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136

General Discussion Area / Anyone else been stung by auto-renewal?

« on: 02 May 2016, 10:37:28 »

Back in December our home insurance auto-renewed at nearly double the premium (standard practice these days it seems  ). Naturally I wasn't too chuffed at this and called up Bodge-It insurance to cancel. I was told that as its in their standard terms and conditions I would have to pay £35 for admin and cancellation fees. Even less impressed by this I cancelled, took the £35 on the chin (it saved me £200 over the course of the year by switching) and then set about coming up with a way of getting it back.

What I came up with was the assertion that the auto-renewal clause was unfair . By that I mean in the legal sense rather than in the sense of having a moan  . I drafted a letter up laying out why I believed the clause was unfair and implying that I would be willing to test this in the small claims court. There followed a couple of months of stalling while my assigned customer service manager sought advice.

But low and behold last Friday a letter dropped informing me that while my letter was wrong on all points, and that their standard terms are in no way unfair, they would refund my £35 as a gesture of goodwill in my case. 

If anyone else has been stung by auto-renewal, or is interested, I'd be happy to post the text of the letter I drafted.

137

General Car Chat / Have I missed something?

« on: 28 April 2016, 22:17:02 »

So, with a new car on the horizon, I've been trying to think of what to do with the Mig, as a family we don' need it right now, but probably will in about 3yrs time. I don't want to pay 3yrs pointless tax, insurance and MOT (circa £2100 plus servicing cost), nor do I want to park it up as (a) I don't have the space and (b) it will need loads doing to it after 3yrs standing in any case.

I know its only a 2.2 cdx, but its got 70k on it, mechanically faultless, got 4 good (real brand) tyres on it and has almost no rust (slight bubble below the rear wiper). In short, I can see me spending a long old time hunting for one that will be as good/reliable when I do want it.

A friend of mine has complemented me on it a few times, most notably when it shifted 2 fridges, beer kegs and pumps for his wedding - in a single trip! He's looking for a cheap estate car to LPG so I offered him the following deal:

- I'd put 12 months MOT on it and give it to him for 3 years (no cost)
- After 3 years it would come back to me, if either (a) I wanted it back or (b) he wanted to get rid.
- He would have his name on the v5, tax, insure, service and MOT it for the 3 yrs he had it
- If it had a large crash or MOT failure in that 3 years he would either pay the repair or gift it back to me to do with as I wish
- If he wanted to LPG it I would help him with the install & certification process, then pay him the retail value of the lpg kit if the car came back to me after the 3yrs.

Now, I think that deal is pretty fair, but his response was pretty luke-warm to say the least and he's "not sure" about it. From my perspective I thought it would work well for both of us, but then I can't view it objectively I guess. Can you guys see anything that might be "unfair" in all of the above? 

138

General Car Chat / Off to test drive an M135i on Saturday

« on: 15 April 2016, 12:05:49 »

Following the decision to take a significant change in life direction for both SWMBO and I over the next few years, once the renovation on the house is complete I've decided to buy a brand new car - a first for me, although SWMBO had one earlier in the year so I suppose that sort-of counts. 

To that end I'm off for a spin in an M135i tomorrow morning to see what they're like. A friend of mine has a 235i and I really liked that from a passenger's perspective but we will still need 4 doors. Anyone on here had any experience with these? or the engine in other applications come to that who can offer any advice/comment?

Cheers 

139

General Car Chat / Access to workshop manuals/software (VX)

« on: 15 March 2016, 14:32:30 »

Ok, this is probably one for those in the know at VX, I'm interested in getting a workshop manual, wiring diagrams etc for an Insignia 2.8T 4x4. Haynes do a manual for the insignia, but not covering the 4x4 system or drivetrain - really useful! 

Does anyone know if such a manual exists? I know for Audis you can pay by the hour/day to access the official systems that the garages use. Is there a similar service for VX? Alternatively is there a part number for the paper manuals?

140

General Car Chat / 2.6 v6 vs 2.2 4-pot pro's & cons

« on: 09 March 2016, 19:10:04 »

Given that another new car in the 944 household seems unlikely, I was wondering about the merits of "upgrading" to a v6. I use the quotes as I genuinely don't know what the merits of the 2 are or if it is, in fact, an upgrade. I'm guessing:

 - V6 will have more torque and work better with the auto box
 - 2.2 will give better fuel consumption (although by how much I don't know).
 - V6 will sound better
 - V6 is a bit faster on paper (10s 0-60 vs 11s), but I'm guessing quite a lot faster in the real world.

