Cleaned the car (56k)

agw_01 · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:16

After polishing the backbox on my car, I stood back and thought "that looks crap" as the rest of the car was filthy.

We've had another great day today so this evening, I gave the car a good going over. Did all the little bits too, inner and outer sills, inner wheel arches (mud collects on the inner lip which retains moisture and promotes rusting) and all the little areas that don't really matter, but make you feel a whole lot better for cleaning them.

agw_01 · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:17

While I had the camera out, I thought I'd get a few clips of the exhaust and my ghetto boost gauge install (to be fitted properly when my centre console is complete).

Exhaust noise
It's overfuelling a bit, hence the steam/condensation from the exhaust. The engine was nicely warmed up.

Ghetto boost gauge install

Quick video of boost gauge on the road

And if I don't say so myself... :cool:

InvaderGIR · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:20

Shiney

The GSi Rovers are beasts, I love the sound my dad's makes when you get into high RPM...just a shame his has high sidewalls and is rusty...his is a 216...shifts damn well.

Liking that 420...not a rover person, but that one is nice.

InvG

paradigm · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:21

Looks really good, although, did you miss a tyre with your dressing

spoonz · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:23

what cleaning stuff u use?

agw_01 · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:26

paradigm said:
Looks really good, although, did you miss a tyre with your dressing

Tyre dressing is for girls

Some dirty water (after cleaning the alloys) and a sponge is all I used. I did the wheels first, so they'd had plenty of time to dry.

spoonz, nothing special. Just some Turtle Wax Extreme shampoo and a wash mitt. I did dry it with a chamois too. I hate the dirty water marks you get if you don't

I'm not going to say that the car is mint, as the pictures do hide a bit of stone chipping to the bonnet and front bumper, and a few rust rubbles on the rear arch... but for 12 years old, it's not bad at all.

paradigm · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:27

agw_01 said:
Tyre dressing is for girls

No, its for people who want their black bits to look black

I tyre dress my inner arches

Enfield · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:30

Needs slightly larger wheels and/or lowering.

Looks good though, I'd buy it off you.

lordrobs · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:30

Nice, not a fan of the chrome grill though.

agw_01 · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:33

Enfield said:
Needs slightly larger wheels and/or lowering.

Looks good though, I'd buy it off you.

Got a full GMax (<40mm) kit in the boot to go on

Just waiting for a free weekend to fit it.

lordrobs, what, the actual chrome grille or the meshing?

saitrix · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:34

Looks perfect.

Please don't change the way it looks, will ruin it otherwise.

What you want to do to it now?

agw_01 · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:35

saitrix said:
What you want to do to it now?

Externally?

Lower it, bigger brakes, maybe colour code the black trim, keep my current wheels or get some OZ SuperLegs (or BK299's) and some smoked window tints.

The rest will be under the bonnet

Enfield · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:37

Are those 15" or 16" on it at the moment?

lordrobs · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:38

agw_01 said:
lordrobs, what, the actual chrome grille or the meshing?

The actual grille itself.

... this is where you tell me its standard isn't it

Tesla · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:38

Looks like an immaculate example. But I do not find this car very aesthetically pleasing. Not your car, just the Rover range from this era in general.

agw_01 · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:44

Enfield said:
Are those 15" or 16" on it at the moment?

16". They're MG Hairpins as fitted to the entry spec MG ZR and ZS cars.

lordrobs said:
The actual grille itself.

... this is where you tell me its standard isn't it

Surprised you have to ask.

Chris, is it just the 400's you don't like, or all the wedge shapes (200, 400 and Coupes)?

Tesla · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:45

agw_01 said:
Chris, is it just the 400's you don't like, or all the wedge shapes (200, 400 and Coupes)?

All of the wedge shapes. I think they just totally lack any style.

paradigm · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:46

agw_01 said:
Chris, is it just the 400's you don't like, or all the wedge shapes (200, 400 and Coupes)?

If he is the same as me, its the 200/400 and 800 of that era (wedge shape) that just has something about it that doesn't seem well styled.

But as he said, yours does look great for what it is. And style is personal preference.

agw_01 · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:48

paradigm said:
And style is personal preference.

I couldn't agree more.

The wedge's are getting on a bit now and I'll agree are showing their age. But to me, I just think the front end (from a side profile) just looks absolutely fantastic.

The rear of the 420 is growing on me too.

Enfield · 27 Mar 2007 at 20:48

agw_01 said:
16". They're MG Hairpins as fitted to the entry spec MG ZR and ZS cars.

Thought so. My friend has an MG ZS+ with those alloys though they look smaller on your car.

Looking forward to seeing it lowered. Shame you're using Gay-totheMax springs.