Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 16 April 2021, 20:42:05
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I was with this forum from the very beginning, and have lost count of how many years I've been here. I think I first came aged around 22, I am not sure where that time has gone, but I am now only 3 years away from being 40.
I have had some great times, especially back in the day, I genuinely could not remember how many omegas I have fixed for folk, including cambelts, must be in the dozens, usually for no charge. There was then the crazy projects I have taken on - and I don't regret any of it.
Sadly, though, all good things must come to an end, and in light of getting older, my priorities are likely to become different soon, and it doesn't make sense to keep two cars. Out of the Rangie, and the Omega, sadly the Omega is the non-practical one, it can't carry the dog, etc. From a time perspective, I doubt I will now ever get to own / care for another one. It feels like the end of an Era that I've listed it for sale.
I thought I'd close with a few memories of the times gone by
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/k205/jamesv6cdx/(edited)_238190EA-9C0E-47F5-9155-164398962647_zpso5iiphj8.jpg)
This particular omega, I drove to Spain! And did a tour all around Northern Spain in it. It was a DTi, and a bloody great car.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/omega-spain_zpsae2c5341.jpg)
Here was an auto - to - manual conversion I did on my driveway
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/rear-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/raised.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/gearbox.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/flexplate.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/clutches.jpg)
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Here was an auto - to - manual conversion I did on my driveway
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/rear-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/raised.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/gearbox.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/flexplate.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/clutches.jpg)
Here's my 2.5 TD! Tractor in every sense, good car though!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/IMAG0039.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/IMAG0035.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/IMAG0034.jpg)
Just a random gearbox change one weekend! Back in the day when I was crazy enough to do it with just a trolley jack, alone!!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/gb.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/gb2.jpg)
Being a heathen, and fitting Vectra rocker covers ;D
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/26012012.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/26012012308.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/26012012309.jpg)
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My first ever single handed LPG conversion, I was very proud of this, aged about 25
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/12_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/11_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/10_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/9_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/8_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/7_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/6_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/5_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/4_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/3_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/2_640x480.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/1_640x480.jpg)
And this was the car - I thoroughly enjoyed my ownership:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/3-4.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/9-3.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/10-2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/9-2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/7-4.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/6-3.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/5-4.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/4-5.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/3-3.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/6-2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/2-5.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/1-5.jpg)
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A V6 Engine, I once purchased and overhauled in the garage!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/02082009301.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/02082009308.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/30072009293.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/30072009295.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/30072009296.jpg)
Getting someone out of trouble after a broken spark plug!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/01012008260.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/01012008263.jpg)
Head refurb / top end overhaul work:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/10062009246.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/12062009247.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/12062009252.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/01012008215.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/01012008203.jpg)
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MV6 Estate repaired - head gasket leaking water out of the back of the engine:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/30052009183.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/30052009187.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/30052009190.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/P1050267.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/DSCF0029.jpg)
Broken exhaust manifold stud? No problem!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/17.jpg)
Overhauling a Pug 406 TD. It only needed a new clutch, but for some reason I wanted to take it to bits!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/pug0.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/pug1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/pug10.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/pug2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/pug7.jpg)
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This Omega was a DOG. God only knows why I gassed it:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0003.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0004-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0011-2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0012-2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0013-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0014.jpg)
I didn't enjoy this one. Not enough cylinders, and I remember never being able to get rid of the smell of cigaretts smoke from it. Despite that, I did a full top end refurb on it!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/18052008127.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/18052008128.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/18052008129.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/18052008130.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/18052008131.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/14052008121.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/14052008118.jpg)
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I bought this 3.0 Elite Estate from MaxV6. What a MOTOR!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/31012008078.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/31012008077.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/31012008076.jpg)
