March 2014
Having had lease cars through my company for years I had always been very pleased, including in recent years a Seat Leon (2006) and Audi A3 (2008). I then moved away from hatchbacks to a BMW 320d coupe. It was a fantastic car for the first two years, but by this point my firm had moved to three year contracts, and in the last year it felt like everything went wrong with it.
It was in the garage every few weeks, although not at a cost to me it was incredibly frustrating never to have 'your' car. By the time I got rid of it last month, it was overheating, going into limp mode and making some incredibly odd noises (from the clutch / flywheel). I do around 30,000 miles a year and the lease company do all the servicing you'd expect, no expense spared.... Read more
This is just to thank Sprice for pointing out that the 1.6 diesel Civic is no longer exempt from the London congestion charge. Apologies: the video road test was carried out before the authorities moved the goalposts.
I have had to hide the original thread as an irrelevant racist element was introduced and then (rightly) complained about by other posters. Unfortunately a small minority of people just can't seem to remember that this is a public forum.... Read more
I purchased a used Nissan Micra K13 last year which was first registered February 2012 and was serviced by the garage that I purchased it from just before I picked it up at 20/03/13. It is now due for its second service and the mileage is 25,000. I intend taking the car to a garage which is more local to where I live (after getting a quote for the work). However, after looking in the Owners Manual I cannot find any reference relating to the service schedule. Other cars that I have owned have shown details of this in the manuals; showing lists of what work should be done at that particular interval, but in this manual, nothing. Can anyone tell me what the second service for this vehicle should include in relation to year /mileage so that I know what to ask and pay for? Your help would be appreciated. Read more
>> However, after looking in the Owners Manual I cannot find any reference relating to the service schedule.
The Nissans I've had have a separate service book that show the information you want.
Hi
Not sure if this is the right space for this but . . .
Firstly I am not a car "nut" or know anything at all about what goes on under the bonnet or the least bit technical or generally car savvy. So bear with me!!
I am 95% sure I will be purchasing a used car (BMW 1 series M sport convertible) this week, subject to AA inspection. Car is from a private seller and I viewed it yesterday. I have also previously viewed 2 other examples at independent garages, which although didn't work out, I was particularly impressed by how they were presented - how I would describe as showroom finish, exterior and interior, scrupulously clean etc and does add a certain "wow" factor.
This third model I saw however has not been cleaned that well, other than an exterior hand wash - boot needs good vacuum, bits of fluff all over the seatbelt, dashboard and cockpit area need good polish, wheels a good clean, 1/2 leather exterior and leather needs some work, also worn patches on leather, some staining on back seat (likely to be from their 1 year old - some sort of liquid), also wear around gear knob.
Basically because of this I didn't get the same "wow" factor as the garage presented cars. To cut a long story short - good car in all other ways, ticks all boxes. Should get through the AA inspection fine.
Can someone recommend a professional valet company in London or home counties who could basically give the car what I would call a "showrooom valet" and make it look showroom ready?? Ideally not a mobile valet unless you can convince me they are as good as an on site company. If I purchase the car this is something I would want to get done. Budget wise I am hoping not to spend more than £100 and if it that means going out of London that's fine. But again, have no idea how much these things cost.
Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks :) Read more
Hi,
I am new to this forum and Id like to say hello to all. My name is Patrick and I want to change my current car Nissan Qashqai '09 for BMW 116d.
I am confused on how Im suppose to handle this thing where of course I want to get as much money as I possibly can for my current car. The obvious solution would be to go to the nearest dealer and sell my car there, but of course I'd probably get less money then as oppose to selling online. Lets say that I sell my car privately on autotrader and I want a BMW model 116d which unfortunately no one is selling near my location (Northern IReland), it's all in the UK mainland. In that instance can I visit my local dealer and give him the required info about the car I want and he will bring the car over at no extra significant cost? How does this work, anyone know?
Thank you
Patrick Read more
The choice of 116d is simple, its what I can afford and what seems like a nice car to me. I am no longer a fan of big cars that Qashqai is. I want to buy used 116d from 2012-2013 at the lower possible millage.
