Josho's quest for great riches
Discussion
Nah just living comfortably would be nice.
Anyway, I'm 27, I run a garage in Maidstone. I used to love cars, now that has gone out of the window. I do love working on them.
I'm better at fixing cars than I am business but I am getting there slowly!
Anyway for the last few years I've always bought and sold cars and vans on. I've made some mistakes on the way and made some real good money out of some.
The wife and I bought our first house last year and the deposit was basically sell all the cars I had sitting around the yard and get the money together!
It worked.
Some highlights were a Fiat Qubo I purchased for £600, destined for scrap. 18k on the clock. Spent £200 and a day and it sold to a dealer for £4300 pretty effortlessly.
A Disco 3 I bought for 2700 and EVENTUALLY sold for £3300. I purchased with a suspension issue and fixed by repairing the rubbed through wire. I also had to replace the lift pump and give the gearbox a flush. I expected £5k out of that and it just didn't happen. Never again.
Anyway I have decided that with the governments bounce back scheme I want to start making some money and devote a day a week into cars to sell. I will be totally bound to give a warranty and have no issues in this.
I've decided to log it on here if anyone is interested!
A few recent ones:
2006 Golf 1.6FSI Auto. Lovely car, dreadful engine and gearbox. A friend of mine was selling it, EML on, horrendous timing chain rattle, EGR valve and a wheel bearing gone. WBAC offered £750, upped to £800. I gave £925.
Strong money really, however £200 of chain kit later, £45 for a FAG wheel bearing and fortunately with an extreme amount of luck, a free piece of EGR valve later and we were done. I amazingly enough that week had a Golf in for an EGR valve. Mine had broken a cog on one side and the customers on the other side. So he got a new valve and I nicked the bit I needed out his old one. Result.
Total spend: approx £1215 including Autotrader fees. Had loads of interest, 6 days later I had a phone call as I was locking up offering £1800. Said no. Car was up for £2495. Anyway they came that night, 4 youngish people,2 lads and 2 girls.
I had explained on the phone it was an awesome example and they would struggle to find better. I'm not a car dealer so I haven't got the knack of talking total BS so I prefer to just be straight and to the point. Car drove spot on and wanted for nothing.
£2200 was decided, transfered and I delivered the spare key the following day.
Anyway, I'm 27, I run a garage in Maidstone. I used to love cars, now that has gone out of the window. I do love working on them.
I'm better at fixing cars than I am business but I am getting there slowly!
Anyway for the last few years I've always bought and sold cars and vans on. I've made some mistakes on the way and made some real good money out of some.
The wife and I bought our first house last year and the deposit was basically sell all the cars I had sitting around the yard and get the money together!
It worked.
Some highlights were a Fiat Qubo I purchased for £600, destined for scrap. 18k on the clock. Spent £200 and a day and it sold to a dealer for £4300 pretty effortlessly.
A Disco 3 I bought for 2700 and EVENTUALLY sold for £3300. I purchased with a suspension issue and fixed by repairing the rubbed through wire. I also had to replace the lift pump and give the gearbox a flush. I expected £5k out of that and it just didn't happen. Never again.
Anyway I have decided that with the governments bounce back scheme I want to start making some money and devote a day a week into cars to sell. I will be totally bound to give a warranty and have no issues in this.
I've decided to log it on here if anyone is interested!
A few recent ones:
2006 Golf 1.6FSI Auto. Lovely car, dreadful engine and gearbox. A friend of mine was selling it, EML on, horrendous timing chain rattle, EGR valve and a wheel bearing gone. WBAC offered £750, upped to £800. I gave £925.
Strong money really, however £200 of chain kit later, £45 for a FAG wheel bearing and fortunately with an extreme amount of luck, a free piece of EGR valve later and we were done. I amazingly enough that week had a Golf in for an EGR valve. Mine had broken a cog on one side and the customers on the other side. So he got a new valve and I nicked the bit I needed out his old one. Result.
Total spend: approx £1215 including Autotrader fees. Had loads of interest, 6 days later I had a phone call as I was locking up offering £1800. Said no. Car was up for £2495. Anyway they came that night, 4 youngish people,2 lads and 2 girls.
