Carlos182's Astor Grey GTi-6

[Scott]

[Eeyore]

please make mine shiny! D:

[4WayDiablo]

Off topic I know but you say there is a OC YT account? Want a foo by fail classic video for it? Lol

[Scott]

Yes. Yes I do!

Sam it just takes some patience mate! I've spent a good 8 hours cleaning mine before, and it's a long haul but so worth it. It's really not worth putting the effort in to rush it to be honest, as you'll miss bits or apply products unevenly. If you've got any products which you're bringing to the campsite (would lend you some but I'm nearly all out!), I'm happy to lend a hand and go over some bits with you

[THE_Liam]

I could do with learning how to clean a car properly. All I ever do is wash it with AG Shampoo and then SRP it, an it just looks the same 2 days later...

[Grant]

That paintwork was dirty!

[Toms306]

I could do with learning how to clean a car properly. All I ever do is wash it with AG Shampoo and then SRP it, an it just looks the same 2 days later...

You need to wax it after the SRP...will last a lot longer then.



Back on topic, claying looks like a lot of effort!! :think:

[Dum-Dum]

Did a quick gearbox oil change this evening while Dum-dum came over, massively failed though as I was tired wasn't paying attention and thought the drain plug was really tight then realised I had the ratchet set for the wrong direction Anyway no real issue, the gearbox oil that was in there was fairly clean, though it didn't feel great so either there wasn't enough, or it was the wrong type. Genuine Peugeot oil in there now though (£6 per litre which wasn't terrible).

Now thats not entirely true is it now.

I told you you were a pussy and to let me at the sump bolt and as I started trying to turn the ratchet I realized you had it the wrong way, flicked the switch and undid it with ease.

Also then double fail, Scott then went to undo the breather in the top and again again had the ratchet the wrong way. Oh how I loled.

[THE_Liam]

Looks like inappropriate tools is Scott's equivalent of Fooby's inappropriate footwear...

[Dum-Dum]

Dont you call me an inappropriate tool

[Ruan]

Dont you call me an inappropriate tool

Well....... It's kinda true?

[Scott]

Thanks for the reminder Chris! :?

I had some minor operator failure, as I'd been at work all day and was shattered!

[THE_Liam]

Dont you call me an inappropriate tool

[Scott]

Haven't had that much progress with this of late (in terms of getting things done), but I have ordered myself some BakerBM solid beam mounts, fitted some BakerBM gear linkages, bought some Eibach -30mm lowering springs, and finally taken the 21mm torsion bars out of the Xsara VTS beam (thanks Grant!). They'll be getting fitted soon, and also a new clutch hopefully (will probably be giving Kris a call for that).

In the mean time, I gave this an epic clean yesterday. Clayed with some new Dodo Juice clay (the medium/fine one) which needed a LOT of lube initially. I don't think it was fully warm when I first used it, so it actually managed to stick to the paint a little in places, so I had to take a lot of time getting that off carefully not to damage the paint. Clayed the whole thing, then polished using some of Niall's Meguiars polish, followed by some PoorBoy's Natty's Blue wax. I'm really pleased with the finish.

   
   
   
   

[puglove]

What happend to the water mark effect vinyle? lol,

No on a serious note it looks really mint! you gotta love a clean astor. It looks really tidy body work in the pictures. but a bit of back to black on the spoiler wouldnt of hurt

[Dum-Dum]

Looking good mate, especially the beading but desperately needs lowering.

[Scott]

Haha Jamie the spoiler may be being colour coded, if not it'll probably be plastidipped.

I know Chris, it was on a bit of a cambered road there but it does look really high!

[Scott]

I've not put any new pictures or anything of this up lately...I guess I should do! It's now been lowered on Eibach springs, had 21mm torsion bars fitted and rear beam rebuilt by KrisB. I've also had a new clutch fitted and removed the Mongoose exhaust. It was too loud for me for a daily, so I've sold it to Curt who is getting on much better with it, and I'm enjoying the standard system

It's not without its problems though sadly (what French car ever is?!) I've got tax due at the end of the month, and the HG is showing signs of going, as it's getting hot very quickly in traffic, and the coolant is looking a bit frothy and was very low this evening when I checked it although I'd put over a litre in less than a week ago...Though that may just be leaking from the radiator which also needs replacing. The MOT is looming in 2 months time, and I'll be needing brakes all around and wishbones to pass that. So things are adding up quite quickly between now and Christmas:

• Tax
  
• MOT
  
• Radiator
  
• Head gasket
  
• Wishbones
  
• Brakes
  
• Oil and filter change, gearbox oil change (I want OEM gearbox oil)
  

That's going to be a pretty hefty bill. It's pointing me towards garaging the 6 over winter and taking the time to get it all sorted over the next 5-6 months. I would probably just suck it up and pay for all the parts and with the help of the lads ( you guys for all your help so far) get it done over a few weeks, but I'm heading off on holiday with Kim and have a PC to build, so it's just unfortunate timing! The PC needs to be built as my mum needs it for work, and she has contributed towards it already so I need to actually get that done, otherwise I'd hold that off for a while as well.

It's a difficult decision

[Curt]

Love this car. Can't even hide my jealousy...

I know that seems like quite a bit mate, but it's not that bad at all. Tax and MOT are necessary evils obviously...

Wishbones are around half hour a side and I just bought a pair for £33 each. Brakes I bought from eBay, Mintex all round for £99 delivered next day, and again easy and quick. Oil and filter I just picked up for £19 for fully synth. 2L of gear oil was £12 I think when I did my gearbox. Then with the HG (didn't know that!) I'd be inclined to just change the rad (even if it's a used one to save moolah), fresh coolant obviously, and make sure it's all bled. Then see how she goes, might not even be head gasket!

Get some pics up anyway and show off one of the nicest cars on the forum!

[Scott]

Cheers mate. Don't worry, it's not going up for sale

Part of the problem really is my mindset with things like this, as I think to myself: "Well, I'm paying £70 for wishbones, maybe I should pay the extra £50 for the Meyle ones?", and repeat that over all of the parts on the list (Brembo discs, 1144 pads, Nissens rad, etc.) it starts to make it a much larger bill. I do see what you mean though, and maybe I'll have to go down the 'buy cheap, buy twice' route as I'd be in a better financial position by the time they need doing again. Going to Canada twice this year, while being amazing and something I really wanted to do, has screwed me over a bit this year. I think the timing of it all together over the next couple of months is what's going to make it difficult.

[samass]

you could knock 50 odd quid off your bill if you just baought bushes instead of new 'bones... yes, theyre a lady garden to change, but they are only like a tenner or something, then spend the rest of the money on the brakes/whatever? im always willing to play with hacksaws, blow torces and grinders

[Curt]

I know exactly what you mean, and I know that's what you're like don't worry as I'm exactly the same. But I have to live within my means, so if that means the wishbones only last 6 months - a year, for 30 quid that'll do me. Same with the brakes... I would have liked to upgrade, but these do me just fine and are great value. I'm struggling to feel sorry for you for your holidays, but I see what you mean ().

Anyway, good to hear you're not selling it

[Dum-Dum]

I'll do your brakes and the oil and filter changes. I'll get genuine oil and filters at discount if you want.

[Kimmie]

Bad girlfriend award for making him spend money on holidays....... <3


Should probably mention that I have work to be done on my car too.....massive 306 working weekend soon, with bacon sarnies and cake provided?

[Ed Doe]

Yes!!

[Niall]

Scott order the parts and we will have a weekend at mine getting it done....as long as you bring Kim to operate that metal box in the kitchen that makes food.....I don't understand that voodo magic shit.

[Poodle]

I'm in!

[Jonny b]

Scott order the parts and we will have a weekend at mine getting it done....as long as you bring Kim to operate that metal box in the kitchen that makes food.....I don't understand that voodo magic shit.

Is that before or after my beam mounts nail!!! Lol

[Scott]

Probably about time for a couple of photos now

   

Had brand new Eibach springs fitted and nearly new top mounts (thanks Grant <3 )
   

Old clutch was slightly worn...
   

I don't seem to have any newer photos than that though! Fail. I'll have some more soon.

In the mean time, I saw Vaughan was going to be breaking his car and wanted a few bits off of it, and it started getting to the point that I was going to be paying close to what he wanted for the whole car, so I bought the whole thing

The brake pads and discs have been recently replaced, callipers recently refurbed (well, the rear has anyway), etc, so that solves my issue of needed to spend out a lot on pads and discs all around, plus my binding rear calliper.

Just the issue of the HG, radiator and service to sort now Oh, and fitting my rear beam mounts...only had them since July

[puglove]

Still a monster truck does look tidy tho. Is there any trick bits on this gti your getting i might be interested in?