project Broadsword's Fleet Thread

[Broadsword]

I think the Broadsword fleet has become sufficiently complicated to merit a combined thread so that gradually all new additions will appear in one place.

 

As of Sunday 17th March the situation is interesting.

 

Two Citoren Xantias (remember the white Xantia of Excellence is for sale people!)

http://autoshite.com/topic/34699-w-reg-citroen-xantia-20-hdi-xantia-of-excellence-%C2%A3999/

http://autoshite.com/topic/34596-citroen-xantia-double-madness-rust/page-2

 

A turquoise XJR6 pending overdue-collection (need that gone now!)

http://autoshite.com/topic/34003-jaguar-xjr6-double-madness-double-sold

 

An XJS 3.6 manual project which will get in high gear soonish. Wont be a keeper but will be fun getting it back to something presentable. Drivers fantastic!

http://autoshite.com/topic/34664-jaguar-xjs-36-manual

 

A Range Rover P38, which is turning out to be really rather good.

 

And to mix things up even more I'm off on a collection caper today. Had first refusal on it and was expecting it to come around in a year, but things soon changed and no way was I going to pass up on it. It may well render the second Xantia redundant as I've got a really good feeling about this motor.

 

In the meantime here are some snaps of the Range Rover. As usual it was a car I said I would probably never buy due to their reliability*. I have said the same of Jag XJR, XJS, XK8 and I have had all of those now. Basically the moment I declare buying a particular car is impractical or improbable, I end up buying one.

 

Things to note on the P38. It's a nice colour with tidy body. The EAS has been removed. It runs and drives lovely and it doesn't have enough electrical problems to hinder progress. The main one is the driver's side window not working, but that should be fixable. I've tried changing the outstation, that didn't fix it. Might be wiring under the seat. Other than that I bought it and took it for an MOT the very next day, and it passed. Since then it had what seemed like a battery drain, but since unplugging the RF thingy for the remote locking and putting on a proper lead-acid battery, which the car can actually charge, unlike the modern lead-calcium batteries, it has been perfect. I will treat it to a full service soon.

 

Stay tuned for the latest collection later today!

[Broadsword]

Say hello to the VW Lupo 1.7 SDi! It was lovely to meet you JoeyEunos. What an amazing vehicle. My first German car and it has so much simple charm to it.

 

The drive back (about 90 miles) was pleasant, even through bad weather. Although you have to adapt your driving style to the lack of power, there is enough to keep your own on the motorway. It was also very impressive how stable it is on the big roads and relatively unperturbed by crosswinds. Build quality is much better than I'm used to with a small car. This must be the most frugal/low maintenance modern you can get for the money. It's a keeper, which also means the Xantias must go, but that is ok. Times move on.

 

No dizzler shot due to amazing fuel economy, but I did stop for a short break on the way back to snap a couple of photos.

[The Moog]

Regards to the P38 - njgleeds is breaking one so if you need bits it is probably worth giving him a shout b

[Shirley Knott]

It was good to meet you too chap, a really straightforward and pleasant selling experience, it's also always a pleasure to put a face to a name and all that jazz. 

 

As mentioned I was slightly sad to see this one go but needs must, I'm glad to hear you're bonding with it!

[HMC]

Top buyable! Nice to see one looking very standard, didn’t know they did a bare steel wheeled version, suits it perfectly!

[Broadsword]

Yeah I really like the steel wheel and plastic centre cap look. It’s just a great bedrock to the fleet to keep spending down on daily miles.

 

In terms of Lupo upkeep it wants a cam belt in 8k miles. I’m just going to pay for a specialist to do it properly (recommendations near York welcome). Service time next month at which point I will change the front discs and pads very, very kindly provided by JoeyEunos. The wheels will benefit from some Hammerite so I should do that also.

 

So the way the fleet is going to look is that the white Xantia was already for sale but will be joined by the red Xantia once I have fixed it up and put a full MOT on it. The P38 can stay for now as it relatively trouble free. The XJS is the project as I said and then a well-known reliable luxury saloon will the the third car of the main fleet to join the P38 and Lupo. That should see the Broadsword fleet be really rather strong and stable heading into spring and summer.

[Shirley Knott]

The steel wheels and black caps are my fault I'm afraid. The car originally came with plastic trims and black steels...

 

 

 

I sprayed them silver and fitted Mk2 Golf G60 centrecaps, so not strictly standard but they look like they should be/are, the only other things I changed RE spec are the rear headrests and factory CD player which both came from a posher model.