I had explained on the phone it was an awesome example and they would struggle to find better. I'm not a car dealer so I haven't got the knack of talking total BS so I prefer to just be straight and to the point. Car drove spot on and wanted for nothing.
£2200 was decided, transfered and I delivered the spare key the following day.
Mazda 5.
Pretty odd purchase this one. One of the old bodyshop boys near us had about 4 people look at it and try to get it running on copious amounts of easy start and brake cleaner. To no avail. They decided it was a fuel pump and a write off. It was filthy and been sat months.
I said to my mechanic I'm going to buy it. For some odd reason he took it on himself to offer £300 on my behalf. Having known his highest offer was £150 I have no idea why as I was going to offer £200.
Anyway we had looked over it with a jump pack, it had fuel pressure on the scan tool, it had DPF codes. It clearly had compression and timing correct etc. we decided it was going to be a blocked exhaust.
Once the deal was done an undone EGR pipe and away it fired. We had to be very careful at limiting the amount of pressure we let out of that EGR pipe as it wanted to run away on the brake cleaner. We simply pulled the intercooler pipe and let it bellow out.
We cleaned the DPF, gave it a service and some droplinks and it went through its MOT.
Total spend: Car £300 MOT £35, service bits and drop links £100. Valet: £20 Total: £455. Drove very well and was absolutely rapid. Facebook had it sold for £100. Not as much as we would have liked but I'd estimate we spent about 4 hours on it.
Profit: £495 Not too shabby.
20191101_133744 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191101_133753 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191101_133759 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191101_133737 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Pretty odd purchase this one. One of the old bodyshop boys near us had about 4 people look at it and try to get it running on copious amounts of easy start and brake cleaner. To no avail. They decided it was a fuel pump and a write off. It was filthy and been sat months.
I said to my mechanic I'm going to buy it. For some odd reason he took it on himself to offer £300 on my behalf. Having known his highest offer was £150 I have no idea why as I was going to offer £200.
Anyway we had looked over it with a jump pack, it had fuel pressure on the scan tool, it had DPF codes. It clearly had compression and timing correct etc. we decided it was going to be a blocked exhaust.
Once the deal was done an undone EGR pipe and away it fired. We had to be very careful at limiting the amount of pressure we let out of that EGR pipe as it wanted to run away on the brake cleaner. We simply pulled the intercooler pipe and let it bellow out.
We cleaned the DPF, gave it a service and some droplinks and it went through its MOT.
Total spend: Car £300 MOT £35, service bits and drop links £100. Valet: £20 Total: £455. Drove very well and was absolutely rapid. Facebook had it sold for £100. Not as much as we would have liked but I'd estimate we spent about 4 hours on it.
Profit: £495 Not too shabby.
20191101_133744 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191101_133753 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191101_133759 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191101_133737 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrBMW 118D.
I love a BMW, we work on them all the time. This came up on Facebook. Advertised as timing chain failed. Bought pretty much blind and went and got it. Ended up getting let down on recovery so we tow roped it 45miles back. Jump pack connection wasn't great on the battery so as a tad annoying.
Anyway long story sort, number 4 piston looked like gravel.
20191030_101842 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Anyway I ended up needing an engine for a customer. So I ended up driving to Brimingham, buying a 1 series with a shagged gearbox that ended up in about 2 miles being a very extremely shagged gearbox so Greenflag took it back.
We rebuilt that engine for the job.
We then used the crank out of the gravel engine and using the block from the knocking engine and made one for this one. Ran a dream to be fair.
20191030_101842 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191207_140859 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191207_140907 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191207_140846 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
I had to do some paintwork around it which I was happy with an off the gun finish:
20200130_190333 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
I did also paint the front bumper and painted the second hand wing. Also stuck a second hand front leg on it.
Total spend: Car: £500, paint and materials guessing £60, MOT £35. Headgasket, bolts oil and filter etc £120. Total spend: £715.
