The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)

[COM31E]

I have been thinking about my Golf, as it reaches it's cambelt/water pump interval.

Plus side: It's MOT'd until November. It passed with an advisory for a corroded brake pipe last year, less than 4k miles ago. It has had pads and discs all round, 2x calipers, tyres, a radiator, track rod ends, suspension arms and other bits in the last 12 months, air con is fabulous. Well equipped for a mk4 Golf. It does 50mpg without trying

Downsides: It's dog rough. I've never washed it, it's caked in pigeon ste. One yellow front wing, one green door mirror. One blue wing to be fitted when I can be arsed. Interior is worn. Headliner ripped, gear gaitor knackered, glovebox held shut with a couple of Torx bolts. Wheel arch liner missing, undertray missing, engine cover missing, central locking is partial and doesn't work remotely, will need a clutch and flywheel at some point. Probably needs a thermostat.

Currently weighing up the option of having the belt done, knowing I'll really need to do the clutch, whether it goes within a week or lasts a year. Together these amount to quite a bit of cash, but then, with the shed market being what it is at the moment, I couldn't replace it for the money it would cost to do both jobs.

Leaning towards having the belt done and therefore comitting to the clutch as and when. It drives very well indeed and I paid £200 for it in February last year when I was stuck for some transport. I wasn't expecting it to still be around, but it's immensely useful when your other cars are a big saloon and a big convertible.

Someone please tell me I'm being sensible.

[_Yeti]

mattman said:

Basing my thinking around the fact you are going around France on holiday, surely a convertible would be a better option than a Honda Jazz - so how about these? all supposedly will do close to 50mpg on a gentle run - 2 of them are French as well so could be fixed in their motherland

Edited by mattman on Tuesday 31st May 12:12

TIL that you can get a Megane convertible... That E36 really looks the business with the roof down, up is a different story though. Appreciate the suggestions!

[W00DY]

COM31E said:

I have been thinking about my Golf, as it reaches it's cambelt/water pump interval.

Plus side: It's MOT'd until November. It passed with an advisory for a corroded brake pipe last year, less than 4k miles ago. It has had pads and discs all round, 2x calipers, tyres, a radiator, track rod ends, suspension arms and other bits in the last 12 months, air con is fabulous. Well equipped for a mk4 Golf. It does 50mpg without trying

Downsides: It's dog rough. I've never washed it, it's caked in pigeon ste. One yellow front wing, one green door mirror. One blue wing to be fitted when I can be arsed. Interior is worn. Headliner ripped, gear gaitor knackered, glovebox held shut with a couple of Torx bolts. Wheel arch liner missing, undertray missing, engine cover missing, central locking is partial and doesn't work remotely, will need a clutch and flywheel at some point. Probably needs a thermostat.

Currently weighing up the option of having the belt done, knowing I'll really need to do the clutch, whether it goes within a week or lasts a year. Together these amount to quite a bit of cash, but then, with the shed market being what it is at the moment, I couldn't replace it for the money it would cost to do both jobs.

Leaning towards having the belt done and therefore comitting to the clutch as and when. It drives very well indeed and I paid £200 for it in February last year when I was stuck for some transport. I wasn't expecting it to still be around, but it's immensely useful when your other cars are a big saloon and a big convertible.

Someone please tell me I'm being sensible.

Whatever you buy at shed money will likely require some work, so if you like it then I think it's fine to spend the money. I would stretch the belt interval a bit personally as I think they're generally pretty conservative.

[COM31E]

W00DY said:

COM31E said:

I have been thinking about my Golf, as it reaches it's cambelt/water pump interval.

