March 2018
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43407167
Wow - really. Our roads are total crap. I'd never noticed ;-)... Read more
Reading JohnnyRev's note about the Logan
Now had the Venga 2 years and a bit, and no issues. Does everything we ask of it. No problems at mot this week.... Read more
Thanks :)
It's all boiling up quite nicely.
Who knew what and when ought to be the next question Germany, said a VW Transporter owner. Read more
Mercedes-Benz messed us about for months. Took & wanted to keep order for C plug in hybrid. Then evasive about delivery & offered a diesel "until it came". No good on company car tax.
Lexus GS300h better, cheaper, more kit.
The Germans don't deserve our business.
It's the first time this has happened. Police said that a safety tester was in the driver's seat when the crash happened, but that the vehicle was in self-driving mode.
www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/03/19/driverle...e- Read more
arstechnica.com/cars/2018/05/emergency-brakes-were.../
this is interesting as a followup to this accident that should not have happened....
Hello everyone,
This is my story, I am sharing this because it took me 2 months to beat the hire company and the insurers. Lies upon lies were told, the companies didn't know what was going on and the drivers refused to co-operate - this led me to sending the below message - on a Sunday night to 19 MPs/Newsreporters and influential bloggers. The email was copied into the CEO of the insurance company, the CEO of the hire company and the claims department of the hire company.... Read more
Dave - whole heartedly agree...What I had was his written statement of events, the hire company did not hand that over to their insurers.
Gibbo - we do get screwed over, insurance is compulsory, but doesn't actually cover us for what we need it. Had I gone to my insurers, I would not have received the same outcome...I'd now be sitting with an at best, 50/50 settlement.
Saw Top Gear last night, with Leblanc, Chris and Rory and really enjoyed it. A few very funny moments, and I really liked the films. Chasing the U2 plane was clever, and Rory’s Korean reviews were very watchable. I even liked the 2CV film, although I’m sure James May did something very similar.
I watched the World a Tour too, but many times I got bored half way through, and turned it off, only to finish watching a week later. It seems to be struggling to find its mojo. A bit too childish, or puerile. Not enough humour. Read more
Like many fans of old TG and TGT I know its a bit forced and contrived, but its entertainment and thats what I'm after. I just can't be bothered with TG anymore.
I think the appeal of original TG started with 3 pretty average blokes, Ok they're all rather well off now but if TG had started with a bunch of millionaires would it have caught on?
My VW Up is six years old with 130,000 miles on the clock, so I am soon to replace it before it starts playing up. Obviously it could go on for years without issues, but I don’t want the worry. I’ve had cars before that cost a fortune once the mileage rose. Anyway, I’m decided on the VW Polo 2018 SE 95 PS. My requirements are good MPG, a decent boot for ice hockey kit, comfort and a nice cabin. Are there any must have add ons? I couldn’t see a heated front windscreen option. The only downsides I can see are the stereo upgrade is Beats, which I loathe (overhyped, excessive bass, poor quality sound) and the paint, mainly white, black and silver, with some so so colours. The energetic orange might be okay, but it’s a bit left field and unusual. Oh for a nice metallic red, or metallic dark blue, or metallic yellow. Read more
A nice car, well bought. Hope it serves you well. It’ll be interesting to see how it copes with your heavy usage so please come back and keep us informed. It’s a front line candidate to replace our Polo one day.
Anyone else suffered the dreaded oil pump failure in their 2005 A4? I spent £1200 on the conversion but just wanted to know how reliable they are? Read more
At last, someone who is willing to expose the huge disadvantages of hybrid vehicles. Why has HJ previously so often recommended them? Aside from the identified issues of too limited range from the electric motor, the too small petrol engine that often enough then struggles to cope alone, and the substantial and material extra purchase cost, there is the extra maintenance expense and concerns about longer term reliability and repair costs arising from the electric motor. All of that burden for the largely illusory benefits of lower cost than petrol, short range electric motoring seems a doubtful proposition. Read more
We have a budget of £18k and have the chance to buy a 7 yr old 45k mileage BMW X3 3.0 MSport diesel auto but have also seen a 15000 mileage Honda CRV DTEC diesel manual EX 2015 plate.
We have had an 2006 Honda CRV for the last 8 years which we’ve been pleased with
Both high spec cars but wonder if any advice on better buy? The BMW seems to hold value better but is obviously an older car. We intend to keep the car for at 5-10 years. Read more
I get the appeal of the X3 and the 6cyl models are certainly more reliable than the troublesome 4cyl cars but only buy if it has a full main dealer service history and you’re willing and able to continue shelling out to maintain this or have a genuine BMW specialist nearby. Not just some dodgy backstreet garage who’s decided to call himself a specialist.
The Honda will be much better on fuel and cheaper to maintain plus the diesels hold their money particularly well, especially the 1.6’s. But it’s a bit dull to drive and won’t be anywhere near as quick. All depends on your priorities and ability to pay for appropriate servicing.
I’d probably take the Honda but I’d certainly be very tempted by the big BMW’s luxury if it had the correct service record.
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I visited rural NW Germany as a teenager in the mid-50s, less than 10 years after war ended. One thing I remember is the beaten-up state of the back roads - probably only slightly worse than the ones we complain about now....