Hi all
For those of you who know I went to see a code 3 916 Spider V6 today. I've also been quite apprehensive about going the Code 3 route but the car didn't look bad at all. I've put down a quick summary of the car and any problems are found. Comments would be greatly appreciated.
BODY WORK: Round the back and sides she's lovely and straight with good paintwork (could be some spray work but hey) The sills look decent and both doors open and shut perfectly. Under the bonnet the front chassis legs are nice and straight with what looks like original paint on them. The front cross member just behind the bonnet looks to have been sprayed and possibly replaced but all nice and straight. The oil cooler looks new as does the 'radiator' for the aircon.
The actual radiator and fans look original. Headlights look original but fogs are definitely new. All the paint code stickers etc are on the chassis legs and the slam panel looks original with the right stickers...this could've been replaced with a 2nd hand one though.
Front bumper looks good but the grille between the foglight's is definitely not an OE part. The hooters are also not OE.
The one problem is that the bonnet is obviously the original one. The 'heart' looks like it broke off in the accident and been fibre glassed back on. Whoever did the fibreglassing obviously didn't get the angle quite right because the heart touches the front bumper and the badge/grille doesn't quite fit right. the gasket things that go round the headlight holes are still
there and not painted so it looks like it was just the heart that broke off. The bonnet does however shut and latch as it should. The engine under tray is also not present.
THE ROOF: The soft top looks as if a large cat has had a proper go at it with it's claws. A good few small rips in the outer covering but none right through. The back window is decent. The roof mechanism works but the motor need a tap with a spanner before it works. Seals all looks good. Just as a note the seals on the door posts are still there and in good nick (don't see that often) The side windows will definitely need adjusting for a good seal.
THE INTERIOR: Lovely, lovely, lovely!!!:inlove: the seats are in superb nick. No scratches ,rips or marks and the leather is nice and soft as it should be. Crappy fake alfa logo stickers all over but that's minor. All electrics work, the radio aerial goes up and down, the windows open and shut and the A/C works.
THE AIRBAGS: The biggie! They don't work..and to be honest I wasn't surprised. The airbags have obviously NOT been replaced after the accident and the airbag light is on. I would assume the pre-tensioner seat belts have not been replaced either.
THE MECHANICALS: Also lovely! She runs beautifully, pulls well and the clutch is smooth and not heavy at all. The gearbox is smooth and she makes all the right noises. All the belts have also been replaced. Under the bonnet it looks clean and all correct. The steering has a little bit of play but the power steering pump is quiet. The brakes also feel good and the ABS light works as it should. There is a full service history mostly at Chatz. The aircon fan did vibrate a bit when it kicked in but not enough to shake your fillings out.
OTHER: The owner has all the keys, books and service history. Their reason for selling is obviously legitimate. They were also willing to bargain.
WHAT NEEDS WORK: If I bought the car I would definitely look at replacing the bonnet and getting the airbags working. I've got an almost new 916 steering wheel and driver's airbag in my garage at home. What else would I need and what's the worst case scenario here?? Do I just need a passenger bag, new ECU and seatbelt cartridge? Is it possible to source these parts used?
The roof would need doing but it's not an immediate concern for me as it watertight and this would be a weekend car so the roof would be down mostly anyway.
The front tyres are 'stukkend' and definitely need replacing straight away.
I had a look at the service history and it looks like the car was written off after it's 80 000km service so it would have already been quite old. From the look of the interior and mechanicals it was obviously loved before the accident. It's done 118 000km and get's parked under cover every night.
The owner is prepared to accept R60 000 for the car and that'll include a RWC. Given that she needs another bonnet and the airbags sorted is it realistic to buy this car? As I mentioned I've already got one of the airbags and I'd look at sourcing the bonnet and as much of the airbag system as possible second hand. My next mission is to get it round to Turbo Nutters for an inspection.
