The new news 24 thread

[Parky]

Like a shoal of fish seeking safety from a shark with a bolt cutter

[SiC]

Out of 4 cars I have here, only one actually can be used. Unfortunately I need to get up at 5:15am for a business trip to a test chamber. So I had to conceed to renting a car. I was supposed to get an insignia but that apparently didn't get back on time. Shame as I was looking forward to driving one.

 

So instead they tried giving me a Qashqai - which I really didn't want. Instead they gave me a free "upgrade" to this.

 

I can't say I'm overly impressed with the insides. Doesn't feel like a premium car - certainly not what I expect from a Mercedes. Ride is comfortable but interior is a bit crappy.

 

Has a diesel lump in it attached to an auto box. The box is smooth but the diesel lump is unrefined and clattery. Reminds me of the 1.5 dci Renault units ... which after a quick Google it appears it is. Perfectly explains why it's good on fuel but noisy.

 

Stop+start is slow at kicking the engine back into life. Infotainment looks like it's been grafted onto the dash. Not particularly fast (actually it's pretty slow by modern standards). Seats are decent enough though and the ride is surprisingly comfortable over bumps. But then I've been driving a TT with 19" wheels and an A4 with s-line suspension, so my ride comfort assesment is probably skewed.

 

Will see what it's like after a proper drive tomorrow. Got quite a few a and b-roads to cover too.

 

If I got given one I wouldn't refuse it. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one though. Way better cars in the class.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

IT technician at work has an A-Class.  One of the limited ones from the first run of the newer shape (2014 model).  He bought it second-hand after its initial PCP 3 year deal ran out and was sold back to the dealer.

 

It's quite a nice car.  Inside is decent and it's a nice blue.  Goes well.  He's certainly very happy with it.

 

I suspect it being a petrol makes it a more interesting drive.  Probably a higher trim spec, too.

[SiC]

IT technician at work has an A-Class. One of the limited ones from the first run of the newer shape (2014 model). He bought it second-hand after its initial PCP 3 year deal ran out and was sold back to the dealer.

 

It's quite a nice car. Inside is decent and it's a nice blue. Goes well. He's certainly very happy with it.

 

I suspect it being a petrol makes it a more interesting drive. Probably a higher trim spec, too.

Probably but I'm not sure what they do differently on the higher trim level. I reckon the Focus interior is on a par with this a-class.

 

As a place to be sat, I much prefer the A4 and TT. Even my German car loving boss wasn't overly impressed with the insides of this a-class.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Probably but I'm not sure what they do differently on the higher trim level. I reckon the Focus interior is on a par with this a-class.

 

As a place to be sat, I much prefer the A4 and TT. Even my German car loving boss wasn't overly impressed with the insides of this a-class.

 

Fair.  I haven't got much context on moderns.  Liked my Dad's A4 but that was over 10 years ago.

[BorniteIdentity]

Got the Mercedes 190 booked into the garage on a Monday; the squeaking coming from the steering suggests I’ve got a failed ball joint on the NSF - no laughing matter with these. Also the brakes drone on moderate to heavy breaking - so it’s just going in so I don’t have to look at it broken or even think about it.

 

I’m pretty sure I’d like to get a MK3 Escort estate at some stage this year. It’s going to be a tall order as I’m only interested in a 3dr estate. I could be persuaded into a MK4, but the purer shite is the earlier car.

 

If you could keep your eyes peeled I’d be grateful. They do sell for reasonably sensible money; the problem is they are also advertised for frankly absurd money too.

[Kiltox]

Probably but I'm not sure what they do differently on the higher trim level. I reckon the Focus interior is on a par with this a-class.

 

As a place to be sat, I much prefer the A4 and TT. Even my German car loving boss wasn't overly impressed with the insides of this a-class.

An A3 is quite wank too though. Compare like for like....

[HH-R]

Thankfully it looks like our neighbors driving days are over. We all suspected that she has been unfit (read: fucking blind) to drive for quite some time.

 

2003 Peugeot 206 LX Auto by Matt S, on Flickr

I know it's only a 206, but that looks in good nick for being weighed in?

[They_all_do_that_sir]

An A3 is quite wank too though. Compare like for like....

Agreed, the smaller entry level prestige models seem built to fit neatly into a PCP price point somewhere.

 

You two can have a mercaudibmw but it'll have shit spec and the neighbour's five year old focus will be quicker and nicer.

 

 

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[SiC]

Interior of said a-class.

 

I can see why reviewers say that it looks like a £40 Android tablet grafted to the dash.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Interior of said a-class.

 

I can see why reviewers say that it looks like a £40 Android tablet grafted to the dash.

Probably not far off the truth to be fair, it'll be a cheap tough screen and I wouldnt be surprised if its using some form of android with a mercedes wrapper over the top.

