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Oct 25, 2017 17:55:35 GMT
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A full two months since I last posted a post - since I last did anything. Hard to fathom. Actually the last two months I have been entirely consumed with starting up and getting going a Youtube Channel for work where the plan is to continue with regular episode length (20min +) videos of shenanigans posing as car builds. Anyway a job I've been eyeing up for many months is to upgrade the radio in the good MG to a better unit. Oh, by the way, the cheap MG I picked up in the last post lasted a few weeks then the drinking problem really did take over and totally ruined the engine. I was about 30 miles away from home and managed to get back, just - actually that's a strange story, but another time maybe. So tools first: ![](https://i.imgur.com/30QqiHI.jpg) OK we've been here before, no need to go through the disassembly of a 75/ZT console again. ![](https://i.imgur.com/cGrNMCB.jpg) To pull out the standard radio. Note the top corner retaining screws which actually are all that holds the radio in ![](https://i.imgur.com/atHgILh.jpg) Which poses the main problem of this. I can get a single DIN fascia and mount, but not a double. A quick scan of the online for sale avenues showed no available DD cage/mount or even a fascia. However, the fact that BMW owned MGR at the time this car was made has not been lost on me. I have this Pioneer unit that came in in some BMW ages ago that I probably crushed. Anyway I saved it for later, knowing I'd use it for something like this. It must have come in an E46 as I have a DD E46 fascia as well. So, to an E46, to remove it's mount ![](https://i.imgur.com/F5zsbMN.jpg) and I thought it would be pretty close, and it is. ![](https://i.imgur.com/yaZKhje.jpg) The side tabs will need to come off. The most of the internals will need removed. But somehow I have to make it hold the unit, as there is no other support available. And so I began to actually make something for the car. Proper modifying, like what we used to do in the 90s/00s before the internet starting selling us ready-made parts... right? anyone? ![](https://i.imgur.com/M4YsHeC.jpg) Cut the frame way down. Had to revise once or twice but eventually got a really nice fit around the unit. And then started plugging stuff in ![](https://i.imgur.com/hkMYHkn.jpg) Found a hole to thread the ipod/usb/etc leads through - can adapt the trim for here later (more modifying!) Pushed the Pioneer home: ![](https://i.imgur.com/N28fnoK.jpg) Sweet! The frame is a perfect fit, and it holds and supports the headunit very snugly. No movement at all. The screw holes at the top of the plastic frame even, just about, line up with the MG dash... ![](https://i.imgur.com/diaNwUQ.jpg) Although as you can see the E46 fascia doesn't quite work, the bottom of it is too deep and wont fit under the screen. I reckon it will still work upside down though. The swage line on it that matches the E46 trim doesn't correspond with anything in an MGR so it will not look weird turned over. However, you will not that the screen has not changed from the start-up warning. And that is because, as I looked up and found out, these units are totally unreliable, Pioneer doesn't want to know (no warranty or goodwill coverage at all) and the screens tend to fail on them, ALL the time. This one worked when I put it away, but now - well - not so much. Without the touchscreen working, there is no way past the warning which has to be OK'd. There is no remote as it has full connectivity so you are supposed to use your phone as the remote - after you pair them, which requires getting into the menu. What joy. What I couldn't see when I was doing any of this, until I got a bit of morning sun on it today: ![](https://i.imgur.com/hN6xeI8.jpg) That's terminal. So, there we are. One of my buddies reckons he has a chinese double din unit going spare, which might find its way in here for now. Really wanted to - 1. Have a quality unit in my nice car; 2. Effectively complete a free upgrade, given the Pioneer owes me nowt. There's some guy in England selling custom made Dynavins or something with full integration and satnav that come up with MG on the start screen, which would be really cool, but they're like £300 and the whole point of this was to have something similar for about 300% less than that. Still, we'll see. There are many wheels to purchase first. Anyone want a Pioneer headunit? Going cheap...
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I've always liked column shift cars. The Wartburg I looked after for a while had one, and it was LHD, which was not only fun but also educational so that when I got my LHD Column shift Cadillac I motored off home without looking like a numpty.
I've driven plenty of small pedalled cars too but despite size 9.5 foots I've always been ok if I take off the work boots and put on some skinny gutties. Gutties, by the way, is a word particular to Northern Ireland for the kind of sports shoes that are not trainers, but also not plimsolls. So not only many tiny-pedalled Peugeots and Alfas, but I even have a special pair of "Austin gutties" given the pedals have a contact area the size of a shilling.
