Ask a Shiter

[trigger]

Hmm... I'm thinking of selling the Mondeo soon as I can't put up with the crashing ride anymore or the amount of tyres it getting though, I test drove the Civic a few weeks back and it was very nice drive but a bit strange feeling inside compared to anything else I've driven also the 2.2 CDTi engine seemed a bit large for the size of car and what we need but it still sit high on my list.

 

The Focus is also high on the list but they look a bit dull and are expensive for what they are but the 1.8 or 2.0 TDCi is the logical replacement, I'm struggling for other ideas at the moment as most other modern stuff is a bit dull compared to the Mondeo.

[dollywobbler]

Aye. For just getting around I would have recommended something like a VW Bora - but you've already been there. How about a Peugeot 406 Coupe with the 2.2Hdi? Think that's meant to be reasonably robust. Or go smaller - three-pot VW Polo (other small Volkswagens are available) dizzler. They sound odd.

[trigger]

The Bora was a nice car as was the Passat before it, I do like the Jetta's but my mate has one and been having problems with oil in the diesel tank due to a leaking injector, apparently another common problem on the 2.0 TDi's.

 

The Polo's are without doubt the best looking of the supermini's and I have been looking at them online but I have a feeling I'd get fed up owning a car that small after a few months.

[dollywobbler]

What are you on about? A Polo will feel like a bleedin' Roller after five minutes in the Alto!

[shedvan]

When it comes to advertising a car for sale, what should it mean when a car is described as needing 'some TLC' -obviously its an inexact term and has some elastic qualities, but where does 'needing some TLC' tip over into taking the piss?

[Station]

Using it as an example, according to my Saab, which needed 'TLC':

 

Rubber bump strips hanging off

Aerial bent in half

One tyre worn down to the bands

Boot full of water

Ashtray full of biftas

Interior reeking like owner (ie sweaty)

Carpets minging

Egg yolk on door card

McDonalds chips between seats and centre console

No water in screenwash

Coolant is tap water

Bulbs out

Oil needs changing

 

I think in basic terms it means the owner gave it about two weeks of love and then ran it into the ground and hasn't washed, hoovered or serviced it since (call me old fashioned, I am of the opinion a car needs both of these regularly)

Incidentally, the Saab had FSH and is otherwise 'mint'. Until the previous owner bought it and neglected to put it in before I bought it.

[Lacquer Peel]

Here's a question, are modern Peugeot diesels really that shit compared to other modern diesels?, I'm thinking of Peugeot 308 1.6 and 2.0 HDi's as they seem well priced and spec'd for their age or would a older Focus or Honda Civic be a better bet?

 

The 1.6 has issues with a strainer in the turbo feed line clogging up, leading to oil starvation. Mostly down to not using the correct oil or missed oil changes. Quite nippy and economical though.

 

Please don't buy a 308, they are gargoyles.

 

Do you really need a diesel? Modern ones seem to be completely shit, they carry a premium because everybody wants an economical* diesel, and the price difference between petrol and diesel at the pumps is excessive.

[Pillock]

My Focus has the PSA 1.6 Diesel engine, and oil-starved turbos are well known on them - my company has a fleet of 2009 models with the 90bhp variant and there's been quite a few repaired under warranty, mine's the 109hp one but I'm told it's still the same issue. Keeping on top of oil changes is the trick, but these badboys have a 12k service interval, I'd imagine the Peugeot fitment is the same. But yeah, it's not stupidly slow as long as you keep it spinning, and they get decent economy.

[Mr Lobster]

Do you really need a diesel? Modern ones seem to be completely shit, they carry a premium because everybody wants an economical* diesel, and the price difference between petrol and diesel at the pumps is excessive.

 

Very much this ^

 

Everyone thinks they need a diesel because they are oh so incredibly cheap to run. But unless you are doing 15k miles a year or more then theres probably little difference.

 

The equivalent petrol version will be significantly cheaper and petrol is cheaper to buy. Not forgetting the potential for OMG DMF DPF TURBO DIESEL ARMAGEDDON FAILURE means that unless you need it for mileage then diesels aren't necessarily cheaper.

 

Example - Mrs Lobstas '60 Maz 5 2.0 was bought for £10600 last year. The equivalent diesel model was about £14k at the time. You need to use a lot of fuel to get that difference back.

[andrew e]

At 5am in the morning you can safely demist a petrol on your drive too, not 8 miles down the road. I'm doing about 25k a year using my own petrol, chap at work keeps boasting about his nigh on double fuel economy over the 33MPG peg-leg Astra. I do point out I drive it like I stole it, and more importantly In the last year I haven't had service parts such as: Turbo, starter, DMF, MAF. I guess our equal arguments will continue till they close us at christmas. However an 08 Astra is an awful steer. But go on the trader - they are bloody cheap

[trigger]

What are you on about? A Polo will feel like a bleedin' Roller after five minutes in the Alto!

 

Very true, There should be some Alto news update come Saturday (finger scrossed).

 

Maybe it's time to start thinking about buying a petrol again then, the trouble is I'm put off by them by our Golf which just guzzles the fuel up.

[Station]

Spend extra on LPG conversion - which is less economic, but LPG is half the price nearly.

[Mr Lobster]

Think the petrol vs diesel thing also depends on how old the car you want is and how long you are keeping it.

