Magnet

Thanks Dan, I wonder if you can do the forum a kindness and let us have the pros and cons of Agreed Value insurance. Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth.

Please do not shout at me Peter - not acceptable behaviour on here. I and other forum members are trying to realistically advise you. I think an apology would be in order here. Many thanks, Gareth.

Thanks Peter, your problem is not associated with finding the correct colour code wing in pristine condition, but finding a body shop who doesn’t turn out substandard work. You don’t tell us the extent of the damage - a photo would be useful. Possible ways to find better bodyshops:- Ask at your local smallish car sales sites and take note of who they use. These chaps usually work on lowish margins, and need good work at reasonable prices. Seek out regional classic car clubs covering your area, and ask for advice there. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Peter, Sorry to be pessimistic, but I think you are on extremely short odds to find a wing in the correct colour and free from surface imperfections associated with storage and transport. What is wrong with your current one, that a reputable body shop can’t correct? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Stefan, but please keep it clearly explained. We will take it one step at a time. Just dealing with the temperature gauge first - and nothing else. How long does it take for the gauge to reach Normal? ( 90 degrees). Once the gauge gets to that temperature, does hold at that temperature for the rest of the journey? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Chris, So it’s failed its MOT, and the subframe has to be replaced now-? How did it pass last year? Cost? Not sure but I would think it could be a full day’s work x his hourly rate. Perhaps you could come back to us. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Stefan, Simple things first - is the car getting up to 90 degrees reasonably quickly, and then holding that temperature? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Paul, Worth trying a couple of squirts of WD40 around the swivel position. Please report back on whether it has eased the situation or not. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Peter, Where have you tried so far - to ensure we don’t tell you to search where you already have?

Hello Michael, I have removed your telephone number, since this is an open forum. Interested parties can contact you via. PM. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks David, Worth registering your ‘want’ on the on-line car breaker link sites such as Partsfinder - there are more. Kind regards, Gareth.

Where else have you tried David - to save us repeating actions already taken? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Rachael, If it were mine, I would be e-mailing Halfords CEO, seeking redress. Kind regards, Gareth.

Surely, any degree of ‘messing around’ with this 4 month old car is highly likely to run the risk of invalidating the warranty. Not my business, but if there is any element of PCP or finance involved in its purchase, it may be legally claimed that it’s not fully your property to mess around with anyway.

Hello Paul, I too just cannot understand the thinking on this, other than ‘ It’s out of warranty - tough!’ , and can well understand your dissatisfaction with the outcome, since it seems you have presented your case in text book fashion. I believe there is a definite underlying item defect within the cambelt and associated assembly, and I bet that cause could be established on strip down, but…. We certainly all share your disappointment, and please excuse me using your misfortune as advice to other owners :- DO NOT ABIDE BY VAG’s RECOMMENDATION THAT CAMBELT CHANGES ARE NOT NECESSARY ON A TIMED BASIS (previously 5 years). IF YOU DO, YOU DO,SO AT YOUR PERRIL. Sorry to ask more questions Paul, but I wonder what your intentions are for this once-valuable vehicle? Wishing you good luck with whatever you decide to do. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andy, Is it really a newish 2024 (as in your first post) car you intend to play around with? Profile - 2067! Kind regards, Gareth.

So was the battery only 48% charged, or 48% efficient? Just wondering who tested it for you, and whether you had a print out of the result to show the selling dealer? If not, he only has your word for it needing a new battery. As a matter of interest, what make battery did you buy, and was the new one coded to the car? Alternator output checked? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Nigel, It seems you have posted, and not responded to the request for further information. No doubt you have got good reason, but perhaps you would be kind enough to come back to us.

Halfords stores will be able to test the battery for you, and I would get the alternator output checked at the same time. If the battery tests as substandard, you would be well advised to report back before purchasing a new one, unless you don’t respect your wallet. Kind regards, Gareth.

Wondered how you are progressing with this Paul. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Rit, I’m really sorry to hear you are dissatisfied with the assistance you have been given on the forum. I don’t want to ‘take sides’, but I do want to be progressive, and I think Cliff has a good point - information is king. Very often, we have little to go with when opinion is sought - a bit like taking the dog to the vet, and vet trying to diagnose, when obviously the dog cannot tell him! We have to try to diagnose/ form opinion without access to the vehicle. Still….. Re your car and how I ( in bold) see it:- The discs appear to have a significant lip on the circumference, indicating wear. The disc thickness must be measured and its current thickness judged against the acceptable minimum, and equally important, that their thickness will remain within tolerance throughout the life of another set of pads. Of course, you don’t want to renew the discs without renewing the pads. I really don’t want this to offend, but since you have gone to the trouble of removing the wheels, it’s sort of automatic that you would measure disc and pad thicknesses since you were enquiring about which pads to use. Let’s hope all of this explains the situation, and is progressive, and please don’t be a stranger to the forum - we attempt to do our best with what we’ve got. Kind regards, Gareth.

Doesn’t seem you are going to come back to us then John!

Welcome Sean, Same branded tyres on each side of the same axle? Tyre brands out of interest. Checked tyre pressures against sticker inside fuel filler flap? Checked engine and gearbox mountings? Any vibration felt through brake pedal when braking? Bought from dealer? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, I seriously doubt that they are turnable offable. I believe they only operate once for x times of the windscreen washers. Again, I believe there are two pumps -but could be wrong. Worth checking if you can hear a pump operating, before getting at the washer reservoir to check for voltage at the pump/pumps, and for blockage in the outlets to headlight and windscreen washers. You will then need to blow the lines out if no further issues are found. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Re.your For Sale advert:- simply post ‘No longer available’ as an additional post next to the For Sale one.

Now tried P in M?