I can't think of anything I've ever driven that has been too horrific to consider undriveable. Plenty of bad cars, but good examples of them would have been fine.
If we can nominate cars that we've not personally driven, I'd suggest the Ford model T as being pretty unfathomable to get to grips with.
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Oct 12, 2017 23:57:09 GMT
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I think this thread is superb. I unfortunately haven't the time to dedicate to finding pictures of all the 80s kits that I think are amazing, or even of my own. I do, for no particular reason, have a special liking for Zender kits. My E28 has a Zender front bumper. I once bought a Zender kit for an E32 as well which would have been epic but the seller would not complete. My Fiat has Zender wheels too. In fact I think my 164 kit is made by Zender too and my 156 GT front bumper might be a Zender design for Alfa - not quite a supplementary kit but a factory option, but a lot of Alfa nice parts are made for them by Momo and Zender AFAIK. 80s Kits are fab. Oh and a buddy of mine has a 3.0S Capri with an XX-pack kit - minus the hideous rear spoiler.
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Oct 12, 2017 23:49:17 GMT
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Seen this mentioned several places as well. Residing in Dublin, apparently.
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Oct 12, 2017 23:44:20 GMT
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ALL of the above.
Plus...one word that can guarantee I will back away faster than a CVT Daf:
"Offers".
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Sept 28, 2017 23:36:42 GMT
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Changed the head gasket in a Skoda Felicia once on new years Eve and new years day, 3 hours each day, in snow and cold which made my fingers numb. But it needed done. I don't think I've done a single HG since.
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Sept 21, 2017 4:28:25 GMT
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I know it's late to the game but this one interests me as I've got a couple of each (two MG ZT saloons and a couple of E46 saloons)
I would have to disagree with your comment that the ZT are E46 are around the same size. The ZT is a noticeably larger car, both inside and out. Roughly grabbing some specs, there's over a foot of length difference, and its almost 3 inches wider. You can really tell the difference when driving them. For a good few months there I was driving a red ZT 2.5 and a red 330d every other day, and I'd say the E46 was a small car but the ZT is definitely not. I am surprised though that they are comparable in weight.
ZT: Length 4786mm Width 2009mm Height - Wheelbase2746mm
E46: Length 4478mm Width 1932mm Height 1409mm Wheelbase2725mm
Anyway I wanted to talk about springs. Basically, as BMW owned them, I would presume that they followed the same ideas as with the E46, in which case, the shock absorbers and springs are different rates to account for the extra c.70kg at the back end. They are the exact same size and fitment as saloon ones but not as strong so a Touring will sag with Saloon parts fitted. The BMW also has standard and Sport options which differs both shock and spring.
I would be very tempted to try fitting an E46 rear shock to a ZT, but the spring for the ZT appears to be about two coils taller than the E46 which is a very short one. It's a pig-tail type spring and there are no other (later/heavier) BMW models that use them. It would be a good way to lower one perhaps.
Anyway yeah, if you haven't done so already, try a Touring (or Cabrio) rear E46 shock... can't find dimensions online but if you have a strut off to measure, I can compare with an E46 one.
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Sept 21, 2017 2:00:43 GMT
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There's a lot of cool stuff on the last couple of pages. i've not been buying much lately and I see I've missed some nice new releases. I also collect a toy called Tuff Tots They were made by Lone Star and I loved them utterly as a kid. Recently my Mum found the few I had left and it re-ignited the love. So I buy them as and when. Ebay sellers seem to want an arm and a leg for them so I keep an eye for bundles with some Tuff Tots in, to save cash. I'm pretty sure I have a few Tuf Tots still that I'm not interested in / definitely interested in selling off cheap. Will hoke them out.
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Sept 13, 2017 1:07:01 GMT
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Looks delightful. The plan to do this might be there and well established, but is the market? Is there a need for that business in that location? Can you buy or lease without financial burden? A massive mortgage will be far more stress than any annoying boss ever will. And lastly... There's no cool car content. I won't say "does this belong on rr" because there is a nice "other" section where it would be much better placed.
