Approved Dealerships

Owning a car has its many responsibilities, making sure it’s in top driving condition is crucial.  Finding the best garage to get repairs done is proving to be very difficult, as we all want the best for our cars and our wallets.

As the vehicles we buy become more and more “fly by wire” it is important we get the vehicle serviced and maintained by the manufacturers recommended intervals and by the correctly trained technicians who use the approved equipment.

When a vehicle does develop a fault we tend to look for the cheapest option, which in many instances means taking the vehicle to an independent or “local” garage. Unfortunately not all these garages are adequately equipped to diagnose, service and repair the latest vehicles.

Audis for example need to be plugged into a VAS system with the most up to date software after any part is changed, this software is not widely distributed by Audi to ensure only qualified technicians and approved garages can access their vehicle ECU.

Audi like most manufacturers recommend you use a manufacturer approved dealership to service and maintain your vehicle such as the approved Audi in Chelmsford. Their hourly rates are very competitive and as you would expect from an Audi dealer their service is second to none.

The New Jaguar XJ

The new XJ, replacing the previous version, which first appeared back in 2002. 

Three different versions will be going on sale; a very impressive 3-litre V6 diesel, a 5-litre V8 petrol (0-60mph 5.4secs) and 5-litre V8 supercharged petrol (0-60mph 4.7secs). All models are available in standard or long wheelbase format. I want the 5.0 V8 Super LWB.

I have a soft spot for Jags, so this new XJ just blows all other competition away for me, forget the CLS or the 6 Series, I want the XJ in black with red nappa leather!

And, as this is the XJ is will be a proper "proper" Jag, the interior looks brilliant! I better start saving, for more pics and info check out this Jaguar dealer in Poole.

Drool...droool........yumm

The Audi A7

Audi today revealed the Audi A7

The audi A7 is the hatchback version of the Audi A6 - this Audi A7 is classed as a 4 door Coupe. A little confusing because it can be a 5 door hatch.

Bangladeshi Road Traffic Signs

Like they even obey them!!!

2 most economicals cars in the UK

For the person looking to save money on the rising fuel prices, here’s my Top 5 of the most economical cars available in England and the UK.  The information has been taken from Auto Express who road tested these cars.

1-    Ford Focus Econetic - 85.7mpg
87.5 miles per gallon is an incredibly impressive figure and the test proved that it lived up to and beyond the advertised mpg of 76.3mpg.  This car managed to drive for 307.5miles on £20 fuel, so a full tank of £60 would give almost a thousand miles.  I think my Toyota Prius Hybrid drank more petrol than this; I use to get around 300 miles for £35 worth of fuel.  

The Ford Focus Econetic has similarities to a hybrid vehicle; it uses the kinetic energy produced while breaking to provide energy to drive, as well as the petrol that’s being used.  The Focus also has the stop start technology where the car switches off when the car stops and starts again at pull off.    Other factors making this Ford Focus Econetic more eco-friendly is the fact that there no spare wheel in the back, they supply special foam that fixes the punctured tyre.   The Ford Focus also has low rolling resistance tyres, which helps reduce the amount of energy needed to progress forward.

2-    VW Golf Bluemotion - 78.3mpg
VW advertise the Golf Bluemotion saying it gives an average of 74.3mpg, so it was a pleasant surprise to read that this particular road test gave the car an average of 78.3mpg.  The VW Golf in my opinion is better looking and more solid than the Ford Focus Econetic. 

The Bluemotion with £20 fuel gave a total of 281 miles.  Start and stop technology is also a feature on the Golf.  The Bluemotion technology advises the driver on when to change gears to get optimum fuel economy.  Again just like the Focus, the Golf Blue Motion comes with low rolling resistance tyres.

I’d love to own either of these cars as they have amazing money saving capabilities.  For now I just have to put up with a Citroen, which I bought from a used Citroen Oxfordshire dealership. 

The Citroen DS3

I have been looking at small hatchbacks or even super minis to get me to and from work safely, quickly and economically. I’ve looked at a few and there is one that catches my eye.

The Citroen DS3 – “The Citroën DS3 takes freedom of expression to the next level through elegant design, tactile quality and advanced technology”

I like individuality, I hate common cars – everyone has them. I like cars which I can tailor, adjust and change to reflect my personality even if just a little bit. Citroen have mastered that, it is as if they read my mind.

The DS3 is customisable at purchase - As well as a wide range of body colours, the roof panel will be offered in a choice of black, white, blue or red. Door mirrors and running strips will also be available in a choice of colour or chrome finishes, while the wheels and wheel centres will also offer a range of colour choices. The interior will come in leather or a variety of coloured fabrics. There'll even be five gear knob finishes available.

The DS3 1.6 HDI 90 gives on average 70.6 miles per gallon! Does 0-60 in 11 seconds and has a top speed of 112 MPH – not too shabby! The 1.6 HDI costs about £13,700. For a Citroen DS3 in Aldershot make sure you check out Charters Citroen.

The 2010 Citroen C3

The 2010 C3 is Citroen’s revamp of the initial Citroen C3, to make the then C3 stand out Citroen played it a bit different, making the car a bit taller and a bit more mini MPV-like than a run of the mill “supermini”.

The new Citroen C3’s unique feature. A screen that does not stop until it is above your head. Citroen calls it, “a touch of glass”. They have something very similar with the C4 Picasso.

Engine wise the petrol line-up starts with a weedy 1.1-litre unit, then there's a couple of nippier 1.4s. As with all super minis now a days Citroen also offers three smooth diesels – a 67bhp 1.4 and 1.6s with 89- and 110bhp.

The New Citroen C3 is a super mini made for the town, riding potholes very well but due to its softness the C3 is not the best handling. Like most of the other cars in its class the New Citroen C3 super mini is well refined with road noise at a minimal, though the small engines can be a bit noisy at times.

The 1.1 VT 5 Door will cost you just under £11, 000, the top end Citroen C3 1.6 HDI goes up to £16,000. The launch of the new C3 has meant the prices of a Used Citroen C3 have come down. I saw one a Used Citroen C3 in Aldershot for under £6,000.