Aren't E46s reknown for rear suspension and subframe problems? Maybe Rich's had a knackered rear end.
Older car styling
- Thread starter Sue Pertwee-Tyr
- Start date
Aren't E46s reknown for rear suspension and subframe problems? Maybe Rich's had a knackered rear end.
Tony Lockhart
Avoiding Stress, at Every Opportunity
Yes, to me they are the prettiest hot hatch ever. Covered many miles driving them while doing a press job for the RAC Rally in 1989 and 1990. Lovely experiences.
richardg
Admonishtrator
It's a bit like a rock star returning to his early days for inspiration....often it helps. Sometimes those difficult years were the problem, not the return to old ways.
The Abarth 500 is a masterpiece in my opinion.
kennyh
pfm Member
Are they still the same floor pan and running gear as the KA?
richardg
Admonishtrator
Yeah could be....the main issue with the E46 seemed to be deteriorating running gear that never seemed to be 100% right after throwing cash at them.
Whaleblue
Southbound
From 1984 to 1988 I owned one of these:
In more-or-less that colour.
I paid £1600 for it, and sold it for a little more than that. The chassis was rotten (which I declared to the purchaser), and he was chuffed with it.
The picture above is for a recently restored example, now up for auction for £30k+.
I really wish I still had mine. Not for the financial gain, but because I think it was a fantastic looking car.
In more-or-less that colour.
I paid £1600 for it, and sold it for a little more than that. The chassis was rotten (which I declared to the purchaser), and he was chuffed with it.
The picture above is for a recently restored example, now up for auction for £30k+.
I really wish I still had mine. Not for the financial gain, but because I think it was a fantastic looking car.
richardg
Admonishtrator
We have one, I thought it was a Panda...is that a Ka too? They have not changed the car since launch I believe.
Whaleblue
Southbound
The 7 had nothing of the TR heritage about it, other than a badge. When I had my 5 I joined the owners club (for parts and advice). Owners of the 7 were not allowed to join that club. Mean, but correct.
kennyh
pfm Member
Not sure Rich. Mrs fancied a 500 until she found out it was basically a KA. She had the mk 1 KA many years ago and it was probably the worst new/modern car we have had, laden with trouble.
Shame as I think they are a nice looking little city car too.
eternumviti
Insufficient privileges to reply.
Great little cars, but you wouldn't have wanted to have an accident in one. The panels were like paper, you could almost bend them with willpower.
richardg
Admonishtrator
All good after 4 years from new, except all the electric buttons in the door rest came unglued and needed putting back....Italians eh. 140bhp is just right. The Competiziones are not nice at all. To be in or drive.
Tony Lockhart
Avoiding Stress, at Every Opportunity
kennyh
pfm Member
Problem I reckon with the Mrs's was it was a SportKA (not the daft StreetKA as some people think) and its wheels were just too big and wide for the wishbones to cope, it truly ate them....usually taking the tyre down to its carcass if I didn't keep vigilant. The car underneath was basically the same as the 1.0 car but with the 1.6 X/FLOW based engine and no mods to support this. A ridiculous contraption. Looked the part though hence she bought it against my misgivings.
Heater and rust issues too all at 3 years old. I'm sure the next gen. cars have this sorted now or they'd never sell them.
Suffolk Tony
Aim low, achieve your goals, avoid disappointment.
Yes, lovely looking things. I had a 4A, in Wedgwood Blue. SAH tuned. Loved that car, marriage forced sale.From 1984 to 1988 I owned one of these:
In more-or-less that colour.
I paid £1600 for it, and sold it for a little more than that. The chassis was rotten (which I declared to the purchaser), and he was chuffed with it.
The picture above is for a recently restored example, now up for auction for £30k+.
I really wish I still had mine. Not for the financial gain, but because I think it was a fantastic looking car.
Tony Lockhart
Avoiding Stress, at Every Opportunity
Do people still say things like “I’m a Ford man. I’ve always bought Fords, always bloody will.”?
Even as a kid I thought that was weird, limiting, and tinged with hatred.
Suffolk Tony
Aim low, achieve your goals, avoid disappointment.
Had one of those as well, a 1955 red one. Bought for £125, sold for £150. They're worth a bit more these days.Always thought the MG A was a graceful looking thing.
kennyh
pfm Member
Good question, I remember exactly the same thing.
kennyh
pfm Member
We must have very similar tastes Tony, I knew we had TVR's in common but now TR's as well. I had a Red TR4 IRS, a Safron 125 TR6 and a Mimosa 150.
richardg
Admonishtrator
I was defo a Honda man in the 80s and 90s for bikes. But only because noone came close at the time.