a bit of space internally, but there's still enough room for 4 normal sized people in the Twingo and the engine seems to pull okay. In fact it's quite a decent sized engine for such a small car, even if it can trace it's roots back to the R5.
OTR price sounds quite high though... I got the Twingo 1.2 Bizu for £5995. It's missing a few toys, but does a job. Also don't get too hung up on the service package unless you do lots of miles. Remember its 2 years or 18K miles and that's a lot for such a small town car, so your 4 year package might only be 2 services at £100 each..
Hi
So I could do with the use of a code reader quick sharp, wondered if anyone in my area (Liverpool) had one I could use for a fee?!
Thanks in advance!
Gavin
I should add that its a Mondeo 2.0 tdci 2004/53 plate!
Currently experiencing central locking problems on the Zafira. The NSR door will not lock at the moment.
We have the version with keyless entry, so can lock the car either by pressing the front door handles or using the key fob, we cannot lock it manually with a key. To unlock the car you just pull one of the handles and it unlocks automatically.... Read more
Moved to Technical.
Yes, It's an old topic (and I'm not attempting to start another slanging match). Just had two part worns fitted and posting first impressions.
-Tyres £20 a corner (175/70R13), fitted and balanced, 2 wheel laser tracking £20 extra.... Read more
As long as people know the limits of the vehicle and tyres and drive accordingly (don't crash) I don't see the problem. It's like lambasting someone for driving a classic car when for a little more (or less) they could have a new NCAP rated Daicha Duster.
My petrol focus has covered 189,000 miles and as now started to use a lot of oil, there are NO leaks. It has been to the garage and had the rocker cover seal replaced. They reported no other problems.
The car is very reliable, I often do runs of 500 miles, getting >38mpg. The only thing I need to do is fill up with oil.... Read more
Thanks for that
Are there any manufacturers who allow local garages to inspect and carry out warranty repairs? I live 200 miles and a ferry journey from the garage where I bought my car and must spend £400 and 2 days holiday to take it to the nearest franchise, or have it repaired locally - cost £100 and let my 5 year warranty lapse.
I have had fiats in the past and they have allowed me to do this, but their mechanical record is not so good recently.... Read more
We've been holidaying on the Isle of Skye every year for the past 19 years. When we first started going there were 3 car dealerships - one in Broadford which was originally Mazda and changed to VW, and a Ford/Renault dealership in Portree.
The Broadford dealership sold out to the Co-op - the showroom was converted to a supermarket and the filling station kept in operation. The VW franchise replaced the Renault one in Portree....
The traction control light has started coming on on my Octavia.
I comes on after a few miles of driving but for no apparent reason and resets once the engine is turned off.
Two front abs sensors have been cleaned and seem okay.
Probably a coincidence but the clutch has just been replaced.
Any advice would be appreciated. Read more
What is the fault code number?
I've had my new company car for a month now and it is superb in every respect EXCEPT that the horn is a pathetic Japanese-style bleep, more at home in a clown's car than a fairly upmarket estate. (It's a British-built car, so what's going on? My dad's Swindon-built Honda also goes BWEEPT!) What I would like to do is transplant a (readers' recommended) decent alternative with as little fuss as possible.
Unlike radios and add-on lights, I've never found anywhere to actually "try before you buy", and I would like to make a straight swap for a horn that sounds "serious", perhaps a tad imperious, but it doesn't have to be ear-splitting to the point of shattering street lamps or inducing heart attacks. A Homer-Simpson one playing "La Cucaracha" is also out, as is anything even remotely like Mr Whippy, Big Ben or the Keystone Cops, tempting though it is!
Any suggestions? I'm thinking of a ready-to-go aftermarket one which can be swapped straight over; failing that it's a trip to the scrappie for a horn from something a little "upmarket", but, again, easy to install. Read more
Got a set of Vigo alloys and bolts fitted with Vredestein winter tyres in the garage if you're intersted???...but you might need to find the HL3 wheel arch extensions too, they're Vigo Gspec wheels with 265/70 x 16's.
Thanks for the offer gb but I want to keep it basic like the original, I can ask on the Hilux forum if you want ?...
What's wrong with a Subaru Legacy? Good looking, pretty reliable and not boring.