No idea which will be more reliable but I've not seen many issues with my 2.2 over the 20k ive had it. Theres a (rare silver) one on autotrader but the main reason I'm interested is its got leather interior - shallow I know but there we are 

141

General Car Chat / It's not an omega but....

« on: 05 March 2016, 11:52:18 »

It is Mrs 944's new car. Collected this morning.



Our first ever new car and so far I'm very impressed. The engine has a lot of get up and go (1.2tsi) and the 7 speed dsg changes gears without me even knowing.

Also £400 for 3 yrs servicing (inc pick-up and drop off), free car washes for as long as we own the car (max once every 8 weeks) and free "health checks" - the car, not us.

So far, very happy! 

142

General Car Chat / Anyone know about the Insignia 2.8T elite 4x4?

« on: 25 February 2016, 00:16:05 »

So, doing my usual browsing of the classifieds brought me to insignias (don't ask!). I've always liked the idea of the vxr but its a bit...well... McDonalds Car Park in its appearance for my tastes.

But, then I found the elite 2.8T 4x4, seemingly the same car sans Halfords bling. Perfect!

Except that it also seems to be short around 70 of vauxhall's finest horses. It makes a meagre 256bhp. I was wondering what differences there were between the elite and the vxr. Clearly a map and an intercooler I would imagine but does anyone know if they share the same turbo & other gubbins?

 

Edited to add:
It seems AMD claim their remap will see 305 bhp and 315 ft lbs torque. Seems like a nice Q-Car option to me. Especially with a CDTI badge on the back 

143

Omega General Help / STarted reading COP 11, and have a couple of questions

« on: 17 February 2016, 21:57:41 »

So, having (for now) cured all the little niggles on my 2.2 4-pot, I've been doing some research in preparation for fitting LPG and I've got a couple of questions I was hoping the collective OOF wisdom can answer for me.

I understand that the LPG filler pipe needs to be either vented or sealed with a rubber boot at both ends. However I don't understand how the two are interchangable. Surely a leak at the tank end would overpressurise the boot and allow gas to escape. Plus any damage to the fill pipe along its length would still cause a leak into the vehicle.

Secondly, spreader plates, I understand their use and their purpose, but can't seem to find any to buy online. Can they be bought or do you just make them out of plate? In which case, is there a minimum size, thickness or hardness of steel that should be used to make them?

Finally, I can't find any information on fitting a toroidal tank. Are they bolted through the bottom of the spare wheel well, or with metal straps over the top, or both?

Thanks in advance chaps!

144

Omega General Help / Current thinking on replacement wishbones

« on: 10 February 2016, 16:33:56 »

So, I'm getting un-even tyre wear on my front ditch-finders, to the point where they are about shot.

I'm thinking its likely to be wishbones as the current set have done 13yrs and 68k of service. As the car's a keeper I'm looking at the whole shooting match: new wishbones and a proper geometry setup, followed by some new tyres!

My question is, whats the best source for these? Sure there are plenty around at the £30-40 mark, which would be ideal if I was going to MOT the car and immediately sell it, but I'm hoping she'll be a 50-100k keeper, especially once the LPG goes on.  So, I was thinking of buying second hand ones off Evil Bay (£20/side) then fitting new Lemforder bushes and ball joint, totalling about £65 each. Which kicks the ar$e out or VX's gobsmacking quote of £249 plus VAT EACH!!

If refurbishing is the best option, do the bushes need to be pressed in or can they be done in the garage at home? Also, is Lemforder a good bet for bushes and joints, or is there someone better?

Cheers
Jimmy

145

Omega General Help / Exhaust issue - temporary repair (Bodge) required

« on: 22 January 2016, 16:05:02 »

So, I've been away in Holland for two weeks, come back and SWMBO informs me the mig "sounds a bit fuuny". Start up and its making a noise which would be appreciated by the type of chap who frequents McDonald's car parks of a Saturday evening   .

A quick look underneath and its clearly the flexi section that's letting go. So, I could cut it out and weld it up but I lack the kit (and practice) and all the local spanner wielders aren't willing to do anything but fit a new one for me (while relieving me of £250).

I can get the whole section for £90 no bother. BUT on Sunday we're on chauffering duty for the Mother In Law and I can't take it with a blowing exhaust - she's the type who's always moaning about the "old cr*ppy car" and the last thing I need is either a dead MIL or a divorce  . So: my question is, will some self-bonding high temp silicone tape like this buy me two days and 200 miles to get the job done properly, or am I widdling £10 up the wall?

