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• Discovery - Surprising Motorway Journey 29 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  I worked out that the trip cost me roughly £30, which roughly equates to 10 gallons of diesel. So that seems to calculate at 28 MPG, with 90% Dual carriage way and Motorway driving, and 10% country lane driving. So, if you're going to get a disco - get the 2.5 TDI! Hugo
• Omega tramlining & tyres 23 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  Tramlining is the worst I've ever felt, plus steering wheel is 5 degrees right of centre. SWMBO refuses to drive it on rural roads! and I keep 2 hands on the wheel. Tyres are P7 225/55R16 V95 12K miles, so not badly worn (though have been overinflated in the past). VX dealer advises that steering/suspension is Ok, and advises me to replace tyres with others that are non-directional. ie do not have to be fitted with outer side out, or fitted with arrow going in driving direction.
• How long will slipping clutch last? 4 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  How long will it last like this before it is undrivable? It's doing 250 miles of mixed motorway and town driving this week What is the best technique for driving a car with a slipping clutch? The way ive found best is to use lower gears than usual, keeping the revs up, which seems to stop the clutch slipping so badly when i accelerate(gently!).
• Focus gearchange.......... 17 Nov 2003 (Forum)
  Even with great mechanical sympathy while changing up or down in the lower gears it comes in abruptly with a clunk. With the windows down a metallic "clack" is easily audible. This makes in town driving a real pain and it almost feels as though there is play in the driveshafts although this is not the case. The clutch thumps in as soon as the pedal starts its travel back and this really takes the pleasure out of driving this otherwise excellent car.
• Servicing and fuel economy 9 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  I have been interested in comments that good fuel economy comes from good servicing and responsible driving. However, when coming to servicing, what is important to have changed or looked at to maintain economy. Coming to mind may be air filter changes and cleaned, oil change (pistons and rings), changing timing belt on time.
• Italian touring. Hotel suggestions? 18 Jul 2003 (Forum)
  Getting married this weekend and planning on having driving tour of Northern Italy, with a brief stop in Freiburg on the way down and Salzburg on the return. Driving an Alfa I will, of course, be taking in the Stelvio Pass (lovely winding alpine roads and a new wife?
• Test Drives 18 Jun 2003 (Forum)
  Every time we have test-driven a car, the salesman has said "See you in a few minutes"! When we have returned an hour later he is invariably standing on...
• fiesta zetec rattling noise 21 May 2003 (Forum)
  I have recently bought a Ford Fiesta Zetec (T reg, 35K FSH etc.)which is fantastic to drive, however having just completed a long weekend driving around Snowdonia, I have noticed a rather strange rattling noise coming from the passenger side. It seems to appear really once I reach 50-60mph and over, but this morning noticed a slight buzzing rattling when changing from 1st to 2nd.
• Novel car show ? 9 May 2003 (Forum)
  Just heard that this years London Motor Show has been cancelled but AutoExpress are organising what seems to be a quite novel alternative. Apparently, the show will be held between 24-26th May and visitors will be able to view and test drive cars on show on private roads away from Gatso\'s etc. IIRC IIRC tickets cost £37 for an am or pm session but include free parking, programme and test drive vouchers etc. There will be 19 manufacturers and some new cars \'not seen before\'.
• More third-world fun ... 8 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Hehe - this is what we have to put up with. More than half of all driving licences issued since 1998 are thought to have been issued in an "irregular manner", according to the acting minister of transport, Jeff Radebe. "It is very difficult to make an accurate estimate of the number of fake or invalid driving licences.
• Self Drive minibus vs hired coach vs !? 3 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  School is considering a number of options for transporting kids on field trips, swimming lessons, away sports fixtures what have you. Current options...
• Xantia - dodgy brakes(?) 3 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  At first I thought warped discs, but I'd expect to feel the effect under all braking conditions. Is it air in the brakes, should I bleed them? Is it me, should I change my driving habits to suit the car? Any ideas? Mike
• Niche Motor Insurance Query 6 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  I have a company car which Mrs B is insured to drive for social domestic and pleasure purposes. Mrs B is self employed and hence all trips to and from work count as "business travel". Consequently she can't drive my car to work and this is becoming a slight pain.
• Volvo S60 T5 SE v 2.4T SE 1 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  Before committing myself, please can I ask any fellow Back Roomers with real experience of the Volvo S60 in both T5 and 2.4T guises to share their opinion. I have long been a fan of the T5 engine, and a recent drive on deserted Swedish roads (albeit in a V70) has confirmed what an effortless powerhouse it is. Browsing the web however, most motoring Journos appear to prefer the 2.4T, saying that it's 200 bhp is more useable than the T5's 250 bhp in everyday driving, with less turbo lag and a better torque curve.
• Hit and Run follow up 8 Sep 2002 (Forum)
  Yesterday a 34 year old male was sentenced, as the driver involved in this incident, at Leeds Crown Court to 2 years imprisonment and banned for 10 years for: Causing Death by dangerous driving (of the four brakes on the car only one was working and that was impaired) Failing to stop after an accident. Failing to report an accident. No Insurance. Driving Licence irregularity. Apart from the emotional bang the hastard how do we stop such people from being on the road and is this a fair punishment?
• Alfa 166 3.0 Auto 15 Jan 2002 (Forum)
  It can be overcome by driving it around in tiptronic mode which keeps the car in third to well above 60kms per hour, however it tends to burn fuel and keeps the speed cameras happy. Any comments or suggestions would be gratefully received.
• RAC Competition Licences 12 Jan 2002 (Forum)
  I think I am right in believing that as from Jan 1 2002 anyone applying to the RAC for a Competition Licence as a novice will have to attend a days training and testing in basic safe driving skills as well as a written test based on specific areas (presumably safety) from the Blue Book - the competitors bible. the training/test days are to be held at nominated competition driving schools and will cost £130.
• Icy windows 8 Dec 2001 (Forum)
  How often do we see idiots with a letter-box sized hole scraped on the glass with the rest of the glass frozen over, including side windows. I believe they should be done for driving without due care as they cannot possibly have a view outside and just drive and hope. I also knew a chap who would thaw a frozen door lock with body fluids!!!!!!!
• What Women Want 31 Oct 2001 (Forum)
  They particularly liked men who had the confidence to drive a simple supermini, as they considered a relaxed confidence the most attractive feature in a man! It seems that just like women like to look thin to impress other women. Men must be choosing their cars to impress other men.
• changing gears 25 Oct 2001 (Forum)
  One thing i've always wondered when i've been driving around.... Is it better, when stuck at lights or whatever, to put the car into neutral or is it ok to just stay with the clutch down? which is better for the gearbox or is there no difference?