May i introduce myself...

[kris]

Hello Gumby,

Yes, the battery was diconnected and a tempory one put in while it got a MOT done and then switched back after the test. So i shall give that one a try as well

The handbrake is fine at the moment. The handbrake shoes and cylinders were replaced as part of the MOT and was all adjusted and set up just so. I've just been skimming through and round and under every post i can find, but not really reading them all in much detail and noticed a few about handbrakes and wasn't sure if i should be concerned it was a manufactures flaw or just a "querk". But i shall be keeping an eye on the situation as time progresses.

-Why is it a bad set up? Is it not the same idea as a normal handbrake with shoes, only on the inside of disc? Is it exposed to the elements or housed and protected?

No A/C on mine, just a heater/blower jobbie.

Just thought i'd say - you guys are awesome lots of ideas and experiance! L&R

[Captain Jack]

Great choice of car and engine. Loved my 2.1TD - best car I ever owned.

Agree with everyone. The turbo on mine started at about 2000 rpm but was relatively out of puff by 3000... I never revved it past that. Get it remapped and it will be a very powerful motor indeed.

It's NCAP 2 star by the way... 1999+ models are 3 star.

Retrofit everything you can. Leather seats (and door cards if possible) first. Here's my 2.1TD LX, converted to almost exec spec.

[kris]

That looks niccccce

How is retrofitting 'lectric seat possible? I take it they only made the one type of wiring loom for all levels of spec, and if a plug/socket wasn't needed it was just stashed away under the console? Does it all function as well as it looks?


Is it just the exec spec that have arm rests?? Beggers can't be chooser's, so i can only take whats available to me as and when i have the monies lol. But arm rests are something i would really like.

Is remapping a specialists job? Requiring specialized gadgets and gizmoes?

The turbo on mine started at about 2000 rpm but was relatively out of puff by 3000

I presume thats before a remapping? Does it change much after it's been remapped?

[annie10]

my 2001 lx spec has 2 front armrests

[kris]

my 2001 lx spec has 2 front armrests

Could i have one.. pleeease

[annie10]

i have the cream velour interior, looks really nice after i took out the seats, carpets,door cards and headlining and gave the whole car a good clean and shampooed the interior. took a while though

[kris]

Sounds like i could be spoilt for choice if i saved up and looked around. Keeping it matching trim colour and finding similar condition seats, cards, carpets etc may take some time.

[Captain Jack]

There's no loom for electric seats in your LX. You need to pass a 12V feed to the seats somehow (I went from the battery direct). The passenger seat is a straight-forward job. The driver's one needs +12v feed connecting directly to the inside of the switch as it's normally controlled by the seat ECU, which is almost impossible to retrofit and end up chopping it off. You do lose memory functions but not really a problem.

GLX seats also have arm rests.

[Welly]

You do lose memory functions but not really a problem.

What's not really a problem again?

[GingerMagic]

Hi Kris - a belated welcome...

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Welcome to the madhouse Kris

[kris]

Cool. Are the GLX seats electric or manual?

Also, while we're on the subject of 12v feeds... i'm thinking of fitting one in the load space at the back. Not for anything in particular, just so its there if needs be. I think "for sh!ts and giggles" is the technical term

-Where's the optimal place to mount it? (if there is one)
-What's the best place to take the feed from? Taking it from one end of the car all the way to the other sounds like it could be more hassle than its worth, so is there somewhere closer. Or would mounting a small motorbike battery into one of the void spaces where the CD changer would be, or is that a bit on the dangerous/pointless side?

Hello to you too, GingerMagic

[kris]

And a hello to you also, dirtydirtydiesel

[kris]

Suppose, finding away of keeping the bike battery charged would be an issue that would need worked out...