The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
stevesuk said:
I had that problem on my old 330 Ci. They're very sensitive to tyre brand/wear and alignment. I replaced all 4 tyres, and had alignment checked/adjusted on a Hunter machine - and it virtually cured it.
I think every E46 owners has has some tramlining, they do appear really back for it. Mine was actually ok (not good) on slightly miss-match Bridgstones on the staggered 18" MV2. I then fitted 17" style44 and they where awful on mist matches they arrived with and even will a new set of Michalin PS4 and full wheel alignment are only ok not amazing. Fortunately its otherwise a nice looking, nice to be in, cheap to run car and I mainly keep out of the lorry lanes anyway! #middlelane
Daniel
Challo said:
This is my new shed, but im going to have to break rules and actually give it a valet inside and out. Its ok sitting in your own dirt, but when its someone elses im not so happy about it.
I think there are two schools of thought here.1)Never wash your shed, do the minimum maintenance possible, don't fix things unless they stop the car working, treat it like crap, scrap it when it costs more than a few hundred quid to get through the MOT.
2)Get a decent, yet unloved car look after it, clean it, service it yourself and keep on top of the maintenance.
I am with you firmly, in camp 2 and I actually think it is cheaper in the long run to actually look after a shed, especially if you actually like it and it is a decent car.
Joey Deacon said:
I think there are two schools of thought here.
1)Never wash your shed, do the minimum maintenance possible, don't fix things unless they stop the car working, treat it like crap, scrap it when it costs more than a few hundred quid to get through the MOT.
2)Get a decent, yet unloved car look after it, clean it, service it yourself and keep on top of the maintenance.
I am with you firmly, in camp 2 and I actually think it is cheaper in the long run to actually look after a shed, especially if you actually like it and it is a decent car.
I've done both. I once bought a D plate 525e auto (E28) for £40. We're going back to 2002 now when they were worth bugger all. I replaced the cam belt and roller, and fitted one new front damper as it was pissing oil out. The other side was OK, possibly replaced. It had one noise cam lobe so I opened up the spray bar hole with a drill so it was drenched in oil. Occasionally when stone cold it wouldn't engage a gear - back into N or P, give it two good revs and that would wake up a valve in the box, after which it was perfect. I ran it for six months until the MOT expired and dismantled it - the 2.7 short engine went to an E30 hero for £200 and I raised another £300 by selling the decent bumpers, bits of trim etc. 1)Never wash your shed, do the minimum maintenance possible, don't fix things unless they stop the car working, treat it like crap, scrap it when it costs more than a few hundred quid to get through the MOT.
2)Get a decent, yet unloved car look after it, clean it, service it yourself and keep on top of the maintenance.
I am with you firmly, in camp 2 and I actually think it is cheaper in the long run to actually look after a shed, especially if you actually like it and it is a decent car.
I drove it up to Edinburgh for Hogmanay from Notts and it just cruised up at a s ready 70-80, 2000 ish rpm on the tacho, returning a solid 35 mpg. Such a comfy old bus.
Having run sheds since the mid 90's I think I can comment on the joys of shedding. Working in steel plants over the last 25 years and seeing the crap and fallout that covers the plant employees cars I just couldn't put my weekend toy through it. Since 95'; Fiat Panda, Ford Orion, Rover Metro, Renault Clio and my favourite and present Shed for the last 9 years is a 2001 'Y' reg Astra 1.6 Club 8v. Bought it off a mate with 94k on the clock with FSH for £600 back in 2010, today the old girl has covered 152k miles. Apart from the usual wear and tear items the car has cost me the petrol, tax and insurance. Its not pretty, dark blue with lacquer peeling off in places, several battle scars (previous owner
), a little tappety on start up, smoke free and drives very well for it's age/mileage. I can park it anywhere and not worry about coming back to it and finding parking dings/scratches etc. The only worry to me is if it ever got nicked or trashed. Don't think I could find something again thats been so reliable and good to me.
