Mark,s Mega Project

Mka306

A2OC Donor
Hi folks, I thought now that I have my feet under the forum table so to speak and the idea coming from @dj_efk I would start a project thread for my 2002 1.4 SE petrol.
The reason for the title including Mega is because I have a lot I want to do to the new car addiction in my life including OEM and non OEM upgrades as well as fixing or renewing parts of the car, I will be looking at paint and lacquer repairs as well as possible DIY wheel refurbing, I have already replaced the headlight surrounds as the old rubber ones were perished, I've replaced the broken fuel cap opening switch, replaced the standard headlight bulbs with xenon style including side lights, headlights and main beam, I have refurbed the headlights getting rid of the yellow perished look, replaced the side indicator lenses with new as they looked a mess and leather dyed the steering wheel to cover age related wear.
I have a long list of bits I want to do but it costs money and some of it a lot of money so this project will take some time but I hope to have her looking the way I want when I finish, that said it seems there is always something to do on these little bundles of joy but that's half the fun i'd say.

So the next job to be done is the cambelts, water pump and aux belt, this will be done by my local garage on Monday the 19th April, I also have silver wing mirror covers on route from our very own breaker @A2Steve who has already supplied me with most of the above items, if you haven't bought anything from him yet (most members have I believe) then he is a decent chap who will clearly help in anyway he can, I for one am very grateful for his help already.

I will start to add some pics as soon as I can but I've changed phones and need to take some new pics for the project thread. I will do my best to add content as and when it happens and I will take pics as I go and post them with a write up or explanation to hopefully assist others.
 
Mark - thanks for crediting me with the suggestion, however I made it on behalf of us all as there are too few project blog threads - yet they are very interesting to read to me. That's why I make an effort to update mine even though I'm quite anal about certain things like fuel economy etc. - I'm hopeful there are at least a couple of others out there that appreciate reading about my efforts to improve my car and it's functionality :)

So we have agreed you'll borrow my VCDS and share the learnings as a complete beginner here - Now THAT will be worth reading a hell of a lot of people I would imagine.
 
Mark - thanks for crediting me with the suggestion, however I made it on behalf of us all as there are too few project blog threads - yet they are very interesting to read to me. That's why I make an effort to update mine even though I'm quite anal about certain things like fuel economy etc. - I'm hopeful there are at least a couple of others out there that appreciate reading about my efforts to improve my car and it's functionality :)

So we have agreed you'll borrow my VCDS and share the learnings as a complete beginner here - Now THAT will be worth reading a hell of a lot of people I would imagine.
I also enjoy reading others project threads and I have gleaned valuable information from them as well as simply enjoying the journey of someones car becoming what they want it to be.
I am extremely grateful you have very kindly offered to lend me your VCDS, I think it's only right to update this thread with my use of it and how I have used it to improve or repair the car, I will do my very best but I will have to take advice from others before I dive in.
 
So I thought it would be an idea to compile a list of all the modifications and OEM repairs I intend to complete over the course of this project thread, it will hopefully give me a list to work through (most likely not in order) and something for others to follow. This will of course take time and a lot of money so progress will be steady to slow but I will complete this project one way or the other.

I will start with the dream mod list first as that's the easy part of this project (to compile that is) and one I hope to start soon all going to plan that is, it won't be in order as already stated but I will cross of as I go and add pics for the story as I do like to see them on a thread myself. I will no doubt add to each list as I think of other things i'd like to do but for now and in no particulate order:-

MODIFICATIONS
-Custom exhaust cat back system
-Uprated suspension including shocks and springs but with minimal lowering
-Performance front brake pad and disc upgrade
-17" wheel upgrade
-Xenon headlights, main beam and side lights
-Headlight switch dial upgrade
-Mud flaps all round-arrived
-Windows tinted
-Front centre arm rest
-Heko wind deflectors

