Tilt

Hope you are enjoying your A4 Pete .... One of the best, certainly one that I have been most happy with was my A4 2.0T (yes, it had a red T, Lol) It was only just 3 years old when I purchased it, with one owner and circa 40K miles though. 200ps and similar torque figure to a similar sized diesel engine. Brilliant. Years ago I drove an Audi 80 Sport with 150,000 miles on the clock that we had for sale at the garage. It was faultless. Anyway, just to share my experience regarding the DMF on my long possessed but recently sold, 2005 Octavia 1.9pd When I test drove it back in 2011, I noticed a distinct rattle most notable from just behind the nsf wheel, so I asked the salesman (Premier Motors in Derby) to look into it and report, before I could agree to the purchase. He shouted to a guy (he knew him) next to his sales plot to come over for advice. The guy immediately said that it was the DMF. Surprising to me they agreed that they would get a new one fitted. I said that I wanted it done at a Skoda garage. I said that I would pay an agreed extra amount for this to happen (this way I knew it had been done, and properly too) so they agreed. The invoice showed £1100 ish, (which I believe was ott) however the job was done and I had the car for the next 13 years without any drive, clutch or gearbox DSG issues. (and shhhhhh, I never serviced the gearbox and it remained faultless) I was well happy with the purchase but I told him to look at prices of T4 Transporter's and get real with his offer for part exchange. He upped it by £1000. ............ He was a lovely fella, to boot. I'm not sure if it is the same engine layout as the Audi though ????? I'm guessing yours might be a manual gearbox ???? Hope this helps.

Thanks man. I did read up on it so not sure why I was thinking it was a CVT .......... I had read that it was dual clutch and was trying to find out if the 2L engined cars had a different transmission. Doesn't matter now though, Lol. Steptronic transmission is BMW's way of calling their torque convertor auto box. The Steptronic transmission carries the same torque convertor mechanism but with use of dual clutches. Similar to the DCT box, one clutch controls the odd numbered gears while the other is responsible for even gears.28 Jan 2021

That's the one George ........ The one you warned me about having excessive tyre noise I believe the term 'Steptronic' is just their name for a semi auto cvt, No?

I believe this to be the case with my current car for sure ................. as mentioned, semi auto cvt I can have my foot lightly on the brake and feel the car still trying to pull forward. This is why I nudge mine into neutral as no need then to hold the brake on if not on an incline, and no need to use the Auto Brake every time either. And therefore the brake lights are not on all the while the vehicle is stopped at lights or stuck in a traffic queue, which lets face it, can be a lot of the time just lately.

With my Octavia DSG I always nudged it into Neutral when stopped at lights, etc I would obviously brake where necessary but then let the engine slow me further and then nudge into neutral when almost stopped, feathering the brakes if necessary. I learned that it could be nudged into neutral whilst you were coming to a stop, ie you didn't have to actually be still, AND if the car was still rolling you could also just push it back into 'D', and move off again if traffic started moving, without even touching the brakes. IIRC the manufacturer recommendation will be to leave it in gear, which in my mind and experience (with the feeling particularly in my current petrol vehicle) makes for heavier use of the brakes. I have learn't, and very glad that I can still do this with my current vehicle with a type of semi auto CVT gearbox. My point is that this makes for much gentler feeling / use of the brakes as otherwise the engine is still trying to pull the vehicle forward if still in gear, even whilst foot lightly on the brake pedal. ...... Makes for much gentler and smoother stopping for sure. I was wondering if most semi auto petrol vehicles behave this way or if other manufacturers have the set up better (imo), disconnecting the gearbox if brake pedal is touched. I really do think that my brakes will last a good bit longer this way. (fair enough if no-one cares, Lol)

@Liger1956 Decide on your budget and the choice between OLED or LED will likely be made apparent.

Lol........ Mine was a Viera TX-P46ST30B, retired a few years now under the bed in other bedroom. Excellent Full HD tv apart from energy consumption and the fact that its EPG became no longer supported. It was paired with a DMR EX83 DVD Recorder. (I still use this as they pair well). I've been looking at picture quality recently as I snagged a TX50GX800 a few years ago off ebay for the princely sum of £305. A few months old with an £800 price tag when new. Absolute bargain. I was looking what my picture was capable of and what input it requires for best picture quality. IMO a NON smart tv may be a better option (or just use the freeview and forget the rest like I do) You will get the best use picture quality using the blu ray player I think, and a 4K tv will be worth it for you as you have the Blu Ray. A good picture processor will enhance normal , Non HD, viewing (mine has the HCX processor and gives an excellent picture IMO) I also found that putting the tv's bass on max, but the bass boost off and the treble just down a little, it sounds very acceptable.. I do have a separate home audio though for when I want to blow the cobwebs out of my lug holes, Lol. And yes, the 50" is the same physical front view size as the old 46" was.

Logic, rather than expert knowledge. would lead me to believe that none of your fault lights showing would be a cause to fail your mot's......... Likely an advisory maybe.

