May 2021
As car enthusiasts, what was the starting point of your four wheeled journey? Me, I turned down the sensible options of the mint 1988 E plated one owner Rover 213S my uncle was selling and the tidy 1988 E plate VW Jetta 1.3 the local Nissan dealer had in favour of an ex office pool 1989 MG Metro that had been through every hedge in Ayrshire. It was a lesson in how not to buy a car but it taught me plenty about making do and mending. My first car taught me plenty and the nimble handling probably saved my life more than once but it was a fine example of buying with heart over head. It looked the part but it was a proper pup in reality. Read more
Hi all,
Hoping someone can help. Mrs had a bump in the car and caused a bit of damage unfortunately resulting in the car grinding on full lock when turning steering left and a slight pulling to the left coupled with the steering wheel not centred when drying straight.... Read more
Good idea on the old camera phone under there with gaffer tape whilst under load, genius!
I'll have a proper poke about when I get the chance as the mechanic fella did mention there is sign of contact under there.
Hi,
My local dealer quoted me £1,600 to replace the radiator on my car.
So I was gonna have a go myself and if not ask a local mechanic.
I have the part already.
After researching the procedure it seemed relatively easy but after looking under the bonnet of my car it seems to me as if the radiator has to be installed from underneath rather than from the top.
Is that common? If so maybe I had better get a mechanic to do it as they gave a pit/car lift.
Any advice or help very much appreciated.
Brendon. Read more
Where did they get £1600 from ? Think of a number and treble it? Lots of cars have radiators mounted from below. Take it to a local mechanic .Can't see it being more than 2-3 hours work.
The time has come to replace the 1998 Saab 9-3 which has been in the family since 2002. We need a vehicle that's easier for my elderly mother to get in and out of. With a maximum budget of £3,000 a Ford C-Max from 2008 - 2009 is the favoured option. Mileage anticipated to be 5,000 a year, most of this 20 mile plus journeys. I'm favouring a petrol 1.8 but am wondering what the 1.8 TDCI is like for reliability?
Feedback very much appreciated - thanks.... Read more
I'm favouring a petrol 1.8 but am wondering what the 1.8 TDCI is like for reliability?
I had a (2006) Ford Transit Connect 1.8TDCI (90PS) for 9 years taking it from just under 60k miles to just over 130k and had absolutely no reliability issues at all. I'd guess the age you'd be looking at would have DPF, not sure about the reliability of them. ...
Well decided to use the Toyota buy on line purchase for a new Toyota Yaris .
An absolute nightmare !... Read more
The two dealers who did quick deals priced their cars competitively. As a result there was no need to negotiate. The two who took forever priced high and were very reluctant to compromise.
I have had that experience even with 2 Toyota dealers within the same group .
This could so very easily have had a different outcome.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-57284221... Read more
a MK2 Vauxhall Cavalier was taken in on the back of a breakdown truck. The roof had been peeled back from windscreen to the tailgate, drivers seat bent back with lots of dried blood on it. Turned out a truck driver tried overtaking a tractor on a bend, half way past he sees the Cavalier coming towards him, jumps on the brakes, back of the truck swings round and the Cavalier driver, having nowhere else to go, went under the rear overhang of the truck. Needless to say, the Cavalier driver was killed instantly
I did an RAC/ACU motorcycle training course back in the '60s, like an earlier mod here, PU. Part of that course included a non obligartory screening of car accidents. One of the after events included a film of (allegedly) Jayne Mansfield's crash. It was meant to be shocking, thought provoking and horrifying. It concentrated the mind wonderfully. Several who attended left the room. I survived (so far) to my '70s.
Can anyone help please. Looking for radio code for Ford Fiesta 2008. S/N V035312 Read more
Fantastic, many thanks
Hi,
I work for BBC Radio 4 and am working on an item about the increase prices of used cars lately. Looking to talk to someone who is buying a used car at the moment.
Email address is dave.james1@bbc.co.uk if you fancy chatting send me an email and I'll give you a call.
Cheers,... Read more
Maybe one that SLO may come out of retirement for!!!!
Cheers Concrete
People renewing their home or motor insurance will pay no more than they would as a new customer from January.
We have multicar with LV. The renewal just arrived so well after the new announcement from next January. 2cars policy increased by £20. Separate policies on compare the merkats £100 less. Rang LV they would only reduce by £30 but why not quote this up front!! So LV losing my business some £500. Hard to understand their business reasoning other than they are about to be swallowed by venture capitalists so good riddance. I cannot see much changing after January, you cannot win with these guys. I suspect they will gang up and prices will just increase
Hello, I have a 2007 Ford fiesta 1.6 petrol and have noticed that the passe ger side wheel is hotter than the drivers side. I have installed a new caliper and regreased all the parts that need greasing and the wheel is still hotter than the other side. The only thing that hasn't been replaced is the brake hose.
... Read more
AFAICT, the square seal distortion, and maybe the dust seal distortion also, will pull the pistons back a bit.
Since the pads aren't stuck to the pistons, only the springs (where fitted) and disk runout will be effective in returning them....
.jpg)
My first car was a sky blue 1964 Hillman Imp, I can’t remember the registration number but I remember it had two letters and four numbers. Paid £25 for it. It didn’t have a third gear I had to rev it like mad in second then drop it in fourth gear. I remember it as being very reliable and much more refined than my mate’s mini. Sold it after a year to buy a Austin Healey Sprite.
Happy days, no mobile phones, full employment and most people seemed content