Oskar
A2OC Donor
Hi everyone.
I am a new owner of an A2, and have learnt a lot in the last month of ownership. Thanks to all who have posted with really good information about all the quirks and specifics of these great cars.
I was looking for a classic car to work on, but it needed to be ULEZ compliant, so I was stuck with 40 year old bangers, or quite modern, low CO2 'boring' cars. I am sure you will all agree, the A2 really is already a classic, due to its great design and unique features (mainly aluminium chassis).
So, an eBay special for £900 caught my eye. I missed it the first time it was listed, but the winner (?) turned up and refused it, so it was listed again. I should have started thinking a bit deeper at that stage!
It had a fairly recent MOT, and reported 75,000 miles, so how bad could it be?
I knew it had a drivers window issue (but not the details) and a central locking issue, and a need to manually open the fuel flap. Obvioulsy I thought this ALL related to the CCU.
However, as usual with eBay sort of things, I could not help myself and took the train for the 200miles to pick it up.
It's a great colour (Cobalt Blue) and has the features I was looking for (leather steering wheel, 4 seats, all interior bits present, low miles, original radio etc), and apart from what I hope is only wheel balancing, drove the 4 hours home in a very comfortable and predictable manner. All appeared fine.
However, after a lot more investigation, I have found a lot of relatively minor issues. Missing parts where the biggest surprise (yes, I should have seen all of this before purchasing......), but the resolutions required where also not as simple as I expected.
After doing all my research (thanks again to all previous posters), a lot of the symptoms would have suggested a different diagnosis, however even if I had done that level of homework, I think I would have purchased anyway.
The real test will be when I get the 'details' sorted and start using as a daily driver. I'm still confident it will be what I need, but there are still unknown unknowns.
The clutch and cambelt being the main 2.
Here is a list of the repairs required (initial), and some upgrades I would have made on any A2 (where relevant).
I have spent more than the value of the car, but some of that is poor purchasing (mistakes and faulty items), and quite a bit on the stereo upgrade.
I'll try and post about each aspect, as it is completed, to add to the valuable info on the site.
The biggest question I have for now, relates to the bearings at the top of the front suspension struts. I think one (or both) has failed, as there is a strange noise when steering at low speed (parking etc), but I cannot find anything that may cause this on the steering and suspension when inspected. Any suggestions welcome!
Repairs
1. CCU – Central lock cycling - Done
2. Drivers Door micro switch – Won’t show as Open - Waiting on parts
3. Under bonnet part re-attachment – drains and other parts loose and hanging - Done
4. Wheel balancing – 2 fronts
5. Drivers Window mechanism – Cables broken. New frame required - Done
6. Fuel flap switch – switch missing cap - Done
7. Alarm switch – switch missing cap - Done
8. Nearside front liner - missing - Done
9. Undertray - missing - Will fit purchased item soon
10. Jackpoint cover – OS front missing - Done
11. Speaker grill – Rear NS broken - Done
12. Key replacement – buttons illegible - Done
13. Add some oil! - Done
14. Possible front strut bearing replacement
15. It will (likely) need a new clutch. The engagement only happens at the end of the travel.
Upgrades
a) Stereo upgrade to Concert 1 – Chorus 1 won’t take Bluetooth - Waiting on head unit (third one!)
b) Rear speaker addition – I only had fronts - Done
c) Amplifier fitment – Want a big sound. Possible future speaker upgrade also - Done
d) Bluetooth – Connect2 to be added to Concert 1 - Waiting on head unit
e) Space-saver spare – Full size spare won’t fit under floor - Waiting delivery
f) VCDS Lite - Done
g) Oil dipstick addition under bonnet – inspection panel dipstick has broken end - Done
Cheers
Matt
I am a new owner of an A2, and have learnt a lot in the last month of ownership. Thanks to all who have posted with really good information about all the quirks and specifics of these great cars.
I was looking for a classic car to work on, but it needed to be ULEZ compliant, so I was stuck with 40 year old bangers, or quite modern, low CO2 'boring' cars. I am sure you will all agree, the A2 really is already a classic, due to its great design and unique features (mainly aluminium chassis).
So, an eBay special for £900 caught my eye. I missed it the first time it was listed, but the winner (?) turned up and refused it, so it was listed again. I should have started thinking a bit deeper at that stage!
It had a fairly recent MOT, and reported 75,000 miles, so how bad could it be?
I knew it had a drivers window issue (but not the details) and a central locking issue, and a need to manually open the fuel flap. Obvioulsy I thought this ALL related to the CCU.
However, as usual with eBay sort of things, I could not help myself and took the train for the 200miles to pick it up.
It's a great colour (Cobalt Blue) and has the features I was looking for (leather steering wheel, 4 seats, all interior bits present, low miles, original radio etc), and apart from what I hope is only wheel balancing, drove the 4 hours home in a very comfortable and predictable manner. All appeared fine.
However, after a lot more investigation, I have found a lot of relatively minor issues. Missing parts where the biggest surprise (yes, I should have seen all of this before purchasing......), but the resolutions required where also not as simple as I expected.
After doing all my research (thanks again to all previous posters), a lot of the symptoms would have suggested a different diagnosis, however even if I had done that level of homework, I think I would have purchased anyway.
The real test will be when I get the 'details' sorted and start using as a daily driver. I'm still confident it will be what I need, but there are still unknown unknowns.
The clutch and cambelt being the main 2.
Here is a list of the repairs required (initial), and some upgrades I would have made on any A2 (where relevant).
I have spent more than the value of the car, but some of that is poor purchasing (mistakes and faulty items), and quite a bit on the stereo upgrade.
I'll try and post about each aspect, as it is completed, to add to the valuable info on the site.
The biggest question I have for now, relates to the bearings at the top of the front suspension struts. I think one (or both) has failed, as there is a strange noise when steering at low speed (parking etc), but I cannot find anything that may cause this on the steering and suspension when inspected. Any suggestions welcome!
Repairs
1. CCU – Central lock cycling - Done
2. Drivers Door micro switch – Won’t show as Open - Waiting on parts
3. Under bonnet part re-attachment – drains and other parts loose and hanging - Done
4. Wheel balancing – 2 fronts
5. Drivers Window mechanism – Cables broken. New frame required - Done
6. Fuel flap switch – switch missing cap - Done
7. Alarm switch – switch missing cap - Done
8. Nearside front liner - missing - Done
9. Undertray - missing - Will fit purchased item soon
10. Jackpoint cover – OS front missing - Done
11. Speaker grill – Rear NS broken - Done
12. Key replacement – buttons illegible - Done
13. Add some oil! - Done
14. Possible front strut bearing replacement
15. It will (likely) need a new clutch. The engagement only happens at the end of the travel.
Upgrades
a) Stereo upgrade to Concert 1 – Chorus 1 won’t take Bluetooth - Waiting on head unit (third one!)
b) Rear speaker addition – I only had fronts - Done
c) Amplifier fitment – Want a big sound. Possible future speaker upgrade also - Done
d) Bluetooth – Connect2 to be added to Concert 1 - Waiting on head unit
e) Space-saver spare – Full size spare won’t fit under floor - Waiting delivery
f) VCDS Lite - Done
g) Oil dipstick addition under bonnet – inspection panel dipstick has broken end - Done
Cheers
Matt
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