Mk 1 2.1 Manual Estate, Ebay

2.1 Estate blue, Mk 1 manual 230k.


Item number: 330290463152
Item location: Honiton, Devon, United Kingdom

Alledgedly has recon engine, looks very nice in the pictures. I might go and have a look at it. Anyone interested? Its actually at Sherbourne.

I nearly mentioned this to you but didn't bother even though it's almost under your feet as it's a s1...

Looks nice and sounds OK too!

Andrew

it does indeed look interesting (to me anyway) If you do go look at it, please keep us informed.

ken

I'm going to try and have a look at it tommorrow (Monday).

Peter.

Those Tesco value wheel trims would have to go ...

Looks tidy though.

By Tesco Value do you mean SX?

(just kidding)

Well, I've been to see it, but didn't drive it on account of no tax, but from what I can tell its quite a nice car. The first thing I noticed was what looked like white speckles on the bonnet and front of the car, looked as though it had been under a tree, but on closer inspection it was primer, little spots of paint have come off, having said that though, the car overall looks quite smart with no immediate evidence of rust, I didn't look underneath except at the spare wheel carrier and that looked in perfect condition, but I don't know if the Mk1s suffer from rusty carriers.

The engine sounds very nice, there is no evidence of head gasket leakage and plenty of antifreeze. The engine itself looks quite clean, apart from an oil leak making the sump wet, I think this is the rocker cover gasket, there is evidence that the engine has been out recently as its clean in places that you can't reach. I would certainly think that the clutch has been replaced, its very light (for a 2.1) and has the right feel to it, the gearchange also feels nice.

The interior also look quite nice and clean, the only damage I noticed was a small hole in the front passenger seat, but he has a scrap silver estate with a good pair of front seats.

Its as nice a car as I have seen for the age, many Mk2s are not in as good a condition. For anyone who wants one it would certainly be worth a look or a try even. Although I havn't driven it, I am quite confident that it will be OK - if it doesn't match the description of course, you are under no obligation to buy.

Peter.N.

This post has been edited by Peter.N. on December 01, 2008 06:49 pm

Thanks for that Peter, I have it on watch and will be keeping a close eye on it. It's a long way from me but mine is starting to fall apart a bit now and I'm going to have to start looking for something else soon. I'm not keen on the S2 so looking for an S1 at the right price

I also went to see this today and I'm quite tempted to lob a bid on it - provided I'm not stepping on anyone's toes.

Is it common practice to have a plastic squash bottle to collect the overflow from the expansion tank though - or might it suggest there's a problem there?



This post has been edited by mouseflakes on December 02, 2008 10:14 pm

It suggests he is losing some coolant through the overflow. It could be that the filler cap seal is leaking at less than the design pressure. It could be due to some overpressure in the cooling system perhaps from a leaky head gasket. Time to ask a question I think. Need to test with a new, or known good cap, by revving the engine at cold and up to temperature and see if any coolant emerges in the bottle. As car cannot be road tested ask if sale is conditional on passing that test.
If it fails factor in a head gasket in the bid.
To the owners credit he has succeded in avoiding loss of antifreeze as any bottle contents can be recycled!

Robert.

Ken - I have PM'd and emailed you - sorry I did not see your PM sooner.

Tim.

I didn't notice that, shows how observant I am! Without driving it its not usually possible to tell if the head gasket is leaking, it certainly didn't show any sign of it by revving the engine but it really needs a spell of full throttle under load driving to prove it. It might be good to make a road test a condition of the sale.

Peter.N.

Not to worry Peter - I saw it while looking round the car - but forgot to ask the owner about it! It was only when I looked at the listing again that I recalled spotting it while there. How much of a duffer am I?

I'd take the optimists' view that if it stays cheap then the car is worth the risk. It's a solid car with sills, arches, jacking points, strut tops all sound (you can tell I'm used to older vehicles - I'm always excited at the prospect of 'no welding needed'!).

However - we're having to have a new boiler being fitted this week so I'm no longer in a position to buy (insure and tax) an extra car.

This post has been edited by mouseflakes on December 04, 2008 11:59 am

Blimey! That didn't take very long!!

So, is it a good un then?