Sure, as I suggested, opinions are like... well you get the picture, we all have one.

For the many that have owned and driven the Defender then the problem is there will never be a credible alternative.

 

The Defender has a cult following and as we see on here with the Skoda brand a lot of people will defend it at all costs.

 

There is no like-for-like alternative in my opinion, the Defender was unique for a lot of reasons, no two cars are as good as each other in all key areas.

 

However the Jeep Wrangler (from which some may argue the Defender was spawned from) is still available to buy in the UK today...

 

http://www.jeep.co.uk/wrangler-unlimited/

Loved my SWB one and not bad in the city either.

 

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2f3aaef6-49d3-11e6-b387-64ab0a67014c.html#axzz4ESMZtWTQ

 

UK government is clear to spineless to demand action off VW as German government owns 20% of VW so are just hoping it all dies down and leave the diesel owners with the devalued vehicles caused by VW dropping price of new cars and that ripping through the second hand market.  

 

 

MPs criticise UK response to VW emissions scandal   -  Peter Campbell, Motor Industry Correspondent

 

The Department for Transport has been heavily criticised by MPs over its response to the Volkswagen emissions scandal, with suggestions that its financial links to the carmaker delayed it from taking action.

The Commons Transport Committee said there was a possible “conflict of interests” because the UK’s Vehicle Certification Agency, a body within the transport department that approves cars for sale across the EU, has VW’s Skoda brand as a customer.    Under European rules, carmakers can choose where to have their vehicles tested and certified. Approval from one authority allows them to sell the car across the EU without further tests.   The system has been criticised as compromising the independence of test authorities as they could be more likely to approve cars for fear of losing custom to agencies in other countries. Transport and Environment, a non-governmental organisation, told the committee the arrangement “represents an obvious incentive for authorities to generate tests results that are advantageous to the clients”.

Subsequent research by the same group showed that nine of the 30 most polluting diesel cars in Europe were approved in Britain.

 

In the 12 months to March 31 2015, the VCA reported revenues of £18.3m, of which £12.6m came from “product certification”, according to accounts filed at Companies House.  In its report, the transport committee said ministers had been “too slow” to react to the revelations last year that more than 1.2m UK cars were fitted with software by VW that cheated emissions tests. “It took five months before the DfT took even preliminary legal advice on a prosecution,” said the report, labelling the department’s attitude as “deeply concerning”.  Nitrogen oxide gases, which are emitted by diesel vehicles, contribute to more than 23,000 deaths in the UK a year, it added.  Louise Ellman, the Labour MP who chairs the committee, said: “They [the department] need to show that they are on the side of consumers rather than the manufacturers. We are calling for the department to look seriously at prosecuting [VW]. I don’t think they are looking at it seriously.”

 

She added: “Eighty per cent of VCA’s income is coming from the manufacturers. The department seems to be reluctant to take any action. There is a problem of conflicts of interests in the department.”  According to the report, the transport secretary can prosecute manufacturers “who obtain type approval in the UK under false pretences”. However, it added, the department has shown “ambivalence towards assessing the legality of Volkswagen’s use of defeat device software”.  A spokesman for the department said: “We take the unacceptable actions of VW extremely seriously, and we have taken robust action to protect the UK consumer. We continue to push VW to ensure they take action. The services offered by the VCA have no bearing on the DfT’s ongoing response to the VW emissions issues.”  The report also criticised VW for refusing to offer compensation to EU drivers of vehicles affected by the scandal, and said evidence provided by the carmaker was “just not credible”.   In the US, where more than 500,000 cars contained the cheating software, VW has offered to pay up to $10,000 per car in cash, as well as buying them back or fixing them. But across the EU, where 8.5m cars are affected, it has refused compensation and says it will instead fix the vehicles.  “Volkswagen’s treatment of customers in Europe compared to its treatment of customers in the US is deeply unfair,” the report said. “We . . . see nothing to justify their refusal to offer comparable payments to customers in Europe. Volkswagen must provide goodwill payments to European vehicle owners equal to offers that have been made to US vehicle owners.”

Edited 15 July, 20169 yr by lol-lol

http://bbc.co.uk/news/business-36796829

Chris Grayling MP is the new Transport Minister so if there is anything deeply unfair or illegal he can get together with the Justice Minister 

Liz Truss MP and look at what needs doing and what little has been done since the UK Government found out last September.

Obviously if someone has been defrauded by the VWG and has losses the Government in the UK should be acting for them.

Sadly since the past Transport Ministers have been part of the scandal in doing the '3 monkeys' nothing much will happen.

One Ex Transport Minister is now the Chairman of the Conservative Party.

