October 2023
Spare parts hold ups at JLR following the move to their centralised warehouse
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Hi there. A friend of mine is giving up her K11 Nissan Micra manual to her son-she wants an automatic as she feels less confident on the roads now. She wants another small car. I know that Japanese cars are very reliable, so I'm looking at Jazz's, Yaris', and some Starlets. However, does anyone know if the Nissan Micra K11 with the CVT auto gear box is any good? She's had trouble free from her current Micra for the last 17 years, so might be worthwhile having a look. I've seen one with little in the way of rust advisories on previous MOTs (a particular problem for K11 Micras). Her budget is £2,000, and this auto Micra is around that with some 50k miles on the clock. Be good to hear your thoughts on this, and any alternatives I should perhaps consider. Thank you. Read more
Surely the conclusion to this thread is that at £2000 (which is pocket money regarding budget especially post Pandemic), condition is all. Anything at a dealer will be valeted junk so it will need to be a private sale. Even if you can find a mechanically sound old Micra, rust is likely to be the big problem at this age.
I think we've had the best from this discussion so closing it now especially as unnecessary comments creeping in (removed)....
We’ve decided the 2012 Mazda 3 has to go. It’s never actually failed to get us home but it’s proved to be an expensive second car to run. The latest bill was last week for a service, MOT and replacement of a badly rusting rear suspension member. £560, Jeez. But needed the suspension to get through the MOT so no option.
This brought its four routine services and repair costs to about £2.6k in four years and only 14k miles. It’s had that suspension member, bushes, brakes (front discs and a calliper), rusty subframe treated, wheel bearing and other bits and pieces. Not much else to go wrong you’d think but it’s had its chance and with our mileage stepping up we need a newer car.... Read more
I was at Malvern, where I saw an employee using an electric drill to drill a hole in the side frame for the handbrake cable on a galvanised chassis - sheesh!
Neighbour has a new car, Brand new 73 plate MG ZS
£15,500 all in
An absolute bargain compared to similar size vehicles especially when you consider the warranty.
Not the best to drive, not the best mpg, not the best built, but perfectly adequate vehicle with a few gadgets and lots of space.
That is a competitive price , no wonder they sell so many.
Dacia duster has a rival. Read more
Compatible brake pads seem readily available for the MG ZS from quite a few places even if ECP can't oblige?
I have a Mocca SE Turbo 1400cc petrol automatic with a engine warning light on, after diagnostics from the garage I was told to use super unleaded, after filling up the warning light came on again has anybody else had this problem. Read more
Its like going to the doctor with chest pains and him saying "ah, its probably the coffee you drink - start having decaf"
If you think THAT is an example of bad medical advice, you clearly havn't had any....
A large part of the attraction to driving an EV is the effortless way one can get down the road.
Now Toyota want to make it more difficult -
www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/toyota-manual-...s Read more
:-)
Great thread, really enjoyed the humour!...
We have three cars in the household. Two recommend Helix 0w-20 but slightly different specs because one’s an Audi, the other’s a Honda. Third car recommended oil is 5w-30. My question is - do I really have to buy three separate bottles to top up at £45 to £50 in total or can I just use the 5w-30 on all cars as I have half a bottle of that left? Thanks. Read more
I’ve bought some compatible Shell Helix 0w-20 which fits the Q5 so I’ll use that on the five year old Civic too which also takes 0w-20. Probably not strictly the right oil but surely it’ll be ok in a very small top up? Got some 0w-30 for the older A1 already which I gather is recommended so I’ll use that if needed. Thanks all.
You could probably get away with almost anything. There have been rare reported cases of engine failures due to mixing oils, but IIRC these were due to unexpected interactions between the Viscosity Index improvers at extreme low temperatures, causing the oil to gel, and they were probably mixing more than "top up" quantities.
On an old car, I used straight SAE40 for top up of a 15W40, (reasoning that it had no VI improvers to interact, and would tend to restore any viscosity loss due to shear). Might work as a "universal" top up?...
I guess there is no simple answer to this
We have a 2012 BMW X1 Diesel. Its only got 80k miles on it and has full bmw service history. All good so far but we have a dilemma. My wife has a company car so this is a 2nd car.... Read more
Thanks
Re Japanese cars then, what's the mazda2 petrol like ( manual and auto) ?...
Got one of these as a holiday hire car. I didn't ask for a PHEV, just an auto, and it doesn't have a cable with it anyway.
So far, it's standard Kia. Fairly comfy seats, acres of black plastic but drives OK. The infotainment isn't brilliant, but it works and all the Aircon controls are separate. The lane assis is very intrusive but can be switched off next to the steering wheel.... Read more
The transition between petrol and electric is pretty good - but better that the Seat Leon.
That I cannot believe ......
I know I’m going to get a ‘What did you expect’ for this but here goes!
Just bought a 3mth old BMW 128ti on 19 inch wheels. Tyre noise and ride is terrible.
Had a M135i previously with the same wheels and had no issues.
Currently on Bridgestone Potenzas and I’m thinking of swapping out to Honest Johns favourite Michelin Cross Climates. Some forums suggest Pilot Sports will improve it too.
Wondering if anyone has cured a similar problem with a simple tyre swap and which tyre did you use.
Need to be fairly confident before I put my hand in my pocket. Read more
Slight thread drift…
Veloceman- how are you finding the four pot 128ti after the joys of a straight six? Do you miss the sound?
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Blimey, are you really calling a Discovery 3 or 4 "very old" ?