New Car suggestions

[Rod]

All I can say if modern cars are over engineered, then I'm all for it. They are a lot more reliable than earlier cars when you had to carry a load of spare parts with you.
None of my cars have broken down in the last 30yrs.

Rod

 

[RogerS]

All I can say if modern cars are over engineered, then I'm all for it. They are a lot more reliable than earlier cars when you had to carry a load of spare parts with you.
None of my cars have broken down in the last 30yrs.

Rod

Rod, there's a difference between better manufacturing and quality control (which explains why cars are more reliable these days...unless one is unfortunate to have a RustBucket (aka Mazda)) and over-engineering by stuffing unnecessary gadgets like EPB and touch screens (which at last people are beginning to wake up to the number of accidents that they are contributing towards).

Don't get me wrong..I might come across as a bit of a Luddite but remember that I was a very early adopter of microprocessors and computers having designed and built my first three. I just happen to think that society has lost the plot totally and all sense of what is actually important in life. And it's not walking down a street, head down peering at a tiny screen at the latest Faecebook banality while one's children are walking alongside desperate for some form of parental interaction.

 

[tracerman]

People - I am currently finding out the hard way that modern cars have too much techy stuff . For the past nine years I have been driving a Kia Rio (2007) 1.5 CRDI , I have enjoyed driving this car every time I get in it , the surge as the turbo comes in has been a pleasure . During a problem of clutch hydraulics failure last week which eventually led to having the AA man follow me to my garage/dealer ( that's old stuff of course , not " techy" ) I experienced for the first time , a sudden on-set of flatness whilst trying to go up through the gears which , to cut a long story short , I'm told it's the EGR , exhaust gas recycling valve . I've looked on the net at numerous blogs about this problem , it could cost over £400 to get it fixed but before I go looking at a new car ( looks like its coming to an age whereby other probs will show up soon ) I am wondering whether anybody knows of a way to un-jam the EGR without trying to dismantle it , i.e. a fuel additive or something sprayed into the air intake ?? . Some U-Tubes show a way to blank off the EGR but I don't fancy that . A friend made the point that modern diesels are all very well when they're working but they need too many gizmos to satisfy the emissions regs .
So I'm clutching at straws here but if anybody knows how to free-up the EGR with limited dismantling I would be grateful . Its a very flat experience driving it as it is .

Cheers
PS Merry Christmas .

 

[9fingers]

No short cuts I'm afraid Steve. You need to remove the valve and clean the tarry deposits out. I also increased the spring pressure slightly to try and solve a known ford problem which seemed to do the trick.
Most garages will fit a new valve rather than spend labour time cleaning the old one.
Good luck
Bob

 

[RogerS]

People - I am currently finding out the hard way that modern cars have too much techy stuff . ...... I am wondering whether anybody knows of a way to un-jam the EGR without trying to dismantle it , ......
Cheers
PS Merry Christmas .

My point exactly and apologies if I've posted this before.

As Bob says, modern diesels from the early 2000's onwards have all this stuff to meet emission regs. Even my 2004 Discovery 2. However, then the EGR (IIRC but could have been some other gubbins that kicks in only occasionally) was a mechanical device and, like yours, only opened up every so often. Being mechanical if it was gummed up a bit it just sort of shrugged, pressed a bit harder and lo..opened it up.

Then we come to the Discovery 3 and so what did they do ? Why, they replaced the perfectly functioning mechanical device with a feeble electric valve which when said time came to open up found that it was a bit too hard for that feeble electric valve to open, so the ECU shrugged its metaphorical shoulders, stuck the car in limp mode and told you to go a dealer. "That'll be £1000, Sir"...kerching.

The highly experienced mechanic in my local garage won't buy any car after 2005 unless he can get one that is new with a good warranty.

 

[Malc2098]

Twice my 2.2 X Type went through EGR failures. First time after 18 months, still in warrantee, second at 3 and a half years.

The explanation from the main dealer was that I was too gentle with the car! E.g. first set of brake pads replaced at 95k.

So occasionally and in any case before a long run, I give it a blast though the gears up to the red line to clear all the rubbish out. Seems to have worked since the last EGR failure. Only trouble is 3rd gear gets me to 70 and there's 3 more gears after that!

 

[RogerS]

.....
So occasionally and in any case before a long run, I give it a blast though the gears up to the red line to clear all the rubbish out. ....

LOML tends to drive the Wee Beastie and she also pussy-foots about the place. So, like you, whenever I get in the car I'll take it up to the red line at 9000 rpm.