PM will use VW gate as a negotiating pawn in Brexit trade negotiations. This means U.K owners might get short changed again in favour of the bigger business picture. Now U.K Eco functions have been rolled into business responsibilites, we might expect to see more horse trade offs.

I think we will find a lot of things being rolled into the Brexit negotiations.  Very much a case of watch this space?

Apparently there are hundreds of VW Group car owners in Scotland ready to take court action.

That will be in a different court system from England / Wales or Northern Ireland.

 

So BREXIT can affect the UK Governments legal or diplomatic actions, but the Law Courts are not going to be concerned, 

the UK Government have not even made any moves to start BREXIT.

 

At least now there is some word coming from the Westminster Committee on the lack of action, 

and i am sure that the Transport Minister that was replaced only yesterday will be mentioned more soon seeing as 

his past with various positions in the UK Governments going back to when Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister and knowledge of emissions from Diesel Engines.

How the U.S. VW fines will be used to clean up trucks +

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1105012_what-does-vws-diesel-pollution-mitigation-program-actually-do

Edited 15 July, 20169 yr by Ryeman

Interesting article in the e-mag about how Hyundai continue to mis-report fuel consumption.  Something we all should be aware of is how much our car's fuel computer over-estimates our MPG.  In the test car it was nearly 9% and in another car 20% and then 8% though I often think that it is the way people fill there cars back up at the end of a test.  If you have every seen an car rental firm refill a car's fuel tank then you will know what I mean.  Topped on car off a mile down the road and they got another 5 litres in a 45 litre tank, impersive.  Except I had to pay an extortionate 1.50 Euros per litre.   I think 5% over reading mpg fairly normal as in the speedo reading.

 

 

Our log of gas purchases told a slightly different story: over 2,795 miles (the reading at our last of seven fuel stops), we had put in 67.85 gallons.  That translated to 41.2 mpg, or about 8.7 percent less.  Another journalist who covered roughly 1,000 miles, however, had higher variances. His first tank was 45.7 mpg according to the trip computer vs 37.9 based on filling up, while the second tank was 46.9 on the dash vs 43.3 actual.

 

 

Another area where or cars cost more than we think.  Cars I some time buy, low mileage (20,000 kms), 3 year old just have cost the owners £1 a mile including the depreciation.   Unless you are doing 20,000 Kms a year I think the cost per km/mile is much hjighter than people may think and some people would be better hiring rental and taxis for their journeys.

 

Roll on Google cars.

 

Edited 16 July, 20169 yr by lol-lol

I keep a track of my fuel consumption tank to tank and see around a 5% error between real and the Maxdot.

And as our actual mpg is 5-10% worse than reported and the book figures i suspect our emmissions are too even when warmed up. When cold it is 50-100 % and much more. Global warming making most vehicles more compliant and the smaller capacity engines too.

If consumption is 5% higher , so are CO2 emissions - they are effectively 'paired'.

Apparently it's a proven technique, which VW is using, to avoiding compensation - exploit weak overseers

https://theconversation.com/how-volkswagen-is-using-tried-and-tested-tactics-to-avoid-paying-compensation-62386?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2018%202016%20-%205259&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2018%202016%20-%205259+CID_8c613ee65e40f1cbbe8b680d26cd239b&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=How%20Volkswagen%20is%20using%20tried-and-tested%20tactics%20to%20avoid%20paying%20compensation

Edited 18 July, 20169 yr by Ryeman

Apparently it's a proven technique, which VW is using, to avoiding compensation - exploit weak overseers

https://theconversation.com/how-volkswagen-is-using-tried-and-tested-tactics-to-avoid-paying-compensation-62386?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2018%202016%20-%205259&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2018%202016%20-%205259+CID_8c613ee65e40f1cbbe8b680d26cd239b&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=How%20Volkswagen%20is%20using%20tried-and-tested%20tactics%20to%20avoid%20paying%20compensation

 

If consumption is 5% higher , so are CO2 emissions - they are effectively 'paired'.

 

One word - Stoichiometric.

 

Internal combustion is never simple.

 

Stratified combustion techniques, every increasingly electronic mapping, greater interpolation of engine maps.

 

VW are just trying to apply a real cheap fix to a complex issue similar to someone wanting to go faster by putting a free flowing air filter to replace the OE one.

 

VW were only making a hundred or two Euros per car and came up with a cheap fix (maintaining a more laminar flow over the Mass Air sensor) else which can help keep emission in the range better but only with software tweaks as well.

 

Will be interested to see the first independant rolling road tests(and proper road tests with comprehensive data).

 

Everyone in the industry knows full SCR is the only answer and everything else is minor fudging but in the current economic arena there are so many other fish to fry ie economic stagnation, that this is taking a bit of a back seat.

 

In the UK the reality of every increasing fuel prices ie around 2% a month, might have more of a general affect on air quality.

