Poverty Pork - '00 986
Discussion
A little bit of a back-story if you click the spoiler - feel free to skip, it's long 
There are many cars I'd like to, and could even afford to own. But I'm perhaps a little too sensible for my own good in the sense that I can't justify financing a new car until I've bought a property of my own. The latter seemed like the donkey and carrot scenario for a while. Out of uni, not on what I'd consider great money, and renting a room in a house in Luton. I'm an avid skydiver too and was just about to make ends meet. I was running my trusty 2003 Polo TDI at the time which I'd had for six years at the time.
Anyway, I got my big break a year later when I got offered a Business Intelligence role in High Wycombe. Another room, in another house, but rent wasn't too dissimilar and I was actually able to save up a little every month. Mum lives in Lancashire. Trips to visit her, combined with my driving to and from dropzones round the country to jump out of perfectly functioning aeroplanes** led me to rack up over 17k miles in my trusty three-cylinder Polo over a twelve month period overlapping both my Luton and Wycombe days. I'd always walked to work, just to give you an idea of how many miles I rack up.
Not long after starting in Wycombe, I applied for a more senior position, this time in Cheltenham. They specified they wanted three years' experience in the person spec. I ignored that and applied for the job anyway, being completely honest about my experience, or lack thereof. Somehow, I convinced them that I was the man for the job with only three months' experience. I was utterly sick and tired of house sharing at this point so got my own place. In spite of earning more now, my 'usable income' was now slightly diminished. But it was worth it to have the run of my flat.
Fast forward a year, I get another promotion. This time in Lancashire - 30 odd miles from mum. Still officially single and not particularly bothered about doing anything to change that (this was relocation / promotion three in 18 months, not having ties and the freedom to pack up my bags and move on without a care in the world is beneficial), it made sense to move back in, me being a half-orphan an only child and no immediate family in this continent. I don't see this being a long-term solution as I do miss my freedom, but for now, it'll do.
Anyway, working nearly three years for the organisation, I can tell you anything related to the NHS involves a lot of bureaucracy and red tape, meaning you tend to have a good few weeks if not months before starting a new role. Both Wycombe and Cheltenham resulted in me moving over the weekend and starting on the Monday. It's a ballache. This time I planned for a three week gap between finishing and starting.
In the spare time I had before my last day at Cheltenham (after automating most of my deliverables and delegating the rest to my lackies...
), I was toying with the idea of a 'new' car. I had at this point had the Polo for nine years. I considered a circa 2012 Golf GTD as a replacement. However, with the miles I would be doing (18k+ a year just commuting, factor skydiving and other journeys and you could nearly double that), depreciation would be a bee-atch. Also, the Polo probably wouldn't fetch four figures in part ex. Whilst unexciting and rather bland, it costs pennies to run and having done 80k miles in it under my tenure, I know it's unlikely to throw up a nasty bill any time soon. Man maths suggested I should keep the Polo and get something fun to run alongside.
Brexit had put my house buying aspirations on hold, temporarily. So, I looked at PCP deals. My local BMW stealership was doing a decent deal on the M140i. There wasn't a penalty on excess mileage and thanks to the dealer contribution, including the option to purchase fee and final balloon payment, it actually worked out slightly cheaper than list price once it was paid off. However, I became Mr Sensible again and decided a £30k+ car in my current situation was a stupid idea.
I've always been a Porsche fan. If my lotto numbers came up (I don't play, but meh), my three car garage would be a 993 C2S, a 959 and a CGT. If I had to only have one car, it'd be a 993 Turbo. At 28, I sometimes wish I'd been born a decade earlier as 993s seem to be getting more unobtainable by the day. Even 996 turbos which could be had for 'only' high twenties are long gone. I read the tread that inspired the title to this topic. All 100-odd pages. Now (f)unemployed I started looking at Boxsters. Three stood out. One at Strasse and two private cars. The car at Strasse had sold. I viewed my first 986 and whilst it was good, it needed a bit of work (expected at the price point). I then viewed a second three days later - a silver '98 2.5 with terracotta red leather, FSH and the same owner for 10 years. Mechanically at least, it was a no-brainer that the second car was the one to get. But, it left me feeling slightly underwhelmed. I went home and thought about it.
I'd been in a bad state of health towards the start of the year. Almost being admitted on NYE and in March, in the space of under 24 hours I was at a GP, a community nurse who shipped me off to A&E who were going to admit me, but sent me home, another A&E dept following a conversation with the GP in the morning and finally a course of steroids. My skydiving took a toll because of this, so I decided to book a trip to Portugal, returning a day before my job was to start. The day before I flew out, I called the seller of the first car I saw, and left a £200 deposit agreeing that he do something about the non-existent handbrake.
After a week of this:
I returned to Manchester airport on a Tuesday, got a taxi to a friend's place in Stockport and put my bags into the Polo which was waiting for me on his drive. I started my new 70 mile round commute on the Wednesday. Having debated the options I had regarding insurance, I called up my insurers at the time on Friday after returning from work and paid £80 or so to change the policy over to the Boxster. My best friend drove over the next day in her Golf and drove me down to Leicester. I then transferred two months' wages to the seller and confirmed he'd received it. He texted me whilst I was abroad to let me know the handbrake had been sorted.
I drove back in this:
porsche-boxster-986-96-04-24v-S2528642-1 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
The Polo was kept off the road for the next three weeks when the policy would lapse, during which time, my latest addition was my only car. Every day, at least one warning light was on (and still is!). And driving 70 miles a day in an unproven machine did sometimes feel like Russian roulette. However, in the thousand miles and then some I put on it before I got the Polo back on the road, it was as good as gold. A couple of days before it was relegated to position of 'other' car, it was inspected by Cath Burrows:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4cn6xbly2v6ak0j/invoice%...
Prior to her looking at it, I had fitted new brembo pads and pagid wear sensors at the front. The brake fluid and rear tyres were replaced shortly after her inspection. The ABS sensor, radiator fan resistor and RARB bushes are in the boot waiting to be fitted. I'm currently in the process of obtaining new Meyle front wishbones, TRW tie rods and control arms. A replacement RARB in slightly better condition is my next part to track down. All of the above are to be fitter before the end of the year before I get a full geometry set up.
For the new year, I plan on having the clutch replaced (the exhaust fittings being routine in that job) and a major service carried out at Cath's along with sundries like the Xenon self levelling mechanism sorted out.
In the spring, I'll be replacing the air con condensers and potentially replacing the slightly damp carpets. Somewhere in between, I'd be tacking little jobs such as replacing the mini-disc player with something more modern and upgrading the speakers.
Anyway, I'm happy. A Boxster with a long list of options, including extended leather, sports seats, litronic headlamps and 18" Turbo Twists. Also, a FSH with most invoices and a spreadsheet that has been kept up to date over the years, outlining over £11k in maintenance. And an MOT till July.
For £3800, I couldn't be happier If you read the spoiler and managed to put up with my essay (dissertation?), you'll be glad none of my future updates will be nearly as long
I'll keep you posted with the progress.
note: there are no perfectly good aeroplanes
There are many cars I'd like to, and could even afford to own. But I'm perhaps a little too sensible for my own good in the sense that I can't justify financing a new car until I've bought a property of my own. The latter seemed like the donkey and carrot scenario for a while. Out of uni, not on what I'd consider great money, and renting a room in a house in Luton. I'm an avid skydiver too and was just about to make ends meet. I was running my trusty 2003 Polo TDI at the time which I'd had for six years at the time.
