Great news.. You know when everything is just starting to go right..
Just as we are starting getting into the expensive time of year again that we all know and love.. My VW Eurobox has decided to play silly beggers.. its 5 years old, full VW service history - owned from new by me.. treated to all the nice stuff.. best oil.. serviced before it needs it..
Just had a quote from VW for my Golf for a clutch.. Cars a Mk V 5 door GTTDI 170 DSG with a yummy scrummy VW supplied ECU upgrade - so its all Kosher & warrantied - it's preeeeety nippy, good for 145 and 0-60 beats my old Merc SLK hands down.... the gearchanges this morning were very slightly slower than normal and a bit ?notchier? than normal. Ive been told its possibly 1 of 3 things..
1) Brake pedal sensor - about £20 fitted (linked to gearbox ECU to disengage clutch under braking / stationary)
2) ECU reprogram to 'optimise' gearchages - £80
3) Migh be the clutches giving warning signs of wearing, a sensor will inform me when its going to need doing, but it hasn't flagged up yet.. which means "take it easy Mr T and it'll 'probably' go on for anything from a month to a couple of years..
However... apparently its a dual plate clutch and can only be supplied as a complete unit which is part of the dual mass flywheel as its the 6 speed sequential DSG box.. joy of joys...and the clutch / flywheel need to be 'flashed' on the ECU - so sorry everyone - before you rush to your sheds & toolboxes.. no spanner party on this one i'm afraid.. its got to be a main dealer..
£1082.00 fitted inc VAT! oh how I laughed..
I did ask if that was in Sterling.. or Turkish Lira - Vicky was very nice... said she can probably do something with the labour charges and get the cost down a bit (remembered me as the "box of choccies & a bunch of flowers guy" as a thank you after the fuel pump went last year.. always pays to be nice...
)BONUS - Just in time for Christmas too / SWMBO's 40th Birthday / Quarterly bills..
never F@$%*ng rains does it... - always pours!!
So much for new wheels and tyres for Knuckleskinner..
oh well... life goes on.. Good news though.. Its friday, pubs are open and I've had enough at work.. its Beer o'clock...
Me... John.. going for a pint...
maybe a curry for tea (working outdoors tommorrow on DCY's Head Gasket) 
and an early night for a cry into my pillow Thats my shooting budget for the season gone..
Cars eh.. who'd bl$%dy have them!.. oh - hang about a minute... theres 5 on the drive at the moment.. oops..
