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• Life span of an unused spare tyre ? 16 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  What is the life span of an unused spare tyre? We have an S reg Mondeo and a V reg Focus both with totally unused space saver spares that are stored in the dark, in the dry, in the boot. I have read that oft quoted "five years and ditch it" statement. But where has this come from?
• Tricky Garages 10 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  The independent had been `milking ` her for cash on repairs not even needed and I suspect using sub standard oil at services. This was in the depression of the 90`s and it seemed to me looking through her repair receipts that the garage had found its own way to survive those years by generating its own work.
• A tale of three cars. 3 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  After a few disappointing months the Toyota was replaced by one of the then-new first generation of FWD Mazda 323's, a 1.5 GT. This was just as well made as the Toyota and nearly as much fun to drive as the Fiat. On my very first drive I caught sight of myself in the mirror, grinning idiotically. The moral of the story?
• Warm start problem - Renault Megane 1.6e 14 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  Clicking sounds can be heard from the fuel pump relay and the injectors. The longer story: Some time ago my sister?s car suddenly started to misfire. AA called and towed it home. Local independent garage replaced coils and the car seemed to work for a week. Then suddenly it started the "coughs" again but could run for several miles to home.
• A mysterious problem - BMW 25 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  More than ½ tank of fuel in the car. We call the breakdown service. Wait for perhaps 25 minutes. My wife tells me, let?s try to start it again ? turn the ignition once, the engine fires. We ask the breakdown to not to come as the car seems to be running ok. We drive a further 70 miles up the M1 and reach home - absolutely no problems ?
• Built in Sat Nav overpriced? 8 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  Since then, the cost of sat nav units has plummeted together with all things electronic so you can get a NavMan in Tesco for under £100. However, if I want a sat nav in next year's Ford S Max, it is still going to cost £1500! That buys an awful lot of electronics these days. I appreciate that car manufacturers hope that a built in sat nav continues to have a certain cachet but I for one thing it should be included in the top of the range cars in the way that Honda do with their Exec Accords and CR-Vs.
• being pulled over 20 Oct 2006 (Forum)
  In 24 years of driving I've been pulled over four times, twice resulted in SP30'S- fair do's. The other occasions were 1; driving down the M40 @ 23.00, 2 weeks before xmas, fortunately it was deserted, I spotted the cop car coming down the slip road and moved to the middle lane to ease their access.
• Economy/MAF Sensor - 1.9 TDI Seat Toledo 25 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  How fragile are these things exactly? My economy has been down since I changed the oil, diesel and air filter. :-S I had to be quite rough and ready with the air filter housing, as I couldn't get the big pipe off the lid part of the housing, and I assume the MAF is the little sensor near there. No warning lights and performance still seems OK.
• Saab losing plot 31 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  Also saw the new Jag coupe on the road and a Aston Volante, both very pretty, the latter head turningly so. Lee -- There\'s no place like 127.0.0.1
• Money to burn 22 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  I know it is not a huge amount but enough for some fun so here is my shortlist - please chip in with experience or suggestions( please - no Mondeo TDCI s!!) 1. Current car Astra coupe is in fine condition worth £4k?(51 plate 80k fsh 1 owner) could trade in for £9k worth of TT or similar 2+2 2.Always wanted a Harley ,get 2 yr old for £4k ish for an 883 sportster 3.MGs either a midget -seem to get a good ish one for £3k pre 72 tax free with change for running cost over the next few years or blow budget on BGT V8 4.Have always loved VW Karmann Ghia but would use all the budget to buy with nothing left for disasters on the horizon.
• Running costs, Accord coupe versus IS200 21 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  Does any one have any comments on long term costs for servicing and repairs. (I'm thinking of Alfa-Romeo threads where 156's have been described as 'bottomless money pits - no offence to you Alfa-ists). Basically, I don't have much money, but I can buy and insure one of these relativley cheaply - it's what comes next I'm worried about.
• 03 Rover 25 2.0 TD IL ...should I? 19 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  It is a private seller and they are asking £4495 which seems a bit optimistic to me after looking at the valuation guides. Are the Rover 25's ok or is there any glaring problems that I should know about? I have a L-reg 106 1.4D at the moment and it feels like the clutch is about to go (again!) but apart from clutch problems it has always been mega reliable and I wouldn't mind something similar again - just not a Peugeot because of the weird pedal situation!
• Slow Starting Honda Civic - Spark Plugs? 28 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  I was thinking of getting a set of NGK V-Grooved plugs which claim "better Cold starting"? I presume these are platinum plugs NGK code ZFR5F-11 Or could it be something else that?s faulty?
• Supermarket to court? 13 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  Hi there, three days ago, i parked in my local supermarket car park. As i went to get out of the car, i noticed a trolley heading for the N/S rear door pretty quickly! despite efforts to get in and pull away very promptly the trolley hit my car door. There is now a huge dent in the door where the trolley hit. I went inside the store to complain about this.
• Fast cars - why bother? 8 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  The recent thread about Keith S wanting to know what the CAP value of his Renault Megane 225 was reminded me of my enjoyable test drive of this model a few months back. However on Sunday I drove from Bath to Hereford, taking the A466 from Chepstow northwards.
• A Close Shave 23 Oct 2005 (Forum)
  I've just had one of those heart thumping moments whilst doing a DIY oil and filter change on the Pug. I'd drained the sump, changed the filter, put a...
• Lousy Design 22 Aug 2005 (Forum)
  Acres and acres of cheap plastic (cheaper than the stuff used in my Z28 which I'd assumed would be impossible), switchgear that looked like it had been swiped from a '70's Datsun Loganberry and a horrible little 1.2L engine that sounded like a swarm of killer-bees under the bonnet (less than 20mph/1000rpm in 5th). The brakes grabbed badly at low speed and the A-pillar and door mirror hid any view of the kerb when negotiating the inside lane on roundabouts.
• Which Estate? 16 Jun 2005 (Forum)
  2.Speed is not a concern of mine so under 2 litre will suffice. 3.Budget of up to 13K. 4.Car can be up to 3 years old. 5.Must be as cost effective as possible i.e when considering depreciation, maintenance, fuel and insurance. This is probably the biggest deciding factor for me as I hate losing 000's on cars!! My shortlist so far: 1. BMW 318 Touring - My BMW has been extremely reliable and reasonably cheap to run. 2. Audo A4 Avant - Recommended by a friend. 3. Ford Mondeo - Recommended by a work colleague - I had a Ford Sierra once which was a pile of rubbish, so I would need some convincing on this one!
• Ford Fiesta Mk4 Central Locking Problem 12 Apr 2005 (Forum)
  Hopefully when I take it to a ford garage tomorrow I can ask them to dismantle the metal lump to insert a new spring, or whether they're likely to try and sell me a new one... :s R. resistance; the door didnt open. I went around to the passenger
• Garage Issue - Help Sought 11 Apr 2005 (Forum)
  No more information today, chased again to be told dismantling complicated job, lots to do including skimming head (surely that?s a reassembly issue!). I?m not happy about the level of info provided generally or any sort of hint that we?re talking a £1k plus job here. Any comments and hints tips about tactics in handling this greatly appreciated.