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• Have I been conned? 7 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  Anyway, lead arrived today and we went to fit it, only to discover that the fly lead for the stalk controls didn't fit. Our radio has a mini-jack plug; this is a block connector. Ring them up: "Oh yes, Sir, you'll need the interface box which is 47 pounds extra". It doesn't say this anywhere on the product page for this item, and I reckon I've been ripped off.
• Replacement for the Barchetta 29 Jan 2006 (Forum)
  It´s got to be small, sporty, cheap, fun and a bit leftfield. Oh and Mrs B has to approve... Thoughts so far: Seicento Sporting Original Mini (when did they stop making them BTW?) Ford Puma Fiat Coupe Right chaps. Brains together - I´m looking forward to what you come up with. Bazzabear, now´s your moment to push the merits of the Coupé.
• Best and worst cars for resale value. 3 Feb 2005 (Forum)
  No clue who compiled the list or how they came about their figures. Top 6 cars: BMW 116 SE 49% MB C180 SE 49% MINI Cooper 50% VW New Beetle 54% Jaguar X type 2.0 V6 55% Mazda 2 1.4 Antares 55% Bottom 6: Perodua Kenari 77% Suzuki Alto 1.1 GL 76% Perodua Kelisa GXi 1.0 76% Nissan Primera 74% Kia Magentis 74% Hyundai Accent 1.3CDX 74% I am not in the market for any of these cars, but that Nissan Primera looks an excellent buy at 3 years old.
• Dumb footballer (motoring related) 23 Nov 2004 (Forum)
  Makhanya had an unfortunate accident on Thursday the 18th November 2004 after attending the Development Awards held in Orlando East at the Communal Hall. Minutes after arriving at his home, Makhanya parked his brand new red Mini Cooper S, outside his house in the South of Johannesburg. Realizing he had left something in the car, he rushed outside to find the car rolling as he had left it in neutral. He tried to stop the car from rolling down the slope but he failed when it rolled forward bashing his knee into a pole.
• Ferry costs. 4 Aug 2002 (Forum)
  Beats me why a one way, unaccompanied trip should cost £60 more and no, insurance isnt included. VAT is included in both prices. When I asked the girl said the return ticket is classed as a mini cruise.
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  What's the best security camera for my car when it's parked overnight? 29 Aug 2018 (Ask HJ)
  Having had, for the second time, my car's nearside mirror destroyed, what would be the best aftermarket 360 security camera for overnight parked usage?
• Car parks too small for modern cars 5 Dec 2023 (Forum)
  Why not provide some larger spots as well? It's like the housebuilders who add a new garage that only fits a 1970 Mini... https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/owning/2023-11/modern-cars-too-big-for-multi-storeys
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  Are commercial historic vehicles exempt from tax and ULEZ congestion charges? 2 Aug 2023 (Ask HJ)
  If a van is registered as a historic vehicle and is used for business will it be exempt from tax and ULEZ and Congestion charges?
• What to do with car for three months? 16 May 2022 (Forum)
  So my son's gf is off to the US for 3 months. She has a 2011 Mini Cooper S and she is wondering what to do with it. It will be parked off road. Options appear to be: - Just park up and see if starts when she returns. Advantage being it could be SORN and maybe there'd be a small insurance saving.
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  Are there any electric convertibles? 19 Apr 2021 (Ask HJ)
  Which reasonably priced convertibles are available and are any of them available as electric or hybrid?
• Ford Focus - Looking to buy a Ford Focus 28 Dec 2019 (Forum)
  So I’m looking to buy a Ford Focus as it provides a little more space than the wife’s mini. Out of all the engines I’m looking at the 1.6 petrol around the 200-2009 mark as I have found a couple with reasonable mileages and prices at £1000 or less. The first one is a 56 plate 1.6 petrol with 53k miles on the clock, however it needs a wheel bearing and an O2 sensor.
• Any - Travelling in convoy 30 Oct 2018 (Forum)
  There's a quarter page ad on the back page of the DT today from convoyplates.com. This is for private motorists (the ad features Minis) to be able to identify yourselves as a convoy. Their website says ".. plates are a clear signal to other drivers that your group is driving together, encouraging them to exercise patience and allow you to stick together".
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  Is buying a secondhand diesel a good idea, considering impending restrictions? 7 Apr 2018 (Ask HJ)
  I would like to purchase a 2014 or 2015 Audi SQ5. For those years, they only come in diesel and my budget doesn’t stretch to the newer petrol versions....
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  Is it fair to have to pay a diagnostic fee for a car covered by a warranty? 27 Feb 2018 (Ask HJ)
  Our Hyundai dealer wants a nonrefundable £78 diagnostic fee before covering work under the Hyundai five-year warranty. Is this acceptable?
• Honda UK This countrys debt of Honour 27 Jun 2016 (Forum)
  After their input to BL in helping them to make their best built and reliable car the Acclaim they were deprived by the government into buying the remains of the company. Only to let the company go down the drain under BMW who cherry picked the parts they wanted i.e Mini and RR technology. Then to allow Honda F1 tobe sold when they were doing so badly and low and behold next season winning the title under the new owners. I do not presently own a Honda but previous dealings with Honda have shown me what an honourable company they are when it comes to warranty.
• Mazda MX5 - Battery failures 26 Mar 2014 (Forum)
  Dealer can find no drain on battery, but something is clearly draining it and presenting itself as a faulty cell on the battery. Car is used every day (when it starts) for 10-30 miles, exactly same usage as previous Mini which ran faultlessly for over 8 years with same battery. Garaged and locked with immobiliser on overnight. No lights etc left on or doors open. alternator tested and works fine. Made clear to dealer that they need to do something different to previous times but not convinced they know what to do.
• BMW 3 Series Coupe - Tyre Insurance - Any Experiences? 2 Jul 2012 (Forum)
  Replacement (I would go for Michelin) seems to be around £150 .  Takes me back 30 years or so when these were a new invention on a Mini GT!         
• Alicante Classic Car and Bike show 2010 11 Apr 2010 (Forum)
  Lots to see and do, but notably the focus was European brands with very few British marques - apart from the ubiquitous Minis, one showroom condition Morris Traveller and a few Jaguars. Mercedes of all eras seemed to dominate the show - whether that's an indicator of longevity or simply aspiration I don't know.  I don't think Janis Joplin ever dreamt of being bought a Citroen.
• Local paper campaign - using mobiles 13 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  My local paper has decided to run a campaign identifying use of a mobile whilst driving. They plotted up at Wilsons Corner in Brentwood town centre (a busy double mini roundabout). They took a picture of 50 drivers in 1 hour using their mobiles whilst negotiating this tricky area. Funny thing is, all the faces were blurred out and the cars were not identified, so I couldn't see the point of it.
• Hyundai i10 (2008 - ) - Small new car with sunroof & fold flat boot? 26 Apr 2009 (Forum)
  I've been doing my research (online, on foot & in magazines) to find out which new (nearly new) small cars have: i) a sunroof option (opening - not just fixed glass) ii) a boot that folds completely flat After many many hours of looking I'm beginning to lose track but I think the options are: -Hyundai i10 1.2 Style -Vauxhall Corsas (but not sure which models - can't find simple list of options vs model) - Fiat Grande Punto (I think - maybe Panda too?) - Mini Clubman - but way too expensive! - Older Honda Jazz - but rare, aging and expensive for age I'm after an economical car (low tax, insurance, running costs) with good reliability and I'm leaning towards the Hyundai i10 but before I commit, I wondered if anyone here knows of any other newish small car that I've missed that has the sunroof & fold flat boot?