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• 3 kids - what car? 30 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  When the kids were younger and in car seats it was impossible to fit three car seats across the back row in anything other than an MPV! Both my wife and I are fed up with poor performance, handling, fuel economy of Disco and don't want to go back to an MPV. The Disco has never been off-road despite being quite rural. I was thinking of a 530d BMW or similar but we are back in the situation of two rear seats and a hump.
• Volkswagen Passat (2001 - 2005) - (01-05) Confirming Cam Belt Timing 130 TDI 14 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  Just a bit of hesitation when pulling away at low revs, and sometimes a slight misfire (as if it were a cold petrol engine). Also fuel consumption appears to be worse. I have taken the car back to the garage for a check. They say that they ran the diagnostics and there was no problem. They did mention a slight oil weep from the Turbo, but nothing serious.
• Volvo - BBC Watchdog Wins - Volvo Recall Diesels for fire 22 Nov 2007 (Forum)
  The second callback, involving 18,000 of the company's latest V 70 and XC 70 models, relates to an air bag problem in the side of the car. It was not immediately clear how many British fire incidents there had been. Bohlin said the fuel injector plants or bolts, located on top of the motor cylinder, were faulty, potentially causing diesel to leak out into the motor. Injector plants or bolts would be replaced free-of-charge in a procedure that would take about two hours, she said.
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - Estate options for 5k 2 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  Obvious choice (to me) is a Focus estate- never driven one, but appeals because: 1. supposedly great drive (ie. better than equivalent Astra) 2. choice (again, seems to be better than Astras) - don't want to take too long waiting for the right vehicle 3. running costs, although lower than average mileage so don't need a diesel (but would be happy to have a TDCi) 4. highly recommended in the Car-by car breakdown IIRC 1.6 is supposed to be the sweetest unit and performance would be adequate, but wouldn't say no to the 1.8 or 2.0; the extra fuel/insurance isn't a major issue. Must have air con. Do the Zetecs have sportier suspension than the others, or is it just cosmetic? I'm reasonably happy I've made the right choice (ok, it might be an idea to drive one first), but any advice would be appreciated.
• Second car up to £2500 - suggestions 6 Sep 2007 (Forum)
  Air conditioning is a nice to have. Our idea is to save on depreciation and risk some repair costs. We would want a maximum fuel consumption of 30 mpg. I started wading through the CBCB looking at small hatchbacks. Mrs Red finds them a bit dull and I noticed that Mondeo sized cars appear to be going for less money. We've thought about Daewoos, Protons, Kias and Hyundais but they all lack something in appeal for us.
• Peugeot - 306 d turbo starting problems 2 Sep 2007 (Forum)
  I usually add this diesel starter spray i add in to the air intake at the front of the grill and it fires up, but a puff of white and blue smoke does burn from exhaust when it does start. i don't know what the problem is i have just done a full service on the car today as well changed the glow plugs oil air filter oil filter fuel filter as well. it just will not tick over at all if the car is cold. it does start later in the day without the spray being added but it does struggle to start usually takes 10secs. there also seems to be turbo lag on the car as well as well i have owned 2 other 306 d turbos and they seemed to be fine and pick up speed fine but this 1 has turbo lag and u really have to put the pedal to the metal to get it going, please help me guys thanks
• How to buy a car 4 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  I have picked up some bits of advice along the way... 1) start off with the idea that you will buy their finance (and warranty) 2) walk away 3) aim to be buying at a "month end" 4) when you have got as far as you think you will get, ask for tax, tyres, fuel, mats etc just before you sign 5) blah de blah What tricks can one best use to drive the deal down? Do the above actually work? Tips from any old hands (or better still, an insider) would be great.
• ouch - 4 new tyres required 3 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  One company mentions that filling the tyres with nitrogen at £1.76 /wheel provides better road handling, upto 25%increase in life expectancy and can reduce fuel consumption - so how come I've never heard of it before and nor has anyone I've spoken to, admittadely non are petrol heads. Is this a good idea, and do all garages provide this service. any recommendations greatly appreciated, as will contributions to the cost !!
• Dream garage with a twist 10 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  I want to keep my licence, and I prefer the roof open on sunny days. 2. S class. Diesel for economy and less fuel stops. Maybe a driver to go with it. 3. A second hand A160. Nice high driving position, easy to park in the smallest space, and second hand to I won't cry over car park knocks and dings. 4. ML55AMG.
• Reporting road defects 10 May 2007 (Forum)
  Were it not for the high levels of taxation motorists face today I would perhaps let it go. Unfortunately motorists pay extortionate tax on the fuel we use. Additionally we are hit with revenue raising measures, such as speed cameras and suspension-damaging 'traffic calming' speed bumps, etc. So I consider it reasonable to report ANY defects I encounter.
