Simon Wilson

Ok, I still haven't calmed down yet, so please excuse in advance the
possible illiterate rant on here.

On Saturday evening, the (modern, common rail) family diesel got driven
on fumes to the garage. Where it got filled up with BP's finest
unleaded. To the brim. And then ran for a couple of miles before
expiring with 'injector fault'.

Since the RAC regard this a 'driver' error, they offer limited options
as to how they can help you. They found a place < 10 miles away who
quoted 200 notes for drain/clean.

We found another nearer home, who said it would be 100. Since I was
convinced we would be looking at minimum new pump, injectors etc. I
wanted to get it as close as possible to my tame mechanic who I use for
the jobs I can't/don't have time to do.

Sunday morning, they spend all day farting around telling us it will be
ready 'soon'. Pick the car up Sunday pm they want a grand total of
338.98, paid under protest. I 'spose we were (relatively) happy that it
seems to be running ok with no nasty errors, so far anyway.

Drive it to garage.

Fill it to the brim with Sainsbury's finest heavy oil.

Walk to pay for the fuel, turn around, there's gallons of the stuff
gushing out underneath, flooding the forecourt. Cue lots of people
running around with buckets of sand, us on 'phone telling the guy to
come and sort it out. He turned up, we gave him the key and left him to
it.

Today, after much more farting around, ("10 hours labour mate"), they
say they have to replace the fuel tank, another 250 PLUS the labour.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaat! They say the tank's distorted and they can't get it to
seal.

They are going to get a nice visit from me in the morning. To my mind
they will not be getting a single penny more - they are more
incompetent than a bunch of incompetents as far as I can see. Tame
mechanic thinks that what's happened is that when they pumped it out
they basically sucked the tank/pipes out of shape, thus knackering the
whole shebang.

What do the legal FOAK think should be my opening gambit please? Of
course the damn things gonna be in pieces in their workshop tomorrow,
so they are going to have the upper hand, but I'll be damned if I am
going to let them get away with such crappy mechanicking.

--
/Simon

BGN

On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:26:41 -0000, "Simon Wilson"
<siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:

>They are going to get a nice visit from me in the morning. To my mind
>they will not be getting a single penny more - they are more
>incompetent than a bunch of incompetents as far as I can see. Tame
>mechanic thinks that what's happened is that when they pumped it out
>they basically sucked the tank/pipes out of shape, thus knackering the
>whole shebang.

Another option, if you had Comprehensive Insurance, would have been to
call them at the petrol station in the first place and say that you've
been silly and waited for them to make everything better.
--
-- Nick ICQ: 9235201 EMAIL & MSN: nickmooney@spamcop.net
-- LOTR#4 SKOGA#8 DS#7 BOTAFOT#159 BOTM#2 FBOTY#06 PM#11
-- GSF600n www.bgn.me.uk - Drive until you lose the road

Simon Wilson

BGN wrote:

> On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:26:41 -0000, "Simon Wilson"
> <siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > They are going to get a nice visit from me in the morning. To my
> > mind they will not be getting a single penny more - they are more
> > incompetent than a bunch of incompetents as far as I can see. Tame
> > mechanic thinks that what's happened is that when they pumped it out
> > they basically sucked the tank/pipes out of shape, thus knackering
> > the whole shebang.
>
> Another option, if you had Comprehensive Insurance, would have been to
> call them at the petrol station in the first place and say that you've
> been silly and waited for them to make everything better.

Are you referring to the first or second visit to the petrol station? I
do have fully comp. but I didn't think it would cover that kind of
thing. At the first petrol station we also of course had no idea that
anything was wrong at that stage.

--
/Simon

Miles Reading

>
> >What do the legal FOAK think should be my opening gambit please?
>
>

Dunno but when you take out insurance you also have the option to pay
for legal cover. Speak to you insurance co as they may well be able to
help out.

Hope it turns out nice (for you anyway)

speedyspic@googlemail.com

On 30 Jul, 20:47, "Simon Wilson" <siwil...@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
> BGN wrote:
> > On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:26:41 -0000, "Simon Wilson"
> > <siwil...@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > They are going to get a nice visit from me in the morning. To my
> > > mind they will not be getting a single penny more - they are more
> > > incompetent than a bunch of incompetents as far as I can see. Tame
> > > mechanic thinks that what's happened is that when they pumped it out
> > > they basically sucked the tank/pipes out of shape, thus knackering
> > > the whole shebang.
>
> > Another option, if you had Comprehensive Insurance, would have been to
> > call them at the petrol station in the first place and say that you've
> > been silly and waited for them to make everything better.
>
> Are you referring to the first or second visit to the petrol station? I
> do have fully comp. but I didn't think it would cover that kind of
> thing. At the first petrol station we also of course had no idea that
> anything was wrong at that stage.

