My first car - 1996 VR Ltd 1.8 Combination A
Discussion
Been thinking about the radio issue....
This is the only pic I have of my interior atm, you can just see the head unit. Really don't like all the tiny, tiny buttons and all the flashy stuff on the info panel...
So, have had a look on lots of websites for head units that I like the look of - and from the mainstream manufacturers have found diddly squat...
I then googled 'retro radios', and on a site called Edition 38 (some VW Dub type place, so it seems), found a link to this -
http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/category/id/...
Looks perfect, nice and simple and understated. It's American, but it does European radio stations as well, and has a hidden attachment for USB stick/SD card, and an aux in socket on the front. 4x50w mosfet amp, so it's beefy enough, and it's pretty customisable, with lots of different face plates/knobs, etc. Seems to be a reasonable price as well, although that's US $ and no doubt I'd get stung for some taxes.
Will have to wait for my next payday though, bloody paint shop is using up the last of my £££ reserves!
This is the only pic I have of my interior atm, you can just see the head unit. Really don't like all the tiny, tiny buttons and all the flashy stuff on the info panel...
So, have had a look on lots of websites for head units that I like the look of - and from the mainstream manufacturers have found diddly squat...
I then googled 'retro radios', and on a site called Edition 38 (some VW Dub type place, so it seems), found a link to this -
http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/category/id/...
Looks perfect, nice and simple and understated. It's American, but it does European radio stations as well, and has a hidden attachment for USB stick/SD card, and an aux in socket on the front. 4x50w mosfet amp, so it's beefy enough, and it's pretty customisable, with lots of different face plates/knobs, etc. Seems to be a reasonable price as well, although that's US $ and no doubt I'd get stung for some taxes.
Will have to wait for my next payday though, bloody paint shop is using up the last of my £££ reserves!
Bit of progress today - got the car back from the paint shop! 
The job they've done on the leading edge of the bonnet and the indent line on the near side where it was bubbling up is spot on. They also un-dented a small dent in the rear n/s arch, and sorted a few other small spots - doing these wasn't actually part of the original deal, so I'm dead chuffed. They also did an all over machine polish and shine, so she's looking lovely!
It wasn't cheap, but I'm happy that all paintwork issues are sorted, and I don't have to worry about that for a good few years!
On getting the car home, I started on the job of changing over the exhaust. Got rear end up on the axle stands and it was immediately obvious I didn't have enough room to play with - the axle stands had another notch of height available, but the trolley jack didn't have the height to get the car up on to them. Bugger. The trolley jack and stands were £35, so not the end of the world. So I took the car down to the local exhaust/tyre place, and they bunged it on for £40. Took them an hour, as there were various issues with the cat heat shield. Even if I could have gotten access, I wouldn't have had the tools or know-how to overcome that problem, so it all kinda worked out for the best in the end!
Before - small, rusty, ugly...
After - large, shiny, beautiful!
Next job was to replace the broken zip on the rear screen. Fiddly and awkward, but got it sorted and am dead happy that it works well now.
Next up was to add a bit of bling to the cabin..
Before..
After..
Small job that makes an immediate difference. Only problem is the last trim had been broken in transit and all the chrome was flaking off!
I'm sure they'll send me a replacement with no hassle though, they've been great so far.
Last job of the day was to fit the most important part of all...
The job they've done on the leading edge of the bonnet and the indent line on the near side where it was bubbling up is spot on. They also un-dented a small dent in the rear n/s arch, and sorted a few other small spots - doing these wasn't actually part of the original deal, so I'm dead chuffed. They also did an all over machine polish and shine, so she's looking lovely!
It wasn't cheap, but I'm happy that all paintwork issues are sorted, and I don't have to worry about that for a good few years! On getting the car home, I started on the job of changing over the exhaust. Got rear end up on the axle stands and it was immediately obvious I didn't have enough room to play with - the axle stands had another notch of height available, but the trolley jack didn't have the height to get the car up on to them. Bugger. The trolley jack and stands were £35, so not the end of the world. So I took the car down to the local exhaust/tyre place, and they bunged it on for £40. Took them an hour, as there were various issues with the cat heat shield. Even if I could have gotten access, I wouldn't have had the tools or know-how to overcome that problem, so it all kinda worked out for the best in the end!
Before - small, rusty, ugly...
After - large, shiny, beautiful!
Next job was to replace the broken zip on the rear screen. Fiddly and awkward, but got it sorted and am dead happy that it works well now.
Next up was to add a bit of bling to the cabin..
Before..
After..
Small job that makes an immediate difference. Only problem is the last trim had been broken in transit and all the chrome was flaking off!
I'm sure they'll send me a replacement with no hassle though, they've been great so far. Last job of the day was to fit the most important part of all...
