September 2015
Hi
Can anyone help me with this problem, brought my Focus from a Quicks Carlot. I loved the shape of the car having a convertable was a bonus everything was ok until it rained heavily one night.when I went to the car there was water running down the front passenger and drivers door and in the back of the car right in the corner of the window and in the middle of the rear windows. Then I could see this has been happening for a while you can see water marks in the plastic and on the leathers seats. I guess this is why the car was in the garage.... Read more
My Peugeot 207cc has an intermittent overheating problem. After about a 20 minute warm up on a motorway, the fan comes on and the temp gauge heads up to the boiling point. After about a 1to 2 hour cooling period. Then it`s fine for a week or two of regular trips. The garage computer could`nt find the fault. (sticking thermostat maybe) Read more
I would think the first port of call would be the thermostat.
The Forester has recently gone through 10,000 miles, Almost 2,000 miles in my two months of ownership, so I’ll give you an update on my ownership experience to date.
I chose the car as it is large enough for my needs, has a decent petrol engine and Subarus get generally excellent ownership reviews. It also offered better value than the BMW, Mercs and Audis I considered and a 5 year warranty is also worth having.
Subaru only do three trim levels in petrol, XC, XE and XT with a premium pack if you want leather and satnav. This model is the mid range XE model so is well equipped:
Cruise control
Reversing camera
Electric drivers seat
Dual climate
Sunroof
HID lighting
Heated seats
Auto lights and wipers
Folding mirrors
Bluetooth with voice activation
USB, Aux and Bluetooth audio options
And of course it has permanent 4WD.
Cabin is very light and airy with large windows giving excellent all round visibility. With the sunroof blind opened the light into the cabin is excellent. Being sat high gives a commanding view.
This may sound strange, but I needed to learn how to drive it! I’ve driven the B class for so long I was very aware of how it drove and a combination of 8 valves and short gearing meant it had a lot of low down torque, so I could use low gears from relatively low speeds – 5th was just about possible in 30 zones, but 4th was more controllable.
The Subaru is geared completely differently – the ratios are very tall, apart from 5th to 6th. Over the first few weeks I was really disappointed with the drive.
It hesitated when I tried to take off, It seemed to kangaroo after gear changes. It has two ECU modes - I for “intelligent” and S for “sport”. I tried changing between the two, but no difference.
I was when looking through the manual I found the suggested gear change speeds – in essence you need to keep the revs at about 2,000. This means 3rd to 40mph, 4th to 50, 5th to 60, 6th thereafter. Once I changed my gear change pattern the car was much happier and I can now drive the car properly! Despite that its not a pootling around town car, it is very much a long distance open road car, which is exactly why it was purchased.
The only off road it has done is the Kielder Forest Track which is an unmade surface, no dramas whatsoever and despite the rough surface the unevenness was soaked up.
The ABS/stability control system has kicked in a couple of times when the system has detected possible traction loss on very tight bends. One was descending Sutton Bank, the other descending into Melrose. On both occasions I wasn’t going excessively fast, but the bend was tight enough to upset the balance slightly causing the ABS system to kick in on the rear wheels.
Upsides
Very comfortable ride
Very comfortable seats – no aches or pains after a long journey
Lots of passenger space front and back
Quiet in the cruise.
It feels and looks very well put together, just looking around the car you can see the bits holding the car together and they are substantial
Easy to find everything under the bonnet.
Bulbs are accessible
The typical flat four Subaru ‘growl’ when pressing on
Spare wheel, although only a skinny.
“Proper” handbrake
You can turn the annoying gear change indicator off, which is useless anyway given my comments regarding gear change points!
The 0-60 time is no indication of how fast a car actually is in real life. It may appear on paper to be slow from a standstill at just voer 10 seconds 0-60, but in ‘S’ mode the in gear acceleration is excellent – around town it can be too sharp for smoothness. Second gear is good from rolling to almost 70, which makes it ideal for overtaking.
Like most petrol cars you need to use the revs to get the most out of it, but for a 2.0 150bhp 4x4 and compared to Subarus of old I am more than happy with the mpg. It does mid 30s to 40 on a decent urban run and on motorway trips mid 40s. In the mile after mile of 50mph stretches currently on motorways it will do mid 50s.
Lots of cubby holes for bits and pieces.
The rear luggage cover can be stowed under the boot floor.
Rear seats have three positions of recline– my daughter approves as she can really sit back and relax.
For my ownership to date, which included 700 miles over a week in the Scottish Borders it is showing 37 mpg and brim to refills suggest this is quite accurate. In the traffic free Borders it did 43mpg over a week.
I did a 230 mile trip, largely motorway recently and the mpg readout was 42 mpg.