One word - Stoichiometric.

 

Internal combustion is never simple.

 

Stratified combustion techniques, every increasingly electronic mapping, greater interpolation of engine maps.

 

VW are just trying to apply a real cheap fix to a complex issue similar to someone wanting to go faster by putting a free flowing air filter to replace the OE one.

 

VW were only making a hundred or two Euros per car and came up with a cheap fix (maintaining a more laminar flow over the Mass Air sensor) else which can help keep emission in the range better but only with software tweaks as well.

 

Will be interested to see the first independant rolling road tests(and proper road tests with comprehensive data).

 

Everyone in the industry knows full SCR is the only answer and everything else is minor fudging but in the current economic arena there are so many other fish to fry ie economic stagnation, that this is taking a bit of a back seat.

 

In the UK the reality of every increasing fuel prices ie around 2% a month, might have more of a general affect on air quality.

 

Are you trying to suggest mpg and CO₂ output aren't directly linked? 

Are you trying to suggest mpg and CO₂ output aren't directly linked?

Absolutely related of course but an interesting exercise to carry out how they are important when it comes to applying it to everyday use in real life.

Just got rid of the jaag as the CO2 was rated at 249 gm/CO2 were the fuel consumption was not to bad ie over 40 mpg sometimes. Dacia Logan rated at 116 gm/km but it consumption, over similar journeys, after warm up was not twice as good.

Just saying in real life situations tends to be not so simple as a straight line relationship.

Edited 18 July, 20169 yr by lol-lol

And as our actual mpg is 5-10% worse than reported and the book figures i suspect our emmissions are too even when warmed up. When cold it is 50-100 % and much more. Global warming making most vehicles more compliant and the smaller capacity engines too.

 

I can't even understand that what the hell you are on about now - 'global warming is making' - complete garbage as usual.

 

So the next emissions 'scandal' is the latest ultra-efficient petrol direct injection engines. PMs are in the top quartile of all cars and carcinogenic aromatics in the top 10/20%.

 

Of course all this can be solved with DPFs - too funny to be true!

 

In reality these 'filthy' cars are actually very clean, just as were the scandal struck VW cars, the 'scandal' is the lying eco-mental groups and politicians exaggerating the issue, whilst our cities enjoy their cleanest air in modern history!

Maybe the good burgers of Beijing have a different point of view.

I can't even understand that what the hell you are on about now - 'global warming is making' - complete garbage as usual.

So the next emissions 'scandal' is the latest ultra-efficient petrol direct injection engines. PMs are in the top quartile of all cars and carcinogenic aromatics in the top 10/20%.

Of course all this can be solved with DPFs - too funny to be true!

In reality these 'filthy' cars are actually very clean, just as were the scandal struck VW cars, the 'scandal' is the lying eco-mental groups and politicians exaggerating the issue, whilst our cities enjoy their cleanest air in modern history!

Exactly. All this emissions scandal is crap. Blown up by people who wud rather see us bk on horses. Yes theres a point for the software cheating on mot's but these so called dirty cars in reality are mot that bad

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Exactly. All this emissions scandal is crap. Blown up by people who wud rather see us bk on horses. Yes theres a point for the software cheating on mot's but these so called dirty cars in reality are mot that bad

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I take it scientists don't have a clue?.

I take it scientists don't have a clue?.

Course they have. But one minuite they promote diesel cars then next minuite according to some on here your Satan for owning one (and these ppl know who they are). These said ppl have obviously got money so they can afford to change cars, I HAVE NOT.. I am stuck with the car ive got so do not want it ruined

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Course they have. But one minuite they promote diesel cars then next minuite according to some on here your Satan for owning one (and these ppl know who they are). These said ppl have obviously got money so they can afford to change cars, I HAVE NOT.. I am stuck with the car ive got so do not want it ruined

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This is where scrappage comes in based on the amount of damage to health these cars are now know to do.  London is legislating to get the Euro4 emission levels priced off the road and Euro5 will follow a year or two down the line anticipated.

 

Air quality has improved somewhat but largely due to trucks being forced to have SCR and petrols getting much cleaner though direct injection and turbo-charging.

 

More EV, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles, as TfL have been using where the emission is just water.  Just been involved in the servicing of those and they are incredible bits of tech but only 100 hp/75 kw.    

Edited 18 July, 20169 yr by lol-lol

So either way I purchased a car and im gna be end up screwed

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?

Can you explain in which way you were screwed. 

Tell us what case you would take to a solicitor to take to a civil court for you?

So either way I purchased a car and im gna be end up screwed

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Get in with the Class Action with Slater and Gordon to get your share of the damage done to your vehicles value.  costs nothing, win-win.