June 2025
My wife has just purchased a new Mini Cooper and of course the dealer is pushing the Mini Smart Protect insurance for £500 for 3 years of small scratch/dent insurance.
Has anyone got recommendations on better options they've used, I can see companies like car2cover and ALA do products much cheaper than Mini's for example?... Read more
I'm asking this purely out of genuine interest.
We have a fleet of new automatic Ford Transits at work. They're unreliable as hell, but that's a different story. Anyway, they are limited to 62 MPH from factory (there's a Ford sticker in the windscreen) and the sat nav confirms 62 MPH when flat out on a motorway.
When going downhill, the vans still maintain 62 MPH. How is this done? I don't ever feel the brakes come on. You'd think going downhill the speed would creep up a bit.
Cruise control in my car sometimes can't maintain the speed going downhill. Can anyone explain how Ford's limiter works? Like I say, I'm asking out of genuine interest (because I'm a geek!).
We previously had Sprinters, and they were exactly the same with regards to sticking exactly to 62 MPH.
Thank you :) Read more
Thanks for the replies! So it appears the speed limiting may involve some automatic gentle braking.
Hi,
Currently owner of a 64 plate Volvo V60 (D4 business edition), owned from 2017 onwards. It's now approaching 180K miles & starts having a few issues... hence me looking for a replacement.... Read more
A manual Audi A4 2.0 TDi would be my choice of the above options. I wouldn’t touch the automated manual self shifter, they’re prone to early failures. The rest you mention aren’t the premium products they once were. I’m flogging a 68 plate Merc C200 SE Estate auto because I just don’t feel that it’s well made. Parts and servicing costs are high yet the 12yr Old Ford Focus I’m using as a commuter is a better built car, and more enjoyable to drive. All personal opinion of course,
I’m a bit blue collar when it comes to cars and I don’t get the desire for a prestige badge these days as they aren’t the solidly built mechanically robust vehicles they were in the 80’s and 90’s. There’s so much can and does go wrong with modern BMW’s and Volvo’s plus I feel that my Merc just doesn’t pass muster as a quality product, with cheap nasty plastics everywhere inside. The Audi is a better car, but they are a bit firm riding in Sport spec so take a good drive before committing. I’d like a Skoda Superb estate with the same 2.0 TDi and gearbox, but they are a last time we found that they were almost all autos, and I won’t touch VAG’s DSG box.
I’m options for electric this time, with a low mileage high spec VW ID3 replacing the Merc shortly. At £15,500 it’s cheaper than many petrol or diesel equivalents yet it costs buttons to run. I can charge at home and for free at work so it’s a no brainer for us.
Hi, a friend has the above problem. The windows and diir mirrors suddenly stopped working. The RAC ran a wire between fuse and switch and the windows went up. Is there another fuse somewhere that would stop both windows and mirrors to stop working? Many thanks. Read more
I did suggest that it might be a broken wire to multiswitch on drivers door as both windows and mirrors are not working
Hello!
I hope it's okay to post here- I thought Honest John forum might have quite a few people who could help out. I'm currently working with Henry Cole & Fuzz on the latest series of Shed & Buried Classic Cars, and we are on the hunt for sheds, barns, garages or lock-ups full of classic or unique cars across the UK. If that sounds like something you have, we’d love to hear from you! ... Read more
Hi
I'm considering my next car and looking at the Mokka\Corsa 1.5D around the 2021 year. Are these plagued by the timing chain issue that affects the DV5 diesel?... Read more
The dv5 engine is used in many different vehicles. The problem is with the chain that connects the 2 camshafts . Very common for them the break , which usually destroys the engine . The chain has been upgraded from 7mm to 8 mm . Don’t think it’s an oil service problem. Previous dv 6 , 1.6 engine was not a problem.
Hi all.
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Same size on each axle is not a problem for the mot , so no issue there . As long as the speed ratings are within the specs for the car Y and W are fine .
I have recently had 2 new tyres fitted to the rear of my 2012 520d. Pirelli P7 Centurato run flats
I was told the tracking was out and paid to have it done. Before it was tracked, the handling felt solid. Now when I go round a corner (particularly left) it feels like it is going to step out, even at a low speed. I haven't driven it in the wet since it's been done and nervous in case it does slip out. Travelling at a higher speed on the motorway today, everything went really light to the point it made me nervous. I have driven many cars at speed and none of them ever made me feel like that. ... Read more
You won't know until the tyres have run enough to scrub the 'whatever it is they use' off, could be up to 1000 miles before you get to feel the real tyre on the large sizes such a car will have.
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Being very careful driving and where you park
Parking well away from main doors supermarket - park far from others in shopping centre carpark and walk the extra 100 metres...