Just got this 1988 VL Berlina yesterday. 186,000km's on the clock. Only mods that have been done are - (by previous owner) -Pod Filter -Extractors and exhaust -Bad rims :P -Debadged Not much but its nice and simple. Few things I'd like fixed and I want to do them myself but wouldn't have a clue just yet. The paint on the bars needs to be re-done, any good guides for these, is it worth taking the bars off or leave them on and mask up. Speedo occasionally sticks and you'll take off and then realise its still on 0kmh, quite a few hard taps on the cluster and it catches and goes to speed, I'm guessing this is the cog behind the cluster that isnt grabbing? Left side Window spray jet isn't spraying any water, probably just clogged Boot release in glovebox doesn't work, no idea why. Still want to drop it on its arse and put some VX GTS rims or something on it. Has a few rust spots scattered around the car, usually only a few mm wide and appears to be surface rust, any ideas on how to fix that? Rust kill + Grinder + Bog + Paint? Final and most annoying thing is it kinda, hard to describe but we think it's misfiring as when you accelerate, its kinda jolty/spluttery and not smooth, does this any gear any time but not when you're cruising, only on acceleration, maybe needs a tune I'm not sure, wasn't like this when we test drove it 3 weeks ago :| The previous owner got the roadworthy done at Repco and they installed 2 SECONDHAND seat belts, am I wrong in thinking that's illegal? I thought as soon as their removed from a car they were meant to be chopped up and thrown away? Or is that only in the case of crashed cars. Anyway I'll let a few pictures speak for now. Borci88. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Tonight, obviously needs a tune though, doesn't really pickup AT ALL until upper RPM range and does splutter. m/albums/e65/borci88/MVI_4217.flv"> (http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e65/borci88/?action=view¤t=MVI_4217.flv)

You know that's not a Berlina, yeah?

had a similar problem with mine, would splutter in 2nd and 3rd if i wasn't flooring it in 1st and getting it into high rpm when i shifted, was told it could be the timing.

Quote: Originally Posted by jordy You know that's not a Berlina, yeah? Wouldn't really know, how can I tell?

berlina's have material on the door trims, not just all vinyl or woteva, seats in berlina have different pattern and i may be wrong but pretty sure all berlina's have the rpm on speedo instead of analog clock. theres more but cbf lol yeh its an exec or sumfin.

Quote: Originally Posted by Barnsey berlina's have material on the door trims, not just all vinyl or woteva, seats in berlina have different pattern and i may be wrong but pretty sure all berlina's have the rpm on speedo instead of analog clock. theres more but cbf lol yeh its an exec or sumfin. Makes sense, I'm starting to think something dodgys been pulled on me. Mate can tell that the car has done more than 186,000kms just by how soft the springs in the seat are (random I know) and the speedo sticks (POSSIBLY means hes changed the cluster). Has A/C but no Power Steering, so would make sense that it may be a Series 2 Executive maybe? Engine bay isn't too bad, a bit of surface rust or dirt I haven't looked into it that much, but yeah, at a mechanics at the moment just for a general checkup and tune. Hopefully rims and lowered soon, respray by the end of the year and a turbo kit to come in a year or two. Matt. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

yeah all berlinas have a tacho dash and power steering all they've done is put berlina taillights i think telling from the angle of the photo

yeah thats not a berlina. just do a vin check. with the vin calculator. nice car though man.

Ahh damn, oh well thats not a big loss, I can live without them. Only thing that worries me is the possibility that it was a million kilometres thats all. Its a first car and will be treated like a first car, so I cant really complain of a tacho and power steering and a door trim. Annoying that I didnt pick up on it but hey my first car, my first mistake. Mate's telling me to get a Monster Tacho as it's a perfect excuse :P Anybody selling a smaller one?

Quote: Originally Posted by jordy You know that's not a Berlina, yeah? -SL/Executive cluster fitted -SL/Executive seats fitted -SL/Executive door trims fitted -Looks to be a series 2, so would have a greater chance of cruise control being fitted Looks like you have a manual antenna as well. other than the VIN, you can check if the plug for the Calais pop ups is present behind the battery. It is purple and black coloured plug with four wires on it. Looks really nice otherwise mate. re: the bvoot release not working, check the fuse, check that the button in the glovebox is connected, and that the motor in the bootlid is connected. Edit: oh yeah, just noticed power steering is absent.

Yeah it would make sense to be a Series 2 especially considering the year, but doesn't have Cruise Control. Unless controls have been taken off :P Manual antenna is snapped in half as well, gets decent reception but could be better, easy fix from autobarn. Will check for the plug and will check the fuse this weekend (Car is at dads house for the year so work is slow). Its all connected in the glovebox as I took it apart and reassembled it, wires could be around the wrong way from the get-go maybe, I'll try that. Not sure where the motor in the bootlid is but I spose I'll have a hunt. And on the fuse box, embarassingly I have not found it yet :P, I assume its the black box behind the left side strut yeah? Matt.

Few updates but nothing special. Central locking has gone in. Power Steering is also in, picked up the whole setup for $50 (Y) andd inters with chrome trims. I swear the cars been lowered though, even just slightly, would explain the pretty bad ride quality. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

berlina or no berlina man still a clean vl, i'v got a apr 88 berlina wagon with no a/c, power windows or cruise, its basic just what some people wanted i guess

Few updates, went up to Kinglake today to have a look around, great to see its becoming green again and discovered Old Kinglake Road is great fun, kinda like a lil rally track. Painted rims, had a polish, central locking installed, power steering installed, gas bonnet struts installed. Coming together nicely. For those in the know, are these springs the stock springs? Ride Quality is telling me no... Thoughts? Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Nah they aren't, unless somebody went to the trouble of painting standard springs. I think Lovell powdercoat their springs blue?

not standard and lovells are blue like the ones below Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by patch not standard and lovells are blue like the ones below rub a bit of dirt on them, they could look like the ones above...

yeh thats what im saying... they would be the same... sorry, just worded that really poorly