Aaaaargh!! will it ever end?!

[Kev_A]

Just a rant really...

Over the passed couple of months I've replaced the following...

Front brake pads
Front callipers
Front discs

(Basically upgraded to the 314mm kit supplied by LMF as it worked out cheaper than just buying the discs from Vauxhall)

Rear pads (Worn out)

Lambda sensor (bank 1 sensor 1)

Front tyres (worn out)

Drop links (due to the common fault)

ARB bushes (as above)

Spring sleeves (as above)

New locking wheel nuts (mate lost the key after "asisting" with a wheels swap ) Vauxhall couldn't remove the nuts because they were an "old design" had to drop it off at Tyrespot so they could do it

Most of these are of course consumables and would need changing at some point anyway, I think it's just the fact that everything has happend at once (or at least really close together) so instead of costing me a few quid at a time it's completely skinted me!

The latest problem occured last night when my key snapped! The only part of which I'm thankful for is the fact that that the car was still at home when it happend!

After returning to my flat I realised that I did not have a spare and, being a sunday night there was nothing I could do about it! The weird thing is, I was just about to set off to my mates place to drop off an SRi front bumper, VXR rear and VXR sideskirts for painting, it's like it wasn't meant to be

So, 1st thing this morning I rang a pal of mine who just happens to be the service manager at the local dealership, he asked if I had a car pass to which I replied I didn't!

He told me to come in the dealership with various documents so he could order me a new one, upon arrival and completion of a document to order a new pass, I was informed that because my car has a private plate this could slow things down even more! Anyway, there was another £18 to fork out!

My pal said that as soon as the new car pass comes in he'll do his best to speed things along to get my new key (think I'll order 2 while I'm at it!)

I asked him if it would be possible to order a flip key as a replacement, he was unsure about that one, but I was in the line of thinking that as my key is laser cut (the same as the newer Vec's) it shouldn't be too much of a problem to simply put the key into a new housing, would I be right in thinking that? If that's the case at least one + could come out of this

It's like I get over one hurdle and there's another two in front of me!

I hope this is the end of my bad luck and I can finally get my new kit fitted and have the car almost where I want it!

Just thought I'd share,

Kev

[Duncan]

I asked him if it would be possible to order a flip key as a replacement, he was unsure about that one, but I was in the line of thinking that as my key is laser cut (the same as the newer Vec's) it shouldn't be too much of a problem to simply put the key into a new housing, would I be right in thinking that? If that's the case at least one + could come out of this

He should've really known the answer to that. The flip key is now the only key that is supplied as a replacement key, be it pre-facelift or facelift. Key will cost you £37.50 + VAT for the key - that's the fob, the cut blade i.e. the whole complete key. Plus around £10-15 + VAT for programming it, but your mate may do it for less/FOC

[Kev_A]

Ah cheers mate, that's good to hear

Well at least something positive can come out of this I'll order a spare too, then this can't happen again!

On the upside, my car now has all these shiny new bits and I'm now fairly confident at the whole D.I.Y side of things, I know i've saved a fortune on that side of things as I've been buying the parts and doing the work myself

[Duncan]

No probs. Oh, just make sure he orders the three button version to match your car, not the two button facelift one that doesn't have the boot button.

[Leviathan]

Sounds like a financial smack in the mouth..its the pits when this happens. Hopefully a few lighter months to come for you.

[Gregg]

Like you say, all at once is a right pain.

BUT once theyre all done it should be good for some time to come

[glenboy]

[LAV6Y]

He should've really known the answer to that. The flip key is now the only key that is supplied as a replacement key, be it pre-facelift or facelift. Key will cost you £37.50 + VAT for the key - that's the fob, the cut blade i.e. the whole complete key. Plus around £10-15 + VAT for programming it, but your mate may do it for less/FOC

Do you know how to programme the Key Duncan, or is it a trade secret?
If you're saying his mate can do it, does he have the Tech2 gear or something??

[MalcGSI]

His mate is the service manager at the VX dealership.

[Kev_A]

His mate is the service manager at the VX dealership.