When I was working at the local bike shop we rebuilt a 2 year old 1000
Fireblade gearbox that had been damaged by a piece of that plastic
strapping you find round cardboard boxes. It had wound itself round
the front sprocket complete with the metal sealing piece, wrecked the
output shaft seal and then destroyed the output shaft bearing causing
the gearbox to run out of true and grind itself to oblivion.
Surprisingly the engine itself suffered no damage at all considering
it had lost most of its oil.

The guy who owned the bike claimed for the whole job on his fully comp
insurance, and they paid up. They regarded it as being no different to
the owner crashing through no fault of his own - either way his bike
got damaged in some way and he could claim. The bill came to a little
over £1000 including labour.

--
Lozzo

Bear

In article <13aserh3ifg1v63@corp.supernews.com>, Simon Wilson says...

> they are more
> incompetent than a bunch of incompetents as far as I can see.

Hmmmmmm ... coming from someone who filled a diesel car with unleaded,
that's a *tad* rich, don't you think?

If they're a halfway wealthy garage a solicitor's letter may well spark
some interest, but frankly, IME, for every mechanic you can find who
will say "they're twats" in court, they'll find another 2 who'll say "no
they're not".
--
Bear

christofire

Simon Wilson wrote:

>
> What do the legal FOAK think should be my opening gambit please? Of
> course the damn things gonna be in pieces in their workshop tomorrow,
> so they are going to have the upper hand, but I'll be damned if I am
> going to let them get away with such crappy mechanicking.

Call consumer direct and see if they can advise on 08454 04 05 06. It's
usually for purchases, but they do have a Cars section in Goods &
Services on their website: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

Worth a try, as if it's their bag they'll give you the full legal low
down on what you need to know and how to tackle it.

--
Christofire DIAABTCOD#1 DS#9 ZX-10R

The Older Gentleman

Simon Wilson <siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:

> They say the tank's distorted and they can't get it to
> seal.

How's that, then. Don't all tanks have simple drain plugs?


--
K1100LT 955i 750SS CB400F CD250 CM200 SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60
The bells, the bells.....

A.Lee

The Older Gentleman <chateau.murrayTAKETHISOUT@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:

> Simon Wilson <siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > They say the tank's distorted and they can't get it to
> > seal.
>
> How's that, then. Don't all tanks have simple drain plugs?

They disappeared off cars around the time when pull out cork petrol taps
disappeared off motorbikes.
Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

BGN

On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:47:36 -0000, "Simon Wilson"
<siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:

>> > They are going to get a nice visit from me in the morning. To my
>> > mind they will not be getting a single penny more - they are more
>> > incompetent than a bunch of incompetents as far as I can see. Tame
>> > mechanic thinks that what's happened is that when they pumped it out
>> > they basically sucked the tank/pipes out of shape, thus knackering
>> > the whole shebang.
>>
>> Another option, if you had Comprehensive Insurance, would have been to
>> call them at the petrol station in the first place and say that you've
>> been silly and waited for them to make everything better.
>
>Are you referring to the first or second visit to the petrol station? I
>do have fully comp. but I didn't think it would cover that kind of
>thing. At the first petrol station we also of course had no idea that
>anything was wrong at that stage.

The first visit. There's not much of a difference between driving the
car head first into a brick wall and filling it full of The Wrong Type
of Fuel.
--
-- Nick ICQ: 9235201 EMAIL & MSN: nickmooney@spamcop.net
-- LOTR#4 SKOGA#8 DS#7 BOTAFOT#159 BOTM#2 FBOTY#06 PM#11
-- GSF600n www.bgn.me.uk - Drive until you lose the road

The Older Gentleman

A.Lee <alan@darkroom.+.com> wrote:

> The Older Gentleman <chateau.murrayTAKETHISOUT@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
>
> > Simon Wilson <siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > They say the tank's distorted and they can't get it to
> > > seal.
> >
> > How's that, then. Don't all tanks have simple drain plugs?
>
> They disappeared off cars around the time when pull out cork petrol taps
> disappeared off motorbikes.
> Alan.

