Racks, Seats and Electrics......

[sporty325]

Right..... having been out of the country for over a year I will soon be going back to pick up my 325 sports which has been sitting in a garage. Once I get past the initial issues of getting it started, MOTed etc there are a few things I want to do (which I put off before I left) but could use some advice on how much it should cost, and any ideas on where to go. I will be living back in London, but am willing to travel (reasonably) to get good quality and price. There's a few stages to this and I certainly won't be able to get it all done immediately but would be good to get an idea.....

Step 1: Power Steering Rack - Was leaking before I left.... tried using a sealant but only lasted a couple of days and then nothing left again. Wasn't really bothering me, but will be an MOT fail and certainly want to get it sorted when I am back. Any idea how much fitting a new rack will cost?

Step 2: Electrics - Though it has a pretty good stereo setup, am seriously thinking about updating. A friend looked at it a while ago and said it could do with rewiring to put a new stereo in as all the amps/connectors etc are old kit. How easy is this DIY or any idea how much it would cost just for the rewire? Also wouldn't mind replacing the motors on the windows and sunroof if its not going to be too expensive.

Step 3: Central Locking/Alarm - The alarm and central locking are a a bit knackered. Any recommendation on alarm systems and fitting costs - have trackers come down in cost at all recently? Would one reduce my insurance costs much?

Step 4: The drivers seat (and the passenger seat to a lesser extent) are pretty worn out after 15 years service.... The seats themselves are fine but they just need new upholstery. They're currently cloth and not sure whether I would redo the cloth or get leather. I cant seem to find anywhere online that does this..... am I looking for the wrong thing, or are these places just not online? Any idea how much it will to reupholster the seats and or the rest of the car, and anywhere in the southeast that would do it?

Once I get this lot done the car should be in prestine condition (its actually in pretty good nick anyway, sounds like I have a bomb I know )

I guess some of these questions are pretty basic, but I'm sure are there some real experts on line and I appreciate any advice anyone can give. Thanks

[Hyperion]

Hi Sporty325
Sorry cant really help with your Q's, because i'm all the way down south in SA. But i was wondering, before you left did you do and "preperation" on the car before putting her into storage?

[sporty325]

Hi Sporty325
Sorry cant really help with your Q's, because i'm all the way down south in SA. But i was wondering, before you left did you do and "preperation" on the car before putting her into storage?

Not too much..... it was suggested to me that for a year only I should only need to disconnect the battery, leave the hand-brake off, get someone to press the clutch down every now and again..... and keep my fingers crossed for the entire year!! I realise there is a risk that there will be "issues" with getting her started in the first place, but I am thinking happy thoughts at the moment and hoping we won't have too many problems.....

I feel a "well you should have done this" coming on a little too late.... Unfortunately, I may have not put as much time and effort into this as I could have - I managed to find somewhere to store it (200 miles outside London) at a relatives for free and only managed to do this the day before I got out of the country..... we will see

[Fushion_Julz]

Right..... having been out of the country for over a year I will soon be going back to pick up my 325 sports which has been sitting in a garage. Once I get past the initial issues of getting it started, MOTed etc there are a few things I want to do (which I put off before I left) but could use some advice on how much it should cost, and any ideas on where to go. I will be living back in London, but am willing to travel (reasonably) to get good quality and price. There's a few stages to this and I certainly won't be able to get it all done immediately but would be good to get an idea.....

Step 1: Power Steering Rack - Was leaking before I left.... tried using a sealant but only lasted a couple of days and then nothing left again. Wasn't really bothering me, but will be an MOT fail and certainly want to get it sorted when I am back. Any idea how much fitting a new rack will cost?

Check out GSF or Eurocarparts for a recon rack....fitting shouldn't be too hard, but if you want a garage to do this, get a few quotes...Without knowing where you/the car is it is hard to recommend anyone..

Step 2: Electrics - Though it has a pretty good stereo setup, am seriously thinking about updating. A friend looked at it a while ago and said it could do with rewiring to put a new stereo in as all the amps/connectors etc are old kit. How easy is this DIY or any idea how much it would cost just for the rewire? Also wouldn't mind replacing the motors on the windows and sunroof if its not going to be too expensive.

You shouldn't need to rewire the power to the head unit and, if you have one, the amp as if it was done properly in the first place it is just a matter of changing the connectors....
As for the electric motors...Windows shouldn't be too hard, sunroof a bit trickier, but you need to enquire as to motor cost and it will either be a scrappy or a main dealer job!
Obviously, unless they have stopped working altogether, anything from a scrapyard is likely to be not much of an improvement so the cost will rise as the new motors are unlikely to be cheap!

Step 3: Central Locking/Alarm - The alarm and central locking are a a bit knackered. Any recommendation on alarm systems and fitting costs - have trackers come down in cost at all recently? Would one reduce my insurance costs much?

Thatcham Cat1 alarm costs around Ԛ£200-Ԛ£300, installed, depending on model and options (full closure, etc)...Trackers, got no idea on cost, but they reduce most insurance premiums by around 10%

Step 4: The drivers seat (and the passenger seat to a lesser extent) are pretty worn out after 15 years service.... The seats themselves are fine but they just need new upholstery. They're currently cloth and not sure whether I would redo the cloth or get leather. I cant seem to find anywhere online that does this..... am I looking for the wrong thing, or are these places just not online? Any idea how much it will to reupholster the seats and or the rest of the car, and anywhere in the southeast that would do it?

Trimmania in Reading will re-trim either the seat or the whole car...NOt exactly cheap, but Ԛ£100 will get the seat done in original material cloth to a high standard.

[sporty325]

Fushion_Julz, Thanks for the input - some great info..... I'll certainly look into Trimmania, though thats going to be the last thing I do with all the other stuff needing doing!!!

If I can it started, get the steering sorted and get it MOTed that will be a very good start..... looking forward to getting behind the wheel again, hoping there isn't too much hassle in moving whilst sitting there

Thanks again.