James.

Well that was a hoo har over nothing in the end. Went out this morning, got delayed, didn't get back in time for the auction ending and missed the Nothelles. Bummer, my wheelometer was swinging that way as well. Might be a good omen in the end. I like the way I can park the car up anywhere and not be that bothered about it. I'd probably think differently if I had a set of super rare wheels bolted on. Thankyou everyone for the feedback either way. James

Fnar Fnar

And that's why they appeal so much. They are unique, in a Borbet Teddy bear kind of way (Which I also like). Thanks Karl

Sounds like the relay to me. Think it's number 21. Pull it out and give it a try.

Crumbs. Didn't think the question would split the audience quite so much. I like the Nothelle's, in a "concept car" kind of way. They look futuristic, but also a little retro in the same breath. Yet the Borbets look just right. I'll have a pow wow with Arthur in the morning on the way over to Manchester. Thanks once again everybody.

One of my mates has just finished his MA and was taught online by Steve Vai. Awesome. Either way, that wasn't relevant, but hey neither was pi55ing in a bottle so there you go. I bought a Varta silver from these guys last year. Had it on the VR6 then transfered it over to the 8valve. Hasn't let me down, the price was good and I think that's all is relevant: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-CORRADO-1-8-G60-160hp-87-95-Varta-Silver-Heavy-Duty-12v-Car-Battery-/230720780609?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b807b941#ht_1904wt_1168

Spotted them on the DDI site recently. http://www.dubdesignindustries.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=258&osCsid=48d1b037d9081f78574c3fa380ed0a04

What with the frankly awful weather we've been lumbered with over the festive period. I've had (too much) cabin time on my hands in front of the computer. Mulling over wheel options, spending money I haven't got, thinking up projects for the man lab and generally blowing time on this ere' site. In the next few weeks I'll be jumping back into (what feels like) the long forgotten VR6 rebuild. Until that time, I plan to round up the 8valve mods and hopefully draw a line under them before the end of January. Se here we are. A new year and a new dilemma. But not a bad one to have. As I mentioned above, I've had a little fettle with the images on Photoshop (quickly mind you) and created what you see below. I'm still undecided at the mo', so hopefully some of you can give me a gentle shove in the right direction. As always, many thanks in advance, James

Happy new year fellow Corrado-ers So yesterday I introduced the new boots to Arthur and out he spouts with "not too sure about them Jim bob". Charming, there's your dear narrator doing his bit for Corrado kind and treating him to a new set of shoes and he has a moment of uncertainty. Either way, much scratchy head moments ensued until I landed upon some different wheels. Now, some may class my taste in cars and trim a little oddball at times, but I've always liked these. I first saw them on a Rallye back in the 90's and thought that they were right up my strasse ! They seem to be quite rare, but that's not the reason for the prospective purchase. I think I'll try and photoshop them on and take it from there. As always, comments welcome

That should earn you a bit of garage time at least. Congratulations.

I'd have that re-trimmed. The right part is vinyl and has lost all it's outer stitching, along with wearing through. No amount of dye/paint is going to improve that. Whereas the left side is leather and would react better to the dying/paint. Most of the grey interiors I've seen have suffered from the age related discoloration of the vinyl and would benefit from a small amount of restoration. It's pretty straight forward to remove a bolster (though a lot easier when the seat is out of the car). Once the side black plastic trim is removed (not fitted to early cars), there's about a dozen hog rings to remove. Snip these off, then there's just two long plastic clips to remove from the inner part of the seat. You can always zip tie the material back on if you don't have hog ring pliers but my suggestion would be to give it to a trimmer to do. Matching the leather is the hardest part. It's one thing to get the right colour/tone. It's another to get the right texture. I can hook you up with a good trimmer if you like, but most upholsterers should make light work of this job.

In effect yes. There's bolts just behind the bumper to remove. One at the bottom of the wing. The ones that run along the bonnet shut. One at the top inside the door opening and one on the inside of the wing (you'll need to take the inner arch out). There's a raft of seam sealant in there so take your time. Quite a time consuming job to get right. Nb: above is based on a 92 vr6 and 96 8valve, but would imagine it's pretty much the same. Might be time to buy the Bentley Corrado repair manual. It's invaluable.

Because VW had issues with clearance (or at least the customers did) Hence the reason why the later cars had a 50mm spoiler and higher suspension. My 92 VR6 looks positively slammed compared to the 8 valve... But it ain't.

Redfox - I also agree that the grey is "correct" for the car. As you say, black wouldn't be right. Send me an image of the damage if you like. Though by the sounds of it, if it's just a seam split then you may be able to remove the cover, turn it inside out and have it re-stitched. It'll be a lot more awkward to repair if it's one of the French seams,so perhaps look at having new bolster leather whilst there ? Portent - yeah, it's a funny one. The belts kept catching and refused to return, which was a pain for passengers. Scratching my head I thought I remembered seeing inserts on the VR6 (92 year). Sure enough, the VR has them. A nice little mod, that I think must be a first on the forum ! C5 OEM - Thanks for your kind words Andy. I agree the wheels are great and have been a big fan for years. Seeing how well yours look really was the tipping point towards the purchase. As for detail, I'm not sure it's a detail car. Not like yours for instance. As I like to say about it "good from afar, but far from good". And that'll do me. With this one at least !

Thanks Ben / Kip, I agree they are one of the best period wheels available. That said, I've been quietly looking for a set since I bought the 8 valve. They're surprisingly rare in 16". Plenty available in 15" guise, but 16"s don't seem to pop up. I think they must change hands through word of mouth. Problem is (if it can be classed as a problem) that my other choice of wheels have popped up on a certain online auction site. I'll give it a few days to decide. And yes I also agree that the colour is superb. One of the Marshall old boys drove a VR6 at Prescott hillclimb in sherry pearl back in the late 90's. Since seeing that, I had to have that colour one day. Sad I know.

Wah wah waaahh. Congratulations to you all.

Awwww. Thought this thread was a pre new year request to do the conga. Gutted

Thought as much. You went for the budget version then. Top lad.

So have you placed a request for your old ones back yet ?

Red, K reg, spotted by the other half (couldn't confirm variety), parked up in Ashton (near Wigan), on Balmoral avenue. I swear blind, she's spotted ten times the Corrados I have in the last twelve months.

Yeah, you should weld up the rear windows and put a "No pies are left in this Corrado overnight" sticker in the back to finish the van off. Lifted the wheels out yesterday to see how much refresh work will be required. Not that bad at all to be honest, so I'm off to order the paint now. Tyres on in a few weeks, so I'll post up a fitted picture then. Andy (C5 OEM) I blame this mod purely on you. I could have probably suppressed my Borbet urge. Until I saw yours at Tatton. in the mean time, a visual trinket to whet your appetite...

You surprised me by selling them Andy. At the end of the day it's your car and you can fit what you want, but as I've said before, you had it right on the money with those fitted. Fit the Borbets for inclement weather and you're all fixed up. I know it can be a bit of a cliche'. Buy a Mk2, Corrado etc and fit RS's. But there's a reason why they're always in demand and always fitted to the best cars. Because they work, end of. It's fair to say you've chopped around a bit since then though. In a good way !

Sorry Karl, lost in translation. I meant that the suspension is for my 8 valve.

I wouldn't take it personal. Some people need to get from a to b as fast as possible (you know because they're the only ones who are busy) and have little courtesy for those that get in their way. For some reason, as mentioned before, whenever I cross paths with irate drivers, it's either young bids in lesbian chariots or middle aged family man in his road boat.

Thanks Karl, but it's for the 8 valve. Mk3 GTI set up ?