Showing results in  Forum [Show all channels]

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Passat TDI Cam Belt 7 Jun 2003 (Forum)
  Unfortunately, I can drive cars, but no nothing at ALL about the mechanics of them. I am aware that cam belt breakage is major although I am hoping that as the car wasn't running at the time, damage may be minimal. the car is to come with a comprehensive 12 month warranty. I would very much appreciate peoples views on whether I should walk away from the deal or continue to purchase my dream car.
• 306 Dturbo starting 17 May 2003 (Forum)
  It now has 56k on the clock and has been serviced regularly. Ever since I got it it has smoked loads at startup although will catch and run fine at the turn of the key. The smoke appears bluish in colour but I can never tell the difference in colour in exhaust smoke. It doesnt use any oil(between 6k changes) or water. If its been warm and not fully cooled it has to crank a lot longer than when its cold before firing up.
• Oil Filters - Start-up rattle 16 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  There's no visible non-return valve in either filter, and it hangs near vertical - so what has made the difference? Sure I had to top up with half litre of fresh oil but the whole sump full has only run for maybe 1000 miles. Another strange thing - the lifters have always been a little noisy once warmed up, but I have noticed that, at tick-over, a louder tapping comes and goes at maybe half-minute intervals- definitely coming from the cam box - any ideas?
• ECU/ Diesel ! 14 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Dear enlightened one, I have just bought an SRI 1.8i 1986 convertible (£400!!) new mot but been standing for 3 years. It seems clean enough, starts/ runs quietly, dry engine. However, first trip, covered two miles and the ignition suddenly switched off (inc revcounter) all other electrics OK. After doing a short `frustration dance` I tried again - it started first go and drove straight home and just as 2 miles came up again, it started catching again, but got me home.
• Car Finance - which way to go? 11 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  I'm not a 'must have a new car fanatic' It's just for the peace of mind aspect. Cars are getting too clever fot their own good and once the guarantees run out any garage bill will be in the hundreds thats for sure. So I'm thinking this way you'll have trouble free motoring and no big bills. I would welcome any comments and suggestions or experiences on other alternatives.
• Boy racers 3 Mar 2003 (Forum)
  Parked outside Halfords waiting for eldest son to drag himself away from bicycle dept. when a fancy looking small Pug covered in chrome and alloy bits and pieces pulled up at the side of me and out gets young driver with a bit of a stunner girl friend. I was just about to call after them that he'd left the engine running when he turned round, pointed his key at the car and switched the engine off. What a poseur thinks I (or something like that). Two mins later said youth (who looks about 15) comes out of Halfords and when about 10 metres from car points the remote control at it and starts the engine.
• Rebecca's next question 16 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  I do like the car, it's comfortable, reliable, we've needed the space from time to time and I admit that I like the badge. It's mainly used for the school/work run and the occasional trip to the Cotswolds. It's been to the south of France once. But - at the end of the day I am a girl after all and maybe I should just think of it as a means of getting from A to B and 'downgrade' to a different car to save on the tax bill (40%) So any thoughts about what I might replace it with?
• Saab 9-3 Diesel vibration 8 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  I have a Saab 2.2TiD(115 BHP) with 45K on the clock. The car runs well and returns 45 - 50 MPG. However at tickover there is significant vibration which is felt through the drivers seat. When I am stuck in traffic the vibration makes me feel sick. This car was purchased at 39K from a SAAB dealer and the vibration was not really evident for my first 3K.
• Berlingo MUltispace/Partner Combi 25 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  This weekend has been spent looking for a replacement for the twelve year-old BX (running like a good 'un but has developed a leak and SWMBO doesn't like it any more). Anyway, we reckoned that among new cars (not really out bag, but hey), the Berlingo/Partner would be a good replacement.
• Astra 16valve oil light 15 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  The flush and oil change helped but the problem was still evident. Added the TET and took it for another run....BINGO!!!. Oil light goes out instantly on hot start. Next oil change...6 months or 6000 miles madam!
