TopSpur.info

Rolls Royce Wines and Dines 100 Customers at Assembly Line

February 25th, 2012


They weren't your usual car buyers and it wasn't your usual dinner event. We are talking about the special banquet "Dine on the line" organized by Rolls Royce Motor Cars at the luxury brand's factory in Goodwood, England. Read more »




Carscoop

BMW Z4

February 19th, 2012


We brought the first details on the next generation BMW Z4 in the beginning of May 2012 and now British magazine, AutoCar, has put their investigative hats on to bring us even more news on the next Z4. The new details suggest that the next Z4 will be “more agile, athletic and sportier to drive.”

The most important change will be made to the bonnet which will be shorter than in the current model. This change can’t be too drastic, however, because US customers are very fond of this feature. BMW opted for this aerodynamic change because it is believed the longer bonnet inhibited fast driving. The rest of the vehicle’s design will remain almost completely unchanged because BMW is adamant on keeping up the character of the Z4.

In terms of power, the next-generation Z4 will benefit from the downsized, four-cylinder N20 engines launched last year in the current generation Z4. Such a decision makes us hope that the famous Z4 M version will make a comeback, even though BMW officials have stated previously that a “business case for an M version of the current car is too weak to justify such a model. “

Expect to see the next generation BMW Z4 launched in 2015.

BMW Z4 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 4 June 2012 17:00 EST.

read more




Top Speed

Fiat Squashes Speculation of Buying into Mazda, but will Increase Chrysler Ownership

February 12th, 2012


"http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201110/alfa-romeo-spider-1_600x0w.jpg" width="100%" alt="1." />

Last week, we reported that Fiat was open to allowing Mazda to use U.S.-based Chrysler factories to manufacture U.S.-bound Mazda models. Before that, Fiat and Mazda officially announced a partnership in building the MX5 Miata and Alfa Romeo Spider. These two announcements brought about a lot of speculation of Fiat taking the same approach that Ford did, by buying into the struggling, but slowly recovering, Mazda.

After hearing plenty of these rumors, Fiat Chairman, John Elkann, had enough and announced at a shareholder meeting that Fiat is not interested in acquiring any percentage of Mazda in the future. Fiat does plan on adding a Japanese partner in the future to help expand its global reach, but there is no mention of what companies Fiat is considering.

We would not be surprised to find out that this is simply a rouge to not tip its hand too early. It only makes sense for the two to partner up in a larger sense, as Mazda needs some help getting over the recovery hump and Fiat needs a Japanese partner. It would be a win-win situation, so we’ll see if Fiat’s tune changes after testing out Mazda’s abilities with the Mazda Miata-Alfa Romeo Spider production deal.

Fiat is planning a little bit of expansion soon though. In July 2012, Fiat is planning to expand its ownership in Chrysler by an additional 3 percent, bringing its total ownership to over 60 percent. Over the course of time, Fiat plans to jump its overall Chrysler ownership to 100 percent, giving it complete control over the recovering automaker’s operations and profit.

It definitely looks like Fiat is on the right track here so far. We will keep you updated as its expansion continues.

Fiat Squashes Speculation of Buying into Mazda, but will Increase Chrysler Ownership originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 5 June 2012 04:00 EST.

read more




Top Speed

Common Plumbing Repairs

February 6th, 2012

Owning your own home can bring a lot of joy but it can also bring about a lot of headaches at the same time. For a lot of homeowners, those headaches will appear in the form of spring plumbing repairs, an occasion that even the most ardent of do-it-yourself home repair enthusiasts will have to deal with from time to time. Not all of them can be fixed easily, especially if the problem lies in a place that is not easily accessible or if it will take more time than the homeowner is willing to spare. When this happens, it is time to call in the professionals.

The Basic Layout of a Plumbing System

While a home owner may feel daunted by the prospect of plumbing repairs, a professional plumber is trained to take on such challenges every single day. They know the layout of a plumbing system inside out and are knowledgeable enough to pinpoint a problem without wasting time making guesses. It is for this reason that we turn to them time and time again to provide all types of plumbing services, from maintenance to emergency plumber spring problems.

