modrich

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the heads-up on the airbag issue rowdy. Hopefully it only effects the US cars, will wait and see if the DVLA get in touch.

modrich

iTrader: (2)

I've noticed on cold mornings recently that the engine has started sounding quite course/harsh for the first few minutes, and as its running on 10W40 Castrol semi (from dealer service) I really wanted to try the preferred 5w40 fully synthetic as would give better lubrication on cold starts. As I want to change the oil every 6 months it would seem rude not to change the oil/filter since it was last done in April just before I bought the car. I did the usual umming and arring about buying a genuine black filter but after watching the Mahle technical video on how well made their filters are I decided to order one, best part is they only cost £4!

The Mahle filter part number is OC195, and the oil is Millers Trident 5w40 fully synthetic


Oil drained


the least amount of oil I've ever managed to spill on an oil change I think...


filter pre-filled and seal smeared with fresh oil...


Filter fitted hand tight. I put in 4 litres of oil which brought the level to just above minimum then ran the engine for a few mins. Allowed to settle for 10mins, checked and topped up to max.

Next job took literally 5mins, changed the cabin filter...


...and I'm glad I did! That is the dirtiest cabin filter I have ever seen!

I didn't driven the car over the weekend so when I started it this cold morning (7deg C) I noticed straight away how much smoother the engine felt, and driving away on a cold engine it was like night and day compared to the 10w40, ok it is fresh oil, but the old oil was only 6months and 2.5k miles old so should still have been pretty fresh. Highly recommend this, particularly for the winter.

RS Grant

Looks great and like the basic OEM+ approach you're taking with things.


Cheers,
Grant

modrich

iTrader: (2)

Got a good deal on some nearly new Nokian winter tyres so had them fitted to my pristine OEM 17s


Whilst fitting them took the opportunity to give the callipers a good clean...



callipers cleaned


back to the OEM look for a while...

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Stop cleaning your car! You're making my filthy car jealous!

Ste333

iTrader: (3)

I considered putting some winter tyres on my 17" wheels too and swapping out my PFF7s to save them from the winter. How you finding those tyres?

modrich

iTrader: (2)

Hahaaa, well I'd better not say that I've done far more cleaning than I've let on, got some more cleaning posts to come, which may (or may not) include removing the front seats!! If you find your scooby wandering into oncoming traffic or veering towards cliff tops then I'd say you better stop reading this thread!

Considering that it isn't really cold enough for them yet (generally 10deg C up here ATM, work best below 7deg C) I'd say they're pretty good, (real test will be in the ice & snow though). They're the best 'buget' winter tyre by far and beat a lot of top branded tyres in some winter tests (conti's being the best in all tests I've read which we have for the family motor). The ones I have fitted are the Nokian WR G2 which are actually listed as an 'all weather' tyre with the snow 'sipes', so they're probably better suited to our fairly mild winters than a full-on winter tyre! I find they give better grip than normal tyres when it's just cold and damp which is what it's like for most of our winter days. I have a brand new 215/45 Nokian WR G2 still in it's wrapper if you decide to get some.

modrich

iTrader: (2)

Did this back in September but haven't got around posting the pics, this ones espacially for BluePantsRacing...

Time for the winter clean and seal. The paint was in top condition anyway (selling dealer had machine polished all the swirls out before I bought it, did a top job!) so all it took was a thorough wash and clay cloth. First time I've used a clay cloth and seemed to work fine, although it didn't have much contamination to remove!

Used my favourite sealant, FinishKare Hi-Temp Paste Wax


wax going on


buffed off...








morning after...

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Tart!

modrich

iTrader: (2)

scrubber!

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Larvely

modrich

iTrader: (2)

So thought I would fit some decent speakers to take advantage of the upgraded head unit I fitted a while back...


Decided to go for 16.5cm components from Hertz, their DSK 165.3's are well suited to headunit power.


old speakers removed...Note that the speaker magnet needs to clear the window when it's fully open. The Hertz were 61mm deep so were pushing it!


puney magnets...