Another V6 getting some TLC!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/28012008067.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/28012008066-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/28012008064.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/28012008063.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/27012008057.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/27012008052.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/27012008050.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/27012008048.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/27012008046.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/27012008042.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/25012008028.jpg)
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A nice Omega I bought from Uncle STEMO. Kevin Wood and I LPG'd this over a boozy weekend :y
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/engoff.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/IMG_0700.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/IMG_0698.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/IMG_0695.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/IMG_0693.jpg)
I treated this car to a new exhaust and clutch. This is what I wrote the "clutch how to" from!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/000_0170.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/000_0171.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/000_0162.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/000_0163.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/000_0164.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/000_0165.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/000_0154.jpg)
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Ahhh yes... the Oil Cooler! I recall doing this one, for A380 Elite up by Heathrow! And by god, how young did I look then!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/17-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/16.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/15.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/14.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/13-2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/11.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/12.jpg)
The Vectra! Bought this with a misfire from a Taxi Driver forum member for about £200. Did a top end rebuild, it had a burnt out valve. Then drove it to Scotland, where I recall changing a cambelt with H21!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0060.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0059.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0058.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0057.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0056.jpg)
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Now this was a flying machine. My M reg, Pre Facelift 3.0 Manual Estate.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0008-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0012-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0013.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0010.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0008.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0007.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/CRIM0006.jpg)
"SOP" was a nice car, albeit a bit boring for a 4 banger. She had some extensive work done, though!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/miggy2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/miggy1.jpg)
And I bought this one to shamelessly rob it for LPG
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/ECU1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/DSC02924.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/LPG3.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/LPG2.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/LPG1.jpg)
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I bought this Omega, with a crap body, good engine:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/ECU1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/100_0149.jpg)
You see "KUS" in the background. A 2.5 CDX that I used and abused for ages, great car!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/100_0141.jpg)
And robbed the engine, for this mint non runner I picked up for £100:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/100_0136.jpg)
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I occasionally like to remind folk of a "quality" exhaust repair I once conducted, to remove a rattling baffle:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/DSC02756.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/DSC02769.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/DSC02766.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/DSC02767.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/DSC02764-1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/k205/jamesv6cdx/DSC02757.jpg)
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Take care everyone, thanks for all the great times, and I wish you health and happiness :y
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Very impressive James. But no need to leave .... hardly anyone on the forum has an Omega anymore. ;)
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Seconded. On all counts :y
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Yes as Andy and DG say there's no need to leave
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My old omega looked well there, James, I think you ripped me off ;D
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Crikey! I'm sure you've missed out half of them too. ;D
That LPG conversion seems a while ago now. :-\
Do keep in touch, and all the best!
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You can check out any time you like, but............ :)
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My 3.2 MV6 estate is still flying after your work👍 Thank you, and as said you can never leave👍
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Very impressive James, how many Omegas have you owned? No need to disappear, as said, not many of us have Omegas now, I sold my last one a few months ago due to not being used enough.
Thanks for the help you gave me in the past.
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No need to feel you can't pop you face back in hear regularly. Lets face it, I'm the only Admin/Mod still with an Omega - and that will be going once it runs out of fuel.
As to your comment of looking young, do you not look like that any more? :D
I have one photo of JamesV6CDX.....
(http://images.omegaowners.com/images/theboy/cambeltpartyfeb07/IMG_1789.JPG)
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The end of an era indeed, James. It has been a privilege and an honour to have known such a thoroughly good bloke and I thank you for all the help you have given me.
I too have to give up on Omegas, and indeed all driving, I fear, due to terminal kidney failure and poor eyesight, together with the fact that my Omega failed its MOT last September and is now SORNed. I won’t actually get rid of It until I get a final verdict regarding my eyes as it is my only form of mobility after breaking my hipbone!
Please take care and stay safe – and don’t leave the Forum!
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No need to feel you can't pop you face back in hear regularly. Lets face it, I'm the only Admin/Mod still with an Omega - and that will be going once it runs out of fuel.
As to your comment of looking young, do you not look like that any more? :D
I have one photo of JamesV6CDX.....
