Making my VTS perfect: now and future plans - Saxperience

harryvts16v · 26th January 2018, 11:08

Hey everyone,

Thought it'd be a good idea to share my experience so far on making my VTS as good as new.

It's started with me picking up a very tidy and original Mk2 Saxo VTS in green.
I had known of the car for a while, as a lady at work would get picked up in it by her husband, and I'd always make a point of saying 'if you ever sell it, let me know!'.

So one recent evening, a message came through - 'we're selling the Saxo and wanted to let you know first'. That same weekend, the car was mine.

A quick overview of the car:

- Green! Not sure how many green ones are left?
- 2x owners from brand new (father and then son - who I bought it off).
- 128,000 miles - full service history, all MOT receipts and documents. Runs just as well as my old 40k one!
- 6 months MOT
- 4x exceptional condition alloys - never refurbished.
- Only one small scuff on front bumper.
- A few mechanical bits which I've now fixed - below...

So, what have I done so far??

- The original stereo recently failed, so they put in a cheap CD player. My first purchase for the car was an original Saxo stereo, which is now in place, £30.

- I put on 4x brand new Toyo Proxes - 195/45/15 - £160.

- The ABS light was on when I purchased the car, a simple fix - a new rear sensor. £50.

- The gearbox was leaking slightly, so it's had a couple of new seals put on (ask my mechanic?!). £50.

- A StopLock steering wheel lock from Amazon! £25 - worth that for peace of mind.

- AND, the car had the dreaded rear wheel camber... so a fully refurbished rear axle from IM Axles has now been fitted, and it's great. £230.

What's next?

- New wheel bearings all round

- New pads and discs all round - any recommendations??

- I've realised it now needs a new indicator stalk, the noise the indicator relay is mental!

- A full clay bar, machine polish and weekend spent cleaning it!

*******

I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Any questions, suggestions or comments would be great!

I'd be most interested in knowing how many green VTS's are left??

Thanks
Harry

welshpug · 26th January 2018, 12:00

my suggestion would be to get an SNR bearing and seal kit for the rear axle and rebuild it yourself.

you will know it has been done properly then.

sri_130 · 26th January 2018, 12:12

Put some photos up.

Stissy · 26th January 2018, 13:18

I love a good resto thread. My mate had a Mk2 Amazon Green VTS. Lovely colour. Good luck and keep us informed.

harryvts16v · 26th January 2018, 17:57

Thanks guys - photos to follow...

harryvts16v · 26th January 2018, 18:01

A few pics of the car here, just about to upload more of the bits done..

harryvts16v · 26th January 2018, 18:04

A picture of the old axle and the refurbished one from IM Axle.

Ben_SaxoForte · 26th January 2018, 19:45

Looks clean, i'm looking for something similar as my project VTR just has too much rot to warrant fixing now which is a shame

Good luck with the progress!

harryvts16v · 26th January 2018, 20:53

- New tyres on - noticed a kerbing mark on there! That'll be on the list to sort.
- Stoplock on every night! Not sure if it'll stop someone stealing it, but makes me feel better.
- Original stereo all in and working as it should.

sri_130 · 27th January 2018, 09:14

Back to the 90's! Extra cool points for that stop lock.
I remember those ones that covered the entire wheel.

Manu · 27th January 2018, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryvts16v

- Stoplock on every night! Not sure if it'll stop someone stealing it, but makes me feel better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM9f7mBw8sQ

Skip to 1:44, and count to 3.

I would remove that rubbish before it attracts someone (as in looks like it's all the security you can afford), and before you start getting marks on the steering wheel because of the hard plastic rubbing. Never seen anything more efficient than a hidden kill switch, except having 2 kill switches.

harryvts16v · 27th January 2018, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM9f7mBw8sQ

Skip to 1:44, and count to 3.

I would remove that rubbish before it attracts someone (as in looks like it's all the security you can afford), and before you start getting marks on the steering wheel because of the hard plastic rubbing. Never seen anything more efficient than a hidden kill switch, except having 2 kill switches.

Pointless comment. How many people carry/own one of those devices to unlock it? If someone wants to steal the car, they'll find a way regardless of all the security you have.

But, if I can put someone off or at least make it slightly harder for them, then that's fine with me.

This won't leave marks on the steering wheel unless I'm careless with taking it on and off.

stevo67 · 28th January 2018, 13:17

No the most efficient theft deterrent in this country is a snap off steering wheel.

harryvts16v · 28th January 2018, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo67

No the most efficient theft deterrent in this country is a snap off steering wheel.

True, or keeping it in a garage... one day!
Let's hope the thieves of today are less interested in old Saxos.

If I'm honest, I've not had many people even recognise that my VTS is something special anyway

Manu · 28th January 2018, 17:10

It's not exactly special these days. Was interesting back in the day for some, because it came with free insurance and offered some kind of cheap performance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryvts16v

Pointless comment.

No no, it is a poor man's £25 car safety device that can be defeated quicker than the time it took me to type this. My comment still stands, you can't override a kill switch that you cannot find. Now all that said, it looks like a tidy car indeed. The only thing else I can think of, is that you should get rid of the (beyond terrible) factory speakers and enjoy a little upgrade. I was shocked when I did it, first time I ever saw a speaker contained in a plastic basket.

welshpug · 29th January 2018, 10:56

it was the VTR that had the free insurance deal on the finance package.

agreed that is the shittest type of theft deterrent, the best one is the full wheel cover type, called a disklock.

Stissy · 29th January 2018, 12:52

I don’t want to move this thread too far off topic. I quite like the Stoplock. I agree in that it’s pointless to a thief who knows how to bypass it. But I like that it’s a period security device.

harryvts16v · 29th January 2018, 21:22

Good point - let's move on from the Stoplock subject...

I've decided my next upgrade will be brakes. Going to get new discs and pads all round.

Has anyone got any recommendations for decent OE ones?

Also - I'm hoping to take the car to some shows this year, any ideas of ones that are worth attending?

sri_130 · 30th January 2018, 08:24

Brakes have been covered about eleventy six times on here in the past twelvty years. The reason the forum is still around is because of that legacy data. Get using the search button. I find most of my excitement is searching, which is sad.

But... from personal experience, I've always gone back to some Brembo HC discs for good intermediary use and price. Pads I've only used track spec variants, but any motor factor crap will do, if it's just for the road, probably same applies for the discs, if you're just pottering to Sainsbury's and back. What is the intended use?

In terms of shows, I've been to Gatecrasher Classical so far. Hoping to make Glastonbury.

Synister · 30th January 2018, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM9f7mBw8sQ

Skip to 1:44, and count to 3.

I would remove that rubbish before it attracts someone (as in looks like it's all the security you can afford), and before you start getting marks on the steering wheel because of the hard plastic rubbing. Never seen anything more efficient than a hidden kill switch, except having 2 kill switches.

I lift my coilpack plug off a little bit anytime I'm leaving the car somewhere rough. It still looks like it's connected but the car will just wind over and not fire. Bit of a ballache but I don't wanna go hacking into my rallye's loom to fit a kill switch.