OEM HDI estate

[Ricky]

Seeing as this is turning into more of a project than I thought it would be, it would be rude not to make a little thread on here.

Bought a china estate, 114k miles, full service history, last owner had it for 10+ years, in the last year between MOT's it had done less than 4k miles. Cost me £780 which is good.

So far, apart from oil+filters change and crank pulley change, the only modification are the full leather interior. I have just got some Arianes to go on once I can afford some spacers, and a couple of tyres. Also got a decent headunit and amp, not fitted yet as I need speakers and wiring.

Some pictures to sum it all up:







Audio:
Crossfire 4 channel amp, along with VERY rare Alpine 7998r, very good high end unit, with a fold away face.


Test fitting to make sure the larger face actually fits in the dash..


And my wheels I picked up yesterday


That's pretty much it for now. Future plans are, Focal components up front with a small sensitive subwoofer for the boot. Xsara spec Bilstein B4's so it sits a little lower. Pressed plates, black headlining, 302mm brakes. Also going to save up and splash out on a rebuilt beam, going through used beams is a waste now seeing as most are shot.

Also keep thinking of stage 2.. Will definatly go stage 1, but not sure if I want to go any further than that.

[Niall]

Looks tidy man and definitely in the best colour!

[Ricky]

Needs a very good clean, going green in places where it's been sat! It's been good so far though, very nice to drive, done around 600 miles this week, what with the random drive to france on tuesday and birmingham to get the wheels yesterday.

And yeah, always loved China blue

O and it's also got the usual arch rust which needs sorting My father-in-law is not impressed as he had to weld my old one! lol

[Eeyore]

how does it have full leathers D:

[Niall]

how does it have full leathers D:

Very rare optional extra on the hatches and estates. Quite a few cabs have them. Theres a guy round the corner with a 51 reg meridian hatch with full leathers. Tempted to offer him some cash for it for the seats.

[Ricky]

I bought them from Chris

[THE_Liam]

Looks like a bargain at that price

[Ricky]

Can't complain really at that price, wanted a slightly newer one for the cheaper tax though

[Anton]

Looking good, get it mapped!

[Aaron35]

Looking forward to watching more on this thread. Looks brilliant so far!

[sam]

Looks smart boyo needs epic lows

[Ricky]

Epic lows is definatly NOT on the list.

[Ricky]

Small update to keep the thread alive. Started on a very good clean up today, in between rain! I am the first to admit I am rubbish with the detailing thing, doing it by hand takes forever. But it's looking a lot better, even though I am nowhere near finished thanks to the weather!

So far i've washed, clayed, washed again, Megs stage 1+2 polished the bonnet, N/S wing and roof, added a layer of Poorboys black hole then a layer of Poorboys natty paste wax. Still a load more to do and I want another full coat of wax over the whole car when it's done.

Also my little camera is no good at showing any real depth of colour..







Also gave the interior a much needed hoover!



And test fitted one of the Ariannes to see what they will look like..



From fitting the wheel, I know I need bigger brakes, 266's look lost behind them, and they need 205/45 profiles because 195's look too small. And it needs lowering a bit.

[kingy]

That paint looks lovely.

[Matt]

Very clean! Full leathers look win! Bet they suck during hot days though..

[Maximus]

Great job, Ever tried those Do-Do juice products?

[Ricky]

Cheers . On a bad not though, I found two places where rust is appearing and where its bound to start got a bit behind the door rubbers near the roof, a bit on the boot under the glass and where the rear plate is screwed in is bare metal so that's just asking for trouble!

The clar bar, clay lube and shampoo I used are dodo juice. They also make some very good wax, and it smells lovely.

[Connor]

'Rains look shit, scrap em...

[Ricky]

'Rains look shit, scrap em...

Hmm,


Nope.

[ozonehostile]

haha, knew you would be back on the project scene.

so jealous of your leathers, they look comfy as f*ck, gonna try cramming my 405 mi16 seats into the sedan, see how that looks lol

[Ricky]

they are very comfy, goes well with the spongy suspension haha.

Can't wait to get this thing finished, so short of cash at the moment

[puglove]

Looks tidy mate. Didnt realise you had an estate now.

[sam]

Looking good dude havent seen an estate with full leathers yet, how low do you want it I have some gaz 50mm lowering springs and shocks?

[Ricky]

50 is too much looking at 30 max really.

[puglove]

Have you had it mapped yet? If not get it done. Makes a huge difference. I was going to flog mine before i had it mapped . I was so epicly slow and boring

[Ricky]

I will be mapping it when I have the spare cash, but at the minute I can't afford to do anything else to it until my next payday. I don't mind it how it is though, I drive it like a grandad haha.

Right now I am so f***ing bored of hand polishing! Looking ok though..





Still got the bootlid to do, the other side, door shuts, going to pull off all the door rubbers because there is so much crap behind them.

[Dum-Dum]

Looks really good mate.

[ethanhp1991]

Love the full leather trim mate and you've got it up looking really nice

[puglove]

Wheres winslow bro?

[Ricky]

inbetween Buckingham and Milton Keynes.