1998 LE 99 Crono, 40,000 genuine miles

I think it would be good to start a thread on what must be one of the lowest mileage coupes' around.

The car was bought on the 10th May 2013, 2 owners, last owner (a Professor) had it for 12 years and it did approximately 15,000 miles in this time.

To give you an idea, the mileage is now 40,100 and the cambelt was changed at 36,000 miles ....... that was over 5 years ago!

The car spent most of it's time stood still, outside, so while the mileage is low and the general condition of the car excellent, time and none use have taken their toll.

The interior leather looks like it has never been treated, lots of cracking on the leather, the paintwork generally never protected and surface rust is taking hold on most all components underneath the car. Though, the car has been over serviced considering the mileage (engine wise).

The chassis, boot well and other areas that can be affected by rust are fine, but a lot of the suspension components are looking worse for wear.

Here's how she stands now...










The car is remain standard from the outside, the lacquer peel will be addressed by a complete respray, the wheels to be re-furbed, the brake system, the sub frames (front and rear), engine compartment components replaced or refreshed, cam belt, turbo, clutch, slave cylinder, so on so forth to be changed.

Lot's of work to do then, but considering the rarity of the vehicle, colour and model, it's well worth the effort and the expense.

I'll update here as and when, the restoration will be carried out by FCSS (CountryCruising on here) as I will be working abroad. I get to drive it though

Interior shots after first leather treatment..

She's gone through a number of upgrades over the past few weeks. Suspension refresh, strengthened front sub-frame, all new hoses, new turbo, thermostat, water pump, cam phase sensor, clutch slave cylinder, etc.

I will list fully exactly what once I come back to the UK and Joe at FCSS let's me know in more detail (the car is in his capable hands).

Barnacle also made me a shiny new widget that got installed. Mucho's Gracias

Here's a few shots.....courtesy of Joe

Leighton (Flea), is kindly popping up to the FCSS workshop to map my car and new bigger turbo this week. The most exciting part for me though, is that he will be installing a small and simple switch (in a discreet position) that will allow be to flick from low to high boost. Like he did for DLT's monster coop.

It's stuff kid's dreams are made of, James Bond style, flick the switch and mad power is available, lol, this really will be a highlight for me and something I boast about to my friends - yep, I am really that sad

Work carried out to date..all new


Belts
Water pump
Cam phase sensor
Rocker cover gasket
Thermostat
ECU temp sensor
Fresh coolant
2x Front top suspension mounts and bearings
Wishbones and drop links
FCSS welded front subframe
Front ARB bushes
Silicone water hose kit in black, new clips
Clutch slave
Millers oil, filter and plugs
N/S gearbox mount and bolt
Spax lowering springs
New turbo oil return pipe
Adjust and set tracking

Not too much done by myself during this visit home. Basically tried to get out and enjoy the car before returning back to Istanbul. Loads of work was carried out (as above) whilst I was away.

She drives lovely, really smooth engine, lots of power and very refined on the motorway and A roads.

Mario did me a huge favour and painted me a crinkle paint LE cover. I wanted this to keep her as original as possible, the old one was looking worse for wear really.

Old rocker cover..


New rocker cover


Cams look nice and smooth and egg shaped too


New cam belt looking strong and tough!


Unfortunately, Royal Mail managed to break a small piece off the rocker cover with poor handling of other peoples goods! Luckily it's an area that cannot really be seen and does not affect the seal at all



I fitted some new grey powder coated alloys, as the old LE painted wheels were looking a little shabby for my tastes.




Fitted a new stereo, I am keeping the original, that works perfectly with no loss of pixels in the display and no scratches, but I wanted (as did my daughter) a system that could plug a iPhone/itouch/ipod into it directly. To this end I fixed my litttle ipod with velcro just under the starter button - this adds a modern look to the car and provides extra nightime illumination - I don't know why but I like dashes that have lots of lights on in the evening?

I got a nice Kenwood Unit that suits the speakers and dash colouring. I also have a becker unit from one of my previous coupes - but cannot remember the code to unlock it.



Added some Hids and that's about it really....she'll be covered up tomorrow evening, battery removed and left resting (keeping the milage low) until I return home once again.

Lastly, here she is posing for the camera Looking forward to xmas and returning home once again!



Comments - if any - into the discussion thread please
Discussion Thread

Battery out, cleaned and protected ready for a few months rest

Great to maintain the low mileage though

A little update since the last. The car is still as above, but will be picked up by Joe for a little make-over and gentle run (been stood for 3 months) down to his new workshop early next week.

Next to be fitted is a low mileage Stage 2 Turbo (originally from Barbz), a low FMIC (no bumper cutting) and some fine adjustment to the window washer (that does not work) and the headlight adjuster; also not working!

Then I'll be running her gently down to see Flea on the 22nd for a map and a 'little' power switch installing (high and low boost).

Here's the turbo to be fitted…


Will update the thread again when back in the UK and this little lot has been installed.

Update - Turbo fitted, new FMIC fitted ….. now the clutch is slipping so unfortunately no mapping was carried out. Looks like new clutch time!!

Also got a complete flocked dash put in …..

Here's the latest update - Covered again!!

Back to the UK. Took the cover off the car, connected the battery and she started first time. No noise, no tapping, great!

More work carried out on the car (Joe @ FCSS).

Next step was to get the clutch replaced (due to the old one not being able to cope with the new more powerful turbo). I needed this done pronto as I really wanted to get driving this car; I'd only done around 200 miles in her since I bought her. After a little research and posting some questions on the forum I ended up going for a half organic and half paddle type.