), a little tappety on start up, smoke free and drives very well for it's age/mileage. I can park it anywhere and not worry about coming back to it and finding parking dings/scratches etc. The only worry to me is if it ever got nicked or trashed. Don't think I could find something again thats been so reliable and good to me.kestral said:
figtree said:
This is now mine after a painless haggle down from £995 to £650, was previously advertised for £1495. 1992 Toyota Carina II XL. 1587cc of 16 valve Japanese loveliness, MoT'd till May. Electrics all working, well the sunshine roof
keep fit windows and no airbags.Not perfect by any means, 45k, no history but MoTs add up. I'm the 3rd keeper. Will give it a service and hopefully lots of life left in it yet. It's had a scrape down the offside, pushed the headlight in a touch and a bit of paint/rust to sort on the wing. The glovebox is held closed with a tie wrap cos the latch has fallen off at some point, the original radio/tape player plays some sounds, what they are though who knows and the display is shot. Will pick up a cheapy for my commute.
Drives ok on 13" wheels, remember them?? The door cards appear to be a luxurious carpet in the same pattern as the comfy seats. The indicator stalk is on the wrong side, cue comedy wipers action for the first few junctions when picking it up, the same position as the drive selector on my other car...what could possibly go wrong...
Needs wipers all round, the rear washer nozzle de-clogging and a patch repair on the back box (or may treat it to a new one)
Other than that it's not a half bad 27 year old shed
This is a car where the owner has control not the manufacture.
And you're right it is grey, but also green.
Fury RS said:
Having run sheds since the mid 90's I think I can comment on the joys of shedding. Working in steel plants over the last 25 years and seeing the crap and fallout that covers the plant employees cars I just couldn't put my weekend toy through it. Since 95'; Fiat Panda, Ford Orion, Rover Metro, Renault Clio and my favourite and present Shed for the last 9 years is a 2001 'Y' reg Astra 1.6 Club 8v. Bought it off a mate with 94k on the clock with FSH for £600 back in 2010, today the old girl has covered 152k miles. Apart from the usual wear and tear items the car has cost me the petrol, tax and insurance. Its not pretty, dark blue with lacquer peeling off in places, several battle scars (previous owner), a little tappety on start up, smoke free and drives very well for it's age/mileage. I can park it anywhere and not worry about coming back to it and finding parking dings/scratches etc. The only worry to me is if it ever got nicked or trashed. Don't think I could find something again thats been so reliable and good to me.
Ideal shedding there.), a little tappety on start up, smoke free and drives very well for it's age/mileage. I can park it anywhere and not worry about coming back to it and finding parking dings/scratches etc. The only worry to me is if it ever got nicked or trashed. Don't think I could find something again thats been so reliable and good to me.Replaced the rear discs and pads plus the rear axle support bar on our 2003 Scenic last week for the grand total of £108 and about 2 hours of graft.
A genuine rear axle support bar from Renault was £23 including VAT, a bargain in my eyes. Non genuine were up for more on ebay.
I was surprised Renault still supplied them.
A genuine rear axle support bar from Renault was £23 including VAT, a bargain in my eyes. Non genuine were up for more on ebay.
I was surprised Renault still supplied them.
Joey Deacon said:
......
2)Get a decent, yet unloved car look after it, clean it, service it yourself and keep on top of the maintenance.
I am with you firmly, in camp 2 and I actually think it is cheaper in the long run to actually look after a shed, especially if you actually like it and it is a decent car.
I'd guess this post says the essence of shedding, which is that you are making a big saving on "Depreciation".2)Get a decent, yet unloved car look after it, clean it, service it yourself and keep on top of the maintenance.
I am with you firmly, in camp 2 and I actually think it is cheaper in the long run to actually look after a shed, especially if you actually like it and it is a decent car.
I find in discussions at work that Depreciation is the most ignored of costs, the most misunderstood, and yet it's the biggest cost on a newer car.
M4cruiser said:
I'd guess this post says the essence of shedding, which is that you are making a big saving on "Depreciation".
I find in discussions at work that Depreciation is the most ignored of costs, the most misunderstood, and yet it's the biggest cost on a newer car.
I am trying to convince my wife of that. Depreciation alone on newer cars can still equate to £150-200 per month so the odd repair bill pales into insignificance by comparison.I find in discussions at work that Depreciation is the most ignored of costs, the most misunderstood, and yet it's the biggest cost on a newer car.
My current steed has been serviced regularly, but not ‘maintained’ as such. I will catch up with these jobs in my tenure and hopefully by the time I want to change again it may still have even a modicum of value in it. Maintenance will be done by me where possible
Just joined the party tonight. Was after a cheap tip run car. Bought a 03 zafira 1.8 petrol for £150. Motd till Feb and got 92k miles on it.
Bodywork looks lovely. Gearbox is a little noisey when slowing down through the gears. 3,4,5th but for the price it goes as long as it goes for. Will be put on absolute bare minimum service plan.
