June 2023
I have a vauxhall astra h 1.8 petrol 1796cc 103KW 140HP A 18 XER;Z 18 XER.
The problem I have is in the warm sunny fine dry weather it waill start first time every time . ... Read more
I'd forgotten the pleasure of driving a 3 litre in-line six. Just so smooth and, because it is normally aspirated, the power builds so naturally. And manual too. It was, quite simply, heavenly. Sad to admit, these are engines that make my love of Italian cars seem misplaced... Read more
A friend has a 2011 535d. It's had a fair few problems since three years old and he's had good value from the extended warranty but I can see the attraction. Lovely engine and there's often a smile to be seen on his face when exercising the loud pedal. His has all the toys including adaptive suspension.
Classic cars that is. Seen three this evening - an immaculate MGB in red and a good wholesome exhaust sound (and smell) as it passed. Also two cars I see each summer which must be local - a slightly dog-eared FIAT X1/9, I think the owner must have a full-time job keeping on top of the corrosion. The third was a 1990 Golf convertible, sounding a bit rough in need of a tune I think. What really surprised me was how tiny it was but then the MK1 on which it was based was a small car by MK2 standards. I think I would take the MG... Read more
Always liked the BX, brother had one and it was supremely comfortable. Bit flimsy for my liking but great value. Bit easier to work on as well compared to the GS.
I won and bought a car on eBay through an auction BMW 323 e21 (1979). Due to the distance of where the car was located I had a 3rd party pick it up and deliver it to me. The advert stated it's a restoration project, has rust in all the usual places and needs work. The advert stated the interior was good but just needed a good clean but the car drives well. His photos didn't really show the extent of the rust however as mentioned he did say it has rust in his advert.
On recieving the vehicle... Read more
I think that you (the OP) are on your own with this one. You've bought a restoration project off eBay without viewing it in person. It doesn't appear particularly misdescribed, it's always going to be on the poorer side than any description or photos will show. In my opinion the seller has done nothing wrong. If you no longer want it, sell it on and cut your losses.
I’ve done about 300 miles in it now, and all good.
It’s impossible to offer any impressions on drivetrain simply because it’s electric, and one motor is pretty much like another.
I’ve been Oldham - Mansfield - Oldham today, and because of an M1 closure I went out over Snake Pass and back via Woodhead, either way a couple of big climbs over the Peak District. It’s done an indicated 4.5 mi/kWh, meaning a 254 mile range. Tomorrow is Oldham - Canterbury, so we’ll see what a motorway cruise range is.
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80% if you’re using a DC rapid charger. Not so much a battery preservation issue as the battery slows down the rate of charge past 80%, more a case of it being quicker on a long journey to make a second, short stop than wait for the car to get from 80-100%.
If it’s on an AC point, routinely charge to 90% but if you’ve a long trip the following day it won’t come to any harm going to 100%.
Expect a 1-2% per annum range loss.
No, EV’s tend not to hit range figures. It’s the same WLTP process as ICE, and they don’t tend to, either.
The range works the other way round re motorway vs urban - around town they get lots of opportunities to regenerate, whilst on a motorway they’re under power most of the time. An ICE will inevitably be more fuel efficient at cruise than bimbling around town.
EVs are indeed liable to cause up to twice as much stress to road surfaces than ICE cars according to research. The increase in the popularity of SUVs cannot be helping.
Electric cars 'cause TWICE as much road damage as petrol equivalents': Why Britain's pothole crisis could be worsened by the rise of EVs (msn.com)... Read more
As to the Welsh renaming I and at least 2 million English speaking people living in Wales are sick of the Welsh language and the money being wasted on duplicating every written word. And I have no objection to those who love and want to use their native tongue....
Hi,
I currently do around 20000 miles per year in a ford fiesta. I now am needing to tow occasionally (maybe 8 weekends a year) and so need a new car. The towing weight will be low, approx 1000kg.... Read more
What is it you plan to tow?
Caravans are a different prospect to horseboxes and both are different to boats. ...
‘Back in the day’ Fiat used to offer the 126 in a not very fetching shade of dark brown. Imagination had escaped them when it came to naming the thing and it was called the 126 ‘Brown’
Indeed - I remember when I was at primary school back in the late 70s / early 80s, and two members of staff each had the boxy little Fiats, one in beige, the other chocolate brown.
Some one near us went on a continental road trip on his motorbike with some pals. He had a nasty accident requiring a hospital stay and an operation. Thing is the insurance company won't pay out as the CC of the bike was higher than covered. £25K, maybe there is a a way out of this but shows us all to be very careful that insurance covers all aspects of a foreign trip. Read more
They would only have had to pay the 'board and lodging' costs - around €20/day, if I remember correctly.
I don't know what they're complaint about - I got a Renault Kadjar once.


Most common issues on these is the ignition system . Spark plugs and coil cassette is where I’d be looking.