May 2018
1,000 miles in just under a month....so far, very impressed.
It's the Q2 2.0 TFSI - the same engine that's called TSI by VW and Skoda. (TFSI is to TSI as RTFM is to 'read the manual'.) It's a detuned (190 bhp) version of the Golf GTI engine, but it feels lively enough, even while still loosening up. It's S-line and 4WD, neither of which I would have insisted on, but they come with the 2-litre engine. So does the DSG (wet-clutch) which works very well.... Read more
How are they going to test the EGR or the engine fault lamp without DOING SOMETHING to the car, i.e. taking the EGR off or plugging in an OBD tester and deliberately producing fault to test the lamp? What happens if by doing so, e.g. not putting the car exactly or correctly back as before, the car won't work or is unsafe and has an accident?
Taking bits of the car apart on changing its operational parameters just to test a lamp sounds like trouble to me... Read more
Looking to buy a new car and I've seen a couple with Arnold Clark I like at one of their dealerships about 50 miles from home.
Just wondering how flexibile they are as a wider company with their after sales help. If I have any problems after buying the car would I realistically be able to deal with a more local AC branch without too much fuss? ... Read more
I should imagine that Arnold Clark are much the same - no better or worse - as other big chains of dealerships. What's missing is the motivation to give the customer good service which you normally get with smaller family-owned businesses, even though they may own quite a few dealerships.
One obvious symptom of 'big chain syndrome' is that the sales staff and the service staff don't communicate. In fairness the salesmen referred to above may genuinely have believed that a service had been done / brake discs changed etc. - but didn't care enough to check the facts properly....
Our current family of cars is the Dacia Logan, Yaris Hybrid, and MX-5. My wife uses the Yaris, while I alternate with the other two. Recently my mileage has got a lot less. No more school run, no commute, and as a parish priest the furthest I regularly go is the crem!
We use the Logan for camping hols and days out with the dog, so we need something quite large. My question is, do I sell the Logan for something older and more interesting, perhaps with a few more cylinders? Maybe a Rover 75 Tourer V6, or a big Volvo or Merc (I’ve had a CLK which was fun).
I would like something that can still do a few hundred miles comfortably and reasonably quickly, so I’ll resist looking for a Hillman Superminx like my Grandad had! Auto box would also be good so my wife can drive it too (she has an auto licence). And either an estate or suv style. Range Rover v8?
Feel free to tell me I’m bonkers! We love having the old MX-5 which is providing reliable service 18 months in and having 3 cars in the family means less worry if one is in need of tlc.
The Logan is probably worth £6k which might give a reasonable budget and leave some over for a good service and potential issues. Read more
And the £540 a year road tax klaxon sounds! Any older car that falls into this band is worthless and despite being a good old wagon this is no exception. It’ll have cost the dealer £1,000 at best. Not a good buy. Get one from before 2006 for lower tax or stick with the 2.0 petrol which slips under.
Yesterday there was a diversion through country lanes to avoid the Wickham horse fair. Anyway, I hit a huge pothole. I heard and felt the impact and within seconds the tyre pressure monitor warning went off. A mile on I found a side road where I could change the tyre, which was flat as a pancake. I photographed the pothole today, it's 5" deep and 1m (1 yard) long. I will try to claim against the council. I only hope the beasty didn't do unseen damage to the wheel or the suspension. I must have had 6 or 7 punctures over the last 6 years. This is the second this year, the previous one being due to a large screw in a front tyre. Read more
When I report a pothole, I always put “Risk of injury or Death” it appears to focus the councils minds, the potholes are usually repaired within a couple of days.
ind.pn/2GDtnRY This leaves me flabbergasted. We have to wonder how long this has been going on, and why no one spotted it sooner. In the normal run of things, an annual audit would have revealed the apparent squandering of such exorbitant sums of (public!) money, yet I haven't read any acounts of Motability users suffering delays, or cars not being delivered or serviced, so on the face of it, all seemed to be well - until now. Read more
But she swaps her £58 per week for an Audi Q3 1.4 TFSi Sport S-Tronic, and this includes VED, Insurance, all Servicing and Maintenance for 3 years....
Looking for recommendations for interior cleaners. After the spring I have mud and other bits and bobs everywhere. Mud on the plastics, door sills etc. Anyone have any recommendations? Read more
Agree with the above. Anything else is pointless and expensive for something simple like mud. Be careful not to press too hard when cleaning and scratch the plastic.
Afterwards you might want to use something like Meguiars Ultimate Black to keep the plastics shiny.
Hi,
I’m looking at getting a car and I’ve been told the following: Damage to the sump, caused oil starvation to the cam and now does not start
How much would it cost to get a new engine and have it fitted?
Thanks Read more
Sounds like a salvage buy, damage to the sump, hmm could be it hit a rising bollard or tree stump or a thousand other scenarios, unless you physically examine the vehicle yourself you have no idea if the cross member or frame or suspension were damaged at the same time, or the umpteen radiators, nor do you know if the sudden engine stop damaged the gearbox...boxes are hardly VW group's strongest parts at the best of times.
Hi
My battery holds 12.6 volts off the car. But is losing charge when connected to the car. Alternator charges at 14V., and engine will continue to run if positive battery disconnected. So Battery and alternator / rectifier appear to be working, but I seem to have a parasitic drain. Currently working my way through the fuses, any other ideas? If an alternator diode was shorting to earth, would the alternator still charge at 14V?... Read more
Thanks. Did as you said, only way to stop drain was to disconnect Alternator B+ lead. So presume drain is through alternator. Looking for replacement alternator now!
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Even though the XC40 has the (to my eyes) ugly kick-up at the back, it does at least have a good-sized rear window, so that with the big door mirrors and reversing camera, rear and 3/4 vision wasn't too bad.
The V40 is much worse; the angle of the rear window makes it look like a letterbox from inside....