Hello,
I have just won http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300547485656&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
does anyone know this car?


What sort of things should I look out for?
I have owned a 400 tourer before and it never missed a beat only needing a cv joint even though it took me from London to Scotland on several occasions (including moving me up here with 2 adults, 2 children, 2 dogs, a cat and a very loaded trailer!!)
I got it for my wife as she only drives auto.

I am more used to the 800's but in the current climate and with the amount of miles and the cost of petrol I decided that something a bit smaller was in order. And after all it was only £180.

I look forward to hearing any comments.
Mark

Nice cars the R8. Main thing is the rear bush's and the top suspenstion bush.

The D series cambelts are a pain to do but 99% of the time a failure results in no engine damage and just a new belt.

The D series sucks abit of oil mind and is not very MPG friendly. No Honda engine is lol.

As for that is just a question of condition etc, the car should have remote central locking. Make sure it comes with one fob atleast or you can have one programmed in.

The seat belt not clicking in, very common fault. The buckle will be broken and will need to be replaced. I have stripped them in the past and its a white plastic clip that fails but its much easier to get one from a scrappy.

Only other thing to note is the rear seat cloth has gone saggy, another common R8 issues.

Just watch for the rust on the rear archs and floor pans and should be ok.

Only other thing to note is the rear seat cloth has gone saggy, another common R8 issues..

Is that actually common? Never seen it before. What about the material on the door cards of the mk2 400 series, is it common for them to come loose? Has on mine, is still attatched, just loose in the middle where the curve is - as if when the material was put on it was stretched to tightly or not enough adhesive was used.

Its common on the Mk1 interior with wedge dash yes. The later ones had hog rings all over to hold the seat material down. Pain to install aswell.

As for the door cars on the HHR, yep common for them to come unstuck and you cant stick it back down easily as it never seems to keep the same shape and all the foam back comes off.

Thats what causes it, the foam unsticking and the material unsticking from the foam.

I always say to get a new one or re-trim in vinyl or leather if your keeping the car.

ive been looking for a automatic r8 tourer for my wife to use for ages.

ive been looking for a automatic r8 tourer for my wife to use for ages.


There were a few on eBay on Wednesday although they were a bit dearer than what I paid (but then again they had more than 1 weeks MOT!!!)

I suppose it depends on how far you are willing to travel. I will usually travel anywhere but I did have to draw the line at one I saw in Cornwall ( with the fuel costs and train fare it would have just about doubled the cost of the car)

There were a few on eBay on Wednesday although they were a bit dearer than what I paid (but then again they had more than 1 weeks MOT!!!)

I suppose it depends on how far you are willing to travel. I will usually travel anywhere but I did have to draw the line at one I saw in Cornwall ( with the fuel costs and train fare it would have just about doubled the cost of the car)
im always on a tight budget.one weeks mot is better than no mot.

After driving 100 miles to collect this car I was all ready to collect when the seller decided to tell me he did not have the log book.
I did not take the car as I have been stung this way previously. I am now looking for another auto for the wife to drive and am very unimpressed as this has left me the best part of £100 out of pocket :( (fuel for getting there and back, deposit on insurance and breakdown cover)
Oh well you live and learn......

Easy enough to check on the net if there has been a recent owner change and if not I would have still gone through with it.

Aslong as they wear ok to write a reciept to you saying the car was yours and they take any ownership resposability etc.

Plus if they had the keys aswell and it fitted all locks thats another bonus.

Bad news is it about £30 for a new log book if you have not got the green slip.

Easy enough to check on the net if there has been a recent owner change and if not I would have still gone through with it.

Aslong as they wear ok to write a reciept to you saying the car was yours and they take any ownership resposability etc.

Plus if they had the keys aswell and it fitted all locks thats another bonus.

Bad news is it about £30 for a new log book if you have not got the green slip.

I thought you needed the V5 reference number to check online and without the v5 I do not know how to get it.
The seller has told me that he will give me a call when he receives the log book but that is dependant on the person he got it from 2-3 weeks ago sending his copy off.
I did a bit more digging and noticed that he had sold it a few days earlier on eBay but for whatever reason the sale never went through.
He only had the one key but I did not check it in all the locks although it did have an aftermarket remote fob that he did not know worked.

Maybe I will het a call in the next few days and then I will go and get it, problem is the MOT runs out on 20/4 and without it it is only worth scrap value (around here you would be looking at about £100) plus I would have no way of getting the car home legally (I know about travelling to a pre booked test).
Perhaps I will see another one reasonably locally!

Thanks
Mark

We all live and learn buddy,just put it down to experience,probably a duff car anyway if the current owner is getting rid after such a short time of ownership. a bit iffy if you ask me.

Next time just ask if the v5 is present etc to be safe.