Seriously? I thought all cars still had them, somewhere. Otherwise, how
do you drain a car fuel tank, given that they all seem to be fitted with
anti-syphon devices these days?

An enquiring mind would like to knwo....

--
K1100LT 955i 750SS CB400F CD250 CM200 SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60
The bells, the bells.....

A.Lee

The Older Gentleman <chateau.murrayTAKETHISOUT@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
> A.Lee <alan@darkroom.+.com> wrote:
> > The Older Gentleman <chateau.murrayTAKETHISOUT@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
> > > How's that, then. Don't all tanks have simple drain plugs?
> >
> > They disappeared off cars around the time when pull out cork petrol taps
> > disappeared off motorbikes.

> Seriously? I thought all cars still had them, somewhere. Otherwise, how
> do you drain a car fuel tank, given that they all seem to be fitted with
> anti-syphon devices these days?
> An enquiring mind would like to knwo....

As they seemed to have done for the OP - fit a small tube down the
filler cap, and sucked it out. Or, take off the outlet pipe and let it
drainoff through there, then suck out what is left.
(as an aside, I was a little surprised to find that some garages no
longer use the engine sump plug to drain the oil - they stick a pipe
down the filling cap, then suck it out)
Many petrol tanks are plastic nowadays, with only an inlet and outlet
holes, and maybe a small hole for the level sensor, though these can be
combined with the outlet pipe.
I remember changing a 1977 Cortina petrol tank in the mid-80s - even
that had no tap - I know as I got as much out as poss, then still
covered the driveway with petrol when I dropped it down.
Alan.

--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

Fury

Simon Wilson wrote:
> Ok, I still haven't calmed down yet, so please excuse in advance the
> possible illiterate rant on here.
>

I work for a recovery co' & we do on average 6-8 fuel drains a week.
What make/model/year is it???

Most problems we've experienced are with the anti syphon/overfill
devices fitted to the tank/inlet pipes. We have a purpose built vacuum
tank that sucks the fuel out, I don't think this method in itself would
cause any distortion of your tank & pipes. We feed a suction hose into
the tank to remove the bulk of it, then connect it to the fuel
feed/return lines under the bonnet to suck out the rest.

These machines are amazing in how 'dry' they will leave the system but
the vacuum is hardly powerfull enough to distort anything, our suction
hose is a very soft & flexible rubber tubing. We have however had MAJOR
problems with some modern anti syphon/overfill devices, particularly on
Renault diesels, it seems you can feed the suction hose into the tank,
but can't get it out again without dropping the tank & removing the
inlet pipe to get at the device, a kind of ping pong ball in a cage.

I'll bet they've done exactly what we did the first time we experienced
one, suck the tank out then pull, tug, pull harder, then try to yank the
pipe out (think 2 spanner monkeys with their feet on your bodywork).
When that doesn't work, you half drop the tank to disconnect the inlet
to have a looksey. Finally, you realise the inlet hose has to come off
to free the suction hose frome the trap.

Don't forget that at all stages of this they're trying to do it as
quickly as possible with the minimum amount of work. We'd never tackle
it by fully dismantling/removing anything first go.

Sounds like what they,ve done is wrecked the tank/inlet/trap in the process.

On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I
think you're gonna have trouble. You can pay to release the vehicle then
fight over it later, or (my option) see a solicitor and be armed &
dangerous before you talk to the garage. "IF" the solicitor thinks you
have a good case, give the garage the opportunity to put everything
right FOC while you enjoy either their courtesy car or the hire car that
you're going to bill them for, for luck I'd get the car independantly
checked when they're finished.

IME the legal cover attached to your insurance is not going to help you.

Garages charging the customer to put right their f#ck ups is not
uncommon, mostly invisible and more often than you think, legally
justifiable.

ginge

Fury wrote:
> On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I
> think you're gonna have trouble.

He could always write a cheque.. then cancel it.

Simon Wilson

Bear wrote:
> In article <13aserh3ifg1v63@corp.supernews.com>, Simon Wilson says...
>
>> they are more
>> incompetent than a bunch of incompetents as far as I can see.
>
> Hmmmmmm ... coming from someone who filled a diesel car with unleaded,
> that's a *tad* rich, don't you think?
>

<cough> No comment. It might not have been me, you see?

Ta anyway.

