Hi,

So I recently acquired a Magna ES TW - 2005 Model - Gold Color. I'm looking to see some of the top upgrades you guys would recommend for this car? Got a 100K mileage on it.

Additionally, the paint on the top and a little on the side has "Car cancer" I've been told. How much on average does it cost to get a "respray" in the same color or any other solutions to fix the wearing of the paint?

Not the most tech savvy but have a little extra to spend on the upgrades.

Cheers

I'm planing on getting just my roof resprayed to the same colour in the next couple of weeks, I was quoted $450 to $900 depending on how good I wanted it. I'm going to get something in the 700 - 800 range done by him. If you live near Hornsby (NSW) I can give you his number.

Thanks for the offer man, but i'm in QLD, Brisbane. Do you reckon it's possible to get a decent respray of the whole car for $1200 or is that pushing it?

Decent respray will cost you between 4 and 7 grand. A cheap ass respray will cost you upwards of 2k and look fairly average.

Not sure on your intention for this car but if you are limited with finances perhaps leave the car alone for now and make sure you have the money needed to maintain it before you go modifying it. You said has done 100k, has it had the major 100k service done?

Probably head lihgt bulb upgrades. Between $20-$60ish depending upon brand

380 Brake conversion

I don't see the viability of cosmetic work to that degree, when you can pick up a Verada in much better condition for only a few grand and get all the goodies that go with it. Cost you very little in the swap

Hi,

So I recently acquired a Magna ES TW - 2005 Model - Gold Color. I'm looking to see some of the top upgrades you guys would recommend for this car? Got a 100K mileage on it.


That gold colour is prone to fading. Saw a 380 with it in a car yard, faded badly. Depending on how bad it is, a car detailer may be able to suggest some ways of making it look acceptable.
As for "upgrades", look at the service history of the car, and get the 100,000 km service requirements up to spec. If the cambelt, plugs, etc haven't been done, that should eat up some of the money you were planning to spend on the car.

This is the current extent of the paint issue, can't see the top very well in the photo but it's like the side all on the top as well:

http://i58.tinypic.com/2z9ifx0.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/2qtlc11.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/21llx1l.jpg

I did also notice the glass on the glass that covers the headlights is a bit grainy almost is there a way to clear that up? Or is the actual glass itself?

Also do custom bulbs mean brighter or whiter light or both or something else, wasn't sure what was inferred when you mentioned to upgrade them.

I own the same colour and model magna and the paint on mine has also been giving me grief.. Little hard to tell by the photos but my car was doing this to the boot and started on the pillars as well, I just gave it a wet sand and compound got all the defects in my car out.. I did mine myself however if you are uncomfortable wet sanding your car try a reputable detailer and see if they can do anything, at the least they should be able to repair and hide the majority of the defects which would be much cheaper then a respray

Same car and color!!!!! Ok I"ll try and wet sand it then. What do you do after it's been sanded though? Is there anything you can do to it to protect it after or anything?

Have you done any aftermarket stuff (non stock) additions to your car , what have you liked best?

Also how do you find the tiptronics? I feel as if 3rd gear being at 70 isn't really that helpful...

Yeah all the same except mine is a manual but exact same colour and to be honest only wet sand if your very confident about what you are doing otherwise take it to a professional.. As for mods what are you after? There's a small list of some mods I have done on my profile rather then spending 20 minutes re writing them

Yeah all the same except mine is a manual but exact same colour and to be honest only wet sand if your very confident about what you are doing otherwise take it to a professional.. As for mods what are you after? There's a small list of some mods I have done on my profile rather then spending 20 minutes re writing them

Awesome, getting used to the forums still didn't realise the profile stuff!

I saw that you have:

Super low pedders springs front and back - how much were they and how much did it cost to get them fitted if you don't mind spilling ? Additionally from stock what in your opinions are the pros/cons with the new Springs, and have you had any issues of bottoming out in any situation?

I done it a few years ago so can't remember, they were arond $350 for the springs from memory and I fitted them myself.. I got the lowest springs pedders sold which it sits around 105mm and doesn't scrape on anything, the bumper sits just above gutters and the tow hook hits but I like to bump it cause it scares people standing close by ha ha.. With the 18's the ride is pretty stiff but not stupid which I like.. Even if you don't wanna go that low at least lower the car a bit cause Magnas look and drive like boat from factory, especially the TL-TW

Hi Divo,
I had a peeling clearcoat roof (Daintree Green color) on my TW sedan. A local body shop stripped and redid the roof for $500. Job was done about 2 months ago and came up looking OK. When I bought the car 12 months before, the roof looked OK and the problem appeared to be aggravated by alternate hot and cold wet weather. Leaving the old girl outside was too much for it, so now she goes to bed when she's not in use. No other panels are affected as yet, only the roof.

Hi Divo,
I had a peeling clearcoat roof (Daintree Green color) on my TW sedan. A local body shop stripped and redid the roof for $500. Job was done about 2 months ago and came up looking OK. When I bought the car 12 months before, the roof looked OK and the problem appeared to be aggravated by alternate hot and cold wet weather. Leaving the old girl outside was too much for it, so now she goes to bed when she's not in use. No other panels are affected as yet, only the roof.

It's the sunlight that does the damage. I bought a 2001 TJ from WA in 2010 and the green had lost it's clearcoat over large patches on the roof and bonnet. The clearcoat breaks down slowly over the years but you don't notice anything until it looses adhesion with the base coat and it starts flaking off. Keep it out of the Sun as much as possible.

Correct it is caused from being outside in the sun. Also if you was your car incorrectly and don't maintain the paint this can also affect the clear coat.. Number one is don't use cheap car soap or the soap from the car wash, it works great however strips the paint if any protective coatings and if it is not pH balanced can actually eat into the clear coat over time.. It's fine to leave the car outside (I rarely do leave mine outside now) however regularly apply a coating to the car to protect it.. I apply a paint sealant every 3-6 months and on top apply a wax ever 1-2 weeks for extra shine and protection