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Sept 6, 2017 11:00:28 GMT
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Nissan Atlus or Isuzu Elf over here ... if there were any imported. The Isuzu NQ series isn't far off, although a little newer, the trick is finding a single cab with a beaver tail. If you wanted to build something similar here on a budget (i.e. without importing a truck), the Mitsubishi Canter would be the answer. I had a car dropped off recently on one with a beavertail fitted and it was still dinky enough not to be obtrusive, a lot more truck shaped than a Transit and the owner said it was more reliable and could take a bigger payload than his previous van (Transit, Sprinter, the usuals) based recoverys.
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Sept 6, 2017 10:33:52 GMT
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Doo Eet! Even without the flatbed it looks cool. And 1/76 is a perfectly reasonable scale too, my Jada COE sitting in front of my computer has a 76th Cadillac lowrider on the flatbed, and it works well.
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Sept 6, 2017 10:14:33 GMT
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OK. 530i M Sport auto in Topaz Blue with black leather coming in shortly.
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Sept 4, 2017 12:11:24 GMT
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Sept 3, 2017 18:52:58 GMT
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Yes.
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Aug 19, 2017 17:36:59 GMT
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My attempts towards finding nice wheels for the Skoda have been frustrating so far. As per the previous post the ones I found don't look nice 'on' it. it has literally been giving me a headache every time i try to come up with a better solution. So here beside the car is a trial of everything I have sitting about that --might-- work. I have loads more wheels in the right (and wrong) fitment, but none that will look good on the car. These are the ones that I think might look OK. 14"s that were bought for the 635 in work ![](http://i.imgur.com/R1H5IKG.jpg) 13" Early 80's Skoda KN Apollo 12 spokes that I repainted about a dozen years ago ![](http://i.imgur.com/PUq8loM.jpg) I remembered that there was another set of KN wheels hiding at work somewhere. After figuring out where they were (isn't a good memory a wonderful thing?) one of the boys went diving for them ![](http://i.imgur.com/XNU0GRS.jpg) And dug out the mid-90's KN Apollo II 13"s ![](http://i.imgur.com/C7g33DV.jpg) In gold, and very dusty white. Which look silver in the picture. ![](http://i.imgur.com/2rHkk9h.jpg) I'm not convinced by any of them, and all the Apollo wheels, while a direct fit, are 5.5j which is poor. Current top of the leaderboard is a set of PLS Hockenheims but they are £700 plus shipping. Plus then £200+ for the adapters and the same again for tyres. Blowing over a grand on some 13" wheels seems a bit rash. I left the 330d in to get it aligned. I forgot to pick it up before they closed (and they couldn't align it anyway). A couple of the boys in work were hanging about late and the banter was mighty, and before I had time to think sensible for one minute we were on a roadtrip (albeit a rather tame 30-35 miles each way) to pick me up a new car. I'd been nonchalantly flicking through Gumtree and found what I thought was a bargain, and after being cajoled into ringing up about it, it was pretty much determined there would be a new addition to the stable. So I present to you the result of a few moments of silliness... ![](http://i.imgur.com/tVbnIeg.jpg) Yep, a red MG ZT V6 with black half leather and 18" alloys. And in the background you can see my other red MG ZT V6 with black half leather and 18" alloys. But the new one has had the wheels repainted in black and doesn't have Xenons, so it's clearly a very different car. In reality the difference is; New ZT to Old ZT: High miles! of 113k compared to 95k No Xenons A Towbar And no radio. Which of course was the first thing I fixed. ![](http://i.imgur.com/WDjfQ54.jpg) I found a Judge Jules CD in the car so now the speakers are blown. But at least I can't hear the balljoint knock. It also does 2500rpm at 70 while my first one does 3krpm so it should not only be easier run but quieter and nicer on the motorway. Did the later cars (albeit just 3 months newer) get a revised gearbox to bring the revs down or has my other one got a short ratio box or maybe a replacement one from a ZS or something which might be differently geared? I am curious about this. Oh, it also uses quite a lot of water, but never overheats. Fine by me. Mid August 2017 and I need a recount. Please ignore this bit, I'm just trying to keep a record of where I am and see where to turn my attention to. 1930 Austin 7 Ulster - in bits 1936 Austin 7 Special - Finished (or near enough) and Roadworthy (or near enough) - photos and sell 193x Austin 7 bitsa - in many bits 1979 Skoda 110R - Rebuilding Carb, (unsuccessfully) picking wheels 1979 Cadillac CDV - awaiting paint and interior and engine pepping and lows 1985 