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Car in for a bit of a service today at a non-dealer garage, I won't find out the cost until I dander up to get it later - getting the following done - Oil & Filter change, Rear Discs & Pads. IS220D. Who can guess what it will cost including VAT? No prizes for the closest guess.

£160

Would anyone have an idea as to how much it would cost to replace a gearbox in a VW Golf that is 5 years old?

3 to 4 hours labour (we charge £20 per hour) plus the price of a second hand box. This could be £150 to £400 depending on the type of box required and who you buy it from.

Anyone know who's is good near Belfast on Audi electrics?

What is the exact electrical problem? We are 50 minutes from Belfast down the M1.

Thanks Gerry. That explains it pretty well. What type of van is it LL? Some times if you take it to the official dealer they can switch it off without disabling the drivers airbag.

*Complete hijacking of thread alert*

Whats the story with child seats in the front of a car?
I can't turn off the passenger airbag in my van but as the wife is back to work next week and her parents are going to be minding the young lad I am going to have to pick him up someday's in my van.

If the child seat is rear facing the air bag has to be off right? I don't understand that as the car child seats are fairly solid so how is it dangerous for the child?

When an airbag goes off it has an explosive reaction that could shift any child seat and can release
gas that causes flash burns.

There also may be issues with the law/insurance with having a child seat in the front of a vehicle not designed for such.

Yes lad, I've a mk4 Golf diesel that's leaking coolant like there's no tomorrow. Been doing this near two years.

Manageable if I keep  journey distances short but if I do anything over 60-90 mins the light comes on and starts buzzing away - especially likely to happen if I'm doing 70-80mph+ on these journeys. I've had another VW mechanic look at it and he can't find a solution but I would like another opinion. It's pure annoying.

The most common place for this model to leak coolant is at the water temp sensor. It is on the right hand side of the cylinder head as you look in. It has a rubber o ring seal that perishes and leaks. That is the first place I would look.

I would avoid any sort of 'rad leak' as it may fix the leak but can cause other problems.

Ok, here is the deal. I am looking for some free advertising on here for my business. In return I will try to advise on or answer any questions about car problems to the best of my ability.

I have a car business in Ballygawley where I sell, service, MOT/NCT and clean cars. We also supply and fit a full range of Tyres.

We are currently working on expanding the service end of the business and have invested in up to date equipment including Diagnostics for most vehicles.

I have a mechanic working for me that has 15 years experience 8 of which was at a VW dealership and is fully up to date with VW training.

We can service any type of car including timing belts/flywheels/clutches/brakes etc.

We aim to be very competitive with our prices as all we want to do is fill hours and build up a name for being good value as well as good standard of work.

Fire away with any questions and I will try to help.

Garrett.

It really is pathetic how low weak little men like this will stoop to get a few votes!

Best of luck in Donegal.  Whats the name of the stage where the cars climb up the wide twisty road with the dackdrop of the beach in the background?  Happy memories.

I am going as a spectator this year. Done it in 2009.

Knockalla. One of the best stages in Ireland.

Donegal has been desperately unlucky in the last 10 years. 4 out of the 7 deaths in all of Irish rallying have taken place on the Donegal International Rally. Thomas Maguire who died 2 years ago whilst co-driving was a friend of mine who I have competed against. When you consider there must be 60-70 rallies a year in Ireland you can see how unlucky Donegal has been. The deaths are all part of freak accidents. Rallying in Ireland is as safe as anywhere in the world.

By the way. All damage to walls etc is repaired by the local motorclub or paid for by the local motorclub. This cost is included in the entry fees that are paid by the rally crews. A few holes in hedges and knocked over walls (that are repaired) is a small price to pay for the revenue brought into the area.

I will be in Donegal in 2 weeks time for IMO the best Rally in Ireland.

[In that time I know of 7 fatalities.]

Its been a long time since anyone was killed at an Irish rally, they are usually well organised and well marshalled. What happened today was a tragic accident, nothing more. Lets hope the injured make a speedy recovery. RIP to those who werent so lucky.

Nonsense.

There was a young lad killed in 2008 in Donegal. Two marshalls killed in Donegal in 2002 by a car leaving the road. A driver killed in 2010.

It used to pass out our road years ago, but thankfully the locals got a stop put to it. It was sheer madness the rate at which they drove, not to mention the absolute wreck the roads were left in.

I have been involved in rallying as a competitor in Ireland for 11 years. In that time I know of 7 fatalities. 2 Co-drivers, 2 Marshalls and 3 spectators.

At a rough guess, in that time, approx 150000 - 200000 have competeted and countless thousands have spectated. Motorsport is the 3rd most popular sport in Ireland. It creates Millions in revenue every year and not least in your own County of Donegal. The Donegal Rally is estimated to bring in 50000 people a year to the county who all contribute to the local economy.

No amount of money can make up for lost lives but things must be put in context. In those 11 years we have lost people to other sports including our own GAA.

Rallying is a great sport that is safe. Accidents happen but 99.99% of the time there are not even injuries never mind fatalities.

RIP such a tragedy,

I cant however Begin to understand what the above statement is meant to support. I'm not anti-rallying/road biking etc as I feel everyperson knows what dangers he/she encounters as a fan/competitor in such sports. But I feel the above is a flawed

Flawed how? I am just pointing out that these type of things are extremely rare. Knee jerk nonsense such as

It used to pass out our road years ago, but thankfully the locals got a stop put to it. It was sheer madness the rate at which they drove, not to mention the absolute wreck the roads were left in.

and

These events should never be held on public roads for a start. Complete and utter madness. How more people haven't been killed is beyond me.

The above quotes are more flawed IMO.

Its been a long time since anyone was killed at an Irish rally, they are usually well organised and well marshalled. What happened today was a tragic accident, nothing more. Lets hope the injured make a speedy recovery. RIP to those who werent so lucky.

Nonsense.

There was a young lad killed in 2008 in Donegal. Two marshalls killed in Donegal in 2002 by a car leaving the road. A driver killed in 2010.

It used to pass out our road years ago, but thankfully the locals got a stop put to it. It was sheer madness the rate at which they drove, not to mention the absolute wreck the roads were left in.

I have been involved in rallying as a competitor in Ireland for 11 years. In that time I know of 7 fatalities. 2 Co-drivers, 2 Marshalls and 3 spectators.

At a rough guess, in that time, approx 150000 - 200000 have competeted and countless thousands have spectated. Motorsport is the 3rd most popular sport in Ireland. It creates Millions in revenue every year and not least in your own County of Donegal. The Donegal Rally is estimated to bring in 50000 people a year to the county who all contribute to the local economy.

No amount of money can make up for lost lives but things must be put in context. In those 11 years we have lost people to other sports including our own GAA.

Rallying is a great sport that is safe. Accidents happen but 99.99% of the time there are not even injuries never mind fatalities.

These events should never be held on public roads for a start. Complete and utter madness. How more people haven't been killed is beyond me.

God help their families.

Please refrain from commenting on such a sensitive issue when you obviously know very little about it..

A tragic freak accident. RIP.

Also built in the wrong location. It would blow the head off ye up there!!!

Agree there. It is a very windy site. I would guess a lot of trees planted for wind breakers would help.

Shifting well this week.