The new news 24 thread

[Lord Sterling]

33 minutes ago, sims00 said:

Got the 523i back from the garage and it runs smoother! Think the MAF must have been on the way out. God I missed it, it's such a beautifully kept motor. Mahmoud is an absolute gent, his garage and team are absolutely top class. I've never before had such blind faith in a garage as I do his now. Will be getting a full ATF filter and fluid change sorted with him next month too. Glad to be driving it again though, such a quality thing.

Sorry I couldn't meet you. Got roped into a mission to Nuneaton with a mate 'cus he wanted to pick up some speakers for his BMW 1-Series.

[wuvvum]

I rather like this van.  I've had several Sevel Nord vans in the past, but they've all been saddled with the hopeless DW8 engine - this one has the 110bhp DW10 2.0 HDI (or rather JTD 'cos Fiat) and it's a completely different animal.  It's quieter, more economical, the gearing is far more sensible and the performance is more than adequate.  It's also the first one I've had with electric windows (switches in the roof console, like an aeroplane) and functioning central locking.

It needs some fettling - first orders of business are that the heater blower doesn't work (and apparently the heater doesn't put out much in the way of warmth either) and the front brake pads are very low.  The speedo is dead, although that's less of an issue as I just used my sat nav, and it could also do with a new diesel filter.  Everything else seems OK though, and wonder of wonders, it even has decent wiper blades, which is a major rarity on my eBay purchases for some reason.

The seller was a very nice chap who has a unit on an industrial estate near Witney where he makes a living restoring vintage Rolls Royces - when I turned up he had a 1924 Ghost which was undergoing some minor tweaks following a trip to Switzerland after a full restoration, a 1926 20HP which was in the early stages of resto, an XK120 under a tarp, and the body off a Phantom III.  All far, far beyond my means obvs, but he made me a coffee and we had a natter about old cars while I made a fuss of his collie.  11/10 would buy shonky old van from again.

[richardmorris]

Found the remains of the indicator this morning. Several broken pieces. Some gorilla glue and sellotape and it will last for a few days more. The bulb was fine ( expensive Phillips chromed orange type)

[brownnova]

Wales is a bit damp... Had to drive through a hefty-ish flood to get home last night, didn’t see it until we were practically in it, and gave everyone a lesson on how not to drive through a flood. Anyway all was well we didn’t stall or cut out, and got home fine.

This morning I’m getting a small amount of steam from the radiator... 

Just floodwater drying off I hope... about drive to the midlands!!! 

[Cavcraft]

Lambretta's back from the garage. Had a helicoil, new cables, new clutch, back brake shoes, various seals and gaskets and new exhaust studs. Typically, it's absolutely bombing down, so no test ride yet. There was a 1964 Triumph Tina 100 for sale in there too, looked fantastic and quite tempting.

[puddlethumper]

Something for Snipes me thinks.

[Saabnut]

Went to pick up my friends from the railway station at Chateau du Loir. As I entered the town I passed 4 red/white UK registered 2CVs all wearing Deux Cheveaux Challenge plates. Despite me being in a RHD UK registered car, and flashing the headlights, all 4 completely ignored my waves, miserable barstewards.

[17-Coffees]

My flight from Portland to Amsterdam got hit by a massive 3 hour delay...meaning I miss my Connecting flight to Aberdeen. And looking got seems the only Sunday flight to Aberdeen that isn’t fully booked is the one I was due to get....

So I’ll A) Get pinnballed about the place till I get home, or B ) Hopefully get a free stay in the Netherlands again. 
I’m hoping option B! 

[Cord Fourteener]

10 hours ago, brownnova said:

Wales is a bit damp... Had to drive through a hefty-ish flood to get home last night, didn’t see it until we were practically in it, and gave everyone a lesson on how not to drive through a flood. Anyway all was well we didn’t stall or cut out, and got home fine.

This morning I’m getting a small amount of steam from the radiator... 

Just floodwater drying off I hope... about drive to the midlands!!! 

It's a bit damp, to say the least!

[brownnova]

Jeez the drive to the midlands was punctuated at regular intervals with large bodies of water, one of which I deemed impassable by the mighty Saab and ended up down lanes with further water traps! Made it eventually... 