Anyway, I got my big break a year later when I got offered a Business Intelligence role in High Wycombe. Another room, in another house, but rent wasn't too dissimilar and I was actually able to save up a little every month. Mum lives in Lancashire. Trips to visit her, combined with my driving to and from dropzones round the country to jump out of perfectly functioning aeroplanes** led me to rack up over 17k miles in my trusty three-cylinder Polo over a twelve month period overlapping both my Luton and Wycombe days. I'd always walked to work, just to give you an idea of how many miles I rack up.
Not long after starting in Wycombe, I applied for a more senior position, this time in Cheltenham. They specified they wanted three years' experience in the person spec. I ignored that and applied for the job anyway, being completely honest about my experience, or lack thereof. Somehow, I convinced them that I was the man for the job with only three months' experience. I was utterly sick and tired of house sharing at this point so got my own place. In spite of earning more now, my 'usable income' was now slightly diminished. But it was worth it to have the run of my flat.
Fast forward a year, I get another promotion. This time in Lancashire - 30 odd miles from mum. Still officially single and not particularly bothered about doing anything to change that (this was relocation / promotion three in 18 months, not having ties and the freedom to pack up my bags and move on without a care in the world is beneficial), it made sense to move back in, me being a half-orphan an only child and no immediate family in this continent. I don't see this being a long-term solution as I do miss my freedom, but for now, it'll do.
Anyway, working nearly three years for the organisation, I can tell you anything related to the NHS involves a lot of bureaucracy and red tape, meaning you tend to have a good few weeks if not months before starting a new role. Both Wycombe and Cheltenham resulted in me moving over the weekend and starting on the Monday. It's a ballache. This time I planned for a three week gap between finishing and starting.
In the spare time I had before my last day at Cheltenham (after automating most of my deliverables and delegating the rest to my lackies...
), I was toying with the idea of a 'new' car. I had at this point had the Polo for nine years. I considered a circa 2012 Golf GTD as a replacement. However, with the miles I would be doing (18k+ a year just commuting, factor skydiving and other journeys and you could nearly double that), depreciation would be a bee-atch. Also, the Polo probably wouldn't fetch four figures in part ex. Whilst unexciting and rather bland, it costs pennies to run and having done 80k miles in it under my tenure, I know it's unlikely to throw up a nasty bill any time soon. Man maths suggested I should keep the Polo and get something fun to run alongside. Brexit had put my house buying aspirations on hold, temporarily. So, I looked at PCP deals. My local BMW stealership was doing a decent deal on the M140i. There wasn't a penalty on excess mileage and thanks to the dealer contribution, including the option to purchase fee and final balloon payment, it actually worked out slightly cheaper than list price once it was paid off. However, I became Mr Sensible again and decided a £30k+ car in my current situation was a stupid idea.
I've always been a Porsche fan. If my lotto numbers came up (I don't play, but meh), my three car garage would be a 993 C2S, a 959 and a CGT. If I had to only have one car, it'd be a 993 Turbo. At 28, I sometimes wish I'd been born a decade earlier as 993s seem to be getting more unobtainable by the day. Even 996 turbos which could be had for 'only' high twenties are long gone. I read the tread that inspired the title to this topic. All 100-odd pages. Now (f)unemployed I started looking at Boxsters. Three stood out. One at Strasse and two private cars. The car at Strasse had sold. I viewed my first 986 and whilst it was good, it needed a bit of work (expected at the price point). I then viewed a second three days later - a silver '98 2.5 with terracotta red leather, FSH and the same owner for 10 years. Mechanically at least, it was a no-brainer that the second car was the one to get. But, it left me feeling slightly underwhelmed. I went home and thought about it.
I'd been in a bad state of health towards the start of the year. Almost being admitted on NYE and in March, in the space of under 24 hours I was at a GP, a community nurse who shipped me off to A&E who were going to admit me, but sent me home, another A&E dept following a conversation with the GP in the morning and finally a course of steroids. My skydiving took a toll because of this, so I decided to book a trip to Portugal, returning a day before my job was to start. The day before I flew out, I called the seller of the first car I saw, and left a £200 deposit agreeing that he do something about the non-existent handbrake.
After a week of this:
I returned to Manchester airport on a Tuesday, got a taxi to a friend's place in Stockport and put my bags into the Polo which was waiting for me on his drive. I started my new 70 mile round commute on the Wednesday. Having debated the options I had regarding insurance, I called up my insurers at the time on Friday after returning from work and paid £80 or so to change the policy over to the Boxster. My best friend drove over the next day in her Golf and drove me down to Leicester. I then transferred two months' wages to the seller and confirmed he'd received it. He texted me whilst I was abroad to let me know the handbrake had been sorted.
I drove back in this:
porsche-boxster-986-96-04-24v-S2528642-1 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrThe Polo was kept off the road for the next three weeks when the policy would lapse, during which time, my latest addition was my only car. Every day, at least one warning light was on (and still is!). And driving 70 miles a day in an unproven machine did sometimes feel like Russian roulette. However, in the thousand miles and then some I put on it before I got the Polo back on the road, it was as good as gold. A couple of days before it was relegated to position of 'other' car, it was inspected by Cath Burrows:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4cn6xbly2v6ak0j/invoice%...
Prior to her looking at it, I had fitted new brembo pads and pagid wear sensors at the front. The brake fluid and rear tyres were replaced shortly after her inspection. The ABS sensor, radiator fan resistor and RARB bushes are in the boot waiting to be fitted. I'm currently in the process of obtaining new Meyle front wishbones, TRW tie rods and control arms. A replacement RARB in slightly better condition is my next part to track down. All of the above are to be fitter before the end of the year before I get a full geometry set up.
For the new year, I plan on having the clutch replaced (the exhaust fittings being routine in that job) and a major service carried out at Cath's along with sundries like the Xenon self levelling mechanism sorted out.
In the spring, I'll be replacing the air con condensers and potentially replacing the slightly damp carpets. Somewhere in between, I'd be tacking little jobs such as replacing the mini-disc player with something more modern and upgrading the speakers.
Anyway, I'm happy. A Boxster with a long list of options, including extended leather, sports seats, litronic headlamps and 18" Turbo Twists. Also, a FSH with most invoices and a spreadsheet that has been kept up to date over the years, outlining over £11k in maintenance. And an MOT till July.
For £3800, I couldn't be happier
If you read the spoiler and managed to put up with my essay (dissertation?), you'll be glad none of my future updates will be nearly as long I'll keep you posted with the progress.
note: there are no perfectly good aeroplanes
Edited by Rosewood Red on Saturday 12th November 20:21
6cylGolf said:
Read it all. I like a good wordsmith. Quite how youd kept a 3 cylinder polo for 9 years tho! I've missed bills, and food, for cars.
Why thank you My (rational) thinking was walking to work everyday and using a car maybe once a week didn't justify something more exciting. With the miles I was (am) doing, I'd only end up getting a four cylinder diesel of some description. And it'd just depriciate.
Also, the fact that I spend around the price I paid for Suzi the slut (seven owners...) every year on skydiving, already had me skimping on meals. Because the Polo isn't worth much at all, it makes sense for me to keep it until it's either written off or, less likely, the wheels fall off. It'll probably be replaced with a six cylinder diesel of some description.
What I will say is after having to put up with a three-pot TDI for nine years, it's refreshing to have a sweet flat six behind me. And I use it as Stuttgart intended. I think the Boxster will be a keeper - the only other cars on my radar that may be additions to the fleet this decade are a Mercedes CL600 bi-turbo (C215) or, if I have enough brave pills and the ABC pump malarkey isn't enough, a Maserati 3200 GT...
