December 2004
I've just had my Yaris serviced at a Toyota garage. I found that they over filled it with oil, did not top up engine coolant, over filled washer reservoir and over inflated the tyres. Also the oil that they used (Shell Helix Plus 10w40.) is not the viscosity recommended in the handbook. Good service Toyota! Read more
A friend and I have just bought a s late '98 plate Alhambra 2.0, metallic green. It has 80k on the clock (probably clocked - but nowdays probably is the norm) 6 mths tax, mot only for (two months though). Not perfect condition - but drove well. Exhaust front pipe has a rattle, and aircon needs recharging. Body work - has a few scratches - need polishing/buffing. But n/s rear door has a dent. Not much in the way of history, but seemed solid enough underneath, no rattles/bangs, noises - drove well.
All the electrics work - even the aircon seemed to come on, although not very cold - I know this was a particular problem with these. New tyres (4) within the last year - still newish - even though they have covered 12,000 miles. Although has been serviced - oil / filter newish. The guy selling had covered 12,000 miles in the last 10 months. Approx 2500 - 3000 of which on holiday through Europe.
Paid £3k.
What do you think? (seriously)
Have advised my friend to get cambelt changed - peace of mind. We have budgeted £500 to get the whole car in show room condition, but to be honest - should be able to get it done for half that - £300 tops.
Read more
Forgot to mention, that seller had priced it at £3495. Took a lot of haggling to bring him down this far.
Have looked at the website for these French four wheel, road legal buggies and to someone who has had to give up motorcycling recently they look a fun answer as a local runabout,does anybody out there have any personal experience of these.
ndbw Read more
www.my4x4.co.uk/view.asp?articleid=48
Site has an off roader used by Dorset police. You'd never live it down if you were nicked by one, but they look like fun with a capital F.
Hi - I am having real problems starting my 1995 106 Diesel on cold days - it has never been great at starting in cold weather, but now it refuses to start at all some days. The glow plugs were all replaced about 3 months ago, and the battery is nearly new, so I don't think these can be the problem. I have checked for air in the fuel lines, so this is not the problem either - help please! also, can anyone recommend a good diesel specialist in the Reading/Berkshire area? I don't know an awful lot about Diesel engines and don't want to get ripped off.
Thanks in advance! Read more
Left that off your advert in the classified section eh stokie ;-) !!
My local paper is carrying a story that NQ are going to experiment by spraying the interior of their cars with a perfume intended to give off a new car smell of leather, air freshener and new plastic in an attempt to attract buyers.
Since there are many people, myself included, who are adversley affected by many of these modern forms of designer air pollution, my message to them is don't do it!
In a worst case scenario, someone might have an accident due to being befuddled by fumes and end up suing for damages.
The report states they are testing this at one dealership - hope it stops there. Read more
..I was wondering how you know what a herd of reindeer smell like..... :+)
Seeing as how we are about to jump into 2005, what is the backroomer's Car Of The Year 2004?
For me its the Aston Martin DB9 - great looking, great performance, just need those 6 numbers to drop for me though.
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I sell quite a few Prius and from my observings i would say they are mainly bought by doctor's, accountants, teachers etc.
I think due to the much higher cost compared to a 'normal' car of it's size such as a Corolla or a Focus it is mainly the more well off who are looking for something a bit different.
I'm looking at new Estate versions of above as opting out of company car.
Performance figures are very similar, but obviously the diesel will use less fuel, but it costs £3K more, so doesn't appear to make sense unless it's worth more on resale (prob at 3yrs, 80-90K miles).
Any thoughts, anyone? Read more
Thanks for this - I have heard similar things about Mercedes dealers but apparently when Mercedes themselves get involved then they sort things out.
Sweeping generalisation - ALL franchised dealers are crap.
What I'm concerned about is the 'corporate' level of response when things go wrong.
The response you get when going in for test drives is usually down to the individual you happen to come across. Out of Audi/BMW/Merc where I live (Chester), Merc were the best and BMW the worst. I've been into my local BMW dealer twice and never managed to actually speak to a salesman. I rang another BMW dealer and sales answered with answerphone!!
Hi.
Having problems with the electric windows on my escort.
It used to be that with the engine off, the windows would work when the doors were open, and would only work when the doors were closed if the engine was running.
Over the space of 2 days there was intermittant working with doors shut and engine running, and now they dont work at all; although when the doors are open everything is fine.
(hope thins makes sence so far)
Ive sone some investigation and it appears that the window circuit must be some way connected with the interior light - as when the doors are open and the interior light is on the windows work, however as soon as the door is pulled too enough to shut of the light, the windows stop. This is the same regardless of whether the engine is on or not.
I thought it might be a fuse or relay problams but Ive tried all the fuses and they seem fine, had a look at the relays - cant see anything wrong and have tapped them all - still nothing.
Not being able to find the Haynes manual doesn't help either.
Anyine got any ideas?
Cheers
Dave. Read more
I should have remembered about the fusebox..I posted on same problem some months ago..Job didnt get fixed as too many problems with electrics.
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Steve
Morning all
Recently acquired a 1997P Peugeot 106 1124cc, with 60,000 miles. Smashing little car, great to drive with PAS etc. Its got a full service history and everything seems fine, however it has started making a ticking noise from the engine. Its nothing loud (only audible when idling), and a mate reckons the cam followers are sludged up a bit but thinks theres no point doing anything about it as it wont affect the longevity of the engine, just makes it a bit noisier.
My question is then what are cam followers, and is what my mate says right about leaving them alone? I'm not bothered about a bit of extra noise as apparently the TU series engines weren't the quietest of things when first made anyway.
Also, any pointers of what else to watch out for on 106's in general?
Thanks in advance
Ben Read more
other 106 problems:
disks can corrode unevenly if little used.
Rear wheel cylinders leak after about 8 years
passenger side lower suspension arm balljoint wears due to water ingress.
watch alternator drive belt for slipping (squealing) - easily adjusted.
Rust in seams under spare wheel.
Check all radiator hoses: the more complex ones can split and leak.. if bad head gasket goes £££s
madf
Having decided to follow HJ's advice on changing oil frequently, I'd like to know whether frequency of changes should be determined by mileage or time.
If I do 12,000 miles a year, but 6000 of those in the first 4 months, should I change after the 6000, or after 6 months? Read more
Agreed, RF, but not many schedules nowadays suggest any changes more often than yearly ...
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Am I being too pedantic to expect main dealer to use oil which is recommended in the handbook?