Messages

This morning I finally sold my 95, complete with a little surprise when the intended new owner found oil across the bottom of the engine, leading to a final trip to Bagnall and a revised (downwards) sale price. Next week I take delivery of a (lease - it makes sense in my position) Skoda Superb. It'll be dull, boring but a lot more economical and, sadly, that's my main criteria these days.

Short of coming into serious money I know I will never own a car that's as good to drive as the 95, but I just can't afford to keep it going any more. I hope some way can be found out of the company's current troubles because despite its unreliability I will remember this infuriating but lovable bloody thing with more affection that anything I've ever driven.

Most importantly, thanks for all the help and advice you've given me over the past four years of 'interesting' motoring. Have fun.

Worst case scenario - steering rack.

And now, while moving the car a few yards it started before I drove off.

It seemed a bit quieter today; I couldn't really hear it above the usual engine noise after 30mph. It's more of a whine than a whistle - sorry to be so vague but thanks for the advice.

Brewer and drinker of real ale myself  hick...

Home or small-?

It's done around 75k miles and fluid levels seem okay. It's not a turbine-like sound (not that I'd be too sure what one sounded like) and it's pretty much constant when moving. 

This is a difficult one to describe, but here goes. 2.0 05 auto. About a week or so ago, a couple of times over the course of a few days I had a loud whistling/humming noise from the engine that lasted for a few seconds then stopped. After the second (or maybe third) time, it was replaced with a constant, quieter, noise of a similar pitch over the normal engine note. I've noticed no difference in performance or fuel consumption but naturally I'm worried that something is about to go wrong big style. Any ideas?

Getting back to the point....Davidjay - if it's a 2003-on version mirror with heated glass but no memory or dimming, I have a complete but tatty one going begging (more garage clutter). If you want any bits, PM me.

They are pretty dorkable - even I can take one apart.

Thanks very much, that's really generous, but I've (hopefully) managed to get one that can be fitted for little more than pennies locally.

In a daft way, I'd rather it was stolen than just vandalised because at least there's a point to theft, however loathsome it may be.

Someone's stolen the driver's side mirror. The housing seems okay, but is there likely to be damage I can't see and which is beyond the abilities of a simpleton to fix? If not, how much is a new glass, how difficult is it to install and worse case scenario, how much for the whole thing to be 'properly' repaired?

The funny thing is that we've had it before on both our cars, but I never gave it a thought, mainly because the smell wasn't acrid, or burning, just heat. Mrs CarExpert, of course, knew straightaway what it was....

Update:

The good Lord was looking down with mercy upon an unworthy sinner. A plastic bag was melted round the exhaust pipe, coupled with a load of oil from somewhere, which after careful examination couldn't be traced to any leak and was reckoned to have come from a spillage during a recent service. 

But why not throw in the towel with the Vauxhall Ashtray and keep the 9-5? 

22.5 mpg around town and seeing my friendly local Saab garage more often than is healthy.

Thanks for all the advice - much appreciated. I love driving this car but times change and what was fine three years ago just isn't practical anymore.

I'm seriously thinking of throwing in the towel and getting rid of my 9-5 . I know it's treasonable, but what's the best place to get a decent price without being messed around too much? I'm not buying another car for a while (not doing many miles at present so my wife's aging but reliable Astra will suffice us both) therefore part-ex isn't relevant. 

I do hope you're wrong, but thanks.

Over the past week or two I've noticed what can best be described as a smell of hot engine on the driver's side either in slow moving traffic with the window down, or when I've just stopped the car and got out. The engine temperature doesn't seem to be out of the ordinary and I can't see anything split, spilt or overflowing. Is this just one of those things, or a sign of something more sinister?