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I was a big wax/sealant guy. Finally committed to a ceramic coating. Gotta say on first impression I can see the appeal. Paint wasn't too bad as I had polished it years ago, but did have water spotting and needed a polish. I wasn't going to chase the last 5% - Polishing is a nightmare. Even blasting through it it took ~5-6 hours. I used; Carpro Fixer (for some 'worse' areas) Carpro Essence all over MF cutting pad Finishing pad only on the bonnet where I went pretty hard to get the water spots out. CQuartz UK 3.0 + Reload It's a dream on all the black trim, (PDC sensors look brand new!), wipers etc. It looks the best it ever has, so looking forward to the long term review! It has convinced me that I would put a coating on a 'non corrected car' - maybe just a quick polish. And I would live with some locked in swirls (on say a white car) to get the coating benefits. Going to cull my detail cabinet now...

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/smart/listing/3915696694?bof=tU4ygqSY

If it was in the south island it would be in my drive already. I'd also be sleeping in it as the Mrs would kick me out but it'll be mine haha

If you actually loved the car you would never let it get to that state, he's just one of those people who run cars into the ground and buy another one. $1 reserve then taking offers is more proof he's an idiot.

Thanks Jon. I’ve reserved one through Continental in Wellington. Still waiting for final pricing though.

speaking of low entry price race cars.... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/3916085934?bof=18mMKlsm bit rough but if you were going that route...

Did a quick mock start up today to make sure it’s all running before I pull the engine and trans back out to tidy everything up again, big sense of relief and some what of a mile stone IMG_0906.MOV

I'm sure seeing those two pictures has shortened my life.

Hope to get it started over the holidays and then move on to getting it moving itself. my next major headache is getting it to stop, I have next to no firewall space and I’m considering mounting a willwood pedal box with the master cylinders mounted in the cabin, anyone whose done this to a road driven car- I’d love some advice. Some more random pictures and a picture of my motivation for this build (yes it’s low- will be converting the BC Coilovers to air suspension)

And this is where I’m currently at, -engine mounted -gearbox mounted -driveshaft made -all exhaust/turbo made to downpipe -fuel pump mounted, new fuel lines made and plumbed -radiator mounted and plumbed -intercooler mounted and piping fabricated -wiring all hooked up-minus afew sensors -BC Coilovers welded up I will make more of an effort to take more photos and post more of my progress if there is any interest. ive still got loads of work to get this done and would appreciate any advice/help.

Found some 16” BBS RS’s in 5x120 and decided they need to be bigger ended up building them to: 18x9 et+5 18x10.5 et-5

After a lengthy lay-off I can say Im back and ready to keep building. Reasons for lay-off; 1. Let 3rd child grow up a bit more (kids come first) 2. Built another car in the mean time (its a VW dont hate ok) 3. VW virtually finished (its the daily so it was prioritised over the rest of them) - Now FBO inc. larger 550hp turbo, big fuel system, Tein Monosports, swaybars, brakes all round etc etc 4. Lots of drone fishing, A coulpe Golf pix but then onto 1M Clone... So 1M Clone? Where did I get to? Single turbo thoughts, strip interior mostly out, half cage installed (MANZ approved), had a ST ex manifold made up, extra high heat ceramic coating via HPC to , turbine housing, CHRA and a silver coating to comp husing. Needed to make up downpipe, wastegate needs to be plumbed into DP, oil & water lines need some work. I have an inverting TIG at home, which now sits proudly in the dining room as the welding station. Keep back kids. Ive made it out of 1.8mm thick 3" SS304 using 1.6mm rod and tack welded for now which will tap into the 2.5" twin exhaust. Now its longside the engine mount I can prob either keep going in 3" or widen to 3.5" then a merge into the dual 2.5". Sundays are usually the day for car work these days Now that Ive worked out syncing from Google drive to the PC and phone life is easier to post, apologies for the delay Crucial learnings about project cars, dont let layoffs defeat you, put a cover over it and be patient, the time will come again when the time is right