buying a metro!!

[swoggles]

hello,what are the things to look out for wen buying a metro? cheers

[chris1981]

Hi,

ok main things, if its a K series look for signs on HGF
regardless of if its a K or A series, rust is your main enemy, check rear arches in paticular.

do you have one in mind?

[Disgusted]

Look for rust on the rear arches and floor pan, check all electrics work, a drooping front end probably means it needs a Hydragas pump-up (see www.hydragas.co.uk ).

Check for oil in the water (a sign of head gasket failure), particularly on K-series engines (i.e. petrol engines 1990-onwards). On A-series cars (petrol engines before 1990) check that the gearbox works (try every gear and make sure it doesn't jump out of gear), also with the A-series expect a few oil leaks but nothing ridiculous.

Obviously as well give it all a good look over, checking for rust, accident damage and imperfections in the paintwork.

It's probably cheaper to buy a good one than it is to spend money doing up a bad one. Having said that, everything can be repaired although rust can be difficult to get rid of if it's taken hold seriously.

I have written a review on ebay about them which you may find useful as well: clicky.

If you are not sure about anything if you look at one you can always say you'll think about it and then ask on here before making a decision.

[swoggles]

oh rite,sorry if i seem stupid but what hgf?? and yea there is one i have in mind its n ebay actually its a vvc conversion!! my mate had a metro with some engine work and it was so much fun i wood quite like one!! if you type in vvc metro on ebay its half way down and red!! wasting my time??cheers

[Disgusted]

HGF stands for head gasket failure, meaning the top half of the engine has to be taken off to sort it out, not the end of the world but if you're buying one it makes a difference how much you should pay for the car if it is faulty.

If you mean this one it is not a VVC, nor does it have MEMS 3 engine management, despite what the seller says. It could be the 120bhp 1.8 though with a VVC inlet manifold, which has similar pulling power to the VVC but you have to change gear more often.

Not that that means you shouldn't buy it, but it's definitely not a VVC. It's not easy to tell whether it is actually a 1.8.

Looks ok from what you can see in the pics, but you'd have to look at it properly before buying. It's been visually modified as well so that's down to your own taste. I'd be a little bit wary as the description doesn't seem to add up though.

[swoggles]

ah rite,i thought that the vvc had more power than that,but i dont no much so i didnt really assume,he says he will take 800 cash and im going to see it at some pioint but if its not a vvc then i dnt think i wantto pay tht much!! and yea the visual mods are not for everyone granted,would u advise not paying that much??is there anyway i can catch him out with information about not being a vvc??

[Disgusted]

Early VVC is 145PS, later "160" is 160PS (hence the name!), whereas the standard 1.8 16v is 120PS or 135PS, so the VVC does have more power but the torque is about the same. The VVC is easier to drive fast because there is a better spread of torque over the rev range.

In simple terms, the VVC feels a lot more powerful although a skilled driver could probably keep up in a 1.8 16v.

I would hold out for a VVC if that's what you want.

[swoggles]

ah rite,so is it worth getting? a vvc would be kewl,but this looks like it could be good fun,my mates was and that was 110bhp i think and was fast! at the end of the day i saw it and for the price i thought it would be a good laugh to bazz about in

[Disgusted]

Yes it will still go well as they don't weigh very much. Have a thorough look at it if you like it, I'm just a bit concerned that the seller seems to have falsely advertised it, and said in the same advert that the engine is out of an MGF 1.8i and a Rover 200 Vi.

It could still be a good car though, just make sure you check it over.

[chris1981]

just also noticed neither MOT nor full log book are present, probably totally legitamate but considering the other discrepancies I would be cautious

[swoggles]

i didnt notice tht tbh also with no v5 things are sounding dodgey to me,nether the less i shall have a look at it see whats what

[Disgusted]

And the seller has bought some instant feedback.

[chris1981]

im curious how long he has had it and how long its illegally been running on an undeclared 1.8 engine.

also 'MOT valid at moment' - whats that? could be just a week.

I would pass on this one but its up to you, why dont you get a decent one and do the bits you want yourself

[Disgusted]

And whether it even has a 1.8 engine? Externally the blocks are exactly the same, I'd like to see the engine number, it should be 18K4F for a 1.8 16v.

Call me suspicious but I wonder whether it's a standard 1.4 with a 135 inlet manifold. Engine number will confirm.

If you want a good one, you could go to Talon Sports Cars but they're more expensive.

[swoggles]

seems odd doesnt it,why buy feedback eh?random stuff he has sold as well,toy knifes?wtf!! maybe im gna get stabbed!! doesnt seem legit to me,wonder if its stolen??

[chris1981]

you do realise this is also an automatic?
you may well have but to get the true feel of a more powerfull engine you need a manual box

[Disgusted]

Originally Posted by chris1981

you do realise this is also an automatic?
you may well have but to get the true feel of a more powerfull engine you need a manual box

Says it is auto but manual gearstick and three pedals in the interior photos.

The plot thickens...

[MGJohn]

Originally Posted by swoggles

ah rite,i thought that the vvc had more power than that,but i dont no much so i didnt really assume,he says he will take 800 cash and im going to see it at some pioint but if its not a vvc then i dnt think i wantto pay tht much!! and yea the visual mods are not for everyone granted,would u advise not paying that much??is there anyway i can catch him out with information about not being a vvc??

VVC does have more power than that...

A quick glance at the engine will tell you immediately if it's a VVC. There's a timing belt cover at BOTH ends of the engine and the VVC actuating mechanism is contained in that shiney alloy housing on the rear left inlet camshaft cover which you can clearly see in this picture of my son's VVC Metro:~



That was taken some time ago when the engine was first fitted. It's an ongoing project ~ as most projects always are and now looks lik ethis:~



Pictures taken from this thread which you may find useful :~

http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=345459

[Bills_metro]

Originally Posted by Disgusted

Says it is auto but manual gearstick and three pedals in the interior photos.

The plot thickens...

There are just too many inconsistencies here that are plainly obvious just reading the ad: God alone knows what other "inconsistencies" there will be in reality.

Only one realistic option here, walk away and don't have ANY regrets, not even a second thought. There will be another, even if you have to build it yourself, and if you do that you will know exactly what you have. There will be lots of help from the elders here if you do.

[swoggles]

doesnt seem morth it so im gna pass up on it but the talon motorsport cars are so expensive!!! if i was to buy a cheap metro could anyone give me a quick guide and price plan on converting it to a vvc?? or direct me to one?thanks guys