Project Memoirs from the Hard Shoulder - 20th March

23,767 · December 27, 2025

8 hours ago, MrGTI6 said:

Stumbled across this on Facebook this morning. I'd be surprised if you weren't very much aware already, but the Sierra appears to be in safe hands.

Great to see Chief Monkey has branched into shite old motors.

25,399 · December 27, 2025

6 hours ago, trigger said:

The new owner has signed up to the forum but hasn't been approved by admin yet

Just checked on this as it’s been mentioned a couple of times and he was approved on Friday evening… if he’s having issues logging on and you have contact with him feel free to PM me and I’ll do my best to solve it.

39,091 · January 2

Frequent visitors to the For Sale section will have noticed my recent hunt for a car. The initial plan was to buy something big and estatey with a big MOHDUR to waft along with. I chased various options including a 960, 940, E Class and even flirted with the idea of an S-Class.

The problem, however, is twofold.

Firstly, I am a sucker for bang average cars in lovely condition. It’s a perverted kink, but the banal and everyday will always catch my eye over and above more expensive and exclusive cars.

Secondly, I have an uncomfortable relationship with excess. If there’s something I can enjoy and save £5k then - by and large - I’ll take it and keep the money for the kids or their mum or to overpay the mortgage or for a holiday or whatever.

You’re right. Before you say it. £6 large on a car isn’t a king’s ransom - but, well, it’s just me. I doubt I’ll ever change. If I won the lottery tomorrow I’d still thump around in a ‘Young Timer’ or whatever the cool kids call it.

Anyway. Sorry this is quite dull! If I have one shortcoming, it’s that I forget that others aren’t as interested in things as I am. I found this Mondeo on Car and Classic for £1250 with an advert that was about a month old. It all looked nice so I sent the guy a speculative email and heard nothing. I assumed it was sold because - to me at least - £1250 seemed fair for a lovely* auto estate with a full MOT. After a few days the guy got back to me and - for the first time in a decade - I went to see a car before committing to buy it.

Owner was a perfect gentleman. He bought it (via the village garage) from its long term owner. There is a shoebox full of receipts, invoices, correspondence, the lot. It’s an Ipswich car (my home town) supplied by John Grose. He offered to sell me the car for £1,000 with no haggling and I went back to pick it up yesterday.

Here’s my son clambering in for the first journey.

It’s GHIA X spec which was enough to have any school boy weak at the knees at the turn of the century. However, 25 years later, the spec is very modest. Auto headlights and wipers hadn’t arrived, reverse sensors neither offered nor installed and little in the way of toys and fripperies. However, literally everything works. Every bulb, every button, every function.

The body work is A2. I doubt I’ve ever seen a better 25 year old car that hasn’t been restored or isn’t exotica. It’s every bit as good as the photos.

The one thing I’d forgotten about is the beautiful Quartz clock the Mk3 Mondeo got; so much nicer than the digital read out of its predecessor.

As you’ll see from the buttons, it has the rare ejector seat option that was only offered on the 2001 model year. My son is convinced that, when pressed, the sunroof retracts and you’re jettisoned to safety. I’ll let you know how long we can string it along for, my money’s on a few months.

So, anyway. There we go. 200 miles later I think it’d benefit from a thermostat but other than that it’s just great. I also suspect that the radio has been reinstalled at some stage with the aerial completely disconnected as there’s absolutely zero signal (even when sat under Sandy Heath). I will get some radio keys and have a look!

So yah. Sorry it’s not the car you were hoping for and hopefully it finds favour with some of you fellow perverts on here.

11,858 · January 2

+1 for 'fripperies' :-) - nice job.
++1 for badermatic

2,494 · January 2

14 minutes ago, BorniteIdentity said:

I am a sucker for bang average cars in lovely condition.

I have an uncomfortable relationship with excess.

hopefully it finds favour with some of you fellow perverts on here.

1. Are you me?

2. This is a flippin excellent purchase.

January 2

Bloody love it!

From my days of botherin fords I recall on the 6000 and 6006CD head units I had that the ICs for the radio tuner would die, and leave one in silence. Hopefully it's just the aerial isn't connected.

If it's a 6000CD you can get a nice AUX-in box that emulates a CD changer, too. I thought it was So cool when I first fitted one.

13,797 · January 2

A great car from a period where Ford couldnt put a foot wrong.

January 2

Excellent purchase! Hurts my head to think that these are 25 now...