Bodywork looks lovely. Gearbox is a little noisey when slowing down through the gears. 3,4,5th but for the price it goes as long as it goes for. Will be put on absolute bare minimum service plan.
Ste372 said:
Just joined the party tonight. Was after a cheap tip run car. Bought a 03 zafira 1.8 petrol for £150. Motd till Feb and got 92k miles on it.
Bodywork looks lovely. Gearbox is a little noisey when slowing down through the gears. 3,4,5th but for the price it goes as long as it goes for. Will be put on absolute bare minimum service plan.
Presumably you got lost whilst browsing the forums, Ste? I've found you the thead you were actually looking for. Bodywork looks lovely. Gearbox is a little noisey when slowing down through the gears. 3,4,5th but for the price it goes as long as it goes for. Will be put on absolute bare minimum service plan.
No need to thank me. Squirrelofwoe said:
Had mine just coming up to 4 years now 
2004 Honda Accord 2.4 petrol, 6-speed manual.
That's a great call! 2004 Honda Accord 2.4 petrol, 6-speed manual.
Sadly, moved mine on after it had served it's purpose but I really wish I'd kept it.
A 2.0 petrol auto Touring in black with black leather, I still see it around the place locally.
(Check out the moss in the lawn! Fortunately, it's under some sort of control these days.)
It was basically used as a van while refitting a shop and doubling as a usable dog-mobile.
Ended up doing something like 15k miles in it over 18 months and it was unstoppable.
Like you say, it was like a Tardis. The power tailgate option was also a godsend.
It wasn't weedy, either. After one Xmas visit, it allegedly made the journey from Church Stretton to Kilmacolm in four hours exactly.
I still have a massive fondness for that car. In true sheddy fashion, it cost very, very little to buy and run, overall.
Highly recommended shed!
Edit to add:
This pic was for the Gumtree ad when I was selling and was the first and only time I cleaned and polished it.
It was a proper shed.
Edited by Johnny Raydome on Friday 30th August 00:20
Johnny Raydome said:
Squirrelofwoe said:
Had mine just coming up to 4 years now
2004 Honda Accord 2.4 petrol, 6-speed manual.
That's a great call! 2004 Honda Accord 2.4 petrol, 6-speed manual.
Sadly, moved mine on after it had served it's purpose but I really wish I'd kept it.
A 2.0 petrol auto Touring in black with black leather, I still see it around the place locally.
(Check out the moss in the lawn! Fortunately, it's under some sort of control these days.)
It was basically used as a van while refitting a shop and doubling as a usable dog-mobile.
Ended up doing something like 15k miles in it over 18 months and it was unstoppable.
Like you say, it was like a Tardis. The power tailgate option was also a godsend.
It wasn't weedy, either. After one Xmas visit, it allegedly made the journey from Church Stretton to Kilmacolm in four hours exactly.
I still have a massive fondness for that car. In true sheddy fashion, it cost very, very little to buy and run, overall.
Highly recommended shed!
Edit to add:
This pic was for the Gumtree ad when I was selling and was the first and only time I cleaned and polished it.
It was a proper shed.
I also use mine like a van most of the time, it's the reason I got the rear windows tinted- so nobody can see all the crap that gets chucked in there
How did you find the auto in these? That is the only thing I regret about mine- at the time I got mine it was my only car so I was insistent on getting a manual as it's a pretty good drive, but now we have a TVR and a 3-litre Z4 in the family I find myself longing for an auto in the Honda.
I did recently find one for sale identical to mine but with the auto, but after 4 years with mine I feel it's a known quantity and so I'm reluctant to change!
Joey Deacon said:
Challo said:
This is my new shed, but im going to have to break rules and actually give it a valet inside and out. Its ok sitting in your own dirt, but when its someone elses im not so happy about it.
I think there are two schools of thought here.1)Never wash your shed, do the minimum maintenance possible, don't fix things unless they stop the car working, treat it like crap, scrap it when it costs more than a few hundred quid to get through the MOT.
2)Get a decent, yet unloved car look after it, clean it, service it yourself and keep on top of the maintenance.
I am with you firmly, in camp 2 and I actually think it is cheaper in the long run to actually look after a shed, especially if you actually like it and it is a decent car.
Looking through the history all the big jobs have been done (cooling system overhaul, new clutch, oil breather pipes etc). Just needs some TLC
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff