Hello,
I have a friend who is turning 17 in June and am looking to find a car for her. I have looked at several different cars including Rover Metros. The only problem is can you get the parts? Her dad seems to think you can't? The cars are dirt cheap but if the parts are going to cost a fortune or be impossible to get, then it kinda defeats the object of buying one.
Thanks
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The parts anyone is likely to need are available from motor factors - there's still a large enough number out there to warrant parts being made, and many of the key components are shared with other Leyland/Rover models. As a last resort there are loads in the breakers' yards.
For the money you won't get a cheaper car.
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There is no problem with MG Rover parts.
Xpart continues to supply genuine spares:
"XPart is the one and only dedicated source of Genuine Parts for MG and Rover models, from the latest 2005 range all the way back to classic cars from the 1980s and before.
XPart has been at the heart of MG Rover genuine parts since 2003 and today we continue the worldwide sourcing and supply of 50,000 MG Rover genuine parts lines.
You can rest assured that we always have at least £40 million worth of MG Rover genuine parts in stock in the UK. Our vast global distribution centre in Leicestershire operates around the clock to ensure next-day delivery to our network of wholesalers and retail outlets."
www.xpart.com/index.htm
Two of my local (SE London) Nissan dealers also supply parts and servicing for Rover.
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You'll find it's the silly little parts that'll cost you - if you wanted a central locking solenoid from a dealer (which tend to fail with alarming regularity) you'd now be paying around £80 for something that's worth a tenner at most. Try to get one that doesn't have any of the obvious and well understood problems and you should get a good amount of happy motoring out if it - the little K series engines are gems :)
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Maplin do central locking motors for the Metro.
tinyurl.com/2wh465
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Maplin do central locking motors for the Metro. tinyurl.com/2wh465
Just one thing; why would you bother to fix faulty central locking on a metro? Seems irrelevant to me.
And if the OP is that worried about finding spare parts, just buy an MOT failure from as little as nil pounds, it will be a good source of spares.
BTW, I have a set of Rover 111 GSI alloys and genuine half darkened rear lights if anyone is interested!
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Be wary of rust on these cars, to be honest there are far better cars you can buy for peanuts (there's still loads of old square Nissan Micras about). Parts aren't generally a problem for Rovers, as things like timing belts and brake-pads are made by several different companies and available at any motor factor. Car-specific parts are available from any local Rover parts dept (otherwise known as a scrap-yard) for very reasonable rates!
Later Metro 1.4's have the K-series engine which is a HGF waiting to happen, especially as an old Metro isn't likely to have been rigorously maintained. They're cheap for a reason - you get what you pay for. Spend a bit more initally and you'll have a car that'll last a couple of years and won't be a rusty death-trap in the meantime. It may also be slightly more reassuring to drive than a metro!
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Later Metro 1.4's have the K-series engine which is a HGF waiting to happen especially
I'd be interested in knowing your source for that claim - afaik there is no evidence to support it. The 1.4 K Series proved a very reliable engine. It was when they upped the cc that the big problems started.
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I'd be interested in knowing your source for that claim - afaik there is no evidence to support it. The 1.4 K Series proved a very reliable engine. It was when they upped the cc that the big problems started.
Oh come on -- 1.4 K-series engines fail with alarming regularity. I'd go so far as to say that I've known over a dozen people with this engine in various cars, and each and every one of them has failed with the same thing.
Yes, it can be mitigated with proper servicing, but I certainly wouldn't take the risk. I'd chance a 10-year-old Fiat Punto before I had a 1.4 K-Series!!
However, I believe that the 1.1 is a sturdy enough engine. Go for the 1.1 if you can.
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1.4, 1.6, 1.8 K Series all prone to HGF although it was the 1.8 and the very early 2.5's fitted to the R800 that were the worst.
1.1 seems to be largely immune.
Rust is a big problem. If you can find a tidy 1.1 then it's worth a go. But my money would be on something newer in design. The Metro has its roots back in the late 1970's with crash protection of that era. I would look for a Corsa or Fiesta. Possibly a 205 if you can find a good one.
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I suffered HGF with a Rover 100 1.1 and so did a friend of mine. Dunno what the OP's budget is, but you'll find plenty of tidy Micra K11s for a lot less than a grand. Much better buy IMHO.
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>>I'd be interested in knowing your source for that claim - afaik there is no evidence to support it. The 1.4 K Series proved a very reliable engine.
They suffer from a few problems that not even regular servicing can prevent,the main being h/g caused by overheating,mainly due to position of thermostat,there are a few forums of people with h/g failure and other problems as well.
In fact I would go so far as to say K-series suffers more h/g problems than any other car I know!
--
Steve
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It was such an unnecessary blight on what was otherwise a decent engine.
It'll be interesting to see how the Nanjing N-Series performs -- as I don't imagine the Chinese company spent too much on the modification.
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It was such an unnecessary blight on what was otherwise a decent engine. It'll be interesting to see how the Nanjing N-Series performs -- as I don't imagine the Chinese company spent too much on the modification.
I beleave they are fitting steel headgaskets.
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Get a Micra. Parts are cheap because so few are needed. It is safer, more reliable and a better car in every respect. The market is flooded with them.
In this case the obvious chioce really is the best.
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Given that 17 year olds drive too fast, neglect cars, have no mechanical sympathy , never wash cars and are the targets of any traffic cop looking for an unroadworthy vehicle:
an old Metro is about the worst car to chose.
madf
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