A friend asked if I had any 1 series kicking around as he wanted out of leasing 2 cars and runing one going to work and back. £1800 sold.
Total profit £1085.
I love a BMW, we work on them all the time. This came up on Facebook. Advertised as timing chain failed. Bought pretty much blind and went and got it. Ended up getting let down on recovery so we tow roped it 45miles back. Jump pack connection wasn't great on the battery so as a tad annoying.
Anyway long story sort, number 4 piston looked like gravel.
20191030_101842 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrAnyway I ended up needing an engine for a customer. So I ended up driving to Brimingham, buying a 1 series with a shagged gearbox that ended up in about 2 miles being a very extremely shagged gearbox so Greenflag took it back.
We rebuilt that engine for the job.
We then used the crank out of the gravel engine and using the block from the knocking engine and made one for this one. Ran a dream to be fair.
20191030_101842 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191207_140859 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191207_140907 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191207_140846 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrI had to do some paintwork around it which I was happy with an off the gun finish:
20200130_190333 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrI did also paint the front bumper and painted the second hand wing. Also stuck a second hand front leg on it.
Total spend: Car: £500, paint and materials guessing £60, MOT £35. Headgasket, bolts oil and filter etc £120. Total spend: £715.
A friend asked if I had any 1 series kicking around as he wanted out of leasing 2 cars and runing one going to work and back. £1800 sold.
Total profit £1085.
BMW 123D.
After buying or fixing several 1 series I thought the time had come to try a 123D.
One was being advertised as breaking on FB. I asked how much to buy and he said £1500. Wouldn't come down any.
Was in Scotland. He had someone who could deliver for £400.
I sent a deposit via PayPal after seeing some photos. PayPal wouldn't release funds until I said it was here. I hadn't seen the car, didn't know the guy.
He seemed totally legit. Anyway eventually he cancelled the PayPal, begged me not to be a messer and said he would send the truck.
I got out £1900 and met the truck driver. He gave me the V5C I gave the car a very very quick glance and gave him the cash.
"Don't you want to check it over" he said. "No mate, I've commited to buying a car blind, I said once it's here I'll give you the £1500 and that's what I'm doing.
The car had a few more marks than could be seen in the photos and a little rust on the wing but other than that it was all good.
20191214_142155 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191214_142134 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191214_142202 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191214_142149 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191214_142141 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
We had a nerve racking time sticking a camera down the oil cap and praying the camshafts weren't turning. They weren't.
Result.
A weekend at the garage much to the Mrs annoyance had it running. Bought a chain kit and oil and filter, I had all the lifters in stock.
Took it up the road straight away (not far it had no plates!) and was instantly dissapointed with the performance, did not feel like 200BHP.
Anyway ran and drove great. I painted the wheels and the front end.
I then slowly fell in love with it. The sound system was a professional and it was alright. Not the best but alright. But the power/torque was mental.
I was initially dissapointed as I think anyone would, it isn't a screamer instantly. Hard to explain. When you learnt where the power was etc it was addicting. The car practically lived in 4th gear. You could do 30-100 in a time I reckon most Golf GTI's wouldn't do. I'm sure the Golf would get it gone on some twisties but honestly the torque was insane.
It revved crazy too, at just under 4k you could feel the second turbo kick right in.
Gutted when it sold.
Screenshot_20200105-115427_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Screenshot_20200105-115422_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Screenshot_20200105-115412_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Screenshot_20200105-115405_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Screenshot_20200105-115359_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Car: £1500 Delivery: £400. Chain kit and oil and filters: £150 Number plates: £20 MOT: £35 Total: £2105
Sold after a few weeks at £4000. Profit: £1895
After buying or fixing several 1 series I thought the time had come to try a 123D.
One was being advertised as breaking on FB. I asked how much to buy and he said £1500. Wouldn't come down any.
Was in Scotland. He had someone who could deliver for £400.
I sent a deposit via PayPal after seeing some photos. PayPal wouldn't release funds until I said it was here. I hadn't seen the car, didn't know the guy.
He seemed totally legit. Anyway eventually he cancelled the PayPal, begged me not to be a messer and said he would send the truck.
