April 2019
Loving driving my mk 5 Golf R32, the engine is just so sweet and responsive and the power delivery so flexible, it munches up hills barely even needing a change down. BUT, the tyre and road noise is very obtrusive, gives me a head ache, today it is running on Michelin Pilot Sports. What can be done to reduce this noise? engine and exhaust noise are and wind noise are NOT the issue, I am only talking about tyre/road noise. Out of interest, which cars would be rated best for tyres and road noise (should I decide to change the R32).. I think intolerance is increasing as I age. Read more
Hi
Looking for some advice please.
We are wanting to buy a new XF Sportbrake as a family car for my wife and older children to use as long term transport,having looked at carwow the best discount I have found is 12% which seems low are we missing something?
We would prefer a petrol engine for reliability and annual mileage of around 9k miles but would like to hear any opinions regarding petrol/diesel good or bad on this model.
Thanks Read more
The argument is different for Jaguars and Land Rovers from most other makes, because for reasons known only to JLR's marketing department, not only are petrol-powered cars more expensive than the diesels with equvalent trim and badging; also in some cases you can't get the entry-level models with petrol engines.
Just read a interesting article from Which that works out how long it takes to start saving money if buying a NEW diesel car over a petrol one. I was amazed by their findings below , thought it might be of interest to some. The rest of the article is interesting to for those that wish to track it down.
How long do I need to own a diesel car for it to work out cheaper than petrol?
The VW Golf would take an incredible 16 years to become cheaper than the petrol version.
The diesel Ford Kuga becomes cheaper than the petrol after five years
The diesel Nissan Qashqai becomes cheaper than the petrol after six years
The diesel Mercedes C-Class becomes cheaper than the petrol after 12 years
The diesel Volkswagen Golf becomes cheaper than the petrol after 16 years Read more
As you can see from how my vehicle works, its hardly rocket science enough to baffle anyone with a dash of sense, so the car makers must have extremely dim views of their customers not to have similar systems available for their Diesel buyers.
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Hello,
Was all set to buy a 1 series BMW convertible ( budget around 6-7k) when s mechanic friend warned me about the timing belt issues with the N47 engine. I have tried unsuccessfully to see if any of the convertibles of this vintage (58-61) do not have the engine with the issue? Any help in identifying models which don’t have the dodgy engine much appreciated
TIA Read more
I had a 125i convertible unrtil recently: that's perhaps the 'sweet spot' with the terrific 3-litre straight-six but no turbo to go wrong (the 135i is the one with the turbo). It was very good to drive although the steering was too heavy for it to be quite as much 'fun' as I'd hoped.
No major problems in the 2 years or so that I had it. Only sold because there was a good deal to be had in trading both this and the A1 in for a new A3 convertible. Having three cars between the two of us was a bit of a luxury - and she can now put hers in the garage.
A few years ago I was looking for a Volvo estate but funds were tight due to young family and large mortgage. I found a decent one for about 8K and chatted to the salesman who showed me an 7 series estate with 165k on the clock, a few cosmetic things were showing but the bloke said they'd make them look decent if I wanted it. I took the plunge and the old petrol engine was a good 'un. What's the highest mileage you've taken a punt on? Read more
How interesting that we have so much in common, Avant.
I’m afraid that neither the Q2 or Q3 appeal to me at all. The Q2 looks too staid and boxy, although I do appreciate where the inspiration for its design came from. The Q3 is too jelly mould for my taste, although I do think the recent revised version is an improvement on its predecessor. I quite like the Q5 and it has much the same interior as my A4 Avant, but I really don’t want to spend circa £40K on a car. In my retirement I am enjoying the sort of cars I could never afford when I was younger, but there is a limit to how much I’ll spend. We’re doing just fine with our two current Audis.
Looking to the future, I have been thinking of an SUV next, anticipating reduced ability to get into a ‘normal’ car - hence the consideration of a Q5. However, as the possible date for trade-in approaches, I am not experiencing the reduced mobility I expected. I am therefore still stuck on my preferred type of car, medium to large estates. I might well hang on to the Avant if I can get a decent extended warranty (about which I had a thread a few months ago), but the other car attracting my attention - and I’m sure you’ll understand why - is the Volvo V60. It’s getting rave reviews and I do like the look of it. They have just introduced a 2 litre petrol version with 190 BHP - right up my street! I’m currently having fun with carwow dealers and some pretty attractive discounts. Any thoughts? My only reservation is Volvo’s questionable reliability, but I only have anecdotal experience to go on. Otherwise I’d love to try living with a Volvo.
The side sliding door on my transit is pretty strange, in cold weather i get the loud "clunk" and it unlocks fine. In warmer weather i get a weaker "clunk" and it doesnt unlock.
Any ideas what I should suspect?... Read more
Bounce-back, inhibited by stiffer grease when cold.
(I just made that up)
I followed the link HJ gave to a question in his weekly advice column, Lexus 460 review page, i've always thought the 460 one of the best large saloon cars ever made.
This is copied and pasted from the recalls section... Read more
this explains it
Indeed it does, thankyou, takes some getting your head around....
Can anyone get me the code for my van radio
Serial no v110072
Thanks Read more
Hi
I am going to look at a used 2010 A3 cabriolet. It comes with 12 months MOT from the dealer, my only concern is when I DVLA checked just to see any advisories on previous tests, it said the MOT ran out in June 2018, just wondered what people’s thoughts were? Is it that it’s taken an age to sell and not sure it is something to be concerned about or not?
TIA Read more
Avoid, has a bad reputation probably why it has been stuck in the dealers! Second hand diesels are not a very good idea
So, Over 7200 miles now, Still happy with fuel economy, Car driving well and still around 40-41 mpg, which is entirely acceptable given the size/weight of the car.
Some niggles, minor but still niggles,,,... Read more
“Saic have access to GM parts bins too
Engine 1.o 3cyl 1.5 compact engine evolution of 1.4, drivetrain, gearbox as per equivalent GM cars wheels, (Mokka)”
Proven technology and largely very robust especially in normally aspirated form. There’s little to fear here. The best way to enter a new market is to use a well tested and robust design. Hyundai and Proton did it with Mitsubishi engines and Kia with Mazda. All three built up a reputation for reliability and value then built on this, though sadly Proton fell by the way.
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Our Mk1 Focus has carpety-type material in the wheel arches, not solid plastic or metal. Tyre noise is not particularly noticeable at speed. You could try attaching some cheap synthetic thin office carpet to the insides of the wheel arches.