The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)

[James_N]

F-I-L sorted the rear brakes on my 106 over the weekend, handbrake much better now, so that's one MOT failure addressed.

Some injector cleaner and an Italian tune up will hopefully sort the other emissions related MOT fail out, so hopefully get a clean bill of health tomorrow!

[Glassman]

Stuart p k said:

Incase this may be of use to anyone considering paying for a new windscreen - Glass claims aren’t treated as a typical insurance claim like an accident or theft so you can put through your comprehensive policy, just pay the excess, and not face any penalty. I worked for Autoglass for 10 years.

The spread of misinformation is a social disease.

[RazerSauber]

Kuwahara said:

captain.scarlet said:

That's quite a bargain you've gotten yourself there. Congratulations on it. Initiale spec to boot.

Is the factory-fitted stereo system definitely completely out of service just because of the battery change? FWIW a visit to a car audio specialist or electrician could revive it for cheap (unless you've already attempted that). Always a risk with some auxiliary devices that they still won't work.

I bought a cheap FM receiver of e bay for a 10 plate A6 and worked ok but but a bit hissy between tracks…

I had one of these years and years ago. It was quite funny listening to my little 1.4 Astra sounding like it had a supercharger because the FM transmitter was picking up something from the engine bay. It was rev dependent so I'm assuming the alternator. Music wise, it did the trick. Although my particular one was fiddly because it didn't mount anywhere.

[OldSkoolRS]

bearman68 said:

Hi, I'm feeling quite a responsibility after recommending something, and then someone actually buying it. (That never happens). Your Ka will have Dot 4 in it. Everything shed like will do.
Anyway, best of luck, and don't get the brake fluid on the paintwork.

Hi Bearman; just to say that the Sealey kit worked fine on the Ka brakes.

Not so good on the clutch as the smaller cap supplied still didn't quite fit/seal on the reservoir, so there was a bit of Father/Son bonding while I got him to help me do the clutch the manual 'down/up' way. Got some rather dark looking fluid out of the clutch slave cylinder and it feels a touch lighter too (first gear not dragging now either).

Other than a new pair of tyres to replace the cracked, mismatched, ultra budget ones on the back it's all set for winter. I'll have another crack at fitting my radio too once I find a proper 'switched' 12 volt supply.

[bearman68]

OldSkoolRS said:

Hi Bearman; just to say that the Sealey kit worked fine on the Ka brakes.

Not so good on the clutch as the smaller cap supplied still didn't quite fit/seal on the reservoir, so there was a bit of Father/Son bonding while I got him to help me do the clutch the manual 'down/up' way. Got some rather dark looking fluid out of the clutch slave cylinder and it feels a touch lighter too (first gear not dragging now either).

Other than a new pair of tyres to replace the cracked, mismatched, ultra budget ones on the back it's all set for winter. I'll have another crack at fitting my radio too once I find a proper 'switched' 12 volt supply.

Phew, I've been worried about this all weekend (OK, maybe not, but I'm glad it worked).

[bearman68]

It's been shed leasing day today. After working for ever to prepare several cars, a number of returns, and the fruits of our labour has paid off, and we are at last ready to go, and busy selling things at last.

The latest preoccupation seems to be auxiliary input into the stereo - which has slightly surprised me. <shrug>

Nevertheless sheds are flying off the shelves in this part of SE Wales.

If anyone is interested, there's a few pictures of the ones sat in my field. www.bluechipleasing.co.uk here

[757]

bearman68 said:

It's been shed leasing day today. After working for ever to prepare several cars, a number of returns, and the fruits of our labour has paid off, and we are at last ready to go, and busy selling things at last.

The latest preoccupation seems to be auxiliary input into the stereo - which has slightly surprised me. <shrug>

Nevertheless sheds are flying off the shelves in this part of SE Wales.

If anyone is interested, there's a few pictures of the ones sat in my field. www.bluechipleasing.co.uk here

Great to see the website up! Love this idea, leasing a shed!

[OldSkoolRS]

bearman68 said:

Phew, I've been worried about this all weekend (OK, maybe not, but I'm glad it worked).

Sorry I spoilt your weekend with worry. It's fine and by shear fluke the a wheel in my garage off my RS was already down to below 20psi which is perfect for using with the kit.

Shame Halford's click and collect wasn't so good as I ordered a bottle of DOT4 as my existing one was only 1/3 full. Ordered at 11:30 and still not 'ready for collection'. I know I could have gone down to buy it in person, but I use a discount card for Halfords purchases and find it much easier to do click and collect rather than the hassle at the checkout showing my card and/or QR code on my phone.

