I've had a 2005 V50 for a few months, and although I did say I'd never modify it, I've started to feel it looks a bit dated, whenever I see a new model on the road.
I found out (thanks to
this thread) (Thanks JonnieB2009!) that in fact the body of the 2010 model is exactly the same, the only bodywork differences were the front and rear bumper and front and rear lights. So I set about finding second-hand parts on ebay to update my 5 year-old car.
I thought I'd start a thread to show my progress and keep it updated as I go.
The idea is: From this:
To this:
The total cost I'll update here:
Front Bumper £40
Front O/S Headlight £40
Front N/S headlight £(need)
Front Grille £45
Rear Bumper £45
Lower grills/fog surrounds £50 new
Current spend: £230
Firstly I found a front bumper on ebay, luckily the correct colour! Advertised as needing a respray, but I figured to keep the cost down I'd have a go at localised corrections!
Polished up OK!
And the paint chips that went right down to the plastic filled and painted with a brush! then wetsanded back a bit and polished. I know it's not quite as good as new, but I'm more than happy with it, I think they'll never get noticed once the bumper's fitted. TBH it's in better condition than my original bumper!
Then I got a grille (£140 new! :doublesho)
The grille had a broken rung, so I planned on plastic welding it up. Never tried it before, but took my soldering iron (bend the tip over in the vice to it was a more usable spreader) and the black inside tray from a CD case, and started melting away!
I'm quite pleased with the results of 10 minutes of plastic welding! I sanded it back and thought If I were getting this 100% it really wouldn't be too hard, another layer and more sanding it would have been spot on! But as I planned on wrapping it in 3M carbon vinyl I left it as it was, I was scared of cracking it by sanding it too hard. Plus that part is hidden under the badge anyway!
So here's my repaired grille, not bad I think!
The grille in the 2010 V50 I pictured is the R-Design one, with a brushed finish. I did consider trying to brush the metal finish myself, but had second thoughts!!!
Next to the foglights. Technically the new bumper needs new fogs, but I'm hoping to reuse my own. So I offered them up to the holes, and they do fit OK. Just a couple of new lug-holes and a little mod to the screw position, I think there's no reason why they wont work just fine behind the new surround.
I'm still waiting for a set of lower grilles/ fog surrounds, I've ordered them cos they only came in at £50 for the lot, plus waiting for one more headlight to come up cheap on ebay. Also, the R-design splitter. They I'll fit the front.
The rear bumper has a few bigger scratches than this, it may need a proper bit of painting! Plus the rear bumper came with splitter fitted! But... someone hacked a section out of the middle to fit a towbar, so I'm gonna have to have a go at fibreglass moulding to make a repair section!