The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)
Discussion
Irreversal said:
Echo this with my 2005 1.4 astra h. Far slower than the 1.6 it replaced many years ago, but it just keeps going. No welding on it just yet. I can see the front subframe mounts needing attention in the future though, but it is approaching 20 years old.
Yeah this era of Vauxhall do seem very robust, and just go on and on unabated - My Vec C petrol same era, is just the same - but it does feel shagged in all honesty 
it creaks, groans, rattles, bangs, twangs, thumps and bumps as it trundles along - probably terribly tired undercarriage - but the engine is sweet as a nut, really liking this 1.8VVT - its approaching 154,000 miles now - had it over two years now and put nearly 30,000 miles on it, no idea it would be sticking around for this long!!
Edited by 7 5 7 on Friday 5th April 10:50
James_N said:
egor110 said:
Bmw e90 320i.
Anyone have any horror stories ?
A neighbor has there's for sale , 55 reg £1600
Our resident shed expert Bearman, doesn't rate German marques for general shedding I don't think. I Imagine there is a fair bit to go wrong, and costly when it does.Anyone have any horror stories ?
A neighbor has there's for sale , 55 reg £1600
egor110 said:
James_N said:
egor110 said:
Bmw e90 320i.
Anyone have any horror stories ?
A neighbor has there's for sale , 55 reg £1600
Our resident shed expert Bearman, doesn't rate German marques for general shedding I don't think. I Imagine there is a fair bit to go wrong, and costly when it does.Anyone have any horror stories ?
A neighbor has there's for sale , 55 reg £1600
The 320i I'd probably steer clear of however, as I haven't heard too many good things reported about the 4 Cylinder petrols of that generation.
I would necessarily swerve an old BMW - I've run a couple now and only time I was stranded was when my 330d threw an alternator belt, which was a £120 fix.
greenarrow said:
That's really interesting feedback about the Mk8 Civic. You always assume Civics are some of the best built cars out there. I know Hondas, like Mazdas, seem suspectible to rust as they age, but didnt know trim falls off and doors randomly don't open!
By contrast, the Astra H I am looking after (same generation as your Civic) exhibits none of those foibles. Not a single rattle or squeak, feels tight as a drum and no structural rust whatsoever.... interesting, given that Vauxhalls have an internet reputation for being, well a bit rubbish!
It was only one bit of trim that fell off in fairness - however as it was the end of the handbrake lever it was quite a big one By contrast, the Astra H I am looking after (same generation as your Civic) exhibits none of those foibles. Not a single rattle or squeak, feels tight as a drum and no structural rust whatsoever.... interesting, given that Vauxhalls have an internet reputation for being, well a bit rubbish!
It has been the only slight disappointment with the Civic is how it's built inside - definitely feels like it was built to be "good enough" and no better. When I bought it the passenger door wouldn't open from the outside, and now the rear door on that side won't open from the inside. There's also the non functional air con and the pixelated stereo display....
I have a 1 Series of a similar age with 35k more miles on it, and the difference in build is massive.
bodhi said:
egor110 said:
James_N said:
egor110 said:
Bmw e90 320i.
Anyone have any horror stories ?
A neighbor has there's for sale , 55 reg £1600
Our resident shed expert Bearman, doesn't rate German marques for general shedding I don't think. I Imagine there is a fair bit to go wrong, and costly when it does.Anyone have any horror stories ?
A neighbor has there's for sale , 55 reg £1600
The 320i I'd probably steer clear of however, as I haven't heard too many good things reported about the 4 Cylinder petrols of that generation.
I would necessarily swerve an old BMW - I've run a couple now and only time I was stranded was when my 330d threw an alternator belt, which was a £120 fix.
But my BMW Indy recommended 6 cylinders and preferably petrol if I didn't want to be visiting him too often.
It seems to throw up a £300 to £500 bill each year, but I live with that as it can't really depreciate any more!
greenarrow said:
7 5 7 said:
Having a quick look on FB marketplace on my made up account just for shed hunting (quit FB personally years ago...) - and tell you what there are some cheap motors on here, think I may use this as a tool for local searching going forward if I need too.
