andy_r

Got mine done yesterday - definitely feels a bit more solid but ... there's still a damn knock audible there, I'm now guessing it's the other known suspension issue, the struts that need replaced. Hypertech were good enough, when having arrived late yesterday as I took the scenic route to Bonnybridge (!) I asked if they could look at recharging the a/c, they discovered that the system has a leak so it wasn't a nice, simple (read cheap) job to resolve. dash and blast... More funds to head out of my bank account soon it seems ....

Appreciate the responses but are there any guys closer to home for what should be a straighforward job ?

Got a couple of small areas on the wheel arches of my '03 wagon - 1 front and 1 rear - that have rusted. Could just be stone chips that have now blistered - I need to get them dealt with. I'd used (not for a Scoob) a place in Loanhead (Lawrence ?) partly as the guys at JVS, where I sourced my 1st scoob, recommended him and he was pretty good and cheap too. I drove around the Ind Estate that he was based in but couldn't see his place any more - any recommendations for somewhere ?

Think it's not 80 but 70% : Quick Google of construction and use on window tints threw up this which I confirmed the understanding that I already had. During the early part of 2004,Section 32 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations have been amended to include "Window Tint Films" where such materials attached to the glass are capable of reducing the Visible Light Transmission of forward windows to below prescribed levels (70% VLT for windows forward of the 'B' Post). These changes took effect from 1st January 2004. Nicked some info from here : http://www.eclipse-performance.com/home-styling.asp?id1=31&id2=2 Above 30% VLT treated less harshly than below 30% (I guess that is up to the particular police officers at the time) I think that modern cars have tints that bring VLT down to close to 70% anyway so adding any additional after-market tint will almost certainly bring it to sub-70% levels. and the official line : http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Tinted%20Windows%20Oct%202008.pdf pre-1st April 1985 car = 70% VLT screen and front side 1st April 1985-on = 75%VLT screen, 70% front side.

I have no idea - just hoping it's not loads of dosh to fix.

I've not had a chance to try to get the car on ramps or anything to see what exactly is wrong but I'm dreading that it is not just 1 corner, it's both LHS ones and maybe 1 more so the set may be the only sensible (farkin' costly tho') thing. Can well do without the expense but the car is, I'm sure, feeling a bit 'floaty' and not as solid on the road.

After initially hearing the occasional knock from one of the corners of the car I think at least 1 more has started chiming in. The well known problem with these cars(mine is an 03 WRX wagon) seems to be the shock absorbers - I'd wondered if there was a chance it was just the springs but assuming the worst then I'm guessing to replace with non-uprated parts (I don't want to go to the expense of coilovers or anything mega fancy) then I'm looking at £500 or so for the job ? Edinburgh/Midlothian area - places I've seen mentioned are : Steve Whitson nr Penicuik John Hastie at Prestonpans Logans Leith Grays Auto Precision Corstorphine Any of the above to be recommended particularly or anywhere else ?