[VS02]

Hi guys
Directed to this thread by another poster

Financial issues are leading me to give up the car I saved up for and my pride and joy - an F30 BMW 330e. Sadly I only had this car for about 3 months. I’m a student, but the nature of my course means I need a car regularly. I am also registered disabled, but never claimed PIP (didn’t even know I was eligible for the Motability Scheme or PIP until DWP advised me). So the solution is to get a motability car as I need a car to get around at home - I now live in the Home counties . I only applied for PIP today, and Dwp reckons it will take 3-4 months to hear back. And then I assume you have to wait the ridiculous new car lead times for a Motability.



At university I am blessed with Manchester’s excellent public transport so would probably rarely use the car - even though I would need it sometimes. This is because central Manchester is effectively a car free zone


Anyway let’s get to the point.

From the sale of the BMW, I will save most of the cash for later for after uni; so only want to spend about 3.5-4K all in. So, budgeting about 1.5K-2K for insurance, that gives me about 2-2.5K for the car.

Insurance costs are ridiculous due to my claims and age.

Age: 19, nearly 20.

Experience: 2 yrs,

NCB: 0NCB (lost it…)

Risk: low risk area now that I don’t live in London anymore (now in the Home counties))


I want a biggish car . Eg mid size family or estate car
Needs to not fall to pieces. I cart around a lot of useless student st and people (often the family taxi) and like the feeling of a big car. I couldn’t wait to jump out of a supermini when I sold my old Polo and probably can never go back.

I need it for minimum 6 months to a year

Cheapish on petrol
Cheap to insure (sub group 20)

So far ive thought about the Vauxhall insignia
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...


Don’t care about exterior condition but needs to be mechanically sound

Ideally an auto or 6 spd manual (auto preferable, but if its a horrible 4 spd slushmatic I can forget it)

Needs an armrest and comfy seats as I suffer from horrible back pain.

Could do with parking sensors and cruise if its a big old bus.
Ideally won’t kill me in an accident as my body has already been killed to death by long torturous shifts driving a Transit van and back straining.

Not a total shed or ancient - no classics please as I don’t have time to repair it and it needs to be run on a shoestring

So what are the sheddists’ suggestions

I had a W210 e class at one point but that was NOT cheap to run so I have been scared away from the 1-5 barge thread!

Edited by VS02 on Monday 31st October 20:39

Edited by VS02 on Monday 31st October 20:39

[bearman68]

Evening VS02, and welcome to the all encompassing world of sheds.

Let your brow be smoothed by the knowledge and kind words of the fantastic bunch on here, where ego has taken a back seat, and all is milk and honey.

Anyway, you don't mention if you are specifically looking for a petrol engine, or would accept a diesel.
Diesel sheds I would say tend to be a bit easier to find, simply because there are lots of derv out there at the right age, less so petrol.

[Bumblebee7]

Hello, hope everyone is well. Quick question, I'm soon to be selling my BMW E90 320i. It's a black 2006 saloon.
Has a badly rattle canned dent on the front left wing and passenger door. I could get these replaced for about £200-250. Would you bother with it?
Car has I think 126k miles on it with a partial service history.
Diff has just been replaced along with CV joint due to failing as well as abs sensor.
Otherwise car condition is good for age (though not perfect).
Now that's been done it's fine mechanically and I'd hope I could get £1500+ for it.
Sort damage and sell for more or leave and sell as is.
Advice appreciated, thanks

[VS02]

bearman68 said:

Evening VS02, and welcome to the all encompassing world of sheds.

Let your brow be smoothed by the knowledge and kind words of the fantastic bunch on here, where ego has taken a back seat, and all is milk and honey.

Anyway, you don't mention if you are specifically looking for a petrol engine, or would accept a diesel.
Diesel sheds I would say tend to be a bit easier to find, simply because there are lots of derv out there at the right age, less so petrol.

Hi,

Thanks. Yeah unfortunately it would 99% be likely to be petrol as I regularly commute in to the ULEZ zone in London. And Manchester has the clean air zone so it would probably be petrol unless for some miracle reason there was a Euro 6 diesel for 4k…


I would ideally like it under 125,000 miles too, have enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding, and not be equipped like a prison inside. And by that I mean just basic stuff, like A/C, electric mirrors, height adjustable seat, armrest…. Since my old Polo didn’t have it! Cheers

Edited by VS02 on Monday 31st October 20:57

[bearman68]

Bumblebee7 said:

Hello, hope everyone is well. Quick question, I'm soon to be selling my BMW E90 320i. It's a black 2006 saloon.
Has a badly rattle canned dent on the front left wing and passenger door. I could get these replaced for about £200-250. Would you bother with it?
Car has I think 126k miles on it with a partial service history.
Diff has just been replaced along with CV joint due to failing as well as abs sensor.
Otherwise car condition is good for age (though not perfect).
Now that's been done it's fine mechanically and I'd hope I could get £1500+ for it.
Sort damage and sell for more or leave and sell as is.
Advice appreciated, thanks

Sell as is. Advertise on FB market place for £1900, and if there's loads of responses in the first 3 hours, pull the ad, and readvertise for £2100.

