A common ailment to the 2006-2012 Mercedes-Benz ML and GL (W164 and X164) is the automatic tailgate. The automatic tailgate is an option that was almost always been chosen when they were new. If...
It is no secret that automatic transmissions can be more problematic than manuals. The P80 Volvo V70R models, which came to the US from 1998 - 2000, only came with automatic transmissions. The 1998 used a 4-Speed (Aisin-Warner AW50-42) where as the later years used a 5-Speed (AW55-5X, also made...
I recently picked up a used Thor Skid Plate. A skid plate is nice to have if your car is lowered to protect the oil pan as well as other components and is a lot more durable than the plastic belly pan. This installation took place on my B6 Audi A4. Install The install is pretty...
DIY car repair is sometimes really disheartening. For every great success, sometimes there is an equally great failure. Working on cars professionally is an art form that takes a great deal of experience to perfect and understand. Occasionally a simple shade tree service can turn nasty. In my...
The Volvo S70 is a legendary cult-classic vehicle, not because of its looks, not because of the quality of the interior, but because of the bulletproof powertrain that sits between the front wheels. Any Volvo with a whiteblock 5-cylinder is going to last a long, long time, and despite the rest of...
How do you define a “new” car? In my family, any new car is simply younger than the outgoing car. Our 2005 Volvo S80 was 5 years old when we bought it, and that was our newest car in the family fleet. I personally don’t like the idea of needing to go into a dealership and bargaining for a new...
I'm a horsepower junkie. My respectful admiration of automotive art and innovation constantly falls short of my lust for speed and performance. From muscle cars to super cars, track, race circuit, or street - I want to know what's under the hood, how fast it goes, and if I can put it in my BMW...
Over the last three years, I solved a number of issues with my Mini and want to communicate those to you in case you encounter similar issues with yours. Article submitted by reader Jim Burton Car 2005 Mini Cooper, 80,000 miles, base model, 5-speed manual, sport suspension, well maintained,...
This was a dilemma that I (and most other owners) was faced with when about to do the timing belt service on my Volvo S70; whether or not to replace the water pump. The water pumps on these Volvos tend to be very reliable. However, the water pump is driven off of the timing belt and is just a...
Like an M car, the BMW 135is is one of those vehicles that came from the factory without needing much in the way of exterior upgrades. It's hard to find a fault, and the only questionable areas (IMO) on this rare vehicle involve BMW's subtle use of chrome on various trim pieces like the grille...
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