Here's the victim of my affection :
I'd planned to take pics throughout the journey (which culminated in a stopoff at Sal's to pick up my new (old version) 6 branch and BBTB, but unfortunately after about half way I forgot - the fact I was losing water from the engine and overheating about 1/4r mile from Sal's house took my mind off picture taking! But anyways here's the links to the shots of the car after its car wash pre-trip (can't believe I forgot to take the after pics to show how much crud the car'd gained
) and going over a bridge in Scotland - Enjoy!
Ps- Yes, I know the oil cooler bit looks strange, thats what the fox's last thoughts might have been too after impact,
Car park on way up - all is rosy
Ready for more :p
Car did very well, had much fun on way back especially when lots of cars judged my car on its age, and then got chewed up and spat on by its unassuming power (I'm coming from a history or Seat Ibiza 1.2, Rover 214, Celica ST 1.8 all with 110bhp or less) and I was loving the baby 6 engine by the end of the trip. I really see why these cars have such a following. Love the available torque, the smooth power, and just how the engine sounds when your going fast - really nice.
The bridge in Scotland ;
And tucked up safe n sound overnight :
My shopping list by the end of the trip had included :
- Lots of coffee
- About 4 containers of coolant (due to me hand making a water pump gasket from card and insulating tape and it not working perfectly
)- Some new BOSCH (I love that word) wipers
- And a small countries GDP in fuel
Would highly recommend a long trip to new owners, it taught me alot about the car (particularly how to bleed them effectively - on a slope, with front left wheel on the pavement, rest on garage forecourt with a steering lock between seat and accelerator to keep revs above 2,5k rpm I found worked especially well) and taught me alot about their handling, which I'm not sure I've even come close to mastering yet, I tend to have to go very steady round corners until I get to grips with the car's handling. My steady may differ to other people's tho
and my GOD the 225 tyres on these alloys makes such a VAST difference from the bottletops and theyre crappy budget tread and 195 width - lifesaving!For those who saw my intro post ages ago; The changes/mods list since buying now runs to :
New interior carpets (good for 10bhp honest
) £30 or so from ebayMTech 2 steering wheel, larger and I love it (thanks Eko)
Replaced front BMW badge as old one tatty
Chipped (ebay £30)
K&N 57i (no comments necessary, other topics cover these)
"Hartge/M3/I dont know what to call em" seats
Note to self : Got to remember to post some pics of these fitted, the colours are much darker than these pics show; They transform the car...
Hartge alloys - as shown in first pics, above- thanks to Spadge
Grooved brake discs (fronts are on, rears to follow)
BBTB (fitted)
6 branch old style (not yet fitted)
Angel eyes (not yet fitted)
On order are:
40/40 cup kit
New ARBs (H&R) Front & Rear
New polybushy things
Zone Wild Chip (to replace ebay one, just to be on safe side)
Ferodo DS 2500 pads all round
Once the suspension setup is on (which may be a while, as there's alot still to be fitted as you can see) I can't wait for the next mental long trip, highly recommend it!!
, is that granada services in ya pic in cumbria by any chance it sure does look like my favorite burger king car park lol.
[img]http://
He lived in Farnham?
... Name added to list