Schaefft's Bargain Barge Extravaganza - Any Shiters near Cheltenham?

January 23

6 minutes ago, Dave_Q said:

From a quick search most places say the oil pressure sensor is a switch not a sensor so cannot give a reading.

If one exists apparently it will be in instrument cluster not ECU.

Yep, its just a switch - i had to put an old school oil pressure gauge test kit on to get a reading, you can't get one from the car electronics, either via the car itself, nor vcds - certainly the case on the s6.

You are welcome to borrow my gauge set, but I feel like you are about a million miles from me from something I have read in the past. I'm West mids

17,998 · January 23

41 minutes ago, dan95x said:

Yep, its just a switch - i had to put an old school oil pressure gauge test kit on to get a reading, you can't get one from the car electronics, either via the car itself, nor vcds - certainly the case on the s6.

You are welcome to borrow my gauge set, but I feel like you are about a million miles from me from something I have read in the past. I'm West mids

Thanks guys, it is indeed a switch. I'll probably end up just replacing it and see what happens. The radiator needs to come out to remove the manifold, that should allow me to replace the switch before I remove the manifold . The warning isn't coming on at idle either (when you'd expect the pressure to be the lowest), it'll probably be a blockage in a filter somewhere or said switch.

27,057 · January 24

VWs always used to be funny with their oil lights, even the one in the 2002 Caddy I had wouldn't put the light on unless the switch had remained closed for a set period of time while the engine was above 2000rpm. Quite why they felt the need to overcomplicate that system I've no idea.

No idea if they carried that behaviour over into later cars though.

16,438 · January 24

18 hours ago, Schaefft said:

Looking good! The worst error there is that it appears to be tuned to Radio 1. Forts and prayurs that you can fix this heinous abomination

18,989 · January 24

dome ur such a slaaaaag

100% correct tho

17,998 · January 26

Finally had some time to clean the S8. As usual photos hide a lot but have a few before shots:

Human slime all over the touch points:

And after:

Much better. It's freezing outside so that was about as far as I wanted to go. I've also sorted out the sticking driver side bonnet lock so I can actually close the bonnet properly and reattached a wire that apparently triggers a battery code when detached. The bonnet lifters have had it as well, guess that'll be the first new part it'll get.

As usual this was a good chance to have a closer look at the bodywork without an inch of filth covering it all and things are mostly looking good. A few scuffs that should polish out and a front bumper that has definitely met a curb at some point, ideally that would need replacing. But if you consider that Audi S8s for that kind of money normally wouldn't have a front end at all I'm happy.

I've picked up the Maserati yesterday as well, it's easy to forget what a glorious noise that engine makes. The driver seat adjustments stopped working though, fingers crossed it's just a fuse. It may finally have an MOT but it's still needing a few more things to be spot on mechanically.

The W140 S-Class is also back on the ground and running for the first time in probably 2 years, just in time for the upcoming move. The climate control panel for some reason stopped working and trying to use the diagnostics port for the first time I'm realizing that there's apparently no power going to it. Aside from that I'm hoping that things are mostly as they were before, just with brand new brakes and front suspension! Really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Merc again, it's probably one of my favorite cars in the fleet.

Handover for the house keys is Tuesday, most furniture and stuff will probably make it's way over on Saturday, with the cars slowly following one by the other. I reckon it'll take a while.😂

27,057 · January 26

Is that a fingerprint reader for the start button in the Audi?

Always astonishing what a difference a good clean can make!

17,998 · January 26

12 minutes ago, Zelandeth said:

Is that a fingerprint reader for the start button in the Audi?

Always astonishing what a difference a good clean can make!

It is! It's not used to recognize the driver and disable the immobilizer but it does recognize the fingerprint to set memory and radio settings to your profile iirc.

And yeah, it's hard to appreciate the difference without seeing it in person. Do it properly and the car turns from a heap with tons of issues into something actually resembling the £70k+ price tag. Get the cheap/easy improvements out of the way first and you win half the battle. Most of the time you'll also notice helpful things you'd never do otherwise.

8,907 · January 27

18 hours ago, Schaefft said:

It is! It's not used to recognize the driver and disable the immobilizer but it does recognize the fingerprint to set memory and radio settings to your profile iirc.

This blows my mind. Fingerprint recognition for driver settings. Makes BMW's key memory system of that era seem rather primitive (and, er, quite sensible).

17,998 · January 27

1 hour ago, RoadworkUK said:

This blows my mind. Fingerprint recognition for driver settings. Makes BMW's key memory system of that era seem rather primitive (and, er, quite sensible).