OEM & OEM+
-Full DIS
-Cruise Control
-Paint and lacquer repair-*ongoing*
-Wing mirror casings replaced
-Windscreen wiper refurb

-3 spoke leather tt steering wheel
-Aluminium pedals
-Aluminium tt gear knob
-Fitted car Matt
-Electric window switches refurb

-Climate button refurb
-Cambelts, water pump and aux belt replacement
-Glove box replacement
-Key fob locking repair
-Electric windows operation repair
-replacement clutch
-Brake, clutch fluid bleed and service
-Complete and full service
-Headlight refurb
-Fuel cap release button replacement
-Rear light LED upgrade
-Interior LED light upgrade

For now I'd say that's enough to keep me busy and out of pocket for some time but as I've said I will add to each list as and if necessary. I will post some pics of the one's I've completed already when I can and add more as each job is completed. So strap in and join me on my mega project journey.

Mark.
 
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I'm sure you are going to get lots of hints and tips and pointers to the relevant links for advice.
The forum is awash with help and the first place to go is the how to section.

Good luck, and hopefully we have a warm dry summer ahead, nothing worse than freezing cold wet fingers. ?
 
@Mka306 Hang on to the "old" headlight bits, because you may run into MoT problems with the Xenons. MoT changes, specific to headlights made recently.
Mac.
If it's an issue then I have the original bulbs to change back to so no big deal, also it's just had an MOT so nothing to worry about for a while yet.
 
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After receiving the silver wing mirror covers and clip to hold the side repeater from @A2Steve (Thanks Steve all spot on) I was straight out the door to fit and fix. Wing mirrors now silver look great, like an S version of the Audi, so so pleased with the results, also clip fitted and for extra protection I used clear silicone to seal all around the indicator lenses.
I'm sure the colour may not be to everyone's liking but I'm chuffed to bits and I may colour match the black sills all round, not sure yet but what do you all think?

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After receiving the silver wing mirror covers and clip to hold the side repeater from @A2Steve (Thanks Steve all spot on) I was straight out the door to fit and fix. Wing mirrors now silver look great, like an S version of the Audi, so so pleased with the results, also clip fitted and for extra protection I used clear silicone to seal all around the indicator lenses.
I'm sure the colour may not be to everyone's liking but I'm chuffed to bits and I may colour match the black sills all round, not sure yet but what do you all think?

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View attachment 79103
I think if you’re doing it then it makes sense to tie in the theme. Perhaps do the Chrome surround at the bottom of the bumper @A2Steve was looking at?
 
The whole sills & lower bumpers would probably be too much but I think it would look good if you wrapped the black bump strips at the bottoms of the doors in silver. And maybe the chromed lower grille surround as Erling suggests.

Interesting black area on the leading edge of the roof there. I suspect that's a previous owner's cure for the lacquer peel which often happens there on red ones. If the peel on your NS A-pillar annoys you, you could do worse than spray the entire A-D pillar sweeps in silver and extend that black to the rest of the roof.
 
Collected the 17" wheels today from a chap near Wolverhampton, nice little 400 mile round trip but the A2 did it with ease and economy.
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Next job will be refurbishing the wheels myself, I will be taking my time with them but I will have pics of the refurb as it comes along.
On returning home a nice little package was waiting for me....
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This job will be done before the wheels, hopefully this week.
 
Is that the Bluetooth version? If so I see they have gone up in price again to £40


Sent from the future
 
Is that the Bluetooth version? If so I see they have gone up in price again to £40


Sent from the future
No that's the gen 3, I bought the gen 2 as I didn't want the updated version and as you've mentioned it's near double the price.
 
I decided to start on the basics of the wheel refurb and started by wire brushing the entire wheel to remove flaking paint, old sticky pads from wheel weights ect, then a good clean with washing up liquid, hot water and a scourer sponge.

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Next will be the first stage of sanding down the old paint and any damage, first I will need to pick up some different grades of sand paper. To be continued......
 
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