I got out £1900 and met the truck driver. He gave me the V5C I gave the car a very very quick glance and gave him the cash.
"Don't you want to check it over" he said. "No mate, I've commited to buying a car blind, I said once it's here I'll give you the £1500 and that's what I'm doing.
The car had a few more marks than could be seen in the photos and a little rust on the wing but other than that it was all good.
20191214_142155 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191214_142134 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191214_142202 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191214_142149 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191214_142141 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrWe had a nerve racking time sticking a camera down the oil cap and praying the camshafts weren't turning. They weren't.
Result.
A weekend at the garage much to the Mrs annoyance had it running. Bought a chain kit and oil and filter, I had all the lifters in stock.
Took it up the road straight away (not far it had no plates!) and was instantly dissapointed with the performance, did not feel like 200BHP.
Anyway ran and drove great. I painted the wheels and the front end.
I then slowly fell in love with it. The sound system was a professional and it was alright. Not the best but alright. But the power/torque was mental.
I was initially dissapointed as I think anyone would, it isn't a screamer instantly. Hard to explain. When you learnt where the power was etc it was addicting. The car practically lived in 4th gear. You could do 30-100 in a time I reckon most Golf GTI's wouldn't do. I'm sure the Golf would get it gone on some twisties but honestly the torque was insane.
It revved crazy too, at just under 4k you could feel the second turbo kick right in.
Gutted when it sold.
Screenshot_20200105-115427_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrScreenshot_20200105-115422_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrScreenshot_20200105-115412_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrScreenshot_20200105-115405_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrScreenshot_20200105-115359_WhatsApp by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrCar: £1500 Delivery: £400. Chain kit and oil and filters: £150 Number plates: £20 MOT: £35 Total: £2105
Sold after a few weeks at £4000. Profit: £1895
Thanks for the feedback!
There have been a few that bit me!
A Van bought blind from Yorkshire with an ECU issue, turns out no compression. Engine in and ran up but whoever took the engine out had loosened the cam pulleys to get an engine mount out and not tightened so the new engine now has no compression either!
I really need to get it running and sell at a loss. Thats stood me £1350 so far and a big loss of interest!
A Range Rover V8 I bought that drove back with rattly chains. The bodywork was so bad under the carbon wrap I sold it for spares. Paid £1500, made £200 on the cats, £450 on the car and £600 on the plates. So I lost about £350 and had it stuck at the yard for a year!
I have a couple in and the moment I will document as I go.
There have been a few that bit me!
A Van bought blind from Yorkshire with an ECU issue, turns out no compression. Engine in and ran up but whoever took the engine out had loosened the cam pulleys to get an engine mount out and not tightened so the new engine now has no compression either!
I really need to get it running and sell at a loss. Thats stood me £1350 so far and a big loss of interest!
A Range Rover V8 I bought that drove back with rattly chains. The bodywork was so bad under the carbon wrap I sold it for spares. Paid £1500, made £200 on the cats, £450 on the car and £600 on the plates. So I lost about £350 and had it stuck at the yard for a year!
I have a couple in and the moment I will document as I go.
Audi TT 225
This was another one that stood out to me.
I absolutely loved it. Never thought I would, it's a 4wd A3 isn't it? No.
Customer mentioned they wanted it gone, had sat for a year or two. I offered £500. The wife said get it gone, husband didn't but wouldn't give me a price.
Said a grand. I said okay.
Pumped tyres up and got it home. Loved it. Interior was a little odd but it was alright. Dropped straight to MOT station. Failed on a spring and something else minor which I simply can't rememer. May have been a bulb or wipers.
Wife used it one day (she NEVER wants me to buy any cars anyway and hated this one) and it broke down. Just cut out apparently. It then started and she parked it up. I picked it up and it drove fine.
Was mega impressed with the Quatro. It had ESP and just didn't need it. Engine was awesome, car drove lovely. BOSE was ace.
Anyway it was a failing crank sensor. New one of those and all sorted.
Spent a day mopping it, it looked great. I painted one alloy and I'm pretty sure I gave the calipers a go over with silver 2 pack.
