Well, I picked her up last Friday. Was very happy with the deal I got from Broomhill Motors in Downham Market. The car needed a clutch release bearing, so I supplied a full LUK clutch kit for fitting, it also got a service, weepy diff fixed, and a years MOT. Can't complain for £2k.

Here were the pics it was advertised with...

The cars lovely, 122k on the clock, and well above average in terms of spec and condition.

However, the radio was shocking, so I popped in a new Alpine X100 (Car Audio Direct - Alpine iDA-X100 - USB Player) straight away so I could use my iPOD. Its not the best match in terms of illumination, but its such an awesome unit to use I just had to have one! It does sit nice and flush in the dash atleast, and the cable runs into the cubby below the OBC very nicely indeed.

Had a full 4 wheel alignment/geommetry done, and it drives so nicely now!! The camber and toe was out on the back, and the front toe was out too, all nice and to BMW specs for now

The alarm kept going off (although the siren had been disconnected), so I decided to lock the car with the key instead for the short term, however, the drivers door lock isn't working either!! So, with that in mind, here is the list of bits to get done in the short term...

Replace drivers door lock barrel (ordered)

Replace ignition barrel (ordered)

Fit E46 fan type washer jets (ordered)

Get some OEM mats (£95 from BMW :eek: - they can wait for a while)

Replace bonnet alarm trigger switch (ordered)

Replace glovebox with one with the soft release working (ordered, cheers Shropshire Parts!)

Source OEM first aid kit and warning triangle (think Shropshire Parts have a triangle for me!)

Source some tinted front indicators

Delense the headlights (when I actually find a guide to doing it)

Get all the parking dings taken out by my Dent Devils guy

Get the tiny spots of rust on the back door and o/s rear arch done by my bodyshop guy

Fit my new Crystal Audio front speakers.

Spray the parcel shelf satin black

Do something about the missing chrome strips on the kick panels

Give it a full detail inside and out

Fit my 18 button OBC (when the looms arrive from Shropshire!)

Get the lovely steering wheel retrimmed as its very tatty

Source a replacement gear knob

Only then will the mods begin. I'm a firm believer in OEM+, so it will be springs and dampers for a 15/30 drop, new bushes throughout, some BMW genuine 17s (probably Contours), a Z3 1.9 rack, LSD from an early 328i sport, and then maybe the DaveF/bbtb/inlet manifold/remap. Oh and maybe 330 brakes... oh does it ever end!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Will get some better pics up when its cleaned, including of the head unit etc.

Any feedback, or tips/suggestions etc very much appreciated!!

Edited 11 August, 200817 yr by Tom_vRS

Place your bets ladies and gentlemen, place your bets please.

Please note the date of this thread, how long before a new car replaces the BMW? :P

Nice looking car Tom btw, how does it compare to the Octy vRS?

I don't think its quite as quick as the vRS tbh, but it certainly feels every bit as quick.

I'm not as quick round the corners in it yet either, but give me time!!!

I'm certainly enjoying driving it though, puts more of a smile on my face than any other car I've driven

... puts more of a smile on my face than any other car I've driven

Until...

Nice car for its age and money, that's a big old lump under the bonnet; it should tune-up well.

May I wish you a happy smiley life together, for the next day or three at any rate.

Get some money put aside guys, once Tom is bored of this it will be an excellent used car buy.

Get some money put aside guys, once Tom is bored of this it will be an excellent used car buy.

Maybe this one's a keeper?? :P

Friend has an S reg 520.

170,000 on the clock.Still rock solid and even though its only a 2.0 still sounds really good

Enjoy the 328.Mind you there are some cracking car bargains out there if ever you get bored with it.....

Another motor............:eek:

You really do need to find something you like...........

Looks tidy, although it's got too many doors!

Looks tidy, although it's got too many doors!

I'd say it hasn't got enough, already missing having a hatchback and folding rear seats... :(

Ah

I quite like the e36 Coupe

when did the Mondy dissappear?

beautiful car btw.

How does it handle on twisties

Edited 6 August, 200817 yr by Captain Sisko

I'd say it hasn't got enough, already missing having a hatchback and folding rear seats... :(

Here's the first clue that it will be gone before September.....

You are just delaying the inevitable purchase of another Fabia vRS Tom

Very nice Tom.

Boston Green comes up cracking when it's clean.

Very nice

I'd say it hasn't got enough, already missing having a hatchback and folding rear seats... :(

The new Superb has a hatch and a boot ........ and it comes out in September

The new Superb has a hatch and a boot ........ and it comes out in September

Wonder how much a used one would go for in November

How long before you get that long list completed Tom?

To Alan, I give it Toms answer + 3 weeks

Tunning up naturally aspirated cars costs a small fortune. I have had several modified cars, with the traditional engine work being done by some tame nutters down the road as well as remaps etc. nothing gives you that same bang for your bucks as a remapped turbo. A real world useable 40 bhp does not come from an exhaust and remap no matter what they tell you. My local tuners used to show me the readouts of the RR sessions they did to supposedly fast fords etc. I do think the handling mods could be brilliant though Tom:thumbup:

Good luck

I give it 4 months;)

the lot of you!!

Apparently the 328 is a very soft state of tune as standard. Apparently a big bore throttle body, inlet manifold from a 325 (vastly less restrictive, about twice the size :eek: ) a decent intake and a remap give a good 30bhp+ on a healthy engine... Apparently.

Not seeking power hikes, or handling improvements or anything like that just yet. Just want to get it in mint condition and looking like it should.

the lot of you!!

Apparently the 328 is a very soft state of tune as standard. Apparently a big bore throttle body, inlet manifold from a 325 (vastly less restrictive, about twice the size :eek: ) a decent intake and a remap give a good 30bhp+ on a healthy engine... Apparently.

Not seeking power hikes, or handling improvements or anything like that just yet. Just want to get it in mint condition and looking like it should.

Cams, head work……it will never end.

Very nice Tom. You seem to change your cars as much as I did at your age, It's best todo it while you can and in the mean time if you don't make much of a loss and you learn something wheres the harm.

Nice car Tom. (If you haven't sold it yet).

Hope it treats you well. Interested on how the light mod works - Care to post up a little "guide" ??

You are just delaying the inevitable purchase of another Fabia vRS Tom

Errr, no I'm not!

I think the delense simply removes the lense from inside the headlight, and thus the internals are much more crisp and modern looking from the outside. I understand it does effect beam pattern though, so I'm a little aprehensive. Seems popluar to delense the main beam only for this reason.