To end on a funny note (if the potential bork factor of the Maser isn't funny enough already), when I used the Boxster as my only car for my 350 mile a week commute, I'd leave it parked up in this end space with no other cars nearby. When I'd return to leave at the end of the day, this younger toyboy would always be parked next to it. Opposites attract and all that
Doesn't happen now I use the Polo four out of the five days!
DSC_0625[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr Edited by Rosewood Red on Saturday 12th November 21:02
Time for the next installment.
So, following Cath's report, I set about buying some parts. Amongst other things, this box arrived:
DSC_0740[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
A few days before Christmas, one of the ladies in the Project Management Office invited me and a few of my Informatics colleagues to their 'PMO Christmas Grotto' meal. Decided it would be rude not to go. I also decided that would be the last time I drove the car before taking it to get the above box of front suspension arms fitted. Anyway, on the commute to work that day, one of the country lanes was completely free of traffic. I decided to go for it. Despite applying the brakes before it happened, I spotted the pothole a little too late. Something didn't sound too right afterwards, a minor rattle which I'm sure wasn't there, but I thought it was in my head.
After a lovely dinner I drove home. Reversed onto the drive and "scraape". Came off the drive. "scraape". Reversed back on. "scraape". Hmmm...
Investigation later suggested the NSF arch liner was loose. I still didn't buy it. Last week, I drove it for the first time since the 21st of Dec. On the way back from work, the handling seemed 'interesting' on the country lanes when going for it. I went to my garage, picked up my mechanic who dropped me off at my house. Before he left, I said "I wonder if it's the NSF spring". "It won't be the spring he said". I also left with him the official Porsche torque specs.
The next day I get a call. It was the spring. I debated my plan of action. Long term, I was thinking about replacing the dampers and going for the H&R -10mm 'M030' kit. At just over £100, it is cheaper than a pair of OE front springs. However, at the time, I couldn't afford the £600 or so for new dampers and the additional labour for doing the rear axle. H&R -10mm at the front and stock springs at the rear didn't seem a wise move.
Cue these for £277 from ECP. OE front springs, OE (apparently) top monunts and Lemforder strut bearings:
DSC_0856[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Went to the garage to find Suzi looking rather sorry for herself:
DSC_0857[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Parts left. Straight sailing now I thought. Nope. Get a call on Monday. to tell me something was up with my bearings and top mounts. Turns out the mounts and bearings supplied by ECP had play in them when used in conjunction with each other and my mechanic wasn't happy with them. He said the 17 year old, 115k items on the car were in good shape and had no play. He'd only taken one side off, told me just to use the originals if the other side was fine. I'm friendly with one of the counter guys at ECP and it wasn't an issue getting a straight refund this Tuesday.
Finally Thursday night, guess who's back on the drive
DSC_0862[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Now, I just had to get the geometry sorted out and that's the suspension done. Or so I thought...
To be continued...
So, following Cath's report, I set about buying some parts. Amongst other things, this box arrived:
DSC_0740[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrA few days before Christmas, one of the ladies in the Project Management Office invited me and a few of my Informatics colleagues to their 'PMO Christmas Grotto' meal. Decided it would be rude not to go. I also decided that would be the last time I drove the car before taking it to get the above box of front suspension arms fitted. Anyway, on the commute to work that day, one of the country lanes was completely free of traffic. I decided to go for it. Despite applying the brakes before it happened, I spotted the pothole a little too late. Something didn't sound too right afterwards, a minor rattle which I'm sure wasn't there, but I thought it was in my head.
After a lovely dinner I drove home. Reversed onto the drive and "scraape". Came off the drive. "scraape". Reversed back on. "scraape". Hmmm...
Investigation later suggested the NSF arch liner was loose. I still didn't buy it. Last week, I drove it for the first time since the 21st of Dec. On the way back from work, the handling seemed 'interesting' on the country lanes when going for it. I went to my garage, picked up my mechanic who dropped me off at my house. Before he left, I said "I wonder if it's the NSF spring". "It won't be the spring he said". I also left with him the official Porsche torque specs.
The next day I get a call. It was the spring. I debated my plan of action. Long term, I was thinking about replacing the dampers and going for the H&R -10mm 'M030' kit. At just over £100, it is cheaper than a pair of OE front springs. However, at the time, I couldn't afford the £600 or so for new dampers and the additional labour for doing the rear axle. H&R -10mm at the front and stock springs at the rear didn't seem a wise move.
Cue these for £277 from ECP. OE front springs, OE (apparently) top monunts and Lemforder strut bearings:
DSC_0856[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrWent to the garage to find Suzi looking rather sorry for herself:
DSC_0857[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrParts left. Straight sailing now I thought. Nope. Get a call on Monday. to tell me something was up with my bearings and top mounts. Turns out the mounts and bearings supplied by ECP had play in them when used in conjunction with each other and my mechanic wasn't happy with them. He said the 17 year old, 115k items on the car were in good shape and had no play. He'd only taken one side off, told me just to use the originals if the other side was fine. I'm friendly with one of the counter guys at ECP and it wasn't an issue getting a straight refund this Tuesday.
Finally Thursday night, guess who's back on the drive
DSC_0862[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrNow, I just had to get the geometry sorted out and that's the suspension done. Or so I thought...
To be continued...
Edited by Rosewood Red on Sunday 22 January 20:37
Not that anyone's reading, picking up the story from where I left it brings us to Saturday the 21st of Jan, the weekend just gone...
My car never really steered straight - it had a tendancy to pull to the left and this was prior to any suspension work being carried out. Alignment was always on the cards, but I thought I'd wait till I got the front arms replaced (and the springs - wasn't planned, but as with any project...). Anway, back from my mechanic, the car did feel better. Although the steering wasn't centred and it was still twitchy.
I'd heard good things online about this place from the BMW and MX5 boys and being relatively local, decided to drop in to get the geometry sorted out on all four corners.
DSC_0868[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
DSC_0867[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Interestingly enough, the front alignment was somehow spot on. The caster was out slightly on both sides, but isn't really adjustable per se. Some tweaks to the toe and camber could probably have these two in the green whilst bringing the caster within spec. The issue was, the eccentric bolts on the rear arms (coffin arm and track rods) were seized into the metal sleve on the bush. No play in the bushes on these two arms or the rear diagonal arms. The arms may be original, however, according to some recipts I have, the rear geometry was adjusted less than two years and 5k miles ago. Bullocks.
DSC_0889[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Also, depsite changing the RARB bushes, there's still play.
The front suspension arms weren't originally something I'd foreseen or budgeted for. After spending £700 odd on those and the springs, The prospect of spending £500 or so on rear arms does feel like a kick in the teeth. Before I spend any more, I had a word with my mechanic - he'll be taking a quick look at it tomorrow and we'll formulate a plan of action. I thought that was then end of that and it was plain sailing going forward, with the clutch being the only major issue to sort out.