A basic plumbing system will consist of some form of supply side, where the water comes into the household pipes and the opposite side, where the waste water drains away. It does not matter if the home is on a city sewer system, or on a septic system, the basics remain the same. In between the supply and drain, is the network of pipes that provide water to every outlet for it in the home, from the kitchen sink to the toilet. This is also the source of the three most common repairs that a plumbing company will be called for: leaks, fixture repair and clog removal.

Leaks

The signs of a leak can be visible and invisible. The most prominently visible signs of a leak are often the collection of water underneath a sink or on the immediate floor area or even by the presence of a stain on a ceiling tile due to leaks within the floor above. Invisible signs that you might have a leaky pipe could include low water pressure to a fixture or a fixture may stop working because there is no longer any water being fed to it. Whatever the case, you will need to call us, spring plumber to fix a leak quickly and efficiently.

Once the plumber has examined the area of the leak, the next step is to track a potential source of the leak, followed by turning off the water to the home at the supply source. This will allow them to then work on the leak, replace what is broken and then turn the water back on for testing. Usually only a few hours of work, if that, and once completed, should not have to be repeated for some time.

Fixture Repair

The term fixture repair generally refers to the act of repairing or replacing a malfunctioning fixture, like a faucet, showerhead or even a toilet. When this is required, it will also require more time to accomplish, plus higher costs in terms of labor and parts. Some jobs might even require the services of an additional plumber but when weighed against the cost of doing it yourself, in time and skill, it is worth it.

Unclogging Drains

While there are a host of products on the open market that can unclog a drain, not all of them are suitable for use on all plumbing systems, especially if you live in a non-standard housing unit, like a trailer. The pipes used in trailers are of a different grade than standard housing pipes, and may be damaged by the harsh chemicals. And, if the clog is thick enough, the chemicals may not take care of it all and a plumber will need to be called to remove it anyway.

If you have a clog that is backing up a sink or tub, call professionals for plumbing repairs, because it may be more extensive than you might realize. This kind of plumbing repairs can be avoided by doing some simple drain maintenance, like monitoring what goes down it and preventing anything like hair or grease to go in.

 

Plumbing problems can crop up any time and unfortunately becomes evident just as quickly. While dialing the plumber at odd hours can resolve your problem, learning to fix simple plumbing problems on your own can save you a lot of hassle and not to forget a significant amount of money in plumbing repairs. So each time your flush wont work or your faucet starts leaking, repair your problems by yourself with these simple tips.

Before you start out with the repair work, it is a good idea to get acquainted with the common plumbing repairs that are needed at home. Leaking faucets, toilet repairs, tub and shower plumbing, clogged drains and water heater repair problems are some that may come up from time to time.

To clear a clogged drain, use a chemical drain cleaner to clear the clogged up element in the drain. Most drain cleaners are highly caustic and can damage the water pipes, so use it with care. Now plunge the drain and clear out the debris and the hair that may be causing the blockage. Installing a strainer in the sinks can help keep the debris and the hair from blocking the drains.

To fix a leaking faucet, you need to first check if the parts of the faucet are old or worn out. Replacing them can easily resolve the problem. Sometimes the fault may lie with the washers or the seals. So instead of pressing down the faucet to stem the leaking, replace the washers and the seals in the faucet to fix the problem.

Running toilet problems are quite common. To repair this you can first try moving the handle which in turn can release the chain and stop the water from dripping. If this does not resolve the problem, then lift the toilet tank lid and check the rubber seal. This flap or seal stops the water from running into the toilet. If the seal is chipped or cracked, you might need to replace it to solve the problem of constantly running water in your toilet.

In case of complex problems like those related to the electrical water heater systems or installing a septic tank, you will require professional help. Choose a good plumber who is an expert at plumbing repairs and will not charge you a massive bill for simple everyday plumbing problems.