wouldbeowner
1st May 2013, 08:23 PM
Havent posted on this forum for quite a while. Bought a 130 300tdi on this forum just over 2 years ago and drove it back from Adelaide to Nth NSW.
It was noisy, had loads of vibrations, had the turning circle of the QEII but I loved it.
Over the last 2 years I have done quite a few things to it. It has cost a bit but in retrospect it has been a good experience.
Of all the things I have done, 3 of them stand out as major changes.
1. Sound proofing. Got some relatively cheap adhesive back neopreney looking stuff off internet and covered every bare piece of metal or hole visible in the interior. This made a very noticeable difference to the sound levels and made it worthwhile fitting a CD/Radio player.
2. Got rid of the crap 265x75x16 tyres. Previous owner had them fitted on Wolf rims but they were a major mistake. They were far too wide. The car wandered all over the place unless tyres were inflated to about 50psi. This stopped the tyres from distorting but made it feel like you had solid steel tyres. I replaced these with good old 235x85 - best thing that could happen. IMMEDIATELY the car stopped wandering, the turning circle improved dramatically and ride improved dramatically as well as the tyres only needed about 36psi to keep their correct shape and not distort.
3. Replaced the rear drive shaft with a new one. This made the most difference of anything. The vibration has totally gone, The car is as quiet and smooth at 120kph on the clock (only had it up there once to test for the vibration) as at 60kph - no exageration.
All I need now is another 50 bhp and all will be well.
It was noisy, had loads of vibrations, had the turning circle of the QEII but I loved it.
Over the last 2 years I have done quite a few things to it. It has cost a bit but in retrospect it has been a good experience.
Of all the things I have done, 3 of them stand out as major changes.
1. Sound proofing. Got some relatively cheap adhesive back neopreney looking stuff off internet and covered every bare piece of metal or hole visible in the interior. This made a very noticeable difference to the sound levels and made it worthwhile fitting a CD/Radio player.
2. Got rid of the crap 265x75x16 tyres. Previous owner had them fitted on Wolf rims but they were a major mistake. They were far too wide. The car wandered all over the place unless tyres were inflated to about 50psi. This stopped the tyres from distorting but made it feel like you had solid steel tyres. I replaced these with good old 235x85 - best thing that could happen. IMMEDIATELY the car stopped wandering, the turning circle improved dramatically and ride improved dramatically as well as the tyres only needed about 36psi to keep their correct shape and not distort.
3. Replaced the rear drive shaft with a new one. This made the most difference of anything. The vibration has totally gone, The car is as quiet and smooth at 120kph on the clock (only had it up there once to test for the vibration) as at 60kph - no exageration.
All I need now is another 50 bhp and all will be well.