Skoda 120L - long term awaiting engine conversion 1985 Fiat Regata - waiting on opportunity to paint it and service it 1986 Skoda 130 Rapid - long term awaiting serious engine/driveline conversion 1986 BMW M535i - waiting on small amount of welding which might now be a big amount of welding 1987 Skoda 136 Rapid - waiting on long-delayed meticulous restoration 1987 Skoda 130LSE - now a full 13 years since I bought it and almost 12 years waiting to be restomodded 1992 Skoda FavoRat - still counts as a car, will one day get rescued from field and get its engine conversion 1994 BMW 740i - soon to be started on manual conversion 1993 Alfa Romeo 164 - also waiting on an opportunity to paint and service it 1994 Skoda Favorit Estate - anxiously awaiting paint and recommissioning. Just needs time spent. 2001 Alfa Romeo 156 SW - waiting on Timing Belt to be done 2002 Triumph TT600 - waiting on me to find time to do fork seals 2002 MG ZT - super 2002 MG ZT - also super And given that I'm in that there motor trade there are always a few cars hanging around that are sort of mine but not just mine, they might be slightly more work related...I will drive them when they're done, I may or may not sell them, they might just be demo cars... I find it hard to know whether those cars are included or not... 1983 BMW 635i - in the process of being restored 1986 BMW 325i - waiting to be restored 1990 BMW 535i - waiting for serious engine conversion 1992 Skoda Favorit Pickup - waiting on restoration and engine conversion 1994 BMW 525tds Estate - waiting on minor restoration 2001 BMW 330d Sport - daily driver 2007 BMW 325i - semi-complete V8 conversion And my mums cars, which I have tasked with selling but are still here and floating around 2000 BMW 528i Touring - seriously considering mad engine conversion and paintjob 2002 Seat Arosa - cannot fathom why this has not sold And you know, that has actually just worked. I've realised that my Alfa (the 156) which has been languishing on my drive since April is really only waiting on the TB being fitted, which I already have for it, and it's perfect otherwise - it still drives fine, I just refuse to use it with 100k on it now and no proof of a TB in it's history - BUT, I've been waiting all that time for a gap at work to get it done and one has not appeared, when I know loads of other very capable mechanics - I think the answer might be to pay someone else to do it. Yup. See, progress already.
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I previously said, and I quote: "they definitely show what a couple of hours research confirmed - all the best looking S110s out there have tiny, dishy wheels. So this is the next plan, find some better wheels." Well, they arrived: ![](http://i.imgur.com/J9nCkKw.jpg) Refurbished 13" Centras. I love Centra wheels. Unfortunately: ![](http://i.imgur.com/CppdWNz.jpg) They look cack. So, have to try again. Jikov carb rebuild kit also arrived from Hungary or somewhere else with funny writing so I have that to rebuild some evening now as well.
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If your car is a G plate then surely you can't have any of these
X58 BSX X50 OSX M88 BBM, S88 BBS, V88 BBV, W80 OBW
Only the A plate ones are older than G.
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There's thousands of "unregistered" cars in Ireland, I wouldn't worry. There's a surprising amount of stuff there waiting to get older, including the 840ci that I sold which is driving around Dublin on trade plates because the VRT on it is a fortune, as is the tax. As above I would also suggest buying something that is already registered in Ireland, as especially a Vauxhall will be counted as an import seeing they were sold as Opels in ROI. You may not have owned it long enough - I'm not 100% on the regulations, but you definitely can bring in for free(ish) one personal import. Don't waste that on the Capri though as over 30 year old cars are so cheap to import and tax and insure.
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If money is the main concern, then if you have the skill, space and time, breaking it will always result in the highest net return.
It doesn't sound to me like you particularly need to get rid of it. You could just sit on it. Or, the other option is to make it stand out before selling it. There is a reason that bright pink cars sell for twice of what their blue and silver counterparts do. The market becomes much smaller but by extension so does the supply (in the delicate supply/demand dance).
What does your gut say?
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Jul 31, 2017 21:55:12 GMT
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Ohhh... the nerves have just spiked. The results email is just in.
The PDF table is sitting open in another window and I'm biting my lip and shivering with anticipation. I'm not expecting much, but having not finished an event in this club for years, the thought of even showing as a finisher is quite exciting.
OK. Let's see.
WHOA YEAH!
First in Class! Second Overall!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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