Clubjazz - Honda Jazz & HR-V Forums

Honda Jazz Forums => Honda Jazz Mk1 2002-2008 => Topic started by: Jocko on June 12, 2019, 01:47:39 PM

Title: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 12, 2019, 01:47:39 PM
My wife is really rather ill at the moment, and we are back and forward for hospital appointments and tests. Add to that the fact my mother-in-law is in hospital and when we don't have clinics we have visiting. I am now doing 80+ miles a day and finding the little Jazz rather wearing. It is just too noisy, and too uncomfortable for that daily mileage. Only thing I do love is the fuel economy. I need something quieter and more refined. With the exception of today, the past few days have been really warm and humid, so air con is high on my wish list too.
God forbid, but I think it will have to be a diesel. I say God forbid, because I hate diesels. They are dirty and smelly and they way things are going I can see legislation coming down even harder against them. But how else do I get 54 mpg.
Had a quick look at a Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi SE, but it was only a quick glimpse as I didn't have time. No idea what mpg that would return until I do my research.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: peteo48 on June 12, 2019, 01:58:35 PM
Really sorry to hear about your wife and mother-in-law Jocko. I can see the issue - the Jazz is a great short range runabout and fine for the odd long journey but if I had an 80 mile daily trip I'd be looking for something a bit bigger and something capable of cruising at 70 with minimal noise. I have to say my CVT Mk3 is very relaxed at 70 with the engine running at below 2,500 revs.

The distance is a bit to much for an older Nissan Leaf for example but my pal has a Tekna Leaf and that wafts along very nicely with no noise.

I think a diesel might be the best choice though in the circs even though I share your reservations.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: guest7494 on June 12, 2019, 02:29:51 PM
Hi Jocko
very sorry to hear about your situation, and 80 mile trips daily must be very wearing, please keep us in the loop reference your research etc.
I also think that diesel engined cars will be hammered in the near future, a very difficult choice to be made.
I hope you are successful in your search of available vehicles that meet your criteria.
And wish you every success.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: culzean on June 12, 2019, 02:33:59 PM
Had a quick look at a Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi SE, but it was only a quick glimpse as I didn't have time. No idea what mpg that would return until I do my research.

Sorry to hear about your wife Jocko, hope things get better soon.

The Civic is a nice car but very low to get in and out of, believe me the Jazz is much better in that respect.  Getting in and out of Civic rear seats it is easy to hit your head on door frame, Civic feels about a foot wider in the rear seats and has fold down centre armrest -overall a much more comfortable car and much better performance, can't comment on diesel mpg though, ours is a petrol.  One thing is that on diesel engine the oil filter is on top of engine, so no need at all to get under car if you suck oil out.

Steering in Civic is much more direct, you hardly have to turn steering wheel, catches me out when I drive her indoors Jazz and don't turn wheel enough, downside is that Civic harder to park ( bigger turning circle than jazz and bulky rear restricts rear visibility, I had to fit parking sensors to Civic, first time I have felt I needed them on a car.  That rear spoiler actually works well to keep following headlights out of interior mirror, only 4x4 lights shine through above it.

Can't get full size spare wheel in though, wheel well is deep enough and long and wide enough to take wheel, but because of the way floor pan overhangs front of the well you have try to get wheel in on an angle, and it won't go, maybe if you loose air out of tyre out could bash it in....


From talking to people who have owned 2.2cdti they can use oil, will come as a shock after Jazz to have to top it up, my 1.8vtec Civic uses no oil at all.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 12, 2019, 02:35:08 PM
Engine noise is not a great issue, it is more tyre and road noise. I am not looking at spending a lot of money. The Civic was a 2007 with 140K on the clock at £1000 OVNO. According to Fuelly the 2.2 diesel should return similar mpg as my Jazz, albeit diesel is a bit pricier than petrol.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: JazzyB on June 12, 2019, 02:39:02 PM
Have you looked at the 1.6 dtec engine which I believe returns approx 70+mpg?
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: smilertoo on June 12, 2019, 03:14:43 PM
I was considering a civic diesel then noticed Glasgow and Edinburgh are about to implement congestion zones, petrols are fine after 2006...diesels need to be 2016 or newer, way beyond my budget.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: VicW on June 12, 2019, 03:21:54 PM
Hi Jocko, I hope things improve for you and your family.
Don't forget that diesel is more expensive than petrol and that consumption isn't all that better. Also that diesel servicing costs are higher.
Personally I would stick with petrol and go for a CVT. My fuel consumption is about 50mpg on average but the CVT and air con are very desirable.
Good luck.