Stuck on eBay.
Now I will never know if these cars sell well or it was right place at the right time as a decent chap had just had his car written off. I gave him 6 months warranty on it (brave I know) and sold it on the condition he put a battery in the spare and if it didn't work I'd come and re-sync it. Never heard from him again.
I owned the car 6 days and loved every minute. I stuck it on eBay and the guy contacted me within 2 hours.
IMG_3124 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
IMG_3125 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
IMG_3127 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
IMG_3128 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
IMG_3131 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
IMG_3129 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
IMG_3132 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Screenshot_20190224-204248_Gallery by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
IMG_3123 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Paid £1000. Spring, MOT, Crank sensor and I'm sure it was wipers. £170. eBay £15 Total £1185. Sold for £2250 Profit £1065
This was another one that stood out to me.
I absolutely loved it. Never thought I would, it's a 4wd A3 isn't it? No.
Customer mentioned they wanted it gone, had sat for a year or two. I offered £500. The wife said get it gone, husband didn't but wouldn't give me a price.
Said a grand. I said okay.
Pumped tyres up and got it home. Loved it. Interior was a little odd but it was alright. Dropped straight to MOT station. Failed on a spring and something else minor which I simply can't rememer. May have been a bulb or wipers.
Wife used it one day (she NEVER wants me to buy any cars anyway and hated this one) and it broke down. Just cut out apparently. It then started and she parked it up. I picked it up and it drove fine.
Was mega impressed with the Quatro. It had ESP and just didn't need it. Engine was awesome, car drove lovely. BOSE was ace.
Anyway it was a failing crank sensor. New one of those and all sorted.
Spent a day mopping it, it looked great. I painted one alloy and I'm pretty sure I gave the calipers a go over with silver 2 pack.
Stuck on eBay.
Now I will never know if these cars sell well or it was right place at the right time as a decent chap had just had his car written off. I gave him 6 months warranty on it (brave I know) and sold it on the condition he put a battery in the spare and if it didn't work I'd come and re-sync it. Never heard from him again.
I owned the car 6 days and loved every minute. I stuck it on eBay and the guy contacted me within 2 hours.
IMG_3124 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrIMG_3125 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrIMG_3127 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrIMG_3128 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrIMG_3131 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrIMG_3129 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrIMG_3132 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrScreenshot_20190224-204248_Gallery by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrIMG_3123 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrPaid £1000. Spring, MOT, Crank sensor and I'm sure it was wipers. £170. eBay £15 Total £1185. Sold for £2250 Profit £1065
Iveco Daily truck
I bought this off Facebook. I wanted a recovery truck. Some dodgy looking site in Milton Keynes.
Turns out the dodgy site was next door and the place I got this with the huge dogs was because of the site next door.
Bloke was an absolute unit as is his son, both boxers.
But the straightest blokes you willl ever meet. I think 2k was strong money but it had 110k on it, they said it drove well. A worker backed into it and didn't say anything. Drove it and it broke down as there was no water in the rad. The story matched. I suppose if you've got a good truck that needs work and someone is paying strong money for it then why lie.
I had every intention of keeping it. On the tow back it did actually go with a bump. When it had had enough we stayed at a petrol station that had a decent curry house, had a curry, truck picked it up and we went. Wife loves my date nights.
Anyway it came back eventually. I knew it was a gamble but didn't care too much as I did have an engine. The fact it fired up and ran pretty well was pleasing though and although it was firing compression straight out of the header tank it seemed a good engine.
Head off and it was cracked.
£300 later for a head and another £140 having it tested and skimmed and we could put it together. However me being me and wanting to keep it as a recovery truck I spend about £700 on a chain kit and every gasket on the head all from Iveco.
I spent £30 on having some wheels shotblasted and £50 from an old painter to paint. It drove well but did need some work so I advertised it as such and someone came from Wales to look.
I was 100% honest with all the work needed, rear brake disc as the ABS teeth had worn, front spring bushes, cracked speedo and some other minor bits, front panel putting on that I had painted the right colour etc.
