- Joined
- Jun 17, 2015
- Messages
- 109
- Points
- 32
So Mario just went in for the service at Motor Mech. Several hundred pounds and two visits later he's emerged with a clean solid bill of health following quite a lot of work..
Full service. Usual bits filters, oil plugs etc
The annoying rattle on the passenger side was a broken shock bracket. That's been repaired.
Drop links done.
Key fob now works. Finally!
New clutch kit, slave and clutch pedal assembly cleaned. No more sticking clutch! Although I'm yet to go out for a long drive. It used to get worse when the car was warm or on a long journey.
New radiator. The original one had sprung a leak.
New driver side brake caliper.
New rear discs and pads.
I managed to get the parts myself and had some good deals in the process. I'm glad really, some of those bits were not cheap and Motor Mech probably wouldn't have had time to look as I did. The brake caliper was coming in at £160 ish. I got a new Bosch OE unit for £60. I found good offers on Brmebo pads and discs etc. The only thing I didn't provide was fluids and general service parts.
As ever though, the labour bill was probably the biggest factor. I'm not grumbling but i wish I had a bit more time and confidence to do more. However on the plus side he's a million miles nicer to drive then he was previously. It's really noticeable. The clutch action is seemingly beautiful, he pulls well, goes round corners like he's on rails and will stop when he's supposed to.
He cost me £280 for a full set of decent tyres and tracking in April as well. Last year on the MOT he had new pads (and possibly discs) on the front.
Still on the list..alloy refurb and some minor /smart bodywork repairs. That's another couple of hundred at least and will have to wait.
Both door check straps. On order
Cigarette socket replacement. On order.
This has me thinking. I've had my Stilo just over a year and it only had 36k on the clock. I'm only the second owner (after a lady on motability) and it came with a good history of servicing at a main dealer. He's now upto 46k a year later and it just seems that it's a lot of work so far. Granted it's a 54 plate and the elements don't care about milage. I also appreciate I can't tell how the first owner drove or treated it. She may have been a fiend for riding the clutch etc.
I'm not complaining but thought I'd ask for the views of other Stilo owners. Is all of this normal?
I'm happy and hopeful that this will be it for major works for another 18 months at least. I worked it out earlier and there's not much in it price wise between the cost of Mario and the work done so far and having something on finance over the same period. But I really didn't want that. I hate the milage restrictions, crazy balloon payments, ludicrous damage policies etc. I don't need a car regularly and a new car would be a waste with depreciation. I like my car and the fact that even though it is 12 years old, it is mine and I can do as I wish. I wanted one as a kid and I'm happy with it. It's comfortable, still looks nice when looked afterand is a little bit left field compared to getting a similar Focus Golf, A3 etc
I need to get to bed and I'm rambling on.
Full service. Usual bits filters, oil plugs etc
The annoying rattle on the passenger side was a broken shock bracket. That's been repaired.
Drop links done.
Key fob now works. Finally!
New clutch kit, slave and clutch pedal assembly cleaned. No more sticking clutch! Although I'm yet to go out for a long drive. It used to get worse when the car was warm or on a long journey.
New radiator. The original one had sprung a leak.
New driver side brake caliper.
New rear discs and pads.
I managed to get the parts myself and had some good deals in the process. I'm glad really, some of those bits were not cheap and Motor Mech probably wouldn't have had time to look as I did. The brake caliper was coming in at £160 ish. I got a new Bosch OE unit for £60. I found good offers on Brmebo pads and discs etc. The only thing I didn't provide was fluids and general service parts.
As ever though, the labour bill was probably the biggest factor. I'm not grumbling but i wish I had a bit more time and confidence to do more. However on the plus side he's a million miles nicer to drive then he was previously. It's really noticeable. The clutch action is seemingly beautiful, he pulls well, goes round corners like he's on rails and will stop when he's supposed to.
He cost me £280 for a full set of decent tyres and tracking in April as well. Last year on the MOT he had new pads (and possibly discs) on the front.
Still on the list..alloy refurb and some minor /smart bodywork repairs. That's another couple of hundred at least and will have to wait.
Both door check straps. On order
Cigarette socket replacement. On order.
This has me thinking. I've had my Stilo just over a year and it only had 36k on the clock. I'm only the second owner (after a lady on motability) and it came with a good history of servicing at a main dealer. He's now upto 46k a year later and it just seems that it's a lot of work so far. Granted it's a 54 plate and the elements don't care about milage. I also appreciate I can't tell how the first owner drove or treated it. She may have been a fiend for riding the clutch etc.
I'm not complaining but thought I'd ask for the views of other Stilo owners. Is all of this normal?
I'm happy and hopeful that this will be it for major works for another 18 months at least. I worked it out earlier and there's not much in it price wise between the cost of Mario and the work done so far and having something on finance over the same period. But I really didn't want that. I hate the milage restrictions, crazy balloon payments, ludicrous damage policies etc. I don't need a car regularly and a new car would be a waste with depreciation. I like my car and the fact that even though it is 12 years old, it is mine and I can do as I wish. I wanted one as a kid and I'm happy with it. It's comfortable, still looks nice when looked afterand is a little bit left field compared to getting a similar Focus Golf, A3 etc
I need to get to bed and I'm rambling on.