Project 250 (2005 Dolphin Grey TDI BHC)

Afternoon all,

Apologies for it being so long since I updated this thread. Project 250 has been serving the other driver in the house really well, with no complaints.

I have fitted had new Pagid discs and pads to get it through the MOT that it recently failed. That really isn’t bad going for a high mileage (218k miles) £250 A2 to be awarded a 12 month MOT certificate.

You’ll remember that I fitted a a Sport Gear Knob that needed a little bit of TLC to look it’s best so I just nipped outside with the products as used on the A1 MFSW on the OEM Thread. The Gear Knob, 30 minutes ago looked like this:

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It now looks so much better after 4 coats of Furniture Clinic Black Leather Paint:

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No more wear /worn out mark around the badge on top. It’s these small things that bite me when I get into a vehicle. Once the paint has fully cured over 24 hours I might do it again to achieve a smoother finish, simple enough to do using a different applicator.

In between meetings today I’ll try to add a few more pictures.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Afternoon again,

This terrific A2 has also had a really nice set of Swing Leather Seats fitted. These were an absolute bargain from Jeremy @sciroccorrado as the buyer of one of his A2s wanted Cloth Seats opposed to Leather, £200 cash and fitted my Cloth Seats for him:

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These seats took a while to get them as clean as they are now but nothing some products (Elbow Grease, Leather Cleaner and Leather Treatment Cream) couldn't put right.

A few months ago now I was donated a Drivers Rubber Foot Mat to complete the set I fitted last year.

Some may remember that I tempted myself to purchase a Soul Black Auto Dimming Mirror with Compass. This has also been fitted but I'm yet to wire it in. A job for another time as I just cannot find a spare hour recently.

This was removed:

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Then this was quickly fitted (USA Model with digital Compass):
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More pictures of this glorious A2 once Ive had the Mop out and given it some @Darren C treatment!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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Looks great Tom, kudos credit there.
Afternoon Jeremy,

The seats have cleaned up very well indeed. That you very much for the bargain to keep this A2 on a low budget. The wife is very happy with your generous offering to make the interior a pleasure to be in.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Amazing what can be achieved. Well done Tom.
Afternoon David,

It really is awesome what can be achieved with incredible generosity/assistance from this amazing community.

I do feel honoured the be part of it which had enabled me to provide my wife (to keep the boys out of OEM) with such a great little car with very little financial input.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Looking very, very good Tom. Great to see a car being given a ‘2nd life’ and lavished with some love. It’s a credit to you and I’m glad Mrs @2work is appreciative of it. ?
 
Morning all,

Small advancement in this splendid A2 moments ago. You'll remember that a couple of weeks ago I send this to James @jp.oog for refurbishment:
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About an hour ago it arrived back after its trip away and now looks like this (apologies if you've already seen this on another thread):
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Cracking result I think!

I was more than happy to cut the original icon ring out with the Dremel (and add the auto icon ring as supplied with the new switch) but I really like this easier non intrusive option. Thank you James.

The LED light comes through perfectly.

Auto:
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Side lights:
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Main lights:
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Front Fog lights:
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Rear fog lights:
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Really happy with having the 'Auto' icon displayed without the need to get the Dremel out.

Next stage will be to integrate the factory dial/barrel part of the switch to eliminate the aluminium aftermarket one for pure perfection, another job for another day.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Very nice result???. I like it a lot
Thank you Duncan,

All credit must go to James @jp.oog here though. Its such an easier option which looks very factory finish in this A2.

Although Im just as happy with the addition of the aluminium ring around Project OEMs headlight switch, I might just swap it for one of these refurbished items with the ‘Auto’ icon added.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Afternoon David,

It really is awesome what can be achieved with incredible generosity/assistance from this amazing community.

I do feel honoured the be part of it which had enabled me to provide my wife (to keep the boys out of OEM) with such a great little car with very little financial input.

Kind regards,

Tom
I do like the comment about keeping the kids out of the OEM, made me chuckle. What a turn around from what you had to begin with, great job sir.
 
Wow!

That is superb.
What a turn around from what you had to begin with, great job sir.
Simon & Mark,

Thank you for your kind comments. This A2 really has come a long way since the purchase some 6-7 months ago.

Most of what I’ve done really didn’t need doing, it was just fine as it was. I like to add a little something to these wonderful cars though, even if it’s not appreciated by the other driver in the house.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Afternoon all,

An hour ago I thought I’d add a couple of items to this great little car (AKA the battle bus).

First off for fitting was a Soul Black Centre Console Tray which was obtained from @Proghound (thank you Ian). Although I doubt I’ll get to adding a QI Wireless Charger, it'll still serve it's purpose as the other driver in the house complains about items falling from the dashboard stowage tray:

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Next up was a False Floor which was also obtained from @Proghound (another thank you Sir). I was relieved to not damage any clips this time round so very happy with the outcome:

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If there is time between meetings I'll add a set of Pepperpots, third thank you Ian.

This A2 really is becoming a delight to be in. The honesty of a not upgrade vehicle is such a pleasure. I obviously like what has been added to the OEM A2, but there is just something different about this one.

It’s most certainly a keeper; even with 218k miles to its name!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Quick update,

Some will may remember that I mentioned (on a different thread) that the Air Con in this A2 is non existent and it requires a complete de-gass followed by a re-gass.

This was done last night and it seems that with the Compressor or Dryer are at fault, probably the Compressor but will change both.

The whole system was hooked up to the equipment and passed a vacuum and pressure test but failed to provide cold air after 5 minutes of receiving 500g of r134a. I could hear the Compressor kick in instantly and the flow of air was gloriously cold but after some 5 minutes the Compressor made a clicking type noise and failed to keep the air cold.

Another job to be done which will be completed soon enough. Fingers crossed it will be icy cold once I've replaced these components along with new seals whilst I'm dismantling it.

Edit: Just been out to this A2 and temperature went down to 4.4 Degrees Celsius. This refreshing temperature is only achievable whilst driving. When the car is stationary (low revs) then the temperature rises very quickly. There is certainly no leaks, just a faulty component which I guess to be the Compressor.

Half DIS Ambient Temperature is 24 Degrees Celsius:

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Kind regards,

Tom
 
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