Yeah, it's quite interesting but really just a glorified memory switch that also affects radio/AC settings. Apparently standard on the S8 and £250 quid option on all other models.

Talking about options, the S8 is already very well equipped inside with the Alcantara headliner, extended leather package 2 for the center console, lower dash and door panels. Looking at the price list for many of the options I find in mine we are probably pushing close to 10k on top of the 70k asking price. The bang & Olufsen system and rear fridge alone are £5k:

Add the electric rear blinds all around, solar sunroof and probably a few other things I have missed and it's quite the pile of money someone must have laid down to call this car their own. Crazy how it ended up in this state barely 15 years later. I don't think I've mentioned it yet but I'm the 5th owner, which means the car only had 2 or 3 longer term owners before the guy I got it from bought it as a project. I'll see if I can get some service history for it from Audi, it might be just about new enough for them to still have it.

16,438 · January 27

It's looking amazing after a clean, that must have been really satisfying

8,077 · January 28

What do you use to clean the interior that removes the human slime so well?

11,734 · January 28

1 hour ago, EyesWeldedShut said:

What do you use to clean the interior that removes the human slime so well?

Jif......

🤣

🚙💨

January 28

Good luck with the exchange, hope all goes well

5,975 · January 28

6 hours ago, EyesWeldedShut said:

What do you use to clean the interior that removes the human slime so well?

Hi Im Barry Scott. 🤪

January 28

What a thing. Looks absolutely epic.

January 28

23 hours ago, Schaefft said:

Crazy how it ended up in this state barely 15 years later. I don't think I've mentioned it yet but I'm the 5th owner, which means the car only had 2 or 3 longer term owners before the guy I got it from bought it as a project. I'll see if I can get some service history for it from Audi, it might be just about new enough for them to still have it.

Yeah it shows what happens when people don't look after there cars. I bought a 5 year old RS4 a few years ago and it was worn in places, alloys needed a refurb, bodywork needed touching up in a few places. Brakes and tyres were all knackered etc. There was only 1 previous owner!

17,998 · February 1

After 8 months of back and forth (and 2 years of searching apparently) we have finally received the keys to our new home on Tuesday🎉 With it still being dark after work there wasn't much of a point in taking photos. The first car that made it over was the Toyota Corona EXiV, it's comparable to an E36 in size so it was a good reference of scale for the size of the garage:

Could be worse, could be much better. As expected it'll probably end up being the Z3 that will live in there being a soft top, most of my cars would be a tight squeeze. I'll get rid of the shelves so you can actually get around the car, it'll be a huge improvement over no garage at all in any case though. The workshop storage meanwhile is a dream:

That's me just dumping everything in there, it'll become a lot more organized soon. I might paint the walls bright white to keep things nice and well lit. Notice the thickness of the wall on the right, I'm not sure what this room used to be but theres a mineshaft that's been capped off in the 50s right underneath the concrete floor.

The Maserati was the next, apparently it's got a power steering leak now. I'll have to adjust the handbrake again to reduce fouling of the shoes and sort out the leaking rear tire, needs a tracking job as well.

The VelSatis meanwhile is putting the work in as vehicle if choice to move all the bits and pieces over. Plenty of space, no complaints there!

Bringing the cars over will take a while. As mentioned earlier, I don't want to just dump them on a field. Nobody at the council seems to be able to tell me what planning class what parts of the property are either without submitting a pre-planning application (which is 100 quid and weeks of waiting I think?) so I'll probably start with rather unobtrusive changes that could be relatively easily reverted if really necessary. At some point I'd like to move a 5m section of paddock stone wall back by a few meters to build a nice carport. That'll better be an easy one.

10,921 · February 1

On 19/01/2025 at 16:58, Schaefft said:

VelSatis in the frozen wastelands of North Yorkshire.

At Grantley Hall now. Despite this being Renault's top of the line luxury car offering for 8 years it's feeling a little out of place here, the clear coat peel doesn't help!

You were literally in Harrogate on the same day I was (night away for my birthday). Possibly the most boring post I've ever made 🙃

29,510 · February 1

4 hours ago, Schaefft said:

submitting a pre-planning application (which is 100 quid and weeks of waiting I think?)

"Yes, you need planning"

Honestly, that's all they'll say

17,998 · February 2

23 hours ago, loserone said:

"Yes, you need planning"

Honestly, that's all they'll say

My worry is that it'll be a complete waste of money and time without really getting any chance of having a proper conversation. Considering I'm not erecting a structure I'm inclined to just go for it, noone from the council 35 miles away will ever make their way down there and we only have a single neighbor who wouldn't care less once I had a chat with him.

