Questions from November 2010
I would like some advice on tyres please. I need four new runflat tyres on my 2003 BMW 530D (225/50 17 94w) and wondered if you have any suggestions? I currently have Dunlops, which offer a very hard ride...
Although my experience of accident management companies is limited to using them via a corporate lease plan, I have to say that even then, I question their usefulness. A skip delivery lorry recently drove...
We currently run a Vauxhall Meriva ‘A’ 1.7CDTI and will shortly be looking to replace it. We have been looking for something in the £30 tax bracket that can tow a folding camper weighing up to 1,100kg,...
You recommend winter tyres as an alternative to having to buy a 4x4. On a front-wheel drive family car do you need all four or just two to provide better traction on the front, assuming the rears have...
I had legal assistance cover on my insurance policy. After an accident my impression of their service is that they seem to be fixed on getting me into a hire car. I was wondering whether I would be better...
How easy is it for an experienced manual gearbox user to switch to automatics and left-foot braking?
I've been following the thread about left-foot braking with interest, as I've been considering switching to an automatic next summer when my Motability Ford C-Max is due for replacement. I can see the...
I own a very desirable classic car from the fifties. While away on holiday an attempt was made to steal the car from our house. Fortunately, the would-be thieves were prevented by our sophisticated alarm...
I received a parking penalty at my local Morrisons supermarket the other week. I went to the machine and a customer was having problems so, as I only needed a few bits, I decided to shop without a ticket....
I have a Land Rover Discovery 4 diesel automatic, purchased new in March 2010, mileage now 5,000. On occasions when I have driven to, say, a roundabout or junction and slowed down and stopped, when I accelerate...
I am retired and do approx 9,000 miles per year (mixed miles, mainly short) and am thinking of trading my Mercedes-Benz E280CDI for a new BMW X3. Does it have a chain cam engine, and what about a DP filter?
I think we are victims of a scam. My wife was involved in a car crash just over two months ago. Our insurers, Acromas (formerly Saga), arranged for the car to be picked up and repaired by a garage in Dronfield....
I too have been caught out by overstaying (by just over half an hour) at the Scarborough Aldi store on 8 October and received a £70 'Parking Charge'. Interestingly I received this 14 days after the day...
I very much enjoy your expert advice but must take issue with your stance on left-foot braking in an auto car. You suggest that we should use two feet for two pedals. How many feet should we use in a manual...
In response to an email you recently strongly supported the use of stabilisers when towing a caravan, and pointed out the importance of correct loading and tyre condition to prevent snaking. I am surprised...
I have advertised my Toyota Yaris for sale privately on Gumtree, Loot and newsagencies today. What is a safe way to receive payment that will satisfy me and the customer? I am advertising at £4,250 and...
I ordered a new F10 BMW 530D on its launch date and took delivery early this summer. A couple of weeks after delivery, my wife picked up a puncture. She was able to drive the car home satisfactorily, and...
I have read the reviews but I need your opinion. Skoda Yeti or Hyundai ix35? Which is more reliable?
I have just test driven the new Audi A1 and found it to be every bit as good as one would expect Audi to be. I did have concerns that a small car would lack the same quality build as the more expensive...
Four years ago I was able to insure our 17-year-old daughter with a provisional licence on my own Morris Minor classic car insurance policy for a negligible premium through Firebond, now owned by Aon....
I am recently retired, and am looking to change our second car (a Renault Megane Convertible) in the spring. What I would like is the fun of an old Mini, with all mod cons. We don’t like the new BMW MINI,...
I had a near miss last week due to a speed hump. The ones near where I work in Kempston have tiled tops and are breaking up. I braked approaching one and a group of youngish pedestrians on the pavement...
I was reversing on a street, parallel with and close to the curb in an end parking bay, when a van came from ahead, passed my car and tried to sneak in the bay behind me, colliding with my rear nearside...
I wonder about the way in which motoring correspondents talk about the reliability of one make of car or another. I imagine there are statistics with a certain degree of reliability, but it does seem to...
My wife recently was served a notice for parking overlong at an Asda supermarket. We followed your advice and sent £10 with a letter using the wording you recommended. The cheque was returned with a letter...
I have a Nissan X-Trail 4x4 which is fine in the snow but skids on ice in the winter. Would winter tyres reduce the skidding and should they be used when the car is in 4-wheel-drive?
