Well, the race is on to get it ship shape enough to make the journey to Wales tomorrow..... I don't think there is shelf at a8parts I haven't raided so far in this quest ;)

I took it out last night after doing all the work putting the interior back together and it does feel so much more together and rattle free.

Drives pretty well too, even with the rough running engine.

It sort of feels like I'm finally over half way, the end is finally nearer than the beginning, so quitting is no longer an option.

Hurrah. +++

Final push before she heads to Wales:

Replaced broken sunroof alcantara lining trim
Fitted front grills
Replaced rear light lens after removing reversing camera
Reconnected tiptronic steering wheel controls
Straightened up the steering wheel
Replaced faulty air flow flap motor
Made good cup holder out of two faulty ones
Retrimmed right hand side of boot with new trim, cut out for heated screen
Power steering fluid change
Replaced side light bulbs
Fitted 4 new tyres
Replaced missing instrument cluster screwhole cover
and I think made some giant leaps forward in diagnosing the engine issues

I'm down to 30 items to do, excluding cleaning, as I've done loads, but keep adding bits on +++

Should get another 5 knocked off the list today though hopefully... ;)

WOW! And I still haven't finished fitting the towbar I bought from The_Laird at last years meet :-(

Doh.
 

Well, its not all joy.

We're 25 mins behind set off schedule for Wales and the car is still on the ramp.

Turns out the brembos that were retrofitted have this exact issue on the thread below where the slider plates have lifted, preventing the new pads being installed.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/archive/i...hp?t-2710.html

Furthermore, it seems the existing pads that were fitted were sort of shoved in, without pins holding things together properly as the previous 'mechanic' decided it was a tight squeeze too, and just sort of bodged it all...... :(

This in turn caused the pads to sit unevenly on the discs, which have then either warped, or were catching on the wonky pads as the discs were grooved - This wobbling causing me to order new brake discs/pads in the first place.

Ho hum.

No time to sort it 100%, so the a8parts boys are currently working with the old pads, and new fitting kits to refit the old pads safely as being a little worn they will fit better than the new ones in the timeframes we have.

Just another cracking example of a simple job on this car snowballing into a nightmare. :rolleyes:

Oh well. At least you have a couple of days respite. Enjoy the meet.

I found the same issue when I did my pads Ian

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10552

Unfortunately I now apparently have x4 jammed bleed screws on the calipers so am contemplating how to deal with that....a caliper refurb looks to be on the cards, although may just opt for new replacements for the back and have them colour coded to the fronts.

every time I have a crazy idea of sorting out the bits and pieces on my 3.7 sport I read this thread from the beginning .....which promptly disabuses me of the idea

incidentally Ian ...what do you do in your spare time ? :D

Well, this is sort of the problem, I've somewhat run out of spare time, so much so, I've considered numerous times offering her for sale on the forum, and then another problem crops up, and I fix that, and I keep it a while longer......


.... didn't realise I'd had it back > 18 months now ! time flies...

I am very impressed with your dedication to restore this car!

However strange this may sound, but your determination is an inspiration. Not that I believe I will be able to put so much effort in restoring my own car. But to read how a veteran/expert like you are willing to go on despite it all. I feel that somehow, it confirms my impression that these cars are exceptional. And I feel lucky to have finally noticed them (I will be 50 this winter).

So, as mulled earlier, it is now up for sale here if anyone is interested:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=13126