Plus side: It's MOT'd until November. It passed with an advisory for a corroded brake pipe last year, less than 4k miles ago. It has had pads and discs all round, 2x calipers, tyres, a radiator, track rod ends, suspension arms and other bits in the last 12 months, air con is fabulous. Well equipped for a mk4 Golf. It does 50mpg without trying

Downsides: It's dog rough. I've never washed it, it's caked in pigeon ste. One yellow front wing, one green door mirror. One blue wing to be fitted when I can be arsed. Interior is worn. Headliner ripped, gear gaitor knackered, glovebox held shut with a couple of Torx bolts. Wheel arch liner missing, undertray missing, engine cover missing, central locking is partial and doesn't work remotely, will need a clutch and flywheel at some point. Probably needs a thermostat.

Currently weighing up the option of having the belt done, knowing I'll really need to do the clutch, whether it goes within a week or lasts a year. Together these amount to quite a bit of cash, but then, with the shed market being what it is at the moment, I couldn't replace it for the money it would cost to do both jobs.

Leaning towards having the belt done and therefore comitting to the clutch as and when. It drives very well indeed and I paid £200 for it in February last year when I was stuck for some transport. I wasn't expecting it to still be around, but it's immensely useful when your other cars are a big saloon and a big convertible.

Someone please tell me I'm being sensible.

Whatever you buy at shed money will likely require some work, so if you like it then I think it's fine to spend the money. I would stretch the belt interval a bit personally as I think they're generally pretty conservative.

This is my thinking. I'd only want to replace it with another PD engined Golf. I would prefer a one-legger but this is a very easy manual to drive.

I would normally let the cam belt run a bit longer but I'm not actually sure it had one when it needed one at 80k as the service history is incomplete but the bits I do have would indicate that it has been done, and the physical condition of the belt is good (I know this isn't much of an indicator). It'll hit 160k before I need to put any diesel in it.

I do like it, and strangely, nobody parks near it or will come too close to it. No idea why. I don't think I could replace it directly for less than £1000-1200.

[andrebar]

I don’t think you can find better value than keeping that & getting the belt done.

[Arnold Cunningham]

mattman said:

Just me or does that still seem a lot of cash for an 06 with 165k? They are lovely cars to waft in though it does need some black plastidip to get rid of the chrome trim around the lights

My first one had this mileage. You wouldn't have known it. They last well.
The aero hot isn’t a wafting machine, it accelerated far too briskly for wafting.

Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Tuesday 31st May 14:21

[Shnozz]

Probably jinxed its reliability now but committed to spending a few quid on my shed Merc. New wiper blades, headlight bulbs, MAFF sensor and going to order a new head unit, get the alloys refurbished with new centre caps and get it serviced.

Gave the roof a renovo restore treatment at the weekend.

I appreciate this goes against the principles of some shedders.

Good old girl did Southampton to Leeds in sub 4 hours at 4am this morning so this is a thank you.

[Mr.Nobody]

Skoda Octavia 1.9

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Brave Pill : Alfa

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...

[Condi]

Mr.Nobody said:

Skoda Octavia 1.9

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Is £2k shed money? Shedding used to be £1k or less.

Inflation I guess!

[mattman]

Mr.Nobody said:

Skoda Octavia 1.9

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Brave Pill : Alfa

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...

That Alfa is a gorgeous looking thing for the money and i'd suggest looks a lot more expensive than it is - well it will be when it breaks!

[757]

Condi said:

Mr.Nobody said:

Skoda Octavia 1.9

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Is £2k shed money? Shedding used to be £1k or less.

Inflation I guess!

I went to see this Octavia, before I got my Vectra for £1k less...dont waste your time, its not good, and for £2k its definitely not good. I Couldn't even open it, as lock was busted, and various other things, its a £1k car if not less.

Edited by 757 on Tuesday 31st May 15:24

[Shnozz]

mattman said:

Mr.Nobody said:

Skoda Octavia 1.9

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Brave Pill : Alfa

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...

That Alfa is a gorgeous looking thing for the money and i'd suggest looks a lot more expensive than it is - well it will be when it breaks!

Agreed. I honestly think the 159 is one of the most stunning cars of the last 30 years, whether in saloon or estate form. Especially in black with those wheels. Even the interior is stunning.

