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• Volkswagen Polo III (1994 - 1999) - Rear wheel bearing - lose hub 14 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  It was obviously OK at the time the MOT was performed - just puzzled as to how/why the hub became so lose? I had this once before on a front wheel bearing on a Mini. I would tighten the nut up - lock it off and the thing would still become completely lose after a few miles. Only a new bearing sorted it out. Any ideas? I will replace the bearing anyway as it's only about a fiver for a new bearing and a really easy job.
• Your favourite..... 5 May 2007 (Forum)
  Years ago when I was considering if it would be cheaper to enter historic motorsport, or just throw £20 notes into a burning barrel, I noticed these little cars with their delicate styling and 700cc boxer twin engines in the rear. Surely an interesting alternative to the Mini Coopers and Austin A35s? Abarth were doing fiendish things with little Fiats, more carburettor than engine, surely a lightweight BMW would be an interesing project? I went to a classic car show at the NEC a little later and spoke to a few people on the BMW owners club stand.
• c'etait un rendevous \ snow patrol 5 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  I saw it briefly on friday evening on some channel or other and at first when I saw the video I thought to myself that it looked like\was the aforementioned video. I think the video may be a modern day remake as there seemed to be far too many Minis and 2CVs on it for my liking and it seemed to be quite slow but I also remember that criticism (Speed) being made about the original. I've only seen a dodgy copy of the original film on the net\my hard drive and there was obviously no engine sounds on the music video that I saw either.
• Do dealers know what they're doing? 7 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  Bit of a generalised question I know, however I dont think I have had a positive experience with any franchiesed car dealership. Current issue is with my girlfriends MINI, she has only had it 3 months and there are some problems that need sorting from when we bought it. The brakes are grinding so obviously need new pads or disks however they cant hear it (they must seriously be deaf because its blatent and happens every time you apply them - worse when not used for a few hours).
• Northumbria Police 3 Good PR 0 27 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  For my sins I sometimes drive a minibus containing elderly passengers and last Sunday I was turning at a well-known roundabout in Gosforth when a fool pulled onto the mini roundabout in front of me requiring a complete emergency stop. I indicated by use of the horn his stupidity and lack of knowledge of Highway code. Some 200 yards later I was stopped by a another young fool in a Panda car who proceeded to berate me for using my horn.
• Mondeo TDCi nsf clonking noise 13 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  The best way to describe the noise is as a sharp metallic clonk or knock, suggestive of bits of metal that are under considerable load shifting around when they shouldn't. Usually occurs on right-hand turns on uneven surfaces, such as mini roundabouts or side turnings with odd camber - anything where the nsf wheel is subject to any sort of lateral force. The noise can also occur when travelling in a straight line, if the car hits a bad bump - and again, where the surface causes lateral force on the wheel.
• X Reg Corsa Starting Probs 13 Oct 2005 (Forum)
  t, made a horrible whining and died. (I know very little about cars but I use this description because I once drove an old Mini which had starter problems and it sounded just like this). On the fourth attempt I gave it a bit of gas and the car started but as soon as I released the gas it began to splutter so I put my foot back again and kept the revs at around 1500.
• Peugeot 306 noise 24 Aug 2004 (Forum)
  The noise occurs when turning at slow speed with about 3/4 lock or more applied while accelerating (eg car parks, mini roundabouts, etc. The noise is a continuous, whining/grumbling noise (ie not a clicking CV joint type noise). It never occurs when the accelerator is not pressed, regardless of speed or amount of steering applied, and this applies whether the car is under engine braking or coasting.