You should be able to get £1500 for it with 126k on it.

But no, don't spend the money - you won't recoup it.

[993kimbo]

bearman68 said:

If anyone is interested, there's a few pictures of the ones sat in my field. www.bluechipleasing.co.uk here

Wahey. Website up. Good for you. Shame you’re so far away. Good luck.

[bearman68]

Hey hey, cheers Kimbo.

About time it was up. It's taken me ages, but I think it looks OK at the end. Very simple, but OK.

Thanks for al the good wishes. I love this thread, and the people in it.

[bearman68]

VS02 said:

Hi,

Thanks. Yeah unfortunately it would 99% be likely to be petrol as I regularly commute in to the ULEZ zone in London. And Manchester has the clean air zone so it would probably be petrol unless for some miracle reason there was a Euro 6 diesel for 4k…


I would ideally like it under 125,000 miles too, have enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding, and not be equipped like a prison inside. And by that I mean just basic stuff, like A/C, electric mirrors, height adjustable seat, armrest…. Since my old Polo didn’t have it! Cheers

Edited by VS02 on Monday 31st October 20:57

Having considered many options, I have decided you need comfy seats more than anything. I base this decision on the fact I'm over 50, and I like comfy seats. So we all know that the most comfy seats ever are made by Volvo. So, instead, I offer you the second most comfy seats ever, made by Saab. And this is a proper shed, and a proper PH car. I give to you the ....... Saab 9-3 Aero.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/47934395...


Not too terrible on fuel (40 ish), fast as a fast thing, and an appreciating classic, while still being in the low tax bracket. And the engines are the sweetest 4 cylinder ever.

Just go and buy it OP, and you'll be done with the German stuff for ever. I love these. Such great cars, smooth and quiet, and fast, and great handling, and good on fuel, and classless, and comfy, and reasonably reliable, and fairly easy to maintain. What's not to like?

[captain.scarlet]

VS02 said:

bearman68 said:

Evening VS02, and welcome to the all encompassing world of sheds.

Let your brow be smoothed by the knowledge and kind words of the fantastic bunch on here, where ego has taken a back seat, and all is milk and honey.

Anyway, you don't mention if you are specifically looking for a petrol engine, or would accept a diesel.
Diesel sheds I would say tend to be a bit easier to find, simply because there are lots of derv out there at the right age, less so petrol.

Hi,

Thanks. Yeah unfortunately it would 99% be likely to be petrol as I regularly commute in to the ULEZ zone in London. And Manchester has the clean air zone so it would probably be petrol unless for some miracle reason there was a Euro 6 diesel for 4k…


I would ideally like it under 125,000 miles too, have enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding, and not be equipped like a prison inside. And by that I mean just basic stuff, like A/C, electric mirrors, height adjustable seat, armrest…. Since my old Polo didn’t have it! Cheers

Edited by VS02 on Monday 31st October 20:57

I was without a car for 9 months from around September 2020 before I purchased my current shed - a Chevrolet Cruze - for £500. I've spent more than that on tending to things like brand new brake discs and pads, and other things. Decent enough car and parts are cheap, but having seen forecourt prices for the same at circa 3 grand upwards I know there are better things out there. I have a 1.6 and it's sluggish yet sufficient for urban driving. Wouldn't recommend that. Maybe a 1.8 with the 6-speed auto. It is mechanically an Astra J.

I was offered a job in the UAE last year and in October I went away, promising myself I'd finally get myself an American saloon of some sort. I couldn't be bothered in the end as I was there for financial reasons and not to enslave myself to car finance or credit cards (!) and wanted to allocate 'surplus' of the motoring budget towards a classic car out there, a potential JDM export to the UK and restoring my Austin Mini Mayfair.

I ended up opting for something sensible and European (GCC spec) and bought a 2015 Ford Focus (mk3 facelift / mk 3.5) hatchback last April for circa £4,000, down from about £5,000.

I've been fortunate that although it has done high miles, it has been well looked after and runs really nicely. Very refined and comfortable, economical (round-trip commute is about 40 miles) and a full tank can return about 400 to 450 miles, even when in a hurry and heavy-footed.

It has a 1.5 litre petrol Ecoboost engine, twinned with a 6-speed auto. Very punchy, nippy, powerful and responsive. Possible to cruise at speed in 6th gear doing less than 2,000 rpm.

