Badger's Operation Fugly (Cordoba TDI) - Maintenance shouldn't be expensive...

[Badger]

After being away from my old GTB Ibiza for nearly two years, I needed to scratch an itch.

The replacement needed to have 5 doors, PD130 (6 Speed) and be mechanically sound. Oh and it must be under £800...

After looking for a few weeks and viewing some right heaps of sh*t, I expanded my Autotrader, eBay and Gumtree search to 4 doors and stubbled upon this;

2003 Seat Cordoba SE TDI

It was listed for £750 as it was a Cat D write off however, I got it for considerably less than that price.

It fits the bill - PD130 ASZ engine, 6 speed, 82k miles and full MOT. Granted the body work isn't amazing but that can be improved on over time.

Already mapped it, looking at around 175bhp and 300ft/lbs

Sorted out the rear brakes with fresh pads and discs under £30

Just need to get these refitted

TO DO

Urgent

Droplinks - DONE (£10)
Front Brakes(Complete)
Rear Brake Calipers

Minor

Tracking - DONE (£15)
Outer CV Boot (Passenger)
TCS Button (already got spare - somewhere...) - DONE (FREE)
Cluster (one LED has failed)
Door Lock Modules - (OSF, NSF, OSR)
Rear Reflectors Bumper

Planned

312mm Brakes (sourced need discs and pads)
Poly Console Bushes
RARB (If price is right...)
BI-XENON Headlight Retrofit

 

[killbot]

Welcome back Badger, looking forward to seeing what comes of this.

Even more of a sleeper than your last ?

 

[Badger]

This is going to be more of a budget build to show that you can keep costs down and I'll probably produce a few more guides as I go along

 

[Daniel M]

Interested to see how this goes.

 

[techie]

I had a similar idea

Looking forward to seeing what you do.

 

[Badger]

I had a similar idea

Looking forward to seeing what you do.

Looking good techie, been watching this over on Briskoda, interesting swap

 

[Badger]

Not much to report except I fitted some cheap ass eBay wipers (£5.90) so we'll see how long they last...

Finally fitted my old white LED cluster forgot how good these look in the car!

 

[Acksaw]

Love it! will keep an eye on this

 

[techie]

Looking good techie, been watching this over on Briskoda, interesting swap

Thanks pal

 

[FR_MATT]

Looks like a good buy!

 

[Lowe]

Hah love it mate! I forsee a whole heap of fun on the horizon!

 

[Badger]

I've already managed to source some 312mm brakes cheap

 

[Lowe]

Just need to find a turbo off a Merc Sprinter now eh?

 

[Badger]

Haha, already got one of those in my shed

 

[stevocupra]

That's the wipers I use. Had no complaints so far. Am watching this with great intereast.

 

[Lowe]

Got the link for those wipers, I need some new ones - current ones are weeks old and they're knackered already.

/edit - this them?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-Aero...upra+R&hash=item4d4b5a6dea:g:ntEAAOSw8gVX4UcN

 

[Badger]

Got the link for those wipers, I need some new ones - current ones are weeks old and they're knackered already.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290910050705

 

[Badger]

That's the wipers I use. Had no complaints so far. Am watching this with great intereast.

Glad to hear! Even if they only last half the year and I need to buy another pair, it'll still work out cheaper than a single Bosch Original

Finally got the car on the road, so far there is a few small niggling issues that need addressing;

Urgent

Droplinks
Front Brakes(Complete)
Rear Brake Calipers

Minor

Tracking
Outer CV Boot (Passenger)
TCS Button (already got spare - somewhere...)
Cluster (one LED has failed)
Door Lock Modules - (OSF, NSF, OSR)
Rear Reflectors Bumper

Planned

312mm Brakes (sourced need discs and pads)
Poly Console Bushes
RARB (If price is right...)
BI-XENON Headlight Retrofit

All the tyres are odd makes and tread depth so trying to source some more 16" steel wheels and fit some fresh Uniroyal RS3's or tidy up the TSW Legend 17" already fitted...

 

[Arkaig]

Will be watching with interest as I had exactly the same plans for a Cordoba but could never find a good 130.

 

[Badger]

Minor Update

Replaced both front droplinks and managed to solve all my boost leak issues for less than £10!

Also managed to source some 312mm calipers / carriers and new pads and discs for less than £85