Lucky 13 - new arrival

[irnerd]

Have only done 30 miles in this since I got my new to me VR-4 got - ruddy lurcher suffered puncture to his left thigh - so keeping an eye on him is priority

That said - it has given me time to research this vehicle - and blimey - I had no appreciation for the level of petrol headedness and downright enthusiasm there is for this amazing machine.

I rolled out of LR Disco 2 after finally putting up with far too many clanks and rattles. Got a scooby 2002 S Turbo forester (toward end of life) - main priority was could the dog get in and out easily and get me quick with 4wd. Amazed by this - but recognising it rolls a bit too much like a LR.

Shopped around a long time - looking at the Stagea - (too long for me in the end) -

This beauty popped up and without hesitation saw this is for me.

About 12 years ago I toyed with 5 Series but shied away on grounds of cost - and well slightly boring lines. Very comfortable - And I think thats the issue - comfortable is relative.

This is out to all you guys who have posted on here - I hope to learn from others experiences before getting too accustomed to the vehicle. Being a clumsy git when it comes to much more than fitting a shelf - my mechanic is goiung to be busy on this just keeping the schedule together. I am aiming at keeping miles to 8000 per year - split the 8000 with the forrester - that is still 2 basic services per year - luxury with LR - usually just one per year.

The drivers seat is showing signs of wear - but after 19 years what can we expect. She (name to be decided) is a peach. WaxOyled and oil changed naturally. Tyres look to be a bit ragged so will be looking for good quality - looking through the forums there are a lot opinions.

I am aiming to use this for longer distance cruising and the odd hour a weekend giving it some punch. Anybody have a similar usage profile with tyres that will last longer than 20K miles

[adaxo]

So you are this lucky winner, my mate bid on it but lost, im soo glad it end up in good hands as it seems, and its in stunning condition too, as described. Must be one of lowest mileage in UK
Welcome to the club, ask anything about vr4 here and we be more than happy to help.
Looking forward to see it in metal at some point.

[Davezj]

hi and welcome to the club.

that is a super clean example of a VR4.

before you do anything else with the car, to keep it in the great condition it is in under the car, get a very good under seal job done on it before you get it out on to the roads this winter. the salt on the roads in this country will corrod the bottom of your very quickly and by the end of winter you will have rust forming.
there is no rust protection on the bottom of these car from the factory because japan does not use salt on the roads in winter so the car don't suffer the corrosion they do in this country.

keep the car looking great get it undersealed.

[irnerd]

Much Appreciated adaxo

This months shopping list

> Looking for a spare key - only came with one key I have has a single button that locks and unlocks - cannot find anything that doesn't have two buttons. A code is engraved on the key itself - so might have to phone the dreaded dealership.
> Looking for Cat 4 Thatcham immobiliser. Not sure to bother with an alarm depending on cost
> Need to find the cleanest approach to reinstate a reversing light without destroying the interior skin on the tailgate door (seems they have been both converted to fog lights)
> Patching the drivers seat corner next to the door - handy patches on amazon.

Assuming the service schedule has been followed - I have got about 2K miles before A grade service 6K before C Grade service. Will probably get the timing belt done at same time - given the age.

Anybody have suggestions - especially on finding a spare key?

[irnerd]

Thanks for welcome Davezj- the dealer waxoyl'ed before it left their depot.
Is there an alternative method I should consider for next year?

Am going to need an index page of the best pages on this site - so many!

[Davezj]

wax oil is a temp fix for the underseal.

if it has been done correctly it will last the winter, but you should look at a more permanent fix for it.

you can get some kind of cold galvanising spray and primers to do a more robust fix for the rust issue.

[mcosworth]

So you are this lucky winner, my mate bid on it but lost, im soo glad it end up in good hands as it seems, and its in stunning condition too, as described. Must be one of lowest mileage in UK
Welcome to the club, ask anything about vr4 here and we be more than happy to help.
Looking forward to see it in metal at some point.

This is not that one @adaxo , the one you're thinking about has a beige interior and has been imported over a year ago.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

[mcosworth]

BTW, Welcome to VR-4 Club. Very nice example. Enjoy.

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[Pugme]

My car was once a coty too. Absolutely stunning cars.

Glad to see this one will be better kept than mine

I'm just coming to the end of breaking mine. I actually have some pearl white roof bars upstairs somewhere too.

Looks good tho man

[adaxo]

This is not that one @adaxo , the one you're thinking about has a beige interior and has been imported over a year ago.