 

[Malc2098]

P.S.

He said keep an eye on the temp gauge and try and keep it warmer rather than not. Mine seems to run best just under half.

 

[Commander]

May I just pitch in and say that all the elec-trickery really does make a difference, not only do they make the vehicles more comfortable but also easier to drive, more powerful more frugal and easier on the environment, and yes there are more bits that can go wrong, but in my honest experience if a car is well maintained (and yes I make a point of doing as much as possible myself and where not possible to build up a relationship with my dealer/independent mechanic) it will keep going for a long time with minimal failures. Yes there are bad cars and bad batches, but if you do your homework before buying you should be able to have a fairly trouble free ownership experience.

 

[RogerS]

May I just pitch in and say that all the elec-trickery really does make a difference, not only do they make the vehicles more comfortable but also easier to drive, more powerful more frugal and easier on the environment, and yes there are more bits that can go wrong, but in my honest experience if a car is well maintained (and yes I make a point of doing as much as possible myself and where not possible to build up a relationship with my dealer/independent mechanic) it will keep going for a long time with minimal failures. Yes there are bad cars and bad batches, but if you do your homework before buying you should be able to have a fairly trouble free ownership experience.

I'm not sure that that is necessarily so. What is it that makes the car ore comfortable or easier to drive, for example? More powerful more frugal..surely that is as much to do with the actual engineering as opposed to anything else and engine management units have been around for ages. It's the unnecessary add-ons vis the EGR we were discussing where I think manufacturers have lost the plot.

 

[tracerman]

People - a big thanks to all who chipped in re my EGR problem on my Kia . Looks like I'm going to have a good ponder under the bonnet and see if I can remove the EGR to clean it , or give a good bit of welly first and see if it clears itself . Anyway I appreciate the comments offered .

Steve

 

[Commander]

May I just pitch in and say that all the elec-trickery really does make a difference, not only do they make the vehicles more comfortable but also easier to drive, more powerful more frugal and easier on the environment, and yes there are more bits that can go wrong, but in my honest experience if a car is well maintained (and yes I make a point of doing as much as possible myself and where not possible to build up a relationship with my dealer/independent mechanic) it will keep going for a long time with minimal failures. Yes there are bad cars and bad batches, but if you do your homework before buying you should be able to have a fairly trouble free ownership experience.

I'm not sure that that is necessarily so. What is it that makes the car ore comfortable or easier to drive, for example? More powerful more frugal..surely that is as much to do with the actual engineering as opposed to anything else and engine management units have been around for ages. It's the unnecessary add-ons vis the EGR we were discussing where I think manufacturers have lost the plot.

Regarding gadgets that make a car easier to drive I would list items like radar cruise control, auto head light/wipers, lane assist, parking cameras/PDC/auto parking, etc. Then there are the features that are simply convieninet like keyless go, Bluetooth/voice control, etc. even simple things like the turn signal that flashes 3 times at a light touch to indicate a lane change or the whipers that whipe 5s after cleaning the windscreen to catch any residual water drops. Maybe these items aren't critical and maybe the aren't items that would stop me from buying a car, but they certainly are handy and I tend to get used to and use most of the "gadgets" on my car often. I have also never had any of them go wrong on me.

Regarding the EGR that you mention, I have no specific background on this in particular, what I am pretty sure of is that there are only a hand full of reasons why a manufacturer would change a particular part, the 2 foremost is cost and emission (and maybe performance increase). So either the electronic version is much cheaper to manufacture (I can't say either way really) or it makes a diffirence to the emissions, which is probably the reason for the change.

The main advantage of an electronic system over a purely mechanical system is the ability to specify specific reactions to sepcific conditions, which is probably why the electronic EGR would perform better in a sepcific emissions test (I'm speculating, so I may be completely off the mark).

I'm not picking a fight Roger, I'm simply elaborating on my view. bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[9fingers]

I used my radar controlled cruise control today for the first time and was quite impressed with it.
There are long term road works for many miles on the M3 and a camera based average speed limit of 50.
Simply setting the cruise control to 50mph the car automatically maintains a safe distance of about 25-30m behind the car in front by slowing down where needed and not exceeding 50mph when there is no one in front in range of the radar.
Unlike previous cars I had, the cruise mode stays engaged when you change gear on this one which a useful improvement too.

Bob

 

[AndyP]

Cool.