Vic.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: culzean on June 12, 2019, 03:53:06 PM
Have you looked at the 1.6 dtec engine which I believe returns approx 70+mpg?

You will be very lucky to get one of those for £1000.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: springswood on June 12, 2019, 05:00:11 PM
Sounds a sensible move in a difficult situation.

Not decisive but I'd heard from that independent garage in Stockport that works on a lot of Hondas that the 2.2 diesel can have some problems at higher mileages. There are a few 1.4 civics about with similar mpg figures to a Jazz.  Might be a bit gutless which I'm not a fan of for longer journeys.

Might a a heresy but from what I've heard the Toyota diesels are more reliable. A 2.0 Auris diesel 09 plate with 140k is about £1500. With a combined 60mpg and good words from Honest John it might be worth a look.

I'd be tempted to look at a Hyundai i20 for only a little more money.

Good luck
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 12, 2019, 05:46:09 PM
I am not wedded to the idea of a Honda, necessarily, it was just that I saw the Civic. I would much prefer a petrol engined car, especially as most of my miles are into/through Edinburgh, it is just that for the miles I am doing I need good mpg. My Volvo S40 was the dogs doodahs, just that the mpg figure sucked.
I am only looking for a short term fix, as hopefully everything will be resolved over the next year or so. I am even considering the option of keeping the Jazz and running two cars. I did that for a number of years, back in the 70's and 80's.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: John Ratsey on June 12, 2019, 10:18:15 PM
Engine noise is not a great issue, it is more tyre and road noise.
Some tyres are better than others for noise. A few months ago I replaced the Michelin Primacy tyres (which were getting towards needing replacement) on my HR-V with Michelin Cross-Climates which run more quietly, particularly on concrete surfaces.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: MartinJG on June 12, 2019, 11:45:29 PM
Jocko. Hate to say this but the Frogs have always made cars that are generally good on rough road comfort, if you can get them to start, that is....

Ps - An amusing DIY review here and perhaps an interesting MPG challenge nudging into the 50's for someone with your flair for squeezing every last drop.

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/owner-reviews/toyota/avensis-2003/?review=7199
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 13, 2019, 07:56:19 AM
Some tyres are better than others for noise. A few months ago I replaced the Michelin Primacy tyres (which were getting towards needing replacement) on my HR-V with Michelin Cross-Climates which run more quietly, particularly on concrete surfaces.
I appreciate that, but the car has three new tyres and one with very little wear, so I am stuck with the tyres I have. They do not seem to be all that noisy compared with some I have owned, it is just that the Jazz is a small empty metal box which tends to amplify any sounds. It is not even that the roads are rough. Most of it is smooth, new tarmac.
The noise never bothers me when we first set out, it is just as we near home after a long day it gets a bit wearing.
Both my wife and I are pretty well running on empty at the moment. We are both tired and worn out and the car just grates.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 13, 2019, 08:00:56 AM
Jocko. Hate to say this but the Frogs have always made cars that are generally good on rough road comfort, if you can get them to start, that is....
The only French car I have ever owned was a Peugeot 504. It was supremely comfortable but falling to bits and rusting away. It is the only car I have ever owned with a rusty dip stick! Really.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: springswood on June 13, 2019, 08:29:58 AM
Quote
The noise never bothers me when we first set out, it is just as we near home after a long day it gets a bit wearing.

I recognise the feeling from when I first got my Jazz. Honestly the trick with rubber washers on the front struts fixed it for under a fiver.

Also you seem to have such a gem of a Jazz for economy I'd be reluctant to let it go.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Kenneve on June 13, 2019, 11:00:56 AM
Hi Jocko
I have to say, with the greatest respect, your car is around 13 years old and the Jazz has moved on a mile since then.
Whilst I have no experience of the Mk1 Jazz, my previous Mk2 and the current Mk3 are as quiet as most other cars.
I regularly drive up to my daughters, a 240 mile round trip in a day, without any undue stress.
I even done circa 400 miles in a day from Birmingham up to Fort William without any problem.

