Ivor_E_Tower

If you really don't want to break the bank, shop at Tesco, send your clubcard vouchers off for Nationwide Autocentre service vouchers and get your Galaxy serviced by Nationwide. You then also get clubcard points on the part of the bill that you pay by cash/credit card - use a Tesco credit card to pay and get even more points.......it's like a giant money-go-round :ph34r:

CarLand are supposed (according to their advertising) to service each car before the new buyer drives it away - TBH I suspect that this is no more than an oil change plus air filter if you are lucky. IIRC for a 6-year old vehicle, the servicing will alternate between "minor" and "major", so yours will require a "major" plus any other checks/changes that need going at 6 years (eg brake fluid change, if it hasn't already been done every 2 or 3 years). I'd stick to using your local garage - check the car handbook etc to see what work should be done, then ask then to do it (write a list for them) and also ask them to change brake fluid, coolant (watch for airlocks), check brake pads etc. You will get better value for money this way, rather than using the dealer ! :ph34r:

Take it to an independent garage for a second opinion - try to get them to jack the car up and check for excesive wear in the bushes (!) . 50,000 miles seems a very short life for a steering rack these days.

Top-most item running off the aux drivebelt; should be fairly easy to spot...

Sounds like battery to me too. The one on my built-in-2000 but first registered in Jan 2001 TDI 115 went after less than 3 years, and others have also suffered from what I would consider to be "premature" failure; seems as if you have joined our ranks :huh:

..and don't fall for the old trick of "that will cost you

Heat the area with hairdryer or hot air paint stripper (but be very careful if you use this) to soften the adhesive, then the edge of a 6" metal rule slid carefully underneath.....

Pair of Bosch banana blades are around

When I saw "VAG com near wilts" I thought it might be because you had let it get too hot :(

I thought the servers were in Ireland ?

2000 covers pre- and post- facelifted versions! I'm led to believe that on the facelifted versions, the lower lamp fixings are under the body panel that fits between the cluster and the rear bumper.

:huh:

Oil will circulate around a 'box in seconds, not minutes.

You may also have "hidden" damage to the 'box then. It may be worth mentioning this to whoever investigates the problem - the original repairers? - and tell that that you may have problems arising form damage that was not noticed during the original repair. I've heard of problems with brake discs and callipers as a consequence of accidents, not noticed at first but only after the supposed repair, and it is possible that the box has taken a knock too - check gaskets for leaks too - distortion caused by accident forces.

Agreed - sounds like the level is low and it's not easy to check or top it up. Any chance that the 'box got damaged in the crash? Was there any damage to the wheel or tyre NSF? Driveshaft pushed into box etc etc?

No - integrated child seats have to be fitted other than in the middle - that is why there is a max of 4 you can order with a new vehicle. I have same "problem" - early facelifted car with just static lap strap on middle seat.

..and ISTR that someone reported that Michelins tended to last a lot longer, even if they are a little bit more expensive to buy in the first place (assuming you get to run them to the end of the tread, rather than have their life cut short by some errant knife blades......)

Auto boxes are variable - some are good, others bad. You need to take a test-drive and know what to look (and listen) for; not best for eBay purchases! Unless it appears to be a real bargian, and you can take out an independent warranty on it, best to buy locally and pay a little more if necessary.

Buy from eBay if you want; doubt that 3-button key will work as the alarm system itself has probably been upgraded for later models.

Ooops I hang my head in shame. Missed that bit when I read through. So, any ideas now?

..and in true automotive engineering terminology, w.o.t. stands for Wide Open Throttle. (Just thought you might like to know.....)

Ford dealers know very little about the VR6 - they should have referred you to the nearest VW dealer who should be more helpful even if their customer care skills may be equally lacking, and their labour rates equally extortionate.

Faulty relay 30 is the cause of loads of starting problems.

We've been here before - I think the non-genuine Lambda sensor is the problem.

Usually by removing entire engine-gearbox assembly, then splitting them on a bench/in a hoist.