16,742 · January 2

My first job on those , all be it the diesel ones. Great car and a steal at a grand. Well bought

1,877 · January 2

Had 3 of these, all Ghia X, all facelift however. I think the facelift did have all the fancy stuff like auto lights/wipers as standard, plus cooling seats!

Mondeos are brilliant. They’re just good at everything. Ideal an car. Being auto I’m guessing 2.0 petrol or 2.5 V6?

Weirdly when I was looking into CAZ compliance for my old 2.0 Mondeo, it wasn’t compliant despite being 53 reg but all V6s and all auto 4 pots were.

5,543 · January 2

That looks a very shrewd purchase, fits the remit of wafty and comfortable perfectly. I also don't think an apology is required for being dull, surely cars like this are what AS is all about. While it does seem surprising that it's a 25 year old car, that's the cold truth.

Back in 2003 I also purchased a black Mondeo estate ghia X, 2000 V reg, In my mind that was only a couple of years ago. I loved that car and would have kept it a long time, but Mrs P kept firing kids out, so the Mondeo was part ex'd for a sensible 2002 Galaxy tdi.

1,144 · January 3

Well done - I actually think that’s probably one of your more sensible purchases to be honest - you literally can’t lose at that money.

I know what you mean about bread and butter cars in excellent condition - I’m the same. Hence when I was at school, uni and then just working as a single lad in the late 90s / early 2000s some steeds that went through my hands were a mk5 Cortina GL with 56k miles, a series 1 Allegro with 46k miles and a whole host of other “old cars” (back then) that did the job of pampered daily driver just fine.

That thing looks eminently more practical!

4,145 · January 3

Former colleague of mine had a V6 saloon of a similar vintage and spec in a fetching shade of green. Seemed like a very nice place to be whenver we had to go somewhere. Was traded in for a Freelander 1 at a garage a good hour or two away from here and ended up back around here being used as a banger rally car by a local garage.

Untaxed and un-MOT'd since 2018 which would tie in with when I last spotted it. This can't have been more than a couple of months at most after it was traded in.

27,724 · January 3

10 hours ago, Popsicle said:

Mrs P kept firing kids out, so the Mondeo was part ex'd for a sensible 2002 Galaxy tdi.

Was this out of the ejector seat?😀

39,091 · January 3

10 hours ago, Markeh said:

Former colleague of mine had a V6 saloon of a similar vintage and spec in a fetching shade of green. Seemed like a very nice place to be whenver we had to go somewhere. Was traded in for a Freelander 1 at a garage a good hour or two away from here and ended up back around here being used as a banger rally car by a local garage.

Untaxed and un-MOT'd since 2018 which would tie in with when I last spotted it. This can't have been more than a couple of months at most after it was traded in.

@stuboy - that you?

39,091 · January 8

On the previous page you'd have noted, I'm sure, that I bought @Shirley Knott's very smart MK2 Clio. On the way back it chucked on the EML and, at that exact point, I also felt the steering change. It became what I can only describe as glitchy. It would tramline not self centre and generally be a bit of a pig to make it go in a straight line. Took it to THE MAN who diagnosed a duff wheel speed sensor. His explanation was that it didn't know how fast it was going, so it didn't know how to weight the steering (Electric innit, not hydraulic).

This repaired the thing behaved well for about the next 100 miles before the inevitable happened again. Light back on (always the EML never the steering wheel light) and took it back to THE MAN again. The light is for the catalytic converter and he remarked it was probably the sensor. He spent an hour or so on the vehicle alignment, test drove it, and considered it fixed. Again.

You can probably guess the rest.

Any ideas? Coming around a corner it will often not self centre. Put your footdown thinking it'll sort itself out and you're quickly heading for the oncoming pedestrian on the opposite footpath.

Any ideas here gang? I'm loathed to play parts darts with it but I know, this issue aside, it's a good car. I don't want to stick a refurbed steering rack on it if it's not that. I'm happy to do TRE's and ball joints if they're likely contenders, but I'm just wondering if this is a bit of a known issue and whether someone's experienced it before?

Part of the problem is these things are inherently different, so I'm not 100% sure what to expect. But driving it when it's behaving and it's absolutely fine. Lovely in fact.

Any help would be appreciated as I bought it for my son to learn in and, so far, he's not seen it more than he's seen it.

Thanks in advance.