--
/Simon

Hog

ginge wrote:
> Fury wrote:
>> On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I
>> think you're gonna have trouble.
>
> He could always write a cheque.. then cancel it.

What's a c h e q u e?

--
Hog
'03 ST4S '96 Bastard12 '89 R100RS '81 XS650 '78 RD400

Simon Wilson

The Older Gentleman wrote:
> A.Lee <alan@darkroom.+.com> wrote:
>
>> The Older Gentleman <chateau.murrayTAKETHISOUT@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Simon Wilson <siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> They say the tank's distorted and they can't get it to
>>>> seal.
>>> How's that, then. Don't all tanks have simple drain plugs?
>> They disappeared off cars around the time when pull out cork petrol taps
>> disappeared off motorbikes.
>> Alan.
>
> Seriously? I thought all cars still had them, somewhere. Otherwise, how
> do you drain a car fuel tank, given that they all seem to be fitted with
> anti-syphon devices these days?
>
> An enquiring mind would like to knwo....
>

Seems the common method is to take off inspection plate above the tank,
then remove fuel pump & access panel, pump out fuel, put it all back
together again.

In this case it appears that the tank distorts if the lid is left off
for 'more than 30 minutes' with a full tank. We're told it took them
several hours to pump it all out.

Now the tank is distorted they can't get it back together again.

--
/Simon

Hog

Simon Wilson wrote:
> The Older Gentleman wrote:
>> A.Lee <alan@darkroom.+.com> wrote:
>>
>>> The Older Gentleman <chateau.murrayTAKETHISOUT@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Simon Wilson <siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> They say the tank's distorted and they can't get it to
>>>>> seal.
>>>> How's that, then. Don't all tanks have simple drain plugs?
>>> They disappeared off cars around the time when pull out cork petrol
>>> taps disappeared off motorbikes.
>>> Alan.
>>
>> Seriously? I thought all cars still had them, somewhere. Otherwise,
>> how do you drain a car fuel tank, given that they all seem to be
>> fitted with anti-syphon devices these days?
>>
>> An enquiring mind would like to knwo....
>>
>
> Seems the common method is to take off inspection plate above the
> tank, then remove fuel pump & access panel, pump out fuel, put it all
> back together again.
>
> In this case it appears that the tank distorts if the lid is left off
> for 'more than 30 minutes' with a full tank. We're told it took them
> several hours to pump it all out.
>
> Now the tank is distorted they can't get it back together again.

That really is incompetent of them and they should carry insurance or self
cover for their incompetence.
It only takes 10 minutes to pump or siphon a tank......unless you have a
couple of giant oil drums hiding under there.
I used to have a small drill powered pump like
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...llaneous-pumps
and a jerrycan to hand for such things.

--
Hog
'03 ST4S '96 Bastard12 '89 R100RS '81 XS650 '78 RD400

Simon Wilson

Bear wrote:
> In article <13aserh3ifg1v63@corp.supernews.com>, Simon Wilson says...
>
>> they are more
>> incompetent than a bunch of incompetents as far as I can see.
>
> Hmmmmmm ... coming from someone who filled a diesel car with unleaded,
> that's a *tad* rich, don't you think?
>

and anyway, I'm the customer, I'm *allowed* to be incompetent. So there.

--
/Simon

Dan White

"Fury" <me@home> wrote in message
news:46aeee8a$0$1624$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
<snip>
>
> On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I think
> you're gonna have trouble.

I would imagine you would too, as I'm sure that's illegal.


--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying.

The Older Gentleman

Hog <hogSPAM@freenetCHIPS.co.uk> wrote:

> ginge wrote:
> > Fury wrote:
> >> On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I
> >> think you're gonna have trouble.
> >
> > He could always write a cheque.. then cancel it.
>
> What's a c h e q u e?

*Waves*


--
K1100LT 955i 750SS CB400F CD250 CM200 SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60
The bells, the bells.....

The Older Gentleman

Fury <me@home> wrote:

<snip amazingly interesting info>

Not for the first time, urkm manages to provide an expert on an obscure
topic. Great stuff.


--
K1100LT 955i 750SS CB400F CD250 CM200 SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60
The bells, the bells.....

Fury

ginge wrote:
> Fury wrote:
>> On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I
>> think you're gonna have trouble.
>
> He could always write a cheque.. then cancel it.

Transax ?

Fury

Dan White wrote:
> "Fury" <me@home> wrote in message
> news:46aeee8a$0$1624$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
> <snip>
>> On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I think
>> you're gonna have trouble.
>
> I would imagine you would too, as I'm sure that's illegal.
>
>

Wrong.

