4200 Spyder - Running Report

zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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21,015
Well having had it for about 6 months and used it nearly everyday it has just popped over 49k miles. I did feel sorry for the use it has been getting so have bought a cheap runaround to leave in airport and station car parks.

I decided time was right to send it to Emblem for an MOT, resolve a couple of niggles and get it checked out for Le Mans. Key concern was the clutch as there is no evidence of it having being changed and it was reading 75% used when I got it. It is now reading 85% use, and apart from a couple of neutral selections on upshifts it has been fine.

Emblem went through it with they normal fine tooth comb even advising that the CD wasn't working which wasn't a surprise as it has been disconnected and a loud link installed. They once again picked up there was no red plastic cover on the battery, something that Matt was seriously concerned about on the pre sale inspection they did for me.

A few other issues that I will need to get round to - discs starting to look a bit sorry (awaiting SM group buy), tyres different makes on front and rear and all at 4-5mm (they can wait until after Le Mans) but somethings that needed doing now:-

  • Secondary air pipe is holed hence the occasional error code on the CEL
  • CC reservoir pipe split needs replacing
  • brake pipes showing corrosion, they did a couple when I bought the car so it's not surprising the others are going the same way so they are going to do them all and also fit braided hoses at the same time.
  • Wiper Blades split and need replacing
  • Drivers door handle not working from the outside (it was) turned out to have been broken before and it had been glued back together.
  • Rear suspension headlamp level sensor link rod seized

So lots of little jobs which I have no doubt will add up to a few quid leaving my bank account with a few more big bills due this year but heh what the heck.

I can honestly say it still is the best everyday car I have had, it now runs a regular 21mpg average and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
 
conaero

conaero

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34,652
That made me laugh....the bit about the drivers door handle being glued together.

The passenger one went so upon taking it out I also found that it had been glued with some sort of epoxy. Dick Lovett were having a bit of an issue getting the part at the time so I thought "sod it" and glued it up while I waited for the new part. It held for nearly a year then went just before I sold it to you Andy. It does have a brand new one in the passenger side.

Looks like some heavy handed chap had it before.

Glad you got the secondary air pipe done, it was on my list of things to do but as it was so minor back then I did not worry too much about it.

Re the clutch, you have done nearly 10k miles since you bought it, which is about what some clutches last (well 12k is not unheard of for a replacement) so I think you have done rather well. I would still stick with it, it will be fine in Le Mans then you can poodle around back home till it goes and you may get another year/12k miles out if...thats what I would do....especially if you are going to change the bearing and flywheel.

The thing I would get done is that offside rear arch that requires some attention, get the other arch done too. Because that blue pearl paint is such a ***** to match I would get the smallest of local repairs done. Make sure they take the sill off or it will come back.

Oh, and those rear tyres were brand new when I sold it to you so again, they have done really well if after 10k miles they still have a third life left.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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21,015
I have done about 6k since I got it from you Matt, it had 43,300.

Planning to get the bodywork done over the winter, Emblem are going to quote to do both sides, and repaint the nose these things don't half pick up stone chips easily.

I have a guy who does the paint on my Alfas and I will get him to quote as well but I suspect he will recommend the best way to ensure a good match will be to paint the whole thing, more cost.
 
highlander

highlander

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5,225
zagatoes30 said:
I have a guy who does the paint on my Alfas and I will get him to quote as well but I suspect he will recommend the best way to ensure a good match will be to paint the whole thing, more cost.
Click to expand...

exact opposite advice from the bodywork guy I have used for years with all my cars when I took marci down to him to look over the minor stone chips on the nose and passenger rear panel. he has fell in love with her and is super keen to keep the original paint intact and has no intention of resorting to panel spray so he will be going the longer way round by touching each chip and polishing down individually. have seen him work before with such passion on minor marks and count myself lucky to know he likes marci:numberone:
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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21,015
As I am getting the wheels done next week I have decided to get a decent set of stainless bolts to go with them - yummy :)
 
BennyD

BennyD

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15,006
The first person to put flower arranging and 4200 spyder in the same sentence loses his left nut. The second, both nuts and the third, both nuts and a kidney.
 
philw696

philw696

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25,614
For fun if it was me I would have sticker made of a small bouquet and put it to the right of my stripes just for fun.
 
conaero

conaero

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34,652
BennyD said:
The first person to put flower arranging and 4200 spyder in the same sentence loses his left nut. The second, both nuts and the third, both nuts and a kidney.
Click to expand...

I am getting pressure from the missus to go get imasculated at the snip clinic as I have no use for them now apparently.

I didn't think at the time of getting married I would have to hand over all my money and my jaffas!

So Ben you would be doing me a favour....the kidney I want to keep though.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

Member
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21,015
BennyD said:
How come the first picture has 20 bolts, the second 19 and the third 21?
Click to expand...

I knew there would be one nerd on here who counted them, 21 bolts in the box (which by the way was beautifully packaged with each bolt double wrapped in 2 sealable bags to make sue they don't scratch each other)
 
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