My motoring history is basically Rover/Landrover having worked for them 44 years, driving anything from Rangerovers, Discovery, Rover 200/400 to Metros and I have say the Jazz is no more tiring than any of them, certainly a lot less than Metros!
Tyre noise is vey much subjective, currently I'm on Dunlop SP 2020 and can't say I find them particularly objectionable.

I think moving to diesel would be a backward step, you know from our previous posts that my Mpg is very similar to yours, and of reliability is second to non, so I would certainly stay with Jazz.
I hope it all goes well for you.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 13, 2019, 12:25:12 PM
I think a lot is just to do with where we are at at the moment. We are both worn out and the least little thing is an irritation. We have just been to see the Endocrinologist this morning and she has pencilled my wife in for two more scans, between now and her op in just under a fortnight! This last month she has had more pictures taken than the Taj Mahal.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: sparky Paul on June 13, 2019, 12:33:19 PM
Engine noise is not a great issue, it is more tyre and road noise.

So sorry to hear about your good lady wife Jocko, you both have my best wishes. I know how tiring it gets, we have just had the father in law in hospital for 6 months, and even small problems can soon get top side of you. 

I took the Jazz for the test this morning, to be honest I find it pretty quiet and refined for what it is. The only problems I have with it is the short suspension travel on these crappy potholed roads around here, and the engine revs at motorway speeds - although it still sounds like a sewing machine at idle, with 167K on the clock.

Some of these modern diesels are very good indeed. I swapped our number one car for a large diesel estate, after driving a petrol Ford Galaxy for many years. According to the fibometer, it's averaging over 56mpg, and the road tax is £30. That's saving me around £1500 a year in fuel and tax over the old bus. It's very comfortable and refined, and just eats the miles up, and with 160bhp, it goes well too.

As for the Honda 2.2 diesel, I think they do have their problems, but they are supposed to drive well. Not the most economical small diesels, 45-50mpg in the Civic apparently. Cracked exhaust manifolds and DMF and clutch problems seem to crop up on a regular basis, as well as some timing chain failures. Make sure the service history is good, and look out for DMF problems - shaking at idle, and rattling on standing revs.

The 1.7 diesel in the older Civic was a bullet-proof Isuzu unit.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: peteo48 on June 13, 2019, 12:50:49 PM
All the best with the scans and the forthcoming op for Mrs Jocko.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: jaytee on June 13, 2019, 12:56:59 PM
hi jocko i enjoy your posts and hope that things get a little easier for you and family in future. just to add to the debate we are a2 jazz household mk 1 and 2 . i enjoy my mk1 but for a trip of more a few miles its got to be the mk2 for comfort and that extra bit of power makes a difference on the motorway.stay with the jazz ! i am sure im not the only one who would miss your posts.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 13, 2019, 04:32:36 PM
Had a look at a Honda Civic 1.7 CTDi SE. The old style, 2005. No great leap from the Jazz so I doubt I will go down that route. Today I was just driving the Jazz in town, and only a few miles at that. Cannot fault it in that environment. Tomorrow it is back to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Western General, so that will be a long day. I'll try not to be too critical of it!
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: MartinJG on June 13, 2019, 06:54:27 PM
Jocko. Hate to say this but the Frogs have always made cars that are generally good on rough road comfort, if you can get them to start, that is....
The only French car I have ever owned was a Peugeot 504. It was supremely comfortable but falling to bits and rusting away. It is the only car I have ever owned with a rusty dip stick! Really.

You must have had a goodun. I think the old joke about woodworm applies. It's the rust that holds them together. Stay strong on the health front.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: MartinJG on June 13, 2019, 07:01:45 PM
Hi Jocko
I have to say, with the greatest respect, your car is around 13 years old and the Jazz has moved on a mile since then.
Whilst I have no experience of the Mk1 Jazz, my previous Mk2 and the current Mk3 are as quiet as most other cars.
I regularly drive up to my daughters, a 240 mile round trip in a day, without any undue stress.
I even done circa 400 miles in a day from Birmingham up to Fort William without any problem.

