German car manufacturer BMW’s cars were often considered expensive to buy and own, so were hence beyond the reach of many potential people who aspired to own a piece of Bavarian motor excellence. So in 2004 BMW launched the small 1 series to appeal to the masses of junior execs, area managers, and other people that no longer wanted a Volkswagen Golf to get around in. Initially launched as a 5 door hatchback, the BMW 1 Series had Golf and its owners firmly in its sights. Here was a traditional rear wheel drive, a first in the small executive sector. It shared many components with its bigger  [...]

Yet again, Warranty Wise received oodles of emails and messages from our customers, expressing their delight in our extended car warranty services. From Skipton to Haywards Heath and from Hayling Island to Anglesey, customers wrote in to tell us how efficient they thought out service was and how friendly our staff came across to them. Well it was a pleasure, and thank you for your feedback which we always appreciate, good or bad – as it helps us to constantly improve. One aspect our of extended car warranties which got mentioned a lot by recent customers is the speed with which we try to  [...]

For those of you who have kept an eye out for Warrantywise’s tweets on Twitter of late, and visited our website recently, you’ll be aware that we have just launched our new extended car warranties packages, called 04/40, 06/60, 08/80, 10/100 and Driveline, which replaced our Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum vehicle warranties. Our website used to provide a viewable, downloadable, printable PDF version of our combined extended car warranty booklet. To reflect our all-new car warranties packages, we have now published each package’s own little booklet, which fully explains what that  [...]

If you have seen Lexus’ recent “Quiet Revolution” CT200h adverts on TV, featuring Kylie Minogue, you’ll know that their newest mainstream car is meant to be hush-quiet at slower speeds, whilst delivering excellent overall economy – all down to its full hybrid setup. Whether it’s due to the Kylie factor or more likely the green factor, the CT200h has sold so well that Lexus has recorded the fastest growth for any mainstream car manufacturer in 2011! In 2011, the new Lexus CT 200h, which is the first full hybrid compact premium hatchback in the UK car market, racked up an  [...]

A number of car manufacturers have chalked up very good sales of small SUVs and urban 4x4s in the UK. Some of them are admittedly a bit “imitation” and are either 2WD cars made to look chunky like 4x4s, or they use a simple system like Haldex. Whatever the case, it’s fair to say that vehicles such as the Suzuki SX4, the Nissan Qashqai and notably the Skoda Yeti, have been a success. Now Vauxhall wants to get in on the act. They already sell the larger Antara 4×4 crossover SUV, but have now announced that in order to keep pace with the fast-growing European SUV market, they will  [...]

Yesterday we covered the mighty Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead, so today we’re checking out the other end of the price scale, and what better place to start than with the Nissan Micra K12, or as it’s more affectionately known, the Frog Eye Edition (not to be confused with the Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite!). Originally launched in the UK in late 2002, the K12 was a major step up for Nissan in terms of space, design and wow factor, compared to the company’s last K11 model which was also known by its more unofficial nickname, the Nissan Noddy (which was 70mm shorter than the  [...]

Imagine that you’ve finally made it in life. You have the mansion in the countryside and the yacht in St. Tropez, but there’s something missing. What is it? Oh, it’s the Rolls Royce Drophead Phantom of course! Rolls Royce limousines are often stated as the ultimate car status symbol (think Alan Sugar on BBC’s The Apprentice!) with their massive size and ensuing road presence. Rolls Royce cars all come with such kudos as standard, but none more so than the perhaps the ultimate Rolls Royce – the Drophead Phantom! Now some people do say it’s a bit vulgar compared  [...]

Whatever your feelings towards it, Nissan’s urban mini-SUV (or CUV as it should perhaps more accurately be labelled) crossover the Qashqai has undoubtedly proved a roaring success for the firm, which has inevitably got other car manufacturers hot under the collar. For obvious reasons, Honda is a comparable rival to Nissan in many ways, hailing from the same country, with similar-priced models vying for the same kinds of buyers. Whilst many other car manufacturers have enjoyed strong results and success over the last year or two in the UK, Honda has struggled somewhat, with sales down by  [...]

As we all know, Christmas and New Year are well and truly over but it’s still January Sale time out there. With our bellies no longer craving turkey, stuffing and minced pies, that also means on a positive note a house free from the smell of the dreaded Brussels sprouts! But did you also know that January is also the perfect time to buy a used car, either from a second hand car dealer advertising their “January Sale” prices, or from private sellers trying to pay off their Christmas credit card bills before next Christmas is suddenly upon them already! Sometimes, cars you see for  [...]

For those of you who know a thing or two about car engines, you’ll know that the original Bentley Continental GT coupe and convertible, and the Bentley Continental Flying Spur saloon, used the W12 engine from the Volkswagen VAG stable. The W12 is a truly remarkable engine, basically two V6 engines mated together in a W shape. It’s the kind of engine that you not only hear pass you – you feel it too. In line with its “about time” facelift for 2012 and in an effort to meet the ever-tighter emissions targets for car manufacturers across the board, Bentley have decided to make the  [...]