My Pearl Black '04 ZT CDTi + 135 - Page 17

coolasacucumber · 2nd March 2014, 16:00

Thanks for the positive comments!

I'm just waiting to get a run of 2 days off together, well, 2 dry days off together so that I can tackle the seats!

MG Tom · 2nd March 2014, 18:43

Looking lovely, the black oak does look very nice indeed.

coolasacucumber · 4th March 2014, 16:59

Thanks Tom, I'm pleased with it, makes the interior feel much more special.

I went through the car wash today (I know I know, not ideal, but I was short of time, and it was filthy!)

Then, as I always have to, clean the exhaust trim afterwards, as it gets caked with black exhaust fumes, especially with the decat.

It's come out looking alright I think...

Would using Autosol or some such product protect the exhaust & exhaust trim as well as cleaning it, or are they designed just to clean it?

Cheers

coolasacucumber · 7th May 2014, 21:47

Wowzers, another 2 months have whizzed by!

I decided to sell the leather interior, I just couldn't get around to fitting it, and I needed the cash for something else.

All of the Harmon Kardon bits went too, I wanted to fit it, but decided not to after reading that aftermarket stuff would give a better sound. But I'll probably never actually do that!

Yesterday was a busy day, I had a day booked in with BigRuss, who was going to do a service for me, and fit my new MTec front & back brakes.

My last MOT advised changing the brakes, so after doing a fait bit of research I plumped for the MTec dimpled & grooved discs & pagid pads. I shall report back with my findings...

A few pictures from the fitting:-

Before:-

What a difference!

Replacing the handbrake shoes was an absolute pig, I fully understand why Russ said he hates doing them...!:-

Much better:-

I'm obviously still bedding them in, but will report back when I have something meaningful to say!

klarzy · 7th May 2014, 21:52

touch of rustproof and paint on those disk protectors would serve you well... you really do not want to be doing handbrake cables in rotted plates if the rears are the same.......

coolasacucumber · 7th May 2014, 22:00

Ages ago I picked up a clock set with the IPK feature. I fitted the stalk a while back, but had to wait for my trip to Russ to get it all sorted, coded & installed. I was really looking forward to this, as my previous few cars had all had a trip computer and related features, so the ZT felt very much 'poverty spec'!.

Before:-

During:- (in Russ' kitchen no less!)

And after:-

It is a fiddly, time consuming job, and watching Russ at work, soldering LED's & eproms is really really interesting, the longer one owns an MG, the more one learns!

As you can see, it is now a bit of a hybrid unit, as I decided to use the black & chrome facia with the silver ZT dials, instead of the bland grey facia from the ZT. Mainly I decided that as I think it matches the black oak better.

I also asked Russ to code in the digital speed reading option on the IPK, which is quite nifty!

One last thing that he did was remove the part of the wheel bolt from the n/s/f hub that had been snapped off in there since I've owned the car... One of those little things that I'd been putting off.

My list of things to do is still large, especially as my a/c has stopped working, despite a new condenser & recharge less than 12 months ago.

Jules says it's more than likely a leak, so I'll have to get someone to take a look at it.

I still need the front painting, but I'm seriously tempted to get a mk1 ZT front bumper sprayed & fitted...

Still need a replacement rear seat base, as mine is a bit scratched.

I'd love to get the wheels refurbished, they aren't awful, but they'd look great in a darker shade of silver/grey.

Also, the radio reception is absolutely awful since fitting one of Seans DD units. I love radio, but it's that bad it's actually made me stop trying. Any suggestions?

I sorted the auto boot lift mod problem, I had to buy a replacement strut from a breakers as mine had bent!! But it's working fine now.

And I still am waiting to find the perfect set of interior mats... I can't decide if all blue would be a bit OTT!!

coolasacucumber · 7th May 2014, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by klarzy

touch of rustproof and paint on those disk protectors would serve you well... you really do not want to be doing handbrake cables in rotted plates if the rears are the same.......

Russ said he had seen a lot worse... But I appreciate the advice!

I had never before worked on anything to do with brakes on cars that I've owned, but working along with Russ for the day has given me the confidence to attempt things like that myself.