My motoring history is basically Rover/Landrover having worked for them 44 years, driving anything from Rangerovers, Discovery, Rover 200/400 to Metros and I have say the Jazz is no more tiring than any of them, certainly a lot less than Metros!
Tyre noise is vey much subjective, currently I'm on Dunlop SP 2020 and can't say I find them particularly objectionable.

I think moving to diesel would be a backward step, you know from our previous posts that my Mpg is very similar to yours, and of reliability is second to non, so I would certainly stay with Jazz.
I hope it all goes well for you.

I have had diesels and I loved them but the modern ones are a potential headache. Let's not forget about the DPF that is waiting to be replaced at some point in the future and they are not cheap by all accounts.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 13, 2019, 07:36:26 PM
I wouldn't be looking at a newer one. Just something with a year's MOT to get me through the next 12 months. I still hope to go EV in the not too distant future.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: sparky Paul on June 13, 2019, 07:38:26 PM
I have had diesels and I loved them but the modern ones are a potential headache. Let's not forget about the DPF that is waiting to be replaced at some point in the future and they are not cheap by all accounts.

It's a fair point, there's a lot to go wrong on modern diesels. It's just the temptation of fuel economy and cheap road tax.

As well as the DPFs, you also have potential for the disaster with the injector pumps on direct injection, and injector seal problems, which on the small Peugeots can then lead on to oil contamination and subsequent turbo and crank failures.

I was a bit worried the DPF and failed regens when we got the diesel last year. I don't do that many long journeys and there are no motorways around here to give it a regular blow out. I've monitoring the soot levels periodically in the DPF with the diagnostic tool, and so far it's been okay - it seems to be handling regens okay on the driving I do.

If the DPF ever bungs up, it will be getting the pressure washer up it!
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 13, 2019, 07:42:02 PM
Halfords do a DPF Deep Clean for £85.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: sparky Paul on June 13, 2019, 07:59:47 PM
Halfords do a DPF Deep Clean for £85.

The trouble with a blocked DPF is the other problems it can cause. The car burns the soof off the DPF by injecting diesel on the exhaust stroke, and any back pressure from a semi-blocked DPF forces the unburnt diesel into the sump oil. On the other car we have, this can cause a known issue with that particular engine where an oil sump pickup pipe seal hardens due to the diesel in the oil, and subsequent loss of oil pressure and crank failure.

A lot of DPF problems are caused by failed regens, when the exhaust never gets sufficiently hot for the car to burn the soot off. Lots of short journeys does them no good at all. I bit the bullet, and it seems to be working out so far - a big comfortable estate car that's actually cheaper to run and tax than the Jazz is.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: MartinJG on June 13, 2019, 09:02:02 PM
Halfords do a DPF Deep Clean for £85.

The trouble with a blocked DPF is the other problems it can cause. The car burns the soof off the DPF by injecting diesel on the exhaust stroke, and any back pressure from a semi-blocked DPF forces the unburnt diesel into the sump oil. On the other car we have, this can cause a known issue with that particular engine where an oil sump pickup pipe seal hardens due to the diesel in the oil, and subsequent loss of oil pressure and crank failure.

A lot of DPF problems are caused by failed regens, when the exhaust never gets sufficiently hot for the car to burn the soot off. Lots of short journeys does them no good at all. I bit the bullet, and it seems to be working out so far - a big comfortable estate car that's actually cheaper to run and tax than the Jazz is.

I learned to drive on a tractor so diesels were really just a short step in that direction. I think we are all aware about the NOX and carcinogenic issues. It is a pity. Heat engineering, coupled with a turbo is efficient and works well. I always found diesels to be relaxing to drive with that mid range poke in just the right part of the power band to be useful for everyday driving. Took me a while to get used to the Jazz with that little egg beater under the bonnet. No complaints though. It's a sweet little egg beater though I do find myself tempted by one of these for those occasional flirtations with the Devil.


Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 13, 2019, 10:00:05 PM
I drove diesel vans for a while and I found them excellent, especially the Citroen Berlingo. Maybe I should look for one of them, they are cheap enough?
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: MartinJG on June 13, 2019, 11:55:41 PM
I drove diesel vans for a while and I found them excellent, especially the Citroen Berlingo. Maybe I should look for one of them, they are cheap enough?

