Jim

I guess that is there to help make things a bit easier, but not strictly necessary. Still pretty interesting to learn about though - never knew that existed. I guess my best bet for getting it right at home is to just use a magnetic spirit level (such as this one - and just make sure one side looks good to the eye and then match it on the other side. Driver side camber seems OK actually, so just need to adjust the passenger side as that's got far too much negative.

After fitting my new suspension, I wanted to get a wheel alignment done. Left it too late, weekend approaching, so just zoomed into a nearby Kwik Fit. They have some super modern Hunter alignment system that can do every adjustment needed - camber, caster, etc. Car was driving fine prior to the suspension swap, but I knew my camber was well off so that was what I primarily wanted sorting. Car went up on the ramps, and half an hour later all done. Got the printout - all other adjustments sorted, but the camber hadn't been touched. I queried it and was told that they don't have the tools to do the camber, and they'd need to order in specific parts to do it?! As far as I know it's just a pair of spanners to undo the bolts! Is there some finer detail that I'm missing here? I assumed whilst a little fiddly, the camber was a doddle on these cars from a technical point of view. Either way looks as though I'm going to have to do this by eye myself in the garage at home now. Pretty annoying. Have to say though the mechanics were very complimentary - loads of them went over to check out the car, and the guy that worked on my car said he couldn't believe what good condition the engine was in - no leaks or anything. Says he regularly sees 2 or 3 year old cars in far worse condition. That was nice :)

It's an interesting one this. Ever since my first (!) engine rebuild a couple of years ago, I found that my car had started to do this in 4th gear. This has persisted through my second rebuild. Always wondered what could be causing it too, so will have to have a good read of this thread.

I've got some time tomorrow morning to pick up parts, and am coming up Sunday - so if you need tools or parts bringing to try fix her, let me know.

The problem with the place in Cov, whilst they're excellent, is the waiting time. My boss had his MK2 Scirocco booked in there - was booked in 6 months ahead of dropping it off. He dropped it off earlier in the year and has been told it's going to be about a year before they even start on it! So... unfortunately... you might as well write them off. I wanted to use them too (owner is good friends with my family) but he's utterly snowed under.

That seems extremely reasonable :) Thanks!

You should receive the most recent copy of the club magazine when you get your membership pack through? :) But failing that you can view them online here: http://www.corradoclubgb.co.uk/ccgb16/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=52&Itemid=207 You need to be signed in though.

I am still producing the magazine but I struggle for content. The idea of the magazine was always for members to submit content but in the last couple of years there has literally been nothing :( So it's been down to me, chazrad and a few others to try and dream up content, which has proven to be a challenge.

Can you give us an idea on pricing, Anna?

Scotland remains a perennial problem - none of the committee live anywhere near :( In fact I think I'm one of the furthest north here in Coventry believe it or not! If we could get an enthusiastic club member up in Scotland who wanted to become a regional meets organiser, we'd be thrilled to have them onboard.

Firstly I'll say we, as a part of the club committee, accept we've not really been delivering enough value for members in the last year or two. We have tried, and failed, to recruit new folks into the committee to take over various roles - some of us have been in place for 10 years now, and really would like new blood to take over, but we can't seem to make it happen. So enthusiasm has run out, and therefore so has output. This year is a particular low point. We are aware of it, and we will be trying to get a grip on it all in the coming months. But one of the biggest problems we've been having in recent years is attendance / interest in shows and meets. I'd accept the fact that members don't keep an eye on the events calendar / website which would be fair enough - we don't keep the website interesting enough so no reason to visit. But some of these events I've advertised on here as well - and had precisely no interest. Two examples come to mind. Firstly - Coventry Moto Fest a few months ago - centre of Coventry, event that takes over the entire city including motorsport / racing on the ring road (they even had the Aston Martin Vulcan - first time it had been run on UK public roads!) and absolutely loads of stuff to see. I think we had one person interested who subsequently dropped out. Secondly - the Birmingham NEC Classic Car Show and Restoration shows in November and April respectively. We continue to struggle to fill these stands so it usually ends up being full of committee folks - not because we WANT to dominate the event, but because we just can't get any interest in it, and having requested valuable floor space (when other clubs are actively being turned down) we absolutely don't want to let them down. Both are brilliant events for any car enthusiast - so why the complete lack of interest? And both in the centre of England (almost virtually the geographic centre in fact!) - what are you in a car club for if not to go to stuff like this? We'd love to have more open dialogue and discussion - I'm a regular member, and proactive both here and the CCGB and have been forever - TALK TO ME!! :) I think unfortunately that's a part of it. Personally I think the formality of a committee and annual general meetings makes it seem far too stuffy. It's an element of things that I've personally never liked but it seems for some reason that we're bound / stuck to it.