[Broadsword]

The Lupo has been performing magnificently. I will think of ordering a service kit and getting the best diesel purge product I can find soon. I'm wondering should an EGR delete be considered for this engine? I have no idea on the fuel economy, because I can't be bothered to calculate it, it uses very little though. Filled up for the first time Thursday. Picked up the car Sunday and did about 90 miles driving it home, and obviously lots of running around in the week.

 

Some very quick fettling today involved hooveing the interior, fixing a small crack on the passenger side mirror with superglue and sizing up some genuine VW rubber mats from a Polo to put in it. The fronts are a decent match. The rears need trimming down. I'm a sucker for premium genuine mats!

 

Also one important addition, an nice, bright enamel VW keyring!

 

White Xantia still for sale. Someone do a buy!

[Broadsword]

The Lupo was very dusty so was treated to a quick wash as I was washing the P38 anyway. Really scrubs up nicely. Have some nice photos. Even better, have a video!

 

[Broadsword]

Well I’m at York station and it’s time for yet another collection caper. This will complete the spring/summer line up for 2019. Destination Manchester and it will be the first time I’ve owned a car twice. Dressed to suit the car in finest Harris Tweed. Expecting it to be a pleasant cruise back.

[bangernomics]

Pleasure to meet you sir.

 

[Broadsword]

Pez shot. Yes, the Red Bike has returned! Someone had to own it twice at some point. It was just a matter of time, so I thought I would do it on everyone's behalf. After settling back into an XJ Sport from the much firmer XJR, I had a very enjoyable drive home. Since I've had it the gearbox has become smoother and the exhaust less noisy, hooray for that. It's just an excellent car.

[Jazoli]

Dibs !

[Broadsword]

Oh go on then, but this time I am going to try and hang on to it for longer and enjoy it more, because it is really rather ok. The only thing that would heavily distract me from it would be if an affordable XJR6 manual turns up, but they hardly ever turn up for sale so my chances of getting one are slim. I had a grand plan of investigating whether the aircon on this could be recommissioned.

[Jazoli]

Oh go on then, but this time I am going to try and hang on to it for longer and enjoy it more, because it is really rather ok. The only thing that would heavily distract me from it would be if an affordable XJR6 manual turns up, but they hardly ever turn up for sale so my chances of getting one are slim. I had a grand plan of investigating whether the aircon on this could be recommissioned.

 

I was joking, I don't want it back

[Fat_Pirate]

I had a grand plan of investigating whether the aircon on this could be recommissioned.

I had a specialist check the aircon, and it's fine... apart from the condenser, pump and the pipe between them leaking.  He reckoned the receiver/dryer would be goosed too.  Pump was pushing out green dye from front and back, it was most impressive in a sickening way.

 

I'll have it back once you've sorted it, cheers.

[Ohdearme]

I’ll gladly take it in the event it someone should tire of it.

 

Any vehicle that appears attached to previous owners via invisible bungee cords must be fundamentally sound.

[Broadsword]

I had a specialist check the aircon, and it's fine... apart from the condenser, pump and the pipe between them leaking. He reckoned the receiver/dryer would be goosed too. Pump was pushing out green dye from front and back, it was most impressive in a sickening way.

 

I'll have it back once you've sorted it, cheers.

Ok, you can have first refusal. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear on the air con. Never mind though, I’ll just give up on that as uneconomical. I mean one could turn up again at a scrappy which might take care of supplying some of the components but it seems beyond the effort.

 

I’ll gladly take it in the event it someone should tire of it.

Any vehicle that appears attached to previous owners via invisible bungee cords must be fundamentally sound.

I like to think I’m experienced enough with X300s now to recognise it as a good, looked after one. It may be seven shades of red but it is basically rust free, which is somewhat of a rarity for the money. No point selling it outside here anymore with 15 previous owners on the logbook. Joe public wouldn’t understand.

[HMC]

Great buyage!

 

Agreed re Joe public / number of owners thing and the length of ownership;

 

“What’s wrong with it then something must be wrong with it if your selling it after such a short time”

 

1. Nothings wrong as such- I’ve improved it actually (usually the case on here)

 

2. It’s not the car it’s me

 

It all sounds so wrong- except on here!

[Broadsword]

Great buyage!

Agreed re Joe public / number of owners thing and the length of ownership;

“What’s wrong with it then something must be wrong with it if your selling it after such a short time”

1. Nothings wrong as such- I’ve improved it actually (usually the case on here)

2. It’s not the car it’s me

It all sounds so wrong- except on here!

Too true. These days I tend to get a bit perplexed when buyers obsess over the number of previous owners rather than judge the car on its own merits. Also, since I obsessively follow the market on these I can say with quite a lot or certainty that your average £1000 X300 on the open market won’t be as good as this one on the whole. I’d much rather have dodgy paint than rust!

