November 2022
Whilst searching for a replacement for my Audi A4 PD Tdi 130 I noticed that the Octavia fitted the PD engine without a DPF right until 2008.
But power output of the Octavia is limited to 105 and the engine seems harsher and noisier than my Audi.... Read more
As well as his decade-long role as Arfur in East Enders, Bill Treacher, who sadly died today, found fame as an improbable Austin Allegro stunt driver in this 1973 TV advert. (This seems to be an upload from a pre-VHS recording!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuKv1UQNr7s
Note the utterly unflappable female passenger in the back, who is taken on a ferocious test drive around a quarry with no seat belt - Pauline Fowler would have had forty fits, never mind the HSE inspector! Read more
Blimey - didn't know that.
I had an Allegro that looked very similar to the one in the video, even the same colour & wheels. Saying that my M reg 1750ss had a round steering wheel. With the torquey engine it felt reasonably lively for its day but struggled with very skinny tyres. Rust killed it!
Hi guys thinking of getting an S2 Elise just wondered what the heaters are like in these things? Had a vx220 a while ago and wondered if the Elise suffers from the same poor heating system Read more
I ran a Westfield as my main car for 3 years. No heater at all and the roof was a joke. But, I do have form for doing some certifiably stupid things I suppose. Having said all that, it was so much fun to drive that I kind of didn’t care.
We lived at 1200’ above sea level in rural Scotland at the time so it was often a bit fresh temperature wise, but a thick leather jacket, decent gloves and a preparedness to ignore any discomfort offset most of it.
That car took us on a lot of “adventures” in those days, down as far as southern Spain, into Italy and all over France including the Alps a few times.
Wish I still had it sometimes, but y’know, kids, mortgages, old bones etc. ;-)
I am a 76 old man with 6 points on his licence
I am charged with speeding and with failure to give information regarding the driver berween 16/5 and 12/6.... Read more
Great News!
I never had any doubts, but kept to the Fixed Penalty level as well ! Double Bubble ??....
Announcement this morning that Geely, owner of Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Proton & LEVC, and Renault are forming a new company to develop and build powertrains for both companies.
‘- Initiative forms part of ‘Renaulution’ transformation at Renault Group and Geely’s transition to intelligent e-mobility services;
- Geely and Renault Group will hold 50% stakes in new company;
- On completion, the new company will comprise 17 powertrain plants and 5 R&D centers in 3 continents with around 19,000 employees, supplying 130 countries;
- New partnership aims to become the leader in next-generation hybrid and highly efficient powertrain solutions to meet worldwide demand for years to come.’
Read more
I don't disagree, Andrew.
However, it is going to take a lot of getting used to for some.
Hi
A mechanic found play in the steering of my Citroen C4 1.6 (08). The symptoms were a bit of vibration in the wheel over 65mph, and slight rumble. Apart from that, the steering is behaving as normal, occasional noise when turning 90 degrees at low speed.
It was initially thought it would be track rod ends, but the mechanic came back and said it's from the steering rack itself. I need to talk to the garage again tomorrow, but they said 'wait for it's MOT' before addressing it, and when asked, they said it was safe to drive. I interpreted that as they'd found play, but unless it failed on the MOT it won't need addressing yet. I will have to phone to clarify as the invoice they've written 'required steering rack'.
I also wonder how they found play in the steering rack itself as opposed to a specific component that makes up the rack.... Read more
The steering isn't wandering but just feels a little slack.
I asked the mechanic to check for failing wheel bearings, as that is what I first thought, and they came back with play in the steering rack. He said it doesn't need addressing, just monitoring.
I think I will get the wheels balanced and tracking done and see if vibration persists.
Heard a interesting piece on the radio today, presenter was talking to the editor of Autocar, he said customers buying a new landrover/ rangerover are being asked to sign a document before handover "stopping" them selling the car to anyone except a LR dealer within the first 6 months of ownership, apparently its to stop speculators.....surely can't be legally enforceable??
He said dealers where refusing to hand over vehicles unless the document was signed, thoughts gents? Read more
If you sign an agreement and fail to comply the other party can take legal action. It is no different to any other legally binding agreement.
Whether LR would bother, and what compensation they might claim is debatable - perhaps the profit that the original owner made on the sale....
Have suffered a hit and run and sustained a minor crack to my LED headlamp. This has resulted in it completely NOT working and misting. Am hoping to avoid the 800/1,000 cost as quoted by Mercedes.
Need advice on how best to go about getting it repaired.... Read more
A second hand unit from a damaged car would probably be a good option.
Ebay, online breaker, local breaker?...
I've had a few trips to the US over the years and all the cars I've rented have been automatics and presumably TC automatics. I've always wondered whether, when you're waiting at a junction or in a traffic jam, it's best to put the car into neutral or leave it in Drive but put your foot on the brake or apply the handbrake? Read more
I suspect nearly every one who transfers from manual to auto has done this - I have.
IMHO it reinforces the wisdom of driving autos with right foot only - left foot braking will almost certainly lead to the shuddering skidding halt syndrome....
Now here's one for the knowledgeable panel to think about. For about the last six years my old Focus (2007 1,6 petrol) has had a minor but irritating clutch judder when cold. It would only be for the first few applications of the clutch and then all would be well.
I spoke to a mechanic I know and have used for the last thirty years with various cars. He said it's probably glazed so just slip it for a while which should burn it off. I never felt happy doing that, clutch abuse is just against how I was taught to drive so I left it. In any case the juddering wasn't bad and it was possible to compensate for it by dipping the clutch just as you could feel through the pedal it was about to judder.... Read more
I think the mechanic was right.
Indeed so. My TR7 has had a slight gearbox oil leak for decades, some of which I think occasionally gets onto the clutch plate, causing judder. A few episodes of clutch abuse cures it. ...
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I liked the mkI Superb as it had great rear legroom(my son was tall - grew to 6ft 5") - way more than the B5 Passat or A4. If I could wind the clock back I'd love another 18month old mkI 1.9 pd Superb for £8k please. Saying that my neighbour has a 2002 A4 Avant running well at nearly 400k miles - looking rusty though....