Try as I do I cannot get my missus to use the cruise control on our Caddy. I find invaluable for preventing sore bum syndrome on any motorway journey lasting more than about one hour. And even locally I use it a lot to ensure I stay at or below the speed limit.
I am sceptical about some of the claims made for the fuel efficiency gains by using cruise control though.

 

[Robert]

I'm guessing you have the same cruise control I do Bob, in which case you will have traffic jam assist too. Just turn on the cruise control in a traffic jam and let it start, stop and brake as necessary. Does make my leg ache a little though as I can't bring myself not to have my foot hovering above the brake pedal just in case

 

[9fingers]

Cool.

Try as I do I cannot get my missus to use the cruise control on our Caddy. I find invaluable for preventing sore bum syndrome on any motorway journey lasting more than about one hour. And even locally I use it a lot to ensure I stay at or below the speed limit.
I am sceptical about some of the claims made for the fuel efficiency gains by using cruise control though.

There must be a degree of fuel saving by travelling at a smooth steady speed compare to accelerating up hills and haring down the other side but with the proviso that the engine does not labour in the process. Cruise control and automatic transmission should in theory be a good combination if it were not for the overall reduction in mpg due to the auto transmission.
I do like the fact that this car allows gear changes during cruise operation. The dash display does suggest when to change gear. I don't know if this is on engine speed alone but it seems to suggest down shift below 1200 rpm which to me is a bit low and rather too close to point at which the diesel engine can bog down if you try to accelerate. This was my first long journey so too many things to try to draw conclusions from.

Bob

 

[9fingers]

I'm guessing you have the same cruise control I do Bob, in which case you will have traffic jam assist too. Just turn on the cruise control in a traffic jam and let it start, stop and brake as necessary. Does make my leg ache a little though as I can't bring myself not to have my foot hovering above the brake pedal just in case

I think mine must slightly different as I don't think it applies the brakes. At one stage yesterday it beeped and told me to apply the brakes in a situation of bunching on the motorway. As soon as I did, the cruise control dropped out of course.

Mine is a manual transmission not DSG which could make the difference?

Bob

 

[Robert]

I can beat cruise control for MPG. Cruise does well but it does not allow the engine to coast which mine does in 'eco' mode and it will apply power to maintain speed uphill where you could decide to coast to the brow and let speed pick up down the other side.

I'm getting around 50 - 55MPG on cruise and nearer 60 if I'm driving (and trying to be economical). Not bad for a powerful 2L huge car.

 

[AndyP]

Cool.

Try as I do I cannot get my missus to use the cruise control on our Caddy. I find invaluable for preventing sore bum syndrome on any motorway journey lasting more than about one hour. And even locally I use it a lot to ensure I stay at or below the speed limit.
I am sceptical about some of the claims made for the fuel efficiency gains by using cruise control though.

There must be a degree of fuel saving by travelling at a smooth steady speed compare to accelerating up hills and haring down the other side but with the proviso that the engine does not labour in the process. Cruise control and automatic transmission should in theory be a good combination if it were not for the overall reduction in mpg due to the auto transmission.
I do like the fact that this car allows gear changes during cruise operation. The dash display does suggest when to change gear. I don't know if this is on engine speed alone but it seems to suggest down shift below 1200 rpm which to me is a bit low and rather too close to point at which the diesel engine can bog down if you try to accelerate. This was my first long journey so too many things to try to draw conclusions from.

Bob

It is the labouring up hill that I try to prevent. I am quite happy to keep the engine revs constant but reduce speed on an incline, something the CC can't do. I will happily pause and resume the CC as required. On the motorway I will even use pause and resume on the CC to slow down behind a car while traffic in the outside line passes then speed up to overtake.

 

[Rod]

Have you checked your speedo against your Sat Nav - mine is 3mph high so if possible I set the CC to 53.
I suppose if I risked the 10% + 2 = 57 theory, could set the CC to 60?
White vans often seem to follow this rule!

My car is automatic, though I can switch to manual and use the floppy paddles but I can't see the point. I find the roads normally too busy to drive with CC (though I know folks who use it all the time) - the only time I use CC is under Average Speed conditions or when the traffic is very light. Perhaps if it was radar controlled I'd use it more.
It's very easy to accidentally exceed the speed limits in my car so I have set the visual and audible warning alarm to 80mph - the speed you are most likely to receive a hefty fine.
My sat nav (I use a Garmin one on my phone rather than the car's own) indicates the speed limits and turns the speed you are driving at red when you are exceeding it.