They look the bees knees!

Too true mate :)

It's extremely depressing to know you've been screwed. Looks as though the previous owners already knew it was on borrowed time and got shot of it, or the place you got it from did. Either way I really do feel your pain. Hope it behaves for a while now :(

It's rusty with a heavily stone chipped front end - but it always looks ok in a photo :) I've decided I'd quite like to go back to BBS Solitudes too - think I prefer them over the Speedlines after all. Washed the cobwebs and spiders off the set I have sitting in my garden and will be seeing about getting them sent off for refurb in the not too distant future I think. Just need to find somewhere local and decent.

Well time for an update! Not long after buying the car about 6 years ago I got new suspension fitted - Bilstein B4 dampers and some KW lowering springs. Honestly that combo never felt right and after a couple of years it became worse and got to the point this year where I was convinced that the dampers were not even working any more - evidently B4's don't like being teamed with lowering springs! The car was so bouncy on the front.. cornering felt like trying to steer a boat around... potholes felt extremely bad, like the car would really crash into them. Something needed to be done. I thought about returning to OE suspension but thought it would end up being a bit of a minefield trying to find the correct springs for a VR to not give that sort of comical really late ride height. I took a punt on the AP coilovers which are I guess mid range bargain basement. I just couldn't stomach £700+ on suspension!! They're made by KW and apparently look very similar to the V1's, but just don't have the inox coating - so I'll need to keep an eye on them. However for £340 delivered they seemed worth a go. In addition I ordered new top mounts for the front and rear (, and new nuts and bolts all round too and fitted the suspension myself. It was a bit of a ballache to be honest - I assumed it would be a cakewalk (which on paper it is) but the logistics of getting the car up, dropping stuff out, etc with only one crappy trolley jack and two axle stands soon became apparent! Only problem was bolts on the rear which secure the struts to the rear beam - the ones that came off my car were much longer than the ones I was supplied. I guess because I have an aftermarket antiroll bar setup, the bolts were longer to compensate for that?! No idea, but reluctantly I had to re-use them. Anyway - after some teething issues got them all on and I'm very pleased with how it's driving. Cornering is so many orders of magnitude improved over the old dampers it's hard to believe. Plus the car doesn't crash into potholes any more - the damping is actually really good. Going to try get a wheel alignment done tomorrow - camber on the front is a bit excessive :) Here's how it's sitting this evening.

Question for you Jim Bowen regarding the non return valve... which direction does the water flow on that line? :) I ordered one and it came the other day but then I couldn't work out which direction coolant would be going! I guess if the problem is draining then it should be heading towards the throttle body?

Really wish I could make the Saturday! Sunday only for me unfortunately because of a wedding on the Saturday :(

I'm gobsmacked that VW have actually done a new production run of such parts. I'm starting to believe that maybe they are reasonably serious about helping keep our old cars on the road!

Great news, Anna. Definitely be after a set of these once they go into production :) What's the situation with the rear plates? I know they're still available but just wonder if it's a matter of time before VW obsolete them. Would you be willing to look into getting those reproduced as well?

Strong money, but nice low mileage and super desirable cream leather Recaro's... should think that will sell at that price!

Folks should stick their forum ID on a note in their windscreen or wear a little badge even :)

Looks like a lot of Corrado for the money. Should be an easy sale.

Looks terrific, Nikki :)

Agreed! Good value for sure.