Rizmo

Will try and make one of these, but clashes with dog training. Can always bring the dog, but she will eat all the biscuits!

Around Derby, just a few years ago, the Police used an unmarked motorcycle, with hidden blue strobes. The only ID on the copper, who wore a black jacket (no Hi Vis), was POLICE embroidered on the back of his jacket - like you might have HONDA or whatever, but in letters about an inch high. Very sneeky, and not sure if they still use it.

And there was me, thinking you were talking about those blue pills that give you a boost (and make your Fiat 500 look beefy)!

My nearside door mirror groans, when being opened. Imagine it is the motor, or stiffness in the moving parts. Still opens OK, so not a drama situation, and can wait until I take car in for service, or find myself near a dealer. Anyone else had this?

Nice motor. Would have gone for that colour, if still available, but like the current red as well.

Took to dealer today. No probs as is sealant put on in factory. Note to self - always check oil in daylight, not in garage, and you will see these things straight away, not 3 months after buying it! Handily, also confirmed that. although I only do 6K miles a year, not considered adverse driving conditions, so don't need mandatory oil/filter change at 6 months (but can have, if I want it). Downside was that sat nav updates are few and far between (years), so no change from Kia, in that respect.

Not doing what I think it's doing, is it? My Labrador is good at embarrassing me like that! Nice looking car - and you are very brave, buying from so far away.

Have you registered with the tracker company, since you bought the car? If the previous owner told them he had sold it, they may be trying to contact you (probably for some money!!).

Cheers all! Have now had a look at it in daylight, with both cold and hot engine. Does appear to be waxy when cold, but gets more liquid when hot. Is actually spread over much of the engine, but none on the inside of the bonnet, so does not appear to be a pressure leak. Suspect it is as Alex says, but having already driven 1100 miles, I will take it to the dealer on Monday.

Had my head under the bonnet today, as checking oil and water for long trip Saturday, and found a lot of pale green oily stuff on the front of the engine. Mainly just behind the oil filter. Will have to get it to a dealer next week, but any ideas? Will try and post a photo tomorrow.

Welcome to XV ownership. I have had mine a couple of months (petrol and CVT gearbox), and just made it to 1000 miles (must get out more!). Currently showing 30 mpg average, but mainly short journeys, with the odd trip down south, when it gets up to the mid 40s. Did you go for the spare wheel option, as that was my only regret (that it brings the boot floor up to level with the hatch opening, that is, rather than not having a spare). Have only seen one other around here, and that is a 13 reg white one - so all the other drivers are craning their necks to see what I am driving. Makes me feel really smug!

Quick query - what do you mean/how did you "enlarge the holes" for the new bulbs?

Get a full written estimate of the work required, and projected costs, so you have a full picture of possible loss. Write to seller, rejecting the car, and asking for full refund of price paid, as not economical to repair, and they can have the car back (when you have the money). Draft letter can be got from Citizen's Advice. If seller ignores your letter, and will not do anything, you may well have to get car repaired, and then sue, in small claims court, for repair cost. If you paid for car with credit card or hire purchase, even if only the deposit, then you can contact the card provider, as they are equally liable (always pays to use a credit card, for that reason). The civil law is quite clear on these matters, but getting that law enforced is down to you, I am afraid. If there was any description, in the advert or elsewhere, that indicated the car was "good", then you should get in touch with Trading Standards, as a criminal offence may have been committed.

When I had my Kia Venga, no-one bothered me, but now I have the XV, I am being passed or hussled by all sorts. Is it the badge that attracts them???

Ot take it to Halfords, and let their fitter change it for you, watch carefully, and you will know how to do it in the future. And if they break anything, they have to pay repair costs.

I often run round the M25, with all the variable limits, and the locals (mainly airport cargo and taxis) always exceed the posted limit. I can only assume they have calculated the leeway, and drive just fast enough to still be legal - usually 10mph faster than me, it seems!. Perhaps they will have to slow down, if the new rules are applied to the M25.

We have a few of those signs that tell you how fast you are going. With my old Kia, I could be doing 4 mph more on the speedo than the warning sign near me, but with the XV, the reading is the same. So, the XV speedo is spot on, and I will have to keep to it, rather than my usual "leeway"!

Lots of DPF problems on the Kia forums, but only for those who do low mileage or short trips. Diesels might give good mpg, but really mile munchers, not shopping cars. My diesel C4 worked fine, when I was working, but after retirement, with just shopping trips, it soon started to mess about - and that was with the Citroen eloys oil pumped into the tank each fill-up. When I bought the Kia, the salesman almost insisted I buy petrol!! Now have the XV petrol, for the same reason. If your DPF is blocked, even slightly, it will be a pig to clear, and a forced regen by the dealer seems not to be an option in your case. Sounds like a new DPF or removing it are the only options.

Would it be OK to post one of the "official" pics of my car, from the Sheffield meet? Don't want to breech any copyright!

At last, a good reason to buy a copy! Off to WHS tomorrow. :D

My old Spaniel used to go mental, when there was thunder about, but loved to go out and watch fireworks!!!! My Lab did not even stir, during the recent storm - must be the gun dog genes. I expect she will hate fireworks, just to prove she is a dog.

Rats, I'll be "darn sarf" that day, and won't get back till late. Have a good one, them what's going.

Cheers for that, will have a look at them.

I just join the queue of browsers in Smiths - the mags are free, as long as you don't try to take them away!

As far as the dealer is concerned, it would be OK to fit a sporty exhaust to the XV, from the cat back, as long as it does not delete any sensors (got it in writing!). That way, my warranty would be retained. Anyone done this, or know of any suppliers? I have a stainless steel exhaust manufacturer near here (Huthwaite, Notts), who can make up a back box, but a dedicated one would be preferable.