Cheers Felix! Aye, I'm super chuffed with the new exhaust - not only does it get rid of a bit of rusty eye-sore, but (and this is the main reason for fitting it!) it releases a whole lot of music from the engine! It's ain't loud, but it has a lovely sports car tone to it. Driving back from the garage, even though it was dark and a bit rainy, I stopped to get the hood down (now much easier because of the new zip puller!) so I could give the exhaust note a proper audition! Got some interesting reactions - 'Nice car, mate, love it!', 'Get the hood up, you moron!' and 'Cock!' 
RE the PH smiley, now it's on, I agree that it might not be the best place. I'd prefer it on the RHS, but as it is it's a bit too low. At least they're only 2.99 so it's not going to break the bank to change it. Also, as I was putting this on, I noticed the number plate was only held on by gravity. It's also delaminated, so there's another little job rearing it's ugly head!
What might break the bank though is the suspension. I had though that maybe it was sitting a bit low on the off side, but wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but the guy at the paint shop mention that HE thought it was sitting low that side as well... I'll investigate, and it's pretty likely that it's still on its original dampers and springs... So. Looks like another big expense I could have done without is on the cards, especially as the original suspension was Bilstein. But as I'm both an optimist and a believer in the theory of replacing any part with an upgraded part I see this as an opportunity to get the car even better than it was originally!
My Updated To Do list -
Couple of paintwork issues to be sorted, and a couple of small dingsDone
Nose seems to be a slightly different shade to the rest of the paint - a good T-cut and polish might sort thisDone
Old non-working alarm and mess of wiring needs removed
Trim - base of off-side mirror needs fixing down properly, and small bit of carpet fixed down as well
Exhaust tip is proper rusty - might go with new stainless section from back of the catDone
Zip round rear screen needs new pullerdone
Plastic rear window is a little cloudy - is there any way to clean it up?
Tyres - currently on some unknown brand, but with plenty of tread depth - will prob wait till they're worn and replace with Toyo or suchlike
Stereo - not a priority, but the Sony unit in there is a mass of tiny buttons with no discernible purpose, i.e. it's crap, the plastic surround fell off on the way home, and the electric aerial doesn't work.
Something chrome for the heater vents - maybe surrounds, maybe the eyeballs themselves3/4 done. Grrrrr!
A PH Smiley sticker!Done, but pending the jury's verdict
New Entries
Suspension - find out exactly what's wrong, and put it right to better than standard condition.
Number plate - replace and make secure.
Black trim - now the paint is looking sweet, some areas of black trim are letting the side down. Light sanding and application of 'Back to Black' will apparently work.
RE the PH smiley, now it's on, I agree that it might not be the best place. I'd prefer it on the RHS, but as it is it's a bit too low. At least they're only 2.99 so it's not going to break the bank to change it. Also, as I was putting this on, I noticed the number plate was only held on by gravity. It's also delaminated, so there's another little job rearing it's ugly head!
What might break the bank though is the suspension. I had though that maybe it was sitting a bit low on the off side, but wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but the guy at the paint shop mention that HE thought it was sitting low that side as well... I'll investigate, and it's pretty likely that it's still on its original dampers and springs... So. Looks like another big expense I could have done without is on the cards, especially as the original suspension was Bilstein. But as I'm both an optimist and a believer in the theory of replacing any part with an upgraded part I see this as an opportunity to get the car even better than it was originally!
My Updated To Do list -
Old non-working alarm and mess of wiring needs removed
Trim - base of off-side mirror needs fixing down properly, and small bit of carpet fixed down as well
Plastic rear window is a little cloudy - is there any way to clean it up?
Tyres - currently on some unknown brand, but with plenty of tread depth - will prob wait till they're worn and replace with Toyo or suchlike
Stereo - not a priority, but the Sony unit in there is a mass of tiny buttons with no discernible purpose, i.e. it's crap, the plastic surround fell off on the way home, and the electric aerial doesn't work.
New Entries
Suspension - find out exactly what's wrong, and put it right to better than standard condition.
Number plate - replace and make secure.
Black trim - now the paint is looking sweet, some areas of black trim are letting the side down. Light sanding and application of 'Back to Black' will apparently work.
It's a great sounding exhaust, I had the silenced de-cat fitted, also from mx5parts, which made it sound even better, and made it feel a bit more responsive.
Whilst the suspension is expensive, it's worth every penny and will transform the car! I'm running with Meister R's and love them!!
Keep up the good work, you've defo got the right idea.
Whilst the suspension is expensive, it's worth every penny and will transform the car! I'm running with Meister R's and love them!!
