June 2022
Having had the Venga re-fettled and fixed this week by a well regarded local tyre fitter/exhaust/mot place,
I was somewhat surprised to see the hourly rate for labour charge was £45 plus Vat.... Read more
Driving around in SWMBO’s Honda HRV today, I found myself being irritated by the constant bleeping from the utterly unnecessary lane departure system. Every time it sensed a line in the road (often where none existed) it bleeps an annoying warning at me, must’ve done it a dozen times or so on our short journey. The also completely unnecessary electronic parking brake also works counterintuitively and I find it takes far longer to operate the thing than a simple conventional handbrake.
The stereo and ventilation controls are unnecessary complex for a simpleton like me too. I find that despite liking the way the car drives and the fact that it’s a very well packaged small family car I wish it didn’t have all the pointless gadgets that do absolutely nothing for the driver appeal or long term reliability. ... Read more
Surely the cover provided will apply to any car which has not had its maker's spec altered
driver aids can be fully working when switched off as the aid still works, just not visible to the driver, I doubt they can be turned off fully as the computers still need to know whats going on around them
Yesterday I had a few miles in a Polo TSI 1.0 with the DSG box, a fairly new example. I thought it was a Golf at first, it felt almost as big as our Focus and from memory as big or bigger than our Mk 2 Golf. Anyway, I was astonished at the performance, smoothness and general competence of the car and I can see why people still flock to the VW badge, everything just so inside giving an air of thoroughness and thoughtful design. I've never driven a DCT box before and habitually always drive manuals because that's what I'm used to. Mixed feelings on the box, on the one hand fantastically smooth and impressive most of the time, but a very noticeable lag when accelerating off roundabouts etc, and when calling for an instant response. This lag was quite off-putting at first but would probably improve with experience, but I would still probably choose a manual box over it, not forgetting the reliability concerns after a couple of years. Reading the forums, it seems to be a common gripe. Overall, it seems a fine car, and made our 10 year old Civic and 12 year old Focus distinctly old hat! Read more
If you think about it, with a "normal" car you have to let the clutch in as well as pressing the accelerator. The DCT also has to work the cljutch, When the brake is on the clutch (single dry plate in the Polo box) is fully disengaged. A small increase in rpm (or just releasing the footbrake brake if HH hasn't set) will allow it to come to the biting point. More accelerator and off it goes. Just banging the accelerator down is very unsympathetic, mechanically.
Even a TC auto will try to give you whiplash if you just plant the accelerator.
Our Roomster has HH but a manual parking brake. HH only sets when on a slope. I tend to use the parking brake anyway, releasing the lever gradually as the clutch bites. HH just interferes with this and is a damn nuisance, and unfortunately it's impossible to know when it's decided it's needed. Fortunately we don't have many hills.
Having said all that I think DCT's are a fudge. Vast development and tweaking of the electronic control has gone into trying to make them feel like a proper auto, but they can't fully mimic 'creep' without overheating the clutches, so it's never quite right. The wet multiplate clutch ones get a lot nearer than the dry clutch, DQ200, gearbox as fitted to lower powered cars.
You really have to drive one yourself to 'get' it, and even then some people never do.
Morning all
After some advice but fearing the worst.... Read more
Small update,
Thanks very much for the comments, very much appreciated and it makes for interesting reading determined to get to the bottom of this one!...
After separation from my wife for nearly two years I've been living life as I've wanted and have bought and then got rid of some fun and exciting cars. I now need a more family suitable car and decided on the Dacia jogger #1 because of its price # because it's has just enough equipment with. One of the annoying stuff you don't want and #3 it's has a warranty that I wouldn't get with a second hand 7 seater at the price I paid.
... Read more
........would it be beneficial to use the super petrol to help stop carbon build up on the valves etc.
No. Although often mentioned, I think carbon build up is a much smaller problem than some people believe. There are now millions of DI engines around accumulating lots of miles with not much evidence of a surge of complaints about early engine problems or failure. My own preventive maintenance consists of using correct spec oil, changing it every 10k miles and a regular 'Italian tune-up' - although not usually as long as 4000+ rpm for 20mins which I've seen recommended....
A taxi supervisor told me that apart from the earlier 405 and 406 most taxi firms choose other makes because they prefer cars that are designed for RHD and not converted LHD.
The reason I ask is that my partner recently broke her left wrist and now back driving she is struggling with the biased gear change on her Captur which favours LHD drivers who use their right hand for gear changes. Read more
There are several reports of Merc GLC RHD models suffering from steering judder on full locks. It does not happen on LHD models.
Anyone have experience of these (the newer 'shooting brake', not the old coupe)? I think it might suit my needs. I appreciate it's a Ceed underneath and will be all the things a Ceed is; just wondering if anyone has experienced one and noticed any particular good or bad points. Read more
For anyone interested, I had a test drive today. The only available car was a 1.4 GT line manual, which is not what I want, but was useful enough to work out if I like the model. Actually very impressed; boot was great, interior seemed roomy (I did even bother sitting in the back) and only really let down by the usual Kia abundance of black plastic. The controls were good, though, and the seats very comfy.
The car drove very nicely. Much quicker than I thought it would be, surprisingly agile and loads of grip. Quite a lot of tyre noise....
My neighbour has asked me to look at a Golf TDi with her at 2.00 today. It’s for her teenage son. The ad is on Facebook marketplace (Devizes) and it’s done 140k, fsh, new MoT, £3.2k, reg EK59 FBL. Its taxed and insured so she can test drive it on her insurance if she wants.
It looks OK in the ad. It’s got new Chinese tyres (Comforser) which get reasonable reviews at around £50 quid each. Price guidance on Autotrader is low £2k, HJ about £4k. So I guess it’s just about condition. ... Read more
Thanks for all the advice. She didn’t buy it but it had some merits. And he was a pleasant enough private seller with a reason for the car park meet. Like many sellers however he was talking the car up.
First impressions were quite good. Internally it was very tidy. The engine was cold and had not been started for a week. It started first try and ticked over nicely. Under the bonnet was the right degree of cleanliness without being tarted up. Newish battery and label confirming new cam belt. Some surface rust on the rear sub- frame but better than my own 2012 Mazda 3. ...
Hi, I had a car service back in Dec 2021 & I had been informed that the front brake disc is 70% lipped.... Read more
2 near-death experiences with petrol, though really impossible to say how near
1) Knocked up by nosey neighbor woman saying my 1800 Marina was leaking petrol from its (brimmed last night, naturally) tank down the street gutter under lots of much more expensive cars....
I have never owned any car with electric seats. Typically electric seats are offered in higher trims which costs extra £££.
I am wondering whether they are worth paying for - especially when no else drives my car? ... Read more
Electric seats? Something else to go wrong?
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...either non-operational or illegal. ...