When we recover a vehicle we are legally entitled to hold that vehicle
until payment is satisfied. The legal bits after working on a vehicle is
not always clear cut, depends on lots of variables, we just call there
bluff anyway.

Simon Wilson

Fury wrote:
> Simon Wilson wrote:
>> Ok, I still haven't calmed down yet, so please excuse in advance the
>> possible illiterate rant on here.
>>
>
> I work for a recovery co' & we do on average 6-8 fuel drains a week.
> What make/model/year is it???
>
> Most problems we've experienced are with the anti syphon/overfill
> devices fitted to the tank/inlet pipes. We have a purpose built vacuum
> tank that sucks the fuel out, I don't think this method in itself would
> cause any distortion of your tank & pipes. We feed a suction hose into
> the tank to remove the bulk of it, then connect it to the fuel
> feed/return lines under the bonnet to suck out the rest.
>
> These machines are amazing in how 'dry' they will leave the system but
> the vacuum is hardly powerfull enough to distort anything, our suction
> hose is a very soft & flexible rubber tubing. We have however had MAJOR
> problems with some modern anti syphon/overfill devices, particularly on
> Renault diesels, it seems you can feed the suction hose into the tank,
> but can't get it out again without dropping the tank & removing the
> inlet pipe to get at the device, a kind of ping pong ball in a cage.

<Ding> Renault Scenic 1.5Dci 53 plate.

>
> I'll bet they've done exactly what we did the first time we experienced
> one, suck the tank out then pull, tug, pull harder, then try to yank the
> pipe out (think 2 spanner monkeys with their feet on your bodywork).
> When that doesn't work, you half drop the tank to disconnect the inlet
> to have a looksey. Finally, you realise the inlet hose has to come off
> to free the suction hose frome the trap.
>
> Don't forget that at all stages of this they're trying to do it as
> quickly as possible with the minimum amount of work. We'd never tackle
> it by fully dismantling/removing anything first go.

Yep. I think it was the owners son who messed up - today they have been
mostly trying to fix it by fitting a new ring/seal to the top of the
tank, but claim that they have had to drop the tank to get at everything
properly.

>
> Sounds like what they,ve done is wrecked the tank/inlet/trap in the
> process.
>
> On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I
> think you're gonna have trouble. You can pay to release the vehicle then
> fight over it later, or (my option) see a solicitor and be armed &
> dangerous before you talk to the garage. "IF" the solicitor thinks you
> have a good case, give the garage the opportunity to put everything
> right FOC while you enjoy either their courtesy car or the hire car that
> you're going to bill them for, for luck I'd get the car independantly
> checked when they're finished.
>
> IME the legal cover attached to your insurance is not going to help you.
>
> Garages charging the customer to put right their f#ck ups is not
> uncommon, mostly invisible and more often than you think, legally
> justifiable.

Thanks.

Very informative.

We'll see how it progresses.

--
/Simon

Fury

Simon Wilson wrote:
> Fury wrote:
>> Simon Wilson wrote:

>
> <Ding> Renault Scenic 1.5Dci 53 plate.
>

Before you lot buy ANYTHING on 4 wheels, invest some of your £budget on
a night out for a mixed bag of local spanner monkeys, at least 1 chap
from either the AA or RAC, a wizened old bloke who's been there before
and your insewerance broker of choice. Ask them collectively "what
should I buy" before they get pissed, then sit back and let 'em fight it
out.

My current advice consists of: "If you can't afford a Lexus, buy a
Toyota. (I own 2 Toyota's, there are 5 Toyota's at work, boss man drives
a Lexus). NEVER buy anything with more seats than doors and NEVER buy
anything with more wheels than seats".

VAG cars are OK if you need prestige but BM's & Merc's are a strict No
No unless you spend at least £60k. I can't think of anything that's not
made by VAG, Lexus/Toyota, Mazda, Saab, Honda or Mitsubishi that I could
contemplate owning. I certainly wouldn't want my children being driven
around in a tin box like a Ford. For an easy indicator of what to buy,
look at what the people you 'should' respect are buying. If you want a
people carrier, look at what the taxi drivers choose, if you want a
roundtown runabout for the missus look towards the driving skools. Who
else do you know that's bought a Renault Scenic ????

