August 2006
I've just been reading the "W211 Mercedes Diesel Under £10k at Auction Today" article with great interest. Of all the auction prices though, the "BMW 320d SE 150 Touring, 02 reg, 42k miles £14,800s" leapt out at me!
Did a 2002 320d SE Touring really make £14,800 or is this a misprint? Were any readers at Blackbushe today?
£14,800 seems a ridiculously high price to pay for a 02 320d SE Touring - my curiosity has got the better of me and I would love to know if this car really made that price.
Read more
VW Golf MK 2 has failed its MOT today because the front nearside brake hose is rubbing on the suspension strut.
The rubber clip that is supposed to hold it steady to the strut has broken, it looks like the clip comes with the hose.
Can any one tell me if there is an after market device that will deal with this problem or will I have to buy a new brake hose?
Read more
Go to your local scrapyard and cut the grommet off using a craft knife (single cut), then glue the cut after fixing to the brake pipe with the cut in the bottom of the horseshoe shaped bracket. Or replace the flexi
purely hypothetically, assuming that somone in our household was going to buy this car. Assuming that someone in this household who had two of the best mechanics you've ever known as best mates.
Assuming all this, in a hypothetical sense....
tinyurl.com/hg3s3
Discuss.
Read more
You can do this at www.parkers.co.uk.
I found www.wisebuyers.co.uk to be better for this while I was deciding whether to get the Toledo or something else...very comprehensive.
I have a long term oil leak on my car. It isn't huge, just a few drips each time on standing, but enough to make a mess on the drive.
The leak is on the rear face of the engine and appears to be below head gasket level. Because of the sloping installation of the engine, it's impossible to see, from above, where the leak might be. I'm hoping that someone can give me some guidance before I get out my spanners and dismantle everything in sight - or, rather, not in sight, on that side of the engine!
Thanks in advance.
Read more
I have managed to solve part of the problem. A part was not refitted properly by a garage!. The remainder of the leak is the head gasket, but will live with it and sort protection for a 'drip area' on the drive.
Thank you all for your contributions and help.
Mair
Apologies if this should be in the "discussion" forum, or my title is confusing.
A few months ago when I took daughter's car to the local independent for a query he was good enough to consult his "expert" system to locate a relay, and analyse time to find and replace it. You professionals will be familar with the sort of system I refer to. The sort of thing you will routinely consult before estimating a job.
Very expensive, and impressive. 3 dimensional display of vehicle, and summary of work including time required. All technical data for every component you could wish for. Covered wide range of vehicles, and updated quarterly.
I was so impressed I emailed the maker and queried whether they supply the same information on a one-off basis for a particular car, as it seemed far more useful than the usual Haynes manual. They did not respond to my email.
Has anyone made similar enquiries, but with more success? Read more
Thanks for the replies.
Car model does not really matter, but it was a 1995 Punto diesel (looks like a Punto but sounds like 2 skeletons having sex in a filing cabinet)
No, it certainly was not a pirate video. The cost of the quarterly DVD would buy me a replacement motor.
No it was not Autodata, but along those lines. Not just how to do it, but times, 3d views etc.
Hi, my Seat Ibiza has developed a strange clunking sound at the rear lefthand side which occurs when going over potholes and speedbumps. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions about where to take it. Also - while we're on the subject it's a reshaped end of 99 'S' model by the way - it's got a very stupid red screen which gives info about the radio/cassette and heating/fan which turns itself on all the time so we have to remove a fuse from under the steering wheel whenever we get out! I understand it may be a short in a metal box (stop me if I am getting too technical) behind the screen, so an electrics specialist would be useful too! Thanks! Read more
Hi, my Seat Ibiza has developed a strange clunking sound at
the rear lefthand side which occurs when going over potholes and
speedbumps.
Might be worn suspension bushes, those are the classic symptoms.
Do car chassi (?!) suffer from metal fatigue? I read somewhere that spotwelds can even fail as cars age.
Can a chassis literally 'fail' after x years or will it last forever if washed and kept rust free etc? Read more
No-one yet mentioned Fords and the famous failures where the tops of the mcpherson struts were mounted, or the bulkhead where the clutch cable went through
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
I have a Seat Alhambra Mk1 20V turbo. The aircon display unit reset every time the ignition is turned on. I have the two lives plus the two ignition lives to the unit along with two earths.
The aircon is not blowing cold but this may just need topping up. I want to sort the electrics out before paying for regasing.
Am I missing any live feeds, could the unit not be holding memory, is there a fuse in the dash unit, has anyone seen this fault before.
Any help please.
Steve.
Read more
If low gas was the cause, then it won't be long before the display is flashing again.
As the price of petrol climbs inexorably toward £1 a litre, I have decided it is now time to part with my beloved Subaru Impreza Turbo. I would very much appreciate the BR's opinions on what to replace it with.
Performance, handling and reliability are priorities. Badge and status are irrelevant.
I drive over 15k miles per year, so a Diesel seems to make sense. If my next car returns 45mpg, i will save £1300 a year on fuel alone. A no brainer.
I don't need a big car, something Golf sized would be ideal, certainly no bigger. Aircon and a decent sound system are essentials.
I would prefer a car still in manufacturer's warranty and with under 50k miles. My budget is approx £10-11k.
I am considering a Seat Leon Cupra TDI.
Any other ideas?
Read more
I agree with TVM.
A late model Leon 150 TDi Cupra is an excellent replacement - with many options for tuning and suspension modification to make it go and handle better. Check out SEAT Cupra.net if you haven't already.
Be sure to get one for a good price however as the new 170 FR looks to be a worthy successor and will knock the value of the old model. Personally I stil prefer the old model shape and interior (A3 based).
My lowly 110 TDi (unchipped) feels stronger and faster than its specification, and I would have no hesitation replacing it for the Cupra.
Go for a metallic colour like silver, as the black and Extreme Blue (like mine) chip and mark easily.
Steve
is there a difference between 'power steering' and 'power assisted steering' ? Read more
Large cherry pickers have hydraulic steering.
Steve.
---
Xantia HDi.
Buy a Citroen and get to know the local GSF staff better...
Browse
.jpg)
Hi John,
Many thanks, very kind of you to reply so quickly. £10,600 still sounds relatively high - BMW oil burners still seem to be commanding quite a premium, I may have to look at a VW Passat instead!