I don't know if there's a right way or wrong way, all I can tell you is what worked for me.

I found it much easier with the lights off the car but before I removed them I made very small marks with a marker pen on the edge of the main cluster and the tailgate section to ensure that the when refitted the cutouts for the reverse and indicators would align correctly. (The marks I made with the pen rubbed off after the event).

To remove the main clusters simply undo the 2 bolts you see when you lift the tailgate. For the tailgate clusters you need to remove all the interior trim from the tailgate starting at the top. Trim pieces simply pull straight off. You can then access the securing nuts for the cluster.

Once you have the lights removed, move inside to your nice warm dry kitchen! You'll need some mildly soapy water and a heatgun/hairdryer. Start at the cutout sections for reverse/indicators (if you look closely there's a line to follow embeded in the lights) while remembering to use the pen marks made earlier for alignment. You then basically use heat to stretch and shrink the vinyl to fit around the light. The soapy water acts as a lubricant so the vinyl doesn't stick fast as soon as it touches the light - you will almost certainly be doing some unpealing and resticking as you go. Try and make sure that you're squeezing any air bubbles/excess water out as you go. I put mine in the boiler cupboard overnight to 'cure' and refitted to the car the following day.

I've had no peeling in the 2 years they've been on the car including being regularly powerwashed etc. I do however have a few little missing bits of vinyl, kinda like stone chips, but you don't notice unless you're looking for them.

Hope that's of some help and good luck. It's not actually as difficult as it sounds, more just time consuming/fiddly/frustrating!

Neil.

 

I would echo Neil's comments. Did mine a couple of years back and found it much easier with the lights removed from the car.

Take your time and all will be good

Mick

 

echo all of the above, remove the lights its far easier and you can wrap around the edge of the lamps correctly without just cutting it right at the end like most folk do.

plenty of soapy water, shed loads of patience & a hairdryer & dont be afraid to grab hold of it and stretch it to fit where you want it to its very pliable stuff & you wont go far wrong. At first it will seem impossible but it's not and dont be tempted to give up lol

 

new addition from the Pro-R range as it slowly trickles out in the dealer network.



More gear coming soon

 

shame it aint coloured STI logo

 

sorry guys, due to the imminent arrival of our 2nd child, the 330s has to go http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2874137.htm

 

Gutted, when we have another I'm hoping to keep the scoob, however may have to get a roof rack for camping and bikes! Mrs not keen on the other option, RS4!

What you thinking of getting, not something too sensible I hope?

 

congratulations Carl

on the baby

 

really not sure what i will get.
i ill miss the hatch as it is the best car i have owned, but need something all round more family orientated.
i am still hoping to keep the exige for the spare time hoons and i cant loose all the toys.....

 

Well if you have the Lotus then a family run around is not that bad!!!

Congrats nethertheless.

 

how much will you be selling hatch for??

I have a mate who is after one.

 

couple of pics of mi hatch taken up near mt snowden last week







marcus

 

Very nice Marcus.

 

I know that car very well indeed I put an engine in it about 10 months ago.

smart motor looks very well

 

any more imfo buddy on the car ??

i bought it from pentagon subaru in ashbourne near derby for not very much money(cough*14500*cough)

it has the forge induction kit and full decat miltek system,did it have the mods when the engine rebuild was done,if you can remember ???

cheers marcus

 

rob, did you get my PM???

ethan: stunning car mate

 

It was traded in at mercedes benz carlisle and shipped off down country out of the way as the previous owner lost faith in it. The crown of the piston broke off and smashed the cylinder head to pieces and went through the turbo and buggered that too.

yep it had a full milltek system & induction kit on it and remapped to 380bhp by powerstation when it blew up.

a fella from Dalston cumbria owned it and had around 32,000 on it when it let go similar mileage to mine.

 

No pm yet mate

 

must have did it via the hatch forum then. lol

 

380bhp

no wonder it goes like stink,i thought it was standard map except the caik and exhaust

cheers matey

marcus

 

380bhp, not so sure I'd be that confident runing that power on a standard engine, I'd be tempted to have it wound back to 350 (ish). IMHO

 

Change of subject, was playing GT5 last night on PS3 and was hooning around a Japan street circuit called R something or other and wondered if the R205 was named after a road out there??

 

cant see it taking any hurt, I ran Mine without issue until I got done over by shell penrith more the point it did 30,200 and got its **** kicked everywere

 

Just checked there too and till no pm

 

Nope it means Road spec the "R" does.

 

Great looking car
Would look great leading a southern convoy

If you want to come out of retirement for one day only
Hint hint. NBO

 

Juggers - whats the R205 like inside?
Got any pictures handy?

 

^^^
Like a STi by any chance?

 

you should have one now

 

At the price of it, I wouldn't like to think it looks like a standard STI iniside.