Bought the esseesse front discs today, got the rears on order as I've been told it will take up to six weeks for them to arrive. Which is fine as it means I can spread the cost a bit, and I can decide whether to by the esseesse pads or an alternative. The hose kit was about £66 for the stainless steel ones or £56 for the zinc coated kit.

Getting the discs from the dealer, I was surprised they had the fronts in stock, I was expecting them to have to order everything. I'm just wondering whether to stick with the standard pads and see how I get on with that set up, although I've made a few modifications to the car it can't be that much more powerful than stock and I was thinking that upgraded pads would be too much. Anyway I've got a few weeks to think about it while I wait for the rear discs and the hose kit to arrive.

Just got the esseesse discs and the new hoses fitted this week as it was in for its second year service, I've had standard spec Ferodo pads fitted also for the time being. It ended up being in the garage for two days because one of the rear hoses seized on. The total price for the work done was £731.20. I'm still bedding in the brakes at the moment, but already the new hoses have improved the feel of the brakes, they have a very consistant feel to them and should get better with time and the Ferodo pads seem to have eliminated any brake squeal and it will be interesting to see if this still the case in a few months time.

Well its now been two and half years and 28,000 miles which is the longest time and most miles I have ever done in one car. In that time it has developed some character, there are a few creaks and rattles and a gear change that doesn't really like the cold, but I've come to expect that from previous experience. The Ragazzon system is starting to sound great now it has a few thousand miles of use and the Eibach springs have improved things although the rear still needs some more work in that department (coilovers maybe the way to go). I cannot fault the Sabelts they were well worth the investment even if it did take two days to fit them. There have been no serious problems, a broken headlight and a faulty air-con switch have been the only warranty claims. Fuel consumption is reasonable but that wasn't why I bought the car and was never really a consideration anyway, it shouldn't be with something like this.

Would I change it if I had the chance.........absolutely not, not even if I won the Lottery.