• Time for a change of Identity 16 May 2003 (Forum)
  I dont like the fact that it only returns 30 mpg and uses 1/2 litre of oil every 800 miles on a 30 mile a day journey So what should I be looking at ? It has to have 4 doors, not me a mini/supermini size, preferably have a boot, must be a good car to drive (a drivers car ?), and have a good 'feel of solidity' When I bought the Bora, it was a toss-up between that and a Honda Civic 1.5 vtec, and I went for the VW because the Honda appeared under-equipped (too many blanks on the dashboard) and you had to push it a bit to get the benefit of the VTEC but I could concede I made the wrong decision I drive 15 miles each way to work but then might well put a couple of hundred motorway miles in at a weekend, and at a push want something that's going to take me to Innsbruck in relative comfort, which is why I don't want a small car I eagerly await your opinions....
• Boredom relief shortlist 13 May 2003 (Forum)
  Yes, it's still not exactly an automotive Nicole Kidman, and the fascia looks like the front-panel of an Alba mini-system, but at least you get a nice Momo wheel to hold, and good seats. In terms of price/performance ratio, this option might well be unbeatable, but can anyone think of any obvious alternatives to try?
• Hitch hikers 22 Mar 2002 (Forum)
  Fortunately, I was looking back down the road when I saw three males tearing towards us with goodness knows what in mind. A set-up. Go Go Go, I cried in pre-Murray Walker days. Off we squirted in the little red Mini to safety. That was of course a rarity and generally there were no problems. Is it more dangerous now, or we just more aware of potential problems?
• Top 10 diesels on the market 11 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  Cons: From around £77,000 that 10% deposit would buy a real-world diesel. Tiscali verdict: 10/10 ---------------------------- 8. New Mini On sale: Spring 07 Pros: You won?t have missed the brouhaha about the spot-the-difference new Mini. Understandably, BMW took an if-it-ain?t-broke approach to the second-generation car, on sale now.
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  BMW 318i - NOX and cam shaft sensor problems 23 Aug 2016 (Ask HJ)
  Regarding: www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/69825/bmw-318i---nox-and-cam-shaft-sensor-failure I too had a 318i (E91 Tourer) and had the same failure...
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  Why is my Peugeot 207 GT losing power? 11 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  In September 2008 I bought a used 2007 Peugeot 207GT and was delighted with it. However, over the last few months it has developed a significant power...
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  Gran sport 20 Feb 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I'm looking to replace my beloved Fiesta 1.6TDCI Zetec S and want something with the same sort of performance - either diesel or petrol. Now retired, I...
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  How much should a large stone chip cost to repair? 9 Apr 2025 (Ask HJ)
  I have just been quoted £765 to fully repair a fairly large stone chip in the drivers door of my car. I have been told the whole door will need to be repainted...
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  What small self-charging hybrid has low insurance? 30 Aug 2024 (Ask HJ)
  At 88 years old I find that the insurance cost for my Dacia Jogger is prohibitive. I am prepared to downsize. Which small self charging car (petrol/electric)...
• Ford Torneo - Keyless ignition risk for non-premium brand 1 Aug 2023 (Forum)
  There have been a lot of car thefts in our neighbourhood although I think they have been premium cars rather than anything as utilitarian as a Ford mini van. My wife is paranoid that it's going to be nicked from our driveway. I suspect thieves are only going to be targeting expensive cars and a bright red van is not going to be at significant risk. From what I've read, the main risk is the use of relay devices to access the car where there is a proximity/touch entry system.
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  Should I replace my Honda CR-V with a Mazda CX-5? 10 May 2022 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 13 plate Honda CR-V. It's top of the range. I think it has been an excellent car. It is getting a bit tired though. My friend has a Mazda CX-5,...
• Reliable Used Hatchback - £10k Budget 5 Aug 2021 (Forum)
  Hello all, I am relatively new to the world of cars (and this forum) so thought I would seek some expert advice... I bought my first car from a private seller at the start of the year - an 8 year old Mini One with 50k on the clock and in otherwise excellent condition. Unfortunately, on my first motorway outing the timing chain snapped (something that wasn't picked up in its recent service), causing expensive engine damage and resulting in the car having to be sold onwards to a trader (not the best start to car ownership...!).