Nik's (very) cheap 319 4x4 story: CoPart Peterlee, disgustingly dirty 2013 4x4, no MOT, needed disks and pads on the back, arms on the front, loads of little stuff, propshaft bearing. Inside it wasn't just disgusting, it was beyond belief, been used as a security patrol vehicle on building sites. 79,000 miles. Oh and front tyres were needed.... Hammer fell and with all the extra fees, £1067.
So got the tyres done round the corner from Peterlee, £90, felt like that was a bargain. Drove it home to Norwich, gulp, with MOT booked. Had to go to the USA so everything went on hold.
On return, off came the wheels, so I could do the front arms, having done plenty on 169s. Yikes, half the front of the car has to be removed on the 319. Decided to turn my attention to the rear disks. Ah, those bastards are also a nightmare. Thought I'd at least drop the propshaft... bolts seized.
Justin my mate the mechanic was then pulled in, I went back to the States having ordered: Two lower arms, £53 the pair. Rear brake set, £39.99 including the discs!, centre bearing, £30. Running total £1280. Specialist deep clean inside, £150. Sounds a lot, it wasn't, two people, two days, husband and wife team locally, the car came back unrecognisable, still smelt a bit. So £1430.
Justin did all the required work and put it through the MOT, all in £203, bloody hero (mates rates, did it an hour at a time in the evenings and between proper clients). By now, £1633 and we are on the road. I've added a CarPlay external screen, LED swaps on the internal lights and scraped out all the little crevices inside, deep soaked with anti-bacterial and it now smells fine. Oil, filters, service items has brought me to a £1700 purchase and mechanical restoration spend total. Currently it's a 2x4 (and was MOT'd like that, as Justin has to press the propshaft back together but it drives great, and I reckon I'm £800-1000 ahead. That doesn't account for my time, no service history and distinct signs of wear on the orange door cars, but otherwise it's very good externally and looks very presentable inside.
Weripoffanycar has it at £2000, Autotrader same year and mileage is anywhere £3200-5000. I think I'm at £2500. No intention to sell but what do you folks think?
So got the tyres done round the corner from Peterlee, £90, felt like that was a bargain. Drove it home to Norwich, gulp, with MOT booked. Had to go to the USA so everything went on hold.
On return, off came the wheels, so I could do the front arms, having done plenty on 169s. Yikes, half the front of the car has to be removed on the 319. Decided to turn my attention to the rear disks. Ah, those bastards are also a nightmare. Thought I'd at least drop the propshaft... bolts seized.
Justin my mate the mechanic was then pulled in, I went back to the States having ordered: Two lower arms, £53 the pair. Rear brake set, £39.99 including the discs!, centre bearing, £30. Running total £1280. Specialist deep clean inside, £150. Sounds a lot, it wasn't, two people, two days, husband and wife team locally, the car came back unrecognisable, still smelt a bit. So £1430.
Justin did all the required work and put it through the MOT, all in £203, bloody hero (mates rates, did it an hour at a time in the evenings and between proper clients). By now, £1633 and we are on the road. I've added a CarPlay external screen, LED swaps on the internal lights and scraped out all the little crevices inside, deep soaked with anti-bacterial and it now smells fine. Oil, filters, service items has brought me to a £1700 purchase and mechanical restoration spend total. Currently it's a 2x4 (and was MOT'd like that, as Justin has to press the propshaft back together but it drives great, and I reckon I'm £800-1000 ahead. That doesn't account for my time, no service history and distinct signs of wear on the orange door cars, but otherwise it's very good externally and looks very presentable inside.
Weripoffanycar has it at £2000, Autotrader same year and mileage is anywhere £3200-5000. I think I'm at £2500. No intention to sell but what do you folks think?
- Model
- Panda 4x4 1.3
- Year
- 2013
- Mileage
- 80000
