Hello!

[JackieFan]

Hi All!

Just picked up an S12 on Saturday and after a long drive home from West Wales it's time to start seeing how it ticks!

From the ground up...

The Suspension is probably on the original shock's and springs so it's very boat like at the moment. Did make for a lively drive across Wales in the poring rain mind you! Can you get an "Off the Shelf" replacement for the S12? does it share any components with the S13 or 14?

The bodywork is neither the tidiest or untidiest I've come across, there's Rot in the passengers door and on both offside wheel arches (mainly on the rear) the off side sill is also a little rotten towards the rear. I'm guessing that they are a bit like the old fords where the sills rot from the inside out so that'll probably need looking at. Anyone know of any good bodywork guys in the Leighton Buzzard area?...... does anyone know where Leighton Buzzard is?

The Diff is bog standard but seems to be holding up well with no whining or knocks, an LSD will be going in at some point though! Again can I get one of these off the shelf from someone like Quaife, Tranx or Nismo?

The gearbox is also holding up ok, it occasionally struggles going into second coming down the box and sometimes with reverse, the clutch works well but it is a little high so I'll probably change that and see if it makes the difference. The shift leaves allot to be desired, I can almost take a taxi between the odds and evens! Can you get quickshift kits for the S12? again, is the box same as the S13 or 14?

The engine is good, no knocks taps or squeaks and more importantly no smoke! Pulls fairly well when let off the leash too! It's had a dump valve fitted but I don't think it's helping to much as it's fairly loose and has a bit of a "bodged" look to it! The turbo had a service recently and has been okayed by whoever did that so I'll leave that alone for now. It's got a boost controller (manual) and it's set to 10 PSI (not sure how to check that as it's running the standard boost gauge!) Plugs and leads seem fairly standard, new sets will be supplied for the obligatory "New car service" along will a full compliment of fluids.... anyone got any suggestions/preferences?

The exhaust is fairly new between the Turbo and the back box, however the back box it's self appears to be made entirely out of putty! can anyone recommend where to get a replacement from before I get ripped off by Kwik Fit!?

That's about it for now I think hope you guys don't mind the questions straight out of the box!