Learn from my mistakes.....

[Muddy19]

1996 A4 SE 1.9tdi (90bhp)

(when i first bought it) sweet condition. full servirce history, drove nice. few problems and nags but all sorted to date.

then came the timing belt change.

me being in the typical 19yr student mentality i thought the cheapest job is the best job (from a mechanic)

low and behold. 3 and half months later i need a whole new timing belt and kit probably!

the guy didnt fit sumat in properly and the belt came forward and started rubbing against the timing cover. belt toatally degraded. thank the heavens i checked it out and noticed whats going on before it snapped....

so i gotta pay again for the same job (but a bit more for a mechanic wit credentials)

lesson learnt.....quality job or no job at all (from now on)

[andysuth]

Receipt? Go see the other mechanic, it's his work at fault. If he's not installed properly, he should give you a refund.

-AS

[Muddy19]

hmm true. in an ideal world i would get my money back. but i doubt it il eva see them purple notes again.

got a new timing belt kit put in today, wit both ma lower arms and track rod ends and dianostics.

as soon as i drive my car out garage, the abs light comes on and the (!) light starts flashing. ma front left brake speed senser is out.

me and my luck hey? but i love ma car. spent almost £3000 on it now, and thats just to put it back to its original condition. (still got more to go)

but its worth it.

[andysuth]

I didn't even pay that much for mine, then again, I've had loads of trouble too!

[Muddy19]

these cars are like women

once "love" comes into it, before u realise, u got like £5 in your wallet and you've maxed out your overdraft. lolz.

yeah, i love ma car. gona keep it until i can afford the insuarnce on a S4 2.7T

(got a long way to go yet dats why am spending money looking afta this one for da time being)

[andysuth]

My first car was a mini that was older than me, and I looked after it, but once it got too high maintenance, I got rid.

I suppose they are a lot like women..... ;P

[Muddy19]

you see andy, thats the thing!

i wudnt knw when to stop. i'l probably stop when the engine knackers. apart from that, i cant think ov much that wud stop me spending money on the car, unless i have no money...

anyway, thanks for all the info. you been a help. cheers