Another Gallardo buying question

[David_T]

David_T said:

I can't see the yellow spyder listed with the sold cars on Collecting Cars. Presumably it didn't meet the reserve price?

There's a 2007 UK metallic Grigio Proteus coupe, 24,000 miles, e-gear, 'supported by a comprehensive service record, mostly Lamborghini' at the Silverstone Auctions on 20th May, Guide price £62,000 - £70,000 plus buyer's premium of 15% inc VAT.
https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/2007-lamborghi...

It's not manual and it's not orange but from a quick look at the pictures looks fairly decent. It might be worth at least following to help gauge what the market interest is.

Sold for £64,125 including fees.

[madmedman]

David_T said:

Sold for £64,125 including fees.

Thanks for the heads up mate. Looks like the reasonable going rate for these cars. I have been holding off thinking they may drop in price in winter but will see.

[madmedman]

Dear all,

I am viewing a car on friday. Can I please request help from you guys/gals? I tried to upload a picture but didnt work, probably as i am using a work computer.

The e-gear snap test shows:

Self caliberated closed clutch position: 22.0mm
Clutch position closed-as when new: 17.7mm

Difference: 4.3mm

This test was done 16k miles ago.

Does this give any indication of how the clutch was back then? The seller is offering to change the clutch provided I pay 5k deposit now. I also need to do a PPI as car has 40k miles and still on stock cats. Its a 2008 and refresh so probably a bit better than early models?

The seller would get the clutch job done by super car clinic in Bolton. Anyone knows about them? If I pay a deposit, I need the job to be done by someone reliable. I would also ask them to do a PPI if they are.

Also, any way i could check for underlying cylinder scoring without a borescope (in case i couldnt have this done)? Some people stated cold start and blue smoke. But any video or tips how to tell the bad smoke from normal one? This would be my first proper car.

Edited by madmedman on Wednesday 26th July 12:35

[madmedman]

Sorry, another question (or a couple )

Do I check for evidence of service done yearly? Most cars I have checked have had these done every couple of years (and 2-3k miles).

[madmedman]

Paid deposit on this car.

https://youtu.be/MyH32rUCUtk

https://www.randsperformancenwltd.co.uk/used/cars/...

Will be going for a snap test and change if the clutch is not new enough.

https://www.randsperformancenwltd.co.uk/used/cars/...

One of the reasons I went for this one is because it has been the youngest pre-lp for sale for the past few months, has only two owners and all services done by Lambo Manchester. And in person it looked great.

The only thing I noted was that the driver side door, when closed, was a mm of so protruding out. I am not sure if it was just the door handle or the whole door but i think something was off. The seller didnt seem to know much about it. But the rest of the car was so mint that I had to not miss it.

It also had the original CATs in, which I will change as soon as I get the car. Any advice on where to get a good deal on sport CATs?

Also, re the exhaust, any X-pipe will give the F1 sound? Do I really have to get the big brands (Tubi, Fabspeed) or any cheaper alternatives?

I am happy and anxious at the same time.

[70proof]

many congrats!! i know you wanted a manual but you will enjoy the egear regardless

the clutch plate is 10mm thick, replacement is advised after 7mm of wear, but you can drive it up to 9mm, if its done 16k miles since, then defo get an uptodate reading

dont rush to change the exhaust. i had stock on my prelp and it was plenty loud for me, they sound like a v8 between 3 and 4k revs, then that magical v10 after.... db wise i was just below a quicksilver exhaust at wilton house sound test!

[andymc]

madmedman said:

Paid deposit on this car.

https://youtu.be/MyH32rUCUtk

https://www.randsperformancenwltd.co.uk/used/cars/...

Will be going for a snap test and change if the clutch is not new enough.

https://www.randsperformancenwltd.co.uk/used/cars/...

One of the reasons I went for this one is because it has been the youngest pre-lp for sale for the past few months, has only two owners and all services done by Lambo Manchester. And in person it looked great.

The only thing I noted was that the driver side door, when closed, was a mm of so protruding out. I am not sure if it was just the door handle or the whole door but i think something was off. The seller didnt seem to know much about it. But the rest of the car was so mint that I had to not miss it.

It also had the original CATs in, which I will change as soon as I get the car. Any advice on where to get a good deal on sport CATs?

Also, re the exhaust, any X-pipe will give the F1 sound? Do I really have to get the big brands (Tubi, Fabspeed) or any cheaper alternatives?

I am happy and anxious at the same time.

reviews seem mixed of the garage?

[madmedman]

70proof said:

many congrats!! i know you wanted a manual but you will enjoy the egear regardless

the clutch plate is 10mm thick, replacement is advised after 7mm of wear, but you can drive it up to 9mm, if its done 16k miles since, then defo get an uptodate reading

dont rush to change the exhaust. i had stock on my prelp and it was plenty loud for me, they sound like a v8 between 3 and 4k revs, then that magical v10 after.... db wise i was just below a quicksilver exhaust at wilton house sound test!

