Need to go into hibernation, HELP

[Red LCR TDI]

Great news is, I'VE FINISHED UNI

Bad news is, I'm moving to australia, and the car is staying.

I have loads of things to do before i go, and am not going for a while yet, but wanna be prepared for when i leave.

The car is due for a 70k service, so that needs to get done, then i have a lot of driving to do, all over the UK.

Initially i'm going out to Australia for 6months ish to try and get work and get settled, then if i do get a decent job and get settled, i wanna import my car over, as they still drive on the left.

Also was told the other day, that mice can eat through the wires in the engine bay, tyring to find somewhere to sleep. I can't just put poison down as it will run out within a week, i need a long term solution.

I was gonna do a full oil flush and replacement with good quality oil and disconnect the battery. What do i need to do with fuel, fully drain it?

As a result i have a few Q's:

1: roughly how much will a 70k service cost?
2: What do i need to do to prepare the car for 6months of being locked away.
3: How do i try to prevent mice for eating the wires?

IT IS A LEON TDI BY THE WAY (incase you didnt guess by my name)

I realise there are a lot of questions, and apologise, but appreciate any responses in advance,

cheers,
jon

 

[slimjim]

How much as you willing to spend... and will it be outside or inside for the 6months?

My old man bought this "CarCoon" thing.... drive the car on, zip it over, link it to the mains and it inflates... keeping the car dry.

My Honda has been in a warehouse for 18 months now, without being moved. Just changed the battery and it started first time.

 

[Tallpaul]

1: roughly how much will a 70k service cost?
2: What do i need to do to prepare the car for 6months of being locked away.
3: How do i try to prevent mice for eating the wires?

If the car is going to sit without being used, don't bother with the 70k service until after you get back.

As for storing the car long term, there a few things that'll happen.

- The tyres can 'flat spot', so over inflate them
- The discs will rust
- Calipers might seize, so don't apply the handbrake
- Battery will die
- Rodents 'might' get in (unlikely but possible)

The best way round this is to have some one regularly take it out for a 10 - 20 mile drive.

Loads of pre-reg cars are stored on airfields for 6 months without too much harm, so it's not gonna kill your car.

 

[sssstew]

or get some axle stands and put it on them so save damage to the tyres.

i store my mini for winter each year and most of what tallpaul covers it.

Leave a window down a crack so the air doesnt go stale inside.

6 months isnt that long.

 

[Reg]

6 months is nothing, don't worry about it. As said, you could put the car on axle stands, but its not really long enough to worry. Just pump the tyres up a little extra. If its garaged, it would be worth getting a battery conditioner for about £35-40 which will trickle charge the battery and keep it in good condition. I would have the service done before leaving.

Saying all that, is it really worth taking with you? Have you looked into how much this will cost, implications of any emissions stuff over there, can you get parts easily enough - indeed, do they already have the Leon over there? I'd be tempted to just sell it then you don't have to worry about it. That way you can either buy a car out there if you stay, or another one here if you come back.

 

[C11PRA DC]

Remove wiper arms/blades to preserve rubber!

When I was in Perth Aus a couple of years back the only VAG garage was a VW desk (literally!!) within a Toyota dealership that had chosen to import them. Parts could be an issue!

 

[Red LCR TDI]

cheers for the help guys,

not too worried anymore, i have thought about selling, but i hate the big american cars they have in oz, sure they're quick, my dad has a 5.7 V8 and its awesome in a straight line, but corners for sh*t. Although insurance on skylines etc is cheaper out there.

I haven't looked to much into importing it yet, it's not the newest of cars so may not be worth it, might try get a newer one then import that if i can.

Problem about getting it tuned as well. i have my heart set on a big bhp increase from allard or someone, but there is gonna be no point now if no-one in oz has a clue about how to maintain/repair leons (let alone modified ones).

looks like i have a lot of thinking to do. but at least now i know it shou8ld be fine in the garage for 6 months.

 

[Reg]

If they sell the Mk4 Golf over there, you should be alright.

I'm looking to move to the States next year, I don't want to sell my BMW or my bike, my wife doesn't want to sell the LCR (which they definitely don't have over there), and it will cost a facking fortune to take them with us (although might be able to sneak the bike in to a container!), so looks like everything will go then.

 

[Red LCR TDI]

just been doing a search on google, and there seems to be a fairly healthy community of VW and Audi owners, and a few Seats.

They even have Revo over there,

Plenty of Golf mark 4's too so should be ok getting parts.

My best friends dad owns a haulage firm and they have shipped cars before so hopefully will get mates rates.

need to find out more about their laws on diseasel's tho. if they are anything like america, they might not like them too much.

 

[MattR]

When I went to Oz, I left my Mondeo in my garage, inflated tyres high, disconnected battery, left handbrake off and it was fine. Needed a new battery though. Make sure the car is completely dry before you store it.

Loads of Golfs out there. The only SEATS I ever saw were Ibizas (MK2 I think??) and there weren't many of those.

You may have to pay import tax on the car and it'll need an inspection depending on which state you try and need re-registering in that state.

 

[CHRIS200]

Why are you complaining about moving to Australia?????????????????????? It's a brillient place and I cannot wait to go back or just move out there.

To be honest sell the car I would. I had a Ford Falcon XR6 on hire when I was there, loved it. 4.6ltr straight 6, RWD and no TC!!

 

[Red LCR TDI]

Wasn't complaining about moving there, may have come across like that as i'm a bit worried, as i don't have a job or anywhere to live when i get there.

But it would be awesome to have a leon out there. If there are no probs about getting parts and getting them fixed as there are golfs about then it would be great to have something a bit different like the leon TDI, especially if the only seats are older ibiza's and cordoba's.

And yes, i might end up selling the car if it is not worth taking it out, but hey, its an excuse to get the 150 TDI or Cupra R and ship that instead!

 

[Ant FR]

i would just sell it now, as by the time you come back it will be worth a couple of grand less, especially as prices on the Cupra tdi's remain artificialy high due to the new FR leon tdi only just being released. Sell it and then come back and make your decision that way

 

[sjtscott]

Personally sell it mate. Don't think you'll have much luck if you need any Leon specific parts. I don't ever remember seeing any Leons on my three visits to Oz.

Which state/city you going to BTW?

Petrol is cheap can't see any point having a diesel out there.. I'd have one of the road going aussie V8 Touring cars.
And if you don't like that then Scoobies seem v popular too esp as they don't get the Evo range only the plain borring lancers. Get a pimped up Wrex mate! lol