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• Audi A3 - Hpi Check - Stocking Finance. 17 Aug 2022 (Forum)
  When we performed a HPI check the vehicle is showing outstanding finance. It is described as Unit Stocking with BMW finance for a 5 month period. I personally have come across this before and was not concerned as I was buying the vehicle using dealer finance, using the assumption that a finance company would not provide finance on a car that is already financed.
• Mazda 6 - Mazda 1.8 Petrol: Any good reasons why not? 19 Sep 2021 (Forum)
    Otherwise I am still looking at Astra both diesel (The 1.7 Isuzu and 2 ltr TD) around 2011 and on vintage. Or otherwise I just do the daft thing and get that BMW 318i Tourer in fairly basic spec and reasonable miles............... Obvs that would be daft! Or Volvo 2008 to 2010 estates. Only diesels available around here though at the moment. The reviews on here though suggest the engines are prone to go pop?
• Has the DCT had its day?, fingers crossed! 6 Dec 2020 (Forum)
  I was reading an article about the iminent new BMW M3 and M4. Not only will neither be available with a manual box (in this country), but the two pedal option will now be a t/c auto. According to the M Division bod, "A dual clutch system has no real advantages anymore.
• Car - Car suggestions for a first time buyer! £3000 19 Jul 2017 (Forum)
  I'm a first time buyer who has very little knowledge about cars and their configurations and would like some suggestions for a 'reliable car' with an automatic transmission and with an engine size between 1.6-2.0L, and for less than £3000. So far I've been suggested (by no car enthusiasts) the Ford Focus Zetec 1.6L and the BMW 320D 2.0L which both seem appealing enough, but I don't want to make any decisions without being consulted by someone who's more informed. I'm 23 years old and have held a license for only 4 years with no no claims and so I'm completely aware the cost of insurance will be considerably high so a smaller car would be more preferable (I know I can't be too picky as my criteria is very limiting but I'd also prefer something very standard-looking and not too garish or just ugly).
• Timeless car action scenes 14 Sep 2016 (Forum)
  Much of the shooting was apparently done with no permits and one near-miss was actually unscripted. How did they get away with that? Pierce Brosnan as James Bond controlling his BMW from a smartphone (?) whilst slumped in the back seat was amazing for its day but the spread of parking-assistance and driverless cars makes this look dated. There are countless lunatic chases in episodes of The Sweeney and The Professionals (at least Regan and Carter's driver used a siren most of the time!)
• 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.
• brake pad material 20 May 2016 (Forum)
  Similarly there's not many Rover 25s about these days. But I did note that the No. 1 worst score was for a BMW M5. The bad scores for prestige vehicles will be strongly swayed by the extortionate prices charged for parts and labour for these cars. In fact just the other day I heard of a chap I know who's recently got a 2015 M5.
• Any - Plod's luxury cars 3 Jun 2015 (Forum)
  I see the A1(M) around my way is now sprinkled with lots of coppers 'spy' cars - the jam sandwich is no more. What I find rather incongruous is that they are all brand new Mercedes, BMW and Audis. Austerity obviously doesn't apply to this lot. Bleating about cuts is one thing, but rolling out in a car most of us can't afford (as a private car anyway) sticks in the throat. I'm sure someone will stick up for them telling me its all about value for money yada yada, but in no way is it justified tooling them up with luxury branded cars - unless of course they're a reward for their fine collection ability.
• Volkswagen Golf GTI - Head gasket or not? 12 May 2015 (Forum)
  if it is and U need to change it, anyone know of a guide I can print off, I have changed a head gasket on a bmw 320 many years ago so not a complete beginner. many thanks in advance for help.
• Any - Fake plod? 22 Apr 2014 (Forum)
  SWIMBO has just been pulled over by someone who was parked (black BMW) in a laybe who stepped out in front of her (i.e into the lane) and pointed a speed gun at her. He then basically waved her to pull over by standing in front of the car. He then told her she was speeding (34 in 30) but would 'let her go' and warned her the limit was now 30 rather than the 40 it used to.
• Price of engine oil 20 Dec 2013 (Forum)
  I asked him how much the drum cost and it was 'about £180' from the local Vauxhall dealer (Trade Club) where I normally get my oil (but I get mine in the small drums). So that's under £1/Litre - something to think about when the BMW dealer is charging it out to you at £12+ a litre! As an aside, I can confirm that most of the 'Vauxhall/GM' oils are actually Fuchs - so try your local GM dealer when you next need oil. You won't get it at £1/Litre, but it will still be cheaper than most factors and its a good quality oil.