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[MarvinsMom]

Out of 4 cars I have here, only one actually can be used. Unfortunately I need to get up at 5:15am for a business trip to a test chamber. So I had to conceed to renting a car. I was supposed to get an insignia but that apparently didn't get back on time. Shame as I was looking forward to driving one.

 

So instead they tried giving me a Qashqai - which I really didn't want. Instead they gave me a free "upgrade" to this.

 

I can't say I'm overly impressed with the insides. Doesn't feel like a premium car - certainly not what I expect from a Mercedes. Ride is comfortable but interior is a bit crappy.

 

Has a diesel lump in it attached to an auto box. The box is smooth but the diesel lump is unrefined and clattery. Reminds me of the 1.5 dci Renault units ... which after a quick Google it appears it is. Perfectly explains why it's good on fuel but noisy.

 

Stop+start is slow at kicking the engine back into life. Infotainment looks like it's been grafted onto the dash. Not particularly fast (actually it's pretty slow by modern standards). Seats are decent enough though and the ride is surprisingly comfortable over bumps. But then I've been driving a TT with 19" wheels and an A4 with s-line suspension, so my ride comfort assesment is probably skewed.

 

Will see what it's like after a proper drive tomorrow. Got quite a few a and b-roads to cover too.

 

If I got given one I wouldn't refuse it. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one though. Way better cars in the class.

 

the deisel ones of these have renault engines, and renault gearboxes, are built in a renault factory, in hungary.

 

most of the petrol ones are made in finland, only the AMG ones are made in germany.

 

one of the daft draffies at work has one, 350 bhp(or something equally stupid) out of a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine. its the tackiest pile of wank i've seen in a very long time.

 

i wouldn't want one given......

[chodweaver]

File under 'biting off more than I can chew'

Also 'the death of optimism'

 

This is what happens when i read too many of Dave_numbers' accounts of epic saves with sheets of glass and a cuddly toy* - I get all ambitious and after two short evenings of applying plus gas and labelling bolts, I am getting close to ruining an engine. All cos I suspect a little bit of exhaust gas might be getting into the coolant.

 

Wish me luck. I'm going to need it.

[Matt]

I know it's only a 206, but that looks in good nick for being weighed in?

 

It was fucked.

 

If you open this photo up in full size by clicking here you can see that the front wing is bent out of shape and the rear quarter is creased up too, the other rear quarter was the same. Her driving was awful; my mum saw her in town driving with her sidewalls rubbing the kerb, I found her on a NSL road doing no more than 35, I saw her drive through the gates of her drive with the door open.. SMASH. Her driveway effectively makes a crossroads with the main street and a side street opposite and on one occasion she couldn't see that a driver wanting & indicating to turn right was waving her onto her driveway because she was blocking his entrance into the side street. It's as if she was assuming he was going straight despite their indicator and hand waving, there was no way she could see either.

 

DSC_9671 by Matt S, on Flickr

[madrat]

I've said it before and Ill say it again, ALL drivers need assessing every 5 or 10 years.  It would stop people becoming complacent and lazy, and get bad drivers off the roads.

[Bobthebeard]

I've said it before and Ill say it again, ALL drivers need assessing every 5 or 10 years.  It would stop people becoming complacent and lazy, and get bad drivers off the roads.

Ahh yes, but assessing by who? All fine and dandy but in reality is it not just another 'they should do something about it " thing?

[adw1977]

Being required to take an eye test at regular intervals to maintain your licence would be a good start.

[SiC]

the deisel ones of these have renault engines, and renault gearboxes, are built in a renault factory, in hungary.

 

most of the petrol ones are made in finland, only the AMG ones are made in germany.

 

one of the daft draffies at work has one, 350 bhp(or something equally stupid) out of a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine. its the tackiest pile of wank i've seen in a very long time.

 

i wouldn't want one given......

Is the auto gearboxes Renault? It has a 7 speed unit in it - I think a dual clutch unit (DCT). Certainly feels like a dual clutch unit like a DSG.

 

Interestingly it does a lot of similar things to my TTs DSG that has 110k more on the clock. Like when coming to a stop, you feel a slight thunk through the pedals. Also it's a bit slow when going drive to reverse. Letting go of the brake and pushing the accelerator doesn't lurch as much as the TT does but it still does it - probably as it has half the horses to do such a thing.

 

My biggest annoyance with it is the stop+start. I love stop+start but this is useless. When stationary, the engine stops immediately. So if you're parking and reversing in (I almost always do), engine stops, engage reverse and the engine splutters into life again. The worst is coming to a blind roundabout or give way junction. You pull up, unable to completely clearly see, so prepare to stop. Get to the junction, stop, engine stops. You see it's clear and go off again ... except you need to wait a second or two for the clatterbox to spring back into life again.