Reversing camera gives an excellent view and better than sensors
Very large wing mirrors
Very large sun visors with extenders to fill the gap in the middle, great when the sun is low.
The front windows have an old style quarterlight, which is an ideal place for my satnav mount.
Two option rear wiper - Speed sensitive intermittent or permanent – never had that before.
Downsides – nothing major, just day to day things which are different to what I am used to.
Whilst the interior is well fitted out, some of the materials are cheaper and the aluminium trim around the central area and doors is easily scratched.
Middle rear belt is stowed in the roof and has a two clip mechanism which is fiddly. One clip needs a tool to unfasten (car key, screwdriver or similar) when the belt is no longer needed. Thankfully middle rear belt use is a rare event.
The tailgate doesn’t open as far as I would like – even at 5’ 10” I need to watch my head when approaching to load items. Another 2-3 inches would be ideal and wouldn’t make the tailgate too high to reach to close.
Folding mirrors have to be folded/unfolded manually.
Auto door locking operates as soon as you turn the key and not when you drive off – can be annoying if I get in first and am waiting for passengers as I have to unlock the doors to let them in. The auto lock will then not relock the doors.
Shallow under floor boot storage area due to presence of the spare wheel and rear diff. Handy for a few tools, spare oil, footpump, but not all the kit I used to have under the floor of the B class. Removing the prefromed tray increases the volume, but then you need to store the tray.
Reversing camera can get obscured if it is raining and it attracts a raindrop!
The ICE head is dated, and the Bluetooth set up is quite fiddly, changing paired phones etc and there is no keypad to input numbers directly, but the sound system is excellent. There's a separate screen in the dash which when not used for the camera shows ICE info, or any other number of readouts including oil temp, fuel useage, stop start system useage including an unfathomable estimation of the mileage you could have done using the fuel saved whilst stationary etc
Stop start system is poor alongside Mercedes system. The restart is slower than the Merc and you have to ensure the car has restarted before putting the car into gear. In the early days I was sometimes too quick to put the car into gear and the car refused to restart until it was in neutral. Like most of these systems it can be turned off.
Only problem to date is a slight steering wheel shake under braking. I reported this shortly after I took ownership and the brake components will be changed under warranty when it is serviced in the next week.
Its only the first 2,000 miles in what I hope will be tens of thousands, but so far so good. Its left me wondering just how potent the XT with about 230bhp must be. Read more
Many thanks for continuing to keep us updated, Davey. The fact that you don't have to do it very often is testament to the good quality of the Forester.
It's a pity that Subarus are so ineptly marketed in the UK. Good cars which often get left off people's shortlists because no-one draws them to their attention.
Can someone get me the code for my wife's ford ka serial number M031025 please, it will be an earache ended. Many thanks Read more
For radios whose Serial Number begins with an "M", followed by a six digit number, you can use the following link to work out what your Keycode should be:
Hi,
My radio locked itself today, I put the code in 3412 for serial number M069295 but it isn't working. Can anyone please help, not sure if this is the right one or not. Thank you Read more
Hello help please,
Late February it was strongly suspected I would be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This was confirmed some four weeks later, following further tests. Having been told there was a very strong possibility that the symptoms would deteriorate, due to the disease not having been spotted for years earlier, possibly even as far back as 20 years ago. That's my sob story, and not the complaint, but gives the background to the complaint.
I along with my partner Tracy, both agreed very quickly the first course of action would be to change my van, and get a large 4 x 4 automatic car to enable me to carry on working, and be far more comfortable driving, and getting to and from work. All the time I was being told the bad back I had/have would hopefully be cured, I was putting myself through a lot of discomfort just getting to and from places of work.
I chose 3 different types of vehicles, of which I test drove, with the following criteria/ tick boxes, in order of importance.
1. My comfort.
2. Tracy being a lot shorter than me, could drive the car, my partner, who has little legs lol.
3. Would tow our caravan.
4. Can be converted to mobility controls, of which at the time was as you see the least important.
My question was converting the car to hand controls or whatever was needed.
I chose a Lexus 450 h, from Motorline in Tunbridge Wells Kent. Comfort was ticked very quickly, Tracy was happiest driving this vehicle, as against the other 2 of my choice, towed our caravan with ease, and in the words of the salesman 'yes Mr. Edwards, there is no problem in converting our vehicles, it's not something we do, but can be arranged'. He was asked the same question again in April when I returned the car for some warranty works. Again the answer was and very quick 'yes no problem'. Tracy was present when I asked the question before purchasing the car, and my father when I returned the car for warranty repairs.
