The Car Thread

[RetroEd]

It will pass, but I can't say I would like to drive with a different tyre on each corner. I'd at least try to have matching pairs the front and back, I wouldn't like to have mismatching tyres on either sides. Personally I always run four identical tyres.

[Taka]

Thanks for the input. I totally agree, Ed, it doesn't feel quite right but due to a lack of funds right now, I'm just accounting for all possibilities. Will defo change them out fairly soon.

[charlesr]

Is it just me noticing this or have loads of people got broken bulbs in their headlamps very recently? I wonder if the lower temperatures are causing them to fail quicker because the fatigue cycle between off and on is going through a larger temperature range. I've been "flashing" my lights at loads of people to let them know (I rapidly turn the lights off and on to avoid blinding them by using full beam).

[Alastair]

Interesting that you think there is some sort of reason for it. I just put it down to incompetent idiots that don't change the bulbs when they go. That and the fact that loads of people are un-tested/taxed/insured etc so never get the fail when doing the MOT.

If a headlight is out how can you not tell when driving along at night? Last time one of mine went I noticed it first time it was dark as actually seeing is quite important to me!

My main annoyance is brake lights though, sure it's harder to tell that they are out but it's so dangerous it really is worth checking your reflection whenever you reverse up to something.

Oh and kudos for the lights off and on thing rather than full beam, I do that. I get blinded daily by fools 'thanking' be for letting them out/pass. Some thanks being blinded is, cheers.

[charlesr]

heh, I used to flash the fogs, but when I got the scoob the fogs are so ridiculously huge and bright that it's just as bad.

[Alastair]

To be honest, I'm sat so low in the MX5 that even a slightly badly adjusted dipped beam will blind me. Can't stand 4x4's etc as they always blind me.

I don't have fog lights to flash

[charlesr]

tbh, I don't think I've ever used fogs properly. It's almost never foggy enough to actually have to use them and it's illegal to have them on otherwise (who are all these cocks that drive around with them on all the time? - I've even seen people driving around with just sidelights and fogs - man how cool are you??? not very).

[Chief H]

Aye, it annoys me enough to almost want to sarcastically flash front fogs back at them but I can never get as far as putting the effort in to reach out for them. Rear fogs, sure, I've been in a couple rainy situations that needed them, but front fogs, barely ever. Makes me wonder why they seem to be pretty much one of the first options that manufacturers add on to a car as soon as you move up off the base trim level. It's almost become a prestige thing - they're useless but you're nothing without front fogs, it seems

[Taka]

In need of a new-used car around the £5k mark and have found a very high spec, low mileage Golf mk4 1.9tdi. Anybody have any experience of the mk4 with this particular engine? Any issues I should look out for with the mk4, or should I lay down some extra cash and try and get a mk5?

[Shez]

You won't go far wrong with the tdi engine - It's an impressive bit of engineering, and performs very well.

Mk4's are a little flakey in regards build quality, certainly compared to the rock solid mk2 - I'm talking more in the respect of the plastic that is used, which is brittle to the extreme. I'm sure it's down to the recycling they do these days.

Like I say though, good engine, and the gearbox issues that haunt some of the petrol models aren't as big an issue with the diesel models.

VW still make good motor cars, and a high spec low mileage tdi will give you many miles of trouble free cruising.

[CMcK]

The mk4 has IMO a nicer interior but the mk5 has a vastly superior chassis. The ride and handling are in a different league from it's predecessor. The PD TDi engines are all pretty much the same though. Not the most refined diesels but fine once they warm up. They do great MPG and can be remapped for a substantial gain in output as well.

Be careful exactly which version of the 1.9TDi the car has. The 1.9's were available in 90, 105, 115, 130 and 150 bhp variants. Look at the TDi badge on the back of the car and see what colour the letters are. The more of them that are red the higher the state of tune.

[Taka]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Some interesting tips and facts there, especially about the TDi badge colouring.

[charlesr]

MK IV chassis was dreadful on the 1.6 petrol I had for a while. Very wallowy with no grip, but was comfy and quiet on long journeys.

[Richard.John]

From this to this. I want to punch someone. BMW's way of saying because we can, we will.

[ChrisF]

From this to this. I want to punch someone.

Chris Bangle.

Seriously though are they still designing cars for people who want to carry sets of golf clubs, as well as their surfboard, shopping "corporate guests" at the same time?