3,196 · January 8

Is the current steering fault identical to the original steering fault? If you hadn't experienced the (clearly electrical) glitch with it originally, I'd be telling you to closely examine the joints in the steering column to make sure there aren't any tight spots. Sounds unsettling in any case, and the intermittent nature means its probably electrical by nature

1,855 · January 8

Not a common issue & highly unlikely its the rack. Heard about intermittent issues with the epas unit, is the assist going off.

Id be tempted to pop the track rod ends off and check the hubs turn freely, rule out the bottom balljoints and strut top bearings. Ive seen similar happen with badly fitted suspension top mounts so make sure they are correct.

The uj to rack is also open and no cover, but not seen issues with it seizing etc.

Also pop the inner tie rod boots off and grease the rack. Id expect it to be ok if the boots are intact but seen a rusty one with damaged boots.

39,091 · January 8

4 hours ago, Brigsy said:

Not a common issue & highly unlikely its the rack. Heard about intermittent issues with the epas unit, is the assist going off.

That would throw the steering wheel light on non? The assistance is always there (PAS) but you feel a bit like the wheel gets stuck and the usual lightness of touch goes (you can usually move the wheel with just a finger but it sort of locks). pull it firmly and the PAS is definitely there.

It's infuriating as it's such a lovely car in all other regards.

1,855 · January 8

Not sure regarding pas light. If you have access to dealer level diag, you will be able to get into the ecu to see live data showing epas torque and any fault codes stored.

I would check the basics first then go from there. Grease the rack up incase its a sticky spot.

1,855 · January 8

Not sure where you are based, if midlands take it to Diamond motors https://www.diamondmotors.co.uk/ he will find the issue.

3,716 · January 8

I'd be guessing RE what might be causing the fault with the steering... It honestly never caused me a spot of bother in that sense. It sounds like a strange issue and not something that's commonly reported as far as I know (There's a fairly active Mk2 Clio group of FB and it's not something I've ever seen mentioned)

I can tell you for sure I replaced one of the ball joints (Maybe both?) and a track rod end during the two years or so it spent with me after some MOT advisories, receipts should be in the folder.

Sorry to hear it's being such a pain for you man.

1,144 · January 8

French car doing French things.

14,843 · January 8

If you turn the car off and back on does it go away? Or does it need the EML light to be turned off or battery disconnected to reset things?

Do you recall type of driving you were doing at the times the steering has gone weird? Eg roundabout or turning left etc.

A mechanic I am not. myself, id start with the very basics, check the condition and voltage of the battery, check alt charging voltage etc. Have a look at any connections relating to the power steering for damage or corrosion.

Mechanically I'd check the suspension by lifting the front on the lower arms getting the tyres of the ground but suspension still under load and see how things feel left to right, turning the steering via the wheels and steering wheel and feel for any binding or play.

January 9

Over on the Renault forum, I've seen a weak battery and/or charging system can cause all sorts of electrical glitches, so I'd start with the basics so they can be eliminated. I doubt it is a worn earth, but again I would check. Then afterwards start on the mechanical bits as above.

15 hours ago, Shirley Knott said:

I'd be guessing RE what might be causing the fault with the steering... It honestly never caused me a spot of bother in that sense. It sounds like a strange issue and not something that's commonly reported as far as I know (There's a fairly active Mk2 Clio group of FB and it's not something I've ever seen mentioned)

Pardon my ignorance, what is RE?

36,617 · January 9

Sorry I can't help with the Clio but the Mondeo, ooft, black with black wood dash is a combination for absolute winners! A dream transaction too, you rarely find sellers like that any more.

39,091 · March 20

Right. What's happening then?

Let's start with the Mini. It's now living at home with me which is great. It means that I can just - you know - drive it. No protracted journey to collect it before enjoying it and then returning it safely before dark like a young girlfriend with a nervous father.

Leaving the Lock-up for the final time

Looking diddy in a generous but still single garage.

It went off to the man to have a bit of welding that was missed attended to which cost me the princely sum of £50. It then proceeded to not proceed in their carpark which, by all accounts, caused a bit of swearing. The failure was quickly diagnosed as the distributor which was swiftly repla...

What's that you say? Bells ringing? Oh aye

On 01/02/2023 at 10:33, BorniteIdentity said:

A slightly stalled start to this year's motoring pursuits. The Mini was booked to go to the body man a few weeks ago, necessitating it being woken from a 14 month slumber. I went in a couple of weeks ago to start it and, with great recalcitrance, it decided to go brrooom brrooom. It ran on just a small percentage of its cylinders for a few minutes until I'd satisfied myself I'd be able to drive it two miles, and turned it off again.