I then via my Physiotherapist, referred myself to South East Driveability for an assessment on my driving abilities, my condition as expected deteriorated, albeit much quicker than expected. Their findings were to meet expected DVLA driving standards, I was to be retrained to drive, with a left foot accelerator, I went back to Lexus who found me a firm who carried out conversions to cars, a left foot accelerator could not be fitted to this particular vehicle due to the location of the foot parking brake. I personally tried many firms, Ergonmobility, being the most helpful. They are the main conversion firm in the area, and carry out works for the Motability Scheme.
I basically had to sell this car, and buy another type of vehicle of which could be converted, of which lost me in access of £4000 on the Lexus, and roughly the same amount on the Toyota Rav 4 I purchased. I was realistic in my opinion in not expecting the full amount back on the Lexus, I had after all driven some 3000 miles in it, but would have expected a much more of a better deal than I got. A tow bar had also been fitted to the car, for me to tow our caravan, and borrow a small trailer from time to time to carry work rubbish away, if required. They said probably quite rightly, about selling privately, but time was not on my side. Even now the DVLA investigating my ability to drive, although I've passed all criteria required by South East Driveability.
I know now! I should have made enquires to conversion firms, re converting cars, of which I did when purchasing the Rav 4. The Toyota dealer straight away, told me to find out for myself, as did Mitsubishi. Lexus and their salesman did not, just, as previously stated 'yes Mr. Edwards no problem'. Them saying straight away 'yes' giving me confidence in them. When I first approached them reference the problem, them asking if I had it in writing, of what the salesman said. No I haven't, only family as witnesses to the conversations. They are a Main Dealer!
Does sound a bit of a sob story, it's not meant to be, however I was and am still angry re this matter. Lexus who win dealership awards year in year out, then do this. I contacted the financial ombudsman, who stated as no finance was involved, couldn't investigate. CAB have been contacted, but have stated, that the word of mouth clarification, will be difficult to prove.
Please has anyone got any ideas please.
Thanks in advance Dave
Read more
The conversion, is what's known as a flip pedal, ie little legs can drive normal, and I can drive with the left foot accelerator. Just feel hard done by, admittedly I should've done more research, but trusted a main dealers word. Expensive lesson but silver cloud, taught me to deal with whatever, this throws at me.
Not been able to drive the Rav 4 for a while, as dvla took licence away from me. Was furious over lexus issue, but as I say, taught me a lesson, and whilst hugely frustrating,and hugely annoying, I accepted as best I could.
Driving again now, and must say Rav 4 is as good as the lexus, without all the bells and whistles. Wish they'd been on my original list.
Our 1998 SDP 290GD Van has been sitting parked up in a grass field since Feb 2013, I sliped(i.e. dragged) her out, unstarted (& not the slightest sign of sticking brakes at all btw) sometime earlier this summer with the tractor, and left her parked up on concrete, nonetheless grass was still growing out from the bottom of the drivers door, today.
All 4 tyres still 100% inflated too... Read more
In my best glossed over youth i spotted the roof of a Rover 90 sitting remakably high up in a field, went and had a poke nose it was indeed a Rover 90 P4 sitting on a car trailer, had been there donkeys years surrounded by and grown through undergrowth as tall as me.
Anyway, i negotiated a price to buy from the owner of the field, ISTR £15 changed hands....
I'm looking for a Keycode for my Focus serial number V002872.
Can anyone help?
Many Thanks. Read more
For radios whose Serial Number begins with a "V", followed by a six digit number, I'm afraid there is no Keycode generator available for you to work out the code yourself.
You will either need to visit your local Ford Main Dealer, or there are sellers on Ebay who claim they can supply the Keycodes for "V" Serial Numbers, for a fee....
I Sometimes like to take a look at the above site to see if some of my old cars are still on the road, but since the site was updated a year or so ago, it seems that some of my old cars are just not recognised.
They are recognised on the Auto Trader site, but of course this doesn't tell you if they are still on the road. Strangely he DVLA site still recognises cars that my Dad had 40 years ago, albeit scrapped, but not some of the cars I've had in the last 10 years.... Read more
There's a good chance some of the cars are running around with private plates on now.
Hi All
Is my car affected by the emissions debacle, its a MY 2.0 tdi cvt i think its a EU5 but what does it really mean to me if its affected ?... Read more
Just confirm that since Euro 4 (2005) NOx has been part of the EU standard. We are now on Euro 6 and NOx is 0.08.
I suspect that VW in the UK will just reduce the engines performance and the cumstomers will be left short changed, buts let give them a chance....
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I remember my brother-in-law (a Ford Senior Technician/Workshop Manager) saying that almost all Focus Cabriolets suffered from the leaking roof. There was a recall I think, so it sounds as if your car was missed.
There is a fix, so contact your nearest Ford dealer and ask them about it.