Hey all,
I've been meaning to to this for a while but never got round to it. I guess starting is the best way of committing huh! Kinda like marriage
I bought the car back in 2013 for a good price, it was low priced as the cam belt hadnt been done and it was just over 70k. I drove it back from Birmingham and it was shaking about like mad, so clearly needed some TLC. The turbo wasn't quite kicking in when I expected and in hindsight I would now know that it was on its way out. I was crapping bricks the whole way home so was glad to finally hit home! Wasting money and a mission to Birmingham wasnt my idea of fun.
The plan was to keep our current Vauxhall Astra (59 plate) going while I got the A4 fixed up ready for use.
So booked it in for a cambelt change and full service, despite the seller stating it had a service I didnt trust it as the oil was like tar. Perhaps a service to him was topping up oil...
Spoke to the garage and they confirmed two suspicions, the turbo is on its way out an the clutch was shortly following.
Next step was to get new pads and discs for the front as they were on the way out too.
With all that done, checked and replaced two tyres and had the wheels all balanced and tracking done. The guy said it was WAY out so good thing I brought it in.
Now I know I took a big gamble but I had looked and looked for ages specifically for a red BEX Quattra B6 Avant and somehow managed to talk the wife into swapping it for the Vauxhall. Considering the age difference she wasn't that impressed at first but then soon grew to love it.
I drove it for a could of years, working on the bodywork a bit, then the turbo finally gave in and started clapping at me. So I went off against advise and bought a chinese custom K03s with K04 innards. Having been told the £150 was pretty much throwaway I can gladly state that its running strong still!
I managed to work my way through fitting this, together with a Toyosports silicone TIP (in red of course!).
Since then I've had a couple of dreaded sludge issues that almost got the better of me but after replacing all valves and pcv system, giving it a damn good thrashing, they were sorted.
I also managed to blag new new coil packs from audi from the recall that still lingers for this car.
Two weeks ago I had new spring fit (elbach) as the suspension was clearly on its way out, every pot hole felt like death. Unfortunately the new springs seemed to take the problem to a new level! Again hindsight says I really should have changed the shocks at the same time!
Thursday this week I fit the new shocks and bump stops to the rear and it feels 100 times better, I can only imagine good things once I fit the front.
I got stuck trying to work out why the spindle was spinning! Then had the DOH moment.
The morale is basically to make sure I've got everything needed, spend time ensuring I've got the right bits and tools then set the right amount of time.
I also dont trust any of the garages round here so I'm committed to doing everything from now on, all fed by you all and the internet.
So next steps on my list;
* Fit fron shocks
* Fit new clutch
* Get exhaust (once I finally decide which one!)
* Uprated Fuel pump
* Custom remap
* Fix body work issues (bonnet chips on surface, scuff on front bumber, deep scuff on rear, fix large dent with rubber mallet!)
* Remove fake S-Line badges that previous owner added
* Maybe wind deflectors..
* Fit new door blades (I've had these ages just keep forgetting!!)
* A decent valet
* Enjoy it
* Replace remaining bushes that I've not got to
* Fit new Bluetooth stereo HU and upgrade speakers all round
* Fit window blinds
* Tint windows (subtle!)
* Get wheels refurbed (decide type of grey!)
* 22m RARB
Feedback, tips, corrections and questions welcomed!
I've been meaning to to this for a while but never got round to it. I guess starting is the best way of committing huh! Kinda like marriage
I bought the car back in 2013 for a good price, it was low priced as the cam belt hadnt been done and it was just over 70k. I drove it back from Birmingham and it was shaking about like mad, so clearly needed some TLC. The turbo wasn't quite kicking in when I expected and in hindsight I would now know that it was on its way out. I was crapping bricks the whole way home so was glad to finally hit home! Wasting money and a mission to Birmingham wasnt my idea of fun.
The plan was to keep our current Vauxhall Astra (59 plate) going while I got the A4 fixed up ready for use.
So booked it in for a cambelt change and full service, despite the seller stating it had a service I didnt trust it as the oil was like tar. Perhaps a service to him was topping up oil...
Spoke to the garage and they confirmed two suspicions, the turbo is on its way out an the clutch was shortly following.
Next step was to get new pads and discs for the front as they were on the way out too.
With all that done, checked and replaced two tyres and had the wheels all balanced and tracking done. The guy said it was WAY out so good thing I brought it in.
Now I know I took a big gamble but I had looked and looked for ages specifically for a red BEX Quattra B6 Avant and somehow managed to talk the wife into swapping it for the Vauxhall. Considering the age difference she wasn't that impressed at first but then soon grew to love it.
I drove it for a could of years, working on the bodywork a bit, then the turbo finally gave in and started clapping at me. So I went off against advise and bought a chinese custom K03s with K04 innards. Having been told the £150 was pretty much throwaway I can gladly state that its running strong still!
I managed to work my way through fitting this, together with a Toyosports silicone TIP (in red of course!).
Since then I've had a couple of dreaded sludge issues that almost got the better of me but after replacing all valves and pcv system, giving it a damn good thrashing, they were sorted.
I also managed to blag new new coil packs from audi from the recall that still lingers for this car.
Two weeks ago I had new spring fit (elbach) as the suspension was clearly on its way out, every pot hole felt like death. Unfortunately the new springs seemed to take the problem to a new level! Again hindsight says I really should have changed the shocks at the same time!
Thursday this week I fit the new shocks and bump stops to the rear and it feels 100 times better, I can only imagine good things once I fit the front.
I got stuck trying to work out why the spindle was spinning! Then had the DOH moment.
The morale is basically to make sure I've got everything needed, spend time ensuring I've got the right bits and tools then set the right amount of time.
I also dont trust any of the garages round here so I'm committed to doing everything from now on, all fed by you all and the internet.
So next steps on my list;
* Fit fron shocks
* Fit new clutch
* Get exhaust (once I finally decide which one!)
* Uprated Fuel pump
* Custom remap
* Fix body work issues (bonnet chips on surface, scuff on front bumber, deep scuff on rear, fix large dent with rubber mallet!)
* Remove fake S-Line badges that previous owner added
* Maybe wind deflectors..
* Fit new door blades (I've had these ages just keep forgetting!!)
* A decent valet
* Enjoy it
* Replace remaining bushes that I've not got to
* Fit new Bluetooth stereo HU and upgrade speakers all round
* Fit window blinds
* Tint windows (subtle!)
* Get wheels refurbed (decide type of grey!)
* 22m RARB
Feedback, tips, corrections and questions welcomed!