Could you help with suggesting a vehicles that will enable my 17-year-old son to drive without a horrendous insurance premium once he has passed his test, and also give my wife a car that she can use for...
While your advice to use both feet may be perfectly sensible for many drivers, for someone like me, 70 years old, an owner and driver of cars - mostly manuals - for 52 of those years and therefore pretty...
I suggest that FD of Brentwood should try lowering his seat cushion. I too am 6-feet 1-inch tall, and drive an automatic. When I bought my present car I experienced a pain in my right leg until I adjusted...
I have a 2000 (w) reg 216 auto but it's developed a problem. It jerks violently when stopping and it jerks suddenly when releasing the brake to drive forward. Its idle is about 900 rpm and makes a whistling...
A few points to add to your whats bad on this model. Check the cabin blower to see if it has all its speeds - if it only runs on high speed the rectifier has gone (a common problem) - costs about £22 and...
Getting an error on the 307hdi, "Diesel Filter Blocked". I hope some one can help, had it a week and just forked out £380 for a new clutch and a full service. Not really very happy right now. Can't really...
I'm looking for your advice on which car to buy; middle size/middle price saloon but one with a soft suspension. My wife has a back problem which is getting worse. We have changed a Mini for a 3 Series...
Is it possible to fit a multi disc changer to a 2007 Fiesta Zetec S without changing the original stereo in the car?
My son and his partner are expecting a baby in 3 weeks time. They have realised that the 10 year old 3 door Golf they currently have will not be practical enough. Volkswagen Polo automatic 2006 reg with...
I recently purchased a 55 reg (2006) Honda Civic 1.8 Vtec EX (new shape). The car does not come with a spare wheel of any sort (I knew this when I bought it) but wondered if it is possible to at least...
I cleaned my engine and some water went into the fuse compartment then the car didn't start so I swapped the heating and fan relay with the start relay and got home. The next day I dried up the compartment...
We've had several Citroen BX's. We've not yet found a moden vehicle that's as comfortable to drive. Currently we have a Modus - nice car, but the seats are so hard. Is there any way round this? Can we...
I have a 1.4 Citroen Saxo and I have only one problem with it and that's if it has been raining hard or raining over a long period of time it won't start. The engine ticks over but doesn't spark the engine....
I read your review of the Fiat 500 TwinAir with great interest, and followed this up with a trip to a Fiat dealership, where I test drove a Fiat 500 TwinAir and a Fiat 500 1.2L Dualogic. What I could NOT...
It looks very much as though my HG (or worse) has cracked. Does anyone know the best course of action? Undriveable now, the thing overheated and the rad pipe blew, that's replaced but creates way too much...
I'm looking at buying a 1.2 Renault Clio 2 (either the original or facelift version) or a Vauxhall Corsa C - either the 1.0l or 1.2l model. As all of them are around the same price range that's not an...
I bought an A6 Avant 2.0l TDI new in May 2009. The first service is due (about 18600m). Should I spend £280 at the Gloucester dealer or should I consider say Halfords Autocentre or an Audi specialist?...
My radio was working fine on Friday, on Saturday it wasn't. The radio has stopped working, also the CD player has stopped working, but all the function buttons for climate control, heater and fan are working...
My Zafira 1.8 Elegance petrol feels like the interior heating is supplied by a candle. It gets very slightly warm but nothing more. Not really sure where to start. Checked coolant levels and temp gauge...
I bought this Saab from an independent Saab specialist two and a half years ago. Recently there was some knocking on manoevring and on examination I am told that the bulkhead is so badly split that it...
Considering purchase of used A3 say 2/3 years old. Must be auto and 5 door possibly petrol but not opposed to diesel. As there are so many A3's in the range can you suggest the one you feel I should consider...
I am writing on behalf of my Son, whose computer is "down". I am not sure if this is the right place on the website to do this. He has an Audi A4 Advan SLine 2006 automatic with 25.400 on the clock. It...
We are 3 person (my son and my wife). We use the car with 5 person sometimes. I think to buy one car amoung these cars. Skoda Yeti 1.2 105 hp (maybe automatic) base version petrol engine, Nissan Qashqai...
We`re downsizing our second car and I will be test driving the following next week - I'd value your views. Just after a reliable, safe supermini. A number of these have 0% APR offers which is attractive....
My 2003 Voyager crd wont start, it turn`s over and tries to start but just won't kick in. I`ve been told it could be the head gasket, can anyone shed any further light on this matter?
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