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

I have been very busy at work lately, as one of the Senior Techs at work I had to take on an F10 M5 engine that had seized. It drops out underneath complete with gearbox and subframe, so much so we had to counterbalance weight in the car to prevent it tipping off the ramp.Probably one of the biggest jobs I have undertaken and I took loads of photos of the plumbing and wiring as it all inter-twined.
This is so tight coming in and out there is approx 5mm either side and the hoses have to be tucked in and squashed in as it goes in to place.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjNCGKKhJNK/?igref=ogexp&utm_source=fb_www_attr

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjwiEWBhAl-/?taken-by=fixedwheelnut

It didn't help that coming in as a non runner we did not know what else might be wrong, I wanted to fit two turbochargers as well but was told warranty would not pay as there was no visible damage or wear, so after refitting it all and a first road test I was not impressed with the plumes of smoke from the exhaust, another eight hours work to replace them in situ :( with hindsight it was probably the turbos that burned off the oil to allow the engine damage in the first place picking up on cylinder four & eight.
still it is all good now

Were there any nuts and bolts left over, hell yes but all accounted for as so many have to be replaced any way due to being stretch bolts :)

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Fucking epic work.

So what did you have to do to repair the engine itself or was it "just" engine out, new engine in?

In lower end car news I sold my MOT-less 1993 Volvo 240 for the same as I paid for it four years ago.
Have bought a 1999 3dr Toyota Rav4. It drives like a RC car and is thoroughly impractical.
Now to procure a lift kit and tyres with white writing on.

does anyone here drive a 4-5 year old audi a3 sportback
(been looking at the 2.0 tdi automatic)

Well, fuck.

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Great service from https://www.thetestcentre.co.uk/ this morning. 10/10 would MOT again (in 12months.

Followed. Amazing work there. So. Many. Hoses!

Run flat or normal?

I had a left rear runflat puncture two weeks ago. £500 for two rears later...

Pulled up after getting my wax and polish and just heard ‘pssssst’ and watched it go down. Must be a nail of screw or something. It’s a regular tyre and am getting ‘tyres on the drive’ to come and put a new one on for £138, which is cheaper than kwik fit, which I think I could just about limp to.

That sucks.

I'm guessing the other side is new enough to warrant only replacing one?

Excellent work. I recently pranged my Audi 80 and finding replacement parts is a pain.

A good point well made. The back two were done within a couple of months of each other, and if I replace both front ones they’re all under 8 months old. Hopefully then that will see me good. Only spent about £600 on it this year :’-)

Cheers. I think I definitely got lucky finding the part on ebay. Shipped for free from Northern Ireland in 48hrs. Seller on eBay is ‘e-copart’

AMG getting close to finished, should be done today. £2,300. You live and learn.

Just out of interest, what did you have done and how does this stack up against the conversations previously about leasing a new car with buy an older car and budget for maintenance?

What put a stop to the lease idea was the possibility of moving to the US - I didn't get that job, ultimately, so maybe I should have a V90 T8 outside at the moment, but no use crying over spilt milk.

Here's what I had done:

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I left these, thinking about it should have got the door check straps done as well, I'll get those soon.

Rear main leaking, £666.66
Front door check straps req replacement £281.22
All clamps and connections on exhaust corroded, £103.26

Labour quantities seem very sensible. I usually get that sinking feeling looking at labour added up on jobs like this and think to myself "surely there's no way any of these jobs took that long".

You've also quenched my thirst for a W202 C43 AMG Wagon for at least a while longer looking at these bills on what looked like a clean car!

My mum had two, although a smaller engine, and the first would have been older. They're heavy so that engine would probably be good. Much bigger than the 3 door. I'd avoid anything with a tow bar or sun roof, as both had battery and electrical problems. Basing this off one of the AA guys opinion that VAG had consistent problems with electrics resulting from poor towbar installations. Hard ride.

With climate control they had the best demister I've ever seen. You could also get leather without having to go for some stupid "SE" spec or whatever. With Audi you choose each and every option one-by-one, so 2nd hand I'd hunt for one with the mix of options you want. There will be a lot of poverty spec shells that basically just come with a steering wheel.

Overall I think the Golf is better, but the A3 'feels' more premium.

You've also quenched my thirst for a W202 C43 AMG Wagon for at least a while longer looking at these bills on what looked like a clean car!

Apparently AMG offered a service for C43 owners - you could hand the car over and they'd fit the 5.4 litre engine and box, giving you back a W202 C55, the rarest of the rare.

W202 C55

Also, a "mild remap" would bring my car to 400bhp/400torques, which is pleasingly symmetrical, so I might do that. I just wish there was a way of getting the gearbox to blip on downshifts.

have you done a burnout yet?

In other expensive V8 news, I might finally be ready to crank mine (hopefully) back to life this weekend.

have you done a burnout yet?

Step one, Radio 4 on
Step two, burnout