First month of ownership.
Discussion
It's been thrilling and heartwrenching in equal measure.
At any time I've had at least two issues on the go
On the first weekend the headlights went, and I had an on/off saga over the next few weeks getting them back to full function... only just got them 100% tonight. At the same time I discovered that the service bonnet release cable is refusing to work and I have NO idea how to sort that with my own fair hands!
Sulky windows and intermittent door catches also made themselves known but were dispatched pretty quickly (Although gremlins still persist)
Then I had my bag stolen with the main key and both immobiliser fobs attached. Gutted. Thankfully David Fairclough was on hand with some excellent and quick advice and I'm secure and moving again. Issue should be fully taken care of in the coming days.
...but while I was out in the sun yesterday headed to the coast along a motorway I heard the most horrific sound. Stopped as soon as I could and found this:
I was actually glad it wasn't the sound of the engine letting go, but it looks like despite trying to do as much as I can myself I will be paying my first trip to a specialist. I loved the cheesgrater grille, however I'm tempted to turn this into an "upgrade" and go for a MK2 grille/splitter combo.
Overall? I'm pretty happy. Trying this adventure as cheaply as I can, and there has been a bit more adversity than I'd expected over the first 1300 miles but I still feel very privileged to have her in the garage!
At any time I've had at least two issues on the go
On the first weekend the headlights went, and I had an on/off saga over the next few weeks getting them back to full function... only just got them 100% tonight. At the same time I discovered that the service bonnet release cable is refusing to work and I have NO idea how to sort that with my own fair hands!
Sulky windows and intermittent door catches also made themselves known but were dispatched pretty quickly (Although gremlins still persist)
Then I had my bag stolen with the main key and both immobiliser fobs attached. Gutted. Thankfully David Fairclough was on hand with some excellent and quick advice and I'm secure and moving again. Issue should be fully taken care of in the coming days.
...but while I was out in the sun yesterday headed to the coast along a motorway I heard the most horrific sound. Stopped as soon as I could and found this:
I was actually glad it wasn't the sound of the engine letting go, but it looks like despite trying to do as much as I can myself I will be paying my first trip to a specialist. I loved the cheesgrater grille, however I'm tempted to turn this into an "upgrade" and go for a MK2 grille/splitter combo.
Overall? I'm pretty happy. Trying this adventure as cheaply as I can, and there has been a bit more adversity than I'd expected over the first 1300 miles but I still feel very privileged to have her in the garage!
Edited by stevieeg on Sunday 14th July 21:53
Not sure how it came off, but it did. Got trapped underneath and dragged for a while until I managed to stop. Very scary.
I'm over it now, just chalked up the expense as a bodywork upgrade in my mind.
...now if I could just work out how to get round this service bonnet catch issue I'll be in full working order by the end of the week.
I'm over it now, just chalked up the expense as a bodywork upgrade in my mind.
...now if I could just work out how to get round this service bonnet catch issue I'll be in full working order by the end of the week.
Sorry to see the nightmare that you've had with your front grille but on the plus side you might now be able to access and undo the 2 allen bolts that the service bonnet is secured with and pivot on when opening. If you can get these undone and remove them you can then pop the left and right top catches and just slide the service bonnet away.
Once you remove the main bonnet you can then replace/ repair the sevice bonnet cable/ catch mechanism.
Once you remove the main bonnet you can then replace/ repair the sevice bonnet cable/ catch mechanism.
, a real brown trouser moment. It would appear that it had never been correctly fitted as the fixing points were not even there 
.stevieeg said:
Well, it'll be a little more costly but given the threads on hear about a bit more stability with a splitter/winglets this will be going on at the end of the week:
Hopefully once it goes on it will also STAY on!
Awesome stuff! Please feed back on how you find the front end lift at speed when it's on. It's on my list of winter jobs! Hopefully once it goes on it will also STAY on!
I didn't venture into ownership quickly, I've been thinking about this for a long time and this one is a keeper, for better or worse.
Maybe in a few years when the prices start to shift upward it will go back to it's original state. At the same time as it gets a full respray. In the meantime...
Not sure what happened to the offside sidelight cover. It was fine in the morning before the grille went under. From my youth it looks like a Vauxhall Nova sidelight cover which will get sorted ASAP ;-)
Maybe in a few years when the prices start to shift upward it will go back to it's original state. At the same time as it gets a full respray. In the meantime...
Not sure what happened to the offside sidelight cover. It was fine in the morning before the grille went under. From my youth it looks like a Vauxhall Nova sidelight cover which will get sorted ASAP ;-)
I don't think I've seen additional fog lights installed before it works well 
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