Pictures to catch up with the story so far.

The V8 (Oscar) has now got horrible IMO wheels on:

Took Oscar out on Saturday to deliver some Range Rover wheels to the back and beyond of the Isle of Grain lol. Gearbox on live data was frequently reaching 146 degrees. It kept acting like it was in sports mode, so pulled over around 5 times to let the gearbox cool down. I am not sure if the sticking caliper is having anything to do with this, or the thermostat showing as stuck open.

So I guess the list is starting to grow lol.

Last of the big spenders lol, After getting lost and ending up at the wrong restaurant in the other RR, decided that it was about time I got the parts to sort out the reverse light on this one. £7.15 well spent. Can't wait to get it all sorted.

I tried to sort out the reverse light seized screw problem, but unfortunately was misinformed elsewhere as to the part I needed, my fault also for not double checking. I was told it was a plastic insert for the screw to go into, but it is infact a metal one. Gave up for today.

Drove Oscar down to the Malta Inn near Maidstone, nearly got clamped as I missed the signs stating you have register your car in the restaurant. I wasn't the only motorist that missed the signs. But nearly 22mpg all the way and all the way back, I was very happy, it behaved itself the entire journey. But those wheels are really really really bugging me!

I chose this location for Thursday's lunch after finding out it was in a picturesque location.

Well, as promised, after the black one passed its MOT, it was time to give Oscar some attention, the cracked wheel is now at Spit & Polish being welded and straightened, as it turns out, it had a flat spot as well as the crack. Hoping the other wheels don't. Also didn't pay attention to the marking on the rear of the wheels. So these are just replica wheels, But I don't mind. They are now near the top of my list to get done.

I got the wheel back, minus the centre cap which I only noticed today lol. Can't tell that it has been straightened or welded apart from the huge yellow letters inside saying weld and straighten lol.

Have been quoted £40 per wheel from another company to give them a full repaint inside and out in any colour of my choice, which would be silver lol. But thinking I might just have a go myself first. Then if I screw it up, get the professionals in

Well, I procrastinated and let small jobs build up
Now it's going to hurt the wallet

The list has grown, but now I am slowly getting on top of it. Looking at 2-3 months of playing catch up.

The list of parts due is as follows:

Front Drilled & Grooved Brake Discs (£75)
Brembo Front Pads (£42)
Front Brake Hose (£13.19)
Caliper (£29.50) Bought a used one in excellent condition.
Thermostat (£54)
Water Pump (£82)
Engine Sump Pan (TBC)
Sump Plug (£3.59)
Rocker Gaskets (£24)
Alternator Belt (£12)
Oil (TBC)
4 x Tyres for new wheels. (£280)
New Wheel Nuts (£40)

So not too long and not a horrific amount. Labour for the brakes will be around £125.

So I think a budget of about £1000 is reasonable to get all these parts and get them fitted. I am a coward this time of year. No drive or garage, so pay my Mobile mechanic lol.

Some of these jobs will need to be done before March 2019 ahead of the MOT.
Quite scary to see it totalled up lol. But not so bad as all being bought gradually and have already bought some of the parts.

I think my time with Oscar is over. I have placed a couple of adverts for swap offers only as looking for a Discovery 3 again, I am keeping Tank though. We will see what happens though. It will either be a Freelander 2, RR Sport or D3 that I get next in place of this beast if it goes. Or if I get cash, will be buying an rough and ready older Disco. I am not using the V8 much at the moment. So will see what happens. If I get a few more jobs done, then it will more than likely stay. I am sure once I have driven it again, I won't want to sell it lol.

Even though my other Range Rover is stuck in the garage, I have been forced to start getting a few repairs done as a matter of urgency. So 1st job was to get the rear tyre changed, had to pump it up every time I wanted to use the car. So now a part worn has been fitted. I opted for part worn as these wheels are only a temporary measure, and the tyre fitted was almost new with tread. A few jobs on the list include new front discs, pads, brake flexi hose and caliper are very much next on the list as soon as the parts shop opens. It has also got an oil and coolant leak which hasn't been resolved yet, but as soon as I am well enough I will get on it. As it is I am having to pay someone to do my brakes.

Finally found out what the cause of my oil leak is. The rocker gaskets, yet another job that I paid RPM to do which was not done! The brakes are now sorted though, so drilled and grooved britpart discs with brembo pads with a replacement caliper on the drivers side.

Now waiting for quotes for the rocker gaskets as I am not well enough to do them.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

The BIG oil leak is soon going to be sorted
Just ordered Elring rocker gaskets at £10+VAT each from Island 4x4 and while I was at it ordered a pollen filter at £7.50+VAT as I realised that I have never changed the pollen filter during my ownership which has been 28 months Oops. Also bought a Dayco Aux belt from Ebay for £10.20.

This baby is certainly being expensive at the moment. But that is my own fault for putting off jobs, plus getting extremely ill.

Just got to wait for next payday, then Oscar can be taken to the garage who did the air con repair on Tank and take another £200-£300 from me

But I have to say, since the brakes have been repaired, I haven't used Tank once, only been driving Oscar, but that has to change from this weekend.

MOT day is coming up fast. Only got until the 1st week of March. But pretty confident of a pass this time as the only 2 advisories on the last test were, Gearbox oil leak, which was sorted the day it past its test and engine oil leak which is being sorted in the first week of February.

I didn't love these cars so much, I would cry at the amount I spend on them, but I don't hate spending the money on them. They are worth every penny to me. Although I only have 1 more year of being allowed 2 Range Rovers, then I will be forced to decide which one has to be sold. Although I may end up selling both, putting the money together and buying a newer Range Rover.

I will shut up now as I just noticed I am rambling on

My Birthday was an interesting one, the brake seized on the diesel RR, so came home and took this beast out, was extremely nervous as this one used to go into trans overheat if driven too far. However, that problem has been cured by the seized brake that this one had being replaced! Drove 103 miles without an issue and the MPG was at 22.8. We went to the south coast for lunch which we ate at the beach, then drove up to Hamstreet to a byway on the marshes that I love to drive on, Oscar didn't miss a beat, treated it to a wash after taking it off road, Absolutely outstanding car.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Might be interested in the 3rd brake light upgrade let me know the cost once you!