We use Astras and Insignias as Company Cars, they are notorious for poor MPG (in comparison to their peers obviously) and as soon as they changed to them and my company car was up for renewal, I asked for the cash allowance instead...bolloxed if I'm driving a Vauxhall.....
Oh yes, the Insig gets 30mpg around town, my p38 is getting 21. But we have a varied mix of cars in the "pool". The Insignia Tourer derv, a Toyota Avensis Tourer derv, a Jag XK8 cab, a Mitsubishi Lancer Hatchback derv and then various branded vans. The Jag is the bosses motor, but it is classed as a company car and on the fleet insurance. But if anyone goes near the keys expect broken fingers. I'm the only person who likes the Insig. Don't like that it is silver.
The Merc A class we had before the Insig was horrid.
StuckAgainSteve
Well-Known Member
After needlessly changing my trackrod assembly today - I've learned that my local MOT tester doesn't know the difference between a trackrod assembly and a drag link! 
Grit Valve
2000 4.6 Vouge
After needlessly changing my trackrod assembly today - I've learned that my local MOT tester doesn't know the difference between a trackrod assembly and a drag link!
Did you explain in stupid person ways
Tie two tied together=follow , drag the one that drags/ pulls the wheel to turn via the steering box and the big round steering wheel.
StuckAgainSteve
Well-Known Member
Did you explain in stupid person ways
Tie two tied together=follow , drag the one that drags/ pulls the wheel to turn via the steering box and the big round steering wheel.
To be fair he's an inexperienced tester - he's only been doing it for 45 years...
Got the wrong gearbox for starters. Check EVERYTHING electrical works. Make sure there is no cheque book on the HEVAC or you'll need to get yours out. Press every HEVAC button and wait 20 seconds between button. If no cheque book, move onto the next button. See if the fan speed nob works. If it has heated seats test them. Make sure EAS works (unless it is on coils, obviously). Check for degradation of airlines and airbags.
Does it track true? They can be a ballache to get to the bottom off. Tracking on my P38 is fine, but a duff bush caused it to drop out under certain driving conditions. Brakes all working okay/no binding. Rust on the inside of the tailgate/boot floor area (look in spare wheel well as these can become swimming pools).
Look for evidence of the roof seams leaking (this'll show up with stains on the headlining).
All of the normal vehicle checks after that.
Make sure it is cold when you arrive to give it the first start and then after your test drive turn it off and attempt to restart. If it is drawn out you've got the hotstart problem (I believe timing in the fuel pump is the issue). If it is okay, be worth looking for a hotstart botch. These normally trick the vehicle into thinking the engine is always cold so it always uses glowplugs on starting, but also means it runs rich (seen a few that operate on a relay but best avoided and fixing the root of the problem, rather than botching it).
The clutch takes a lot of abuse in the manual, so make sure it bites okay when underload while on a hill.
Just a few things to look out for.
Does it track true? They can be a ballache to get to the bottom off. Tracking on my P38 is fine, but a duff bush caused it to drop out under certain driving conditions. Brakes all working okay/no binding. Rust on the inside of the tailgate/boot floor area (look in spare wheel well as these can become swimming pools).
Look for evidence of the roof seams leaking (this'll show up with stains on the headlining).
All of the normal vehicle checks after that.
Make sure it is cold when you arrive to give it the first start and then after your test drive turn it off and attempt to restart. If it is drawn out you've got the hotstart problem (I believe timing in the fuel pump is the issue). If it is okay, be worth looking for a hotstart botch. These normally trick the vehicle into thinking the engine is always cold so it always uses glowplugs on starting, but also means it runs rich (seen a few that operate on a relay but best avoided and fixing the root of the problem, rather than botching it).
The clutch takes a lot of abuse in the manual, so make sure it bites okay when underload while on a hill.
Just a few things to look out for.
speedyyellow
New Member
2.0_hippo
Well-Known Member
Don't expect the p38 to be as quick as your focus ! Lol
The are at the bottom of the centre console.
If you're in trouble you'll get a lovely picture of a cheque book with an exclamation mark near it in the bottom right of the screen. Most common reason is blend motors. T'is a massive ballache of a job, I've got mine to do, but don't have time to strip out the dash to do it.
If you're in trouble you'll get a lovely picture of a cheque book with an exclamation mark near it in the bottom right of the screen. Most common reason is blend motors. T'is a massive ballache of a job, I've got mine to do, but don't have time to strip out the dash to do it.
stutab
Well-Known Member
Ok, makes sence now. Push everything, wait and see if it works.
Hippo, I don't want it for speed. I have hated my focus since I bought it 2 years ago, swapped a Shogun Sport for it and miss the space. Needs to be a towing car, commuter (5 miles to work through a town) and a motorway cruiser. Driving across fields as well.
Hippo, I don't want it for speed. I have hated my focus since I bought it 2 years ago, swapped a Shogun Sport for it and miss the space. Needs to be a towing car, commuter (5 miles to work through a town) and a motorway cruiser. Driving across fields as well.
gold rover
Well-Known Member
Uh oh here comes Bix , quick hide before he rants about using an RR to drive 5 miles. :behindsofa:
gold rover
Well-Known Member
gold rover
Well-Known Member
It's more about using any car to travel just 5 miles that gets him agitated and rattling the bars of the cage. Got to say I see his point.