To put it into perspective, over 15 weeks and just over 2000 miles, my expenditure is as follows (list number, date, place, item, cost, miles)
46. 09/10/2016 Euro Car Parts Brembo front brake pads, Pagid wear indicators £58.78 -
47. 15/10/2016 Montague Motor Eng. Labour for #46 £30.00 113,700
48. 18/10/2016 Cath Burrows Full inspection and report - long to-do list ? £108.00 113,888
49. 21/10/2016 Shell Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 1l (Porsche A40 approved) - noticed low level whilst refuelling, likely due to oil filter removal during above inspection £17.99 114,101
50. 25/10/2016 Euro Car Parts Bosch ABS sensor, OE radiator fan resistor, RARB bushes £155.76 -
51. 25/10/2016 Montague Motor Eng. Brake fluid change £35.00 114,304
52. 05/11/2016 Camskill (tyres) / Event Tyres (fitting) 2 x 265 35 R18Y XL Uniroyal Rainsport 3 (rears) £246.78 114,390
53. 14/11/2016 B&B Components 2 x TRW tie / track rod ends 2 x Meyle "coffin arms", 2 x Meyle "tuning forks" £383.94 -
54. 12/01/2017 Euro Car Parts OE front springs £137.85 -
55. 18/01/2017 Montague Motor Eng. Labour for #50, 53 and 54 £240.00 115,103
56. 21/01/2017 Nigel Langs Garage Geometry read out / adjustments, front wheels balanced £95.40 115,135
57. 21/01/2017 Porsche Bolton Oddments tray hinge repair kit, sunvisor assembly screw £27.26 -
So, £1500 in 15 weeks and I haven't really acheived that much. I'm still driving a car that isn't aligned. In fact when pressing on, it is somewhat scary on the motorway. I'm not sure if it's bump steer from the rear toe spec, the front tyres, a suspected engine mount, or a combination thereof.
A lot more work (and money) will be required. It does sometimes make me question my life choices and make me consider throwing in the towel...
My car never really steered straight - it had a tendancy to pull to the left and this was prior to any suspension work being carried out. Alignment was always on the cards, but I thought I'd wait till I got the front arms replaced (and the springs - wasn't planned, but as with any project...). Anway, back from my mechanic, the car did feel better. Although the steering wasn't centred and it was still twitchy.
I'd heard good things online about this place from the BMW and MX5 boys and being relatively local, decided to drop in to get the geometry sorted out on all four corners.
DSC_0868[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrDSC_0867[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrInterestingly enough, the front alignment was somehow spot on. The caster was out slightly on both sides, but isn't really adjustable per se. Some tweaks to the toe and camber could probably have these two in the green whilst bringing the caster within spec. The issue was, the eccentric bolts on the rear arms (coffin arm and track rods) were seized into the metal sleve on the bush. No play in the bushes on these two arms or the rear diagonal arms. The arms may be original, however, according to some recipts I have, the rear geometry was adjusted less than two years and 5k miles ago. Bullocks.
DSC_0889[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrAlso, depsite changing the RARB bushes, there's still play.
The front suspension arms weren't originally something I'd foreseen or budgeted for. After spending £700 odd on those and the springs, The prospect of spending £500 or so on rear arms does feel like a kick in the teeth. Before I spend any more, I had a word with my mechanic - he'll be taking a quick look at it tomorrow and we'll formulate a plan of action. I thought that was then end of that and it was plain sailing going forward, with the clutch being the only major issue to sort out.
To put it into perspective, over 15 weeks and just over 2000 miles, my expenditure is as follows (list number, date, place, item, cost, miles)
46. 09/10/2016 Euro Car Parts Brembo front brake pads, Pagid wear indicators £58.78 -
47. 15/10/2016 Montague Motor Eng. Labour for #46 £30.00 113,700
48. 18/10/2016 Cath Burrows Full inspection and report - long to-do list ? £108.00 113,888
49. 21/10/2016 Shell Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 1l (Porsche A40 approved) - noticed low level whilst refuelling, likely due to oil filter removal during above inspection £17.99 114,101
50. 25/10/2016 Euro Car Parts Bosch ABS sensor, OE radiator fan resistor, RARB bushes £155.76 -
51. 25/10/2016 Montague Motor Eng. Brake fluid change £35.00 114,304
52. 05/11/2016 Camskill (tyres) / Event Tyres (fitting) 2 x 265 35 R18Y XL Uniroyal Rainsport 3 (rears) £246.78 114,390
53. 14/11/2016 B&B Components 2 x TRW tie / track rod ends 2 x Meyle "coffin arms", 2 x Meyle "tuning forks" £383.94 -
54. 12/01/2017 Euro Car Parts OE front springs £137.85 -
55. 18/01/2017 Montague Motor Eng. Labour for #50, 53 and 54 £240.00 115,103
56. 21/01/2017 Nigel Langs Garage Geometry read out / adjustments, front wheels balanced £95.40 115,135
57. 21/01/2017 Porsche Bolton Oddments tray hinge repair kit, sunvisor assembly screw £27.26 -
So, £1500 in 15 weeks and I haven't really acheived that much. I'm still driving a car that isn't aligned. In fact when pressing on, it is somewhat scary on the motorway. I'm not sure if it's bump steer from the rear toe spec, the front tyres, a suspected engine mount, or a combination thereof.
A lot more work (and money) will be required. It does sometimes make me question my life choices and make me consider throwing in the towel...
Edited by Rosewood Red on Monday 23 January 20:29
Indeed - I did want a project car, although I've inadvertently ended up with one on a scale I did not imagine.
Bear in mind the tyres, brake fluid, pads, etc are consumables. Still many unplanned expenses and I'm nowhere near done.
Not everything that has been done was outright necessary - for instance, not all the front arms needed doing, but if you're going to do something, do it right and all that jazz. The front spring snapping was just unfortunate. I do pay road tax...errr...vehicle excise duty. That pothole just came from nowhere and sucker punched me
Some of it was bad luck.
I could have bought something that was (allegedly) 'mint' for a lot more money, but there would have been no guarnatee I wouldn't get a long list and a big bill at the end.
Fun and games. It'll be worth it when summer's here. Or so I kid myself Don't let this put you off one, but consider it due dlligence. Lots of info in the Poverty Pork thread on here or over at boxa.net.
Bear in mind the tyres, brake fluid, pads, etc are consumables. Still many unplanned expenses and I'm nowhere near done.
Not everything that has been done was outright necessary - for instance, not all the front arms needed doing, but if you're going to do something, do it right and all that jazz. The front spring snapping was just unfortunate. I do pay road tax...errr...vehicle excise duty. That pothole just came from nowhere and sucker punched me
Some of it was bad luck.I could have bought something that was (allegedly) 'mint' for a lot more money, but there would have been no guarnatee I wouldn't get a long list and a big bill at the end.
Fun and games. It'll be worth it when summer's here. Or so I kid myself
Don't let this put you off one, but consider it due dlligence. Lots of info in the Poverty Pork thread on here or over at boxa.net.My visit to my mechanic to come up with a plan of action for the rear arms has been postponed.
For now, some more pics.
I ordered the oddments tray hinge repair kit and a missing trim screw from OPC Bolton when I was in the area for my failed geometry setup.
DSC_0870[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Didn't want to drive all the way back to pick them up. The parts themself were reasonable at circa £22. "Could you post them to me?" "Certainly sir, that'll be £5". Not too bad, I thought especially if they were going to use RMSD / courier. Came home to this:
DSC_0895[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
I presume the additional £4.17 is for the Porsche branded sweets?
I'll be having a word when I'm there next...
The hinge on my accelerator pedal is rather worn, causing some annoying lateral movement at the base. Apparently, the hinge itself is available as a separate item. The internet and Cath both seem to think so, Cath said it certainly wasn't expensive. Trying to find a part number on the other hand is futile. Porsche Bolton seem to think otherwise and wanted to sell me an entire pedal for three figures. No thank you.
