Hi all

I am still rattling around in my i40 diesel. Four years old next spring, currently with 104,000 miles clocked. Been a good workhorse and very reliable apart from initial clutch issues.

In June the auto stop, start ceased working, so when it was colllected by the main dealer for its 100k service at the end of July I mentioned this. Anyway when the car was returned to me later that day, I was advised that it probably needed a good run !

It still isn't working now. It lives on the motorway and covers about 3000 miles a month.

Anyone know anything about the technology behind these systems or encountered the same problem

Thanks. Read more

My son is in his late 20's and coming out of his company's car scheme. He's asled my advice on what to get. He's been spoilt by large diesel estates (Mondeo, Passat and Avensis) so although he doesn't need a large car he doesn't want to step back to his supermini days even though its usually just him in the car.

He does about 10-12k miles per annum, mainly motorways and A roads. He lives in the Midlands so there are car dealers aplenty. He wants a petrol 4/5 door car and has a wide budget of £8-£11k. He prefers the flexibility of buying rather than any form of lease. He fancies a V40 but these are very rare and even early examples of the current model are over budget. Failing that he quite likes the BMW 3 series but he has heeded my warnings about the potential running costs of a BMW in that price bracket. Also petrol models are again rare, although more common than the V40 if you go back further in age.

I have suggested a Focus (he thinks its too much of a family car), a Civic (maybe but prefers not to follow me), Astra (doesnt want to go back to VX after his old Corsa), Mazda 3 (just doesnt appeal), Kia/Hyundai SUV (had one on day hire didnt like it). To be fair none of these is really in the BMW/Volvo sector and just a tad dull I suspect.

Probably the next step is to consider the VW group offerings, maybe a Leon? Newer timing belt models should just be in budget. I know they drive well but I still remain to be convinced as to longevity of modern small turbos. But hey every car has its good and bad points.

So any suggestions please for a V40 substitute?

Read more

I test drove a Honda Civic yesterday. Even after raising the driver's seat to the maximum possible height and moving the seat forward, I could not see any part of the bonnet. This was a bit off-putting while driving.

I currently drive a Ford Focus. In the focus, I can see part of the bonnet and the driver's side edge. I can also see the 2 nozzles used to squirt water to clean the windshield. I find the 2 nozzles a good reference to centre myself in a lane. Also the visible drivers side bonnet edge is a good reference, to avoid straying accross lane markings on the road.

I know people say that you get used to driving without this reference. But I find that I need to concentrate much more to drive such cars, while a visible bonnet makes staying in lane much more easy. Not to mention maneouvering around tight spaces.

I understand that the only cars where you can see the bonnet now are the bigger cars
(Mondeos, etc.) and SUVs. However rather than being forced to buy such a car, just to see the bonnet, is there any accessories that I can fit, onto the bonnet of a car, to make it more visible?

One option I considered is car lashes, that you see on some cars. However I understand that driving at high speeds, can cause these to chafe the paint on the bonnet.

Anyone aware or can think of any other solution to this problem?

One option I have tried while driving in India, is to stick a plastic dart with a rubber sucker (the kind you get with kid's toy guns), on to the top edge of the headlights using strong glue. The problem I faced with this, was that when the car was parked, passers by had a tendency to try and pull them off.

Also not sure if this idea can work in the UK, when driving at Motorways at 70mph. Not sure if these glued-on darts could fly off, and cause damage to other vehicles?

Surely, I can't be the only person with this problem? And there must be some practical solution to this?

I know that modern rules don't permit anything on the bonnet that may endanger a pedestrian in the case of a collision. But shouldn't it be possible to fix something on the edge of the fender, that is either spring loaded or with a flexible rubber base?

Any ideas / suggestions would be welcome.... Read more

Fed up of trying to find a decent family petrol car on a 12k budget. Petrol used prices increasing, poor fuel consumption etc.... Read more

Hi there, I have a strange problem, the single rear fog light is not working, the fuse is good, the bulb is good but no power getting to the bulb holder. The amber dashboard light comes on ok. Strangely I have a towbar fitted ( it was fitted from new, I have had the car 2 years) and there is 12v getting to the trailer electrics rear fog light connection. Any ideas?! Read more