March 2013
I have given up my company van and getting a company car, for this reason the family car is going and we are thinking of getting a Mini Cooper as a run about for my wife.
The price range is going to be around the 3-4k mark, looking around there seems plenty of choice with ages ranging from 2002-2005, obviously at this age Mileage is going to be a bit higher than I am used to.
My question is what do I look for are their problems associated with minis of this age, and are the engines good for higher mileage? I am going to try and get one with history, what else should I look out for.
Cheers
Herald Read more
Avoid 16 and 17 in wheels and run flat tyres.
hi I have a y reg xsara picasso. first the power steering pump went so change that. then realised the oil had leaked on alternator and broke that so changed that.then key snaped so had another cut and taped chip to it was working fine bought new battery as altenator didnt charge it. Now problem is car wont start. it was taking ages to turn over now it is only turning now and then but not starting. I had it started this morning but now no joy at all. have read many forums and unable tofind a specific answer. I thought at first would be my transponder chip for key but now am completly baffled. I am fed up with spending money on it so I could really do with some advice. I was going to give starter a hit to see if that would help but cant see it. garages qouting me £50+ for diagnostic just cant afford to pay for that and to fix problem. Also it smells like petrol now so I am super confused. could it be fuel pump or the transponder or am I way off. pleas any help would be appreciated. Read more
As you took the battery off you need to do a BSI reset (body systems interface)
Had to do it 3 times on my old xsara....
My car has an intermittant fault on the brakes. The brake pedal goes rock hard for about 1 second meaning no brakes. My mechanic changed the vacuum part ( don't know what it is ) but it has not stopped the problem, I took it back and he found a split pipe which he has fitted but the problem is still there, he has not got a clue as to what is causing it and I keep paying for his latest diagnosis....can anyone help as to what it is, it very scary when it happens..... Read more
Ayrshore's recall is on the AA website:
During engine warm up it is possible that the non return valve within the vacuum pump may stick. It is possible that if sufficient brake applications are made before the valve releases, the vacuum stored within the brake booster will be used up and a hard brake pedal and longer stopping distances may result....
Please excuse my lack of knowledge about cars! I'm just wondering if this is a known problem someone can help with.
I hve a 55 plate Skoda Fabia classic 1.2 petrol. Over the past 3-4 years it has repeatedly needed the brake pads and discs replacing. It starts with a grinding noise on the brakes when you first set off - especially after rain (my car is kept on the road) and once of twice it has felt like they have locked and car lurches before moving. I take it into a garage (various ones tried! But not a Skoda dealer) who invariably look at the breaks and declare the pads are either worn of have "come loose" and this has exposed the discs and cause them to become damaged. They then replace them at great expense. ... Read more
This pee's me off time and time again when innocent people get caught out by dodgy garages .... for the sake of an extra 10 - 15 minuites per set of brakes .. fronts and rears .. to free floaters off and inspect pistons etc .. make sure adjusters are free ... just because the customer can't see it .. some garages think its ok not to do it .. i agree with the above .. you have been suffering brake fade/ boiling brake fluid etc .. switch your garage .. ASAP
Dear ALL
I'm confused - I rang the main dealership that sold me the car 2 years ago and they say I need a 'B' type service and including all parts labour and VAT it would be £220. 'A' type is 20k miles and 'C' type is 60k miles.... Read more
Oil, air, fuel and pollen filters plus oil change - £192 at my local indy garage. That was for a diesel, may be different for a petrol. It's an 08 model by the way.
Car is just over 2 yrs old, done 20000 miles.
I was driving out of a car park at the weekend and this light (yellow engine symbol) came on with a beep along with the generic warning light (yellow triangle with exclamation mark). I stopped and checked fluid levels etc. Also got the warning that "start stop" was disabled All appeared to be OK and the car appeared to drive normally with no misfire etc. Booked it in to the garage for diagnostics next week, they said OK to drive until then. Have used it 4 times since then, car driving OK. Filled up with petrol (was half full at that point) and now the warning lights have gone off. I guess the garage will be able to get the stored fault codes, but is it still worth going and paying to get the diagnostics done, as everything seems OK?... Read more
The dipped beam headlights keep blowing. When both headlights are working both of the bulbs blow within a day or so of each other.
When only one bulb is changed (doesn't matter which side) the bulb does not blow.... Read more
Use branded bulbs from main dealer ,Osram or Philips.Good quality bulbs are very resilient to voltage highs.Most Fords have the ability to charge at aound 16 volts without any bulb failure issues.
The clutch on my mk3 Mondeo is just about had it and have had a few quotes. Was wondering what sort of price I should be paying? Best price so far has been £420 inc. vat, parts and labour, but no DMF. Does this need to be done on the 1.8 petrol or will it be ok? Car has done 134000 miles and it is still on the original clutch!
A lot of petrols do, yes, certainly larger cars. Are you absolutely sure on the Saab? Maybe it depends on model year but 2002-2011 petrol 93's IIRC are fitted with a LUK DMF.
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Help please, the problem is my Son has driven his 1999 BMW without water and initially siezed the engine. The garge was reluctant to look at, but they tried to do an esy fix, but now say that the car can only be scrapped as engine is drinking water and it would be too difficult to replace the head gasket and the car isn't worth doing. It is a 1999 car, but is in good condition otherwise and has had a full service history and no rust or panel damege. The garge want me to scrap the car and say it is only worth £120, but I am reluctant and still wonder if it is worth saving? ] Read more
Just an update. Picked up car from garage as they said it would need to be scrapped and wouldn't drive very far. Well 100 miles very careful driving car still working fine and temperature needle stuck at normal. Was going to phone breakdown and get them to tow it home but in the event just kept driving and car behaved well. 6 months later after all the hot weather and a new MOT car still going well. Garage say they used K-seal and this must have cured it. Very pleased as no damage seems to have been caused, in fact car seems really smooth and fast. So a lesson to me not to always take things at face value and trust my own instincts as otherwise I would have just listened to garage and got £50 scrap value for a perfectly good car.
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I know and it was a complete lapse of concentration nothing more and no way intentional.