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Yes you absolutely right, had it mixed up as I didn't realise there's more Legnum with 30k available and somehow confuse with this one sorry for possible confusion caused @irnerd

[adaxo]

Much Appreciated adaxo

This months shopping list

> Looking for a spare key - only came with one key I have has a single button that locks and unlocks - cannot find anything that doesn't have two buttons. A code is engraved on the key itself - so might have to phone the dreaded dealership.
> Looking for Cat 4 Thatcham immobiliser. Not sure to bother with an alarm depending on cost
> Need to find the cleanest approach to reinstate a reversing light without destroying the interior skin on the tailgate door (seems they have been both converted to fog lights)
> Patching the drivers seat corner next to the door - handy patches on amazon.

Assuming the service schedule has been followed - I have got about 2K miles before A grade service 6K before C Grade service. Will probably get the timing belt done at same time - given the age.

Anybody have suggestions - especially on finding a spare key?

Few things how I would try to sort
- key is basic blade, any good locksmith should be able to copy it and it would work fine as our Jap cars have not immo at all from factory hence is a very good idea to fit aftermarket immobiliser/alarm, but remember all aftermarket alarms are as good as fitter who fit them, if its just thrown under dash and splice in car loom easiest way possible (lots are, even added by dealers, not mention renault 'specialists') then its worthless, I personally would do hidden switch and hide any traces well. Another bonus by adding alarm would be fob so you don't have to worry about one key with button as it will be not in use any more.
- I did convert my rear lights that outer are stop and sidelights and inner (tailgate one) are another set of sidelights and converted stop to function as fog lights, also swap Jap interior switch (which only activate front fogs) to UK spec double one (front and rear fogs) completely factory look and functionality, for details how to do it follow this link its lot easier than initially may looks like
- is leather worn through or just loose colour? if second then just colour it, if first UK spec older Galant have the same seat.

One more from me regarding under seal, importers in most cases just spray black stuff all over floor and advertise as under sealed car, I would recommend DIY and do it properly I mean by taking bumpers, skirts, front wings off, unplug holes in sills ect clear and spray again. Yes it takes time but its hard to do it wrong and on fresh car like yours it should be a piece of cake to undo all bolts and nuts, re grease them so any further jobs can be done easy.
I would change cambelt too, as it may not have much miles but a lot of ages also all fluids.

edit, just go through pictures again on bigger screen and notice it has got no under seal at all where ayc pump is and on the other side too, it remind me my first vr4, looks very similar 6 years back, now its different story thou

[Confused]

There is a company/process I have been hearing a bit about through my local car club - Krown

This is supposedly a very good (and thorough) application of rust-proofing, they even squirt it all inside the doors, bonnet, boot lid etc, and a few members of my local club have had it done and seem happy with the result.

Might be worth looking into as an alternative to "typical" undersealing.

[94000 Miles]

Hi Derrin,

Yep lovely car... I too am a new first time owner of a Legnum ( white also ) 2002 Faclelift. I've had mine 4 months now.

With regard to the Undersealing the importer I used recommended a Nissan Skyline restorer going by the name of Zealou5 in trowbridge. I gave them a call a month ago once I had done my cambelt and fluids and a few other things.

But unfortunately they have a waiting list of work going out to autumn 2017.

They said they used all the products found at a UK supplier called rustbuster.

Rustbuster were going to charge £1500 for a primed, underside then sprayed epoxy mastic paint. I just couldn't afford that so I'm going for a salt clean, rust converter treatment and then a coat of Dinitrol which is all around £350. I don't need much prep work either as I have virtually no rust either. I may ask for the wheel arch lips to have special attention ( must ring them up )

I'm going over on 15th Dec I'll let you know how I get on. whith some photos.

Like Garry above said the Krown treatment is very similar and I hear they use it in Canada for their winters. It's not Permanent ( Krown or Rustbuster ) but if you have lower mileage than I think it's going to be more affordable to keep it kept up every couple of years for a few quid here and there.

Kev

[chris g]

For engine oil and gearbox/AYC you should use AMSOIL and service intervals can be extended without any worries about function or protection...

[hbkuk1]

Gear oil you should use redline mt-85 it's the only oil the correct grade for the gearbox

[elnevio]

Gear oil you should use redline mt-85 it's the only oil the correct grade for the gearbox

Not for an auto!

You need a Mitsi SP-III spec ATF for the autobox, and Amsoil Universal ATF exceeds it by quite a margin. Plenty of anecdotal evidence that it is the best by far for the VR-4 auto.

[hbkuk1]

Apologies I should ready before posting

[elnevio]

I refrained from the pan symbol



Oops!

[hbkuk1]

Lol fair


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[chugg]

Sweet motor, great condition. As the others say, get it under sealed properly as soon as poss mate and keep it that good.
Enjoy your new purchase