The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
greenarrow said:
Good job - I'll be interested to hear from you whether it sharpens up the drive. I had the front shocks done on my old Mazda 6 when it got to 130K and to be honest I could barely tell the difference apart from slightly less slack in fast direction changing situations and a bit more understeer in extremis, because the front was now tauter than the back which had original shocks on it......
To be honest, the new springs and struts haven't made much discernible difference, which says something for the 14 year old/180,000 mile originals.By far the biggest improvement was replacing the bottom arms, which eliminated all sorts of clonks and knocks, as well as correcting uneven tyre wear, sharpening up the handling and removing that horrible loose feel.
The original Ford bottom arms lasted 90,000 miles. The cheap replacements were completely knackered after half that distance. The decent ones currently fitted have done about 40,000 miles and are still pretty good, but I would use genuine Ford parts if I have to do them again. Some of the pattern stuff for sale on eBay is totally crap.
Digby said:
Pat H said:
Had to have a bit of a spend on the old Focus.
She broke the NSF spring, which is forgivable after 14 years and 180,000 miles.
You can probably thank the plastic coating they put on the springs for that. Once it cracks or gets chipped, water gets in and can't get out.She broke the NSF spring, which is forgivable after 14 years and 180,000 miles.
They rust away on the inside whilst often still looking fine on the outside.
Pat H said:
To be honest, the new springs and struts haven't made much discernible difference, which says something for the 14 year old/180,000 mile originals.
By far the biggest improvement was replacing the bottom arms, which eliminated all sorts of clonks and knocks, as well as correcting uneven tyre wear, sharpening up the handling and removing that horrible loose feel.
The original Ford bottom arms lasted 90,000 miles. The cheap replacements were completely knackered after half that distance. The decent ones currently fitted have done about 40,000 miles and are still pretty good, but I would use genuine Ford parts if I have to do them again. Some of the pattern stuff for sale on eBay is totally crap.
That's good feedback - thanks. With my Mazda I found the biggest difference was replacing the front lower arm bushes. It really tightened up the front end, even though the bushes weren't even an MOT advisory - I am VERY fussy -lol. Its a cliche in motoring mag circles that high mileage cars handle poorly due to ageing dampers, but as you've found out, its often the other bits that make up the suspension that have the biggest difference...By far the biggest improvement was replacing the bottom arms, which eliminated all sorts of clonks and knocks, as well as correcting uneven tyre wear, sharpening up the handling and removing that horrible loose feel.
The original Ford bottom arms lasted 90,000 miles. The cheap replacements were completely knackered after half that distance. The decent ones currently fitted have done about 40,000 miles and are still pretty good, but I would use genuine Ford parts if I have to do them again. Some of the pattern stuff for sale on eBay is totally crap.
v15ben said:
Car Throttle bought a car for £50.
Seems thread-worthy to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IVSDDPiCFc
A new Car Throttle video. Cheap fun daily driver cars. Fits the thread on their budget of around £1000 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HB3Z3l1jG8&t=...Seems thread-worthy to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IVSDDPiCFc
BMW E46 3-Series Compact
Audi A2
Alfa 147
Toyota Celica Mk7
Hyundai Coupe
VW Lupo
Ford SportKa
Comstock said:
Hi shedders.
Can anyone tell me what the newest shed I could realistically buy that has neither electric windows or central locking? Both seem common points of failure on older, otherwise sound, cars.
My 1994 Fiesta had neither, but I don't fancy buying anything quite that old.
Do they?Can anyone tell me what the newest shed I could realistically buy that has neither electric windows or central locking? Both seem common points of failure on older, otherwise sound, cars.
My 1994 Fiesta had neither, but I don't fancy buying anything quite that old.
They’re one of the things I barely ever see break
Comstock said:
Hi shedders.
Can anyone tell me what the newest shed I could realistically buy that has neither electric windows or central locking? Both seem common points of failure on older, otherwise sound, cars.
My 1994 Fiesta had neither, but I don't fancy buying anything quite that old.
A Defender? 🤣 Can anyone tell me what the newest shed I could realistically buy that has neither electric windows or central locking? Both seem common points of failure on older, otherwise sound, cars.
My 1994 Fiesta had neither, but I don't fancy buying anything quite that old.
If you can find one for shed money it'd be a no brainer!
Comstock said:
Hi shedders.
Can anyone tell me what the newest shed I could realistically buy that has neither electric windows or central locking? Both seem common points of failure on older, otherwise sound, cars.
My 1994 Fiesta had neither, but I don't fancy buying anything quite that old.
So long as you avoid early 2000s Renaults and anything VAG of the same era, these aren't likely to be common issues from my experience.Can anyone tell me what the newest shed I could realistically buy that has neither electric windows or central locking? Both seem common points of failure on older, otherwise sound, cars.
My 1994 Fiesta had neither, but I don't fancy buying anything quite that old.
Having said that, entry-level versions of the Aygo/C1/107 would fit the bill. Bloody good little cars too, and it's now easy to pick up a decent example for under a grand.
Alfa GTV said:
Here's my shed - Daily runner, does just shy of 50 miles everyday, owned for just over a year now, that's good going for me! Had lots of PD130 previously, so know they are rock solid.
Car is a last of the B6 on an '05 Audi A4 Avant sport PD130, egr delete and remapped by FADR. Covered just 186k, good for 700 miles to a tank, recent new MOT mid March.