Anyway, the move continues, the Toyota Celsior was next today after running out of mot and then deciding to not start anymore a few weeks ago. Turns out the 08/92-94 Celsior/LS400 have a fuel pump control module that apparently has failed now, it's hidden behind the boot liner:

It's this silver box with a giant heat sink. I didn't know at the time as it could be the fuel pump itself:

Well, fast forward a week and I now know. Lexus was so generous to install an easy to identify diagnostics port on top of the engine. Jump the battery + to fuel pump terminal to cut out the module and voila, we have a running car again!

It needed to move not only because of an expired test but also more stuff needing to move over to the new house. Lexus' OG fullsize luxury sedan got plenty of room after all:

The pump module failure might be a blessing in disguise. It only existed to run the pump at lower speeds when maximum fuel flow isn't needed (Toyota went all out to minimize any noise possibly being noticed by the driver). The car used to trigger a CEL and limp home mode when warm under wide open throttle. If it turns out the module didn't switch the pump to the appropriate speed quick enough and therefore triggered the limp home mode then replacing it should resolve that problem at the same time. While jumping the terminals to drive the car over I couldn't see the same issue popping up anymore after trying to replicate it a few times so fingers crossed. Now I only need to find a module that's not borked.

Looking good though. A few jobs to sort on it, I have a set of like-new wheels (same style) and will probably replace the Maxpeedingrods cheapo coilovers with my set of BCs before the next test.

The Celsior wasn't the only car not willing to start yesterday. With a fully charged battery (and with my charged jump pack connected) the Z3 simply refused to crank. A second jump pack from the neighbors did the job, can't say I ever had that issue before considering mine on its own could usually start any car. Might have to have a closer look at the battery terminals in spring.

19,497 · February 3

On 01/02/2025 at 19:34, Schaefft said:

After 8 months of back and forth (and 2 years of searching apparently) we have finally received the keys to our new home on Tuesday🎉 With it still being dark after work there wasn't much of a point in taking photos. The first car that made it over was the Toyota Corona EXiV, it's comparable to an E36 in size so it was a good reference of scale for the size of the garage:

Could be worse, could be much better. As expected it'll probably end up being the Z3 that will live in there being a soft top, most of my cars would be a tight squeeze. I'll get rid of the shelves so you can actually get around the car, it'll be a huge improvement over no garage at all in any case though. The workshop storage meanwhile is a dream:

That's me just dumping everything in there, it'll become a lot more organized soon. I might paint the walls bright white to keep things nice and well lit. Notice the thickness of the wall on the right, I'm not sure what this room used to be but theres a mineshaft that's been capped off in the 50s right underneath the concrete floor.

The Maserati was the next, apparently it's got a power steering leak now. I'll have to adjust the handbrake again to reduce fouling of the shoes and sort out the leaking rear tire, needs a tracking job as well.

The VelSatis meanwhile is putting the work in as vehicle if choice to move all the bits and pieces over. Plenty of space, no complaints there!

Bringing the cars over will take a while. As mentioned earlier, I don't want to just dump them on a field. Nobody at the council seems to be able to tell me what planning class what parts of the property are either without submitting a pre-planning application (which is 100 quid and weeks of waiting I think?) so I'll probably start with rather unobtrusive changes that could be relatively easily reverted if really necessary. At some point I'd like to move a 5m section of paddock stone wall back by a few meters to build a nice carport. That'll better be an easy one.

I've considered (but not done yet) getting some simple camouflage netting to stake over a few of mine parked outside just to take the 'shine' off them in the landscape. There is an issue with it possibly chafing the paintwork and pegging the stuff down. But something not too dense should not trap the moisture.

Just a thought if you are parking on a field or in an open landscape.

The other thing is put down something to drive/park on so the vehicles are not parked directly on the ground. Corrugated iron is one solution and it can be reused afterwards.

Personally- and this is an individual choice I'd not contact the council for such a minor matter - it's not like putting up a building.

Have a look sometime at all the planning consents for the property - as really that and the deeds is the only record of the current layout.

But be careful as when selling on that any significant changes are approved or deemed not to need consent - as you don't want problems there to impede a future sale.

But 'Permitted Development' covers quite a lot.

The other thing is use all natural materials and keep any changes low key. It looks a very nice spot. But often quite few nosey folk about best to keep them onside.