Any thoughts much appreciated

146

Omega General Help / Couple of Questions - LPG Certification (in Midlands) and Hesitant starting

« on: 11 December 2015, 13:32:32 »

Morning all,

So, having got into my new work it turns out that the Omega can stay as there aren't any hard and fast rules about how old a car can be.  However this does mean I now need to address the list of jobs I've been meaning to get around to! 

On the shopping list is:
- New timing belt and water pump (only done 30k but nearly 5 years old) 
- Clean breathers and fit new rocker gasket
- Front Discs and pads (discs are original I think so 65k on)

I also have a couple of questions - having read the excellent guide I feel confident I could fit a Stag LPG kit to the car. But I need it certifying for insurance purposes. Most places I've spoken with are unwilling to do this - no doubt as they either don't believe in the competence of amateur installers or (more likely) they're sore about the missed installation fees! So, who do you guys use for certification?

Secondly (although needs to be addressed before lpg) I've had a couple of instances where the car turns over but doesn't fire (perhaps only 10 in total) - usually from a hot start but once or twice from cold always seems to start . Also it cut out on me once when I was slowing for a roundabout but started again immediately. I want to bottom out any issue with the car's ignition/fuelling before going for the LPG conversion. There aren't any codes stored and it only manifests itself occasionally - colour me confused!

147

Omega General Help / Cam cover gasket - am I missing something

« on: 04 November 2015, 09:52:19 »

Morning all,

Last time I serviced the 2.2 I noticed some oil in the plug wells. No worries I thought, new cam cover gasket should do the trick.

Thing is, I was looking through the history file last night to see when the cam belt is due (which btw is due now too, last done 23k ago, in 2010) and spotted that the gasket was replaced in 2 years and 10k miles ago.

So, my question to the OOF collective is which of these scenarios seems most likely -

a) The replacement work was bodged and just needs doing again.
b) 2 years seems about the right lifespan for that gasket (seems unlikely).
c) I need to replace the gasket and another part to properly cure the leak.
d) something else I haven't thought of.

Thanks all.

148

General Discussion Area / I Really shouldn't watch Question Time

« on: 29 October 2015, 23:44:29 »

About 4 minutes into the question about the "collapse" of the British steel industry and I'm about to have a oppsing aneurysm.

Also. Billy Bragg; a man I couldn't get tired of punching. 

149

Omega General Help / Best source for brake discs & pads

« on: 28 October 2015, 08:24:41 »

So I've got the "Check Brakes" message on the car's SID and looking at them it's pretty clear its a genuine fault and not a dodgy sensor. Not to mention that although the pads have been changed, according to the service history, the discs appear to be originals (12 yrs and 63k)  .

So, where would be the best place to buy them? Are they the sort of thing that should be VX only? Eurocarparts have the pads at £20-25 and a pair of discs at £40-50. Also, I don't have ready access to Trade Club, but I'm willing to have a go at getting one if it would be worthwhile, cam belt and water pump are due over Christmas so might be worth getting one anyway. 

150

General Car Chat / New job, means new(ish) car, looking for left-field choices?

« on: 13 October 2015, 15:59:16 »

So, I'm starting a new job in 2016 which will unfortunately mean that the omega will be retired from executive chauffeuring duties. I am planning to stave off the change for a few months but ultimately something new has to come along. My budget is pretty healthy as I'll be borrowing to fund it and would like to treat myself - I've never run a car that's less than about 10 years old before.

My Criteria:
1. Must be big (5-series ish big) - I'll be doing about 20k per year and I'm a fat barsteward big chap (6'1" and 20 stone).
2. Must be comfortable - see above
3. Must be 4-5 years old or less - I'm planning on doing the job 3yrs ish and the car scheme stipulates that a car must be less than 8yrs old, I'd consider a private plate to mask the age to push it for a while if I had to.
4. Must be a 4 seater - kids (2) are in the plan and SWMBO isn't going to give the green light to a sporty 2 seater number.

Where things get interesting is that the company operates HMRC's Advisory Fuel Rate Policy, meaning that the amount I get paid per mile varies according to the fuel I use and the cc of the car.

CC	Petrol (p/mile)	Diesel (p/mile)
<1400	11	9
14-2000	14	11
>2000	21	13

So, diesels actually fair really badly under this scheme, for example, a 520d auto doing 46mpg actually costs me 1.5p a mile in fuel, whereas a 535i doing 31 mpg on the same route pays 5.5p per mile. This example would translate to nearly £1,500 per year difference running the big Gas guzzler.

The point of all of this is I would like some left-field suggestions on cars I might not have considered as all my thinking up to today has been geared around looking at diesels.

So far I am struggling to think of anything much better than this.