Refurbed subframe UK?

JMS

JMS

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So - I’ve just got off the phone from a chap I asked to do a PPI on a 2010 GTS - attached are pics of the subframe- he reckons it should be an MoT fail. (Due 6th Aug)

What cost should I expect to pay to buy and have a refurbed front subframe fitted?

The car is mechanically sound otherwise (although needs some paint).

I need to decide whether to use this as a big negotiation chip or just walk away.

Any advice gratefully received- I’ve seen the ASR post about refurbed ones available from Netherlands, wondering where is recommended in UK (I’m quite close to Shiltech)

Previous repair using very thin plate 99922
Other areas99923

99924
 
Chrisb2015

Chrisb2015

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Is the spec really unique or is there something about the car that is unrepeatable? If so I guess it might make sense at the right price. If not then I think the consensus will be to walk and find another that doesn’t need the subframe given the considerable expense
 
rs48635

rs48635

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budget for £6000 to remove , repair and refit the existing unit assuming it can be saved.
ignore my wild price ^^^ above which included lots of other work!
Others will arrive with estimate for just the labour in replacing with a good unit.
Unless all front wishbone bushes are new, budget on all eight replacements. See what they look like inside and out as they will all be removed from subframe.
 
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CatmanV2

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FWIW I'm not sure that's a repair? Looks like one of the tin foil covers.

I think you're looking about £6k or did I dream that?

C
 
conaero

conaero

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It doesn’t look that bad but would need to see it. £200 welding, £395 underseal but be prepared you may need to do a grand in full front bushes, they look knackered.
 
conaero

conaero

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Or if you want it taken out, welded and powder coated to as new it’s £1650 but the bushes on top
 
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JMS

JMS

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Cheers for the replies
The spec isn’t unique, black on black, half alcantara. MC shift, standard dampers. Engine number after actuator issue resolved.
It’s had the big-ticket items done - except subframe.
New clutch, new brakes, 39k miles. Just had major service. Suspension feels tight, no weeping fluids under the bonnet or rads.
I saw that a fellow newbie had got almost £5k off that red GTS with alcantara dash recently, so wondered if this might be a good buy if I could do similar.
It’s advertised at £32k.
MC shifts at this price point seem pretty thin on the ground, without needing one of the big ticket items doing.

interesting to see the spread of the cost estimate- I guess that is basically the difference between refurb or replace.
 
Scaf

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I would say that a repaired subframe, even by a reputable company, would always raise suspicion from a future buyer and could affect saleability if not price, a replacement would of course have the opposite effect.
 
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JMS

JMS

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That’s what I’m thinking, at £25k + £6k subframe + £1k to £3k paint would make it a sorted car, but maybe too ‘triggers-broom’ for resale.
Unfortunately I only plan to run it for a couple of years until my daughter learns to drive, then I can get a 2-seater.
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

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Scaf said:
I would say that a repaired subframe, even by a reputable company, would always raise suspicion from a future buyer and could affect saleability if not price, a replacement would of course have the opposite effect.
Click to expand...
I disagree, if the seller is upfront that it has been repaired and by a reputable welding company with experience of previous work, then I'd say it would be better than the original. At least it has been checked for rust, assessed what needs to be done, opened up, old rusty parts removed, new steel inserted, treated, sealed and repainted. I used Tricketts in Poole for the 4200, he's a second generation and time served welder. Emblems use him too. He's very open with his work and a nice chap to boot. He often puts his projects on facebook.
 
philw696

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To be fair the only proper way is to remove for a full inspection after it's been blasted rather than try and repair on the car as there's too much you can't see.
Matt's company and pricing is exceptional value.
 
rs48635

rs48635

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and please be aware that strictly speaking subframe is a replace item, not repair. All future buyers of cars must swallow that information.
There are no more new ones so any repair has to be of the highest integrity. Owners have the vested interest to do it right, do it once.

As better qualified people have said, appears that subframe removal likely the only longe term option.
 
JMS

JMS

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The car is HF60ESY for info- located in Crowthorne (on Autotrader) - but I have declined to buy it. If it were just the subframe that was the problem I would have gone for it (assuming I could have got the car for significantly under £30k). I would have had a proper job done, with it removed from the car.
There has also been a poor partial respray to tidy up the paint, which would have bugged my OCD and I couldn’t afford to be without a car while it was sorted. (Plus fresh paint may have made resale more difficult)
Good points on the car are:
Engine number after the actuator issue was resolved. Brand new clutch, all new brakes at the front, new pads at the rear. No fluid leaks in engine bay or rads. Good tyres & Just serviced. Test drive showed everything tight and as it should be. There is a mark on the centre console in the rear (which isn’t unexpected given the cars age)

Now I’ve got my heart set on one I’m considering even more budget stretch to £35k for a sorted car. Even considering the ZF auto transmission as these seem to be more common.

Thanks all for the advice- I’m hoping that more will come to market soon with the cost of living increases meaning fewer people want to run one.

James
 
schell70

schell70

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JMS said:
The car is HF60ESY for info- located in Crowthorne (on Autotrader) - but I have declined to buy it. If it were just the subframe that was the problem I would have gone for it (assuming I could have got the car for significantly under £30k). I would have had a proper job done, with it removed from the car.
There has also been a poor partial respray to tidy up the paint, which would have bugged my OCD and I couldn’t afford to be without a car while it was sorted. (Plus fresh paint may have made resale more difficult)
Good points on the car are:
Engine number after the actuator issue was resolved. Brand new clutch, all new brakes at the front, new pads at the rear. No fluid leaks in engine bay or rads. Good tyres & Just serviced. Test drive showed everything tight and as it should be. There is a mark on the centre console in the rear (which isn’t unexpected given the cars age)

Now I’ve got my heart set on one I’m considering even more budget stretch to £35k for a sorted car. Even considering the ZF auto transmission as these seem to be more common.

Thanks all for the advice- I’m hoping that more will come to market soon with the cost of living increases meaning fewer people want to run one.

James
Click to expand...
This is interesting as I live in Crowthorne! Checking out the ad the photos have been taken in a new housing development that's in Crowthorne probably to look nicer than where the trader is based.

I've never heard of the trader before but a bit of companies house investigation shows that it's the same guy that owns 'Absolute Tyres' - I have dealt with them before when the missus Mini had some issues and they did a good job. Also they have a good reputation in the village for tyres and general servicing at least.

Top money for a 2010 though surely and that's before the subframe issues

Can't say I've ever seen it driving locally so maybe just 'stock' passing through, may take a walk and have a nose :)
 
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