Questions from January 2014
As an alternative to Supermarket Diesel whilst attempting to keep fuels costs down, will I get some benefits from alternating Shell V Power with Shell FuelSave, should I stick with FuelSave as one fuel...
Which model of E90 BMW 3 series would you recommend 330i or 330d, and which gearbox should I opt for? Should I go for facelift model LCI? Thanks a lot
I drive 80 miles a day on the M25 and A12 in a Hyundai i20 1.2. My 61 plate car has been impressive to say the least being well equipped (love the Bluetooth) and gets between 50-55mpg and copes with the...
I just received my car back from its first dealer service and saw I had been charged £60 for 3 litres of Castrol magnatec 5w30 c2 oil.
I showed how I could but the same grade myself for less than half...
Reference windscreen cleaning, I use a dry Brillo pad on a dry screen then treat screen with Rain X, which gives excellent results. No need for wipers at motorway speeds when raining.
My wife's MINI display console indicated worn rear brakes recently. I had a look, as did a neighbour who is a garage mechanic, and the pads looked good as new. As a result we contacted the dealer (it is...
My sons finance has written off his 1992 1.4 3dr Renault 5 Campus. In trying to value this there are few of his models around but lots of 1.4 5dr Renault 5 Campus Prima models.
The insurance company is...
My son is needing to buy a car of the size of an Insignia or a Mondeo, as he is about to start a family.
He is looking at about £8/9,000.
He can get a newer Insignia than a Mondeo, but looking on your...
Hi
I am looking to buy a juke, my friend told me 1.6 Dig-t petrol engine is quiet compared to 1.6 engine. What do you think. I am confused over the engines.
I have a Jeep Wrangler with tipronic. If I take my foot off the accelerator while in 4/5 th gear tiptronic and "coast" does the car "save fuel" as with a manual transmission? (ie zero fuel to the engine...
My son frequently carries equipment in rectangular flight cases of various sizes and currently has a 2004 double axle LDV van, but this, though reliable is showing its age. He has identified the Citroen...
I have recently been offered a 2005 SEAT Leon FR 1.8T 20V with just over 60,000 miles on the clock. It is a private sale and the car seems to have been well looked after during it’s time with the current...
My aunt has an immaculate 1981 Toyota Hiace Campervan that she has owned and loved from new. It wears its original cream, unmarked paintwork that you could eat your dinner off (although tables are provided...
I'm on the lookout for a 2010+ Ford S-Max or Galaxy 2.0 Ecoboost. I'm particularly keen on getting a car with a leather interior, but these seem to appear almost exclusively on Titanium X trim models -...
I purchased a new Citroen C3 1.2 VTI (petrol) three months ago and have noticed that when pressing the accelerator and pushing the revs up to between 1000-2000rpm that the needle on the counter fluctuates...
I'm looking for a 1.6 THP (petrol) but can only select "1.6" and all these filthy diesels appear!
I own a Volkswagen Polo, which is still under warranty with the manufacturer. However, the windscreen washer doesn’t work (reservoir is full) and the dealer says the warranty won’t pay because the pump...
The fuel economy with my Nissan Qashqai has worsened significantly since the car’s three year service. Car has done 19000 miles in three years and the service included fitting Platinum Spark Plugs, otherwise...
Twice in two weeks my wife's 2007 Vauxhall Corsa has refused to start. It makes a ticking noise but nothing more. The car eventually starts after a five minute delay. The battery is OK and the garage...
I've been driving a Vauxhall Aglia B for five years and it's everything I need. However, our poor roads makes the ride very harsh in London/Surrey. The car is on 185/60/15 wheels and it time to buy some...
I am in the process of buying a new MINI Cooper Countryman and am being offered 'MINI Shortfall' gap insurance to cover the difference between purchase price and my insurer's write-off settlement in the...
With regard to a question posed by a BMW owner dated 29-7- 13, relating to a mixture of run flat tyres on the rear and ordinary tyres on the front, you advised that this would be an MOT failure, this...
My new Skoda Octavia Elegance has the option to disable the daytime running lights. This is achieved very easily via the vehicle set-up menu and described in the owner’s handbook. My question is: is this...
I have had my Smart Car from new, (2002) I was hit from behind last week and I suspect that my insurers will want to write it off, so I may find myself having to buy a replacement in a hurry.
I've been...
