Money tree wanted!

[boost monkey 0]

For example, you shouldn't need any imperial (inches) sockets or spanners as everything on the Corrado is metric. Some handy bits you might have:

 

30mm socket for hub nuts,

34mm spanner for track rods (if you're gonna play with the rack)

22mm drop-ring spanner or drive-through socket for top mounts,

7mm allen key/socket for top mounts,

Spring compressors,

2ft breaker bar,

Piston wind-back tool (for calipers),

11mm spanner for caliper bleed nipples,

Ball-joint separator (for lower ball joint from hub removal, and track rod end from hub removal),

Torx bits (I forget the sizes) for inner driveshaft flanges and cylinder head bolts.

 

They're just some bits which I've used recently which are really useful if you're planning to do a lot of stuff yourself :salute:

[rajarella 0]

Cheers Boost Monkey that is a very handy list. I have got quite a bit of that stuff.

[moneypit23 0]

My money tree died (along with my bonsai :( )

 

I agree, these cars are hideously expensive to maintain sometimes. When i think of what else i could have done with the money i've spent on mine, i could cry.

 

Its getting that bad i'm being forced to shed a couple of wheels and get a bike.

[rajarella 0]

I think the only thing that keeps me going is seeing other people spend 16k+ on cars with similar performance that everyone else has got. I like to think we are unique in our car choice no matter which flavour C we own. I almost feel proud!! :nuts:

[yeti 0]

I think the only thing that keeps me going is seeing other people spend 16k+ on cars with similar performance that everyone else has got. I like to think we are unique in our car choice no matter which flavour C we own. I almost feel proud!! :nuts:

 

couldnt have put it better myself, to be in a 14 year old coupe and still dik on alot of modern machinery is a great feeling, especially when the new golfs etc cost so much and have the same power and are heavier! (given the choice were it not my money i'd probably take the gti though :camp: ) i kind of like the fact we're a strange community even within the car nut world who are determined not only to let their C live on but improve and iron out any difficulties despite the heartache (and i've only had mine 18months! lol)

[steve_16v 0]

My money tree died (along with my bonsai :( )

 

I agree, these cars are hideously expensive to maintain sometimes. When i think of what else i could have done with the money i've spent on mine, i could cry.

 

Same here, since I started using mine for work 16 months ago it's done about 20k miles and racked up bills of almost £4K in that time :help: (not including £1.5K for insurance and a £250 a month fuel habit). Today alone it cost me £138 at the stealers for a few parts, one coolant hose alone was £45!

 

And yet, despite the horrendous running costs and near constant hassle from friends, family and coworkers to get rid, I couldn't trade it in for anything else. Sure, there are days when something else breaks and the appeal of something sensible like a two year old A3 tdi grows stronger, but a quick blast down a deserted A road soon sees to that.

 

Recently, when leaving work one day, a man in the street shouted "nice car mate" as I was pulled away :) You wouldn't get that in any of the cars I could afford to replace the C with.

[matty golf 0]

same hear there aint much on the car i dont do i get friends to help me when i get stuck.the money i have spent on he thing is unreal and when summat brakes and i have to find a part its like ffs im gonna buy summat new then remembered i sold summat new for this. then a quick blast makes me turn into akid again and i fall back in love only with a litre less blood and an empty wallet the cars know when ur skint then know when the weather is bad mine aint a daily cause i couldnt cope and it wouldnt have that special factor i think ever the local plod like it and the looks i get off ppl is priceless

 

if carlsberg made cars it would be the raddo

[Adz The Rat 0]

Gutted to hear about the growing bill.

 

I would love to learn more bits about how to do jobs on my car, was practising puttin tyres on last week.

Dont mind practising on somethin cheap but dont want to mess somethin up on the VR.

 

Where would I get the Bentley manual?

[Critical_Mass 10]

To be honset, its a typical dealer reaction. You take your car in for one job and you get told how much itll be. They then assess other areas of the car, most not related to the reason youre in there in the first place, and come up with a list of extra jobs they have 'noticed'. Went in for a pedal box fitting to my gfs lupo, they rang saying the rear window washer wasnt working, which we knew but didnt want fixing at that time, it wasnt in for the rear washer jet. It apparently needed new brake pads and discs, although id replaced them 3 months earlier. They also said it needed a neew bumpstop, again it didnt.

 

Personally i would get done what you went in the garage for in the first place, and if the list of other job bothers you, id go somewhere else for an opinion

 

My 2p.

[biggrim 0]

Here ya go matey!