It just does everything I need it too, chuck crap in the back with no real care, give it a good clean up every few months, hasn't thrown any bills, everything works.
Not getting much use at the moment, but doesn't cost me anything either.
I have a BMW E46 330ci manual convertible for summer use and run a Mk2 Audi TT as a fun project car.
I still really like these. Sold our family 5 series the weekend before lockdown, and was planning to replace it with something fairly new, but now thinking about something cheaper. One of these A4s would be perfect - late model, s-line kit, and better still with a sunroof if I can find one.Car is a last of the B6 on an '05 Audi A4 Avant sport PD130, egr delete and remapped by FADR. Covered just 186k, good for 700 miles to a tank, recent new MOT mid March.
It just does everything I need it too, chuck crap in the back with no real care, give it a good clean up every few months, hasn't thrown any bills, everything works.
Not getting much use at the moment, but doesn't cost me anything either.
I have a BMW E46 330ci manual convertible for summer use and run a Mk2 Audi TT as a fun project car.
Edited by Alfa GTV on Monday 13th April 22:30
In the meantime, our A2 TDi continues to do a great job for my Wife who is still out at work.
Comstock said:
Funnily enough I was thinking of an Aygo anyway. And I know they have wind down windows.
Are they not central locking though?
This got me thinking... We're all used to searching Autotrader/eBay/FB Marketplace for cars in the specification we want, with the toys we want, which is fine.Are they not central locking though?
But what if there are certain toys you DON'T want? How do you search for that?!?
Clearly, I have too much time on my hands.
Perhaps you could disable central locking by removing a fuse?
I've had central locking fail on a rear door of a five door hatch. I just left that door in the locked position. When I'd manually had to unlock that door I'd sometimes forget to lock it again. It was so little an issue I never bothered investigating how to fix it.
I've had central locking fail on a rear door of a five door hatch. I just left that door in the locked position. When I'd manually had to unlock that door I'd sometimes forget to lock it again. It was so little an issue I never bothered investigating how to fix it.
Comstock said:
Funnily enough I was thinking of an Aygo anyway. And I know they have wind down windows.
Are they not central locking though?
Come to think of it I think they all have central locking, just not remote central locking in some cases. I wouldn't let that put you off though. It's very unlikely to go wrong, and even if it does then you can just use the key the old-fashioned way.Are they not central locking though?
Also if you really don't want electric windows, the Polo in basic 'E' guise does without them as standard, from 2002 up to about 2008(?). Some have electric mirrors but no electric windows!
Having said that though, if you find a nice cheap car up for sale, I wouldn't let electric windows or central locking put you off unless there's already an existing fault. My car is 22 years old and French, and the central locking and electric windows work perfectly.
Edited by MrGTI6 on Thursday 16th April 12:10
MrGTI6 said:
Also if you really don't want electric windows, the Polo in basic 'E' guise does without them as standard, from 2002 up to about 2008(?). Some have electric mirrors but no electric windows!
MIL has a 2011 Polo in the most basic spec I've seen on a modern car. No electric windows, no central locking.Personally I think you'd be mad to actively try find a shed that didn't have either of those.
They're unlikely to fail in most cars (years 2000+) and at most it'd be a window switch that would be a few quid from a scrapyard.
They're plenty of other common faults in specific cars to avoid over electric windows/central locking.
G111MDS said:
One of these A4s would be perfect - late model, s-line kit, and better still with a sunroof if I can find one.
S-Line kit... suggest you try before you buy if you’ve not had one before. That era is a proper jiggly ride... not comfy and leads to more interior rattles as the car ages.
Plus more expensive tyres which to a shedder is like like sunlight to a vampire.
Also that model interior space will feel tight vs a 5 series, they’re not big cars.
Just IMHO.
Plate spinner said:
G111MDS said:
One of these A4s would be perfect - late model, s-line kit, and better still with a sunroof if I can find one.
S-Line kit... suggest you try before you buy if you’ve not had one before. That era is a proper jiggly ride... not comfy and leads to more interior rattles as the car ages.
Plus more expensive tyres which to a shedder is like like sunlight to a vampire.
Also that model interior space will feel tight vs a 5 series, they’re not big cars.
Just IMHO.
Nothing is more annoying that the crash from an old car as you hit a bump and the suspension knocks and the interior creaks and groans.
The other advantage is these are usually the cheapest to buy as most people want the sporty looks.
Joey Deacon said:
Plate spinner said:
G111MDS said:
One of these A4s would be perfect - late model, s-line kit, and better still with a sunroof if I can find one.
S-Line kit... suggest you try before you buy if you’ve not had one before. That era is a proper jiggly ride... not comfy and leads to more interior rattles as the car ages.
Plus more expensive tyres which to a shedder is like like sunlight to a vampire.
Also that model interior space will feel tight vs a 5 series, they’re not big cars.
Just IMHO.
Nothing is more annoying that the crash from an old car as you hit a bump and the suspension knocks and the interior creaks and groans.
The other advantage is these are usually the cheapest to buy as most people want the sporty looks.
True shedders instantly dismiss words and letters such as M, R, S, Lux, Sport...
Whereas we’re drawn to Classic, City, Merit, Graduate and L like moths to a flame.
Even SE is to be considered pure unadulterated indulgence causing mild stomach flutters of guilt and unnecessary complexity...
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