**Just noticed it's got a Twin Spark front bumper on it too. It's missing the little vents on the corners for the front brakes**
For those of you who know I went to see a code 3 916 Spider V6 today. I've also been quite apprehensive about going the Code 3 route but the car didn't look bad at all. I've put down a quick summary of the car and any problems are found. Comments would be greatly appreciated.
BODY WORK: Round the back and sides she's lovely and straight with good paintwork (could be some spray work but hey) The sills look decent and both doors open and shut perfectly. Under the bonnet the front chassis legs are nice and straight with what looks like original paint on them. The front cross member just behind the bonnet looks to have been sprayed and possibly replaced but all nice and straight. The oil cooler looks new as does the 'radiator' for the aircon.
The actual radiator and fans look original. Headlights look original but fogs are definitely new. All the paint code stickers etc are on the chassis legs and the slam panel looks original with the right stickers...this could've been replaced with a 2nd hand one though.
Front bumper looks good but the grille between the foglight's is definitely not an OE part. The hooters are also not OE.
The one problem is that the bonnet is obviously the original one. The 'heart' looks like it broke off in the accident and been fibre glassed back on. Whoever did the fibreglassing obviously didn't get the angle quite right because the heart touches the front bumper and the badge/grille doesn't quite fit right. the gasket things that go round the headlight holes are still
there and not painted so it looks like it was just the heart that broke off. The bonnet does however shut and latch as it should. The engine under tray is also not present.
THE ROOF: The soft top looks as if a large cat has had a proper go at it with it's claws. A good few small rips in the outer covering but none right through. The back window is decent. The roof mechanism works but the motor need a tap with a spanner before it works. Seals all looks good. Just as a note the seals on the door posts are still there and in good nick (don't see that often) The side windows will definitely need adjusting for a good seal.
THE INTERIOR: Lovely, lovely, lovely!!!:inlove: the seats are in superb nick. No scratches ,rips or marks and the leather is nice and soft as it should be. Crappy fake alfa logo stickers all over but that's minor. All electrics work, the radio aerial goes up and down, the windows open and shut and the A/C works.
THE AIRBAGS: The biggie! They don't work..and to be honest I wasn't surprised. The airbags have obviously NOT been replaced after the accident and the airbag light is on. I would assume the pre-tensioner seat belts have not been replaced either.
THE MECHANICALS: Also lovely! She runs beautifully, pulls well and the clutch is smooth and not heavy at all. The gearbox is smooth and she makes all the right noises. All the belts have also been replaced. Under the bonnet it looks clean and all correct. The steering has a little bit of play but the power steering pump is quiet. The brakes also feel good and the ABS light works as it should. There is a full service history mostly at Chatz. The aircon fan did vibrate a bit when it kicked in but not enough to shake your fillings out.
OTHER: The owner has all the keys, books and service history. Their reason for selling is obviously legitimate. They were also willing to bargain.
WHAT NEEDS WORK: If I bought the car I would definitely look at replacing the bonnet and getting the airbags working. I've got an almost new 916 steering wheel and driver's airbag in my garage at home. What else would I need and what's the worst case scenario here?? Do I just need a passenger bag, new ECU and seatbelt cartridge? Is it possible to source these parts used?
The roof would need doing but it's not an immediate concern for me as it watertight and this would be a weekend car so the roof would be down mostly anyway.
The front tyres are 'stukkend' and definitely need replacing straight away.
I had a look at the service history and it looks like the car was written off after it's 80 000km service so it would have already been quite old. From the look of the interior and mechanicals it was obviously loved before the accident. It's done 118 000km and get's parked under cover every night.
The owner is prepared to accept R60 000 for the car and that'll include a RWC. Given that she needs another bonnet and the airbags sorted is it realistic to buy this car? As I mentioned I've already got one of the airbags and I'd look at sourcing the bonnet and as much of the airbag system as possible second hand. My next mission is to get it round to Turbo Nutters for an inspection.
**Just noticed it's got a Twin Spark front bumper on it too. It's missing the little vents on the corners for the front brakes**