He offered 4.5k. I said how about this, £5k and I do the work. He agreed. Honestly people like this guy I wish I could sell to all day, so straight up and I was back.
It probably bit me a little as a couple of bits turned into bigger jobs. In a way I am glad because at least he didn't get the bad end of a deal.
I think it cost me another £300 and a damned long days work but it sold. Was a lovely truck.
If I hadn't needed the money for a house I'd have kept it. I also had ended up buying a later truck from the same people that we are currently putting an engine in. It isn't as nice but has the torsion bar front suspension so will carry anything.
20190214_164817 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190214_164810 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190214_164759 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190214_164751 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190214_164739 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190214_164728 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190214_164711 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190214_164829 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
I believe it is now in Belgium as it was having a fridge body and sent out there.
Truck: £2000 Parts £1300. Total £3300 Sold £5000 Profit: £1700.
I say profit but I almost feel I lost out on this one as I put a hell of a lot of time into it. I could have made more but I was keeping it myself so I thought so everything had to be spot on.
I bought this off Facebook. I wanted a recovery truck. Some dodgy looking site in Milton Keynes.
Turns out the dodgy site was next door and the place I got this with the huge dogs was because of the site next door.
Bloke was an absolute unit as is his son, both boxers.
But the straightest blokes you willl ever meet. I think 2k was strong money but it had 110k on it, they said it drove well. A worker backed into it and didn't say anything. Drove it and it broke down as there was no water in the rad. The story matched. I suppose if you've got a good truck that needs work and someone is paying strong money for it then why lie.
I had every intention of keeping it. On the tow back it did actually go with a bump. When it had had enough we stayed at a petrol station that had a decent curry house, had a curry, truck picked it up and we went. Wife loves my date nights.
Anyway it came back eventually. I knew it was a gamble but didn't care too much as I did have an engine. The fact it fired up and ran pretty well was pleasing though and although it was firing compression straight out of the header tank it seemed a good engine.
Head off and it was cracked.
£300 later for a head and another £140 having it tested and skimmed and we could put it together. However me being me and wanting to keep it as a recovery truck I spend about £700 on a chain kit and every gasket on the head all from Iveco.
I spent £30 on having some wheels shotblasted and £50 from an old painter to paint. It drove well but did need some work so I advertised it as such and someone came from Wales to look.
I was 100% honest with all the work needed, rear brake disc as the ABS teeth had worn, front spring bushes, cracked speedo and some other minor bits, front panel putting on that I had painted the right colour etc.
He offered 4.5k. I said how about this, £5k and I do the work. He agreed. Honestly people like this guy I wish I could sell to all day, so straight up and I was back.
It probably bit me a little as a couple of bits turned into bigger jobs. In a way I am glad because at least he didn't get the bad end of a deal.
I think it cost me another £300 and a damned long days work but it sold. Was a lovely truck.
If I hadn't needed the money for a house I'd have kept it. I also had ended up buying a later truck from the same people that we are currently putting an engine in. It isn't as nice but has the torsion bar front suspension so will carry anything.
20190214_164817 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190214_164810 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190214_164759 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190214_164751 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190214_164739 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190214_164728 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190214_164711 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190214_164829 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrI believe it is now in Belgium as it was having a fridge body and sent out there.
Truck: £2000 Parts £1300. Total £3300 Sold £5000 Profit: £1700.
I say profit but I almost feel I lost out on this one as I put a hell of a lot of time into it. I could have made more but I was keeping it myself so I thought so everything had to be spot on.
The £80 Touran.
Touran, Facebook. Had to go as it was about to be towed and crushed. Cambelt gone. Seriously absolutely filthy.
Bought and winched on.
Cambelt not snapped, had a brand new genuine kit on and the tensioner thread had failed.
I had a Golf at the time with ECU failure so said lets just bang the engine in. Turns out there are two types of BKD engine and one had a crossflow head and one didn't.
Bit annoying as we had taken it out already.
£90 later on some rockers, we drilled the failed stud out to M10 and used the later type stud that steps from M10 down to M8.
