Passed its MOT but it was close as the handbrake was just 1% over the limit. Will be going in to my mechanic for a bit of adjustment after Easter. Did get some good feedback though on its condition which was nice

never a Coupe strong point.

Still nice to pass.

Chuck a couple of bags of sand in the boot.

Mine passed this afternoon with no advisories, not even the handbrake!

Mine needed Cables!

Mine failed on a coil spring so had that replaced.

Wanted both done but my mechanic struggled to remove the other spring due to the bolt not wanting to budge and possibly damaging the shock absorber in the process meaning the bill was climbing to the point where a lowering kit with shocks and springs was becoming a more feasible option.

So I'll take that option when the next spring/shock needs relacement.

My handbrake also needs adjustment but my underside appears to be relatively rust free so my 'work in progress' continues as follows:

Black leather seats
Cam belt and drive belts
Lowering kit
Discs and pads all round
Stage 2 hybrid turbo
Remap to 330 bhp

Hope to have change from £500!!!

Haha.

You mean change from 6 x £500?

Oh yeah sorry, missed a 0 on the end

Ashley, if you un-velcro the handbrake gaiter, use a long reach socket you can adjust the handbrake action via the handbrake adjuster screw. A few turns(not too many otherwise the handbrake wont engage on the ratchet) and it'll feel much more solid, have less reach and hopefully see you a few more MOT's before new cables and further adjustment is required

Don't do it too tight Ashley or you will stop the self adjustment working.

It is really better to slacken it off completely then operate the brake pedal to actuate the adjustment, then reset the travel of the handbrake lever.

There is a How to do, adjustment is described in the cable fitting section.

Thanks Ross & Pete, a job for the weekend then

Also got a pass at the TÜV test. Handbrake was better than the rear foot brake action though. Is that normal?

Values given were:

Front 250/250 daN
Rear 80/100 daN
Handbrake: 100/150 daN

A few weeks ago Euromaster wanted 550€ to replace the rear calipers because the bleed nipples were apparently seized on and the front bleed nipples because they were blocked. I replaced the front nipples and the rear ones seemed to work fine! I just refreshed the brake fluid and cleaned the sliders etc.

The paintwork is starting to age with lacquer failure on the bumper and rust on bonnet and starting on sills/wheel arches. Not sure if I want to invest big money to put it right or patch up what I can and just drive it!

There is a thread on here somewhere about how to do your own bits of respray.

I don't believe I have the patience to do bodywork repairs to a standard I would be happy with. I'm also wary of resprays by anyone other than the best of car body specialist as I worry that the rust will just be covered up and will bubble right back through in 6 months time

I expect that mine could still be professionally done quite easily except for the bonnet which has rusted at the lower front edges. Really needs a new one which is expensive or may be not even possible to find anymore. Whatever, I am guessing at 2-3000€ at German rates to put everything right and I'm not sure it is worth it. It is my third and oldest car and daily driver so will always be in service in the worst of conditions. I guess I'm kidding myself if I think that it could be kept "like new".

Mine just passed after 8 years in a shed. Amazing but not sure what to do with it now.....

2016 coupe

Face book 'Like'

Take it for a long drive, then you'll know what to do.

Keep it!

Definitely keeping it, mostly because it is still worthless. I look at some of the bodged jobs and mods i did over the years and wish i'd kept it standard..... How we change with age.