[richardmorris]

15 hours ago, Tim_E said:

It's a bit damp, to say the least!

My dad had planned on taking the x1/9 out to the club AGM at Crewe heritage centre, but didn’t because of the weather.

[dozeydustman]

Given the Suzuki a nice run up to Manchester. Staying here for the week with my niece and her hubby and 4 week old nipper. I may also be fixing niece's hubby's Volvo while I'm here.

[wuvvum]

Didn't get as much done as I'd hoped this weekend as Saturday was pretty much a complete write off due to the weather, but got a few bits done today.

I bought a cheapo set of seat covers for the A2 and spent a fun* half hour or so fitting them today.  The seats aren't ripped but they need a clean (previous owner had sprogs who did spillages) which I can't be arsed with at the moment, so the covers were an easy way of making it look a bit tidier inside.  Whilst driving the car last week the MIL came on, and when plugged in it came up with the same MAP sensor code as before, so the next job was to extricate the sensor (not particularly easy to get to) and give it a good clean with contact cleaner (apparently carb cleaner is too harsh).  It hasn't made any difference to the running so I think it needs a new sensor - they're only about 12 quid so I'll order one in.  It's still perfectly usable as it is, but the occasional stuttering on a light throttle can be mildly irritating around town.

The non-functioning heater blower on the Scudo turned out to be due to the fact that when the bypass switch was fitted the relay was wired in wrong and appears to have blown.  The switch that was fitted is rated at 25A, so I decided to do away with the relay and just wire the live feed from the battery straight to the switch.  So I now have demistage, which is a major bonus at this time of year (and in this weather).  There's still not much in the way of heat - when driving along with the blower off and the dash vents open there's definitely some warmth coming through, but the blower overwhelms this and it starts blowing cool after a few seconds.  The inlet pipe to the heater matrix is lovely and hot, but the outlet is barely lukewarm, which bears out the previous owner's assumption about a blocked matrix.  I'm going to try the old dishwasher tablet trick to see if that helps - if not, a new matrix is only 20 quid off eBay, although I haven't fully investigated yet how much of a twat it'd be to fit.

The broken speedo appears to be an issue with the instrument cluster itself, as the clock is also dead - I don't think the speed sensing gubbins are at issue as the cruise control works fine.  I will take the cluster out at some point and see if there's anything obviously broken / loose / disconnected, but that's further down the priority list as I'm quite happy to continue using the sat nav for now.  Main priorities are to get the heater working and do the front brakes (pads have been ordered and will be fitted next time we have a dry weekend).  I'm still quite pleased with the van overall though - I might even end up selling the Maxus.

I made a start on prepping the V70 for the strut top mount replacement.  I ended up having to hacksaw through the drop link as that wasn't going to come undone for love nor money - appreciate I'm going to have to get it off sooner or later, but access should be a lot easier with the strut off the car.  I've cracked all the other bolts off and they all look like they should come undone OK - I didn't get any further than that though as I was running out of daylight (poxy GMT).  So that's yet another job for another dry weekend...

[Mrcento]

Currently trying to work out what "modern" daily i'm buying, it's down between 2, a 406 hdi estate and a vec c v6 diesel estate. Both have pros and cons but both will do the motorway cruise and lug car parts, skip run and furniture moving thing/generally being "an car" no bother. Both is probably the correct answer but nowhere to keep both, sadly.

Vectra is cheaper to buy, more spacious, quicker, better on the motorway (in terms or engine and wind noise), plentiful spares, more easily upgradeable, more useful toys (cruise control being the big one), more modern, but less economical, more expensive to tax and insure and being the V6, has its own potential fuel pump could go at any moment worries. Also has a shorter MOT, but still 6 months, so not bad, Always liked the C estates in SRI spec and really not too many around here, let alone for sale.

406 will be more expensive to buy but full years MOT, more economical, cheap tax, bit cheaper insurance, better on country roads (i honestly think the 406 is pretty much Peugeot's high point in the ride/handling balance), about as well equipped as a 406 can be (bar cruise, which is weird when it has every other option Peugeot pretty much ever fitted, but would be retro fittable), should be more reliable but being French..... Everything seems to work on it bar the remote part of the central locking and a distorted radio/sat nav screen (not that i'd ever use that, but it looks ugly with lines across it, Only £30 on ebay to fix though).

