July 2025
A scary experience in the Mini on the M5 near Exeter yesterday on the way back from an excellent week in Brixham. We initially thought we’d run over something after a loud bang, but then the tyre deflated and we quickly pulled onto the hard shoulder. Turns out the front offside coil spring had snapped and then dragged on the tyre, bursting it and damaging the wheel.
After breathing a sigh of relief that we’d got to the hard shoulder safely, we then had a 2 hour wait for recovery. But our very cheap Rescue My Car policy worked wonders. The recovery truck took us to Bristol where a courtesy car was waiting for us to drive back to Birmingham. The Mini has just been delivered home a day later. ... Read more
I changed batteries in both key fobs and they are now not working. I have to use the key to open door which sets alarm off then start car pushing stop/start button with fob to turn alarm off. There is no key ignition.
Does anyone know how to reprogramme key fobs? YouTube shows videos where you put key in ignition but my car does not have one. I also have to start car to turn off alarm before doing anything. I'm not sure how much I would be charges taking it to garage so trying to fix by myself (with your help!). Read more
did you remove the film from the battery? it's a surprisingly common mistake.
If my A/C is not working too well, is it ok to use the 3 in 1 can that has the
sealer and the oil and the gas all in the one can?... Read more
Part of the problem with AC, according to my local dealership, is lack of or intermittent use.
Yup - use it or loose it.
Apologies for long post but context is important to the question raised.
My daughter has a 2007 Jazz 1.4 DSi CVT with 82000 miles which she has had for 5 years and essentially got her real driving experience after passing her test.... Read more
And it reminds me how much I hate car buying and all the trawling round you have to do..
Apart from its being very reliable, that may be the strongest reason why I have my old Pug 207SW repaired each time it gets written off in a minor prang .... :-)
Can anyone recommend sites etc that provide accurate up to date traffic advice primarily M25 / Essex.
I do about 1000 miles a month and constantly see horrendous traffic tail backs on M25 particularly in the region of the river crossing without any mention being given out on radio. I do wonder if this is because its simply considered normal. Brook street M25 junction seems to be a complete lottery whatever time of day..... Read more
Incidentally if I'm stuck on M25 nr Brook St and I want to go to Billericay. Id get off go into Brentwood turn into the lane next to the Aston Martin dealer and keep going straight. Past the FatTurk junction through to a roundabout then running waters. Then turn right towards Billericay. Neatly avoiding M25 car park and A127. Being a local has its benefits.
...
I make the mistake of buying a brand new, 25 plate VW Golf GTI
It's an awful car. And the dealer support is actually worse !!!... Read more
To make matters worse, they talked me into buying a GardX damage protection policy. Needless to say - a small dent and stone chip claim was refused as they felt they couldn't fix it
That's been the down side of buying my new(ish) Suzuki last year. I managed to avoid all the usual cross selling when picking it up but I've had an endless stream of calls ever since. The only thing I've taken up is a service deal and Ala Gap insurance arranged separately. As I bought cheap and cash price I got a 4 year replace with new car policy, didn't cost much....
I took my Dacia for the annual MOT test. Unfortunately it failed and one of the reasons was that the front anti roll bar was missing.
... Read more
A number of cheaper cars have provision for an anti-roll bar but not fitted on all versions - our Vauxhall Nova was a 1.2 Merit, almost the bottom trim/engine and had no anti-roll bars fitted - so I "upgraded" it by fitting those from a 1.4 SR.
Perhaps in the OP's case the MoT tester made a mistake, having seen fitting points with nothing fitted.
Hi All,
I have a strange ticking sound coming from the centre right of my engine. To watch and listen, please click the below ... Read more
Will do. Thanks.
The recent Logistics company thread has been removed and accounts locked due to suspected spamming.
Mod Read more
Not sure of the model but it’s about a 2004 5 gear
tdi estate.
After sitting for a good while with battery disconnected,
everything’s fine except the driver’s door window is stuck up.
No response when activating the “down” switch. I’m stuck
in Latvia without a wiring or fuse diagram. Could some
kind soul point me at the fuse number and its whereabouts ?
ebt Read more
Just wanted to update you all. It was the motor that has suffered
some corrosion, internally. Local Latvian family run garage, who I use for
(pre-Mot) inspection took the motor apart, cleaned it
and replaced. Now working just fine. Cars will fail the Latvian equivalent of
an MOT if they can’t be lowered !
Total charge, 0.8 hour =48 minutes €27.
Well happy, as a replacement motor was not
immediately available and it’s about 28c here.
ebt…
I hope that you will replace both at the same time...
Scary time but happy you are all safe.