>
> Yep. I think it was the owners son who messed up - today they have been
> mostly trying to fix it by fitting a new ring/seal to the top of the
> tank, but claim that they have had to drop the tank to get at everything
> properly.
>

Be forcefull & singleminded, but don't be too hard on 'em. Good
mechanics are like good builders & plumbers these days, VERY hard to find.


>
> Thanks.
>
> Very informative.
>
> We'll see how it progresses.

My pleasure, good luck. IME you're going to need it, the motor trade is
one of the last remaining outposts of the cowboy.

Grimly Curmudgeon

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember
chateau.murrayTAKETHISOUT@dsl.pipex.com (The Older Gentleman) saying
something like:

>Simon Wilson <siwilson@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> They say the tank's distorted and they can't get it to
>> seal.
>
>How's that, then. Don't all tanks have simple drain plugs?

Not for a very long time, a good couple of decades for most cars, trucks
are different of course.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

Teach a man to fish and he and his pikey mates will have the
river cleaned out in a day.

The Older Gentleman

Fury <me@home> wrote:

> NEVER buy
> anything with more wheels than seats

<considers Piaggio Ape>


--
K1100LT 955i 750SS CB400F CD250 CM200 SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60
The bells, the bells.....

Pete Jones

Fury wrote:

> Simon Wilson wrote:
> > Fury wrote:
> > > Simon Wilson wrote:
>
> >
> ><Ding> Renault Scenic 1.5Dci 53 plate.
> >
>
> Before you lot buy ANYTHING on 4 wheels, invest some of your £budget
> on a night out for a mixed bag of local spanner monkeys, at least 1
> chap from either the AA or RAC, a wizened old bloke who's been there
> before and your insewerance broker of choice. Ask them collectively
> "what should I buy" before they get pissed, then sit back and let 'em
> fight it out.
>

I do this with my friendly Renault mechanic (R & J Autos in Hinckley,
Leicestershire) he is an independent (but Renault trained) and he
always tells it like it is to the customer.

He gave me and my dad some advice about Renault 1.9 DCI engines he says
they are good engines but at 100k they get coked up and need a decoke,
other than that they are good.


--
XJ600S

Champ

On Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:05:05 +0100, Fury <me@home> wrote:

>NEVER buy anything with more wheels than seats".

What nonsense.
--
Champ

ZX10R | GPz750turbo | GSX-R 600 racer
My advice as your attorney is to buy a motorcycle
To email me, neal at my domain should work.

SteveH

Pete Jones <rcgods@removethisyahoo.com> wrote:

> He gave me and my dad some advice about Renault 1.9 DCI engines he says
> they are good engines but at 100k they get coked up and need a decoke,
> other than that they are good.

WTF?!

Politely explain to him that the year is 2007, not 1947.

--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

Badger

Fury wrote:
> NEVER buy anything with more wheels than seats.

'Tother way around, shirley?

--
Rick
NT650V (still)
TWA#11 BREast#6 BOTAFOT#139

SteveH

Fury <me@home> wrote:

> Simon Wilson wrote:
> > Ok, I still haven't calmed down yet, so please excuse in advance the
> > possible illiterate rant on here.
> >
>
> I work for a recovery co' & we do on average 6-8 fuel drains a week.
> What make/model/year is it???

After reading the total bollocks you've posted later in the thread, any
chance you could let us all know which company you work for so we can
all actively avoid it?
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

fury

steve@italiancar.co.uk (SteveH) wrote in news:1i2515y.xzalti1rwmxqrN%
steve@italiancar.co.uk:

> Fury <me@home> wrote:
>
>> Simon Wilson wrote:
>> > Ok, I still haven't calmed down yet, so please excuse in advance the
>> > possible illiterate rant on here.
>> >
>>
>> I work for a recovery co' & we do on average 6-8 fuel drains a week.
>> What make/model/year is it???
>
> After reading the total bollocks you've posted later in the thread, any
> chance you could let us all know which company you work for so we can
> all actively avoid it?

Tchibo, of course, Mr Pot

platypus

The Older Gentleman wrote:
> Hog <hogSPAM@freenetCHIPS.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> ginge wrote:
>>> Fury wrote:
>>>> On the basis that we NEVER release a vehicle untill it's paid for I
>>>> think you're gonna have trouble.
>>>
>>> He could always write a cheque.. then cancel it.
>>
>> What's a c h e q u e?
>
> *Waves*

"Would you accept a note of my hand, landlord?"