So I do plan to get the callipers/carriers etc painted, as much to look better as to keep them in good condition!

2nd March 2014, 16:00	#161
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	Thanks for the positive comments! I'm just waiting to get a run of 2 days off together, well, 2 dry days off together so that I can tackle the seats! __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...eneral/132.gif

2nd March 2014, 18:43	#162
MG Tom Posted a thing or two ex. MG ZT+ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northampton-ish Posts: 1,484 Thanks: 156 Thanked 98 Times in 95 Posts	Looking lovely, the black oak does look very nice indeed. __________________ '03 MG ZT+ 1.8T X-Power Grey with Monogram 'WTD' black alcantara trim. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My project thread HERE

4th March 2014, 16:59	#163
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	Thanks Tom, I'm pleased with it, makes the interior feel much more special. I went through the car wash today (I know I know, not ideal, but I was short of time, and it was filthy!) Then, as I always have to, clean the exhaust trim afterwards, as it gets caked with black exhaust fumes, especially with the decat. It's come out looking alright I think... Would using Autosol or some such product protect the exhaust & exhaust trim as well as cleaning it, or are they designed just to clean it? Cheers __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...eneral/132.gif

7th May 2014, 21:47	#164
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	Wowzers, another 2 months have whizzed by! I decided to sell the leather interior, I just couldn't get around to fitting it, and I needed the cash for something else. All of the Harmon Kardon bits went too, I wanted to fit it, but decided not to after reading that aftermarket stuff would give a better sound. But I'll probably never actually do that! Yesterday was a busy day, I had a day booked in with BigRuss, who was going to do a service for me, and fit my new MTec front & back brakes. My last MOT advised changing the brakes, so after doing a fait bit of research I plumped for the MTec dimpled & grooved discs & pagid pads. I shall report back with my findings... A few pictures from the fitting:- Before:- What a difference! Replacing the handbrake shoes was an absolute pig, I fully understand why Russ said he hates doing them...!:- Much better:- I'm obviously still bedding them in, but will report back when I have something meaningful to say! __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...eneral/132.gif

7th May 2014, 21:52	#165
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	touch of rustproof and paint on those disk protectors would serve you well... you really do not want to be doing handbrake cables in rotted plates if the rears are the same....... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

7th May 2014, 22:00	#166
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	Ages ago I picked up a clock set with the IPK feature. I fitted the stalk a while back, but had to wait for my trip to Russ to get it all sorted, coded & installed. I was really looking forward to this, as my previous few cars had all had a trip computer and related features, so the ZT felt very much 'poverty spec'!. Before:- During:- (in Russ' kitchen no less!) And after:- It is a fiddly, time consuming job, and watching Russ at work, soldering LED's & eproms is really really interesting, the longer one owns an MG, the more one learns! As you can see, it is now a bit of a hybrid unit, as I decided to use the black & chrome facia with the silver ZT dials, instead of the bland grey facia from the ZT. Mainly I decided that as I think it matches the black oak better. I also asked Russ to code in the digital speed reading option on the IPK, which is quite nifty! One last thing that he did was remove the part of the wheel bolt from the n/s/f hub that had been snapped off in there since I've owned the car... One of those little things that I'd been putting off. My list of things to do is still large, especially as my a/c has stopped working, despite a new condenser & recharge less than 12 months ago. Jules says it's more than likely a leak, so I'll have to get someone to take a look at it. I still need the front painting, but I'm seriously tempted to get a mk1 ZT front bumper sprayed & fitted... Still need a replacement rear seat base, as mine is a bit scratched. I'd love to get the wheels refurbished, they aren't awful, but they'd look great in a darker shade of silver/grey. Also, the radio reception is absolutely awful since fitting one of Seans DD units. I love radio, but it's that bad it's actually made me stop trying. Any suggestions? I sorted the auto boot lift mod problem, I had to buy a replacement strut from a breakers as mine had bent!! But it's working fine now. And I still am waiting to find the perfect set of interior mats... I can't decide if all blue would be a bit OTT!! __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...eneral/132.gif