17,998 · February 3

8 hours ago, lesapandre said:

I've considered (but not done yet) getting some simple camouflage netting to stake over a few of mine parked outside just to take the 'shine' off them in the landscape. There is an issue with it possibly chafing the paintwork and pegging the stuff down. But something not too dense should not trap the moisture.

Just a thought if you are parking on a field or in an open landscape.

The other thing is put down something to drive/park on so the vehicles are not parked directly on the ground. Corrugated iron is one solution and it can be reused afterwards.

Personally- and this is an individual choice I'd not contact the council for such a minor matter - it's not like putting up a building.

Have a look sometime at all the planning consents for the property - as really that and the deeds is the only record of the current layout.

But be careful as when selling on that any significant changes are approved or deemed not to need consent - as you don't want problems there to impede a future sale.

But 'Permitted Development' covers quite a lot.

The other thing is use all natural materials and keep any changes low key. It looks a very nice spot. But often quite few nosey folk about best to keep them onside.

A lot of my short term plans are really coming down to landscaping. You can see the red gravel drive and block pavement in the photos above, none of which needed planning permission before. It would be an extension of that (without turning my fields into a carpark) and a free standing car port on the opposite side of the drive from the house, none of which should need planning permission either:

https://www.myhomeextension.co.uk/do-i-need-planning-permission-garage-or-car-port#:~:text=Planning permission is not required,to normal planning permission rules.

I feel like this will be a highly subjective matter, anything I plan to do is supposed to add to the appeal of the property, with no intention to make anything feel "commercial", or even worse, a muddy storage yard.

17,998 · February 13

The Corona EXIV needed to leave the garage today to have a new fridge delivered. Seeing these 3 together you could think we are in scenic '93 Japan where the brand new Eunos 800 just launched:

That or Twixfest 2025 has already started! Just 10 more days to go, make sure to check the thread for news and mark it in your calendar!

17,998 · February 15

Thought I'd use the only free afternoon I have back at the old place to do an engine flush and service on the Audi S8, see if that resolves the oil pressure warning before I replace the pressure switch. Before that I wanted to have a quick look underneath though to see where the exhaust blow is located. As expected its a flexipipe with a tiny leak, hopefully something that can be sorted by an exhaust guy without too much hassle:

I then proceeded to pop the bonnet. Only that it didn't pop on one side. Fair enough sticky latch, nothing new, get another person and work it until it pops open. 1 hour later:

The goddamn latch is seized to the point where I'm now ripping the cables apart trying to get the damn thing to move. And its not like the cable doesn't do much, I'm already pulling from close to the latch with a free moving cable doing exactly what its supposed to do. I've beat the hell out of the bonnet and drenched everything in WD40, brake cleaner and even more WD40, without any luck.

After 4 hours of wasting time I've now ordered a set of 300mm sawzall metal blades to cut the damn damn thing off tomorrow. It's garbage like this that make simple jobs an absolute pain.

3,152 · February 15

Oh that sucks!

But fully understand the extreme next step. It's just not worth buggering about with.

Cars are very good at testing your sense of humour for the fuckery.

2,709 · February 15

Mine stuck on one side after the MOT man dropped it shut with a bang (I always do the 'place down gently onto the latch and push shut' method).

Thankfully it came right with a wiggle and some wd40, but they do seem temperamental.

17,998 · February 15

5 minutes ago, TrabbieRonnie said:

Mine stuck on one side after the MOT man dropped it shut with a bang (I always do the 'place down gently onto the latch and push shut' method).

Thankfully it came right with a wiggle and some wd40, but they do seem temperamental.

So far I've always been able to open a stuck bonnet but this one seems especially bad. Hopefully I can do this without damaging anything expensive. I'm more annoyed by the lost time as I want this car moving reliably asap.

2,709 · February 15

Well good luck with it tomorrow... You usually seem to win with these things so keep the faith!

As a fellow A8 licker it will be really great to see this barnstormer back up and sorted 👍

The Japanese section of the fleet looks great too btw, well done.

17,998 · February 16

2 minutes of violence with the sawzall later:

It's open again. The lock actually works perfectly fine, the cable just unhooked itself from it somehow, obviously leading to no unlocking movement, leading to the carnage above.

With the lock in decent shape I only need to order 3 new bonnet cables which probably needed replacing due to age eventually anyway. The damage you can see from the outside is fortunately limited:

The frame of the grille was cracked before so that needed replacing (if I can be bothered) already. Back to actually getting any work done then...

Before all of that we had a day out in the Velsatis though, I needed it to carry around an office chair I picked up in Whitley Bay.

The car's Cosmic Grey paint matches the scenery perfectly there.

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