--
platypus

"fastidious and precise"

platypus

Pete M wrote:
>
> That's about the worst advice I've ever seen on usenet. Well done.
>
> I'm in the motor trade and I don't know a single mechanic that'd
> agree with you on pretty much any of your points other than Toyotas
> being quite reliable. A large number of garage owners / traders and
> mechanics I know all drive old Range Rovers and Discovery 1s "Because
> they're like big Meccano sets - easy to fix" but that doesn't mean
> they'd recommend them to Joe Public.

Ah. Further justification for my "tempted to get another Rangie" position.

> Taxi drivers drive anything that'll do 200k without giving much
> hassle. Things like handling and the like take a very second place to
> fuel consumption and the price of parts for your average cabbie.

Chrysler 300C estates?

--
platypus

"fastidious and precise"

vulgarandmischevious

On Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:05:05 +0100 Fury wrote:

>My current advice consists of: "If you can't afford a Lexus, buy a
>Toyota. (I own 2 Toyota's, there are 5 Toyota's at work, boss man drives
>a Lexus). NEVER buy anything with more seats than doors and NEVER buy
>anything with more wheels than seats".

Oh, come on - this last instruction rules out some of the best cars in
the world.


--
vulgarandmischevious

Fury

Badger wrote:
> Fury wrote:
>> NEVER buy anything with more wheels than seats.
>
> 'Tother way around, shirley?
>

Nope. If it's got 4 wheels you want 4 seats, if its got 4 seats you want
4 doors. If its got 2 seats, you want 2 wheels . . . <ding> a motorcycle.

Fury

vulgarandmischevious wrote:
> On Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:05:05 +0100 Fury wrote:
>
>> My current advice consists of: "If you can't afford a Lexus, buy a
>> Toyota. (I own 2 Toyota's, there are 5 Toyota's at work, boss man drives
>> a Lexus). NEVER buy anything with more seats than doors and NEVER buy
>> anything with more wheels than seats".
>
> Oh, come on - this last instruction rules out some of the best cars in
> the world.
>
>

Correction, some of the prettiest cars in the world.

Timo Geusch

Fury <me@home> writes:

> Badger wrote:
>> Fury wrote:
>>> NEVER buy anything with more wheels than seats.
>>
>> 'Tother way around, shirley?
>>
>
> Nope. If it's got 4 wheels you want 4 seats, if its got 4 seats you
> want 4 doors. If its got 2 seats, you want 2 wheels . . . <ding> a
> motorcycle.

Complete and utter bollox, that is.

--
Morini Corsaro 125 | CB450K4 | XL250 Motosport x2 | 900SSD | K1100LT
Triumph T-Bird chop | CB400/4 BOTAFOF #33 TWA#10
The UKRM FAQ: http://www.ukrm.net/faq/index.html
"Je profite du paysage" - Joe Bar

platypus

Fury wrote:
>
> You have 2 Alfa's !

And you have apostrophe dysfunction.

--
platypus

"fastidious and precise"

platypus

Fury wrote:
> Badger wrote:
>> Fury wrote:
>>> NEVER buy anything with more wheels than seats.
>>
>> 'Tother way around, shirley?
>>
>
> Nope. If it's got 4 wheels you want 4 seats, if its got 4 seats you
> want 4 doors. If its got 2 seats, you want 2 wheels . . . <ding> a
> motorcycle.

Maclaren F1

--
platypus

"fastidious and precise"

Statto

On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:32:41 GMT, "platypus"
<monotreme@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

>Fury wrote:
>> Badger wrote:
>>> Fury wrote:
>>>> NEVER buy anything with more wheels than seats.
>>>
>>> 'Tother way around, shirley?
>>>
>>
>> Nope. If it's got 4 wheels you want 4 seats, if its got 4 seats you
>> want 4 doors. If its got 2 seats, you want 2 wheels . . . <ding> a
>> motorcycle.
>
>Maclaren F1

Matra-Simca Bagheera

--
Statto
Daytona 955i SE in black
GT750 in disrepair

Krusty

Fury wrote:

> Badger wrote:
> > Fury wrote:
> > > NEVER buy anything with more wheels than seats.
> >
> > 'Tother way around, shirley?
> >
>
> Nope. If it's got 4 wheels you want 4 seats, if its got 4 seats you
> want 4 doors.

Ah, that'd be why Minis, 911s & especially Beetles were such poor
sellers then...

