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Thread: NDD

  1. #1
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    NDD

    Evening everyone!

    I purchased a well known Williams 3 from Pistonheads for good money and all was not quite as it seemed...

    http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...lio+Williams+3

    I think my car may well have appeared on this site as well.

    Anyway - Joining as a member here as I'll no doubt need a lot of advice and help!

    If anyone knows a good specialist in SE England, I'd appreciate the recommendation!

    Looking forward to joining in on here.

    Cheers, Dom

  2. #2
    Welcome on board.

    Mmm..... makes for a tough read that, just goes to show a lot of tarting up does not a good car make.

    It is not uncommon for these cars to rattle for a while on start up, after standing for a period of time. Both of mine have done this.

    Squeaking interiors are also common...

    As for the rest...

    Cheers Ian

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    Quote Originally Posted by ianbirch View Post
    Welcome on board.

    Mmm..... makes for a tough read that, just goes to show a lot of tarting up does not a good car make.

    It is not uncommon for these cars to rattle for a while on start up, after standing for a period of time. Both of mine have done this.

    Squeaking interiors are also common...

    As for the rest...

    Cheers Ian
    Hi Ian,

    Thanks for the welcome!

    Yeah - it's a tough pill to swallow but it is what it is... It's where I go from here that's the question!

    The start up rattle is definitely a 'fault' as you can see that a belt isn't fitted properly and the worst of the squeaks and rattles are coming from outside the car, which is a shame. The interior definitely has some 90s, French squeaky charm, which was expected and can be lived with but I think the underside rust, bodywork and suspension need some attention ASAP.

    I can see on the sale board here that there are a fair few cars in similar condition for half the money... Perhaps I shouldn't have joined!

    I am tempted just to hand it over to a specialist and ask them to do a 'full' strip, re-paint and rebuild but I don't know anyone down here, having lived out of the country for the past 4+ years. I'd like to do a lot of it myself but it depends on whether I get a house with the space/ garage/ facilities!

    I'll read through some posts here and make a decision over the next few weeks, once I have started my new job and sorted somewhere to live.

    Cheers,

    Dom

  4. #4
    Founder northy's Avatar
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    wow - now ive followed P4cks progress on here http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/show...from-the-brink but i had no idea that the updates were more plentyful on PH.

    I feel really sorry for you Dom if im honest.... ive not read all of it but the pictures tell me enough!

    which belt isnt fitted right? I take it you mean the alternator belt??

  5. #5
    Founder northy's Avatar
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    do you have the link on PH to the other car p4cks sold that 'andymc' talks about?

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    Quote Originally Posted by northy View Post
    wow - now ive followed P4cks progress on here http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/show...from-the-brink but i had no idea that the updates were more plentyful on PH.

    I feel really sorry for you Dom if im honest.... ive not read all of it but the pictures tell me enough!

    which belt isnt fitted right? I take it you mean the alternator belt??
    I don't have access to that link, sadly, Northy! The PH thread got pretty long in the end!

    I have 'lost' a fair bit of money, if I was to sell immediately, but I guess I have an 'ok' starting point for a rebuild!?

    I haven't seen another priced as high as I paid but most other cars seem a lot cheaper and just as good/ bad.

    Anyway... We move on...

    It is the alternator belt (and it is charging fine) that doesn't seem to be running 'true'... I can live with it until I pull the engine for the rebuild!

    Quote Originally Posted by northy View Post
    do you have the link on PH to the other car p4cks sold that 'andymc' talks about?
    http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...3564&mid=77328

    Think that may be the one!

  7. #7
    Founder northy's Avatar
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    the alternator belt is fairly easy to loosen off and reposition if you have the right tools.

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    Quote Originally Posted by northy View Post
    the alternator belt is fairly easy to loosen off and reposition if you have the right tools.
    I think I am going to rent a car lift at a Pit Start garage in London, for a day, next week.

    That'll allow me time to get under the car, strip back the rusty parts, prime and repaint.

    I should have time to go over the suspension and take a look at this alternator belt as well.

    There are some paint 'runs' on the doors etc but I am not sure I can deal with them but I may get some fine sand paper and see what can be done.

    Are there any Renault/ model specific tools that are needed for the alternator belt? I'll have a comprehensive tool kit at my disposal

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  10. #10
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    Dom9 welcome. I'm stunned to read your story. But equally I'm not getting involved, it's between you and Packs to sort. I bought a a Williams 3 off EBay for £1500, bearing in mind I spent 15 years in the motor industry at senior management level I thought it was a bit of a pup but nothing serious. £3,000 plus later in a year I'm getting there with mine. I was ripped off too, my car had been filled with fibreglass, newspaper, and had what can only described as a dodgy MOT.

    Ive vey welded, painted, rebuilt suspension, replaced so many bits it's called triggers broom in our house. All I would say is keep the faith, you've bought one of 40 Williams 3 cars currently taxed and on the road. View it as an investment, chuck some money at it and love it. I guarantee in 10 years time it will be worth 5 figures. Good luck and keep us posted.


 

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