I momentarily toyed with the idea of getting a used London Black Cab before I came to my senses. I could get a genuine 60MPG in my Octavia Estate on a motorway trip of 200 miles cruising at the legal limit (ish) and I would be as fresh as daisy at the end of the run. Best car I ever owned.

 
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: sparky Paul on June 14, 2019, 09:45:39 AM
I drove diesel vans for a while and I found them excellent, especially the Citroen Berlingo. Maybe I should look for one of them, they are cheap enough?

There are plenty of cheap Berlingos (also Peugeot Partner which is the same), but the prices go right up for late plate ones. Very practical, comfy too, and just the right height for those of use whose bones are getting a bit creaky.

The 2.0 litre diesel in the older ones is a good reliable engine, most of the later ones have the more economical (and cheaper tax)  1560cc Peugeot with the aforementioned injector problems. The injector seals go, and it blows into the oil, bits of burnt oil clog the pickup pipe and the turbo goes kaput. Avoid anything that's had a recent new turbo, the crank bearings on these often follow 3-6 months later. All this only applies if you are unlucky enough to pick up a bloater, some of them do big mileages without problems.

In fact, for some of these engines, I wouldn't worry about big mileages - if the service history is good, and the engine has managed to get to 150K or more without disaster, there can't be a lot wrong with it. It's not uncommon to see these engine with 250K+ on them in vans, and still going.

The bodies are usually excellent on French cars, but the interiors fall to bits on big mileages.

With any of these modern diesels, always be on the look out for injector leaks (black soot or oil around injectors), poor starting (could just be heater plugs, but can be injectors and/or injector pump), rattly flywheels, and recent turbo replacement.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: peteo48 on June 14, 2019, 10:33:01 AM
A diesel van - lateral thinking but why not if the price is right and there are only two of you.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: sparky Paul on June 14, 2019, 11:36:42 AM
Don't overlook the Kangoo too.

I know it's a Renault, with all the problems that go with that, but that 1.5 DCi engine is probably one of the best small diesel engines about. I think a lot of the early problems were down to the stupid 20,000 mile oil change change interval they started off with, and the oil filter is tiny on them. My mate changes his Kangoo's oil every 6,000 miles or so, and it's done well over 200K now.


There are a couple of problems to bear in mind with proper vans, rather than a car version of the same vehicle - road tax and insurance.

Many of these older non Euro-4 compliant small vans are currently £260 road tax. The equivalent Kangoo or Berlingo car can be around £100 cheaper, and some are as low as £30.

Also Insurance - there are now only a few companies who will transfer your car NCB to a van policy, and vice-versa. You have to be careful who you insure with when you are going one way or the other, or you could end up losing your NCB.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: tomreys on June 14, 2019, 11:58:20 AM
Just switched from a mk1 to mk2 Jazz , The ride quality is miles apart..
You felt trashed/tired when driving extended distances in 1st Jazz , in this new Jazz you feel like a normal person again, less noise, smooth drive.
+ The seat comfort on the MK2 Is seriously improved as well.

Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: culzean on June 14, 2019, 12:24:48 PM
Toyota Auris are built like a brick sh1th00se and go on for ever.  Ford Transit Connect worth a look, more comfortable than most cars but in the van ( IIRC ) you only get two front seats,  most other vans around that size seem to get 3 across.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 14, 2019, 06:40:10 PM
I wouldn't consider a van. I would go for the Multispace with 5 seats and sliding rear doors.

Another long day behind the wheel and it is simply tyre noise that is getting to me. You hear every change in road surface. The tyres I have on the car are Yokohama BluEarth ES32. They are 175/65 14, on steel wheels. Rated at 68db they are among the quieter tyres on the market. However, the rating is for external noise, not for the noise in the cabin!
I think there is a resonance between about 35 - 45 mph. Faster or slower and it is not too bad.

I tell you what I have just realised, after running with no wheel trims fitted for the past 4 months, I refitted them last week for the MOT test. I'll pull them back off tomorrow.

The ride is not unduly uncomfortable. Just firm and, due to the short wheelbase, prone to choppiness on some road surfaces. The fact that I am nearly 20 stone doesn't help, as the seat springs are well compressed and therefore of little help.
Engine noise, even at motorway speeds, is not an issue. Engine and exhaust note are very subdued.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: sparky Paul on June 14, 2019, 10:09:12 PM
I agree, the suspension is short travel and quite firm on the Jazz, the Europeans seems to do it so much better.