Rod

 

[Rod]

My cars got an automatic headlight system where in effect you drive on full beam zenons - the system lowers, twists etc each light beam independently when it recognises vehicles in front - for example it might dip the right hand beam but keep the left one on full.
So far I've not been flashed but my fingers hover over the off switch all the time - perhaps in time I'll learn to trust it?

Rod

 

[9fingers]

As we have wandered into speed limits, Robert does your car have the Amundsen sat nav fitted?

Mine does and whilst it indicates the speed limit on the map screen, I've not found how to make it give me an alert if I exceed the local limit.

I've got used to this functionality in my Tomtom and have come to rely on it.

Bob

 

[AndyP]

Being as you have a VW (by proxy ) I suspect you have an MFD (multi functional display) on the dash. I suspect that there is a speed warning alert in there. I use mine all the time and much to the glee of the kids I am always resetting so that it triggers whenever the wife takes them to school.
Of course if she would only read the manual she would know how to turn it off.

 

[9fingers]

Being as you have a VW (by proxy ) I suspect you have an MFD (multi functional display) on the dash. I suspect that there is a speed warning alert in there. I use mine all the time and much to the glee of the kids I am always resetting so that it triggers whenever the wife takes them to school.
Of course if she would only read the manual she would know how to turn it off.

I do have the multifunction display as you suggest but because you say you can reset it then it is not what I'm looking for.
I require a dynamic speed limit warning driven by the sat nav as it knows the speed limit for each (most) roads and displays it on the map.

Bob

 

[Commander]

I can beat cruise control for MPG. Cruise does well but it does not allow the engine to coast which mine does in 'eco' mode and it will apply power to maintain speed uphill where you could decide to coast to the brow and let speed pick up down the other side.

I'm getting around 50 - 55MPG on cruise and nearer 60 if I'm driving (and trying to be economical). Not bad for a powerful 2L huge car.

I also find that I can beat the CC, that being said I try to use it as often as possible as I find it keeps my speed more constant (and more under the posted limit :? ). I am very impressed with its operation, it doesn't disengage on changing gears (manual transmission) and it will also apply the brakes on steep down-hills (if simple coasting doesn't keep the speed in check) it is not equipped with radar, a function which I think would work better in conjunction with a auto box (but with the gear shift indicator it already has you should be able to know which gear the car wants to be in, so it should work).

 

[AndyP]

Being as you have a VW (by proxy ) I suspect you have an MFD (multi functional display) on the dash. I suspect that there is a speed warning alert in there. I use mine all the time and much to the glee of the kids I am always resetting so that it triggers whenever the wife takes them to school.
Of course if she would only read the manual she would know how to turn it off.

I do have the multifunction display as you suggest but because you say you can reset it then it is not what I'm looking for.
I require a dynamic speed limit warning driven by the sat nav as it knows the speed limit for each (most) roads and displays it on the map.

Bob

I see, on the way back from Calais on Xmas eve (we had a 3 hour delay in Folkestone Eurotunnel) I had the the sat nav (Co-Pilot) on my phone just to help keep me awake. With beeps from the MFD and the Sat Nav speed warnings too I managed not to nod off too often.

 

[RogerS]

Scotsman's Fifth..excellent for improving MPG but not fitted to CC as standard !

Out of curiosity, where do you guys put your right foot when using CC ? I tend to put mine flat on the floor which isn't a great idea, I know but hovering it over the brake pedal seems to be a bit of a strain. Mind you, I only have CC on when I know I can drive with sensible gaps between the car in front.

 

[Malc2098]

As you say, Roger, only with sensible gaps do I use CC. I let my right leg relax like the left one is, and I find the long journeys from Devon to Cheshire and Aberdeen a lot less tiring because that one leg is not in tension all the time.

However, I've always got my thumb on the CC Off button on the steering wheel, and looking far ahead all the time, anticipating the movements of others ahead, as I was taught, I'm ready to switch off much quicker than braking or changing gear. Much the same as lifting off early, rather than braking late.

It's the only real toy have in this car, but used judiciously, I find it makes long journeys far less tiring.

 

[Robert]

As we have wandered into speed limits, Robert does your car have the Amundsen sat nav fitted?

Mine does and whilst it indicates the speed limit on the map screen, I've not found how to make it give me an alert if I exceed the local limit.

I've got used to this functionality in my Tomtom and have come to rely on it.