Borrowed my sisters boyfriends Black Celica 1.6GT many moons ago, just for a night out. Fantastic DOHC engine. It felt like my arse was sat about three inches off the tarmac. Loved it.

My girlfriend of the time had a maroon one of those. If it started in the morning, we went to work. We worked at the same place. If it wouldn't start, then off came the battery to be put on charge, and back to bed for me and her. Those were the days, Lol.

Volvo 345 DL ..... 'V' reg. A little 1.4 though these were also available with a 1.7L engine. The full reg is in there (my head) somewhere, but I cannot seem to retrieve it at the moment, Lol. I can always remember the reg plate of my dad's old Bedford ambulance that he converted into our tiny mobile holiday home. ARA 195L. Unfortunately it also housed my step mother.

Thanks guys. No hybrid ........... just the 118i I guess I mislead by mentioning hybrids earlier. Just thinking I missed a trick and should have sourced a plug in hybrid......... maybe.

Thanks @Breezy_Pete @Ootohere It is the BMW. It is under warranty but I do not want to visit BMW unless necessary. I had thought about the possibility of short journeys being a factor as I only do circa 11 miles round trip commute, four times a week. (if not on bike). Would this be classed as a short journey??? Not used it for many other journeys yet. I will check the coolant, but no warnings showing up. I will monitor it a bit longer and if it seems more than just occasional I will probably go to my trusted garage that looked after the old Octy for years. Only realising now just how many 'plug in hybrid 'e' vehicles there are around, and been around for a few years. Had a chat with a fella with an A3e in Morrisons car park the other day. He loves it. @Ootohere I do like the beemer a bit more now as I use it in sport individual mode and it does drive quite nice and feels smoother. Funnily, as soon as you put it in this mode the stop start automatically switches itself off. But still, the road noise is irritating at times. Thanks guys.

Not sure if it is smoke or steam / water vapour. It is only occasional. 1.5L petrol turbo. 71 plate with low miles. Not sure if I need to get it checked out professionally. Any educated advice on this greatly appreciated, any further info needed then please ask, Thanks......

Look perfectly reasonable to me too Maybe cheap discs were fitted (no offence intended) ............ maybe not??? I say this as once I replaced the fronts on my Octavia with cheaper parts (both sets worked perfectly well) but the next time I needed a set I purchased Brembo discs. The difference visually was quite noticeable even after the new ones were well used.

I will keep it short and then if anyone has any (sensible, Lol) questions then ask away. Firstly, the car details ..... M Sport 118i, BMW Approved Used Stratstone Derby, 13,000 miles, One previous owner, Steptronic. with a 1.5 engine with turbo. Purchase price ..... FAR too much My biggest gripe by far is the road noise. There is a constant drone / rumble on any surface other than smooth roads. This is not really speed related either as it is noticeable at quite low speeds. @Rooted did try to tell me but I didn't think it would be as bothersome to me as much as it is. I found my Octavia noisy above 50mph but under that, it was quite acceptable, but that was an 18 year old vehicle with 150,000 miles on it...... Not super impressed with the Steptronic Auto either, but it is ok. This is BMW's name for it's CVT transmission, albeit with a twin clutch (if I have this correct). It makes it feel a little spongy ..... I believe this utilises belts and pulleys. ( I know it is totally different but I loved the DSG in the octavia. Perfectly matched with the PD engine IMO.) The stop start in the petrol engine'd cars does not work very well, not smooth at all but I have seen it mentioned that it works well with their diesel engines. So this gets turned off every time I remember to. And I hate the fact that even when you have your foot pressing the brake you can feel the engine still trying to pull the car forward ..... no wonder the fuel consumption has been reported to be quite poor..... And not realising that it's anti collision system was set to max when I first had it, the car almost made an emergency stop because it deemed me too close to the car in front, the one that was turning left a few metres in front of me and had almost left the lane. Turned it down to minimum straight away. Pretty sure I would hate to be in a self driving vehicle, unless I was unable to drive of course, but then I would still sooner be in a taxi or something driven by a human being. I may add to this if I think of anything else but yes, although I love the interior and the LED lights are excellent and enable me to see the road very well at night, it is not the premium car that I thought / hoped it was. Cheers

I too had genuinely wondered that just recently, but it sounds not so simple. (and for the opposite reckoning to you, after 13 years with a DSG)

Obviously the 13 years driving the DSG then forward for upshifts seems natural to me. but also logical ...... Pushing the shifter forwards seems pushing it upwards to me, so upping the gears ..... and back seems like down Also, pulling back, so like pulling back your speed, so shifting down. I've learn't something today (or at least a reminder) that one persons logic is not necessarily another's reasoning.

My 6 speed wet DSG behaved without fault for the thirteen years that I had it, and I drove it pretty hard. And I never had the box serviced .... @Rooted I will look at the other topic you mention ...... and you were definitely right about the noisy tyres / road noise / lack of sound insulation / suspension, or whatever causes the rumble on rough road surfaces.