Obviously a buyers nose and common sense is required of course to sieve out the crap - but for a roll of the dice for some cheap local N/A petrols, seems great!
Yes, my wife and I were talking about this only the other day. It seems the cheap end of the market is returning to pre COVID levels. Plenty of sub grand motors out there now. I think people are struggling across the country and this is reflecting in prices. Maybe the last chance to bag a solid Mk1 Focus at banger money before inevitably these cars move into the usual Ford modern classic territory, which eventually they will do as numbers fall. The Focus apparently is the most scrapped car in the country at the moment. Must admit when my daughter takes her Astra H back with her to Manchester this August, I might be tempted to get myself another one as a run around. It just ticks all the boxes for me as a faithful workhorse.Obviously a buyers nose and common sense is required of course to sieve out the crap - but for a roll of the dice for some cheap local N/A petrols, seems great!
r3g said:
greenarrow said:
7 5 7 said:
Having a quick look on FB marketplace on my made up account just for shed hunting (quit FB personally years ago...) - and tell you what there are some cheap motors on here, think I may use this as a tool for local searching going forward if I need too.
Obviously a buyers nose and common sense is required of course to sieve out the crap - but for a roll of the dice for some cheap local N/A petrols, seems great!
Yes, my wife and I were talking about this only the other day. It seems the cheap end of the market is returning to pre COVID levels. Plenty of sub grand motors out there now. I think people are struggling across the country and this is reflecting in prices. Maybe the last chance to bag a solid Mk1 Focus at banger money before inevitably these cars move into the usual Ford modern classic territory, which eventually they will do as numbers fall. The Focus apparently is the most scrapped car in the country at the moment. Must admit when my daughter takes her Astra H back with her to Manchester this August, I might be tempted to get myself another one as a run around. It just ticks all the boxes for me as a faithful workhorse.Obviously a buyers nose and common sense is required of course to sieve out the crap - but for a roll of the dice for some cheap local N/A petrols, seems great!
Dan Singh said:
r3g said:
greenarrow said:
7 5 7 said:
Having a quick look on FB marketplace on my made up account just for shed hunting (quit FB personally years ago...) - and tell you what there are some cheap motors on here, think I may use this as a tool for local searching going forward if I need too.
Obviously a buyers nose and common sense is required of course to sieve out the crap - but for a roll of the dice for some cheap local N/A petrols, seems great!
Yes, my wife and I were talking about this only the other day. It seems the cheap end of the market is returning to pre COVID levels. Plenty of sub grand motors out there now. I think people are struggling across the country and this is reflecting in prices. Maybe the last chance to bag a solid Mk1 Focus at banger money before inevitably these cars move into the usual Ford modern classic territory, which eventually they will do as numbers fall. The Focus apparently is the most scrapped car in the country at the moment. Must admit when my daughter takes her Astra H back with her to Manchester this August, I might be tempted to get myself another one as a run around. It just ticks all the boxes for me as a faithful workhorse.Obviously a buyers nose and common sense is required of course to sieve out the crap - but for a roll of the dice for some cheap local N/A petrols, seems great!
Edited by 7 5 7 on Monday 8th April 10:14
r3g said:
greenarrow said:
7 5 7 said:
Having a quick look on FB marketplace on my made up account just for shed hunting (quit FB personally years ago...) - and tell you what there are some cheap motors on here, think I may use this as a tool for local searching going forward if I need too.
Obviously a buyers nose and common sense is required of course to sieve out the crap - but for a roll of the dice for some cheap local N/A petrols, seems great!
Yes, my wife and I were talking about this only the other day. It seems the cheap end of the market is returning to pre COVID levels. Plenty of sub grand motors out there now. I think people are struggling across the country and this is reflecting in prices. Maybe the last chance to bag a solid Mk1 Focus at banger money before inevitably these cars move into the usual Ford modern classic territory, which eventually they will do as numbers fall. The Focus apparently is the most scrapped car in the country at the moment. Must admit when my daughter takes her Astra H back with her to Manchester this August, I might be tempted to get myself another one as a run around. It just ticks all the boxes for me as a faithful workhorse.Obviously a buyers nose and common sense is required of course to sieve out the crap - but for a roll of the dice for some cheap local N/A petrols, seems great!