I would be very tempted, notwithstanding the risk factor.

[cedrichn]

Shnozz said:

mattman said:

Mr.Nobody said:

Skoda Octavia 1.9

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...

Brave Pill : Alfa

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...

That Alfa is a gorgeous looking thing for the money and i'd suggest looks a lot more expensive than it is - well it will be when it breaks!

Agreed. I honestly think the 159 is one of the most stunning cars of the last 30 years, whether in saloon or estate form. Especially in black with those wheels. Even the interior is stunning.

I would be very tempted, notwithstanding the risk factor.

The Octavia looks like a sad place to seat in...
Alfa 1.9 JTD is indestructible. I am not sure you can say the same for the steering rack (and gearbox ? Same 6 speed as the petrol ?)

Would go for something like this, if the FAP is in good condition:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

[Mr.Nobody]

cedrichn said:

The Octavia looks like a sad place to seat in...
Alfa 1.9 JTD is indestructible. I am not sure you can say the same for the steering rack (and gearbox ? Same 6 speed as the petrol ?)

Would go for something like this, if the FAP is in good condition:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

I’ve never owned a French car. I used a French Van for work and was less than impressed. But it was a van.

[StescoG66]

159 is no more risky than anything else in reality.
On 1.9 check the Getrag gearbox - it’s the infamous M32. Otherwise- subframes, power steering pipe and suspension arms. Look after it, it will look after you

[aaron_2000]

I had it looked over by a local BMW tech I use and he reckoned the airbag wasn't leaking, just sagging and wouldn't warrant an MOT fail. Had it in with him for an MOT and after a set of wiper blades, couple of bulbs and tyre advisories it passed. The rear airbags will be replaced once I know it's worth spending money on, I think it wants a glow plug controller as it's smoky for the first minute or two of driving. I've never driven an E39 properly, I'm completely sold on them. It just drives like a softer E46, it doesn't feel like a boat like the E61 535d SE I nearly bought did. Needs a few jobs doing but I'm happy so far, MPG wise it's averaged nearly 40mpg mixed which is astounding. The range shows it's going to do little over 100 miles to £20

[230TE]

Just about got my "new" car ready for MoT now. 1995 Citroen AX with mostly Saxo VTR running gear. I can't work out whether it's a shed, a sleeper or a retro classic. Maybe a bit of all three. Hopefully it will be on the road shortly so I can give my 106 shed some overdue attention. I seem to have a thing for small French cars.

[MrGTI6]

230TE said:

Just about got my "new" car ready for MoT now. 1995 Citroen AX with mostly Saxo VTR running gear. I can't work out whether it's a shed, a sleeper or a retro classic. Maybe a bit of all three. Hopefully it will be on the road shortly so I can give my 106 shed some overdue attention. I seem to have a thing for small French cars.

That's right up my street!

[Mr.Nobody]

757 said:

I went to see this Octavia, before I got my Vectra for £1k less...dont waste your time, its not good, and for £2k its definitely not good. I Couldn't even open it, as lock was busted, and various other things, its a £1k car if not less.

Edited by 757 on Tuesday 31st May 15:24

Thanks for that. Saves me a trip out. The dealer also doesn’t seem to have the best reviews.

[darkyoung1000]

MrGTI6 said:

230TE said:

Just about got my "new" car ready for MoT now. 1995 Citroen AX with mostly Saxo VTR running gear. I can't work out whether it's a shed, a sleeper or a retro classic. Maybe a bit of all three. Hopefully it will be on the road shortly so I can give my 106 shed some overdue attention. I seem to have a thing for small French cars.

That's right up my street!

Mine too! What a splendid thing (and with VTR running gear, it will shift I bet). One for the sleeper thread (although someone will no doubt point out that the 4 stud hubs are a giveaway and that Joe Average will immediately clock it has having twice the power it did originally.... )