Newbies mk4 Astra

[Andybon]

Just done a bit more Xmas shopping on ebay

Ordered the Cybox resonated centre section and a set of stainless sill protectors (As they are showing a bit of age related scuffs). Going to order a set of replica GSI Arch spats to try and get rid of the gap between the arches and the side skirts.

Also found a new bonnet in the breakers yard. Just hoping its a black one to save a few quid painting it, If not will just keep hold until i have the spare money to have it painted! (Old bonnet has corroded around the inside front and is now spreading to the outer skin)

Just gave the car a wash and noticed the rear arches have also started to bubble. Will repaint these myself and underseal them properly. Better to catch it early than when its too late. Will also underseal the sills aswell when I do this.

Still awaiting the alarm to be fitted. Need to get it done ASAP, But no one local seems to be intrested. Got a couple more numbers to try then if not I will bite the bullet and give it a bash. In the words of Clarksonian 400bc "How hard can it be?!"

[Andybon]

Heres how the car stands at the minute.

Gave it a good clean today and a polish with some poorboys black hole.











Also sent these pics into Total Vauxhall, See what happens there!

Should also be picking up a new bonnet tomorrow. Just doing my list of final touch up bits to do, Its a bit longer than i first thought!!!

[Astra Dan]

Nice work, well done!

[Andybon]

Spent nearly all day faffing about fitting the vectra interior self dimming mirror and the vectra roof bin.

Had to mess about doing both of them, Wasn't as straight forward as i hoped. Had to trim most of the rooflining out and fit in the plate to receive the roof bin, When I had that sorted, I started to fit the mirror.

Stuck on some black vynil so i could use the cover that was supplied with the mirror. Did this so you can't see all the wiring in there from the outside. Then put everything on and started to feed the wires through.

After putting all the wires in the places they should go, The interior light was on all the time so I ended up cutting that part out of the circuit. Just left it so it dims when light shines onto it. Also didn't bother putting the reverse lights as I could see 3 or 4 wires that looked the same, So gave in with that!

Anyway, Heres the pics!





One of the light that lights up when its dark and illuminate the gearstick area.



Got to fit a new headlight to the passenger side tomorrow as I had broke the mechinism in this one somehow. One of the last bits before the MOT!

[Astra Dan]

That looks well tasty. What Vectra is it from? C?

[Andybon]

The storage bin is from a vectra b, and the mirror is from a vectra c. All you need to do is one wire to an earth, and another to your cig lighter socket. If you want it dimming when you select reverse and when the interior light is on, Thats when the ballache starts!

[podaru]

What year was this astra built? (am not english so don't know anything about reading your reg numbers) When my dad bought his (2001) he liked the fact it had a galvanised body and 12 year guarantee against rust penetration...I find your rust problems strange since dad's doesn't have a spot and it's rarely washed, never polished and driven on s#@t salty roads all day...crackin' car all the same nice to see someone specking up a car rather than bin the whole interior

[Astra Dan]

W reg = 2000 year car. Ddin't know Mk4s were galvanised. Certainly not rust proof but a massive improvement over the previous models.

[podaru]

guess only models above 2001 (along with improved emission regulations came many unknown updates) but I know for a fact about my dad's...no rust at all which is a win for said car i guess...can't wait to afford an opc turbo

[Andybon]

Wouldn;t mind, its only the bonnet that has gone!

The rear arches are slightly bubbling, but this is only in 2 small patches where a little paint has chipped off. Everywhere else its solid as a rock. Pretty impressed for a 10 year old car!

[Andybon]

Finally got around to fitting the cybox stainless centre section. Went for one with a silencer in as I didn't want it too loud. Had it on in under an hour, Really easy to do, Went on with no problems.

Also fitted the sill covers on to the car. I know it ain't an SRI, But it does have a full SRI Interior. (Plus its the onlt ones I could find at a decent price.





There is also two on the rear aswell.

Fitted some chromed heater vents aswell. Brightens it up slightly more on the dash.









Got the alarm fitted aswell yesterday. Got to find out about how to connect a second siren to it as aparantly another relay is needed, also need to find out how to programme in the dual zone sensors.

[Andybon]

Had a busy day today with the car. Took me ages to do everything as I woke up with a trapped nerve in my shoulder....Again!

First off I did a full service on the car. Changed everything (Filters, oil and coolant). Used some castrol GTX oil and bosch super4 spark plugs. Car now runs as good as new!

Also changed the drivers side headlight to match the passenger one. Will probably stick the old depos up for sale. (One has the electric adjustment clip snapped off and the other has a couple of cracked lugs on them!)

Still looking for a new bonnet for it, Preferably in black as mine is rusting a bit!

[Andybon]

Thinking of doing this with the new bonnet



What do people think?

[Astra Dan]

Not keen on that, maybe too much?

[Andybon]

Been thinking of it to be a little different. But am now thinking it will make it look cheap and tacky.

Think i'll sleep on it!

[podaru]

Not keen on the chrome vents tbh...to each his own I suppose.
The bonnet done right, along with the roof and tailgate and rims, no silly colors like orange or green but a matching shade of gray should look allright, maybe even some pinstriping along the sides and the opc grille in the above picture and no tailgate chrome !
whatever you decide it's your car so don't be scared of going at it a bit different...it's not a limited edition lambo it's a mk4 astra so feel free to paint lmao

[Andybon]

Got a new bonnet and fitted it today, Badly!

Been attempting to get it aligned and shutting correctly and it won't have any of it. Its either one or the other! Also it is the complete wrong shade of black! So my plan of just putting a new bonnet on has gone tits up!

Also the Dual zone on the alarm is playing up.Disconnecting it for now, Emailed toad to try and get an answer off them (Was helpfull enough to send me the instructions about it and a few pointers!)

After these little bits are done, The project ends. Will be kept clean and maintained until my loan is payed off then its going!

[Andybon]

Bit of fun, Seen these for a couple of quid so got them and stuck them on!

[Andybon]

I think the project has finished!

Only thing to fit is the GSI arch spats to the rear. They will be done at the weekend! Put a new bonnet on it. Its black but its a different shade of black. That will be sorted in the future, Hopefully before PVS!

All I will be doing now is just keeping on top of maintaining it now and keeping it looking it's best. All the money I can spare is going into another car at the minute, Keeping hold of this for another 18 months then moving onto something different.

[Andybon]

It's all over. Took as much off the car today as I could. Will be going on Tuesday to be replaced with a Lexus IS200 Sport.

[Th0m45]

thats a shame. nice looking car, few unique touches aswell

[Andybon]

It was.

Heres one of the new car!

[Andybon]

And a nice little send off for it.

[*bartlett*]

Fitted the chrome heater rings and the speedo dial rings today. Also one of the new headunit I got that supprots the steering wheel controls.

Nice motor bud, i have the same head unit, gonna swap it over at the weekend, how did you manage to link up the steering wheel controls? They all work/illuminate?