 

 

[wuvvum]

I wouldn't touch a V6 CDTi with a barge pole.  Remapped 1.9 CDTi would be just as quick, more economical and less troublesome. 

A nice high spec 406, on the other hand, I definitely wouldn't kick out of bed.

[Mrcento]

23 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

I wouldn't touch a V6 CDTi with a barge pole.  Remapped 1.9 CDTi would be just as quick, more economical and less troublesome. 

A nice high spec 406, on the other hand, I definitely wouldn't kick out of bed.

I'd go 1.9 150bhp if i had to pick between Vecs, but there's zero 150bhp 1.9 Cdti estates for sale within 200 miles of me. Have heard different opinions on the v6 CDTI, Some say it's junk, fuel pump problems, thirsty etc, others say it gives little problem in the vectra if left untuned, the late ones were pretty much sorted and as reliable as could be (and this one is on a 58 plate) delivers torque in a wallop and still easily returns 50+MPG on a run, The 1.9s also aren't short of problems with EGR's (something the V6 seems way less prone for), swirl flaps and eating DMF's. They also have the M32 cheese box, whereas the v6 has the tougher 6 speed F40.

But yup i'm still put off because i'd still prefer the 1.9.... I've fancied one for a while, even though this v6 is the spec i'm after and they're getting harder and harder to find, the engine has just enough of a bad rep to make me wary.

I am leaning towards the 406... which probably means i'll have a Vectra outside soon ?

 

 

[bramz7]

Yeah another vote for a nice HDI 406 here, get a good one and it'll last ages. Get the 110, don't bother with the troublesome 2.2 136 or whatever it is. 

I got over 700 miles to a tank on a 406 and a Xantia with that engine, and they're surprisingly competent for a nearly 20 year old engine. 

[iainrcz]

I had a 1.8 petrol D9 406 saloon it was a cracking car.

Sent from my VFD 710 using Tapatalk

[loserone]

Buy both then sell me the 406.

[SiC]

6 hours ago, Mrcento said:

I'd go 1.9 150bhp if i had to pick between Vecs, but there's zero 150bhp 1.9 Cdti estates for sale within 200 miles of me. Have heard different opinions on the v6 CDTI, Some say it's junk, fuel pump problems, thirsty etc, others say it gives little problem in the vectra if left untuned, the late ones were pretty much sorted and as reliable as could be (and this one is on a 58 plate) delivers torque in a wallop and still easily returns 50+MPG on a run, The 1.9s also aren't short of problems with EGR's (something the V6 seems way less prone for), swirl flaps and eating DMF's. They also have the M32 cheese box, whereas the v6 has the tougher 6 speed F40.

@Bren will tell you his experience of his V6 CTDi Vectra C...

Well he actually now owns a BMW 645i as it turns out that is far less of a liability and stronger. Even though those V8 BMWs aren't a known reliable unit either!

[320touring]

My brother got me a gift for the ML

A unicorn air freshener

Smells braw

[richardmorris]

First spot of the day. Spectacular Spanish car.

[Lord Sterling]

10 hours ago, Mrcento said:

Currently trying to work out what "modern" daily i'm buying, it's down between 2, a 406 hdi estate and a vec c v6 diesel estate. Both have pros and cons but both will do the motorway cruise and lug car parts, skip run and furniture moving thing/generally being "an car" no bother. Both is probably the correct answer but nowhere to keep both, sadly.

Vectra is cheaper to buy, more spacious, quicker, better on the motorway (in terms or engine and wind noise), plentiful spares, more easily upgradeable, more useful toys (cruise control being the big one), more modern, but less economical, more expensive to tax and insure and being the V6, has its own potential fuel pump could go at any moment worries. Also has a shorter MOT, but still 6 months, so not bad, Always liked the C estates in SRI spec and really not too many around here, let alone for sale.

Not tried a Vectra C V6 Diesel myself but the advice from someone in the know is to run away and keep on running. I suppose one with high mileage would show that it has been lookee after and proven to be able to keep on going.

1.9CDTi is pretty good.  Had no problems at all with it bar the spring and rear brake pipes and it is nearly at 200k:

As a modern daily with loads of space I love it. 