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tigtona 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

Eiron

Fury wrote:
> Badger wrote:
>> Fury wrote:
>>> NEVER buy anything with more wheels than seats.
>>
>> 'Tother way around, shirley?
>>
>
> Nope. If it's got 4 wheels you want 4 seats, if its got 4 seats you want
> 4 doors. If its got 2 seats, you want 2 wheels . . . <ding> a motorcycle.

If it's only got one seat are you supposed to ride around all day on one
wheel?
That's millions of moped riders damned by Furry.

--
Eiron.

Fury

platypus wrote:
> Fury wrote:
>>
>> I don't know anyone who knows that could recommend a Fungus. Light
>> impact at the front & the doors won't open, kerb it & the whole wheel
>> flys off. People allow their children to be carried in these things !
>
> http://www.euroncap.com/tests/ford_focus_2004/204.aspx
>

Wonderfull, everyone gets out alive. But a light impact at the front or
brush the kerb & its practically a write off. Do you think manufacturers
design their cars with safety in mind or just to get a high score on
the Ncap?

On your night out with the real experts before you buy your next car,
ask the recovery driver which car he wants to be in when it all goes
pear shaped. A VW Golf has a good 200kilo's of weight over a Fungus,
perhaps VAG's designers need a better CAD system.

platypus

Fury wrote:
> platypus wrote:
>> Fury wrote:
>>>
>>> I don't know anyone who knows that could recommend a Fungus. Light
>>> impact at the front & the doors won't open, kerb it & the whole
>>> wheel flys off. People allow their children to be carried in these
>>> things !
>>
>> http://www.euroncap.com/tests/ford_focus_2004/204.aspx
>>
>
> Wonderfull, everyone gets out alive. But a light impact at the front
> or brush the kerb & its practically a write off. Do you think
> manufacturers design their cars with safety in mind or just to get a
> high score on the Ncap?

I think they design cars to prove you wrong. The reason the Focus has such
a strong passenger cell is because Ford just knew you'd be coming out with
drivel like "Light impact at the front & the doors won't open".

> On your night out with the real experts before you buy your next car,
> ask the recovery driver which car he wants to be in when it all goes
> pear shaped. A VW Golf has a good 200kilo's of weight over a Fungus,
> perhaps VAG's designers need a better CAD system.

I had a night out with the real experts. They said "Don't listen to that
tosser Fury, he knows nothing."

--
platypus

"fastidious and precise"

Krusty

Fury wrote:

> platypus wrote:
> > Fury wrote:
> > >
> > > I don't know anyone who knows that could recommend a Fungus. Light
> > > impact at the front & the doors won't open, kerb it & the whole
> > > wheel flys off. People allow their children to be carried in
> > > these things !
> >
> > http://www.euroncap.com/tests/ford_focus_2004/204.aspx
> >
>
> Wonderfull, everyone gets out alive. But a light impact at the front
> or brush the kerb & its practically a write off.

'light' & 'practically' are hardly scientific nor comparable.

> On your night out with the real experts before you buy your next car,
> ask the recovery driver which car he wants to be in when it all goes
> pear shaped. A VW Golf has a good 200kilo's of weight over a Fungus

Focus 1.8 5 door kerb weight - 1280Kg
Golf 1.8 5 door kerb weight - 1184Kg

Focus 1.6 4 door kerb weight - 1313Kg
Golf 1.6 5 door kerb weight - 1184Kg.

All figures from http://www.channel4.com/4car/

You were saying...?

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tigtona 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

CT

platypus wrote:
[Chrysler 300C]
> It's an amusing vehicle, but not amusing enough to actually buy one.
> I'm just a little bemused by how many seem to have been pressed into
> service as taxis, both here and on the Continent.

There were a few around Bruges at the weekend.

I was a tad disappointed that on the two occasions we got a cab, a Merc
turned up.
--
Chris

Badger

Krusty wrote:
> Fury wrote:
>> A VW Golf has a good 200kilo's of weight over a Fungus
>
> Focus 1.8 5 door kerb weight - 1280Kg
> Golf 1.8 5 door kerb weight - 1184Kg
>
> Focus 1.6 4 door kerb weight - 1313Kg
> Golf 1.6 5 door kerb weight - 1184Kg.

Oh FFS, this is UKRM - we're not supposed to deal in *facts*, it just
confuses people!

--
Rick
NT650V (still)
TWA#11 BREast#6 BOTAFOT#139