Got a random message off a lad i knew from years ago asking if i wanted to buy a car just before i went on hol. Initially said no, but because im an idiot i cannot just say no and a few beers in the sun in Turkey im asking for more info.
Was a bit of a slow starter after initial contact but ended up viewing a week ago and picking up last Sat.
Meet Bumblee2. Leggy on the mileage but cleans up ok..cheap, needs tlc.
A quick once over reveals even after fixing a few bits
All front suspension needs refresh including hub bearings.
Fuel hose (cracked all over where its been replaced in the past)
Rear passenger caliper (binding)
Washer jet reservior pipe (leaks more than it takes)
Radiator is leaking
Service
Aircon regas
Cruise not working
Centre exhaust hanger shot
Prob loads of other small bits.
On the plus side
Recent engine with 80k on/belts done
Decat, alloy intercooler and back box delete, cone airfilter, mapped by rstuning
Decent amount of mot
Cleans up ok
I have a ton of parts in stock so should be able to turn this around pretty fast.
Stacks of history from previous owners and old engine, so pretty worthless and ill be changing all the suspension bits that appear to have been changed several times in the past.
On way home i took it to my mates to get it on the 4 poster for a good look to see the damage. Id had a quick look underneath but its good to get it up in the air.
Suspension looks like its been in the sea. Apparantly this has had new shocks on it a few years ago, i dont believe a word of that. Look like original to me
The silver centre part of the dash still looks a bit shite. Might get a new one or paint it up at some point.
Coilpack studs and nuts fitted. Coil number 4 had no bolt in it initially suprised it was not misfiring. £6 stainless 40mm m6 stud and nut kit from ebay, threadlocked in so no future issues. Also renewed seals on coilpacks with the £8 ali express coilpack seal kit, no pics as working fast between work. Bit of silicone grease on them to stop future issues.
Will keep my eye out for an oem engine cover for it as no show winner under here.
Also removed the stock recirc valve for a blanking plate as i hate the oem whoosh with a cone filter. Had a spare half hour today so cracked on, these can be a bit of a t**t to do in situ as access is tight and easy to drop the bolts so expected it to take a while. Anyway the stars aligned and 9 mins later its on. New record!
Its also got one working key and a spare that does the ign only not the doors and both are well worn. After @Clio_fool asked me about keycard coding i had a shot as i have a couple of spare meg keys. I can do them and its easy however needs to be a virgin uncoded key as not possible to recode used unless you strip it down and replace the chip for a virgin one.
Exhaust was hanging low and noted the middle rubber had snapped. Had a gen renault centre hanger in stock that i bought years ago for the blue meg but did not use so fitted that.
Front exhaust clamp was loose too and blowing. Repositioned the clamp and tightened up, the centre silencer is nicely tucked up in the tunnel now. Did wonder why it caught a speedbump at stock rideheight when i drove it home.
Ive set a budget for this one (he says!?) I reckon i can get it right for £1k with all new suspension components.
Cant wait to use it in anger. I had a few laps driving @rogerreno 's LY on sat and forgot how easy to drive/effortlessley quick they are on a circuit.
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I dont think there is. The ££ for speed and fun is unbelievable. The great thing is the depreciation is already done on this due to high miles, so no worries about that.
Really love this colour on 225’s, sometimes think we went half cock on lads inferno and should of spent more on a R26 base car, as it would have been same refurb cost, but better end car.
But he loves it and I really rate 225’s if spend a bit of time and money on going through them, much more under the skin than just a big turbo lump thrown into a Meg 2.
Goodies started arriving last week. Cooksport springs, oem ren r26 front shocks, oem ren tie rods. Also have new drop links, new delphi trackrod ends, new lower arms etc not pictured.
Note cv grease. No boot clip. Moved cv joint and it fell off as no retaining clip on shaft. So dropped gear oil and fitted new clip/knocked cv on. New band style.cv boot clip to clear hub.
Passenger side took me about 2.5 hours after pissing about with the driveshaft.
Started drivers side. Everything fooked and proving hard work. Both cv boots shot, anti rotation link shot, droplink shot, balljoint shot, play in wheel bearing, tie rod and outer shot, bushes shot. Nothing salvageable.
Had to even bin the alloy upright as the threads pulled out of the bolts holding balljoint plate on due to corrosion. I could timesert it but no point when good used available.
Losing the will to live at this point so give up for the day, it had to get worse before it gets better.
Sniped a pair of hubs off fb marketplace in South Shields approx 45 mins away. Collected Sunday night.
Satisfying seeing this done, you only get to feel how floppy everything is when it’s all apart , took me a month to track chatter down on front of my Meg estate, top mounts parted…they’re bonded now instead of old sandwich arrangement on strut bolt.
You might just inspire me to sort rear heat shield rattle on lads Inferno , I’ve gone deaf to his requests last six months or so…