Returning to the car on the morning on the departure day revealed a vehicle that no longer wanted to operate as such. It would turn and turn but not fire. Having had both @alf892and I swear at it repeatedly, it was decided that it was probably the distributor. Or the coil. Both were changed, along with new leads and plugs and after a bit of head/arse scratching - she lives.

That distributor - a proper accuspark unit - lasted an entire three years and 700 miles. Fucksake. Anyway - the car and I have had a bit of a chat about it all and agreed that if this one fails in a similar fashion then it'll be treated to an OEM MINUS downgrade to points and that'll be the end of the matter.

I've decided that, this year, I'm just going to bang about in it and not spend too much money smartening it up further. Really, it needs the rear painting along with the roof. But last year - more out of curiosity than anything else - I bought a tin of coach enamel in Cinnabar. On the basis I had my painting clobber on anyway, I thought I'd start with the rear valance. After just one coat, it's completely transformed the panel.

Before and After. A second coat to follow

I also rubbed down the rear subframe and coated it with vactan.

Ready for painting and coating

Since then, it's been slopped with black enamel that my father donated from the shed, and my thinking is to then coat the whole thing in Bilt Hamber UC which is clear and should protect the smartened frame a bit. It only needs to last a couple of years really and then I'll look at having a new one put on.

I took it out for a blezz the other night and it's back to being a little flying machine.

Outside the local Post Office

Since the photo was taken, I've got another slow puncture. I think it's probably time to get some new wheels as getting the tyres to seal properly seems to be the greatest issue. I certainly can't see anything that will have caused this one to part company with its inflated status. Of course it should have 10" wheels again, but neither MiniSpares or MiniSport seem to sell the basic steely? Unless I'm being stupid. Any tips gratefully received.

In other news, I got the Mondeo up in the air and tidied up that rear subframe too. I've done about 1,500 miles in it in the last 10 weeks and it just storms along brilliantly.

Early 2000s moment at the local retail park

In 'Practical Mode' including the complimentary fold up protector provided by the previous owner.

I'm hoping that it's thirst for fuel (30-32 combined, come what may) will be mitigated by its lack of maintenance bills. My Focus (a side character for eight years as it's driven by my ex-wife's Mum) has outshone even my Toyotas for never going wrong and am hoping this will be similar. Coincidentally, I saw it the other day; looking tired but still doing its thing.

Note: OEM Minus with Transit Connect trims on it. Those Ghia wheels never lasted.

A big week ahead as the Avensis is in for it's MOT. Now on 304,000 miles with a bit of a smell about it and terrible brakes - it could end up being the end of an era. My appetite for maintaining an endless amount of cars is beginning to diminish and I certainly have neither the space nor the appetite to take it off the road for a head rebuild or whatever. If it can be teased through with relative ease/inexpense then we'll keep the wheels rolling. The reality is, though, it's 27 years old and well on its way back from the moon.

Wish us luck!

66,083 · March 20

6 minutes ago, BorniteIdentity said:

My appetite for maintaining an endless amount of cars is beginning to diminish

I know that feeling!

Mini is looking fantastic.

23,153 · March 20

1 hour ago, BorniteIdentity said:

Since the photo was taken, I've got another slow puncture. I think it's probably time to get some new wheels as getting the tyres to seal properly seems to be the greatest issue. I certainly can't see anything that will have caused this one to part company with its inflated status. Of course it should have 10" wheels again, but neither MiniSpares or MiniSport seem to sell the basic steely? Unless I'm being stupid. Any tips gratefully received.

what are you current wheels marked with? most 10 inch mini wheels will have a couple stampings in the middle

the standard 1970's onwards 10 inch Mini wheel is mainly known by the BL part number 21A2744 also known as 1161 or Dunlop 1161 or Dunlop LP 1161, they have an offset of 24mm

as you allude to, these are actually a bit tricky to come by, most of the Mini crowd are just solely focused on the wider/different offset Mini cooper steelies, but if you search 21A2744 you might find some regular steelies for sale that are hopefully serviceable

however of course worth double checking what your actual wheels are currently if your aiming to match exactly

36,617 · March 20

The Minis rear valance is something the fanboys can only dream of. Look at those seams!

Project Memoirs from the Hard Shoulder - 20th March

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