StirlingStorm

Well, I managed to get hold of the owner - it doesn't sound like my cup of tea any more but have a look at what he said and if anyone's interested, PM me and I'll forward his Email addy when I get back from my holiday at the end of the month. I didn't talk money but I expect he'd be happy to see it go for next to nothing seeing as he's risking it being towed! Oh and don't blame me for his spelling :) Here's what he said: "The car is a K plate still all standard apart from the K&N filter installled. It as a cloth interior. I will need a new battery and starter motor. It does move because I tried to jump start it with no luck. Its done about 140000 miles and is making a ticking nose when the engine is running. Have spoken to a few people who have said it could be the Top End needing attention although someone else did mention because I put new tappits in that it might be the fuel pump. Not enough pressure or something. All the electrics still work and as far as I can see they are the only problems. It really should go to a good home."

Actually I meant Aberdeen, Canada - honest! Go that way...

oo can you? I had a look on their website and couldn't find any info other than the fact its tax ran out in March. Surely someone must still be the registered keeper though so how could I take over ownership without his/her consent? If I could get them to tell me who it is I could maybe contact them and offer to take it off their hands I spose... Anyone else got an idea?

I got a call today from one of my old mates from Aberdeen. He says there's been a black K reg VR6 sitting outside his house for months now without being touched. It's now got tickets on it saying it's going to be towed if it's not claimed soon. It looks in fairly good nick apparently so it would be such a shame if it did get towed. Does anyone know what happens to unclaimed motors like this? I'd give it a home if I thought it was possible.

My Storm's getting well ropey now so I need a new car before long, this might just be the one. Having said that I read somewhere recently that VW are planning 5-10 new models in the near future, I reckon the chances of one of them being a Corrado replacement must be quite high... maybe I should wait!

Might be an interesting modding project though - bet it would look good slammed and with a better set of wheels :)

Well, here's the lowdown on the production version of the Concept C tin-top convertible. VW Eos - Frankfurt Motor Show Press Release More discussions here! I dunno about you guys but a VR6 Eos looks like my next car! I'm also told the pics don't do it justice (especially from the side) so it would be interesting to see one in the flesh... Opinions?

I'm in Delabole this weekend, if anyone sees a battered old Storm with the reg plate of 667 FVW gimme a toot!

Ah excellent! I've found a mechanic whose going to give it a go for me, I'll let him know about the site just in case he's got the interweb :) I couldn't see any of the pics unfortunately but the text is clear enough. Cheers! Oh and BTW I was only joking about before Friday but ta!

Ah thanks for the response, it's most welcome :) I was basing my bearing diagnosis on the godawful crunchy-grindy noise the thing was making by the time I got to Exeter plus the fact that the pulley was still spinning but at an angle as opposed to rattling about. Good news about jacking the engine up though, at least it doesn't need to come out completely. Cheers for the help! Anyone else got any advice on where I can take it? Oh and PS - if you can get that guide up before Friday that would be lovely! *wink*

O dear - I've had my first serious mechanical failure while travelling long distance. My lovely Storm has never let me down on a big trip before :( Here's the story... I was travelling from Staines (I'm working down here for a few weeks before u ask!) to Cornwall on Friday to spend the weekend with some friends and when I got there I noticed there was a squeal coming from the engine bay. I had a quick squint but not being overly mechanical I didn't see anything too wrong. The noise was coming from the serpentine belt area but there was no chance of getting it fixed in Cornwall over a weekend so I had to hope it would last until I got back to Staines. On the Sunday evening while travelling back I got as far as Exeter (about 70 miles) before I realised that the noise had got a whole lot louder and a lot nastier too - it was now resembling a bag of bolts in a washing machine. Erp! Well, I know a busted bearing when I hear one and sure enough, when I stopped at Exeter services and checked, the serp belt was half hanging off and the pulley for (I think) the water pump was sitting at a very unhealthy angle indeed! I had to get back to Staines for work so I was forced to leave my beloved 'Rado at the services in Exeter and arrange for it to be picked up by a local garage. Nightmare! Ok, now you've all enjoyed my tale of mishap and misfortune, it's time to ask some questions! 1) Does anyone know of a decent VW specialist in the Exeter area? 2) If it is the water pump pulley bearing that's gone (and I'm 99% sure it is), does the engine have to be dropped to replace it or can it be done without all that fuss? 4) Finally, assuming I have to replace the serp belt, tensioner, water pump pulley assembly and possibly even the water pump itself, how much do you guys think this is all likely to set me back? Maybe if it's that big a job I'd be as well to get it delivered to the local dealer... Ta for any advice you can give me!