Thanks mate, I took your advice regarding getting the youngest pre-lp. And I have been reading a bit about the continuous refinements to the clutch and suspension improvements. Looking back, I think the reason I wanted the manual was because of the hype and potential increasing value over time. I am just planning to enjoy the car and I am sure e-gear will serve me fine.

I am not rushing with the exhaust, just thinking of changing the cats due to the stories I have heard about the bore scoring and oil consumption due to them. But I am worried the car would get too loud. It’s was loud with the stock exhaust bits and anything more would be quite antisocial and I wouldn’t be able to start it at night.

The seller is going to get a clutch reading and if it was not nearly new, they will have it changed. The last owner had the car for two years and didn’t know if it was changed.

I am over the moon and can’t wait to get the car.

The only downside I noted is that compared to earlier cars, the road tax is double

[madmedman]

andymc said:

reviews seem mixed of the garage?

Yea, I almost forgot about them, but just ignored them when I saw the car. I don’t want to go back and read them again

[Hoofy]

Whatever you do, get that cat changed to a modern smaller cat. From my understanding of things, it's a guaranteed fked engine over time with the original cats, not just a % chance like most other horror stories you hear about cars.

[madmedman]

Hoofy said:

Whatever you do, get that cat changed to a modern smaller cat. From my understanding of things, it's a guaranteed fked engine over time with the original cats, not just a % chance like most other horror stories you hear about cars.

Yea, That’s the first thing I am going to do when I get the car. I have been contemplating between sport and decats. The larini sports are £2k, thrice the price of decats. But the decats need to be put back in every year for mot. Can’t decide.

[andrew]

madmedman said:

Yea, That’s the first thing I am going to do when I get the car. I have been contemplating between sport and decats. The larini sports are £2k, thrice the price of decats. But the decats need to be put back in every year for mot. Can’t decide.

if you replace the cats first, then you may decide that they provide enough extra noise, without the expense of a new exhaust
also talk to someone who knows what they're talking about and try the valves open reversible freebie mod

[Hoofy]

andrew said:

madmedman said:

Yea, That’s the first thing I am going to do when I get the car. I have been contemplating between sport and decats. The larini sports are £2k, thrice the price of decats. But the decats need to be put back in every year for mot. Can’t decide.

if you replace the cats first, then you may decide that they provide enough extra noise, without the expense of a new exhaust
also talk to someone who knows what they're talking about and try the valves open reversible freebie mod

Yep, do the mod first!

I wouldn't decat. Just cba with having to deal with it every year.

[madmedman]

andrew said:

if you replace the cats first, then you may decide that they provide enough extra noise, without the expense of a new exhaust
also talk to someone who knows what they're talking about and try the valves open reversible freebie mod

Cheers mate. I didn't know I could force the valves open. I will look into it and try it if the sound is underwhelming. But from what I heard, the car is loud enough. I am only changing the cats as the preventative measure.

I am really looking forward to some spirited driving sessions. Never had anything more than 6 cylinders so it should be fun. I guess the only reason to go for a catback is to have the f1 sound but I want the sound to be bearable for the neighbours. Me, I don't mind. I has an M4 with 200 cell downpipes and straight through everything else. It would set neighbours alarms off with start.

[madmedman]

Hoofy said:

Yep, do the mod first!

I wouldn't decat. Just cba with having to deal with it every year.

I will do. I think it has to be catted pipes. I do love wrenching but I know doing it every year to swap cats would get old quick. Those larini ones look lovely.

[Hoofy]

madmedman said:

Hoofy said:

Yep, do the mod first!

I wouldn't decat. Just cba with having to deal with it every year.

I will do. I think it has to be catted pipes. I do love wrenching but I know doing it every year to swap cats would get old quick. Those larini ones look lovely.

Yeah, I guess the £3k cost is just what needs to be done so you have to suck it up. It saves a £20k rebuild!

As for the exhaust mod:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58kWDMS-D2w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkmt8yxda_A

[ex-devonpaul]

Hoofy said:

Yeah, I guess the £3k cost is just what needs to be done so you have to suck it up.

Better he sucks it up than the engine does

[Hoofy]

ex-devonpaul said:

Hoofy said:

Yeah, I guess the £3k cost is just what needs to be done so you have to suck it up.

Better he sucks it up than the engine does

[madmedman]

Hoofy said:

Yeah, I guess the £3k cost is just what needs to be done so you have to suck it up. It saves a £20k rebuild!

As for the exhaust mod:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58kWDMS-D2w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkmt8yxda_A

Cheers, thank you. Looks like a day 1 mod and very easy to do.

I went ahead and ordered the larini sport cats. Now if I could get the car soon. Next couple of weeks will be painful

[madmedman]

ex-devonpaul said:

Better he sucks it up than the engine does