I posted a wanted ad on Boxa net for an OSF headlamp quadrant as a couple of clips on mine are broken, resulting in a slightly dodgy fit. Someone replied saying he had a pair left over, but the NSF one was cracked. Not an issue for me. He also happened to have an entire throttle assembly in good condition from his old 2.5, since sold, where he had done a cruise retrofit. As it's a cable throttle, this required a new pedal.
So a box containing these turned up:
DSC_0904[2] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
The cost? A measly £5 for postage. Eddie was a gent and refused to take any money from me as these were just lying around and would rather see them being used.
And what's this?
DSC_0898[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
My car only came with one key, which was always a niggle. According to rumour a new keyhead and blade is close to £200, if not more. So, a German eBay special for €110:
DSC_0902[2] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Allegedly, you can get blades cut to match your original from a picture, posted to your door for under £20. Cath will be able to code it to the car. So, a nice little saving.
Little bits like these keep me distracted from the more monumental (and expensive) tasks that are yet to be tackled.
Despite being more than I bargained for, I'll see this project through yet. Thanks for reading
For now, some more pics.
I ordered the oddments tray hinge repair kit and a missing trim screw from OPC Bolton when I was in the area for my failed geometry setup.
DSC_0870[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrDidn't want to drive all the way back to pick them up. The parts themself were reasonable at circa £22. "Could you post them to me?" "Certainly sir, that'll be £5". Not too bad, I thought especially if they were going to use RMSD / courier. Came home to this:
DSC_0895[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrI presume the additional £4.17 is for the Porsche branded sweets?
I'll be having a word when I'm there next...The hinge on my accelerator pedal is rather worn, causing some annoying lateral movement at the base. Apparently, the hinge itself is available as a separate item. The internet and Cath both seem to think so, Cath said it certainly wasn't expensive. Trying to find a part number on the other hand is futile. Porsche Bolton seem to think otherwise and wanted to sell me an entire pedal for three figures. No thank you.
I posted a wanted ad on Boxa net for an OSF headlamp quadrant as a couple of clips on mine are broken, resulting in a slightly dodgy fit. Someone replied saying he had a pair left over, but the NSF one was cracked. Not an issue for me. He also happened to have an entire throttle assembly in good condition from his old 2.5, since sold, where he had done a cruise retrofit. As it's a cable throttle, this required a new pedal.
So a box containing these turned up:
DSC_0904[2] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrThe cost? A measly £5 for postage. Eddie was a gent and refused to take any money from me as these were just lying around and would rather see them being used.
And what's this?
DSC_0898[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrMy car only came with one key, which was always a niggle. According to rumour a new keyhead and blade is close to £200, if not more. So, a German eBay special for €110:
DSC_0902[2] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrAllegedly, you can get blades cut to match your original from a picture, posted to your door for under £20. Cath will be able to code it to the car. So, a nice little saving.
Little bits like these keep me distracted from the more monumental (and expensive) tasks that are yet to be tackled.
Despite being more than I bargained for, I'll see this project through yet. Thanks for reading
Edited by Rosewood Red on Thursday 26th January 20:38
Edited by Rosewood Red on Thursday 26th January 21:22
steve-5snwi said:
If it makes you feel any better the wife's station car a 2006 A4 tfsi in the past few months has cost £104 for oil, plugs,filters inc pollen and air, £50 to have them fitted, £50 for a washer pump, £55 for a diverter valve and £74 for the rear number plate light panel because it's cracked and shorted.
Audi's are more expensive ... It also needed £200 for two lower arms and an mot last year, £100 to put proper lights on it because some nimrod put cheap led looky looky lights on it and £300 on proper wheels with real tyres to replace the crappy chinese replicas. Did I mention the £100 on the window regulator and new discs and pads all round .... She only foes 1 mile a day in it now ... Next is £199 on a gearbox service. Then it should be good for another 2 years .... But probably sold in 6 months !
A mile a day? Wouldn't walking be cheaper / quicker even? Audi's are more expensive ... It also needed £200 for two lower arms and an mot last year, £100 to put proper lights on it because some nimrod put cheap led looky looky lights on it and £300 on proper wheels with real tyres to replace the crappy chinese replicas. Did I mention the £100 on the window regulator and new discs and pads all round .... She only foes 1 mile a day in it now ... Next is £199 on a gearbox service. Then it should be good for another 2 years .... But probably sold in 6 months !
The driver's EW has started to play up on the Polo - it now sometimes goes down all the way when you press up. I'm hoping it's just the switch. My third brake light corroded at the terminals a few years ago. That was a bit of a faff, but DIYable. Luckily, a friend had a spare lying around which I got for peanuts.
I still think it's cheaper running an old car that's been paid for even if it chucks you a curve ball from time to time, than buying something new(er).
Having said that, if I'd put the money I paid for the Pork towards a deposit, and less than what I've paid a week in repairs as monthly PCP payments, I could have been driving around in a new M140i... I hope my perceptions change when it's fixed.
I used to commute (on foot) 1.5 miles each way for six months in Wycombe and I'm 5'3" Agreed re: PCP.
Unfortunately, still haven't managed to get it back on the ramps. It's looking like it'll be next week. I did just come back from filling up the tank and noticed my OSF rear side light bulb is out. Great. Not nearly as frustrating as the time I got the rear tyres changed and didn't think too much about the naff alloy valve caps that a previous owner had installed. A couple of weeks later, I went to fill with air and they were seized on solid...
Agreed re: PCP. Unfortunately, still haven't managed to get it back on the ramps. It's looking like it'll be next week. I did just come back from filling up the tank and noticed my OSF rear side light bulb is out. Great. Not nearly as frustrating as the time I got the rear tyres changed and didn't think too much about the naff alloy valve caps that a previous owner had installed. A couple of weeks later, I went to fill with air and they were seized on solid...
Edited by Rosewood Red on Friday 27th January 20:00
In an attempt to keep the thread alive...
My Polo ended up with a cracked windscreen yesterday. It's booked to be replaced tomorrow. Decided to take the Box to work today.
I ended up taking a detour on the way back. The outcome of which was this:
DSC_0942[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Two trains and a taxi later, I end up home three hours after I left work. Normal journey time: 55 minutes.
To be continued...
My Polo ended up with a cracked windscreen yesterday. It's booked to be replaced tomorrow. Decided to take the Box to work today.
I ended up taking a detour on the way back. The outcome of which was this:
DSC_0942[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrTwo trains and a taxi later, I end up home three hours after I left work. Normal journey time: 55 minutes.
To be continued...
...so Cath phoned me on Wednesday to tell me the car was ready. I called her yesterday to tell her I'd probably be at Adlington station for 9am, but I'd update her once I was on the train. A few attempts at calling her as I was approaching the station were futile. Just kept ringing and no answerphone.
I got out of the station and walked up the cobbled path to see a familiar zenith blue 986 idling. Nathan, who works with Cath said she wasn't in yet, but told him I'd be there. We drove back to base.
DSC_0005[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
£700 odd lighter, I drove to my place of work in Southport and parked out of the way in the overflow car park. Haven't had the chance to really put it through its paces, but it definitely feels tighter and I did manage to induce a tiny bit of controllable oversteer being particularly enthusiatic on country lanes Wouldn't have had the balls to do that in the state it handled previously.
DSC_0006[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
During my last update, I 'forgot' to leave out the bit where my local independent pissed me off. Couldn't get the rear eccentric bolts loose and then couldn't pick me up or drop the car off, and suggest I get a taxi. I suspect he was being lazy / couldn't be bothered. Rather annoying as I have used him for the best part of five years. He'd also fitted the RARB bushes without checking if the play had gone.