 

If you buy a 2 yr old low miles diesel and only keep it a couple of years then you probably won't have any OMG DMF etc issues. I worked on the basis that Mrs L's Mazda will probably reach 140k - 150k with us and thats why I think a decent size normally aspirated petrol whilst less economical should be otherwise reliable for that sort of lifespan.

[trigger]

DMF's don't bother me, it's the DPF's that give me more concern on newer diesels.

[cort16]

I think it would be the random electrical gremlins on the Peugeots that would scare me more than the engines. You might get up one day and your car thinks it a moulenix food mixer.

 

What about something like a 1.6 Golf FSI? No turbos, super chargers, dmfs, dpf or any of that bollocks. Petrols cheaper, it'll do 40-45mph, it's quite nippy and the car tax isn't expensive.

My sisters got one and it's quite a nice thing.

[Cavcraft]

Think the petrol vs diesel thing also depends on how old the car you want is and how long you are keeping it.

 

If you buy a 2 yr old low miles diesel and only keep it a couple of years then you probably won't have any OMG DMF etc issues. I worked on the basis that Mrs L's Mazda will probably reach 140k - 150k with us and thats why I think a decent size normally aspirated petrol whilst less economical should be otherwise reliable for that sort of lifespan.

 

Trouble then is the depreciation factor, as I'd imagine a four year old car is going to be worth considerably less than a two year old car so the money saved on fuel will be spunked on a large hit in value. To be fair this would apply to any car (diesel, petrol or getting an LPG conversion done) so I'd humbly suggest the only way to enjoy economical motoring would be to buy a car about 8 years old that's cheap to run anyhow, such as some sort of 1.0 petrol jobbie.

[wackywacerwill]

DPF?

[KruJoe]

Diesel particulate filter.

[trigger]

Most modern diesels (2009-) have them now and they are the work of Satan, they need topping up after 80k at around £200 a go apparently and only last until 100k'ish before needing replacing completely at £1000 a go, I guess these prices will drop once they get more popular but they are still a major PITA.

 

I was looking at Focus 1.6 TDCi which have these fitted and even the dealer said they aren't worth buying due to them to go for a 1.8 TDCi instead.

[wackywacerwill]

Ah, I see. They do sound a right royal PITA. I guess binning them off and welding in straight pipe leads to other woes too.

[willswitchengage]

I'm currently insured on car X with 3 years NCB, which expires on Saturday. I plan to buy another car then, and insure it with another company. Can I then use car X's NCB on car Y's policy?

[barefoot]

Yes, your renewal notice will be 'proof of ncd' and was traditionally asked for by the new company.

I doubt that it still happens in these days of MID though, they will just know about it.

[TimothyClaypole]

Unless you are insured with the fleabags at Octagon Insurance in which case they won't both to check (assuming they have to pay for this service) and will send you cancellation notice after notice until you do their job for them and get a copy from your old company and send it to them.

 

I've never had to give my previous details to any other company, even though the old company said I'd given them the details when i rang them for a ncd letter I know I never did.

[willswitchengage]

Cheers, looks like all's good to go to see that Leone on Saturday then!

[skattrd]

One on oil grades for you ...

 

I have different oils for different cars would it be possible just to get one oil to do the lot?

Currently I've got:

10w40 - mineral for older motors

10w40- semi synth for the boring diesel

5w30 - fully synth for more modern Jap stuff

 

Would there be anything wrong with getting 5w40 fully synth (in bulk) and using it on the lot?

It's not much more expensive than any of the other stuff and would save me faffing about.

[cobblers]

Don't put fully synth in stuff that hasn't used it already, you'll likely just make the thing piss oil out all over the place (it doesn't get on with old oil seals).

Stick with whatever oil grade is recommend - Old oil of the right viscosity will more often than not be better than new oil that's not the right stuff.

[CreepingJesus]

Moment of self-doubt help, pls. It is ok to file down a soldering iron tip, isn't it? Only I'm too tight to buy a new one, and the tip's like a club hammer right now, and I have a very delicate job in mind.

Don't want to end up causing an instant Afro, or some other electric mayhem!

 

Edit: also...saw brass wool advertised as being the best thing since sliced bread for one's soldering iron. Never used that before, so has anyone tried it, and is it worth using?

[Cheggers]

Moment of self-doubt help, pls. It is ok to file down a soldering iron tip, isn't it? Only I'm too tight to buy a new one, and the tip's like a club hammer right now, and I have a very delicate job in mind.

Don't want to end up causing an instant Afro, or some other electric mayhem!

 

Edit: also...saw brass wool advertised as being the best thing since sliced bread for one's soldering iron. Never used that before, so has anyone tried it, and is it worth using?

 

I've never tried the brass wool, but have been filing down soldering iron tips without harming any kittens for as long as I've known how to solder (30+ years).

[freebird]

Who are VOSA? Yes, I know who they are but who are they REALLY?

I saw a couple of helmets driving a VOSA liveried Galaxy ( seems to be their weapon of choice) ridiculously fast along the A10 yesterday, overtaking everything and going way beyond the speed limit.

Are these fuckers bound by the same laws as the rest of us? What powers do they actually have? Can they stop you without a PC Plod being present?

I mean, whats the fucking point of them?

[CreepingJesus]

^They are The Men From The Ministry, these days. Their powers were expanded a few years back, so yes, they can do plenty of stuff without PC Plod's say-so. Dunno about the speeding, but they are a bunch of anal retentives, so I don't imagine they'd ever do anything naughty.

Cheers Cheggers, I hadn't even considered the kittens, so that's a load off too.