Hi Guys,
As the title suggests, i'm a complete novice when it comes to cars - to the extent of where I've never removed a wheel or even jacked a car up!! The only thing I've done is wash a car (Have attempted waxing once, but by no means successfully). Now, that is hopefully going to change! Will start with basic jobs, then will see how it goes. Hopefully this should provide some of you with some entertainment
I bought my Monaco 172 around May 2013 having previously owned a 1.2 8v Clio, which was my first "real" car. I say "real" as I did own a Fiesta, but that lasted 5 minutes until it met a metal fence. Was a very lucky escape as I missed an old dear by about an inch. I walked back home that morning and received confirmation of my ownership through the door. I then bought the Clio which I owned for 5 years and was a great little car for me, but reached 120,000 miles and needed a fair bit of work. I ended up giving it away for free to a family friend who are mechanics, on the basis that they would fix the issues and keep it going - and they did and it's still on the road.
So, after owning a 1.2, I wondered what it'll be like to have the sport - and well it was like love at first sight. An awesome car, and still puts a smile on my face. It was within my budget, and at the time had around 60,000 on the clock. I've since stuck about 9,000 onto it, and here's a picture as of today. (I'm terrible with photography!!)
I don't think it's too shabby. Though does have it a few flaws which i'll come on to later.
The car does come with "full service history"..... though it's unreadable in places as the previous owners missus's stuck it through the washing machine :nono: With this in mind, I set out to get the belts and dephaser changed for peace of mind. I looked up specialists near me, and settled on taking it down to the lads at S&MWM. Must be said, I can't recommend these guys enough, great customer service, and fantastic work. If you're around London and looking for someone check these guys out. The car felt completely different and pulled really well.
A few months went by with nothing worth noting until recently. I have the MOT due in the coming months, and the lads at S&MWM had picked up a few things which needed attention in the future. So recently I took it back to them to fit new steering rack bushes, new brake discs and pads, a new water pump (The old one stopped working - James commented that there was a weird brown sludge in the bottom of the tank where a previous owner may have stuck oil in there :nono I also treated myself to the RSTuner. The car now drives fantastically.
However, being a 53 plate it is coming up to it's 11th Birthday and it's about time I start looking after it, and thought i'd try learning bits myself. So today I set myself the task of restoring my headlights. Not a huge job, but a nice little way to start I feel. I searched a lot of threads on here to find out what to do, and picked up a few bits last night. I tried to take some pictures before and after, but the photo didn't come out great.
Before
After
Perhaps could have been a little better, but I was quite pleased for a first ever attempt
Next, I have a few bits to look into. Firstly I have to replace the brake pedal switch - Should hopefully be straight forward, though trying to find the correct part online. Then, this is the current state of my passenger side fog light:
I intend to do this myself, which will be a first for me with jacking a car up. Will post the progress on this thread when the time comes.
Now, I unfortunately stuck a scuff on it when I first got it. I went down to the local hospital early in the morning and for some reason they have a ridiculous base around there lamposts which includes a high curb that takes up half the space I didn't see it and this was the result.
- There's also a few marks on the front bumper because of it.
I'm still in the process of thinking about future bits I could do. The Engine Bay definitely needs some attention (Will try to get a picture soon)
Hope you enjoy reading, and any criticism, p*ss taking out of my ability, or suggests are welcome
As the title suggests, i'm a complete novice when it comes to cars - to the extent of where I've never removed a wheel or even jacked a car up!! The only thing I've done is wash a car (Have attempted waxing once, but by no means successfully). Now, that is hopefully going to change! Will start with basic jobs, then will see how it goes. Hopefully this should provide some of you with some entertainment
I bought my Monaco 172 around May 2013 having previously owned a 1.2 8v Clio, which was my first "real" car. I say "real" as I did own a Fiesta, but that lasted 5 minutes until it met a metal fence. Was a very lucky escape as I missed an old dear by about an inch. I walked back home that morning and received confirmation of my ownership through the door. I then bought the Clio which I owned for 5 years and was a great little car for me, but reached 120,000 miles and needed a fair bit of work. I ended up giving it away for free to a family friend who are mechanics, on the basis that they would fix the issues and keep it going - and they did and it's still on the road.
So, after owning a 1.2, I wondered what it'll be like to have the sport - and well it was like love at first sight. An awesome car, and still puts a smile on my face. It was within my budget, and at the time had around 60,000 on the clock. I've since stuck about 9,000 onto it, and here's a picture as of today. (I'm terrible with photography!!)
I don't think it's too shabby. Though does have it a few flaws which i'll come on to later.
The car does come with "full service history"..... though it's unreadable in places as the previous owners missus's stuck it through the washing machine :nono: With this in mind, I set out to get the belts and dephaser changed for peace of mind. I looked up specialists near me, and settled on taking it down to the lads at S&MWM. Must be said, I can't recommend these guys enough, great customer service, and fantastic work. If you're around London and looking for someone check these guys out. The car felt completely different and pulled really well.
A few months went by with nothing worth noting until recently. I have the MOT due in the coming months, and the lads at S&MWM had picked up a few things which needed attention in the future. So recently I took it back to them to fit new steering rack bushes, new brake discs and pads, a new water pump (The old one stopped working - James commented that there was a weird brown sludge in the bottom of the tank where a previous owner may have stuck oil in there :nono
I also treated myself to the RSTuner. The car now drives fantastically. However, being a 53 plate it is coming up to it's 11th Birthday and it's about time I start looking after it, and thought i'd try learning bits myself. So today I set myself the task of restoring my headlights. Not a huge job, but a nice little way to start I feel. I searched a lot of threads on here to find out what to do, and picked up a few bits last night. I tried to take some pictures before and after, but the photo didn't come out great.
Before
After
Perhaps could have been a little better, but I was quite pleased for a first ever attempt
Next, I have a few bits to look into. Firstly I have to replace the brake pedal switch - Should hopefully be straight forward, though trying to find the correct part online. Then, this is the current state of my passenger side fog light:
I intend to do this myself, which will be a first for me with jacking a car up. Will post the progress on this thread when the time comes.
Now, I unfortunately stuck a scuff on it when I first got it. I went down to the local hospital early in the morning and for some reason they have a ridiculous base around there lamposts which includes a high curb that takes up half the space
I didn't see it and this was the result. - There's also a few marks on the front bumper because of it.I'm still in the process of thinking about future bits I could do. The Engine Bay definitely needs some attention (Will try to get a picture soon)
Hope you enjoy reading, and any criticism, p*ss taking out of my ability, or suggests are welcome
