May 2017
Hi, could any tell me if it is a normal thread on crankshaft bolt. I am about to change cambelt on the qashqui but can't seem to find out if it is a reverse thread or normal one. Don't want to be struggling and turning the wrong way. Thank's for any info. Sparky100. Read more
I appreciate we can't really have ago at any particular brands of exhaust but is there anyway of knowing which makes are good and which makes are not. Has anyone ever done a comparison?
I frequently see one brand praised that I had problems with. If it were something like oil we could all see the specs. Presumably there are people in the trade that know all the answers.... Read more
No mild steel standard replacement part is going to last like an OE in my experience, though if you paint the thing properly before fitting it stands a better chance.
Mild steel exhausts will rust through from the inside if your vehicle does a lot of short journeys, as mildly acidic condensation remains inside. Worse for petrol engines, as diesel exhausts get coated internally with soot which gives reasonable protection. From the outside, winter salt is the only real threat.
Evening. I'm getting rid of my very unreliable Hyundai i40 that has gave me nothing but problems to hopefully a more sensible brand from the VW group. Would this car be able to handle private hire? I haven't seen many about but I've been told they are identical to the seat toledo that can go to starship mileage if looked after. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Read more
Definitely take on board what you are saying. alot of taxi drivers have had problems with the i40s. And it's all the same problem - clutches, master cylinders etc.The 140s are stunning looking cars, but what's put me off buying another is the cost for parts.
Thanks for the insight - it appears that (I just read the 'Good & Bad' section of both the saloon and tourer versions) a few others have had similar issues, even with the auto version - not at VAG DSG levels of complaints, though I'm sure that is partially due to the far higher numbers on the roads of VAG cars....
We're looking to purchase a 2 or 3 year old low mileage crossover vehicle. We'd love a Nissan Qashqai but they are out of our sub £9500 budget. We tend to keep our cars as long as possible and drive them into the ground, so value retention isn't important - in fact if they have lost a significant amount from new that would be ideal.
We're looking for a decent spec'd version with as many bells and whistles as possible. We aren't bothered by make so that isn't a consideration.... Read more
Korando can also be remapped quite well
I got a new battery with a five year guarantee today. When filling in the receipt I was asked my car's mileage. In response I queried the relevance and was guided to the Terms and Conditions of the Warranty. Apparently if the car does less than 2,000 miles per annum the guarantee is invalidated. In some ways it makes sense as a classic left standing and taken out a few times a year is quite demanding on the battery. Similarly a car that only does a short supermarket trip every week. Read more
Any advance on 10+ years for my 1980 TR7's puny Bosch 38aH 300CA? My records show I renewed its battery in 1984, 1991, 1996, 2002, and 2007. I started to disconnect it after each outing in the mid 90's when I 'semi-retired' the car, now doing only a few hundred miles a year. I think this practice is essential for battery longevity for 'classic' car users.
I know little about battery development but they seem much better since around 2000. The one in our X reg Focus is also over ten years old, replaced in 2006. Thankfully it started immediately recently after nearly three weeks at Heathrow!
It's about time for me to buy a new car (not brand new) after 9 years with my current car.... Read more
OP says he is not buying new. If you are planning to buy a 2nd-hand diesel then you should be aware of the plans to introduce more charges against anything before Euro-6 diesels. I would not want to have a recent Euro5 diesel and then get hit with penalties for city use. If looking at diesel then new might be the way to go. The Honda 1.6 diesel looks attractive for that sort of mileage.
Ok so I have a 4x4 I bought a few months ago but I need to fit two child car seats and an adult in the middle row and I can't in this one. So once again I'm changing it (with no child seats in it looked like it would all fit but it won't, in case you're wondering why I bought it). And still looking for my little convertible too. (Hence my tag name).
Anyway, at the weekend I'm off to the Bristol area to look at some Renault Grand Scenic 1.5dCi Dynamique tomtom. 2010 and thereabouts., sensible miles. This will be a down grade from my Outlander (imo anyway), but is more practical, £30 tax and good mpg.
Never had a French car
Just wondering about your experiences with one? I'm aware that the 1.9 is the stronger engine but then the tax increases and I'm only using this car at the weekends about twice a month. This site is great for opinions and advice so all opines welcomed!
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Speaking to my friend who has given up the motor trade, it was this troublesome model that finally made up his mind. The customer had a never ending list of faults which he fixed and then the customer asked for his money back , which was refused followed by a small claims court.
I've today come across a new (to me at least) stupid fashion. In broad daylight a large blinged-up VW van thing started quickly reversing out of a parking space towards me as I was moving forward out of a space in the next row. I had no warning of his backing but was able to avoid contact by reversing sharpish back into my space. Phew, no contact. I might say my DLRs are embarrassingly bright so I guess he wasn't looking properly.
I say "no warning" but I then noticed two short strips of white LEDs on the van rear. These were very dim with only about 5 light "cells" in each. I assume these were retro fit and the originals had been removed. Useless as a warning to others and no good to light the driver's way when reversing at night.
I assume it will fail at MOT.
Just another thing to add to the list of form over function features? Read more
These extremely white lights when retro 'fitted' to an old vehicle look crass, i especially love the silly leds stuffed into number plate holders designed to take a small capless 5w bulb or two, they stick out way past the bulb shield/reflector so two silly bright pin pricks of white light show to the rear making the number plate all but unreadable (possibly the intention) but providing as a good reason as any for the country's last living traffic officer to pull them up at peak drinky poos time.
Have seen a number of old Defenders sporting ill placed DRL's in ultra white light where all the other lights are dull white, it looks especially bad on such a vehicle, if a Defender can't be seen either someone needs specsavers or it's time for dipped headlights....
On 24 March 2017, I read an HJ Back Room post about driving in environmental zones in France, which touched on such zones in other EU countries. I have done some research on driving in environmental zones in Germany (DE), which may be of help to readers, particularly in maintaining their bank balance.
There are many towns/cities in DE with central environmental zones, which require the motorist to have a "green 4" Umweltplakette to permit diesel vehicles of Euro 4 and better, to enter without being fined E80. Details can be found on http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/topics/air/particulate-matter-pm10/low-emission-zones-in-germany ... Read more
Thanks
That SS from Radstock is one angry dude! I'm surprised he didn't ask HJ to 'step outside', given he seemed to think he was 'in' on the 'conspiracy'. Maybe he had a heart attack soon after writing. Read more
I bet SS is a politician's wet dream. Certainly seems to be falling for all of the guff that they spew.
Woops!