• Zafira 16 Sep 2002 (Forum)
  I have had a Zafira 2.2i for over two years now. I must say here that we use it for two things: daily school runs & shopping, and long haul trips to the south of France. As a result the clock show 28K Miles. I must say that I am very happy with it (handling, etc...). But... As I started hearing a whining noise I took it immediatly to the dealer for checking (that is, after coming back from Paris, with a detour in Brittany, a mere 0.5K Miles..).
• Golf GTi Mk2 post cambelt change timing 8 Sep 2002 (Forum)
  The crank/intermediate sprocket marks appear incorrect and a static way of setting up should at least get the car running, then I could tweak it dynamically using the usual strobe method... Any help appreciated
• Traffic flow & Park and Ride 6 Sep 2002 (Forum)
  The public meeting I attended last night was of the unaminous opinion that gridlock would ensue for miles around as soon as the lights were activated. Now the council say that the consulting firm they hired has run a computer simulation and that everything will be fine. The meeting felt that if the consultants had bothered to get in a car and drive round the area over a period of time they would see that their computer simulation is rubbish.
• Leon Cupra for £4000 2 Sep 2002 (Forum)
  Now the downside, it will have done about 100,000 - 110,000 miles by the end of this year, although it has spent most of that on Motorways. In my eyes, a car that has done this mileage in less than 2 years has probably had less engine running time than a 30k miles town car. Insurance costs are not a problem, and we would still have the Leon TDi for longer trips...... would this be a good buy for a 2nd car? Neil T SEAT Leon TDi 150
• Body repair - a fair price? 30 Aug 2002 (Forum)
  I asked a body shop to quote me for repairs to my Audi Coupe, which was scraped down one side by a hit and run driver. It has a deep scrape on the upper side of the rear wing and door, and scuff marks to the corner of the rear bumper and spoiler. No panels to replace - the bodyshop intends to beat out the damage, skim with filler and then blend in the repaired areas (which will be pretty close to respraying the RH side of the car).
• Volvo v. Omega ? 16 Aug 2002 (Forum)
  and don't want to buy into a load of expensive problems. I've resd lots of coflicting views on Omega reliability running costs etc. and am confused to say the least. Bye the way the only thing I nkow about cars is how to pay outfor them in one way or anoter. I'd really appreciate any feedback/experiences to assist my decision.
• Bought the wrong oil..doh! 29 Apr 2002 (Forum)
  Can someone out there tell me if if I would seriously damage my engine (in the long run?) if I use the wrong engine oil? I went and bought some engine oil Castrol GTD Magnatec 10W40 to use in my VW 130BHP PD engine. It says on the back that it meets VW 505 00 and VW 500 00 standards so I bought 5.5 litres of the stuff thinking that it would be ok in my engine (remembering that the manaual stated VW 505 something).
• Parking Hogs 6 Mar 2002 (Forum)
  Ah....not what you thought! But the supermarket parking thread got me thinking. Back in September I was in UK and running around on my Harley Road King. That's one big wide bike when you take into account the pannier boxes and the engine bars. I was leaving it in Pay and Display parks, it would have taken up most of the small bike areas and deprived others of them, and to make sure I had plenty of room so it didn't get dinged I was paying the full car price for the sticker.
• Jazz Test Drive 28 Feb 2002 (Forum)
  The ride I found to be extremely firm to the point where after only a mile or so I had almost decided that I would reject it for that alone. My frequent Cornwall run wouldn't be a very enjoyable experience at all. C. Very poor visibility when reversing. What a shame because it looks a nice little car. I'm going to sleep on it though, but the ride quality is what has let it down in my eyes.
• VAG Diesels 11 Feb 2002 (Forum)
  A damned fine car spoiled. I also tried a 2.5 Tdi A4 - not bad but still pretty noisy and very expensive. On an extended run it returned a whole 1.5 mpg more than a similar A4 1.8T (petrol) - it would take several zillion miles to get back the price premium. And before the DERV brigade start writing abuse..... just try the new TDCI Focus, performs just like a petrol and doesn't even sound like a diesel except if you are outside.