New battery and rebuilt the starter.
Wife decided that she liked the auto and aircon so we've kept it ever since. It's done 210k now and she is now bored of it.
You can just about feel the bushses giving a little wobble on hard cornering but other than that you would never know it's done 200k. Genuinely drives like half of that if that.
I never sorted the dents and the wife now doesn't want it anymore so I will get my dent man round and try and flog it.
20190918_102722 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190918_102730 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190918_102741 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190918_102748 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190918_102736 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20190918_102715 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Costs: Car £80, oil and filters £50. Rockers £90. MOT which passed £35 Total spend: £265. Bargain.
Touran, Facebook. Had to go as it was about to be towed and crushed. Cambelt gone. Seriously absolutely filthy.
Bought and winched on.
Cambelt not snapped, had a brand new genuine kit on and the tensioner thread had failed.
I had a Golf at the time with ECU failure so said lets just bang the engine in. Turns out there are two types of BKD engine and one had a crossflow head and one didn't.
Bit annoying as we had taken it out already.
£90 later on some rockers, we drilled the failed stud out to M10 and used the later type stud that steps from M10 down to M8.
New battery and rebuilt the starter.
Wife decided that she liked the auto and aircon so we've kept it ever since. It's done 210k now and she is now bored of it.
You can just about feel the bushses giving a little wobble on hard cornering but other than that you would never know it's done 200k. Genuinely drives like half of that if that.
I never sorted the dents and the wife now doesn't want it anymore so I will get my dent man round and try and flog it.
20190918_102722 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190918_102730 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190918_102741 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190918_102748 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190918_102736 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20190918_102715 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrCosts: Car £80, oil and filters £50. Rockers £90. MOT which passed £35 Total spend: £265. Bargain.
BMW 318D
Bought this blind for my sister. Chain gone.
Put a chain on and some rockers and all good.
She had it but then decided their hideous Kia thing was easier for the baby. It also developed an odd smoking issue. It would randomly literally fill the road with unburnt diesel smoke. Then it would go and behave.
Anyway turns out the wiring had started to go on the Fuel pressure and temp sensor.
I tried to repair and all was great but a few weeks later one of the wires is playing up. I suspected this may be the case as you jsut cannot get in there to fix these wires. I will probably have to whip the gearbox out but I may be able to do it on the ramp so it needs doing and selling as soon as lockdown is over. Not sure what it's worth. It's done 140k. I believe it also has a caliper sticking.
Also doesn't feel anywhere near as quick as the 118d until it gets going. Bit frustrating IMO to drive, the 120/320Ds are miles better than the 18Ds.
20191228_081320 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191228_081311 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191228_081303 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191228_081250 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191228_081257 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
20191228_081154 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Total spend: Car: £500 Chain kit, rockers oil and filters £200. MOT £35. Total £735.
Bought this blind for my sister. Chain gone.
Put a chain on and some rockers and all good.
She had it but then decided their hideous Kia thing was easier for the baby. It also developed an odd smoking issue. It would randomly literally fill the road with unburnt diesel smoke. Then it would go and behave.
Anyway turns out the wiring had started to go on the Fuel pressure and temp sensor.
I tried to repair and all was great but a few weeks later one of the wires is playing up. I suspected this may be the case as you jsut cannot get in there to fix these wires. I will probably have to whip the gearbox out but I may be able to do it on the ramp so it needs doing and selling as soon as lockdown is over. Not sure what it's worth. It's done 140k. I believe it also has a caliper sticking.
Also doesn't feel anywhere near as quick as the 118d until it gets going. Bit frustrating IMO to drive, the 120/320Ds are miles better than the 18Ds.
20191228_081320 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191228_081311 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191228_081303 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191228_081250 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191228_081257 by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr20191228_081154 by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrTotal spend: Car: £500 Chain kit, rockers oil and filters £200. MOT £35. Total £735.
This will be the last for now, I think I own roughly 20 vehicles at the moment but they will be documented as I go.
I missed the 123D quite a bit and had a little bit saved up so decided rather than keep it in the savings like the Mrs wants to do, let's go and buy a broken BMW!
