Back once again, having left the car with my mate to potter about with earlier in the month. Got it back today, and it's miles better feeling now - plus the spec has improved somewhat.

New black vRS headliner (which has sagged - will be dyeing the old one now)

New rear shocks and Whiteline rear anti roll bar

Black carpet from a 9N Polo

Rear electric windows and heated front seats (work in progress, due to LIN/CAN incompatibilities formerly, and a dead controller latterly). The windows do work, but only from their respective switches on their doors, not the main one at the driver's door. Seats are getting power, but the little controller on the passenger side doesn't want to play ball.

Overall, it's getting closer to being the way I want it to be, slowly.

Oh yeah, and I painted the front grille. It's darker in the flesh, and I wasn't keen at first, but it's starting to grow on me now.

Now, time to start acquiring parts for the other jobs.

Edited 24 July, 202524 Jul by AnnoyingPentium

8 hours ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

Back once again, having left the car with my mate to potter about with earlier in the month. Got it back today, and it's miles better feeling now - plus the spec has improved somewhat.

New black vRS headliner (which has sagged - will be dyeing the old one now)

New rear shocks and Whiteline rear anti roll bar

Black carpet from a 9N Polo

Rear electric windows and heated front seats (work in progress, due to K-Line/CAN incompatibilities formerly, and a dead controller latterly). The windows do work, but only from their respective switches on their doors, not the main one at the driver's door. Seats are getting power, but the little controller on the passenger side doesn't want to play ball.

Overall, it's getting closer to being the way I want it to be, slowly.

Oh yeah, and I painted the front grille. It's darker in the flesh, and I wasn't keen at first, but it's starting to grow on me now.

Now, time to start acquiring parts for the other jobs.

Looking good Ryan. What’s happened to your chrome loud pedal cover ?

2 hours ago, gav_is_con said:

Looking good Ryan. What’s happened to your chrome loud pedal cover ?

Thanks!

It's been a while since I fitted those chrome covers. I think the accelerator one was the wrong shape, and wouldn't fit over the existing pedal. I keep meaning to do something about it but it gets pushed far back up the priority list 😂

Welcome back folks. It's been a little while away.

It's been running okay for me. Not brilliant, however. Work really is needing done (see below), and it needs some time away to get that sorted (with my mate, also called Ryan). All plans are in place for the car to spend a wee while down there.

This is how it's sitting at the moment, with the Team Heko grille on to try and let it warm up quicker (there is some difference, in my not-so-scientific tests at least). The good news is that I finally got around to booking @Tech1e to fit my cruise control, and it has seriously improved the driving experience of this car. I wasn't too sure how cruise would be on the small 1.2 12v, but it's competent enough when I need it.

Issues I've noted so far:

- Rear axle isn't looking too clever, up for replacement with a disc conversion since the other Ryan will be in there.

- Front end shake, it's got a wobble up front and doesn't feel stable at speed. Same way it felt before the wishbone bushes were done.

- Knackered balljoint (probably related) on the driver's side front, as well just having the arm replaced at the same time.

- Struggling to get up to and stay at the correct temperature, suspected thermostat.

- Sort out wiring for electric rear windows to communicate with front.

- Interior light wiring. If the interior light is on, it turns off as the front passenger door is opened.

- Rear right tweeter beginning to fail. (I'll sort this myself)

I think that's all. I'll take it out tomorrow and probably find the rest of the issues. All in all, it's not bad for a car nearing 19 years old and 110k miles. It's doing well considering what I've thrown at it. Hopefully I can keep it going for a while yet - it might be end of life in the eyes of many, but I'm not one for giving up.

@AnnoyingPentium poly bushes if you can preferably all round. Simpler if the rear axle is getting swapped out. Dunno if Tech1e still has them but he got a few new in box when he took mine IIRC.

28 minutes ago, Lee01 said:

@AnnoyingPentium poly bushes if you can preferably all round. Simpler if the rear axle is getting swapped out. Dunno if Tech1e still has them but he got a few new in box when he took mine IIRC.

That's what I'm going for, or at least very very good rubber for the car. I've got some Meyle wishbone bushes to replace the PSB ones, they just don't feel good on the car weirdly.

3 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

That's what I'm going for, or at least very very good rubber for the car. I've got some Meyle wishbone bushes to replace the PSB ones, they just don't feel good on the car weirdly.

Keep the engine mounts OE, the rest can be poly bushed IIRC from others experience.

Nice to see you keeping this one on the road👍

Did I ever tell you about my MkI Fabia🤔

It was the summer of nineteen clickety three. We had a good summer that year. Not to hot, not too cold. I had a cloud to yell at......

MOT test passed with advisories today. One for the CV joint boot being in a bad way, and the other for a tyre that's due to be replaced.

Plan is to farm out the CV boot job to my mate, as I can't be bothered. The tyres are an easier (?) fix, seeing as my alloy wheels are currently away to get refurbished anyway. I presented the car for test with the free steel wheels on anyways.

Hoping 2026 will be a decent year for this wee car. Loads of bits to source yet.

6 hours ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

MOT test passed with advisories today. One for the CV joint boot being in a bad way, and the other for a tyre that's due to be replaced.

Plan is to farm out the CV boot job to my mate, as I can't be bothered. The tyres are an easier (?) fix, seeing as my alloy wheels are currently away to get refurbished anyway. I presented the car for test with the free steel wheels on anyways.

Hoping 2026 will be a decent year for this wee car. Loads of bits to source yet.

Not doing too bad if that’s all that came up on the MOT. Suppose you have other non MOT challenges to be dealt with. Still a keeper this one.

Holy thread revival, Batman!

First of all, it's important to note that I done my leg in back in April, by breaking my fibula and tibia in spectacular fashion, by slipping and falling from standard height - so not much has been done with the car. As it stands, I should get the moon boot of doom off next week, and can get fired back into this one.

Secondly, not long after MOT time I replaced the brake calipers, discs, and pads. Even on 239s it feels miles sharper. Negates the need for 256s quite yet.

Whilst I've been off out of action, I have been ordering parts for it. Stuff I've wanted to do for a while.

The Vogtlands are 40mm drop, apparently. Also not pictured are two Bilstein B4s for the front to match the rears, new top mounts, some freshly painted alloy wheels awaiting collection, and I've put the chrome grille trim back on. Those 9N Polo 14" alloys were free from someone I know, all I've done is fit fresh rubber to replace the steels after the MOT in February. I have a spoiler and pre-facelift front bump awaiting paint as well.

As it sits now is the same as it was before I broke my right leg.

Not bad, eh?

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by AnnoyingPentium