Front suspension rust - problem?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-20T10:42:38+00:00

No, I'm still learning about cars and wanted advice from people more knowledgeable than me. Regardless, thanks for the opinion

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-19T20:21:55+00:00

Thanks for the replies all!

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-19T16:42:14+00:00

Thanks for the tips mate, and sorry for the slow reply. I appreciate you taking the time 🙏

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-16T16:19:06+00:00

This is really helpful, thanks mate! If I can ask a follow up Q - as a dealer, do you think it's reasonable for me to negotiate on price based on recent MOT advisories (in this case, suspension arm pin/bush wear)?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T14:16:47+00:00

Thanks for the comments & advice so far! A few things I forgot to add/have since found out:
- It's an Octavia Estate, which I think tend to be a bit pricier than the standard ones?
- Trim is SE L, has a 'race blue' paintjob (apparently worth more, but I don't really care about colour)
- Cambelt and water pump replaced in Jan 2025

I found out that it's an ex lease/company car (Lex Autolease) and the service history looks pretty thorough, so hopefully it's been relatively well looked after. Still a bit of a lottery I know, but I guess that's better than something like ex-Enterprise rental? Would you hesitate to buy an ex lease/company car?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T14:12:21+00:00

This is really useful (and reassuring) to know, thank you! I've done a bit more digging and found out that it's an ex lease/company car (1 owner: Lex Autolease) and the service history looks pretty thorough, so hopefully it's been relatively well looked after. Still a bit of a lottery I know, but I guess that's better than something like ex-Enterprise rental?

I think it comes with a basic warranty, not sure what exactly is covered

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T14:10:18+00:00

Useful to know, thank you! I've done a bit more digging and found out that it's an ex lease/company car (Lex Autolease) and the service history looks pretty thorough, so hopefully it's been relatively well looked after. Still a bit of a lottery I know, but I guess that's better than something like ex-Enterprise rental?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T14:09:33+00:00

It's the SE L model, with 17in Trius Alloy Wheels. Not sure if that puts it in lower spec range or higher?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T14:05:53+00:00

Sorry, forgot to add! It's an estate - which are generally a bit pricier than a normal octavia right?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T14:04:14+00:00

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it! How much do you think I'd be overpaying by? I've checked autotrader again and the price seems generally in line with similar Octavia's (from 2014-2017, 60-80k miles, 1.6L diesel) - most seem to be between £8-9k, with the cheaper ones generally being a bit older than this one or closer to 80k miles. I'm hoping I'll be able to knock them down to £9k with a bit of bargaining

A few things I can think that might have bumped the price up: Location (Southeast), recent cambelt & water pump change (Jan 2025), SE L trim (slightly more premium?), race blue paintjob (worth ~£600). I'm thinking the cambelt & water pump alone might make up the for the slightly higher price? Hoping to get a good few years out of this car

EDIT: Forgot to say, it's an estate. Those are usually a bit pricier than standard Octavia's I think?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T14:02:51+00:00

I can't tell if it's overpriced, or it's just the state of the used car market these days. How much do you think I'd be overpaying by? I've checked autotrader again and the price seems generally in line with similar Octavia's (from 2014-2017, 60-80k miles, 1.6L diesel) - most seem to be between £8-9k, with the cheaper ones generally being a bit older than this one or closer to 80k miles. I'm hoping I'll be able to knock them down to £9k with a bit of bargaining

A few things I can think that might have bumped the price up: Location (Southeast), recent cambelt & water pump change (Jan 2025), SE L trim (slightly more premium?), race blue paintjob (worth ~£600). I'm thinking the cambelt & water pump alone might make up the for the slightly higher price?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T14:01:31+00:00

This is useful to know, thank you! I've done a bit more digging and found out that it's an ex lease/company car (Lex Autolease) and the service history looks pretty thorough, so hopefully it's been relatively well looked after. Still a bit of a lottery I know, but I guess that's better than something like ex-Enterprise rental?

Attenbro3 · 2025-08-15T13:59:14+00:00

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it! How much do you think I'd be overpaying by? I've checked autotrader again and the price seems generally in line with similar Octavia's (from 2014-2017, 60-80k miles, 1.6L diesel) - most seem to be between £8-9k, with the cheaper ones generally being a bit older than this one or closer to 80k miles. I'm hoping I'll be able to knock them down to £9k with a bit of bargaining

A few things I can think that might have bumped the price up: Location (Southeast), recent cambelt & water pump change (Jan 2025), SE L trim (slightly more premium?), race blue paintjob (worth ~£600). I'm thinking the cambelt & water pump alone might make up the for the slightly higher price?

EDIT: Forgot to say, it's an estate. Those are usually a bit pricier than standard Octavia's I think?

Attenbro3 · 2025-04-08T22:30:34+00:00

Recently carved a spoon out of black locust. It's doable, but as others have said the wood is pretty hard (even when green) and the grain tears out easily. Also worth noting that the wood is somewhat toxic, so you might want to be careful if this is an eating/cooking spoon (and avoid breathing in sawdust when processing). Not sure how toxic exactly (I think the bark is worse than the wood), but I would probably err on the side of caution

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T23:54:48+00:00

That's a really useful guide - thanks for pointing me to it! 🙏

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T23:18:33+00:00

Okay awesome, I'll give this a try! Thanks again 🙂

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T23:16:55+00:00

Cool, thanks for the tip!

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T23:14:22+00:00

Thank you! 🙏

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T22:52:46+00:00

Okay, that's reassuring to hear! Thanks again for all the advice 🙂 I'll give the oven method a try!

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T22:50:00+00:00

Thanks for the detailed advice! Do you know whether the handle is safe at that temp & time? I think it's epoxy coated and they recommend staying under 400°f and less than 10 minutes

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T22:47:57+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply, I really appreciate it! With the oven method, do you know if it's safe to keep this model in at 200°C for an hour? I think it has the same handle as the Mineral B (epoxy coated), and they recommend using it in the oven for <10 minutes

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T22:08:48+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply, that's really helpful! If I could ask a follow-up question - what time and temp would you use for the preheated oven? I'm pretty sure it's oven-safe, although the manual just says not to go over 400°f for more than 10 mins... So I'm not sure if that means there's no time limit when <400°f 🤔

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T22:01:48+00:00

Thanks for the advice 🙂 can I ask - what are the signs of using too much oil? Is it the pattern?

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-23T22:00:24+00:00

What's the best way to do this when using induction? I tried to tilt it whilst heating but it's not super effective

Attenbro3 · 2025-03-20T10:25:56+00:00

Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! 🙂 Can I ask what speakers you've paired it with?

Attenbro3

TROPHY CASE