My fourth MK3 Astra

Murray · 07-02-2008, 20:43

And it's a Sport

.

Spend a while looking for replacement for my last MK3, thanks to rust biting hard into the shell

.

So after looking at overpriced sheds, I found this one local to me. It's not perfect, no service history or any handbooks and it's a bit rough around the edges. Perfect for me, as I wanted a project.

Pics of it as bought.

Wasn't that pricey either at £210 with T&T intil March.

breeze_blue · 07-02-2008, 20:46

At £210 you cant go wrong!! decent runabout!!

Murray · 10-02-2008, 18:54

After getting sick of seeing it covered in road salt. I gave the car a wash, clay bar, bit of paint cleaner and a polish. Blacked up the black plastic too. It's come up rather well, me thinks

.

Gonna give it a service and get the cambelt done too.

**RobJenko** · 10-02-2008, 19:21

cleans up nice chap, i did the same with my sport yesterday

Murray · 10-02-2008, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobJenko

cleans up nice chap, i did the same with my sport yesterday

Cheers fella.

I try and keep my cars clean, good exercise

and it looks better when you put in the extra effort

.

Murray · 13-02-2008, 22:04

Car's going to a mates garage for the cambelt, next Monday. As the car came with next to no service history, it's worth getting one fitted. I'll give it a service very soon too.

Fow16v · 13-02-2008, 22:07

which engine have you got init mate, looks like a real good buy for the money

Murray · 13-02-2008, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fow16v

which engine have you got init mate, looks like a real good buy for the money

Whoops!

I'd forgotten to mention that

.

It's a 1.6 (X16XEL) mate, runs ok. Slight issue with it running on three (I think thats down to lack of servicing, HT leads were in a bit of a state.) and idles at 1.5k sometimes. Meh, what do ya expect for the money.

For the most part, i'm going to use GM bits or quality parts. Get it back up a good standard again.

Murray · 20-02-2008, 22:48

Car's in ATM for a cambelt and water pump. So it should be ready tomorrow, put into a mate's garage as I woozed out

. I didn't want to take a chance of messing it up.

Oil change and that's it, ready to use. Then on with the mods

, a 40mm drop should help the looks and i'll get some new GSi rear lights too.

hirsty99 · 21-02-2008, 00:18

what did you use to get the plastics black again

Rubix_Cube · 21-02-2008, 16:42

Looking good sir

Its amazing what a good cleanup can do for a car - looks 100000x better

olix99 · 21-02-2008, 17:55

can't go wrong at that price !

Brushes up nice too

, When is the XE coming?

Murray · 21-02-2008, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by hirsty99

what did you use to get the plastics black again

I used Megs trim detailer, got it out of the bargain bucket at hellfrauds

. Seams to last well enough so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubix_Cube

Looking good sir

Its amazing what a good cleanup can do for a car - looks 100000x better

Cheers bud

.

Only thing is now i've cleaned it i'll have to keep it that way

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olix99

can't go wrong at that price !

Brushes up nice too

, When is the XE coming?

It is an XEL, honest

.

I'll see how things go, it might end up with one some day

.

hirsty99 · 21-02-2008, 20:54

Quote:

I used Megs trim detailer, got it out of the bargain bucket at hellfrauds . Seams to last well enough so far.

does this cost much and is it true that the hot air gun works??

Murray · 21-02-2008, 21:02

Not sure on the hot air gun trick, as I never tried it on the bumpers.

Megs trim detailer is about £6.50.

olix99 · 22-02-2008, 11:06

hirsty the heat gun trick does work, just be careful so you dont melt them too much

Murray · 24-02-2008, 22:29

Got the car back from it's cambelt and water pump swap.

So I had a bit of mince session today, dug out a irmy spolier and gave it a quick (and sh*tty

) paint. Then got it mounted, it turned out okish but i'll use the right colour next time. It's the same colour as the boot panel ATM.

Murray · 03-04-2008, 18:32

Got the old Cesaro stripped and started swapping bits over. Then I booked a test (A Vaux garage no less

). But the test was at 1pm, thanks to taking a little longer getting the car togehter I turned up at 2

. It passed though, I got lucky and they tested it later that day.

Then a change of wheels as the 17's need two tyres. Still the lower the back and fit some other bits too.

Also did something with the left over Cesaro badges....

888shane777 · 09-04-2008, 20:14

[IMG]051.jpl[/IMG]

Murray · 09-04-2008, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by 888shane777

[IMG]051.jpl[/IMG]

Eh?

Was that a piccie?

Barber · 10-04-2008, 21:50

havent seen this on mk3 before i dont think?
looks like it coming along, any more plans for it?

Steve! · 10-04-2008, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barber

havent seen this on mk3 before i dont think?
looks like it coming along, any more plans for it?

Haven't seen what on a Mk3 before?

**Melv** · 11-04-2008, 17:50

I think Barber may have meant mk3oc.com

Steve! · 11-04-2008, 19:01

ah, maybe

Murray · 11-04-2008, 19:02

Barber had already seen the thread and posted on it too

.