Stupid Manufacturer Designs

Windscreen washer pumps on Mk3 Mondeo - seem to be a common failure, dirt cheap to replace, technically simple to replace, but takes over half an hour to get at the damn thing, remove it, and then reinstall and replace all the covers. Hardly world ending, but definitely annoying!
 
design faults?

Nearly everything to do with electronic engine management systems and plumbing. A decent carburettor and distributor makes my day.

Removal of the left foot dipswitch and putting it on a stalk.
 
The passenger cup-holder in an E60 with budget air con (not sure about climate control).

If the cup holder is in use, you can't get to the direction control knob.

The power steering and water pump on the Mondeo Mk3 TDCi is a ***** as well.
 
ubersonic said:
A couple from me:

Rover 75
The entire car, meh that's prob taking it a bit too far, the worst part is probably that if you don't clean the leaves out regularly then the foot-wells will flood with stinking water, that kind of sucks.
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Don't forget that when you don't clean the leaves out of the plenum and unblock the drains, the ECU floods with water.

Some idiot thought a great place to put the ECU would be in the plenum, where all of the windscreen run-off water drains. Yay.
 
Brake fluid reservoir between the engine and the firewall, low down, and under the engine cover.

And cup holders that are not big enough or in a suitable position to take a large KFC cup! Grr!
 
Rilot said:
No, they have a pedal, a disc, a caliper and some hoses. However the design on the RSV could never be described as a brake.
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Indeed. I carried out the mod which involves drilling the bores in the cylinder out slightly larger but it still loses its bite after a while. Not as quickly as an unmodded one does but still, it's a pita. :)
 
Ahh my old Astra TwinTop deserves a mention here in that the roof is significantly less wide than the side of the car, what this means is that if you open the window even slightly when it's raining water would run off the roof straight into the window soaking you.

Similar issue in the boxster. If you open the window slightly in the rain with the windscreen wipers going, every time the wipers hit the fully up position they deposit the water that was on the screen through your window and into your lap.
 
My MX-5s cup holders are placed so that you either knock the drink all over the passenger seat/footwell or don't change gear (your choice). They are also uselessly shallow so you are taking a huge risk anyway.

The S-Class has no such design issues with interior stuff like that.
 
The coin tray on the right hand side in the Integra

Oh my god, the clips that hold it in place are the worst thing known to man
 
Ford Focus Mk2

Head Unit AUX connection
INSIDE the glovebox! For the love of God why??!

Power Steering Pump Hose Connections
Crappy design of power steering pump and hoses which leads to hoses coming loose, showering engine bay in PAS fluid leaving owner requiring new pump, hoses, fluid and Cam and Auxiliary belts. Not once but twice now. :mad:
 
JonnyT said:
Ford Focus Mk2

Head Unit AUX connection
INSIDE the glovebox! For the love of God why??!

Power Steering Pump Hose Connections
Crappy design of power steering pump and hoses which leads to hoses coming loose, showering engine bay in PAS fluid leaving owner requiring new pump, hoses, fluid and Cam and Auxiliary belts. Not once but twice now. :mad:
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I've heard of the hose issue, is it really widespread?
 
JonnyT said:
Head Unit AUX connection
INSIDE the glovebox! For the love of God why??!
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My guess would be to stop you playing with it whilst driving because it's "dangerous". Also potentially deters thieves as they can't see the iPod you left lying in your centre tray.

Personally I would much prefer that to the sticking-out-the-front of my cheap headunit as the cable sometimes gets in the way of the gearstick. >.>
 
andrewdodd13 said:
My guess would be to stop you playing with it whilst driving because it's "dangerous". Also potentially deters thieves as they can't see the iPod you left lying in your centre tray.

Personally I would much prefer that to the sticking-out-the-front of my cheap headunit as the cable sometimes gets in the way of the gearstick. >.>
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Yeah I was gonna reply to that yesterday - I've got the same in my Mondeo and I much prefer it in there, when I pull in some dodgy area I can just chuck it all in the glove box. I've had a number of car where it's in front of the gear stick or half way up the dash and it's a right PITA for getting knocked about. Worst was the new Astra and Insignia where it's hidden away inside the armrest, same idea but there's usually stuff in those cubby holes so it's harder to reach, where as the Mondeo one is high up and out of the way.

+1 for Ford
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