March 2018
Last Summer my wife purchased a 2013 reg 23K miles, RAV4 from the Local main agent.
Its been feathering the outside edge of both front tyres since we got it.... Read more
Have been on here previously about a golf plus,we looked at some of the other models people recommended but the golf plus ticks the most boxes for us. Have seen one im interested in but havent bought a car for a while,is haggling still a thing?! Its a 2013 2.0 tdi se, 38k miles for 7995. Think its part of the das welt auto scheme (how good that is ive no idea) Also mot is due in june,should i ask for a year to be put on (again ive no idea,apologies if its a daft question) any help/advice most appreciated, thanks Read more
Offer them £6600 and be prepared to go up to £7000 but only if they put a new 12 MOT on it.
£7995 is very expensive for the car, especially when you consider it will have little re-sale value in 3 years time.
And don’t believe a word the salesman or woman tells you, stick to £7k max and be prepared to walk away
Regarding the reply to 'Lighting up time', HJ is incorrect.
The new MOT rules state that, as long as 50% or more of the LEDs in a light unit are functioning, then it should be a 'minor' issue, and thus an MOT pass. If, however, less than 50% are working it will be a 'major' issue, and a failure. Read more
Correction: they adjusted clearances, not tolerances.
If GR from Warrington wants his sone to get a decent performance car that's stylish without breaking the bank, might I suggest a Seat Leon SC in 1.4 TSi (petrol) ACT 150 FR format. Its essentially the same as the Golf GT 3dr underneath (both great looking - I prefer the Golf overall as its nicer inside, but not THAT much) but you get more bang for your buck - climate controlled AC as standard for a start and is at least £3-£5k cheaper than the Golf when new, even more when discounts come into it or you buy via a broker.
Just as good handling as the Beemer at road legal speeds and is more than swift enough for most people, plus has the added bonus of decent mpg due to the COD feature and decent mid-range punch that doesn't require you to floor it to make progress like normally-aspirated cars. Oh, and about 2/3rds the price to buy and insure of the BMW. Less cache in the work car park, but not THAT much.... Read more
I have recently seen several complaints across different media about individuals being "blinded by brake lights" whilst waiting at traffic lights. I'm not sure what triggered this issue, but it is hard to believe that any able driver could actually be "blinded" by relatively low lumens brake lights, even at night. If this was true, how on earth would they cope with higher light intensity on-coming headlights? And if so easily "blinded by brake lights", then they must surely be medically unfit to drive. Or is this just a trivial irritation, blown out of all proportion?
Hi,
I have no experience of Japanese imports. Does this look like a potentially good deal? Anything you would like to warn me about?
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20180326494...w
Thanks Read more
Those aftermarket wheels look pretty big, so check the tyre condition as it won't be cheap to replace them, especially if you want decent quality rubber.
My son will be leaving University this summer. He will be 22, and quite sensible (not a boy racer lol). I need recommendations for a good car to help him buy. I would like something which is possibly 3/4 years old max, about £4,000 to £4,500 at a push £5,000. Somewhere between 1200 and max 1400 cc. A good reliable solid car ... any suggestions would be very welcome. Read more
If it got through its MoT, there shouldn't be too much wrong with the steering. He may well be over-correcting - but have a go in it yourself. It's always a good idea to be a named driver on his insurance policy.
Following a service, MOT (passed, no problems) and a valet (as a reward) the adventure continues.
Off next week to Newmarket to visit daughter and family (300 miles) and then - on a whim following a phone conversation witha mate - to Andorra via Calais (1200 miles). Only one way booked - return when/where subject to future whims.... Read more
As I said, I'm just reporting what the car computer said. Most of the run to Dover was on 70mph limit roads, so running at about 72 ish. French motorways at 130 kmh limits run at about 85 ish. Of course, many roads were much slower, but 1100 kms to Foix at motorway speeds does bump up the average. The roads were fairly quiet overnight and I found that using anticipation overtaking HGVs didn't make much difference. The run from Calais to Andorra was more or less non-stop apart from pees and coffee.
Interesting point about the tolls to SW France, but I was heading due south past Toulouse and beyond. (A66/N20). I haven't calculated the toll charges yet (nor other expenses of the trip I lashed out on with gay abandon, e.g. steaks and bottles of wine) but that's the beauty of using cards - you only come down to earth after you come home and check statements!
I broke my rule and bought the most expensive stuff I could find, because it was the only recognisable brand I could find in Taiwan.
Only available in cartridge form, though, which is a pain, as the picture shows.... Read more
No grease nipples on this car. Think I last used a grease gun on a Lada Mk1 prop shaft, and before that on Morris Marina front suspension and prop shaft.
Currently I have got the hubs off and I was thinking I should re-pack (or at least "top up") the bearings, but I dunno if I can trust this stuff in that application...
Looking at a used ford focus. All looks good except in the last service paper work it talks about a weak exhaust bracket. When driving over bumppy forecourt I could hear what I thought was knocking coming from rear. If this was the exhaust bracket how much to fix this.
Any advice would be great. ... Read more
I'd ask them to show you it , from underneath on the ramps.
It could be a very simple fix
Liam
Might finally be a bit of substance to back up the criticism of my brake maintenance, since I appear to have a very slight fluid leak. Due a flush and a check on brake hardware anyway.
I put this wheel cylinder back on after cleaning it up about a year and half ago. It showed some wear from the corrosion, so that's prime suspect.... Read more
Oops again,
Assuming the writing would be the right way up, I spent quite a long time installing the wheel cylinder upside down, cursing poor quality aftermarket parts the while....
Browse
.jpg)
No way can the dealer be held responsible. It doesn't take that much of a pothole to knock the alignment out.