I was left feeling utterly dejected and fed up at this point. An email to Cath followed by a call last Wednesday led her to suggest I bring the car to her. As I had takeen it to work, an impromptu decision was made to bunk off early and drop the car off. She did manage to get the bolts loose using penetrating fluid and elbow grease, but we agreed to replace the rear coffin arms and tie bars. In addition, a few other niggly bits were addressed, including the OSF radiator fan resistor and the xenon self-levelling mechanism.
Not particularly happy about the alignment report which I didn't have the chance to study in great detail until leaving as it cost £110 + VAT and they (outsourced) could have at least dialled in some additional negative camber on the NSF, even if both sides are within spec. I will mention this next time (probably March) and hope they can address this FOC.
DSC_0008[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
The OSF caster is out - this isn't adjustable. Cath suggested the shock absorber mounting may be slightly bent after taking a knock at some point. A common weakness apparently. Although, she said not to worry about it as it was out by a minor amount. The long term plan was to do shocks and springs all round as at 17+ years and 115k miles, they could probably do with a refresh. The fact that I have now done all front arms, front springs and rear arms bar the diagonal links means this will leave me with factory fresh suspension. That'll be later down the line.
I'm hoping to go abroad for a couple of weeks next month, during which time, the car will be left with Cath for a new clutch, flywheel and other bits.
It's getting there
I got out of the station and walked up the cobbled path to see a familiar zenith blue 986 idling. Nathan, who works with Cath said she wasn't in yet, but told him I'd be there. We drove back to base.
DSC_0005[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr£700 odd lighter, I drove to my place of work in Southport and parked out of the way in the overflow car park. Haven't had the chance to really put it through its paces, but it definitely feels tighter and I did manage to induce a tiny bit of controllable oversteer being particularly enthusiatic on country lanes
Wouldn't have had the balls to do that in the state it handled previously. DSC_0006[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrDuring my last update, I 'forgot' to leave out the bit where my local independent pissed me off. Couldn't get the rear eccentric bolts loose and then couldn't pick me up or drop the car off, and suggest I get a taxi. I suspect he was being lazy / couldn't be bothered. Rather annoying as I have used him for the best part of five years. He'd also fitted the RARB bushes without checking if the play had gone.
I was left feeling utterly dejected and fed up at this point. An email to Cath followed by a call last Wednesday led her to suggest I bring the car to her. As I had takeen it to work, an impromptu decision was made to bunk off early and drop the car off. She did manage to get the bolts loose using penetrating fluid and elbow grease, but we agreed to replace the rear coffin arms and tie bars. In addition, a few other niggly bits were addressed, including the OSF radiator fan resistor and the xenon self-levelling mechanism.
Not particularly happy about the alignment report which I didn't have the chance to study in great detail until leaving as it cost £110 + VAT and they (outsourced) could have at least dialled in some additional negative camber on the NSF, even if both sides are within spec. I will mention this next time (probably March) and hope they can address this FOC.
DSC_0008[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrThe OSF caster is out - this isn't adjustable. Cath suggested the shock absorber mounting may be slightly bent after taking a knock at some point. A common weakness apparently. Although, she said not to worry about it as it was out by a minor amount. The long term plan was to do shocks and springs all round as at 17+ years and 115k miles, they could probably do with a refresh. The fact that I have now done all front arms, front springs and rear arms bar the diagonal links means this will leave me with factory fresh suspension. That'll be later down the line.
I'm hoping to go abroad for a couple of weeks next month, during which time, the car will be left with Cath for a new clutch, flywheel and other bits.
It's getting there
Mr Scruff: Had a quick look at your profile - I presume you're talking about your 996 C4? '99 too, so probably has the more robust dual row IMSB Do you have a progress thread? Would like to graduate to a 911 at some point, although I'm not sure which variant...
I've spent nearly £2.4k in 20 weeks and just over 2k miles. All of which was unplanned, save for maybe £500 on tyres, brake pads and other bits. My next bill for the clutch (maybe DMF) and other bits could be around £1500, which I thought was the only work the car needed. When you dig, you find dirt and all that. So, it's quite likely I'll have spent more than the purchase price on repairs!
Krikkit: I did mention my displeasure about this in the paragraph just above the alignment printout. I do have a tendency to ramble on a bit, so this may have well been lost
It would appear that the geometry place only adjusted settings that were in the red. Whilst I appreciate the front camber on both sides is within spec, minor +ve on one side and -ve on the other is just damn shoddy work IMO. I'll mention this to Cath next month, especially considering how much the alignment cost. The hope is that she'll be able to get the geometry place to tweak the settings FOC.
Do you have a progress thread? Would like to graduate to a 911 at some point, although I'm not sure which variant...I've spent nearly £2.4k in 20 weeks and just over 2k miles. All of which was unplanned, save for maybe £500 on tyres, brake pads and other bits. My next bill for the clutch (maybe DMF) and other bits could be around £1500, which I thought was the only work the car needed. When you dig, you find dirt and all that. So, it's quite likely I'll have spent more than the purchase price on repairs!
Krikkit: I did mention my displeasure about this in the paragraph just above the alignment printout. I do have a tendency to ramble on a bit, so this may have well been lost
It would appear that the geometry place only adjusted settings that were in the red. Whilst I appreciate the front camber on both sides is within spec, minor +ve on one side and -ve on the other is just damn shoddy work IMO. I'll mention this to Cath next month, especially considering how much the alignment cost. The hope is that she'll be able to get the geometry place to tweak the settings FOC.
Seeing as the alignment (interesting front camber aside) is within spec, as opposed to maybe once every two weeks at a push, I have been using it once a week or so for my 70 mile round commute. Last Friday was when I picked it up from Cath. So I thought I'd take it to work the Friday just gone, seeing as storm Doris had passed and it was actually looking sunny for once.
So Thursday night, I decided to check my tyre pressures. Started up, drove two miles to my garage (yes, I will be buying my own pump at some point), turned off for two minutes whilst filling with air. Went to restart, and it kinda went like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8guShb27zTM&fe...
Never a dull moment with Suzi...
After the first cranking attempt, it died completely. Alarm blaring and everything. Silenced the alarm and it'd barely turn over and was doing the 'angry relay click'. Just my luck. How it'd managed to start and then die a couple of miles down the road was beyond me.
DSC_0011 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
RAC man confirmed a dying battery - was actually somewhat relieved as I thought it may be the alternator. Rather annoyingly, the Varta that was in there wasn't that old. But, it always sounded rather weak cranking over. I politely declined the circa £150 quoted for a new battery.
Rang my contact at ECP who did me a good deal on a Bosch S4. Slightly lower spec than the existing Varta (both Bosch and Varta are the same with different stickers), but he did chuck in a no-quibble lifetime warranty. £95 and some pennies. Could have got it cheaper from Tanya, who I've used in the past. The existing Varta had actually been supplied by them. But good luck trying to claim under warranty with batteries. I've been using my local ECP for a while, know the staff and have never had issues returning faulty stuff before. It sometimes pays doing things face to face.
It wasn't raining for once this morning, so out with the old (carrier bags over the cable terminals):
2017-02-26_02-26-18 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
In with the new:
2017-02-26_02-26-46 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Hard to say, but does seem to spin up with more authority. Will have to try later in the coming week.
Thanks for reading.
So Thursday night, I decided to check my tyre pressures. Started up, drove two miles to my garage (yes, I will be buying my own pump at some point), turned off for two minutes whilst filling with air. Went to restart, and it kinda went like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8guShb27zTM&fe...
