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Hello from Durham!
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:13 pm
by Nimminz
Hi.
I'm Matt, 19, from Durham City, NE England.
I'm currently driving a 1.4 Peugeot 206 2004. I've now got sick of taking it to garages to get it fixed once a month because i cant work on it myself with it having loads of electrics and computers. So have decided to get a different car. Started out with Vauxhall astra MK4s, Then i found a lovely Fiat X1/9 but need more seats than 2. Started getting into 80's cars, my mate has an '88 Nissan Laurel. My Dad and Grandad have always had Volvos, mainly 740s, one 240 and a 960 3.0 6-cylinder. So I'm looking for a 340 now. Unsure on engine sizes but will do some research, probably somewhere in the reigon of 1.5 to 1.7 for insurance because i'm 19
Forum looks good and quite active. I was always an active member on the 206 site so hopefully can add to your posts on here too. Not the most knowlegeable on the inner workings of engines and suspension but know quite a bit. Became quite an expert on air filters and induction kits on the 206 site. Refurbed my own alloys and made a few interior parts myself so hoping to do the same on a volvo.
Here's a couple of photos of my pug:
Sorry for the huge intro, i'll whack an advert up in the wanted section, already had a quick browse of the f/s section.
Cheers,
Matt
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:18 pm
by volvosneverdie
Welcome in dude.
Nice to see another North Eastener.
340s come in 1.4 or 1.7 flavours man.
1.7 is normally a bit more bother carb wise (not always)
but the 1.4 is pretty bulletproof.
Theres a lot around at the minute, so theres plenty to choose from.
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:29 pm
by Nimminz
Cheers!
Just been looking in the meets section and seen there's a few NE members

and they have meets

unlike the pug site lol.
Will have to keep me eye's open for one, been looking a couple of days. is the 1.4 any good for a bit of sideways action on my 'private road'
you wouldn't happen to know of any f/s local?
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:34 pm
by volvosneverdie
Nimminz wrote:Cheers!
Just been looking in the meets section and seen there's a few NE members

and they have meets

unlike the pug site lol.
Will have to keep me eye's open for one, been looking a couple of days. is the 1.4 any good for a bit of sideways action on my 'private road'
you wouldn't happen to know of any f/s local?
1.4s will slide well enough in the wet, and happily we live in england.
a 1.7 wont do much better.
I know of one for sale local cheap, that has colapsed front jacking points and rottern sills.
Just up the road from me.
Can you weld?
Newcastle 340
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:37 pm
by volvosneverdie
If youre up for a meet.
Go here and do this.
Lotsa retro rwd goodness.
Coast meet
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:42 pm
by Nimminz
Looks good!!!
Would it be much work to fix those? Can't weld me self

yet
Is a real possibility like
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:46 pm
by volvosneverdie
Nimminz wrote:Looks good!!!
Would it be much work to fix those? Can't weld me self

yet
Is a real possibility like
at a garage, yes.
if you can find someone that can weld local for cheap, then you might be alright.
Id say a few hundred at a garage. Thats on a car that costs a few hundred.
Which is why it hasnt sold really.
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:50 pm
by Nimminz
and leeandjude on that forum is my mate with the laurel
I'll see what i'm driving and where i am. Tend to go down to whitby on weekends. wud be canny like
I tend to go up Durham retail park on sunday nights to the 'boy racer do'

Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 13 Jun 2010 09:45 pm
by Nimminz
thinking of getting that 340 in the link above. The ad. doesn't say owt about the rotten sills etc? have you been for a nosey? I'v sent him an email and will probably give him a ring tomorrow.
I have a couple of mates who can weld so might work out cheap. Don't really know how much work is involved. I am quite keen on doing work myself aswell. I cant have an off-the-road project as it is to be my only transport every day.
help appreciated
Matt
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 13 Jun 2010 09:49 pm
by volvosneverdie
Nimminz wrote:thinking of getting that 340 in the link above. The ad. doesn't say owt about the rotten sills etc? have you been for a nosey? I'v sent him an email and will probably give him a ring tomorrow.
I have a couple of mates who can weld so might work out cheap. Don't really know how much work is involved. I am quite keen on doing work myself aswell. I cant have an off-the-road project as it is to be my only transport every day.
help appreciated
Matt
Yup, had a good look round it and he was unaware of the rust problems too. But I showed him and pointed out the bits that had gone altogether.
Other than that it looked like a really nice car.
Id budget for a new sill in the next year and front jacking point (maybe 2) straight away.
Not sure if the front JPs are an mot fail or not mind.
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 13 Jun 2010 10:15 pm
by macplaxton
Don't need jacking points for a MOT, so if it's solid and you want to lose them...
Personally, I'd rather put things back "as is"
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 13 Jun 2010 11:01 pm
by Nimminz
ok cheers, how much are new sills abouts?
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 13 Jun 2010 11:40 pm
by volvosneverdie
Nimminz wrote:ok cheers, how much are new sills abouts?
hadrian parts used to do them, try google.
If jacking points arnt motable, and youre not looking to keep the car for the long, long term, Id say go for it man.
When I looked at the sills, they were rough and shoddy surfaced, suggesting they were rotting from the inside out OR theyd already been replaced and poorly finished.
I asked the lad selling it and he said he didnt know so I presumed the worst.
The kiddy selling it was a very sound bloke and good crack he just didnt seem to know much about the car (said he was selling it for a mate).
TBH dude, if Id known the jps wernt motable id have bought it.
Bear in mind its been for sale for quite a few month so he might want to consider a low offer.
Specially as T and T time is approaching.
Hope some of this helps man.
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 13 Jun 2010 11:52 pm
by macplaxton
volvosneverdie wrote:TBH dude, if Id known the jps wernt motable id have bought it.
I'll clarify the point: They don't have to be there, but the sill has to be rock solid.
Re: Hello from Durham!
Posted: 13 Jun 2010 11:53 pm
by volvosneverdie
macplaxton wrote:volvosneverdie wrote:TBH dude, if Id known the jps wernt motable id have bought it.
I'll clarify the point: They don't have to be there, but the sill has to be rock solid.
ah, well then theres work afoot then.