Rover 100 Metro thing: worth a punt?

[timolloyd]

I've spotted a giffer-spec Rover 100 languishing on a drive in a respectable area near my house. Covered in green tree deposit, it could have been there six months or six years. I have a feeling it was a second car that's just no longer used, or something's gone wrong and its never been fixed.

 

I'm missing having some proper shite in my life, and everything else that is properly for sale locally is IMO overpriced 'OMG these are going up in value'.

 

I can see the suspension is low on this one - what's that about? Anything else I should be looking out for? I'm not averse to a bit of welding and mechanical fettling, but need to avoid a complete basket case.

[Tamworthbay]

They are dead simple but can rust like anything. Go over it like you would any other car and you will be fine. It will have a K series if it's a 100, I love them and if looked after they are great. Get it cheap though as they are only worth peanuts at the moment so you don't want to fork out a lot on it.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

The 100 with the k series is a wonderful thing. I used to have a 1.1, which is an 8v with a carb (in the rover metro anyway, the 100 might be SPI?)

 

It's a real peach of an engine, very eager and to my knowledge doesn't suffer as badly from OMGHGF as the twin cam K series.

 

Generally Rover metros rust like buggery especially the rear arches.

Fuel tanks can leak badly around the seam.

Also the usual issues with the hydrolastic system

 

Seem to recall some relationship with the MGF, front subframe maybe?

 

Miss mine

[paulplom]

The mgf has the front metro subframe mounted at the rear. The suspension probably just needs topping up with fluid. The mgf uses hydrolastic suspension too. The later mgtf uses springs and shocks iirc.

[Faker]

The mgf has the front metro subframe mounted at the rear. The suspension probably just needs topping up with fluid. The mgf uses hydrolastic suspension too. The later mgtf uses springs and shocks iirc.

Is it not 2x metro front sub frames fitted front and rear in an mgf?

[EssDeeWon]

How much is it?  Pics or it hasn't happened 

 

There are some really low mileage examples of these around, when I say low I mean 20k or 30k from new.

[timolloyd]

Thanks for the encouragement. Planning a sneaky closer inspection tomorrow morning. 

 

Confession: I didn't realise there was a Rover 100 and a Rover Metro. Either way, sounds like terminal rot is the only thing to worry about.

[sierraman]

If it's sat there for six years I'd be looking to charge him to take it away. Bear in mind the possibility of it having pissed water in, damp, condensation, engine seized etc. Almost certainly budget for wholesale overhaul of the brakes. You'll also find with use stuff like seals and bearings dry up and give trouble. Unless it's something rare or its for spares I wouldn't bother. A really good ones worth £500 tops so...

[dugong]

Is it not 2x metro front sub frames fitted front and rear in an mgf?

Aye. At the front the sockets for the CV joints are still there, just unused.

 

The amount of 'make do and mend' engineering in the MGF astonishes me it works at all.

[Six-cylinder]

If that does not work out my 114 GSi 5 door now with fixed head gasket could be available for a very modest sum.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

If that does not work out my 114 GSi 5 door now with fixed head gasket could be avaidable for a very modist sum.

I would say the 1400 8v would give the metro fairly decent performance

[Six-cylinder]

I think they are lively enough to enjoy.

[timolloyd]

Thanks again. I'm after something to tinker with, so provided it hasn't been sat too long and I can satisfy myself it isn't completely rotten, then I'll make a proper offer.

[Ghosty]

They're just a Metro with fancy bumpers and a K instead of an A series. Low suspension is gas, etc. Can't be too bad and there's a wealth of knowledge.

[M'coli]

They're just a Metro with fancy bumpers and a K instead of an A series. Low suspension is gas, etc. Can't be too bad and there's a wealth of knowledge.

Have you driven both types?  The K-series cars are so much better than the A-series ones in terms of ride comfort and refinement.  My last A-series one soon had K-series suspension, it's so much better.

[2MB]

I would say the 1400 8v would give the metro fairly decent performance

It does. Felt quick when I was 15 anyway, but I don't think a medium sized engine in a tiny car ever stops being fun

[Guest Lord Sward]

They're GR8.

[Ghosty]

Have you driven both types? 

 

Driven? I should be so lucky. My only experience is of A series cars.

[UltraWomble]

If that does not work out my 114 GSi 5 door now with fixed head gasket could be available for a very modest sum.

Did you drive sideways into that field?

[dave21478]

Have you driven both types?  The K-series cars are so much better than the A-series ones in terms of ride comfort and refinement.  My last A-series one soon had K-series suspension, it's so much better.

 

Really? My A-series is unbearably harsh on bumpy roads...Is it a straight swap....displacers and pipes....anything else required? How much of a difference does it make?

 

I have spied a few K-series for sale cheap so could get a whole donor car if required.

[Tamworthbay]

Did you drive sideways into that field?

Is there any other way?

[M'coli]

Really? My A-series is unbearably harsh on bumpy roads...Is it a straight swap....displacers and pipes....anything else required? How much of a difference does it make?

 

I have spied a few K-series for sale cheap so could get a whole donor car if required.

Near enough - the front subframe needs a semi-circle of metal removing to clear the pipe union as the pipes exit at a different position to the A-series displacer's Schraeder valve, you need to sort out some way of supporting the pipes (P-clips and pop rivets) but the difference in ride comfort is utterly remarkable.  The youngsters on Metropower don't think so, they're too set on individualising valves (I'd love to see the pan-flat roads that they drive on because they don't exist where I live) but it transforms the car.

[dave21478]

Interesting, thanks!

Something to consider as a wee winter project.