Never a dull moment with Suzi...
After the first cranking attempt, it died completely. Alarm blaring and everything. Silenced the alarm and it'd barely turn over and was doing the 'angry relay click'. Just my luck. How it'd managed to start and then die a couple of miles down the road was beyond me.
DSC_0011 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrRAC man confirmed a dying battery - was actually somewhat relieved as I thought it may be the alternator. Rather annoyingly, the Varta that was in there wasn't that old. But, it always sounded rather weak cranking over. I politely declined the circa £150 quoted for a new battery.
Rang my contact at ECP who did me a good deal on a Bosch S4. Slightly lower spec than the existing Varta (both Bosch and Varta are the same with different stickers), but he did chuck in a no-quibble lifetime warranty. £95 and some pennies. Could have got it cheaper from Tanya, who I've used in the past. The existing Varta had actually been supplied by them. But good luck trying to claim under warranty with batteries. I've been using my local ECP for a while, know the staff and have never had issues returning faulty stuff before. It sometimes pays doing things face to face.
It wasn't raining for once this morning, so out with the old (carrier bags over the cable terminals):
2017-02-26_02-26-18 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrIn with the new:
2017-02-26_02-26-46 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrHard to say, but does seem to spin up with more authority. Will have to try later in the coming week.
Thanks for reading.
What battery did you have Codswallop?
I don't seem to have much luck with batteries. The original OE (but Varta branded) battery lasted well over eight years on my Polo. Died once over winter, but the RAC guy said it had just run low and didn't need replacing. Cue Mr preventative maintenance deciding to replace it a few months later with a higher spec Varta (equivalent to the Bosch that I just put in the Box'). Didn't even last four years
I don't seem to have much luck with batteries. The original OE (but Varta branded) battery lasted well over eight years on my Polo. Died once over winter, but the RAC guy said it had just run low and didn't need replacing. Cue Mr preventative maintenance deciding to replace it a few months later with a higher spec Varta (equivalent to the Bosch that I just put in the Box'). Didn't even last four years
Just had a nosey at your garage - I wouldn't get rid of the Monaro. Wonder if I'll get the chance to try one - the originals are climbing in price. Also, one of my close friends from skydiving circles works (did? - she's currently doing a PhD in something related to further her career) in a similar field.
I was contemplating a Yuasa. A motor factors down the road from work quoted me about £70 for one with a 4 year warranty. Seem to be commonly found on bikes back in the day (really back in the day...without a licence; too young, and it was India). I do really need to get round to obtaining my bike licence...
I was contemplating a Yuasa. A motor factors down the road from work quoted me about £70 for one with a 4 year warranty. Seem to be commonly found on bikes back in the day (really back in the day...without a licence; too young, and it was India
). I do really need to get round to obtaining my bike licence...Shame they didn't offer the supercharged 5.4l engine (would probably be stepping on the toes of other models up the hierarchy) in those...
I am toying with the idea of adding a C125 CL55K or bi-turbo CL600 to the fleet further down the line. Due to some reason, past 2005 or so, nothing interests me. Everything got a bit too big, blingy and ostentatious for my liking, even though I am talking about a 5.5 m long Benz...
I am toying with the idea of adding a C125 CL55K or bi-turbo CL600 to the fleet further down the line. Due to some reason, past 2005 or so, nothing interests me. Everything got a bit too big, blingy and ostentatious for my liking, even though I am talking about a 5.5 m long Benz...
So it's been a while. Was in India for just over a couple of weeks. A lot has changed since I left 12 years ago. I lived there for eight years and it's barely recognisable The roads are better than the potholed ridden mess in the UK and Mumbai aiport makes anything we have to offer look like a third world country. Although the traffic is still chaotic. Saw a few Caymens and Cayennes. Wouldn't be comfortable driving in the city! On the country lanes like below though...
DSC_0420 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
DSC_0496 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Sunset
DSC_0095 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Mumbai Airport
Got home about mid-day yesterday. I think (hope - am due back in work tomorrow) my jet lag has gone after my 15 hour sleep.
Left the car with Cath whilst I was gone. I told her to replace the clutch, DMF, RMS, inspect the IMSB and renew the gearbox oil. Also mentioned about an advisory regarding a corroded rear brake line and my useless handbrake.
Was lucky as it turned out the bank 1 chain tensioner had locked up
This was replaced along with an oil change.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mhhuzs7ldzddz8m/invoice ...
Slightly larger bill than expected at just over £1.6k. Good news is that the IMSB is in perfect condition and my suspicions were correct - being an early (Jan 2000) 2.7, it has the more robust dual-row bearing. Litronics, check. Zenith blue, check. Dual row IMSB, check
Mechanically, it's now pretty much spot on, bar the rear ARB, which is heavily corroded and needs replacing. I'll be tackling this before summer and replacing the AC condensers.
Couple of niggly bits like the oddments tray hinge and the archaic stereo will be done over a spare weekend.
Hope to collect next week. She's getting there...
DSC_0420 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrDSC_0496 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrSunset
DSC_0095 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrMumbai Airport
Got home about mid-day yesterday. I think (hope - am due back in work tomorrow) my jet lag has gone after my 15 hour sleep.
Left the car with Cath whilst I was gone. I told her to replace the clutch, DMF, RMS, inspect the IMSB and renew the gearbox oil. Also mentioned about an advisory regarding a corroded rear brake line and my useless handbrake.
Was lucky as it turned out the bank 1 chain tensioner had locked up
This was replaced along with an oil change.https://www.dropbox.com/s/mhhuzs7ldzddz8m/invoice ...
Slightly larger bill than expected at just over £1.6k. Good news is that the IMSB is in perfect condition and my suspicions were correct - being an early (Jan 2000) 2.7, it has the more robust dual-row bearing. Litronics, check. Zenith blue, check. Dual row IMSB, check
Mechanically, it's now pretty much spot on, bar the rear ARB, which is heavily corroded and needs replacing. I'll be tackling this before summer and replacing the AC condensers.
Couple of niggly bits like the oddments tray hinge and the archaic stereo will be done over a spare weekend.
Hope to collect next week. She's getting there...
Edited by Rosewood Red on Sunday 2nd April 14:01
Picked the car up today. The replacement clutch and DMF has made a massive difference. Later in the month, I plan on doing the spark plugs and air filter and speaking to Cath, bar the air con condensers and rear ARB, which will be tackled soon enough, it's mechanically now perfect.
DSC_0561 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
DSC_0562 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Completely knackered cam chain tensioner. It's seized solid and there is some scoring. Lucky this was caught before it did any major damage.
I'm now just looking forward to enjoying it. Summer's coming...
DSC_0563 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
DSC_0561 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrDSC_0562 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrCompletely knackered cam chain tensioner. It's seized solid and there is some scoring. Lucky this was caught before it did any major damage.
I'm now just looking forward to enjoying it. Summer's coming...
DSC_0563 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrAppreciate that culpz. Sometimes I do think I'm too sensible for my own good in certain regards, but on the flipside, I wouldn't classify myself as mainstream. Not that this is the place for introspection
Maybe one day I'll get a brand new car, but I've not set any goals for when that'll be. I'm happy with the Polo and the Boxster and don't really have anything else on my radar for now. I do lust for a W215 CL600 bi-turbo, but can't really justify a third car.