Bob

I have the Columbus unit which I believe is the top model. No idea if it can do speed alerts as I rarely drive fast enough to worry about them these days. I do have a speed camera database loaded that chimes on approach in case I wasn't checking if say a 40 had dropped to 30. No flashes so far.

There are 2 ways you can have speed displays on the nav map - map data figures or traffic sign recognition done by camera. I have the camera but not sign recognition paid extra but I know it could be coded to do it.

 

[9fingers]

Thanks Robert.
From what I read the Amundsen and Columbus architectures quite different and adding extras is much easier on the Columbus.
I don't have TSR either and not something I'm worried about to be honest. Since enquiring on Briskoda, it seems that speed info cannot be used to create an alert.

Bob

 

[Tusses]

thinking back, I had cruise control in the 1990 ford econoline day van

captains seats too !

it was like sitting in an arm chair.
With the cruise control on .. and sitting back taking in the views, it was way too easy to forget you are actually driving ! :shock:

although comfy and easy, I'm not sure it's such a good thing ???

and for such a big old boat with a 5.2L V8 .. returned a surprising 28MPG !

 

[Rod]

I wonder if all cars were fitted with radar it would have prevented the 20car pile up on the A40 this morning?

Rod

 

[RogerS]

I wonder if all cars were fitted with radar it would have prevented the 20car pile up on the A40 this morning?

Rod

If the drivers were fitted with a brain then that would stop the carnage.

 

[Rod]

That's very true you should drive suitably to the prevailing conditions.
But perhaps some early warning might have helped?

Rod

 

[RogerS]

That's very true you should drive suitably to the prevailing conditions.
But perhaps some early warning might have helped?

Rod

I don't think so, Rod, given that there was already early warning ie dense fog and icy temperatures.

 

[AndyP]

Out of curiosity, where do you guys put your right foot when using CC ? I tend to put mine flat on the floor which isn't a great idea, I know but hovering it over the brake pedal seems to be a bit of a strain. Mind you, I only have CC on when I know I can drive with sensible gaps between the car in front.

On traffic free motorways my right foot is all over the place tapping to the music and generally trying to stave off numb bum syndrome. At other times it just hovers.

 

[RogerS]

Out of curiosity, where do you guys put your right foot when using CC ? I tend to put mine flat on the floor which isn't a great idea, I know but hovering it over the brake pedal seems to be a bit of a strain. Mind you, I only have CC on when I know I can drive with sensible gaps between the car in front.

On traffic free motorways my right foot is all over the place tapping to the music and generally trying to stave off numb bum syndrome. At other times it just hovers.

Perhaps you need one of these ? :lol:

 

[Rod]

My left foot is permanently parked (on a foot rest), my right foot hovers but when things are very quiet, planted on the floor.
I try to adjust the gap by the +/- control on the steering wheel before resorting to the brake or accelerator pedals, which switches CC off. But can press Res which re- engages CC and accelerates the car to the set speed. I suppose radar does that automatically?

I tap to music with my fingers on the steering wheel. The seats are very comfortable so don't require a ring [emoji3]though I do have one!

Rod

 

[RogerS]

On the subject of general comfort, I had a really bad back problem after driving non-stop for 4 hours, sleeping in a soft (to me) bed, sitting on soft sofas and then driving non-stop for 4 hours home. Really struggled to get out of bed and upright. My physio was a bit surprised as the Discover seats are very much upright and so posture is not too bad.

So..the top tip my physio gave me was to simply stop at each or every other service station and just get out and walk round the car. No need to go into the services...that simple walk round is enough. And it works!!

 

[Robert]

My left foot is permanently parked (on a foot rest), my right foot hovers but when things are very quiet, planted on the floor.
I try to adjust the gap by the +/- control on the steering wheel before resorting to the brake or accelerator pedals, which switches CC off. But can press Res which re- engages CC and accelerates the car to the set speed. I suppose radar does that automatically?

Rod

I do the same with my feet.

The active cruise control will drive at the set speed unless something comes in front of you. Then it will maintain a safe distance (you have options in settings for how big the distance is but none are unsafe close). If you are at speed and someone overtakes then pulls in front the car does not slow down if the gap continues to increase - even if they are 'too close' when they pull in front. If they slow down so the gap is not increasing (ie a really annoying driver) then the car will slow and restore the gap.
Change to a lane with nothing in front and the car accelerates back to set speed.
This one resumes speed at a sensible rate. my previous car saw resume as an order to race back to speed.