northern_mike wrote:I think mine is 16 years old now and probably in much the same nick as Mr.Loopy's but in different areas. The body is decent enough, it's got a broken dog light, but as the bumper would have to come off to sort the electrics and AC.... not much of an issue. It's neither a glamourpuss or a minger. Are any of them? Most are going to be 16 years old or more now.
I think you and superloopy are both overestimating the condition of my car, (engine/gearbox excluded) Richard has seen it recently and can probably attest that it is getting decidedly tatty on the outside and it was never a glamourpuss to start with in the time I've had it. I'm not snobby (otherwise I wouldn't have driven it for two years with a huge gouge on the bonnet) and am more concerned with the mechanical/rust condition and how well it drives.
The pictures of the paint/body work on yours look far better than mine. I can't speak for superloopy's of course as he hasn't posted any photos, but it's probably no worse than what I'm used to.
I've looked at the pictures under the back of your car where Malcolm was repairing the hydraulic line and the rust and condition of the piping is no worse than mine, in fact it looks a little better if anything.
Don't forget this one is a few months shy of 16 years old too
The interior, apart from the usual slight wear on the drivers seat bolster (not split) is pretty good, complete and no bits missing.
It needs new tyres on the front as it has winters on and they're not the best solution!
New tyres is not a problem - I have two Michelin energies with over half their new tread left, and our cars have the same style alloys (all mine are scrape free) - so 10 minutes work to swap them between cars.
Caveat emptor and all that but like SL I'm a bit wary of selling you what might be a nightmare..
I can appreciate that, but there is always a risk with a S/H car that it turns out to be a lemon, in hindsight this one certainly was. Maybe I'll get another lemon, or maybe it could turn out to be a pretty good car.
Oh, it needs work to swap the door lock barrels too... I only had one key so in the hope of getting two working and solving the leccy issue all at once, I bought David's ECU and lock set. ECU, CPH and ignition lock swapped but I haven't done the door handles yet :O, So it has two remote plip keys which work but locking with the key still needs the old key. As I rarely lock it I forgot about it buy I suppose I should get them done!
Not a problem - all my lock barrels work fine and I have a remote fob and a standard spare key, and I know the programming code for my ECU's - so worst case I swap my engine ECU and CPH into the car, swap the locks, reprogram my keys on the Lexia, job done. Maybe a couple of hours work.
I'll take some pictures and a video of it and see if I can take it for a run with someone holding the camera so you can hear it go and change gear and whatever. I'd still not expect you to go for it, but you can laugh at it if you like.
It goes like stink though. I believe it will still reach its maximum book speed. I've had a genuine 32mpg out of it this week too, including a couple of high speed trips in early morning and getting stuck in the Ascot traffic for ages.
By all means take some photos and video, I'd like to see it running - its a long time since I've seen a V6 running properly, I've almost forgotten what it's like!
I am giving it some serious consideration Mike, as crazy as it might sound. The question is are you serious about selling it, or will you change your mind...
In the fuse box behind the battery there are two studs with nuts on them connected to the white wire that goes straight to battery positive - one of the studs is empty and unused but still has a nut. This is the same stud I connected to to get a power feed for the starter helper relay mod.
now you've got me thinking I could possibly sell it in that condition. As i say, the camera definitely does lie in this case. She's a 'banger' of the top most order. No point dragging Simon all this way for nothing. After all i'm positive my engine will not live up to his utmost highest standards. 'Oil in rear cam bank' ... what does that mean? You see ... maintenance can only have been negligible in my ownership if I don't even understand the technical terminology 