Bramz fleet. The ever changing procession of mediocrity. Disaster time....

[bramz7]

Decided to rag the Alfa a little to work today, and yeah it's pretty fast. Happily the handling is nice and level, nothing to suggest a strut or wheel are that far out of alignment.

Unfortunately I also discovered that all 4 arches are rotting around the bottom, so my guess is the sills are none too happy.

I like it, but I'm not sure I want to spend anything on it.

 

Might be for sale pretty soon to be honest.

[Kringle]

That reminds me, how did you get on with the 164 sale in the end?

[bramz7]

It went last week. Oddly though, the buyer came down in his (rough looking ex taxi) Hyundai Matrix and it's been sat outside my house for a week. I did ask if he knew when he'd come back for it but I've had no reply. Now all my neighbours must think I have even less taste than normal.

[83C]

Cheap 156 V6 for sale? Payday tomorrow too....

[bramz7]

I'd probably only want £400 for it. Not sure just yet but I'll update in due course.

[blakey79]

Decided to rag the Alfa a little to work today, and yeah it's pretty fast. Happily the handling is nice and level, nothing to suggest a strut or wheel are that far out of alignment.

Unfortunately I also discovered that all 4 arches are rotting around the bottom, so my guess is the sills are none too happy.

I like it, but I'm not sure I want to spend anything on it.

Might be for sale pretty soon to be honest.

 

I drove past it the other day, it's a stunner....

 

If you do sell please let me know.

[bramz7]

I drove past it the other day, it's a stunner....

 

If you do sell please let me know.

 

It does have some mild paint issues and the rust (albeit not that bad, over-reaction perhaps) on all arch bottoms. 

 

Here's some more photos:

 

20180913_213405 by Sam Osbon, on Flickr

 

20180913_214316 by Sam Osbon, on Flickr

Surprisingly only one warning lamp on, which is incorrect anyway as it thinks a bulb is out somewhere, it is not.

 

20180913_214345 by Sam Osbon, on Flickr

 

That interior. 

 

It's a bit of a mindtwisting car. I get out and think I don't like it, then I take it for a spin and love it again. It's got some character to it. that's for sure. It's not as well made inside compared to the 164, but it actually feels like a competent car, and the grip for a FWD car with a heavy old engine up front is very good. I can't help but admire how every single Italian car I've had just goes where you point it, 164 notwithstanding....

 

I also dropped off the Gates timing kit for the XM at the garage today. It doesn't look quite so nice in sunlight, I did notice some rusty bits even from 10 foot, which is disappointing. I wonder what the pre-MOT assessment will say?

[RobT]

What's happening with the 11? Any interest, or are you keeping it?

[bramz7]

Someone off of here wants it, and it should be going to them shortly. I haven't used it for a week or so now...

[RobT]

Thank god for that, as I get paid tomorrow and it's been on my mind all week.

[bramz7]

By which you mean, if that falls through, you'd like dibs?

[bramz7]

Crap. New tensioner on the XM doesn't fit properly. It will either come off or eat the belt...

 

And it's rusty.

 

Not sure what to do. A lot of effort so far.....

[Jim Bell]

Crap. New tensioner on the XM doesn't fit properly. It will either come off or eat the belt...

 

And it's rusty.

 

Not sure what to do. A lot of effort so far.....

Replace it with the correct part?

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I can see a 323i. You really should keep that.

[bramz7]

Replace it with the correct part?

Indeed, but this was in a gates kit with a correct belt and water pump etc, so a bit confusing...

[bramz7]

I can see a 323i. You really should keep that.

You're obviously right, but the insurance was a tad eye watering.

 

I started it today and the fan came straight on...it's got no problem with cooling however. Up to temp and stays there.

[Wingz123]

Prob a switch

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

You're obviously right, but the insurance was a tad eye watering.

 

 

 

 

 

How come? 

[bramz7]

Anyone got a part number for an XU10 non turbo tensioner? Looking on eBay shows more than one...which is no help at all.

[bramz7]

How come?

Well I'd put it onto a spare policy for a the time being, come renewal they want £1000. Cannot afford.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Footman James, £80.

[bramz7]

'sorry we cannot quote you for the details provided' and it's the same down the phone.

 

I'll assume it's my age, or someone crashing an E36 on my road or something.

[bramz7]

this month's modern classics mag has a Alfa greats write up.

 

So as I went on an airplane today, I picked this up.

 

They reckon a project 156 V6 is now £700. Useable is £1500.

 

Considering I put mine toward the latter of the two, I think I've done pretty well. Cheers Bauer Media for making me feel even more smug about how much I paid.

 

*Disclaimer* I know their value estimates are usually tosh.

[Jim Bell]

'sorry we cannot quote you for the details provided' and it's the same down the phone.

 

I'll assume it's my age, or someone crashing an E36 on my road or something.

 

Welcome to the WilsonWilson club. You have achieved a high enough amount of policy changes that you are now on a special secret FUCK YOU M8 list shared by all insurance underwriters in the British Isles. Possibly.

[Schaefft]

Welcome to the WilsonWilson club. You have achieved a high enough amount of policy changes that you are now on a special secret FUCK YOU M8 list shared by all insurance underwriters in the British Isles. Possibly.

 

This seems to be the case here, too. Footman James must have become very cautious recently, I dont think I was able to get a single quote from them recently.

[Jim Bell]

This seems to be the case here, too. Footman James must have become very cautious recently, I dont think I was able to get a single quote from them recently.

Thats probably my fault. I must have started more than 10 policies with them and cancelled them in the cooling off period.

[Stinkwheel]

Anyone got a part number for an XU10 non turbo tensioner? Looking on eBay shows more than one...which is no help at all.

 

What injection system manufacturer is it?  There were 3 different flavours on the XU10 2 litre. Very early was magnetti marelli ( I know this as we've got one and bits for it are massively difficult to find)  then I think it was the usual suspects of bosch and lucas on the others, although I might be wrong on manufacturers. It might mean that fitment of belts, pulleys etc was different. Just a though, might be worth asking on the XM forum (not facebook but the actual forum) 

[bramz7]

I'll be honest, I have no idea. The whole thing is a bit stressful as the garage seem to be relying on me for the bits... and the original tensioner is apparently toast.They keep mentioning that it's rusty, and it did seem sat at a very funny angle when I saw it a week or so ago, so I'm hoping that's not a sign the rear subframe is wrecked. Do these suffer odd rear wheel lean when rotten?

[Wingz123]

You would be so much better off with a trade policy. As has been said you are ultimately trading them on regardless of whether they are profit/loss. To give you some idea I pay £1100 fully comp WITH nationwide breakdown recovered back to home (included this just incase anything were to happen to the truck) this also includes high performance so am covered on anything from a beetle to a Bugatti Veyron. I am 28

 

More importantly you will be saving admin fees everytime you add/remove cars. I am able to text the reg and a car is added in under 30 seconds

[Stinkwheel]

I'll be honest, I have no idea. The whole thing is a bit stressful as the garage seem to be relying on me for the bits... and the original tensioner is apparently toast.They keep mentioning that it's rusty, and it did seem sat at a very funny angle when I saw it a week or so ago, so I'm hoping that's not a sign the rear subframe is wrecked. Do these suffer odd rear wheel lean when rotten?

 

No, if the rear wheels lean, it will be rear suspension arm bearings. Not a hard job for a garage with a lift. Arm bearing kits are about 40 quid per side last time I got some.