I don't think the bigger ones are cheaper any more - I just called GPC and the 50mm one is £35 plus VAT while the 90mm is £70. Anyway, they're only £6 cheaper than the dealers and it would cost more than that to get one to me so it's dealer or someone local with a spare one for me still... Anyone want my lovely money? ...o and if you do get a 50mm I know someone who wants your 90mm one! Wouldn't fancy trying to fit it in a letterbox though, right enough ;)

If anyone sees a 90mm front spoiler somewhere beside the road between Aberdeen and Stirling then hands off - it's MINE! Seriosuly tho, does anyone in the area have a spare one? I'm loath to give away money to a dealership if anyone out there has one kicking about they don't need - I'd rather line your pocket than theirs! Ta in advance ;)

Yep, I think we can say it's definitely the control box from a Scorpion alarm. I just checked on Ebay and there's a pic of a Scorpion system and it has the exact same size box with the same wire coming out of it and the same fixing lugs on it too. It's no use to me so if anyone has a b0rked control box let me know and it's yours for a bag of crisps and a couple of second class stamps (mind you it might not work I spose!)

it does indeedy! Any use to anyone if it is?

Ok, I just cleared out my parts bin the other day and I found a strange black box with a load of wires coming out of it. From memory I think it's something I whipped out of a mangled VR6 when I was in the local scrappies looking for a couple of switches or something and from where it was I think it's some sort of alarm box. It has a part number on it of "998 VAG 153" and underneath that says "M.P.T. 1340" and "W.T. LICENCE EXEMPT" underneath that too. Anyone know what it is and does anyone need one? It has half a wiring loom with a whole pile of connectors and fuses/relays on it too but they're hacked off halfway down (wasn't me BTW!) so if it's of any use to anyone let me know. Oh it has a date of August 1997 on it too if that helps. Ta in advance!

Yeah it does look very Chrysler now you mention it. Shame really, the concept is bang-on I think, just let down by the styling a bit. Apparently, according to the Top Gear site it's going to get a V6 option when it comes out in spring 2006 so at least it's sounding better in the engine department even though they do say the styling won't change much. One hand giveth whilst the other puncheth thee in thy knackers :) Phat, you're right about new cars, most are pretty unattractive. I'm hoping my Storm stays in one piece for 3-4 more years before it gives up & I have to start worrying more seriously about what to replace it with.

Yeah I have to say it doesn't quite strike me as a design classic in the looks department but I've seen a lot worse. I'm hoping if it does progress beyond Concept then the production model will be a bit more attractive. Having said that, it's not a bad looker as it is and the idea of a decent Coupe and a decent convertible in one does make me a bit flexible looks-wise. I think the colour isn't doing it any favours either . Lets see what happens when it comes out! What does the A3 convertible look like then - is it a tin-top as well?

I've posted about exactly this before 'cos my Storm is starting to get a bit long in the tooth and bugger me if I didn't discover VW are possibly going to produce my perfect car soon. Being brand spanking new it won't obviously be in your 10k band (prolly closer to triple that) but just in case nobody's heard of it yet I thought I'd mention it anyway. It's called the VW "Concept C" and it's a tin-top convertible/coupe thingy. Sounds the business to me as long as they drop in a VR6 and give it Syncro. I'm sure u bunch have already seen it and I'm going over old news but just in case, you can see what I'm talking about here: http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/N ... gen/1.html For me it's pretty much exactly what I was looking for in a replacement (not in silver tho - bleurgh) but what do you guys all think?

correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought the Imprezas had a flat five not a flat four...

Well, I've often thought about what I'll end up driving once my Storm finally goes over the hill but even tho it's 8 years old and has 80k on the clock it's still a super drive and (god I sound old saying this) pretty practical too so I'm stumped for a direct replacement. I suppose for me it might be a *spit* BMW M3 *spit* but it does come with a lot of unwanted stigma. I still don't know... What does everyone else think? Not that I'm planning on changing but u know, it's gotta happen one day... So cmon peeps, what wheels could you see yourself in if the unthinkable happened?

If so this looks like the ideal project :) Yum! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... gory=38724

Well, this might be a bit too late seeing as the last post was on Monday but what about alcantara for the dash? I always fancied having an alcantara interior...

Why is it that people think saying "No offence but" before offending someone makes it any less offensive? Beats me! Of course you're entitled to an opinion, we all are - that's kind of the definition of a Forum after all but tact comes into it too. For example, let's say I'm in the pub one day and a fat bloke strikes up a conversation with me. I am of course perfectly within my rights to say "Hello fat bloke, my opinion is that you're a bit of a porker and you really should think about shedding some of that blubber there. Have you tried the Atkins diet?" but it's not likely to win me any popularity contests :) Ok, not a great analogy but it's late and I want to go to bed so it's the best I can do! All I'm really saying is I feel your opinion, regardless of its validity was rather hurtful considering I've only just arrived and you haven't even had the chance to get to know me yet. If you're not that bothered about first impressions and you couldn't give a toss how I feel about what you've said then fine - that's your decision but I for one couldn't be that arrogant and something tells me you're not either. Ok, 'nuff said, handbag retracted, time to forget the whole episode!

keep me posted on any Stirling meet info :)