Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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What is more beneficial all round (cost, hassle etc) of buying an XE already done, or buy buying a cheap donor car and doing it yourself?
Doggy XE's (generally have bits wrong with them) are around £1200 (haven't seen very many come up that cheap though).
Your average one with a bit of modifying to the exterior etc is nearer the 2k mark.
Or, a £200 non runner and spend roughly £1k on the conversion?
It'd be good fun/experience to do it yourself, I'd quite enjoy it if there wasn't pressure to get it done and I could do it in my own time. But I can't help but think it's just easier to buy it already done cause you don't really save alot, if any, by doing it yourself. Plus then you have to collect all the parts and everything too.
Opinions?
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DannyB
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Registered: 6th Feb 08
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I suppose if your buying one you dont know how bad its been treated and weather its a bad job where as if you build one yourself you will know its done properly and wont have been abused...yet.You can get a decent xe for 1500-2000 but not sure on how much itl cost if u do it yourself.
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
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Buy a clean shell and take it to a reputed person such as LM. You rarely know how bad the conversion is, or the mileage on the engine, or history unless the person has had it done professionaly. I'd rather spend £400 on a clean shell, then another £1,500 getting a good engine put in correctly.
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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That's what I was thinking Eck. TBH I'd love to have a crack at it myself, maybe a bit of guidance but it'd be good practice.
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Fad
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Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
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Buy one thats already done then take it to Lee to have a snagging list done then enjoy it.
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lil_g
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Registered: 29th Oct 06
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Buy one that you know the history of or go for the already done and LM tweaking imo 
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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quote:
Originally posted by Fad
Buy one thats already done then take it to Lee to have a snagging list done then enjoy it.
Now that is a plan 
When people talk about bodges, what kind of things do they mean? How can you bodge it? 
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Fad
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Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
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Well basicaly its easy to bodge if you are not sure what you are doing....
Seriously buying one done works out better as someone else has forked out for the parts and the engine which they will never get the ££ for and then for a few extra ££ you can get someone like lee to go over it and give it the all clear and rectify any issues
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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Sounds like a plan batman
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P1CK4D
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Registered: 19th Jun 06
Location: Around Essex Somewhere
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quote:
Originally posted by Fad
Buy one thats already done then take it to Lee to have a snagging list done then enjoy it.
Exactly what I done
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Fro
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Registered: 20th Jun 06
Location: Rainham, Essex Drives: A3 2.0TDi Sport
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And then i took the engine and got lee M to put it in mine as it was mint 
Unless you can get the conversion and all the bits cheap enough like i was lucky to, id recommend buying one already done.
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Ryk
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Registered: 27th Mar 06
Location: Whalley, Lancs!
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Do it myself, that way I know what's happened etc, and there's only me to blame if its not together properly lol...
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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quote:
Originally posted by Ryk
Do it myself, that way I know what's happened etc, and there's only me to blame if its not together properly lol...
That's what I'd like to have a go at, but not sure if I could do it by myself, what with having to change mounts etc. I certainly couldn't do the wiring part.
If I could get most of it in myself it'd save a lot of money as I'd only need little bits and piece done by Lee rather than the whole thing.
I don't know  Pllus a conversion rarely goes smoothly, I might get fed up with the hassle of getting it started like I did with my 1.4 
[Edited on 10-03-2008 by Graham88]
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JM_16v
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Registered: 17th Oct 05
Location: Essex Drives: GLC63S
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quote:
Originally posted by lil_g
Buy one that you know the history of or go for the already done and LM tweaking imo
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
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Go to Lee Graham. Don't think anyone bar Beardy will know an XE conversion better than that lad. As Fad said, one issue already sorted.
You can get advice from the bods on here on what parts to get before its all fitted.
Then all you need to worry about it the actual engine itself not giving issues.
Honestly, Lee is the man, worth every penny of the conversion, and you won't find a better backup  Plus he loves doing it.
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jr
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Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
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quote:
Originally posted by P1CK4D
quote:
Originally posted by Fad
Buy one thats already done then take it to Lee to have a snagging list done then enjoy it.
Exactly what I done
no you bought one, then took it too lee and replaced everything
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
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The reason I was saying about doing it myself is because it wouldn't have to be done in a rush so I could take my time over it seeing as it'd be quite alot different from doing like for like. I have an engine crane and basic knowledge in the mechanics of it all. Also have a garage which helps lots
Just thinking it'll be easier to find a decent Corsa without tons of rot, without an XE in. As searching for ones with XE's in seriously limits my search.
Wouldn't be happening for a few months as I just bought a new car but I like to try and plan ahead.
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
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Give me a month or so and buy my shell. Always garaged, 45k, tis in very good condition shell wise.
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
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In fact, buy it with the engine to 
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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I just spent 5k, I can't get money together that quickly
Out of interest though, how much would you want?
[Edited on 11-03-2008 by Graham88]
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
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Pass, really havent' got a clue. Need to get the electrics sorted first (queue Mr Mitchell coming over ) as i've got a new wiring loom to go in. Once its working, MOT, Taxed, insured, reg plate off, i'll be stripping it down again, so i'll let you know nearer the time if you want.
For a bare shell though, i guess about £250-£300.
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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Yeah if you could, by the time you've done all that I might be looking for one 
What's wrong with it at the moment, presumably a wiring fault?
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
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Aye, thats it, then i bought a house so never had the funds.
But funnily enough, rang Lee today and he's coming over to have a look next week. It could be something extremly stupid, but we'll find out soon.
Engine and mechanical wise, shes fine. Sad to be stripping her tbh.
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Graham88
Member
Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
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How far are you stripping her back?
Are you talking literally a shell, no bonnet, no doors, no bootlid, no interior, no dash, no engine? Or simply all the modified parts off and engine out
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
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Well I want to make as much as possible. Bonnet, front bumper have already gone, need the rest atm.
But once its legal, and i've got the plate off, i'll take off the skirts (well, depending if i can get them off, might have to stay on yet), rear bumper etc out.. Depends how interested you were and how much you wanted. Needs a new boot though as the one i sold/exhanged was in a rear end and wont shut atm. Doh..
We'll talk again once i've got the plate off if you want. If your seriously interested, we can sort something out.
You aint having the hoses though, Donnas having those for D5 (which is coming out again this year )
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