I don't find ours noisy at all, particularly for road noise, I wonder if there were any changes to the subframe bushing or sound deadening materials used in the later Chinese built cars?
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 15, 2019, 09:29:42 AM
Removed the wheel trims this morning. Just did a mile or so in the town so no conclusions yet. Today is a quiet day. We are not even going to visit Mum. It will be tomorrow before I find if removing trims have made any difference.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 16, 2019, 05:10:19 PM
Went over to Edinburgh's Western General this afternoon and car "seemed" a bit quieter. It is definitely tyre noise, as a change of road surface can go from noisy to almost silent.
The sound seems to come from the nearside rear, but I know how difficult it is to pinpoint the source of sound in a car.
The offside rear tyre is a Mentor M-40 or 400. Checking on line tells me these tyres are made in Bulgaria and are best fitted to donkey carts! They are rates at 73db, which is the EU limit for tyre noise.
Although this tyre has a ton of tread left I may just bite the bullet replace it with another BluEarth ES32. Kwik Fit are supplying them at £50 a throw at present. Blackcircles, 49p cheaper.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: John A on June 16, 2019, 07:39:49 PM
The offside rear tyre is a Mentor M-40 or 400. Checking on line tells me these tyres are made in Bulgaria and are best fitted to donkey carts! They are rates at 73db, which is the EU limit for tyre noise.
Although this tyre has a ton of tread left I may just bite the bullet replace it with another BluEarth ES32. Kwik Fit are supplying them at £50 a throw at present. Blackcircles, 49p cheaper.

Cheaper than changing the car, even with Kwik Fit prices!
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: sparky Paul on June 16, 2019, 09:34:07 PM
Have you had any rear bearings replaced Jocko? I can't remember.

Might be worth having a feel of the inside tread of the tyres, I had a wheel bearing cause scalloping on an Avon tyre, it sounded horrendous in the end. I thought it was just the wheel bearing, but by the time I replaced it, the tyre was making more noise than the bearing and I had to scrap it.

They don't sound too keen on those tyres here

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Mentor/M400.htm
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: guest4871 on June 16, 2019, 10:01:36 PM
Personnally, Jocko, I wouldn't go near Kwik Fit with two barge poles.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 16, 2019, 10:45:25 PM
Have you had any rear bearings replaced Jocko? I can't remember.

Might be worth having a feel of the inside tread of the tyres, I had a wheel bearing cause scalloping on an Avon tyre, it sounded horrendous in the end. I thought it was just the wheel bearing, but by the time I replaced it, the tyre was making more noise than the bearing and I had to scrap it.

They don't sound too keen on those tyres here

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Mentor/M400.htm
Wheel bearings have never been changed that I am aware of and rear tyres are like new (the Mentor has been on the rear for at least 25K, possibly a lot more).
Regarding the Mentor tyres, that is one of the reports I read.

With regard to Kwik Fit, our local branch is excellent. I have used then since they opened in the town, many years ago, and never had an issue. I shop around for tyres, exhausts and batteries, and they usually offer a good price. The local branch is less than quarter of a mile from my door so it makes them convenient as well.
I also find Farmer Autocare very good but they want £54 for the same tyre.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: Jocko on June 21, 2019, 09:50:18 AM
Car seems to have quietened down considerably. I don't know if it is just that I an less stressed, better slept, or if the wheel trims being removed have in fact made a difference. It may even been something as simple as a stone lodged in a tread.
I am getting excellent mpg figures despite the length of time I am sitting in queuing traffic so perhaps it would be prudent to hang onto this Jazz.
Title: Re: Seriously considering moving on.
Post by: sparky Paul on June 21, 2019, 11:10:31 AM
I am getting excellent mpg figures despite the length of time I am sitting in queuing traffic so perhaps it would be prudent to hang onto this Jazz.

If it does what you need, it's a lot easier and cheaper to hang on to them! I'm a big believer in the old adage "if it's not broke, don't mend it"... or swap it.

We only intended this Jazz as a cheap stopgap, and although it's not 100% cosmetically, it runs and drives so well I'm loathed to part with it. I think I might make an effort to tidy the body up and run it for a few years.