My builders merchant version of dynamat (flashing tape) that I think is vertually the same stuff, and a 'rain canopy' over the speaker to stop any drips getting onto the speakers. The old speakers I took out had obviously been wet in the past.



Plywood spacer and woofer fitted, the speaker is upside down so that the connections are directly under the canopy and less likely to get wet.


crossover and tweeter (hanging loose as best fitted when door card is back on)


tweeter fitted where the old one used to sit


Had some old but never used 5.25" Infinity Kappas in the attick just waiting to be installed...they dwarf the originals...



more dynamat (caugh...flashing tape)


fitted with hardboard spacer and screwed directly to door (with a bit of sealant gum for good measure!)


Sounds really good now, loads more base available without distortion, very happy!

ScottyPPP

Should move this over to the projects section.

modrich

iTrader: (2)

I know...it only started out as a few pics, this one was supposed to be staying standard!

casasteve

Did you replace the speaker cables as well or still stock? Something I want to do eventually (as are most of the mods you've done so far!)

modrich

iTrader: (2)

Still stock mate. The Hertz kit comes with wires pre-fitted to the crossover and can't be replaced, they're only small gauge wires anyway (not really designed for high output) so wasn't any point going thicker/OFC on the OEM wiring. TIP: When connecting the crossover to OEM speaker wires take feed from connector to OEM tweeter as the connector to the OEM woofers inside the door gets damp will be corroded.

scoobyjunky

iTrader: (6)

When you got your centre console sprayed did you just get a colour match or do you have specific colour as I've just bought the conversion for my bug wagon ?

modrich

iTrader: (2)

Hi mate, they just matched it rather than use a colour code, sorry I can't be of more help

scoobyjunky

iTrader: (6)

Ok mate no worries cheers

Jay Cartay

iTrader: (3)

How did you build the little canopies over the tops of the speakers? Interested in doing this myself at the weekend when I put my gear in.

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

I would get a thin sheet of plastic, from somewhere like hobbycraft, measure the depth of the speaker, and measure half the cicumference of the speaker and cut the sheet to that size. Then measure the thickness of the mdf adaptor plate that you make and the thickness of the speaker that mounts to that, then mark a line on the sheet of poly and cut in to that line from the edge to make teeth. Then bend the teeth up 90 degrees. Then bend to form a semi circle and slot it into the speaker door apature and stick the teeth to the door. Then mount the mdf adapter over it to hold it more securely in place.

modrich

iTrader: (2)

^^^like rowdy said, raided the stationary cupboard at work for some A4 plastic presentation covers. Make them as deep as you can without catching on the mechanism when the window drops.

Reef

iTrader: (2)

Hi, love your car and thanks for the detailed write up.

Where did you get your KYB shocks from?

modrich

iTrader: (2)

Cheers Reef, used ebay for the shocks, just do a search for 'KYB+part number', cost about £75ea

Carnut

So how long until you sell me your car

Reef

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the quick response, I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

modrich

iTrader: (2)

I'm finding the wagon a real breath of fresh air compared to what I've had in the recent past (bar the E46 M3) even for 4/5 times as much (not into spending 50k+ on the never ever). I'm pretty sure my next car will be an Impreza but ATM there's nothing to replace the wagon with unless I find a hens tooth in the form of a bug STi wagon, and even then it would have to be in as good condition and as reliable as my wagon which slims it down even more...

You're welcome

Reef

iTrader: (2)

Now you've had them for a few months, how are you finding the 18in wheels with the lowering springs compared to before?

modrich

iTrader: (2)

I'm back on 17s with winter tyres on ATM, but was very impressed with the ride quality on 18s, absolutely nothing to complain about.

Reef

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, I'm thinking of going to 18's but keep reading how people prefer 17's. I think this is mostly on STI's with the harder shocks.

They way things are going my car could end up a clone of your's .....only in blue