• Skoda Octavia 1.6TDI - Why does HJ appear to have a knife in VW diesels 18 Dec 2012 (Forum)
  Literally per my title. (i) I appreciate BMW make excellent diesels. (ii) I was pleased when Peugeot Citroen introduced the HDI engines. (iii) Fiat always made good diesels (iv) Neither Ford nor GM can make (or leastwise design) good diesels.
• Peugeot 3008 - Best way to extend warranty 12 Jul 2012 (Forum)
  We have a 10 plate Pug 3008, 16THP Exclusive, Petrol (the joint BMW/PSA engine).  We love the car, and another day I might write up a review on it, but thats not the topic of this posting Topic is warranty The car has suffered 3 breakdowns in the 18 months we have owned it (bought it on approved used scheme 1 year old from Peugeot).
• Ugly cars..................why do people buy them? 6 Jan 2012 (Forum)
  Dumpy - Ford Ka Ugliest Focus size car goes to the Toyota Auris/Peugeot 308 Ugliest Mondeo size family car..................Renault Laguna hatch/estate or Subaru Legacy estate. Ugliest small 4 x 4 - BMW X1 Ugliest 4 x 4 Ssangyong Rodius No offence intended to anyone that happens to own one of these cars. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
• Subarus/other ordinary cars with 4x4 good in snow? 27 Dec 2011 (Forum)
  I just wondered what they are like i nthe snow and compacted snow that turns to ice. I've seen a lot of the BMW X5 and X3 "4x4"s (I use the quotes wisely) round here and they seem to get stuck on a bit of frost on the level - all 4 wheels spin round. As do some of the other "fake" 4x4/softroaders. What are the octavia 4x4 and Audi/VW cars with quattro like ????
• 1.6 Zetec 2001 Estate (140,000 miles) - Ford Focus Engine Life 4 Aug 2010 (Forum)
    Should i keep and just replace the normal cambelts and oil etc and keep fingers crossed or should i change to a BMW 5 Series with 100,000 miles on the clock as i have heard that these are capable of very high miles.  I really like the ford as bits are always so cheap but then again i look inside a 5 series and think i have reached heaven.
• Classic car insurance - does it work with no NCB 25 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  So no insurance history whatsoever. Have been mulling over getting something like a reasonable nick BMW 5 series from early 1990s or similar Merc 260E as a sunday afternoon drive type car as I progress into middle age. something not necessary quick but very smooth and relaxing to drive. So is it going to be daft to call up a classic car broker as effectively a newbie wanting a limited mileage policy - is the idea that classic car insurance is only cheap if you have an insurance history and regular use of a normal car elsewhere?
• Local paper campaign - using mobiles 13 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  The worst offenders here are what I call the Hutton Mutton, vacuous bottle blondes yak yak yakking away at the wheel of their Range Rover Vogue 4.2 HSE, Porsche, Volvo, BMW 4x4 or white van man ("Alright geez'? aaas it going mate? sweet, yeah, see ya") This is obviously one of those motoring laws that is totally ignored by a hard core of people, a bit like serial drink drivers who believe they are safer after a couple of pints.
• Weekend in Paris 9 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  Sure a few Merc taxis/limos and one 5-series taxi but otherwise the usual Euromix of small/medium hatches with loads of Smarts, Fiat 500s, Merc A-classes and MINIs. No BMW 1-series (is this a UK only model? - joke). Clearly a large car is a liability in Paris, so why are they so popular in the UK's cities. 4. No Subarus (of any description) were seen - they don't know what they're missing.......
• Least depreciating car - £8,500 8 Nov 2007 (Forum)
  I thought about the current Subaru Legacy 3.0 saloon but I think it will be out of my budget even with high mileage. Please no Mercedes (potential rust and electronics problems), BMW (potential electronics problem) or Audi (test driven the A4 & A6 FWD and quattro models and don't really like the ride & handling characteristics - feel floaty/heavy). Joe Dowd has been looking for a RX-8 for me for 3 months now (231 model, 3 year-old, around 50k) and there was nothing on the market which was clean and tidy.