[Matt]

How did she see to take the wheels off?

 

Her son did it. I guess the tyres were still good or something (but he took the space saver too...)

[Lord Sterling]

It was fucked. If you open this photo up in full size by clicking here you can see that the front wing is bent out of shape and the rear quarter is creased up too, the other rear quarter was the same. Her driving was awful; my mum saw her in town driving with her sidewalls rubbing the kerb, I found her on a NSL road doing no more than 35, I saw her drive through the gates of her drive with the door open.. SMASH. Her driveway effectively makes a crossroads with the main street and a side street opposite and on one occasion she couldn't see that a driver wanting & indicating to turn right was waving her onto her driveway because she was blocking his entrance into the side street. It's as if she was assuming he was going straight despite their indicator and hand waving, there was no way she could see either. ]"Photo of Peugeot 206"DSC_9671 by Matt S, on Flickr

 

Shame that. I quite like that colour on 206s. There was an exact same one parked by mine but in slightly worse condition, back nsr door was caved in, rear wing was creased, no wheel trims and generally looking scruffy.

[Amishtat]

I haven't seen one of these locally for ages which doesn't look fucked. Literally every single one has dents, missing wheel trims or mismatched bumpers

[beko1987]

One passed me on the m40 this morning with a stoved in rear 1/4 panel, which they all seem to have around here!

[Mike D]

I did some more fettling on the mini last night after its FTP – looks like the clutch arm adjusting nut locknut came loose and the adjusting nut wound itself tight so the arm couldn’t travel – unfortunately for the car my left boot had bent the clutch actuating arm, and the pedal.  This caused many headaches wondering why I suddenly couldn’t get it into gear any more – I’ve bent the pedal back now, replaced the arm and clevis pins all round, and the slave cylinder, and made an adjustable pushrod to take some of the slop out the linkages. It now seems to have a clutch and is back together, and I fitted a new dizzy cap, rotor arm, plugs and leads, and a longer speedo cable too. It repaid me by having a flat battery when I went to start it to check it out – the ungrateful bastard.

It’s been on charge since last night so will hopefully be all good to go once I finish work later

[Kiltox]

@SiC - stop start on an auto is a PITA imo

 

Also, that looks quite a lot like an a3 inside so I guess that segment of “premium not premium” is pretty similar throughout.

[dollywobbler]

Yes, stop start can be irritating in the extreme. There's usually an override button. I'm usually quick to find it.

[5speedracer]

Is the auto gearboxes Renault? It has a 7 speed unit in it - I think a dual clutch unit (DCT). Certainly feels like a dual clutch unit like a DSG.

 

Interestingly it does a lot of similar things to my TTs DSG that has 110k more on the clock. Like when coming to a stop, you feel a slight thunk through the pedals. Also it's a bit slow when going drive to reverse. Letting go of the brake and pushing the accelerator doesn't lurch as much as the TT does but it still does it - probably as it has half the horses to do such a thing.

 

My biggest annoyance with it is the stop+start. I love stop+start but this is useless. When stationary, the engine stops immediately. So if you're parking and reversing in (I almost always do), engine stops, engage reverse and the engine splutters into life again. The worst is coming to a blind roundabout or give way junction. You pull up, unable to completely clearly see, so prepare to stop. Get to the junction, stop, engine stops. You see it's clear and go off again ... except you need to wait a second or two for the clatterbox to spring back into life again.

Early pre facelift have the 1.8 Merc diesel when DCT and the 1.5 Renault when manual.

I've the 1.8 mapped to pretty much make it an A200d. First thing I do on startup is hit the turn off Eco switch!

 

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[Supernaut]

 

Shame that. I quite like that colour on 206s. There was an exact same one parked by mine but in slightly worse condition, back nsr door was caved in, rear wing was creased, no wheel trims and generally looking scruffy.

 

Moonstone Blue (or Moonstone Silver, whatever).

 

I had a 306 estate in that colour, which wasn't completely fucked! 'Twas a nice car, and it had veloooouuur seats.

[tooSavvy]

If there is any lurking 'ToyotaLurvve' around Carina2s...

 

A guy is binning off his auld fellas '88 1.6Auto @75k.

 

Giffa dings + a garage door drop onto bootlid!

 

"Metallic White"... Whatever that is?

 

On Toyota OC atm.

 

c. £500

 

Bit salty, but not much to choose from out there (not WhiteRoom prices).

[Jim Bell]

Link?

[tooSavvy]

Link?

Nope.... I think you might get a 'visitor lookin' option.. Dunno :/

 

https://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/183521-1988-carina-2-for-sale/