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  1. M

    Forms of transport, what are the alternatives.

    I don't ever recall seeing any bike carriers on regular municipal buses in Europe. In holiday resorts buses sometimes have a trailer, but they have much less traffic to deal with, and less pressure on schedules. Edit: read the Madrid report and it is: a) Tiny numbers ( two bikes per bus) b)...
  2. M

    Hybid (not)

    It may not affect you, but when it has a problem, will there be someone ( near you ? ) capable of repairing it ? From some reports, hybrids with their ICE/electric interface are so complex with software integration that dealers are often stymied.
  3. M

    Kia - Thoughts Second Hand?

    That depends what you mean by teething problems. If the engine is totally knackered at 70 000 miles, is that a teething problem ? I am certain that I have read Burnerman say on here that bearing housings (?) are made from plastic ( forget which engines). Is that correct , John ? If that is the...
  4. M

    Kia - Thoughts Second Hand?

    I'm puzzled about the Kia comments because of the contrast with those made by Scotty Kilmer on YouTube. For those not familiar, he is YT's most successful independent producer with (IIRC ) 7 million followers for his frequent car programmes.. He hates Kias ( and Hyundais ) and thinks they are...
  5. M

    Ice and snow clearance on non motor vehicle roads?

    You do find these used in in towns and cities in France, Germany and Switzerland in my experience. Probably other countries too 2
  6. M

    Tyre roadnoise

    I hear they tear apart quickly if wheels skid . True ?
  7. M

    Car history.

    Freddy, so many big-ends (that's just one ) ! Did you never change the oil, or never take your foot off the loud-pedal ? Also a lot of dealing within the family ! Do they still speak to you ?
  8. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    A happy end to my little problem. After a couple of mails to and fro, the English garage refunded both parts and labour charge (£ 73 ), without asking me to send them the faulty drop-link ( although he did ask for a photo which showed nothing untoward ). Very decent I think.
  9. M

    A roller coaster day for the car and wallet

    Yes, I've had the experience that many must have had, when the supervisors never got around to telling the new lad that the correct tightness is not when the ratchet starts clicking at full load. I was lucky in that I needed to loosen the wheel for something else - obviously I could have been...
  10. M

    Heavy objects in the boot

    I can hear the bunnies and the slugs cheering in the background :p
  11. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    Hello John I have just received confirmation from the supplying garage that the part was Borg & Beck which is now owned by First Line ! B&B used to be a quality name but mainly for cluches. On checking I see that they are only qualified to ISO 9001 which is miserably low, and they certainly...
  12. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    Oh yes John. Oddly the steering also feels a lot tighter which is unexpected. I thought Moog was quite well known. Over 100 years old, currently owned by Federal-Mogul who bought them from Cooper Industries. https://www.moogparts.com/about.html As for choice of brand, it was what was being...
  13. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    Just to give you the result and maybe an insight into French garages. This is a little two-man operation in a small village in the mountains: nearest other independent is almost 20 miles away. Prices include 20% VAT translated at today's exchange rate. 1 x Moog drop-link - £ 38.30 1/2 hour...
  14. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    Thanks John. I obviously have no idea what they are, but will be in contact with the garage when I do know. It does make me concerned about the cam-belt kit components as I had told the guy that I wanted Gates or equivalent and he assured me that he always used high-quality components, but there...
  15. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    " Originally fitted in Britain, now back in my French mountain home.
  16. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    Hello Sorry for silence, but I haven't been receiving any notifications of answers. Anybody else having this problem ? The garage drove it around the yard and then put it up on the hoist and diagnosed a bad drop-link. This is pretty aggravating as they were supposedly changed in January for an...
  17. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    Ha! Wrong description from me already. When I wrote "tie-rod" I did mean "drop-link" I did check the springs both visually and by feel, but will check the top again.
  18. M

    Suspension noise - Vectra C

    Hi I have just started hearing a "clonking " noise from the suspension when driving over poor road surfaces. When I bounced the car to locate the sound, it was clearly from the front left. Jacking up that corner and twisting the wheel didn't give a clear result, but possibly a slight movement...
  19. M

    What clear adhesive for camper van bumper crack?

    If it is ABS then use acetone, this will melt the plastic together. ABS is the usual plastic for bumpers, but I wouldn't describe it as brittle, although years of weathering will have removed a lot of the plasticisers.
  20. M

    From July 6th the EU may have been limiting your speed.

    I think if you look, you'll find that the London ULEZ introduction had a big impact causing lots of diesel owners in the zone to sell. The following link describes heavy sales of second-hand diesel cars to countries bordering Germany when major cities (Stuttgart the first ) banned Euro 4 diesels...
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