New to the forum, having bought a 05 plate L&K TDI. Very pleased with the car - comfortable and plenty of room, with lots of go (was previously driving a v plate punto td, but sproglet and associated stuff meant a bigger car needed - the 2 cars are worlds apart (although I confess to shedding a tear when I traded the punto in - had had it since new so it was like an old friend).

Have one or 2 minor niggles with the car - noticed it tramlines something chronic (drove up the M3 on sunday night and it wasnt pleasent over 75 - difficult to control and was battling with the wear in the road (its fine on other roads - too fine i f anything and easily cruise at 80-85 on A1(M) etc. Anyone else find this - I am assuming tyre choice will have some bearing (think it has P6000 which came with it)

Other thing I found is that the bonnet lever inside the car comes off - appears to be missing the little clips/lugs which hold it in place, so it falls off when driving along. Anyone know how easy that would be to replace?

finally the plastic rest/clip the bonnet stand rests in is also missing - assume this should be a fairly easy part to get?

re: Bonnet release lever - these come off all the time, although it's a cheap part to replace. Once you've replaced it, try to use two hands on it in future - one to push on the round bit towards the car, and the other to actually pull the lever. It's any sort of twisting motion as you pull the lever that seems to break the clip.

Yup, I've broken my lever too.

Steve

glad to know its a common problem - can see the potential for a problem with the twistyness of its action. twas slightly annoying on friday night in the dark and -6 when I wanted to open bonnet to top up screen wash to find the lever under the drivers seat! never mind, I will live with it - just as long as my cambelt change doesnt come back too expensive!

Mine broke too, dealer replaced it under warranty

Anyone else find this - I am assuming tyre choice will have some bearing (think it has P6000 which came with it)

Almost definately the problem. I had them on a Corsa, it was like driving a bucking bronco. Put on Goodyears and never had a problem after that.

sounds like it has possibly been in a front ender, and had some work to the inner wing

Have you had the wheels laser aligned?

car is an ex-fleet car and nothing showed up on the records I have re front end damage and was sold by the dealer as not having been in an accident etc (usual things like been a taxi). Havent had it long enough to wheel alignement checked, but might give it a month (bit skint now have bought it and had cambelt etc done) and change the tyres

Tram-lining is a topic i covered in wim-web, maybe this brief explanation will help?

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This distressing condition is when the driver needs to make involuntary corrections to the steering in order to maintain directional control.

Tram-lining complaints have a wider audience due to the advent of the RFT (Run-Flat-Tyre) the "extra load sidewall" and the ever lower tyre aspect ratio (sidewall).

The physics of Tram-lining is the communication between the tyres contact patch, the rigidity of the tyres sidewall and the wheel rim, in the advent of any road imperfection the tyre can no longer suppress lateral displacement allowing the sidewall to pass energy to the wheel and then the steering, this energy requires the driver to counteract with a correction to the steering wheel.

Tram-lining can be controlled by the manipulating tyre pressure and the front Toe angle, although the correct Toe angle would need to be found.