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

Pack and leads. Got a new one in order from ECP

Yeah worth a try. Have you checked the part number on the plug matches what should be fitted?

Nope. They look pluggy. Will check :)

Looks a huge gap, I'd try that first.

Aye I thought same, it’s supposed to be 1mm and I’ve only eyeballed it, will dig feeler gauges out later

I also wonder whether I should just drive my paid for, perfect condition, 50K, 2011 MKVI GTI for 3 more years and then go electric

Boring I know, but keeping seems like a better option. It's also less wasteful if that matters to you.

What's the deposit going to be on the R? $1,500?

How much is a new half decent exhaust and a remap? Can't be more than that.

Also aren't coilovers now quite cheap too?

Not suggesting you go overboard and throw a fortune at it, but a couple of thoughtful upgrades would change the feel of the car, and tbh a change is often as enjoyable as the change.

I would go auto if I wanted to go with some larger sedan or estate type car... Nothing against that. I'd love an A8 or something. Just can't afford it and also it would look ridiculously obnoxious in my small driveway right off the street.

@hugo7 (also)
I lowered my GTI but I did it properly and also changed the struts (Bilstein B8) to match it. I also flushed the wheels with 10/15 mm spacers. It's amazing how high quality the ride is and the car looks amazing. Can't do that with an R because it would ruin the DCC. I would get wider wheels with a bigger ET though.

I've thought about remapping, getting turbo back exhaust and putting a short shifter on it. May I will do that. Would save me a car payment.

Well you did also say you mainly wanted a scooby for the sound.

Personally I'd go for the mods.

As paulbiche said day-to-day an R might feel more dull. Plus your wife's got the other car so you can afford to make a few practical compromises with the GTI. Maybe new bushings or polybushes to tighten up the ride?

How is it compared to others?

Swap the plug and see if the fault moves. Which ka is it?

When they are good ,they are very good, when they are bad...
Don't by a cheap 1.6, that is why they are cheap

Six months ago, I gave this warning to potential A2 purchasers. So i've been out and bought a very cheap A2 1.6FSI

The FSI was Audi's first attempt at direct petrol injection. To get good mpg and make it clean they also did a couple of things which became its downfall. The engine runs very hot so destroys the plastic coolant pipes and the EGR lets the gases into a variable flap manifold, which after time gums all the flaps up causing the actuator to seize/break. Mine came with the first bit done but the second fault current.

This is the flap in the seized closed position. It should be wide open
Hours spent finger deep in carbon has got me to this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhGBTd5_hro

Work continues...

I'm still googling A2's... I prob have to get one just so I can move on.

From what I've gathered, filling up with super unleaded will keep most issues in check

I do think I want one still.

Good idea. It’s an ‘04 Mk1 1.3 duratec ‘Lux’

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@Dammit I think you need a shooting brake AND a V12

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2018/05/02/long-roof-cat-the-jaguar-xjs-based-lynx-eventer-shooting-brake/

I'd rather build something for that money.

I think this is the way to go.

Already contacting some APR garages for quotes.

Just conjured the Harold and Maude hearse.

Ooh, yeah. do it. Another dude at work has a MkV Gti that's been running an APR tune and he's had zero issues. They can really liven up the engine response with affecting reliability or even fuel consumption ( to a point).

@Dammit spotted a 2.8 z3 coupe today

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Am I right in thinking we never got those? Prepared to be told that I’m 100% wrong.

Finally got round to trying to sort out the car yesterday, it's the injector on cylinder 4.

Euro Car Parts has no injectors for the Megane for some reason (I had checked as well), and the mechanic said the dealer price for a single injector was £126 + VAT.

I found a number of eBay sellers in the end selling Bosch injectors for £48. How can dealers try and get away with that?

Yeh, LHD only

Huge amount of fakes on eBay, not saying they’re not real but proceed with caution- a leaking injector is not a good thing.

A leaking injector is what I have already!

Mine is from here so if it's bad I'm telling the Lancashire Post: https://www.lep.co.uk/business/car-hobby-puts-wheels-in-motion-for-rtg-automotive-in-leyland-1-9036814

Car is confirmed write off with structural. Payed out top of book at 6800.
So not bad. I did put money into it (intended to keep long term).
I do loose 600 excess of that, which I need to try claw back from 3rd party insurer.

Now to find a new equally reliable barge.