It also looks nice and modern and I can service/change bits and pieces myself. It had to be a hatchback for practicality and looks - it just looks better than the equivalent saloon.

It is the Trend spec, which I assume doesn't exist in the UK (?), but it doesn't have anything like a reverse camera or parking sensors (don't really need them myself tbh) or multicolour infotainment, but has essential conveniences like USB ports, digital climate control and Bluetooth.

I bought a leather-wrapped MFSW off ebay last May and took it abroad and fitted myself so that I could have cruise control.

I imagine that in the UK they will be probably be better specced, but whether you can nowadays get the same age/shape, running mechanically sound, for 3 or 4 grand is another matter.

It's a Ford so in the UK it'll always sell and parts will be easy to come by.

Whilst I'd recommend the same car, I can only vouch for the 1.5 petrol Ecoboost. If the more readily available 1.0 Ecoboost is the same/better or any good then I have no idea!

[VS02]

bearman68 said:

Having considered many options, I have decided you need comfy seats more than anything. I base this decision on the fact I'm over 50, and I like comfy seats. So we all know that the most comfy seats ever are made by Volvo. So, instead, I offer you the second most comfy seats ever, made by Saab. And this is a proper shed, and a proper PH car. I give to you the ....... Saab 9-3 Aero.

Like 9-3 Aeros but unfortunately the insurance will be horrible due to my claims

I’m being quoted 3.3 k on my current car, so anything powerful is out of bounds for a year

[Raymond Reddington]

captain.scarlet said:

I was without a car for 9 months from around September 2020 before I purchased my current shed - a Chevrolet Cruze - for £500. I've spent more than that on tending to things like brand new brake discs and pads, and other things. Decent enough car and parts are cheap, but having seen forecourt prices for the same at circa 3 grand upwards I know there are better things out there. I have a 1.6 and it's sluggish yet sufficient for urban driving. Wouldn't recommend that. Maybe a 1.8 with the 6-speed auto. It is mechanically an Astra J.

I was offered a job in the UAE last year and in October I went away, promising myself I'd finally get myself an American saloon of some sort. I couldn't be bothered in the end as I was there for financial reasons and not to enslave myself to car finance or credit cards (!) and wanted to allocate 'surplus' of the motoring budget towards a classic car out there, a potential JDM export to the UK and restoring my Austin Mini Mayfair.

I ended up opting for something sensible and European (GCC spec) and bought a 2015 Ford Focus (mk3 facelift / mk 3.5) hatchback last April for circa £4,000, down from about £5,000.

I've been fortunate that although it has done high miles, it has been well looked after and runs really nicely. Very refined and comfortable, economical (round-trip commute is about 40 miles) and a full tank can return about 400 to 450 miles, even when in a hurry and heavy-footed.

It has a 1.5 litre petrol Ecoboost engine, twinned with a 6-speed auto. Very punchy, nippy, powerful and responsive. Possible to cruise at speed in 6th gear doing less than 2,000 rpm.

It also looks nice and modern and I can service/change bits and pieces myself. It had to be a hatchback for practicality and looks - it just looks better than the equivalent saloon.

It is the Trend spec, which I assume doesn't exist in the UK (?), but it doesn't have anything like a reverse camera or parking sensors (don't really need them myself tbh) or multicolour infotainment, but has essential conveniences like USB ports, digital climate control and Bluetooth.

I bought a leather-wrapped MFSW off ebay last May and took it abroad and fitted myself so that I could have cruise control.

I imagine that in the UK they will be probably be better specced, but whether you can nowadays get the same age/shape, running mechanically sound, for 3 or 4 grand is another matter.

It's a Ford so in the UK it'll always sell and parts will be easy to come by.

Whilst I'd recommend the same car, I can only vouch for the 1.5 petrol Ecoboost. If the more readily available 1.0 Ecoboost is the same/better or any good then I have no idea!

I've just sold my 2014 diesel focus for 4k. If it was a petrol auto like yours I'd probably have kept it. Brilliant little car.

[Raymond Reddington]

VS02 said:

Like 9-3 Aeros but unfortunately the insurance will be horrible due to my claims

I’m being quoted 3.3 k on my current car, so anything powerful is out of bounds for a year

You might be surprised. When I was 19 I had a 9-3 2.0t convertible, and it was cheaper than the Nissan Almera and Citroen Xsara that preceeded it. I then had a string of different Saabs, all cheap to insure.

Because they're generally owned by careful old duffers, they aren't in many accidents, this keeps the premium down.

Mind you, I'm talking 10 years ago here so things may have changed.

Best of luck with your search!