Bluemarlin

My last service was at Guildford and they seem fine. Reading seem to be spoken highly of on here too.

Try pouring some room temperature/luke warm water over the nozzles to try and clear them, and then run the screen wash through them.

I had something similar Peter, although digital, but will admit to being easily swayed by gadgets 🙂 Not all live up to expectations, but this seems great though, as I can check the tyres in 30 seconds, without having to remove the valve caps.

I can't compare them directly with winter tyres as I've never used any, but my experience with Cross Climates has been fine. They're quiet and in summer have handled well, and in heavy snow, on motorways, rural roads and mountains, in Germany and Switzerland last winter, they performed flawlessly. So for my needs, which is largely UK, they're better than the cost and faff of messing around with two sets of wheels. I'm sure summer tyres are better in summer, and winter ones better in the worst of winters, but these seem like a decent compromise to me.

All those comments makes sense, although I didn't notice a drop last winter, even when I was in Europe, in proper snowy conditions for a week or so. My average for the last 15 months has hovered around 30 mpg, whilst my last tankful average is hovering around 22/23. It would be logical for the cooler temperatures to have an effect though, so I'll put it down to a combination of that and the E10. Maybe ethanol fuel is more impacted by the cold? I'll probably fill up again before Xmas, so will go back to the Esso E5, and see if/how much it improves.

I had a "sealed for life" gearbox on a previous Jag, and it needed replacing at around 80k, so am wary of such claims. As such I had the eCVT fluid changed at 96k miles on my RX 450h. I don't think the eCVTs get as hard a life as a traditional auto box, but just did it for peace of mind. In truth, I guess a transmission can fail with or without an oil change, so it's your call, but if you do the change then the £150 quote sounds reasonable.

Has anyone noticed a change in mpg with any of these additives? I've stuck with E5 and, for last year, have averaged just over 30mpg. However, on my last fill up I happened to be in Sainsburys and all they had was E10. Since then my mpg since last fillup has been low to mid 20s. I don't know if it's E10 that's the problem, or whether it's specifically Sainsburys fuel. I'll be curious to see what I get after the next fill up, which will be Esso E5.

Just bought one of these and fitted the caps this afternoon. https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/michelin-fit2go-tyre-pressure-checker-micipk-01/ The readings are about a couple of psi out from my pump, although I don't know how accurate the pump is, but it's consistent across all 4 tyres. Given that you just have to hold the reader up to the caps, it's definitely a much quicker and less fiddly way of checking tyre pressure and seeing if you're losing any. I chose it over the ones with an in car display as the caps/sensors don't require batteries and work by NFC. It's early days, but I like the idea and convenience of it.

Excuse my ignorance, but aren't hydrogen cars still electric cars, and just use a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity, instead of running off a battery?

I think you'd struggle to get a 450h on your budget of £7.5k. I just had a look on Autotrader and the cheapest ones under 120k miles (which would probably be my limit, were just under £10k.

I drove in snow over a foot deep in Germany last year, with Michelin Cross Climate SUVs, which are snow rated all seasons, and had no problems at all, on either straight roads or mountains. Obviously I took it easy, but never once felt any lack of control. I even took snow chains, but didn't need them. The tyres are quiet and comfortable in the summer too. Naturally they clear the motorways quicker in Germany but, when there was fresh snow falling, some were similar to that in the clip and they were fine too. I considered winter tyres too for my trip but, given that we don't always get snow for any length of time here, especially in the South East, and that the performance of the Cross Climates seem more than adequate, I passed on the extra cost and faff of changing wheels. Perhaps if I lived in a more snowy area I'd think diffferently, but I'm happy with what I've got.

My thoughts are that the service and price are about right, based on my last spark plug service. As for the hybrid battery pack, my understanding is that it is covered for up to 15 years or 150k miles, and so once you pass one of those measures it's no longer covered. Even though it wont be covered, I'd be tempted to ask them if they'll do the health check so as you know it's still ok, for peace of mind, if it worries you.

In this weather I'd suspect the exhaust gases are just condensation. Look at other cars while you're out and most willl be the same. As for the noise, it could be the rear cargo cover, or the seats, so check that they're firmly secured. If it definitely is suspension related, and nothing is seriously worn, then a bit of lubrication might help. I spray any bushes with a silicone type lubricant and, before winter, spray everything underneath with ACF-50, and have no creaks or rattles when going over speed bumps.

Warranty is 15yrs/150k miles, as long as you get an annual health check, which is free with a dealer service, otherwise about £60. As Herbie says though, there are now third parties who can supply and/or replace faulty cells. I don't really worry about it anymore than I would about transmission or any other mechanical failure on a non hybrid.

Me neither, although funny things happen in sport. Years ago I remember watching horse racing where, in the first three races the number 1 horse won. In the fourth race the 1 horse was the 100-1 outsider, and so the commentator said at least we can sure the 1 horse won't win this race. I immediately thought "famous last words" and put £2 on it, and it steamed off into the lead and romped home 🙂

True, but they do crop up. Mine was bang on £10k, with 96k miles, fsh, well looked after (looked almost new) and one owner. Thing is, you have to be quick, I was the first to call when the ad went up. I wouldn't be too concerned with a little over 100k miles, as that tends to have a psychological effect on prices, and would focus mainly on service history and condition. Obviously I'd still be concerned about corrosion and so would look out for anything beyond any normal surface rust on the underbody. Worst areas to have it would be the sills and wheels arches in my experience. Most other things can be covered by the extended warranty. Whichever model you go for, check under the front and rear mats for any signs of damp or water ingress, as well as under all the covers in the cargo area.

Probably true, but don't forget Euro 2004, where Greece knocked out France and went on to win it.

Well, a decent performance by England, but not enough. I thought we played well in the second half, but the French took their chances well with two good goals. What's Moroccan for "It's coming home"? 🙂

Just over a year ago I was in a similar position, going from a Jaguar to a Lexus. I also gave myself a similar budget, and so was initially looking at RX300's and 400h's. I too was concerned about corrosion, leaks and other potential pitfalls, so was looking for cars without a sunroof, air suspension, and away from coastal areas and the coldest parts of the country. In the end I decided to up my budget by a couple of thousand, to try and minimise any risk, and went for a 450h instead. Given that I intend to keep the car for a while, I thought it made sense as, firstly I might lose any savings if I was hit with big problems on an older car, and secondly, I could get a few years peace of mind with the 10 year plus extended warranty on something newer. A year down the road and I've forgottten about the extra initial outlay, and am glad I made the choice I did. It might not be an option you favour, but just thought I'd add a different perspective to consider.

I've been waiting to wash the car since the Thames water ban was lifted, so just trying to motivate myself to do it in the colder weather. Not sure if I'll go the full snow foam, ceramic treatment until spring, but might try the rinseless wash I bought.

It'll be a shame to see such a good player go out of the world cup at this stage, but what can you do 😉

Nope, it's definetely not just you. Nobby Stiles was apparently 28 then and looked about 40, and Bobby Charlton was early/mid 30's.

Well done Croatia. Seems that Brazil weren't the hardest nut to crack after all 🙂

Glad you were able to win custody of the toaster.

Brilliant, thanks Eddie.