I had a 118D for 5 1/2 years. Good car, no problems. BUT there is no way I would want the version with less power, much less power. Instead of being a good car it would be a very disapointing underpowered car with a BMW badge on the bonnet....
Went out to the car (8 year old petrol 3 series) yesterday just before lunchtime and it sounded very rough when I started it and the engine management light was flashing. Anyway called the RAC and when the technician arrived he diagnosed a faulty coil, he managed to find a parts supplier that would stay open for him and away he went. Returned and spent the best part of an hour fitting it.
I was surprised at the effort and time he was prepared to put in to getting the car fixed, the cost to me was under £50 for the part, well done that man!
Alan. Read more
Always nice to hear good news - you tend to hear, perhaps understandably, more complaints on forums like this.
You'd think that the increase in electronic trickery would make roadside repairs more difficult, but I believe that the AA and RAC claim that 85 % of breakdowns are repaired on the spot....
Hi folks,
New to posting in the forum but read it all the time because it's full of great advice.
I've a problem that I hope you guys could help me with. I recently bought a bora in the sport model trim. Problem is I noticed there are locking nuts on the wheels and no locking key supplied with the car. The wheels are standard sport alloys that come on the car.
How do I go about getting these off without the key? Any advice would be greatly appreciated folks. Read more
As virtually all cars have alloys, it's a point.
I have an intermittent fault with my Vauxhall Astra engine cooling fan. When I switch the engine off, the engine cooling fan stops on and will not switch off until it drains the battery. Can anyone advise what the fault could be? Read more
Either a faulty ECT sensor or fan control module, A diagnostic test would be the way to start.
Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum and am in need of some advice please. I've been looking to purchase a newish Ford fiesta and have finally found one that's not quite 4 years old and in my price range and its only done 12000 miles. The price is soooo good it's almost too good to be true if I'm honest (approx £1800 less than I'd expect it to be).
I've already carried out an HPI check and it's clear - I've not actually seen the car yet but I've been sent several photos and it looks immaculate inside and out!! I contacted the seller who has advised that she has taken a job in Germany recently and is there at the moment. She says she bought the car in feb, then got the job abroad so signed a contract with a car transport company called Ace uk holdco ltd and they currently have the car, keys and paperwork in their warehouse in Northumberland and will deal with the sale etc and can deliver the car to me for no extra cost (she has paid for delivery of the car anywhere in the uk). I've not yet contacted them but I've searched the web for reviews and can find absolutely nothing except various listings in company search directories. They are listed at companies house. Their web address is
intermediateservices.co.uk/index.html
I know there are scams out there whereby the buyer gives the intermediary money for the car then the car never turns up!! I have no intention of handing over any money without having the car and keys in my hand.
I was thinking of getting the RAC to do a full inspection on the basis that if the car doesn't actually exist (the photos could have been any random car) then Ace Uk holdco ltd will fob off the RAC so the appointment is never kept. That's my theory anyway!!
So, has anyone ever heard of Ace UK Holdco Ltd?? It just all seems a bit odd. The car is being sold for approx £1800 less than all other models of same year which I'm also suspicious about. If it is legit then I'll happily buy it but I need to be sure this is a real deal.
thank you Read more
Keep well clear. As the old addages goes, if it sounds too good to be true, then it is! Caveat Emptor!!!
Just used one on the gf's scooter head bolts, and realised I wasn't exactly sure how! Embarassing
... Read more
For an apparently simple question, it gets quite complex when you get into it.
In this case these's another potential variable I hadn't thought of....
Browse
The manufacturers or importers work very closely with leasing companies and independent "whole life cost" companies, such as Kee Resources to ensure that their models score highly in terms of low depreciation and low maintenance costs. Otherwise, the perceived residual values are low and the cost of keeping the car properly maintained over set periods and mileages rocket.
If that happens, lease rentals follow the upward curve and their cars become uncompetitive in the massive leasing market place. Hence, it is in the interests of the manufacturer to ensure that they make heavy contributions to leasing companies for, for instance, failed Dual Mass Flywheels (and consequential clutch replacement), Diesel Particulate Filters etc. This type of ex-gratia support is very rarely seen by private or even corporate buyers....