I was a little dubious about fitting a paddle type as I really drive the car only on the road and rarely push her to the limits, so wanted something that allowed the engine to cope with the increased torque whilst also being drivable in daily traffic.

Once fitted, I took the car home and I must say am I pleased with the results. Sure, there is some judder pulling away in 1st, but it's more than tolerable (IMO) and the pedal is really nice and light.

I actually stayed to watch Joe fit this and help where I could (coffee making), I really had no idea how much was involved with fitting a new clutch; I also saw how important it was to have someone doing the job with experience of such things.

So, we have another job done on the car, the end result was definitely a worthwhile investment…..finally, booked in for more work during early January, before I return, once again, to work abroad.

Had the car mapped by Flea yesterday. She's now running nicely with a FMIC and new stage 3 turbo. Not tuned to it's limits, running a simple switch for off (0.9 bar) and on (1.3 bar). Car feels so much better now and plenty of poke too.

This morning, I spent time tinkering....

Started with a good clean of the car, first one since she was put under cover. I must say, after being abroad for so long, it was nice to be cleaning the car in my driveway. I'd been looking forward to it

Fitted some LED sidelights - second set, first set lasted all of two months!!

Fitted a set of aero wipers, after a journey to Gloucester the other night in torrential rain, these are definitely needed



Then changed over the old coolant tank for a clean one (thanks Nizmo)



Then put on some new engine bay stickers (thanks Kayjay)


Lovely morning and it didn't rain!

Update - fitted a set of 5000K HiDS. The first set I fitted a few months ago decided to pack it in after probably about 1 hours use! eBay's best!

Fitted a Becker stereo in. These are relatively little talked about as car stereo's. They are a high end German brand, fitted into Porsche, Mercedes and other top marque cars as standard issue.

The one I have (a Mexico Pro) fits perfectly, no surrounding cage needed, they just fit into the hole for the stereo perfectly and fix in via some nifty little pre-sprung clips on each side of the unit (can be released with a feeler gauge to allow removal if you have nothing else). These locate perfectly behind the coupe dash. Bonus!

Great sound quality and an amber back-light matches the dash nicely

Also had fitted a boost gauge and pillar pod so I can keep an eye on the boost levels.





Any discussion to the discussion thread please > CLICK HERE

Just a small job today, but one of those jobs that I have wanted to do for a while. The washer bottle!

They do get pretty dirty inside after 15 years being on the car! So they need addressing at some point.

I went down the route of exchanging one at FCSS, and spending time cleaning the exchange one before putting it on the car. It was a good opportunity to clean out the tank completely and also clean the filter on the old pump - it was dirty!!

1 hour job, pleasing result.



Comments to discussion thread please

Another couple of small jobs done today at Joe's (FCSS), I did some and Joe/Jake did others.

Firstly the horns and horn bracket were replaced (painted bracket and new horns supplied by FCSS - he has loads!) This is another of those small jobs that make a difference when viewing the engine bay. My old horns and brackets were in okay condition with very little rust but all were, well, old and looking worse for wear.



General view before RamAir installation



The next job was the installation of my 'boost' switch. Flea had installed one temporarily for me but I wanted a different switch permanently installed. The switch was purchased from Maplin.

Off - red cover down is 0.9 bar and ON - red cover up 1.3 bar boost.

Off


On


Lastly, Jake installed a RamAir filter to replace my standard air cleaner. I'll keep this on until I get bored of the extra noise.

So, little jobs, but good ones


Comments to Discussion thread (if any) please

New mid section exhaust fitted a few days ago.

Having bought a 2.75" blue flame back box I needed a section made up to connect this from the cat to the back box. Same size of pipe (2.75").

Another job done and the blue box sounds very nice.

If anyone is selling a 200 cell blue flame cat, I would be interested to hear from you.


All comments to discussion thread please > HERE

Summary of the project to this point. Also at a point where I am considering selling the beast.

Time to summarise what's gone on to date (past 8 months)

All parts brand new or refurbished to as new condition

Belts
Water pump
Cam phase sensor
Rocker cover gasket
Thermostat
ECU temp sensor
Fresh coolant
2x Front top suspension mounts and bearings
Wishbones and drop links
FCSS welded and strengthened front subframe
FCSS lowering springs
Front ARB bushes
Silicone water hose kit in black, new clips
Clutch slave
Millers oil 10/60CFS, filter and plugs
85/90 Mobile1 G/box oil
N/S gearbox mount and bolt
Orange turbo oil return pipe
Tracking
Dual friction FCSS clutch
Interior fan
Centre console flocked
Blue Flame 2.75" cat back exhaust system
T28 Hybrid Stage 3 turbo
FCSS FMIC (no bumper cutting)
Stereo
Powder coated wheels
Revamped LE Wheel centre caps
Horns and horn bracket
Crinkle painted LE Rocker cover
Boost valve and rocker switch (FC Performance)
Remap to approx. 280bhp (FC Performance)
HID's (500K)
LED side lights
Coolant tank
Washer bottle tank
Aero wipers (x3)
Engine bay stickers
Drive shaft seal
New battery
Matching boost gauge and pod
Leather interior cleaned and treated with high quality products.
MkIV Widget

Discussion thread here >>> CLICK

That time has come again. Great 6 weeks at home, now time to return abroad to earn the pennies.

Thorough wash and light wax before parking up, removing the battery and covering.

Mileage now 42,500 and oil pressure great

Last few shots for a while



Comments, if any, to discussion thread

What car cover is that?

Car sold - please lock the thread.

It's from Halfrauds Steve. Size medium.

locked

locked