January 2016
I'm getting the fault codes P0106 - MAP/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance Problem and P2110 - Throttle Actuator Ctl Sys-Forced Limited RPM on my CMax. They only appear when the engine is fully warmed up, until then it drives absolutely normally. First an 'Engine Fault' message appears which is followed by a 'Speed Limited' message. When I pull over and stop, the engine is running roughly and upon switching off, the engine runs on very briefly. The car will restart as normal and run perfectly, although sometimes only for a short distance.
Googling flagged up what I thought may be a couple of potential issues, a split crankcase breather hose or disintigrating swirl flaps. So I removed the inlet manifold to check (all OK) and replaced the MAP sensor as it's cheap and a lot easier to do with the manifold off.... Read more
The glow plug warning light has started to come on a few seconds after I start the car. It's a petrol 1.2L so doesn't have glow plugs, I've checked all the fluid levels and they are ok. Would I be right in thinking it's an electrical fault with the display panel? Thanks. Read more
Are you 100% certain its the glowplug symbol.
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Getting a car for our daugther and thought leasing (for a new car) would be a good way to go. However, learnt that a leased car needs to be in the main drivers name, which would be my daughter but being 17 is unable to take out credit.
From what I have been told by a reputable leasing company is if I lease it for my daughter this is fraud (they said it nicely) and described as "fronting" or "accommodating" a credit agreement.... Read more
This in car finance terms called an 'accommodation deal' and is not accepted. Basically your lease a car to someone who is not bound by the contract or deamed credit worthy.
In insurance terms the car will be owned by the finance company and very often insist for the insurance to be in your name. Which sounds fine as long as your daughter is down as the main user.
The car bought from new, supplying dealer maintained . ... Read more
Presumably its been replaced now, if not i'd take Rob's advice and find an indy who'll do the job with LUK parts a lot cheaper than they will, to give you an idea Toyota wanted to charge £750 for a new clutch in a family members Aygo, the local indy we use here charged £280 all incl, LUK parts fitted.
Another problem with modern vehicles is the serious lack of low engine speed torque on so many, which even if you don't realise you are doing it can see you slipping the clutch inadvertantly at junctions, could be too high first gear combined with lack of initial torque or at slightly moving junctions maybe slightly too fast to select first, but not fast enough for second, hence stay in second and inadvertant slipping of the clutch again...same in reverse which again on so many cars is just too high....
Deleted. Rhymes with 'rowlocks'. Read more
True enough. It's an opportunity to give your cash to scammers for nothing back eh?
Hi,
I have a VW Passat 2.0tdi DSG 2008. I bought the car with about 60k on. At 98k the DSG failed. It was reconditioned and needed a new mechatronics unit. All in was about 2k. Since then I have taken out an aftermarket car warranty. I would like to continue doing this but the trouble I have is that I am about to pass the 150k mark, I cover about 35-40k a year, nearly all motorway miles. All warranties I can find only seem to cover upto 120k or 150k at the most. ... Read more
I suspect a failed clutch pack would not be covered under any 3rd party warranty, neither any bearings or oil seals. Which does not leave much in the box with is covered the is a common failure point.
Hi fellas, I moved in England 5 years ago from italy, I own a classic mini and I was thinking to send it over here on a truck. The car has got an italian reg and its not insured at the moment. what id like to know is if I can send it here and if there will be any other costs. Thank you Read more
There's a good article on this subject written by some bloke called Honest John.
I have a lease car and noted for awhile how poor the reversing lamps are in a dark area, more like they are only a indicator to others I'm reversing.
So I've seen some owners have changed the bulbs for LED which are noticably brighter.... Read more
Thanks Gordon,
There are many worse cars than the Insignia with their mirrors, more so if they are manually adjusted....
I think we need to consider what style and flavour of yogurt is involved before making any sweeping statements about yogurt throwing. I wouldn't mind being on the receiving end of, say, a large glob of greek style yogurt with honey, but if it was budget rhubarb yogurt I'd be very upset.
Hi,
After recently writing off my Lancer skidding on some Black Ice, clearing a 4 foot fence and landing nose first into a field, while recovering from my back injury I've decided that for my next car I will put my hands a bit deeper in my pocket for a more refined luxury cruiser/car with plenty of Tech, extras and auto transmission, that I've never had before, basically lazy easy driving. I've had a look around and narrowed my choice down to a few cars however I've hit a brick wall with my choices. Here are my thoughts, choices and reasons for them.
BMW 3 Series Saloon 320d Auto (Maybe Efficient Dynamics but not sold on this yet)
I love the look of this car but it has it's pros and cons. The pros, good looks, Low Tax and Running costs (though I read reports of the Efficient Dynamics efficiency dropping off dramatically after 40 - 60K miles which is why I'm not totally sold on it yet and if I chose this car it will likely be the 320d). Been a BMW I expect the reliability will be good and it will drive great. The Cons, to get the model I would want with the latest heads up and software we are talking £20k ish making it the most expensive of my choices to buy. Not the cheapest car to maintain should anything go wrong. The inside is bland and boring and lets face it this is where you will spend most of your time.
Lexus is250 SE-L Auto
Personally for me this car doesn't look as good as the BMW from the outside but also has it's pros and cons. The pros, not a terrible looking car, a refined comfortable quite ride. I suspect the maintenance costs will be lower than the other choices, cheaper initial cost at around 13 - 14K. A decent amount of tech and the inside of the car looks the best of all the choices. The cons, more expensive running costs been a 2.5l petrol and much higher Tax bracket and a lifeless driving experience. I know the IS300h is also a prety decent car with better fuel economy but not really seen many people comment on how it is to drive where as the is250 has alot of people saying it's very refined.
Audi A3 Saloon 2.0l Diesel Auto
This car is around the same initial cost as the BMW but not as good looking for me and as far as I can tell has pretty much all the same pros and cons as the BMW but maybe just not quite as good a drive. Still great build, reliable and cheep running costs and Tax but as with the BMW, expensive to maintain, bland and boring inside.
To give you an idea of my usage of this car at the moment I drive 17 miles to work and 17 home on weekdays on country and B roads. I occasionally drive long distance 3 - 4 hours on motorways but this may increase to more often depending on work. No kids yet but a wife who doesn't pack light. I know there are other cars that would fit my requirements like the Mercs and the Jags but I haven't considered them yet. I've done some calculating and over 5 years at about 15000 miles a year all three cars are almost identical in cost, this is taking into acount the cheep is250 but with higher running costs and the higher initial cost of the other two but with lower TAX and running cost. I'm not sure on the Jags and Mercs to be honest as they are more common but so are the audi's. Anyway I think that's enough info to be getting on with, so, what do you think?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Dave Read more
Note that occasionally, some manufacturers have an over-supply problem (sometimes due to bad press generally or a specific car) which often continues past the time when the general or car-specific issue is fixed. VAG is a good example of this at present - I've seen brand new VW Golf GTs (the 1.4 TSi ACT model) on Motorpoint for £17k, down £6.5k from the list price.
You may find that, for your specific requirements for the car (features) may result in a non-standard model, which might not be so popular and one might've been flogged to a car supermarket like Motorpoint on delivery or low mileage and has a huge discount. Worth a look for some premium cars - you might be lucky and find a good'un! Perhaps even to coax you from your 'premium brand' lineup to the next level down but a range-topper for a knock-down price? Don't rule it out...
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