Watch out for flywheel problems, springs and make sure all works. Some of the facelift ones came with a SatNav (model known as Vectra CDTi 'Nav pack' or summat)

[xtriple]

Reset all the #adaptives# the other day, faster throttle response and a fresh gearbox. Thought while I was doing all that I'd ask how much to have the gearbox fluid and filter changed at the local (very good) transmission specialists.

£400 plus VAT!

Er, fuck that! I like the car and have no problem wasting money on tat I can look at but £400 for something I can't even see? No chance. If I'm spending that much I want some evidecne of the spend, something sparkly/bling/chavy.

Oh yeah, I also ordered from Amazon (or possibly eBay wasn't paying attention!) soem stuff called Gumme Pflegge or something close to that to do all the seals on the doors and roof. The Mercedes club/forum swear by it.  Not expensive so I bought two 'roll on' tins for £14 delivered. When it gets here I will brave the weather and go do all the rubber bits on the car as it did leak fractionally the other day by the edge of the drivers side mirror. Mind you, the rain was torrential and the wind blowing at 70mph so I think I would have leaked.

[Bren]

V6 Vectra did you say? Don't bother. Engine is a lemon. They have SCV problems but the biggest killer is HGF. £300 a year road tax, low twenties around town.

Ours is still on the road but I suspect the repair consisted of k seal - it was dropping 400 ml of coolant a day. I know an excellent tech who did the head gaskets on his - £800 in genuine parts and the repair lasted 20k.

They are a nightmare to work on - " not something we want to get involved in" became a common utterance at garages. Parts are extortionate because isuzu.

A 406 is a better proposition but they are like b5 passats - lots of knackered shit and good ones command a premium. The only mechanical issue with the pug is the gearboxes get a bit crunchy.

I would rather put my dick in a blender than have another car with the isuzu engine.

You haz been warned.

[Spurious]

The C5 has been travelling this week, trip back over to Ireland.

Averaging 42mpg on a motorway/rural work occasionally fully laden.

Comfortably and trouble free.. Not bad for a car bought cheaply 2 years ago.

[Spurious]

The C5 has been travelling this week, trip back over to Ireland.

Averaging 42mpg on a motorway/rural work occasionally fully laden.

Comfortably and trouble free.. Not bad for a car bought cheaply 2 years ago.

It does need a very good wash tbh, inside and out.

Going potholing/caving usually involves manky damp gear so the soap and water will be out soon. Alongside the hoooover.

[Mrcento]

1 hour ago, Bren said:

V6 Vectra did you say? Don't bother. Engine is a lemon. They have SCV problems but the biggest killer is HGF. £300 a year road tax, low twenties around town.

Ours is still on the road but I suspect the repair consisted of k seal - it was dropping 400 ml of coolant a day. I know an excellent tech who did the head gaskets on his - £800 in genuine parts and the repair lasted 20k.

They are a nightmare to work on - " not something we want to get involved in" became a common utterance at garages. Parts are extortionate because isuzu.

A 406 is a better proposition but they are like b5 passats - lots of knackered shit and good ones command a premium. The only mechanical issue with the pug is the gearboxes get a bit crunchy.

I would rather put my dick in a blender than have another car with the isuzu engine.

You haz been warned.

Cheers. I think that pretty much confirms i'm right to be wary of the Vec and right to hold out for a 1.9 if i was to have one. Problems is the only ones that come up nearish me are all with f*cked DMF's. The pull for the 406 is stronger, reckon if i can get the price down a bit more it'll be a goer.

[Cavcraft]

If you're going Vectra then the 150 is a hoot to drive, but the 120 seems more reliable.

[Mrcento]

1 minute ago, Cavcraft said:

If you're going Vectra then the 150 is a hoot to drive, but the 120 seems more reliable.

I'm pretty familiar with the engines mechanically being a Fiat tickler by night.... Well that's what the judge accused me of anyway.

There's just never any decent working ones for sale near here, i've genuinely seen more Maserati bi-turbos for sale locally than working Vectra estates of any flavour.

I'm not even exaggerating, there's 3 for sale near me right now v 1 Vec estate, that V6 CDTI. Next nearest working one seems to be Bradford.