richardg
Admonishtrator
Are these really ecu-free? Parkers quote 57mpg for a 1.1. Sounds like the one for me, after I convert it to LPG.
Analogue cars
- Thread starter richardg
- Start date
Are these really ecu-free? Parkers quote 57mpg for a 1.1. Sounds like the one for me, after I convert it to LPG.
richardg
Admonishtrator
That Telegraph article above suggests the W123 is the one to have. Can you elaborate on your experiences with these cars?
Seeker_UK
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Minstrel SE
These go to eleven
Oh I used to love working on My Opel kadett C because I could do most of it myself.
Those were the days. A north south engine ,a Haynes manual and a socket set
. Wish I had it now. They're worth a bob or two in mint nick.
Those were the days. A north south engine ,a Haynes manual and a socket set
. Wish I had it now. They're worth a bob or two in mint nick.Oh I used to love working on My Opel kadett C because I could do most of it myself.
Those were the days. A north south engine ,a Haynes manual and a socket set
Yes, that brings back memories, Hillman Hunters various Fords and BMC cars.
Then I bought a Honda and it took me a while to figure out that the reason I had free weekends was because I now owned a reliable car.
Caught a lot more fish.
Mr Ed
demotivated
pfm Member
The engines are indian [Maruti] so think '70's tractor with a body' Every day is like the Italian job if you spank it. Mine has never needed anything doing except brakes.
Mullardman
Moderately extreme...
Ahh. That's where you got it from....
Seriously Mick, I have a Civic and have had no probs whatever with it.
Thanks for that Derek, I'll have a look and a chat, see what people have to say.
Well, you are in the deep end there, esp if it was a twink. New water pump Sir? Yes, first we have to take the head off, then we can look at the water pump. We'll need to do it again in 50k miles of course. In those days LOTUS really did mean Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious. Enthusiast only and only a daily driver for those VERY deep of pocket, fully paid up members of the AA and with a liking for service station coffee and unplanned overnight stays in Travelodge motels.
No they aren't. Everything 2003 needs an ECU to meet emissions regs that started biting in '92 and have tightened ever since. Don't go LPG on a small car, you lose performance and so have to drive it harder, so you lose economy, so you miss the point.
Yep, buy Japanese and you'll need an annual service and MoT, not much else. They aren't cheap but once bought you'll not do more than tyres, exhausts, servicing and petrol for 100k miles. 9 times out of 10 at least, the rest is down to chance.
richardg
Admonishtrator
Too late! Running a 900kg Smart Forfour on lpg....it is the 1.5 though, so is nearly as fast as a mk1 Golf Gti
topa
Sans CDPs
Well, if the Telegraph suggests so....
What do you want to know?
I basically comes down to this:
W123 more rust problems, no airbags.
W124 less rust problems, airbags.
Engines & Gearbox are more or less exactly the same.
Early (pre '89) W124 had a few problems with gaskets and camshafts, all fixed post '90.
Stick to the 4 pot injection models, the sixers have a few more problems and are rather thirsty. (especially 280).
I like the style of the W123, it's one of the last "oldtimer" cars you can buy for reasonable money. But living north of the alps, you need to consider rust. So the W124 is the more sensible solution. Also worth cosnidering: W126 260se. Not 280.
richardg
Admonishtrator
OK 92, but 90 is not a vintage year for cars either.... the wretched catalytic converter.
80s it is then! Might just get another BMW e30.....
Really? 'Zit any good?
richardg
Admonishtrator
Hilarious car. Same torque steer handling and poor front wheel grip, in the wet but at least it has good brakes! Oh and plenty of wind noise like an 80s hatch too. So fast and economical at 46mpg. Shame about the electronic auto box. If I had bought the manual I would not have started this thread probably.
I owned a Volvo S80 T6 - great car to drive and stupidly fast, but always needed something doing. I kept getting a dashboard message - "Engine Management. Service Required". It turns out it was the 'Brake Pedal Position Sensor' - a small plastic tube containing a circuit board and a plug socket on the end, that goes into the brake servo. What happens is the joints dry where the socket is attached. Take it apart, resolder, job done. Saving £100+VAT
Within a week I was getting errors about ABS, PAS, and brake failure. Cause? The ABS control unit power inlet socket dry joints - a common failing on those. Dismantle it, dab with a soldering iron, reassemble, save nearly £1500.
I wonder how many cars are scrapped for the want of easy repairs like these?
Also, it highlights just how needlessly expensive these electronics are.
Rico
Bloody Colonials
even the e30 is not without its foibles. change fuel pump relay, DME relay, and check fuel lines straight off. before you do all the maintenance items like shocks, brakes, inspection II service etc...
richardg
Admonishtrator
Are you suggesting that diagnosing faults can be just as unreliable now as it was then? I don't remember it that way.
richardg
Admonishtrator
Indeed. I have a variety of lights that come on randomly on my annoying little red light screen near the mirror. At least it doesn't break down.
However, this is an ECU car, so not analogue at all. I must, therefore, sell it!
Rico
Bloody Colonials
Mine (325i Touring) was awesome - had warm stating problems solved by the fuel pump relay. the 'sneeze' it did (very disconcerting for passengers when it occured at 75MPH on motorway) was traced to the DME relay.
the e30 is superb, if now a little dated. I had pagid slotted rotors and fast road pads, had fully serviced it, new shifter bushings, synthetic castrol in the diff and gearbox, had spent a generous amount with Euro Carparts, and Cooks Ferry, and was about to do suspension/wheels/tyres and then have some track day fun. it's taken me 11 years to replace it (e46 touring) and while the e46 is more superior in most aspects, it's more complex and costly to maintain - and let's not talk of the bloody auto that goes kersplat.
e30 definitely merits serious consideration as a good car that is relatively analogue.
W124 300 or 320E would be the other contender, though more thirsty.
the e30 is superb, if now a little dated. I had pagid slotted rotors and fast road pads, had fully serviced it, new shifter bushings, synthetic castrol in the diff and gearbox, had spent a generous amount with Euro Carparts, and Cooks Ferry, and was about to do suspension/wheels/tyres and then have some track day fun. it's taken me 11 years to replace it (e46 touring) and while the e46 is more superior in most aspects, it's more complex and costly to maintain - and let's not talk of the bloody auto that goes kersplat.
e30 definitely merits serious consideration as a good car that is relatively analogue.
W124 300 or 320E would be the other contender, though more thirsty.