seatkid

Manual states:-

Just get a blue flashing light and a siren and you'll get priority through traffic jams...... The other day had a passat with a maplin type blue light stuck on top (small, not flashing) and a siren wailing pass by me in a jam on the north circular. Looked like a Nigerean fella rushing his 2 well dressed kids to school - I kid you not.. Make sure you get full warranty cover for that a/c......4 years old - time for a cambelt/tensioner change?

if he's using VAGCOM he may not be able to clear some faults without the full version of software which is quite expensive.

Better ask Elton about that...... :wacko:

If you put full details about your car i.e. year of manufacture, someone will no doubt look up the correct fuse to check. Brake switch failure is common. Use the FAQ to find out about Brake switches

that was funny

Wrong link too many http's. Use the "insert link" on the "add reply" page (2nd button to right of smiley button)

Halifax is part of HBOS Bank of Scotland - largish bank but again mentioned quite a lot recently for their heavy dependence on mortgage business. They recently launched a high interest bond to try and attract more retail deposits. Nowhere near as safe as they once were IMO. Stevic - the vunerable banks have wildly fluctuating prices because of what the hedge funds are doing - pump and dump - the average investor won't be able to take advantage unless they've got access to real time share dealing. This pumping of shares is being investigated by the FSA as we speak - but don't expect any results.

After the Northern Rock crisis, I thought I'd put up a post to keep track of consequential developments as I am convinced that more trouble is to follow. Forum members with savings or current accounts should be on the look out for dodgy banks or societies as IMO the next one is unlikely to get a helping hand from the government. My Observations this weekend: Northern Rock looks a dead donkey and will be picked to death by Hedge funds, if the death does not occur within the next 3 - 4 weeks there will be a good chance that savers and current accounts will disappear into the FSA compensation loop which may mean up to a year before you get access to your money. What's left of it. Alliance & Leicester gets frequent mention in the press as a likely next NR, it is x5 mortgage (UK sub-prime) lender and they recently announced they abolished overdraft charges (to be replaced with modest one of charges) - banks don't give away money for nothing - they are trying to hold onto customers desperately. Bradford and Bingley also mentioned a lot, just started nationwide TV campaign for buy to let mortgages (potential sub-prime). Apparently a lot of NR money has flowed into B&B who recently opened up a 6.4% internet saver account. Obviously trying to grow aggressively, exactly what Northern Rock did and got so wrong. Yorkshire Building Society just informed me that they put up their internet saver rate by 0.25% today. Problem is that Northern Rock did exactly the same about 2 weeks before they went tits up! HSBC shut down their US subprime unit, Decision One at a loss of around $1 billion last Friday. But HSBC are big.....aren't they? Barclays are struggling to sell their UK subprime business (the one Carol Voorderman works for) even at a loss leader price. Barclays are the bank that allegedly keep forgetting to ask for money early enough (and so have to go the BOE instead). I will post any other titbits as I get wind.

Look at the FAQs for illustrated procedure. I think its several hour job depending on experience to remove/replace dash. To bleed the matrix, you need to remove the scuttle tray under the windscreen motor (3 bolts - pull LH side out first) The pipes are just to the left of the windscreen motor. You need to unclip and open these pipes a touch while running the engine to release air.

I thought I read somewhere that if a young driver (17-18) with less than a years full license gets 3 points, he automatically loses licence and has to retake test. Was I imagining it? I think it must be very rare that anyone genuinely doesnt know or can't find out who is driving their car at any point in time. The 6 point threat is just to tell people to stop pulling DVLA's plonker. IIRC by 2010 all new cars will be fitted with black box recorders under proposed EU legislation.

Don't you love the wife anymore? ;)

by law, tax authorities require businesses to keep receipts/invoices for a minimum of 6 years. Ford, VW etc would have computer records going back many years. IMO Someone who keeps an immaculate car, also keeps documentation...... Look at registration doc for number of former keepers and name/address of last keeper Contact former owner and ask for a brief summary, inc mileage and reason for change. Surely garage would be willing to warranty at least 6 months?

But would they notice your car didnt have L-plates?

Big Kev may be right ....... I thought "slicks" were another name for "summer tyres" ;)

Theres only one glove box on my Mk1 and I dont think you can access the top of the heater unit through that........

I haven't bought a secondhand car since 1980 - all the secondhand cars I had in my youth were bags of shite that now, in hindsight, were clocked or just plain junk. My opinion is that generally people don't get rid of nice, reliable motors (with the possible exception of when someone dies) - they get rid because there is a problem. Sometimes a big problem, sometimes a small problem the owner thinks is big. My opinion hasn't changed today, I personally wouldn't risk a second hand PD diesel in case it's had a tuning box or remap or incorrect oil used. I guess I know more than most people about Shalaxy's and would easily be able to spot the obvious dog, but why should I risk so much money and get stressed out? ;) But then again, not everyone can afford to buy new. ^_^ A full service history is meaningless without full receipts, copies of mots etc. Even then, the big clue may be missing...e.g. recent "work"..... :19: IMO A missing service history book on an otherwise "immaculate" car is especially suspicious........... :23: Am I just being too distrustful? ;) If you must, trace the history at a dealer......and take out a warranty........ And make sure its not JKSPOFF's old motor.... ;)

Maybe bleed the heater matrix top hoses to make sure no air lock before stripping out the dash...

I hope he didnt recover it by towing it? Kiss of death for automatics (allegedly)....... ;)

AFAIK tyres are not always marked as reinforced or XL (extra load) when they in fact are reinforced. Its the load index that indicates it. (thats an additional number at the end of the tyre dimension e.g. 215 / 55 R16 97 H) A standard tyre will have something like 93 whereas a reinforced tyre will have 95 or more. Your manual will show the full tyre size designation including the load index ....for a Mk1 you need a minimum load index of 95, I don't know what it is for a Mk2 My handbook (Alhambra Mk1) states the following "normal" tyres (i.e. not Winter) 195 / 65 R15 95 T reinforced on 6J x 15, o/s 55 wheels 205 / 60 R15 95 H reinforced on 6J x 15, o/s 55 wheels 215 / 60 R15 95 H ............... on 7J x 15, o/s 59 wheels Note the largest size does not mention reinforced, probably because 95 is the minimum load index for that size anyway. Hope you understand what I mean... ;) This might explain it better

Below the belt, very hard and fast.......

short of mechanically hitting the discharge tube and fracturing it there is nothing to wear out All discharge tubes - flourescent, sodium, etc wear out eventually.

Yes and yes if you want speakers that work...... :lol:

I think only the dips are HID, the main are still halogen.

The problem is probably in the rubber boot to the door. Common problem.