Making it all like new...

[Walting_Matilda]

Hi guys,

New for this site and I own a black 206cc 2.0 SE.

As a second car, I am keen to keep it fast a fuel efficient (well as most as possible).

I have a Halfords trade card and get massive discounts on mechanical items.

Just asking for advice:

1. How can I make an only car feel new again?

Cheers

WM

[Capncol]

Hi guys,


1. How can I make an only car feel new again?



WM

That's a million dollar question really.
I suppose the accurate, (and very expensive) way is a full restoration.

You don't say how old it is, or what mileage, so the generic answer is to go through all steering and suspension components, followed by engine and gearbox, then interior (worn seats and carpets)

A good pro valet will usually improve the looks no end.

[Enright]

Answer in a nutshell: Elbow grease.

First thing you'll be looking to exercise your Halfords trade card on is lots of cleaning products.

I would recommend:
A wash mitt.
2 buckets.
Zip Wax car washing solution (I think it’s made by Turtlewax).
A sponge with a (slightly) more abrasive side for cleaning off dried flies.
A chamois leather.
Wonder Wheels wheel cleaner.
Wet look tyre gel.
T-Cut.
Color Magic.
Rain-X.
A brush to clean your wheels (an old washing-up brush will do to get between the spokes).
Lots of cleaning cloths - for both applying and removing polish.
A paint brush for getting into the dust traps and nooks and crannies inside the car.
A brush and dustpan.
Cockpit Shine.
WD40.

The purists may argue with me on many of the above products, but they work for me.

Use plenty of water to rinse as much dirt off the car before you start, and wash the car from top to bottom so that you’re chasing the dirt downwards.
Have one bucket with your cleaning solution in it, then another with just fresh water, and rinse your mitt each time after soaping the car so that you don’t end up transferring dirt back to the cleaning solution and scrubbing it into the paintwork.
Wash the wheels last.
If flies are particularly stubbornly stuck to the paintwork, a hot wet towel left over them while you go away and do another bit can be great for softening them.
Chamois the bodywork dry after rinsing the soapy water off it.
T-Cut every panel in small circles. Your fingers will ache afterwards if you’ve done it right, and don’t leave it long before sealing it with the Color Magic.
I would thoroughly spray WD40 everywhere under the bonnet, and then gently rinse it off, but know that this would give many mechanics heart failure at getting water so close to the electrics, so that one’s up to you.

Just doing the above will get you familiar with the car and you can make a list of the bits and pieces that you want to correct along the way.

[Walting_Matilda]

Hi guys,


1. How can I make an only car feel new again?



WM

That's a million dollar question really.
I suppose the accurate, (and very expensive) way is a full restoration.

You don't say how old it is, or what mileage, so the generic answer is to go through all steering and suspension components, followed by engine and gearbox, then interior (worn seats and carpets)

A good pro valet will usually improve the looks no end.

Thanks for your reply.

The car is 2002 and about 80k on the clock. The roof is perfect still (amazing)

Was thinking:

Whack in it for a full service (replace filters, sparks and gaskets etc.
Steam clean the engine
New shocks and springs (Question: I have heard that the cc doesn't have tension bar rather than rear shocks).
New Exhaust
I put new disk (back and front) on 10k so may replace the pads
new clutch

I have worked out that all this kit could be bought for approx. £600 (parts), just got to find a friendly mechanic . I appreciate washing it will go some way but the "card" has saved me over £400 in the past.

[Capncol]

As well as the service, at that age / mileage the cambelt is overdue if not already changed.

[gazza82]

Steam clean the engine -- only if you just want to admire it and not drive it ... steam cleaning can destroy the electrics. A clean engine won't make it go any better! Or you have just found a use for all your old toothbrushes ... seriously!

New shocks and springs (Question: I have heard that the cc doesn't have tension bar rather than rear shocks) -- the CC does have a torsion bar system at the back plus extra transverse arms and shocks. Struts at the front. The rear axle mounting bushes can split meaning the rear end moves about. (Expensive and not something you will get from Halfords!)

New Exhaust --- why? it is blowing, very rusty?

