Picked up Gracie this morning from WOM and just got back home. I’m very pleased with the result, she’d feels quite rejuvenated. Hugely impressed with Rob, very switched on, what he doesn’t know about A2s isn’t worth knowing. My observations, which probably don’t come as much of a surprise….
The gearchange has a very short throw, which I like, though the first time I selected 2nd the movement seemed so short I was sure it couldn’t have gone in, but it had. It’s quite notchy, not fingertip light like my Polo, but it‘s got a nice mechanical precision. Rob thought that, being a reconditioned box, it might take a little while to properly loosen up so we’ll see. But even if it didn’t I’d be perfectly happy.
The clutch feels incredibly light, I don’t think I had realised just how heavy the clutch had become so it was a bit of a shock - a nice one though.
The new starter motor (£20 on ebay from a Passat) has improved starting, feels much stronger.
I can understand the comments about the MYP gearing. The natural urge is to select 5th when you’re in a 40 limit, however the engine feels like it’s labouring just a little so imagine I’d tend to use 4th more, which is fine. 6th is certainly very relaxed on the motorway, though I never felt 5th in the old box was too short, being a TDI 90. And I averaged 60mpg on the journey (going 70 most of the time) which is a decent improvement over what I used to get.
As I mentioned above, the cables weren’t changed. They thought mine were actually in excellent condition. So the ones I picked up the other day will shortly be for sale.
Overall I’m a very satisfied customer. The main thing is that (touch wood!) my gearchange troubles are a thing of the past and I’ll be able to keep Gracie for sometime longer. I need to because this has been a fairly expensive exercise, though I’m sure it will be well worth it. Need to finish the job off with a replacement gear knob…. Suggestions welcome (my wife wouldn‘t appreciate aluminium).