As it stands, spend during my tenure (date. place, item, mileage):
46. 09/10/2016 Euro Car Parts Brembo front brake pads, Pagid wear indicators £58.78 -
47. 15/10/2016 Montague Motor Eng. Labour for #46 £30.00 113,700
48. 18/10/2016 Cath Burrows Full inspection and report - long to-do list ? £108.00 113,888
49. 21/10/2016 Shell Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 1l (Porsche A40 approved) - noticed low level whilst refuelling, likely due to oil filter removal during above inspection £17.99 114,101
50. 25/10/2016 Euro Car Parts Bosch ABS sensor, OE radiator fan resistor, RARB bushes £155.76 -
51. 25/10/2016 Montague Motor Eng. Brake fluid change £35.00 114,304
52. 05/11/2016 Camskill (tyres) / Event Tyres (fitting) 2 x 265 35 R18Y XL Uniroyal Rainsport 3 (rears) £246.78 114,390
53. 14/11/2016 B&B Components 2 x TRW tie / track rod ends 2 x Meyle "coffin arms", 2 x Meyle "tuning forks" £383.94 -
54. 12/01/2017 Euro Car Parts OE front springs £137.85 -
55. 18/01/2017 Montague Motor Eng. Labour for #50, 53 and 54 £240.00 115,103
56. 20/01/2017 eBay special New OE keyhead £101.00 -
57. 21/01/2017 Nigel Langs Garage Geometry read out / adjustments, front wheels balanced £95.40 115,135
58. 21/01/2017 Porsche Bolton Oddments tray hinge repair kit, sunvisor assembly screw £27.26 -
59. 15/02/2017 Cath Burrows Rear coffin arms, tie bars, nuts, bolts, geometry, xenon level sensor droplink, power steering line support clip, radiator fan resistor (#50) fitted £736.16 115,363
60. 24/02/2017 Euro Car Parts Bosch S4 008 battery + lifetime warranty £95.99 115,516
61. 28/03/2017 Cath Burrows Clutch, DMF, RMS, IMSB inspection, bank 1 cam tensioner, oil, oil filter, renew exhaust clamps / fittings, gearbox oil, front xenon droplink / bracket, code keyhead, handbrake adjustment £1,628.02 115,955
So, just shy of £4100 in 6 months. That's more than I paid for the car in the first place! Sure, I've added value, but not £4k worth. It was never meant to be a fix and flip car. Perhaps not every single thing was absolutely necessary, but I like to do things properly. Either that or not at all.
I am happy it is finally at the point where it's pretty much done and now just needs keeping on top of. I do think this has put me off any future project cars though (famous last words?)
Maybe one day I'll get a brand new car, but I've not set any goals for when that'll be. I'm happy with the Polo and the Boxster and don't really have anything else on my radar for now. I do lust for a W215 CL600 bi-turbo, but can't really justify a third car.
As it stands, spend during my tenure (date. place, item, mileage):
46. 09/10/2016 Euro Car Parts Brembo front brake pads, Pagid wear indicators £58.78 -
47. 15/10/2016 Montague Motor Eng. Labour for #46 £30.00 113,700
48. 18/10/2016 Cath Burrows Full inspection and report - long to-do list ? £108.00 113,888
49. 21/10/2016 Shell Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 1l (Porsche A40 approved) - noticed low level whilst refuelling, likely due to oil filter removal during above inspection £17.99 114,101
50. 25/10/2016 Euro Car Parts Bosch ABS sensor, OE radiator fan resistor, RARB bushes £155.76 -
51. 25/10/2016 Montague Motor Eng. Brake fluid change £35.00 114,304
52. 05/11/2016 Camskill (tyres) / Event Tyres (fitting) 2 x 265 35 R18Y XL Uniroyal Rainsport 3 (rears) £246.78 114,390
53. 14/11/2016 B&B Components 2 x TRW tie / track rod ends 2 x Meyle "coffin arms", 2 x Meyle "tuning forks" £383.94 -
54. 12/01/2017 Euro Car Parts OE front springs £137.85 -
55. 18/01/2017 Montague Motor Eng. Labour for #50, 53 and 54 £240.00 115,103
56. 20/01/2017 eBay special New OE keyhead £101.00 -
57. 21/01/2017 Nigel Langs Garage Geometry read out / adjustments, front wheels balanced £95.40 115,135
58. 21/01/2017 Porsche Bolton Oddments tray hinge repair kit, sunvisor assembly screw £27.26 -
59. 15/02/2017 Cath Burrows Rear coffin arms, tie bars, nuts, bolts, geometry, xenon level sensor droplink, power steering line support clip, radiator fan resistor (#50) fitted £736.16 115,363
60. 24/02/2017 Euro Car Parts Bosch S4 008 battery + lifetime warranty £95.99 115,516
61. 28/03/2017 Cath Burrows Clutch, DMF, RMS, IMSB inspection, bank 1 cam tensioner, oil, oil filter, renew exhaust clamps / fittings, gearbox oil, front xenon droplink / bracket, code keyhead, handbrake adjustment £1,628.02 115,955
So, just shy of £4100 in 6 months. That's more than I paid for the car in the first place! Sure, I've added value, but not £4k worth. It was never meant to be a fix and flip car. Perhaps not every single thing was absolutely necessary, but I like to do things properly. Either that or not at all.
I am happy it is finally at the point where it's pretty much done and now just needs keeping on top of. I do think this has put me off any future project cars though (famous last words?
)Edited by Rosewood Red on Wednesday 5th April 20:18
Went to the Lake District today. Was a lovely day, got four jumps in.
DSC_0593 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
And drove home into the sunset with the roof down
DSC_0595 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
A like minded BMW 850 driver (the first I've seen in the flesh, only ever seen 840s) was making progress on the A590 and overtook me. I decided to keep up at a distance. Caught up at a roundabout and gave a friendly toot and got a wave back. He then let me set the pace. Was good fun.
I find that it seems to be more of a quick cruiser than autobahn stormer. I enjoy the car the most on country lanes doing between 0.45 and 0.8 leptons with the roof down and stereo low / off. Whilst it will pick up its skirt and go, it's definitely more at home in the twisties.
DSC_0593 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrAnd drove home into the sunset with the roof down
DSC_0595 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrA like minded BMW 850 driver (the first I've seen in the flesh, only ever seen 840s) was making progress on the A590 and overtook me. I decided to keep up at a distance. Caught up at a roundabout and gave a friendly toot and got a wave back. He then let me set the pace. Was good fun.
I find that it seems to be more of a quick cruiser than autobahn stormer. I enjoy the car the most on country lanes doing between 0.45 and 0.8 leptons with the roof down and stereo low / off. Whilst it will pick up its skirt and go, it's definitely more at home in the twisties.
ATM said:
I've recently added an early 996 c2 to my fleet. Sometimes it feels slow accelerating and might be one of the slower cars I have. But thrown into a bend it is amazing. It can clearly corner a lot faster than I can imagine. It's great and I love it. I'm now wandering if a later 997 with a 3.8 could be as good at corners but with the added thrust of the bigger engine. Although the early 996 and early Boxsters are quite light.
Recently found your 996 thread again - I remember reading it when you first got it. I reached the point where you were having coolant issues; glad to hear everything is okay.I've never driven a 996, but think I'd be happy with the pace of a 3.4. The quickest Porsche I've driven was a 986 S on knackered suspension. Certainly wasn't slow in a straight line. Then again, you're used to much faster cars than I am. A Jag XF 3.0 diesel that ended up following me to the dropzone yesterday didn't seem to have any issues keeping up, despite the owner claiming he had his foot to the floor on occasion.
I would like to try a 996 / 997 one day, but perhaps a Mezger. Although a 986 with a 996 C2 engine would be fun!
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