Hi all, I've just bought what would appear to be #348, (race blue, tint on rear windows, numbered leather seats...) But just to check, is there any other way I can check on the car that it is an SE? A plate or sticker or specific something somewhere? Car seems legit, I just get twitchy over these things. 

If it's a race blue 2007 VRS then it's an SE.

 

They were an end of run special for the UK importer, what makes you think otherwise?

Nothing in particular, paintwork is a bit sketchy in places, makes you think, well, a respray and a set of seats from a scrapped se... how hard would it be to fake? But, the paint code is 9463 on the option sticker, so I'm happy it's legit. 

(I'm a mechanic, work for myself and my father, but the building next door has a so called mechanic and panel beater who is well shifty, so I'm often caught thinking, "what would he do to stitch someone up?" when I'm doing my usual pessimist thing!)

 

I'll get it in the workshop next week and how big my list of repairs will be, but so far, (apart from the radio) the car looks totally stock!

So, a quick update, I've had a little time to look at some of the issues with 348, and I've had a little success. 
The previous owner had recently changed the nearside track rod end, but seemingly not re-tracked the car. It still feels a little out, but far far better, so I may have a deeper look next week. 
the fuel flap would not close, so I popped behind the boot trim and saw that the end of the cable had come out of the tube that goes into the flap, all still looked intact, so I reattached it, tested t a dozen times, and so far, so good! 

The rear end rattle was just where they hadn't reattached the tool kit and wheel to the floor, a lovely simple fix. 

Next up, I thought I'd have a look at the cruise control, a quick diagnostic scan picked up no reported issues with any part of the system, but I do get the odd bulb warning about the near side brake light, after inspection, it just wasn't in correctly, so I took it for a spin, and held the slider to on, and lo and behold, it works, it would seem that it was just user error on the cruise control not working, as the bulb fault wasn't on every trip. 

our aircon guy is due around in a fortnight, and the aircon currently makes wheezing noise, so that all looks prime for just a re-gas hopefully. 

 

Next up to tackle (Other than the slightest track issue) Is a tear on the seat bolster, but as of yet, I don't know any local upholsterers/re-trimmers to look at it. Then we're getting minor things like the rear wiper spindle cover, and a parcel shelf, and probably the headlamps, even after a buff they look tainted. 
Sadly after that, is a bunch of paint issues, and that I'm looking forward to much less!

 

But all in all, so far, so cheap! 

Well, I have loved this car, but today some old man, ran down the side of it, and my offside rear now has a 30 degree tow in angle, so I'm pretty sure that's done. It has not been a good day.

Absolutely gutted to hear that. Hope you are okay.

Sorry to hear about that. Not a nice start to the new year

not my best day, everyone else in the house has covid, paid £10 to watch a live stream of my local team in the fa trophy, only ended up seeing 10 minutes as the crash happened at kick off ( car was parked outside) and first thing I saw was the opponents going 1-0 up. we lost 5-1! 

Let's hope today is a better day, going to see how far up the road he pushed it, and maybe get it in the air a little and see how bent the rear axle is.

OK, so here we go with the pictures...

 

Where it ended - 

Rear movement - 

Front -

Looks OK from here - 

Wibbly Wobbly wing - 

Umm, something looks wrong - 

Wing Mirror - 

Definitely looks wrong - 

Squiffy - 

Good side - 

That'll need a pull - 

Good side spring - 

Tension on impact side spring - 

Bend popped the paint off! - 

Bent the rim - popped the tyre. 

Nasty wheel angle

Gutted for you. Is it economically viable for repair?

Yeah, the mount twisting, and that big bend in the axle, (in line with where the jack is pointing, where the paint has flaked off) give it some rear wheel steer! there are impact marks on the inner arch liner where it got pushed further but rebounded back a little when it didn't have a (non) mini stuffed in it. 

 

I don't think the insurance company will think so;

all 4 wheels have been marked, 1 is bent. 

1 new rear axle

1 new front wing

1 wing mirror

then paint the entire side (there are marks on both doors)

and a little pull to get everything back into shape. (our bodyshop friends had a look on our ramp, all doable.)

 

but for me, if I can call in some favours and do some work in trade, it'd be totally viable. 

29 minutes ago, dunmanifestin said:

but for me, if I can call in some favours and do some work in trade, it'd be totally viable. 

 

Music to my ears!

What a shame, hope you can get it sorted.

The poor wee car. I hate to see a cars future existence hang in the balance like this 

 

I wonder is it worthwhile sourcing a breaker then stripping what you need off it and selling the rest ...? 

 

You do need room to do this and its a lot of work but definitely worth considering if you get the right breaker - Your trade friends im sure will give you assistance !!