Lots of good honest cars on their if you happy to scroll through.
Davie said:
Just came across this whilst catching up on what I've missed... and well played squire, well played though I have to ask, are you actually my wife as that's pretty much been her sentiments for the past 4yrs / 400 pages (or 6yrs / 37 threats of divorce) however there have been decisions made, changes happened and but you'll be delighted to learn that despite a rather mad week which has seen the 'ever brilliant but needed lots of work' XC70 departing after 3yrs and 40,000 miles (it will be missed) and being simultaneously replaced by a Transporter (because 'reasons') the V50 has come through the cossfire, smoke and tears and soldiers onwards and actually may find itself being used a bit more moving forwards as it plays wing man to the unnecessarily large van that almost fits on my drive now. Obviously said V50 has rewarded yet another bullet dodging by filling the OSF footwell with water and popping at headlihgt bulb. The b
d. So yes, the story continues... for now...
Good work Dave! The v50 clearly has burrowed its way under your skin!d. So yes, the story continues... for now... BenS94 said:
That looks sharp still. Big fan of these.
Xenon headlamp, could be a ballast issue maybe, my mothers 62 plate on 36k she owned in 2017 had a string of issues which were solved by a new ballast.
Bit of investigation work and I’ve identified it’s the ballast that’s Pete Tong. Replacement on the way from eBay and it’s going on the road soon.Xenon headlamp, could be a ballast issue maybe, my mothers 62 plate on 36k she owned in 2017 had a string of issues which were solved by a new ballast.
Shed Kuga will be fired into the auction soon after.
well if anyone has read my thread in SP&L, i've been clearing my late fathers static caravan of possessions. Still surprised how much you can get in a small car, if you load it right:
Still running sound, despite the headgasket slowly going in the corner of the block. No symptoms, just carries on and on!
Still running sound, despite the headgasket slowly going in the corner of the block. No symptoms, just carries on and on!
ALBA MELV said:
BenS94 said:
That looks sharp still. Big fan of these.
Xenon headlamp, could be a ballast issue maybe, my mothers 62 plate on 36k she owned in 2017 had a string of issues which were solved by a new ballast.
Bit of investigation work and I’ve identified it’s the ballast that’s Pete Tong. Replacement on the way from eBay and it’s going on the road soon.Xenon headlamp, could be a ballast issue maybe, my mothers 62 plate on 36k she owned in 2017 had a string of issues which were solved by a new ballast.
Shed Kuga will be fired into the auction soon after.
Glad you've found the culprit relatively easily!
BenS94 said:
ALBA MELV said:
BenS94 said:
That looks sharp still. Big fan of these.
Xenon headlamp, could be a ballast issue maybe, my mothers 62 plate on 36k she owned in 2017 had a string of issues which were solved by a new ballast.
Bit of investigation work and I’ve identified it’s the ballast that’s Pete Tong. Replacement on the way from eBay and it’s going on the road soon.Xenon headlamp, could be a ballast issue maybe, my mothers 62 plate on 36k she owned in 2017 had a string of issues which were solved by a new ballast.
Shed Kuga will be fired into the auction soon after.
Glad you've found the culprit relatively easily!
QBee said:
BenS94 said:
ALBA MELV said:
BenS94 said:
That looks sharp still. Big fan of these.
Xenon headlamp, could be a ballast issue maybe, my mothers 62 plate on 36k she owned in 2017 had a string of issues which were solved by a new ballast.
Bit of investigation work and I’ve identified it’s the ballast that’s Pete Tong. Replacement on the way from eBay and it’s going on the road soon.Xenon headlamp, could be a ballast issue maybe, my mothers 62 plate on 36k she owned in 2017 had a string of issues which were solved by a new ballast.
Shed Kuga will be fired into the auction soon after.
Glad you've found the culprit relatively easily!
Agreed on the H4/7 comment Ben though the output from a HID/xenon is great for wintertime
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