• Audi A4 How Much Is It Worth? 15 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  Hi, would appreciate a rough valuation from you guys as to how much my audi a4 is worth as it's going to be sold as im no longer doing the mileage to justify it so have bought a bmw project instead. 1998 S Audi A4 1.9 TDi Base model 90bhp AHU Engine 119000 Miles FSH, mostly dealer then audi specialist 6 Months Tax, 12 Months Mot 18 inch RS4 Wheels, New Tyres All Round CD Player Blue/purple metalic paint grey cloth interior good condition, no marks stains, i don't smoke Work Done In Last 6 months New brake pads front and rear All tyres replaced new coolant temperature sensor new battery new drivers side cv boot service with new fuel, air, oil filters fitted Good condition all round, only advisories on mot were insecure battery, cracked windowscreen(new screen fitted), very slight play in drivers balljoint and theres a small trolley ding in drivers side rear door. only other downside is cambelt will be due at around 125k, and it will have an oil change done before sale as it's coming up to six months cheers chris
• rover 414i coolant disappears 12 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  The last time the cooling system had a problem was two years ago. the coolant was leaking from a gasket under the fuel injection system. This also started giving me timing problems with slow running of the car. engine had lost power at slow speeds and would often stall. and the coolant level had fallen a lot so the hot air was not working inside the car. however the engine was not overheating. so they opened up the top part, replaced the gasket and seal and its been great since then.
• Where was everyone? 2 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  Obviously I'm not complaining at that, but I am wondering why it was so unexpectedly quiet? Even the A303 past Salisbury towards Yeovil was nearly empty...!! I also scored my best yet fuel economy - on the way out I filled up at the BP place near Yeovil a few miles before the A358 comes off the A303, full tank to the shut off function. On the way back I filled up at the Shell place a couple of miles nearer to London at the same place, again until the pump shut off.
• Focus electrics 27 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  Monday morning smashed windscreen, replaced by one of the national chains. After fitting drove 8 miles and lost the following electrical functions, indicators, fuel gauge, temp gauge,and rev counter. Also lost rear wiper but not washer, front intermittent wipe function, but washers working finally hazard lights working. The front windscreeen was a heated front by the way, the car is fitted with a tracker and this is linked to hands free function of the phone aerial is one of those sticky things that go on the winscreen with the tax disc in it.
• Meaningless report on new VW by BBC 6 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  Meaningless figures given were that the reporter had driven it from Wolfsburg to the BBC in London. I think he said 450 miles, but it may have been 500. He also said the fuel cost £37 and was impressed by the fantastic economy. Now, a quick calculation suggests that he did (say) 500 miles for £37 - about 52 euros. That diesel in Europe costs about 1 euro a litre so he did about 500 miles at (optimistically) 10 miles a litre.
• VW Polo Mk4 (1999) cutting out 12 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  We have already: (1) Changed the engine temp. sensor, (2) Cleaned the throttle body, (3) Replaced the inline fuel filter (after removing the pump's mesh filter to allow any debris to be flushed into the inline filter). (4) Changed the HT leads, distributor cap and rotor arm. There are no fault codes stored. Any ideas?
• congestion charge discount 20 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  One would expect some small modern diesels to be on such a list, but they probably wouldn't be. Biofuel or dual-fuel/hybrid seem to be the only categories. Does anyone have any idea what is exempt or partially exempt, and whether any such vehicles are obtainable for reasonable money? What about those Vauxhall factory LPG conversions?
• XUD Turbo - lack of grunt 13 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  I carefully eliminated the fuel filter, air filter, intercooler trunking for leaks and general wiring etc,. etc. I recently acquired a Xantia 1997/Rreg XUD Turbo estate - ECU/Bosch equipped. Shortly afterwards a lack of urge had become apparent after washing the engine.
• Cavalier SRi Ecotec difficult starting 8 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  It is now very difficult to start mainly when cold (eg if left overnight) Turns over OK, eventually catches and immediately dies. Crank it some more, catches, misses, dies splutters etc (sounds like fuel problem?). Eventually it will catch and splutter into life, after which it runs, but I have to keep my foot on the accelerator for the first minute or so or it stalls again (would ICVS cause difficult starting.
• Strange electrical problem - Ford Escort 30 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  Now any attempt to turn the lights on elicits the warning squeal the car gives when you try to get out with the lights on, even with all the doors closed and engine running. The car, a 1.6 16v Escort, has previously refused to start owing to the fuel pump relay unplugging itself over bumps and potholes. I suspect a relay in this case too, perhaps one that has welded itself closed or something. But why did the lights go on by themselves? I am sure I would have noticed if they failed to go off when I turned them off.