(http://images.omegaowners.com/images/theboy/cambeltpartyfeb07/IMG_1789.JPG)
Tunnie and James when they were homosexuals. ;D
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Yes....I wondered who the lanky strip of piss was. ::)
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Yes, what a history and portfolio of cars James :y :y
I am sad though you are thinking of leaving. You will be missed, and I agree with the previous posts, you do not have to leave just because you do not have an Omega. Most members now do not have one!
But, if you do leave, all the very best! :-* :-* ;)
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Leave and go where, there's no other forum, that will give you, Help, and advice then abuse anywhere on the tinternet, you won't find a raging Dr Opti, who has a high regard for all things female, on a free site, The Extremist views of our glorious leader,would be banned,and regarded as a hate Crime,and the ongoing love in between Dr Dg and miss Zoom,would be classed as stalking, That dam wurzel pestering everyone about white goods, and his conquest in Asia (it was a bloke), you don't get life's rich tapestry in one place, anywhere else on the tinternet.. :D
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Wish I had half your mechanical talent ! Certainly no need to leave not many of us on here still run Omegas but at least we can still talk about them.
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I went to see James in Beaconsfield a few years ago for him to change my cambelt, which was a 300 mile round trip and a good day out! :y
We did it in a parking space on Beaconsfield High Street outside a posh wine and cigar shop and the proprietor kept looking out the window and didn't look too impressed at two blokes stripping down an old car in the rain outside his shop! ;D
It was well worth the trip though as James determined that my cambelt was a tooth or two out and it was like driving a different car on the way home. Watching him at work also gave me the confidence to change the head gaskets when the nearside one started leaking. :)
Cheers James! :y
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We joined about the same time. I regret we never met. Looking at your photos brought back many memories. I nearly bought one of your cars but for a lack of vital air con. I remember doing my cam belt change armed only with the OOF dvd and of course the forum. Tense time on our only car.
Don’t be a stranger in the years to come.
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No need to feel you can't pop you face back in hear regularly. Lets face it, I'm the only Admin/Mod still with an Omega - and that will be going once it runs out of fuel.
As to your comment of looking young, do you not look like that any more? :D
I have one photo of JamesV6CDX.....
(http://images.omegaowners.com/images/theboy/cambeltpartyfeb07/IMG_1789.JPG)
'and they call it, Tunnie love.......'
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Mrs VXL's DTi Estate, Previously repaired after a branch fell on it by Omegatoy, original owners name escapes me.
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Does anyone have contact details for James that they'd be comfortable passing privately ? :y
I'm trying to arrange payment on his car, but can't tell that he's seen - or even had notification of - my follow-up PMs since Saturday lunchtime. (Can't post on the For Sale thread either, cos' of Covid, or my low post count, or some such) ...
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Have you tried through his ebay ad? :-\
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Ebay listing finished yesterday. Reserve not met. ;)
Im sure someone on here will have his number and be able to alert him to this thread.
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If it's in his watch list it will still have the details... ;)
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Yup, messaged through ebay as well, just in case thanks :y
That said though, I'm trying to walk the fine line between "person who's really keen to buy a car (or perhaps OOF-heirloom)" and "stalker". Folks are often busy doing other things. Life happens. No problem, I just don't want some other sneaky bugger to get it ... ;) ;D
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Hi, I’m sorry, I have only just seen your latest PM. My mum has been seriously ill in hospital and I’ve not kept on top of messages, I’ve been working long days and driving 90 miles each way to help her, now she has been discharged.
I’ve just seen that someone has won the eBay action - my sincere apologies for not replying sooner.
If they don’t get in touch I will drop you a line.
Kind regards
James
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Glad to hear your mum's doing a little better - I was in a similar situation with my dad just 12 months ago now, so I fully understand how things don't always go to plan and priorities change. :y
I can also reveal that you're talking to the winning bidder :D I'll drop you a line over there, and we'll sort everything out...