[rajarella 0]

To be honset, its a typical dealer reaction. You take your car in for one job and you get told how much itll be. They then assess other areas of the car, most not related to the reason youre in there in the first place, and come up with a list of extra jobs they have 'noticed'. Went in for a pedal box fitting to my gfs lupo, they rang saying the rear window washer wasnt working, which we knew but didnt want fixing at that time, it wasnt in for the rear washer jet. It apparently needed new brake pads and discs, although id replaced them 3 months earlier. They also said it needed a neew bumpstop, again it didnt.

 

Personally i would get done what you went in the garage for in the first place, and if the list of other job bothers you, id go somewhere else for an opinion

 

 

My 2p.

 

I appreciate this does happen but I do trust the garage I take it to, I wouldn't take it there if I didn't. They have been great in the past and they gave me the option of whether I wanted the work done or not. I would rather they do it the the main stealer or a 2-bit garage that is used to working on Kev'd up Corsa's and Fiesta's.

[Critical_Mass 10]

To be honset, its a typical dealer reaction. You take your car in for one job and you get told how much itll be. They then assess other areas of the car, most not related to the reason youre in there in the first place, and come up with a list of extra jobs they have 'noticed'. Went in for a pedal box fitting to my gfs lupo, they rang saying the rear window washer wasnt working, which we knew but didnt want fixing at that time, it wasnt in for the rear washer jet. It apparently needed new brake pads and discs, although id replaced them 3 months earlier. They also said it needed a neew bumpstop, again it didnt.

 

Personally i would get done what you went in the garage for in the first place, and if the list of other job bothers you, id go somewhere else for an opinion

 

 

My 2p.

 

I appreciate this does happen but I do trust the garage I take it to, I wouldn't take it there if I didn't. They have been great in the past and they gave me the option of whether I wanted the work done or not. I would rather they do it the the main stealer or a 2-bit garage that is used to working on Kev'd up Corsa's and Fiesta's.

 

How about a private VW specialist garage? Dont get me wrong im not saying all dealers are like that. But thats what i have experienced before in the past. PLus the labour rate is appauling, how much is the going rate these days £60p/h?

[yeti 0]

Gutted to hear about the growing bill.

 

I would love to learn more bits about how to do jobs on my car, was practising puttin tyres on last week.

Dont mind practising on somethin cheap but dont want to mess somethin up on the VR.

 

Where would I get the Bentley manual?

 

i got mine from septic tank amazon

 

http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Corrado-Official-Factory-Repair/dp/B000N6ZVW8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215691889&sr=8-7

 

but it seems they dont have any atm

 

there is one on the uk site butits a fortune... £85!!!

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Volkswagen-Corrado-Official-Factory-1990-94/dp/0837603870/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215691971&sr=8-1

 

o and VW labour is £95 p/h!!! :censored: i took mine to a backstreet vw specialists and foudn they didnt tighten the nuts on my rear suspension top mounts when they removed and refitted a while ago... never again! £40 p/h but unsafe work!! (use a more reputable vw specailists now that specialise in making vag cars faster and look better!)

[Critical_Mass 10]

Gutted to hear about the growing bill.

 

I would love to learn more bits about how to do jobs on my car, was practising puttin tyres on last week.

Dont mind practising on somethin cheap but dont want to mess somethin up on the VR.

 

Where would I get the Bentley manual?

 

i got mine from septic tank amazon

 

http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Corrado-Official-Factory-Repair/dp/B000N6ZVW8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215691889&sr=8-7

 

but it seems they dont have any atm

 

there is one on the uk site butits a fortune... £85!!!

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Volkswagen-Corrado-Official-Factory-1990-94/dp/0837603870/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215691971&sr=8-1

 

o and VW labour is £95 p/h!!! :censored: i took mine to a backstreet vw specialists and foudn they didnt tighten the nuts on my rear suspension top mounts when they removed and refitted a while ago... never again! £40 p/h but unsafe work!! (use a more reputable vw specailists now that specialise in making vag cars faster and look better!)[/quote:3b9gxmgp]

 

That's it. You pay more, so you would think you'd get more. In fact you pay more and get alot less :lol: more expensive hourly labour rate, worse customer service and follow up cust service. Lack of knowledge with the corrado.

 

I'd never go to a dealer unless there was no other option.

[rajarella 0]

It is in N&G Motors, Cardiff which is a independent specialist VW garage. Cheaper than the main dealer and take more pride in their work. Most of the specialist garages can't afford to do a bad job or charge too much because their business relies so much on a good reputation and word of mouth.

[rajarella 0]

Well I have had the car back and it wasn't that bad in the end. In fairness they did me quite a few favours on the job and it came out at £704, strange how I am actually relieved at spending £700+ on a garage bill! Car feels much better, makes me realise how out of shape it was. Got to take it back this morning though because after they made adjustments to the gear selection I have lost 5th! Doh!!