I am looking to buy a new / nearly new car but am limited by what will fit into my garage. I drive approx. 75/ 80 miles per week on average (within London) to and from work / to the shops , with at least...
I am, finally, looking to change my 2006 Nissan X-Trail diesel which has given me years of trouble free motoring. The new SUV will need to be able to tow a caravan, carry a gundog and equipment, with occasional...
On my rear window defroster only two lines completely clear and one has a small circle which it clears in the centre. Is there any way that these lines can be made to fully work and clear the rear window...
I am in the process of buying a Porsche Macan and have been offered a third year warranty for £800. This seems expensive but it is a new unproven car. Is it good value?
My daughter, 26 is a named driver on my car policy as well as having a car of her own.
In the last two years she has been involved whilst driving in seven collisions. three involving injury and at least...
I have lost all the documents relating to my Ford Mondeo following a house move. It was built in 2009 and I’ve had it for eight months. I tried to contact the garage that sold it but they have no records....
I'm looking at buying a Nissan Qashqai that's 1-2 years old. I'm not sure whether to go for the 1.5dci or 1.6 petrol. I do around 8-10k miles a year and have never had a problem with the diesel.
However,...
My Volkswagen Polo has been making loud creaking noises from the suspension when braking or going over bumps or unsmooth acceleration. Is this a critical problem or one I can just out down to age/usual...
I have been offered a 1996 red Alfa Romeo Spider which I understand is in concours condition. It has just been serviced and has a new cam belt, full history and 62,000 miles on the clock. It has also...
I drive a lot for work, often on motorways, clocking up 20,000 miles a year. I currently drive a petrol Honda Jazz, but want something similar with improved fuel efficiency. What do you suggest with a...
I am looking to replace my Volkswagen Polo with something bigger. I need more boot space, but I don´t want a big car. I like cars with good visibility, with good fuel economy, nippy to drive and all this...
I have a Honda civic I want to change for a smaller car. I was considering the Ford Fiesta ST for the acceleration, but I have been told the ride is very stiff. Can you suggest an alternative with similar...
The ECU on my 2007 Peugeot 207 is throwing up warnings at random and switching lights and wipers on even when I'm not in the car. I’ve been told it could be water getting into the engine bay fuse box,...
I have about £3k and am after a car.
I have a commute of only ten miles. I also play in a band and need to have something that can transport music gear, sometimes on much longer journeys. Not enough for...
I have been presented with a choice: keep my 2009 Suzuki SX4 DDIS 2009 manual with 70k miles or buy a 2007 Mercedes Benz A150 auto with 20k miles? What would you do?
Covering 40,000 miles per year - What is the most cost effective medium to large car?
My son has recently bought a Audi R8 and I have told him to use Shell V power. He seems reluctant to use it on the grounds that the fuel consumption is already poor without adding the extra cost of premium...
I got a deal for Nissan juke 1.6DIG-T Tekna CVT AWD (18000 miles, 2010 registration, £13500) in exchange for my Juke (2010, Acenta CVT, 32500 miles, valued as £8275) from a Nissan dealer. Do you think...
My friend has asked for advice. He has a budget of £1000 on a car and little else. Any recommendations?
I need a new car to cover around 12,000 miles a year for rural commuting and occasional longer motorway trips. In no particular order, comfort, fun, economy and reliability are the priorities. So, Fiesta...
I'm looking to buy a car for the first time and am a little confused! My conundrum is new vs. old.
I'm pregnant with my first child so would like a smallish family car, 5 door. I do around 12,000 miles...
I was caught doing 85mph on the M6 Toll which has a 50mph limit. This was nearly six months ago and I sent off the relevant forms admitting to it but never heard anything back, so thought I got lucky until...
A few weeks ago my husband's car broke down (2009 Ford Focus 1.6) and he called roadside recovery who diagnosed the head gasket had gone. We had it towed to the local dealership and told them what the...
I have just bought a 2007 Ford Focus. I travelled from the North East to York to pick up the car and I was told the car had no problems. Now that I have gotten the car home and looked at the MoT it states...
After 38,000 miles and 3.5 years my Toyota dealer has had to replace the "Top intermediate shaft" on my Prius because of knocking from the steering (cost of £181 parts and £90 labour).
I spoke to their...
I am currently deciding on what to purchase for my next new car. Ideally I want something exciting which will also prove reliable for the next five years. I'm currently looking at:
Volkswagen Scirocco...
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