[Broadsword]

Now while I remember, I should probably for posterity mention that the current fleet is perhaps as close as I’ll get to my perfect three car garage. One super frugal, reliable car in the diesel Lupo, the obligatory really rather sorted Jaaag in the Red Bike and Ranger Rover P38 for heavy lifting. The combined value of all three is only a fraction of a deposit on a new car!

 

All three cars are working well and aren’t in need of any urgent work, just tinkering. Amazing.

 

A slight wrong turn what with that red Xantia being a scrapper, but I might have reached the Autoshite equivalent of Zen. Long may it last, as we all know how it ends! .... goes of wondering how one can get his hands on a XJR6 with a manual box..

[Dan_ZTT]

I would also like to own this at some point. It is lovely.

[The Moog]

So are all three going to be sticking around?

[Isaac Hunt]

Ok, you can have first refusal. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear on the air con. Never mind though, I’ll just give up on that as uneconomical. I mean one could turn up again at a scrappy which might take care of supplying some of the components but it seems beyond the effort.

I like to think I’m experienced enough with X300s now to recognise it as a good, looked after one. It may be seven shades of red but it is basically rust free, which is somewhat of a rarity for the money. No point selling it outside here anymore with 15 previous owners on the logbook. Joe public wouldn’t understand.

I was rather worried after things went a bit quiet. Are you the first person to own it twice or the third. Semantics of course. I'm going to have to have a go on this at some time.weell done on securing it back. Only on this parish can an increased qty of owners add to its provenance

[Broadsword]

Yeah I would be pleased if this remains in the parish as long as possible. Why not, it’s fun and the car has plenty of life in it. I’ve lost track on the number of owners here, but I think I am* maybe the first person the have this twice. Maybe it is time to implement my idea of a thread tracing all the AS owners of the famed Red Bike. Who do you think you are Autoshite style.

 

So are all three going to be sticking around?

This is the sensible thing to do for now. The Lupo must stay from a financial point of view. I really like the P38 as it kind of works. I’ve been through that many Jags now that if one were going to replace the Red Bike it will have to be very interesting so it is between an XJR and and XK8 as they are my favourites. Just need to shift the good white Xantia in the meantime as a matter of some urgency.

[bangernomics]

I was joking, I don't want it back

Technically you’re already the first to own it twice.

[Broadsword]

Time for a fleet update. Firstly the Lupo. It's brilliant. I'm really glad I got this. It has done York to London and back twice in the space of two weeks for two with luggage and it has proven to be a remarkably capable motorway car. You certainly wouldn't expect so, but it can keep up on the big roads and doesn't feel intimidating now that we're used to it. Somehow it is more stable than a lot of modern small cars at speed. I put this down to a low centre of gravity. Ford Kas are another good example, low slung and glued to the road despite their size.

 

Fuel economy is excellent. The main drawback on long distance travel is that it's effectively a two seater, because you need to put the rear seats down for your luggage. Currently this is not an issue for us and the Range Rover will cater for situations where more seats and luggage space is required. I found out a neat feature when putting the seats down. The rear side pockets are exactly the correct size to hold the rear headrests. Neat! The Lupo is also quite fun to drive in it's way. There is masses of body roll, but the grip is very good so you always feel confident in it's abilities to corner. The engine is a real bone shaker at idle (the wiper blades vibrate against the windscreen and the dash buzzes!), but gets more refined the faster you go.

 

Moving on to the P38. It has been behaving itself well, no problems. I haven't had time work on it, but should soon. Yesterday I picked up a replacement headlining from UPullit for £10. It is a new one, but a bit grubby. For the money it's worth taking a chance trying to clean it up. New headlinings are around £150. It has been treated to the seats being cleaned and the carpets wet vacced. It scrubs up well. Always enjoyable to drive this one. Love it.

 

So my ideal fleet was the Lupo, P38 and forum Red Bike XJ6. This Zen hasn't lasted long, as is the way. The Red Bike is sold. I'm currently on a train making my way to Reading to collect a new project. I'm quite excited about it. Clues: it's very bright red, very much like the Lupo. Hadn't I been in London the other week anyway, I probably wouldn't have traveled all the way from York just to view it, but I guess I was lucky I got to see it as it's pretty tidy.

[Broadsword]

What do we have here?

[r.welfare]

Ooh! I saw that in traffic last week. Very unusual colour.

[HMC]

BOOM! Dog bollock red, but all the better for it. Xjr6 manual?