I put new disk (back and front) on 10k so may replace the pads -- if you replace the disks, it's false economy to put the old pads back. They will have worn to fit the old discs and don't bed in as easily. You can probably get the lot for less £100 from buypartsby or carparts4less .. I've never had a lot of luck with Halfords as their parts charts are usually wrong!

new clutch -- why? It the old one slipping?



As for cleaning, I'm a fan of Meguiars ... but the issue will be how bad is the original lacquer (metallic paint has a lacquer top-coat). Might be full of "swirls" especially if it's been washed with a sponge. You might need to get a pro job and have the whole car compounded with a polisher. Or as I have done, full wash with mitt (no sponges of any kind esp with abrasive sides ), clay bar, paint cleaner, polish and wax. If you have tar or dead bugs, use Autoglym's specialist fluids after the clay bar.

[Walting_Matilda]

Steam clean the engine -- only if you just want to admire it and not drive it ... steam cleaning can destroy the electrics. A clean engine won't make it go any better! Or you have just found a use for all your old toothbrushes ... seriously!

New shocks and springs (Question: I have heard that the cc doesn't have tension bar rather than rear shocks) -- the CC does have a torsion bar system at the back plus extra transverse arms and shocks. Struts at the front. The rear axle mounting bushes can split meaning the rear end moves about. (Expensive and not something you will get from Halfords!)

New Exhaust --- why? it is blowing, very rusty?

I put new disk (back and front) on 10k so may replace the pads -- if you replace the disks, it's false economy to put the old pads back. They will have worn to fit the old discs and don't bed in as easily. You can probably get the lot for less £100 from buypartsby .. I've never had a lot of luck with Halfords as there parts charts are usually wrong!

new clutch -- why? It the old one slipping?



As for cleaning, I'm a fan of Meguiars ... but the issue will be how bad is the original lacquer (metallic paint has a lacquer top-coat). Might be full of "swirls" especially if it's been washed with a sponge. You might need to get a pro job and have the whole car compounded with a polisher.

Some garage in Slough wanted £250 to change front pads and disks. I bought disks and pads (back and Front) for £90 from Halfords (Allparts) and got a garage to fit them for 2 hours work (£60). All in all a massive saving. Must say with a Halfords Trade Card, Allparts honour this discount up to 40%/50%.

[gazza82]

Paid about £100 and did them myself .. :-)

But then I only used a mechanic/garage when it's a really big job or I'm stumped! Been fixing my own cars since I was 17 ... and I'm not saying how long ago that was!

[Capncol]

Walting_Matilda
I hope you aren't working for Halfords and trying to promote their "card" because you have mentioned it several times.

FWIW I don't know of any mechanic that uses their trade card.
Auto factors are better value, deliver it to you, and hold a greater range of parts on the shelf.
(Where do you think Halfords get their non stocked parts from)

[Capncol]

Gazza. I'm guessing you're 82 (going by your user name)

[Walting_Matilda]

Walting_Matilda
I hope you aren't working for Halfords and trying to promote their "card" because you have mentioned it several times.

FWIW I don't know of any mechanic that uses their trade card.
Auto factors are better value, deliver it to you, and hold a greater range of parts on the shelf.
(Where do you think Halfords get their non stocked parts from)

GOD NO!! Not working for Halfords!

[gazza82]

Old, not ancient! (82 is my HOUSE number!)

[Walting_Matilda]

So once I have done all of this advice.

What the cheapest way of getting some more humph out this car?

[gazza82]

Don't you have to be "trade" to get their "trade card" ??? I don't think any one can just walk in and get one.

Personally I bet over a year I still pay less than Halfords with a discount as I take my time and shop around. And no, I don't use ebay ... but you can get good deals by looking. That includes the internet and local outlets.

I can get oil filters for about 30% of what Halfords charge and that's straight over the counter. And they aren't Halfords branded ... whatever that would be ... by well known names like Cooper Fram, etc.

[gazza82]

So once I have done all of this advice.

What the cheapest way of getting some more humph out this car?

You've got 138 bhp under the bonnet ... in a car that weighs very little ... quickest way would be to drop a 180bhp GTI engine in there although knowing Peugeot, you might have ECU and loom issues.

But until it's fully serviced and you are sure everything is working as it should, how do you know what it's capable of? I know if I floor my daughter's CC ... it's very, very rapid and I can get horrendous amounts of torque steer.