Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Chiligarlicsauceboss?

http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/stop-buying-cheap-used-sports-cars-and-expecting-them-t-1721136220

^"Minor service and an MOT please"
"Sure, here's the invoice":

996 12K/Minor Service
Carried out Minor service
System scan and function check, reset service light.
Inclusive of all service items & lubricants.
Service Parts
Oil filter
Drain plug seal
Pollen Filter
Oil Mobil-1 5W/40 Fully Synthetic
Labour
Carried out bore score, compression test and cylinder
leakage test.
Results emailed to customer.
Removed and replaced head light washer jet to o/s/f.
Parts
99662833400 Headlight washer jet assembly RH
99950749740 Trim expansion rivet
Labour
Removed and replaced n/s/f fan resistor.
Parts
99661610100 Radiator fan resistor LH
Removed and replaced wsher jet "T" piece.
Parts
99662810200 W/washer T-Piece valve
Labour
Removed engine and gear box. Removed and replaced oil air
separator.
Parts
99610702355 Oil separator
90037817701 Oil separator to case bolt
99951242702 Hose worm clamp
Labour
Removed and replaced bank 1 vario cam solenoid valve.
Replaced bank 2 upper timing chain tensioner and IMS
tensioner.
Removed and replaced IMS "O" ring seal
Removed and replaced RMS seal and fitted update case bolts.
Removed IMS bearing seal cover.
Had to cut off exhaust fixings to replace solenoid valve.
Replaced spark plugs
Removed and replaced oil filer neck tube.
Replaced smaal core plug to back of bank 1 cylinder head.
Cleaned up earth strap to cylinder head on bank 1.
Parts
99970743441 A/c o-ring seal
99970753441 A/c o-ring seal
99660590100 VC Cam actuator solenoid Bank 1
99914103207 VC actuator fastener
99610532552 Spark plug tube kit
99917021890 Spark plug FGR6KQE
Cam cover removal/replacement parts
99610421554 Camshaft end cap
99970755440 Oil scavenge pump o-ring
99907331602 Oil scavenge pump bolt
90012314730 Timing chain tensioner alu seal ring
99610522352 VC actuator seal plate
00004330560 Sealant engine 50ml
99610518802 Timing chain (upper) Bank 2 tensioner
99610518059 Timing chain tensioner (crank to IMS)
99970734440 Timing chain tensioner o-ring
99710713100 Oil filler hose
99970734840 Oil filler hose o-ring
99903602601 Cylinder head casting sealing core plug
Exhaust bolt: Silencer to mounting frame
Exhaust spacer: Silencer to mounting frame
Exhaust washer: Silencer to mounting frame
Exhaust nut: Silencer to mounting frame
Separate trans from engine, replaced clutch and related
parts. Fitted updated arm.
Replaced clutch slave cylinder and hose including connector
piece. Bled clutch fluid.
Parts
99611691100 Clutch kit
90006713103 Clutch bolt
99711671201 Clutch release fork (lever)
99611671602 Clutch release fork ball pin
99611674300 Clutch release fork pivot boot
99611674100 Clutch release fork retainer
99711623704 Clutch slave cylinder
99642337713 Clutch hose
99923054110 Clutch pipe joining union
99710121201 Flywheel (Rear main) seal
99907309202 Flywheel bolt
99938500301 Engine case bolt (Horizontal bolt)
90038509301 Engine case bolt (IMS housing to case)
99970739240 IMS housing O-ring inner seal
Labour
Replaced bank 2 oxygen sensor.
99360612801 O2 sensor
Labour
Replaced coolant hoses to near side rear of engine, with
updated parts.
Composite job with engine removed
Parts
99610650256 Coolant hose CP-TH
99610685005 Coolant hose
99610624354 Coolant return pipe
99610622265 Coolant hose
00004330516 Coolant 1 Litre
Labour
Replaced high tone horn unit. Checked operation
Parts
99663520607 Horn high-tone
Labour
Replaced left rear seat backrest release knob
Replace missing battery vent tube
Parts
9965223210101C Rear seat release knob
99950763001 Rear seat release knob securing clip
9965223150001C Rear seat backrest release rosette LH
Battery vent hose
Labour
Replaced broken exhaust bracket.
Parts
99611312352 Exhaust support bracket
99711123001 Exhaust clamp to support bar
Labour
Replaced gear box oil.
Parts
Gear oil 75w/90 SHC
MOT Test

   MOT TEST, PASSED TEST.

 Tyre Tread Depths (mm)
N/S/F: 8
O/S/F: 8
N/S/R1: 8
O/S/R1: 8
Spare 1:

Total Invoice Value
Amount £5,396.31

They must have a low labour charge......

No longer appalled by the cost. But I sincerely hope you copy & pasted that.

I did copy and paste that.

Anyone in the West Sussex area that could possibly help me out with some wheels that need storing until I can come back with the Volvo?

If you sell the lotus what will you wash every week?

Lolz

i'd consider the e30,stefan...

Phaeton with the v10 tdi...... I'm an idiot for even thinking about one yeah? The little 3/3.2tdi or even smaller conventional v6 with lpg on it is way more sensible, but 550lb ft stock and a nice place to be sat in motorway jams is appealing. As is putting dog (Japanese akita) in the back seat instead of an office chump.

Just checked how much they are and they're surprisingly cheap. I wouldn't even dare to consider the upkeep on one though...

Don't worry - what could possibly happen if you buy a car that was £90,000 new?

That's never going to result in huge bills as you get it back into A1 condition.

Porsche Eater.

https://youtu.be/-8UI4ShRfRE

Which should I sell?

I'm bias a I desperately want an E30 convertible. But you should sell the Lotus. The beemer is more practical and if unmodified I reckon will be a better investment.

I know it will never be a race car, but if you wanted couldn't you improve the suspension?

Has anyone else had the DVLA take 6 months to send out a V5C? I think I've been driving around untaxed since November, having forgotten all about the invisible tax with no reminders, no V5C, etc. I'm gonna get fined aren't I? Another fucking ridiculous British system. No tax disc, no details about current tax, no reminder... it's almost like they want to catch people out... Why aren't MOTs done with tax included. In Oz you pay registration and that's it, unless you want to go for higher level than 3rd party insurance.

Ooh, 924. Checked prices an there's some silly prices. I think people forget it's audi parts bin heritage! That said, there's a nice one with dammit levels of spend already done for $6000 aud... I'd offer 4.5 and see. Looks to be a good package.

how cool is this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282465844273?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Starting to feel like the best solution is to lease a brand spanking new porka?

Hopefully you get the chance to give the thing a nice long continental drive to help take the sting off the service invoices.

Jeebus, that's cool

It is very cool.

Hard to believe its an imp. Gorgeous.

Zimp. Purlease. Beautiful.

Sell both.

Then try to find one car that does everything better than both.

4 seat soft top.
Nimble sports car with delicate steering.
Appreciating.
Classic insurance.
Small and easy to park.
Easy to see in and out of in Ldn traffic.
Smart so you're proud to own it.
But not so smart you daren't park it anywhere.
Accelerative, but not stupidly so.

I fear the car you need is a 911. Something from 1979-1992 (for classic insurance) would be my choice. Probably a targa over a full cab.

You're welcome.

^I know a great garage if you go that route, they make me coffee when I turn up.

Well I bought an Impreza GX in the end, went up past Hadrian's wall to collect it and drove it over 300 miles all the way back to London with no trouble. It's far more fun to drive than I expected, a little thirsty though!

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