My theory is, I want one, it's worth more than I paid, if it sells for great sums great, if it doesn't keep it sell it and get my money back.
Anyway advertised with a snapped chain. Had a look engine isn't moving.
He said he paid £4500 in October and to be fair the receipt is there.
Had a clutch and flywheel done for £700 and on the way back the chain snapped and locked the back wheels up. I was imediately suspicious and said that's cheap for a clutch and flywheel he said he bought LUK kit and knows people to have it done cheap.
Well that "cheap" has cost him the car I reckon.
A mechanic friend of mine's son knows him and confimed the story.
I had it trucked back on a whim that someone hasn't done a job correctly. I also located a spare engine with a snapped chain for £100 so worse case it will be rebuilt.
Anyway there was oil on the truck when it came back. I have only had a brief chance to look at it as we were in a car crash and my ramps have been constantly used.
However it's very clear to see the gearbox bolts up top are all loose. The clutch pedal isn't great.
I suspect one of two things. One a clutch bolt has locked up behind the flywheel and put a hole in the sump or timing cover.
Secondly all the E14 bolts on the gearbox are loose and the 3 E10's that go into the sump have been tightened and this has now broken the sump.
The good news is the amount of oil that come out on the truck when loaded as the engine wasn't starved of oil I'm sure. I'm also sure it hasn't seized, something has locked up. Either the gearbox is on the flywheel or there is a bolt behind the flywheel. There is no doubt that it isn't a snapped chain.
So we will see where we get!
It's a little leggy at 140k, I think he paid strong money at £4500 but who knows what it will be worth. I will do the chain if I am taking the box out.
It ticked all the boxes as it has the LOGIC 7 sound system, xenons etc. The only thing it doesn't have is full leather seats but if I'm keeping it I will get the red leather and stick the heated in.
Screenshot_20200510-194320_Facebook by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
Screenshot_20200510-194317_Facebook by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
I missed the 123D quite a bit and had a little bit saved up so decided rather than keep it in the savings like the Mrs wants to do, let's go and buy a broken BMW!
My theory is, I want one, it's worth more than I paid, if it sells for great sums great, if it doesn't keep it sell it and get my money back.
Anyway advertised with a snapped chain. Had a look engine isn't moving.
He said he paid £4500 in October and to be fair the receipt is there.
Had a clutch and flywheel done for £700 and on the way back the chain snapped and locked the back wheels up. I was imediately suspicious and said that's cheap for a clutch and flywheel he said he bought LUK kit and knows people to have it done cheap.
Well that "cheap" has cost him the car I reckon.
A mechanic friend of mine's son knows him and confimed the story.
I had it trucked back on a whim that someone hasn't done a job correctly. I also located a spare engine with a snapped chain for £100 so worse case it will be rebuilt.
Anyway there was oil on the truck when it came back. I have only had a brief chance to look at it as we were in a car crash and my ramps have been constantly used.
However it's very clear to see the gearbox bolts up top are all loose. The clutch pedal isn't great.
I suspect one of two things. One a clutch bolt has locked up behind the flywheel and put a hole in the sump or timing cover.
Secondly all the E14 bolts on the gearbox are loose and the 3 E10's that go into the sump have been tightened and this has now broken the sump.
The good news is the amount of oil that come out on the truck when loaded as the engine wasn't starved of oil I'm sure. I'm also sure it hasn't seized, something has locked up. Either the gearbox is on the flywheel or there is a bolt behind the flywheel. There is no doubt that it isn't a snapped chain.
So we will see where we get!
It's a little leggy at 140k, I think he paid strong money at £4500 but who knows what it will be worth. I will do the chain if I am taking the box out.
It ticked all the boxes as it has the LOGIC 7 sound system, xenons etc. The only thing it doesn't have is full leather seats but if I'm keeping it I will get the red leather and stick the heated in.
Screenshot_20200510-194320_Facebook by Joshua Reynolds, on FlickrScreenshot_20200510-194317_Facebook by Joshua Reynolds, on Flickr
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