323 Sport:

I have 3 outstanding jobs to do on my 323:

The arches (surprisingly), underside rust repair and the engine mounts.

The mounts are likely knackered as I am getting the tell tale clutch judder and the like. I have read all the various postings on the forum and have seen the US versions available for the Protege5. All lovely and all, but clearly pricey, especially with postage.

I even contacted the local Mazda dealer, but suffice it to say their prices were ridiculous.

I did find this however, the only one I could find in the UK: Anybody any opinions?

http://www.japeurocarparts.co.uk/detail ... &makeID=60

I gather the front one is the easiest, and often solves many of the problems.

As for the rear arches/underside rust repair: The arches are not too bad but will need doing. The boot had been leaking from behind the light clusters, and probably for some time considering the damage. After much faffing about I figured out where the water was getting in and its all sealed up now and finally watertight.

The boot is sorted but the underside is a mess. I think the leak has weakened the underside from the inside out. What I would like to do is remove the rear bumper and have a proper inspection.

But I am concerned that getting the bumper fastenings from the inside the arches will be a pain, and force me to do the arches as well - something I would ideally like to put off for as long as possible.

If anyone has any tips for successful bumper removal/re-attachment I would be most grateful.

My aim with this car is for it to be solid, but not necessarily pretty. I can't really justify the costs for that. In an ideal world it would be both as its a cracking little car, but my priority is solid.

And finally on the subject of water. After the car gets wet, a small amount of water gets trapped and then leaks out from the underside. As I drive away it leaves a streak down the road. Only for about 20 yards.

I wonder if its 'pooling' somewhere in the bodykit - anybody with any thoughts on that one?

Thanks, in advance, Richie