gareth123

That's a useful link, thanks!. I did indeed go nuts trying to find the right fittings for new wheels for my gen 5 here in France. I could have done with the link a few weeks ago. In the end I looked at pro furbishment of exisitng wheels (which I bought some years ago from a club member) which was far too expensive so I went for an interim solution of rubbing down and respraying at home. Way from perfect but looks ok and protects the wheels in he meantime. Anyone used the trick of stacking up playing cards around the rim as a means of msking the tyre? Looks like a big flower and works - an internet tip from someone else.

Here on France nearly all 95 is now E10 as opposed to E5. I try to stick to E5 if I can find it, otherwise 98 - the price difference is minimal. Mines an early Gen 5 from 1991

I generally get around 30 - 32 in my 5 but last weekend managed nearly 36 to the gallon on a long trip on motorways. I was impressed.

Is that true? If so it is quite likely I have the only blue one in France .....

The original pre facelif Gen 5 had 14 inch wheels at 205x60. I have just taken them off my car because I couldnt get a choice of tyres at that size (and certainly none V rated as my MOT insisted). However I found some reasonable Falken tyres at this size which I used prior to changing the wheels. I have the full set of old wheels and tyres sitting in the garage but not much help to you as I am not very close (!) Gareth

I was on Falken ZE 912s but with different wheels now have the Continentals. They have really changed the feel of the car for the better and it reminds me of my go kart days - turn the wheel and the car just seems to follow .... strange to explain. Mind you the write ups for wear are not that good for these tyres - I guess the compound mix is good for gripping (soft?) but t poor for wear . Gareth

Just browsed a few forums here (in France). HIDs are not legally approved and in theory you could get a police fine. However there are many postings about having HIDs and having had no problems ............ There is advice to change them before MOTs (Controle Technique, here - very strict but only every two years) Having said that, French motor police are not very sympathetic to foreign plated cars and are very happy to do on the spot fines for speeding offences ...

Thanks. Yes, I did quite enjoy it in fact! Very rewarding (if you take it slowly and it works.) Thanks for the orange peel tip - I would always be scared to use abrasive paper (even very fine) on new paint but there you go, you learn something new everyday as they say. A neighbour just asked if I would do his car next - and he was serious. I think I need to learn a bit more on my car first. Thanks again

Well, had a hot day here today so I was able to complete the job in the sun. I rubbed down a lot more and filled some small holes. The paint and lacquer went on better than I had expected (cans) and after leaving it in the hot sun for a few hours was able to rub down with some rubbing compound. It could do with a bit more but I will resume again on another day. Verdict? OK for a first attempt I think but not body shop standards. I can see where it is fixed but I don't think it is obvious to anyone in passing. The paint needs a bit more work with rubbing down (T cut) and that will improve it. The colour match is superb (paints 4U.com. If nothing else I have gained some skills and confidence and would tackle other body work repairs now. I have some peeling lacquer over one of the rear arches and I will be happy to sort that out now. Thanks for your help! Gareth

Thanks. I know there is a bit more to do and yes, the prep is always the most important part of the job by far. I did most of the sanding so far with a block of wood I cut to size. The edges, though, I find easier with a finger .. Will report back. Gareth

Thanks. I was surprised myself as to how it is turning out. I guess the final painting will be my real test!

UPDATE Thanks! I have spent all afternoon on this - rubbing down, filling, rubbing down, filling .... I have now put a primer on it to see what it looks like. Pics below. I am quite pleased. I need to put in some compound paste to fill the little holes but I think I have got the contours OK. Obviously it all looks different when you have the final shiny coat on but I think I am getting there. The last time I did this kind of stuff was filling in old rust heaps in the 1980s and the quality of the filler now is absolutely fantastic compared with then. Easy to rub down, as well. Now, can someone explain in idiots language for me what I do with the final spraying. I got a bit lost with some of your comments. 1) I dry fine rub an area to 8 inches around the damage 2) I then spray with base colour, no masking 3) I then rub down the fine spray that has extended beyond the repair - with rubbing compound or wet n dry paper??? 4) I then lacquer ... again no no masking Is there a difference between UK grades and Europe grades with abrasives? Metric or something??? I cant find anything finer than grade 600 and that is pretty smooth. The filler I used recommended a grade 400 so I am wondering if things are different. Anyway, the results so far look OK (I think). Thanks!! Gareth

Hi there Here are some pics. Not extensive damage but so unnecessary. The denting on the door is really hardly visible -its behind the centre post I need to work on. Will spend a while getting it sorted but will take it steadily. Thanks for your tips so far. I am still so cross with myself. But in the greater scheme of things everything could have been so much worse if I hadn't got the car back into control when I skidded in the rain a couple of weeks ago (subject of another thread)

Thanks guys. Really helpful. I will post a pic tommorrow for your information. I am not sure knocking the dent out did me any favours as I still have a dent and now some slightly uneven bits around it - though it did push out the dent a bit. I will sort it with your advice. Thanks

Very annoyingly, I put a small but noticable dent and scratch on the side of my car last night going round out tight corner in the village. I manage to wriggle round the same corner everyday but last night I just messed it. Curse and swear. I managed to push it out a bit from inside but will need to do a bit of filling. Fine. When I come to spray it over after careful preparation, is it best to mask off the area, leaving a square line where I have newly sprayed, to rub down later, or not mask and leave a fine spray on the surrounding areas which I will rub down later. Any tips? Thanks Gareth

Fifth box down for me. Feel like I should be in the second box though in terms of go get and having fun - but the further down the range of boxes I guess we have all learned thing or two along the way. And done the house-buying when it was still relatively affordable.

For those of you who haven't seen them, here are the economy lights on the rev counter. I assumed they were universal - obviously not. I do sometimes try to drive by them if I am low on fuel - and yes sometimes it is the labouring in a higher gear rather than revving in a lower one that drinks more fuel.

Does anyone ever take much notice of the little fuel economy indicator lights (presumably they are standard on all Gen 5's)? They seem to pretty much back up what has been said on here so far.

You would normally get a cooler reading on a motrway because of the cooling effect of the fast air flowing through the radiator. How cold is it reading? Sounds like you have got some car worries in your head and cant get them out! Happens sometimes! Gareth

Hi - most probably condensation. You would be losing water losing water if it was the HG and as you say it would seem smokey(steamy). Is it running fine? Gareth