Longdog was a faster dog...

If the matrix is your only problem now (I've seen your list...), you can bypass it in the engine bay and run without. Not sure where but now it's warmish the lack of heater shouldn't be too bad until you can get it sorted.

Sounds like you've connected the IRD breather pipe (metal with inverted U) to the turbo vent pipe (the one with the filter). They shouldn't be connected, both open to atmosphere.

Yup, but someone may have fitted a nutsert to the car before you owned it (assuming you don't own it from new). If that's the case I'd drill the nutsert out and carry on with the new bolt.

Never fitted the steps but the hole on the right looks like it has a nutsert already installed. Will it take a bolt?

Interested to know how well the lights work up there - how much light spill through the sunroof? Haven't fitted lights to mine yet. Looking good.

Scuffed the textured stuff off of the heater knobs and gave them a coat of black paint. Also managed to polish some of the scrape marks out of the rear window.

A group of like minded individuals approach the seller to get a discount price if they guarantee x amount of items will be bought in one hit. Usually organised at a time when I can't afford to join in... (that rule is optional but it is universally accepted).

Ever so slightly tempted, but I think too much faff.

Painted the top of my instrument cowl black as per dave21478 and krisboats.

Redid my auxiliary fuse box in the boot instead of under the dash, then attempted to tint the glass. Sides went ok but tried shrinking the rear and got a bit happy with the heat gun. Placed order for some more film...

Looking good! I can feel a meme coming on...

No ABS etc, could be like mine. Has it all but the previous owner decided gouging the LEDs out was better than a proper repair...

According to the manual F11 is for "In car entertainment" only. But that would probably include extras that may not be fitted like the under seat cd changer or the boot fitted sub. Check there for chaffed cables (under seat may be favourite if it's become caught in a seat rail).

Ta-Dah!

Bolted through the hardback though. I know most of us don't remove it but that's a bit drastic.

That's a damn good idea, may have to do that myself.

Depends what you want from a head unit. I just fitted an Alpine UTE-72BT which plays audio over Bluetooth from my phone, and doubles as a hands free kit too. No CD player but I've not bought a cd in over a decade...

Top ones are only reverse / fog. Bumper ones are stop/tail and indicator. Can't help with yer intermittent fault though.

With that budget you should get something good, either a straight buy or getting one with a few faults that can be fixed within budget. I have a fondness for diesels at higher mileage as when I was younger people would say a Diesel engine at 100,000 miles is just run in. Truth or not, I don't...