Am I unlucky or what?

[S3_Steve]

Had the S3 for 3 months now and in that time its been fun BUT:-

The car developed a miss-fire, back and forwards to the dealer I bought it off, found to be the coil, left with mechanic for 2 days to sort. Mechanic finished the job and took the car out of the workshop where sume 4x4 numpty reversed into it smashing the rear light and damaging the paintwork. Do not pass go or collect £200 go straight to the bodyshop for a further 3 days.

This Tuesday the throttle cable snapped, no major problems, new one fitted Thursday.

Today, lunchtime - off to get a sandwich - BANG oh sh1t!, the exhaust manifold has fractured completely. Got to take it back to dealer tonight and may get it back next week, depending on whether its a repair or new manifold.

Going to miss the car lots The lads at work keep taking the p155 and asking if I wish I'd never got it. In the words of a famous tennis player "you cannot be serious" I'm still glad I bought it, the occassional "minor" problems are far outweighed by the sheer fun of driving it.

[Podie]

sorry to hear this mate... still, chin up eh? Hopefully that'll be all your grief in one burst... (fingers crossed for plenty of trouble free motoring!)

[shnozz]

when you compare these probs with someone that has spent a fortune on a Speed 6 engined car that goes pop they are a drop in the ocean.

and lets face it, the prang is not indicative of the car.

buy some lucky heather or something to tie to the rear view mirror.

[RichardR]

Sounds like you're definitely having a run of bad luck there (2 days to fit a new coil sounds a bit excessive as well! ).

Still, look on the bright side. If you bought it from a dealer, at least you got a warranty (I'm assuming) so someone else is footing the bill.

Just think how much fun you'll have when everything's sorted!

[S3_Steve]

Saturday 30 August, pulled in to fill up with a few gallons of Shells finest, paid the man and returned to car. Guess what- the immobiliser has packed up. 60 minutes later and the RAC man has by-passed it and I'm mobile again. New Thatcham Cat 1 immobiliser fitted on Monday, while it was in I treated myself to a CD player uprgrade for those infrequent moments when I don't want to hear the glorious V6

[markbigears]

i always look on car problems in a good light if the dealer is paying, more that goes wrong, the more you get new bits for free....although with my TVR it was a private sale and "nothing" (touch the big red spruce) has gone wrong!

[S3 Kieran]

S3_Steve said:

.....while it was in I treated myself to a CD player upgrade for those infrequent moments when I don't want to hear the glorious V6

That'll be when the engine is off then!

[z_chromozone]

I have a 6 CD changer fitted in mine and four speakers, all by the previous owner. Can't say as I use it much 'cos I can't hear the thing unless I'm at idle. My exhaust is so loud, which is nice (not sure if after market, or TVR).

Z

PS if I get it above 4000rpm I can't even hear the Mrs telling me to slow down

[ukbob]

z_chromozone said:

if I get it above 4000rpm I can't even hear the Mrs telling me to slow down

Yup I've also had to learn to listen for squealing sounds from the passenger side, and have been instructed/threatened to pay more attention to them when approaching 5k revs

Im a year deep into the PH S forum (Its like the twilight zone here chaps, reading Podies old cracks and hearing everyone buying their first S's)... but my car's also been in for problem sorting 3 times already Steve, PLUS one low loader rescue, AND one emergency call out from a chap who also had to rip out my £500 imobilisor just to get me going again (insurance went up as a result !) similar to you scenario.

And all this in 5 weeks of ownership(!) meaning my car has been on the road less than half the time Ive had it. Severely gutting, but I wouldnt trade it for the world!

re: CD players, its cool finally owning a TVR and understanding why owners never listen to the stereo There really arn't any toons which beat the exhaust note, I just hope Im not branded a loon driving with both windows rolled right down come the winter months

With no TVR to drive, I think I'll just sit here by myself chained to the PC for another 9 days reading ever deeper into the forum ....

[WildfireS3]

z_chromozone said:

PS if I get it above 4000rpm I can't even hear the Mrs telling me to slow down

I have selective hearing for that. I can't escape the evil looks though.

A prang is just bad luck, nothing to do with the car. I've known quite a few people who have had bad luck with immobilisers. I had to have one fitted as mine didn't have one when it came, then there was the stolen cover, ripped roof, bust fuel sender unit.

In the last three months I've had to get: new shocks + springs, new TP, new coil, new leads, new down pipes, new exhaust system, new steering bearing, fix the door. Quite a lot for 3 months. Well over 1K, an di still need new manifolds and rear shocks.

Don't worry once it's sorted it will be great!

[kentishS2]

Like Chris and yourself, I've had a run of things and an engine rebuild and she still isn't running too well but a new coil, leads and fuel pressure regulator should sort out my problems. Then I start on the cosmetics!