I had owned and driven my DSG equipped Octavia mk2 since 2011, so thirteen years. I used the semi auto (push forward + for up shifts & pull back - for down shifts) on occasion, particularly if driving where speed humps are prevalent. So I am really struggling to get it into my head (both to use it or even why they did it this way) why the steptronic + & - controls are the opposite way around. Anyone agree that it is illogical to push gearshifter forwards to downshift and back to upshift. And that bmw decided to put the lit indicator, which is basically a minus sign, right next to the unlit + upshift sign. Not looking for anyone slating bmw but what are other manufacturers semi auto controls like. Are there any others that are the same orientation as bmw's??? Thanks

I haven't read through this topic yet but it is not just car manufacturers is it ...... And it may have been said (or asked) but can we really trust anyone these days ...... companies or individuals ........ I do trust some people, but not many ..... too many liars, cheats, thieves, backstabbers. I wait until i know someone before I decide if I can trust them. Very often the decision is not to. Luckily I have a number of lovely neighbours though that I do trust. (apart from one that is a horrible woman but everyone knows what she is like)

The worst vehicle make I have noticed for this issue recently are Tesla's. Noticed a few vehicles recently in different locations where their headlights have bothered me, and each of them were Tesla's. (at least three times) The only other ones that sometimes bother me have been the SUV type... Coming from a MK2 Octavia with (pretty much useless for seeing anything with) halogen headlights, to a vehicle with LED's....... I can now see where I am driving, when it is dark, Lol. Not sure if I can even turn the 'Auto lights' off (whilst driving) without the vehicle turning them back on again. (still getting used to the car) And also note, (for the mention of brake lights) I think with 'auto brakes' the brake lights stay on anyway, even if you remove foot from brake pedal, if the engine is running.?

Finally gotten round to sorting myself out with a replacement vehicle After owning the Octavia for almost thirteen years (Along with the Audi for eight of these) ........ and with very few issues with it (only really the brakes seizing every now and again and the odd spring or three) and now it has gone I can admit to NEVER having had the DSG gearbox serviced and it has been faultless. Ended up finding an 'approved used' 1 series, from Stratstone BMW Derby, with it being two years old and just under 13K miles. I'm glad the purchase got delayed as this got me the colour that I wanted but didn't even know was available. (sort of Gunmetal Grey) as I nearly went for the Storm Bay Grey of which I have now decided I'm not that keen on anymore, Lol. Only picked it up on the 20th so not used it much yet but I really like it. However, although the Octavia was 18 years old, it did outdo the 1 series on a few things........ For one, the centre armrest being height (ratchet) adjustable whilst the beemer's isn't. And also the cubby holes (storage, for anyone not from the midlands) are way better in the Octavia. MPG, well lets face it, not many vehicles going to outdo a 1.9pd tdi are there, Lol. And I hit my head on the edge of the parcel shelf the first time I put something in the boot, Grrrrrrr. This bit is a bad design IMO. I need a high viz strip on it. Anyway, pretty chuffed with my hard earned.

There aren't many other cars that I like... First idea was a Merc A200 but these are everywhere and a little garish inside for me. I then took a liking to the CLA, although not much difference really. Next idea was a Toyota Corolla touring sports (estate) and wanted the 2L but these are getting snapped up as taxi's. I'd never noticed them before I saw one at Available Car and onwards from that viewing I realised they are really everywhere. I did test drive one at Inchcape but it's mileage was far too high for my liking at 80k. I then saw a few 1 series on the road and thought they look ok. I really disliked the older shape though so it would have to be the newer shape. Of all of the cars I have looked at these have the best interior by far, for my liking..... The only other option I am considering is the Audi A3 but as the older shape has been around since 2013, it would again have to be the newer shape. I do like the idea of a Hybrid ...... plug in or self charging ....... and not an option in the beemer tho. And even though it has to be an Auto ....... I still like a gear stick (Semi Auto) and the one in the BMW looks great whereas the A3 only has a little switch. I don't like it for that. I want practicality, possibly to get my bike in so this is why I am looking at hatchbacks. I may get to test drive a 1 series on Wednesday. This one. https://www.chriswroads.co.uk/used-bmw-1-series-ripley-derbyshire-5496466

Interesting that it was supposedly serviced on friday just gone. I was wondering if the mention of 4 previous owners (as they put it) was a mistake and it may be just one owner. I think the only way I could find out is with a vehicle check as you say. I had already tried two free ones. Interesting what George says Re, well, lets just say he not a fan, Lol. I haven't driven one yet, I knew they weren't going to be particularly speedy but I thought 'how bad can they be' ????? I need to drive one. I was disappointed that there was not an inbetween engine as it is either 118i at 136bhp or the next is the 128ti at about 260something bhp. I have been considering one of these but I do not like the silly red bits on them, around the 21 / 22 plate anyway. I would have gone up to the next engine for sure if there had been one with much nearer 200 horses.