Keep up the good work, you've defo got the right idea.
has kicked my NS wing mirror off. There's a guy on mx5nutz that removed the fascia from that headunit and built it into a custom console. Looks fantastic. As do the combination A's 
Lots seem to suddenly be cropping up. all N-reg. I wonder if a batch was imported all at the same time...
Edit: it wasn;t mx5nutz, it was here: http://revlimiter.net/blog/2012/09/na6-dash-finale...
Lots seem to suddenly be cropping up. all N-reg. I wonder if a batch was imported all at the same time...Edit: it wasn;t mx5nutz, it was here: http://revlimiter.net/blog/2012/09/na6-dash-finale...
Edited by dxg on Saturday 8th December 22:48
dxg said:
There's a guy on mx5nutz that removed the fascia from that headunit and built it into a custom console. Looks fantastic. As do the combination A's Lots seem to suddenly be cropping up. all N-reg. I wonder if a batch was imported all at the same time...
Edit: it wasn;t mx5nutz, it was here: http://revlimiter.net/blog/2012/09/na6-dash-finale...
There's a good reason they're all 'N' Reg's, they were all produced 95/96 so a good chance they'll be an 'N' Reg. Lots seem to suddenly be cropping up. all N-reg. I wonder if a batch was imported all at the same time...Edit: it wasn;t mx5nutz, it was here: http://revlimiter.net/blog/2012/09/na6-dash-finale...
Edited by dxg on Saturday 8th December 22:48
Little Bob said:
WTF is wrong with these tw@ts - anyone approaching a reasonable level of intelligence simply cannot comprehend what goes through their tiny, tiny little minds.
I feel for you - utter, utter w@nkers.
I have no idea, just pure mindlessness. When I phoned the old bill they said lots of cars had been done - looks like the cretin kicked off every mirror he passed on his way home from wherever it is scum like that hang out.....I feel for you - utter, utter w@nkers.
Little Bob said:
Hope you can get it sorted quickly without too much pain.
Cheers - have found a replacement on Ebay - correct colour, £60. Not massively expensive, but it's still £60 that should have gone to my suspension fund....I've calmed down now, but yesterday morning was one of the very few times in my life I've actually been angry... Hence the short post...
dxg said:
There's a guy on mx5nutz that removed the fascia from that headunit and built it into a custom console. Looks fantastic. As do the combination A's Lots seem to suddenly be cropping up. all N-reg. I wonder if a batch was imported all at the same time...
Edit: it wasn;t mx5nutz, it was here: http://revlimiter.net/blog/2012/09/na6-dash-finale...
That's a very nice setup he has there, love the effect the quilted material has. Lots seem to suddenly be cropping up. all N-reg. I wonder if a batch was imported all at the same time...Edit: it wasn;t mx5nutz, it was here: http://revlimiter.net/blog/2012/09/na6-dash-finale...
I need to stop looking at this thread - too many great ideas that'll cost me money!
^^ Marked and noted Riknos, ta!
This is what some lowlife did to my mirror the other night..
..and this is how she looks now! Dead chuffed that she's complete again.
I got the new mirror from Autolink, bought it on Ebay late Sunday night, and left an Email asking them to call me so I could give my card details - and got a call at 5mins to 9 the next morning. He said he'd stick it in the post 1st thing and that it should arrive today, which of course, it did!
The only thing stopping it being a dead simple bolt off/bolt on job was a tab of plastic that needed to be cut away, but that was a 5min job with a rotary tool.
The new mirror is exactly the right shape and the paint matches perfectly. There is a slight difference from the original mirror in that the new one doesn't have the black band holding in the glass, the new one is all body coloured. I've got round that problem by ignoring it!
Anyhow, onto the next job!
This is what some lowlife did to my mirror the other night..
..and this is how she looks now! Dead chuffed that she's complete again.
I got the new mirror from Autolink, bought it on Ebay late Sunday night, and left an Email asking them to call me so I could give my card details - and got a call at 5mins to 9 the next morning. He said he'd stick it in the post 1st thing and that it should arrive today, which of course, it did!
The only thing stopping it being a dead simple bolt off/bolt on job was a tab of plastic that needed to be cut away, but that was a 5min job with a rotary tool.
The new mirror is exactly the right shape and the paint matches perfectly. There is a slight difference from the original mirror in that the new one doesn't have the black band holding in the glass, the new one is all body coloured. I've got round that problem by ignoring it!
Anyhow, onto the next job!
^^ this was exactly what happened to my old mx5 merlot. I thought it was going to be a pain sorting a new one in the right colour. Luckily I found a second hand one for about £50, can fully understand your anger. When the new one went on I was chuffed but a but reluctant to adjust it properly as I was scared to break it again! Hope you went for a nice drive to cheer up..
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