Epik Maestro Diesel Collekshun Thread - now wiv foto's

[theorganist]

Today I picked my "new" Maestro up from my friendly garage, it now has an MOT for the first time since 2012.

 

The journey was amazing it involved a 20 minute walk through two housing estates to the garage, I saw no other old cars apart from a lovely mark 3 Jaguar at the garage and my mechanic's Morris Minor pickup. Oh there was also a Morris MInor in and what looked like a Sunbeam Rapier....I didn't take any photos though. I did visit a petrol station on the way home and again I neglected to take a photograph, however I will aim to put that right over the weekend (not in a petrol station probably as I don't anticipate visiting one in the next couple of weeks!

 

It needed two tyres, rear brake shoes, a handbrake cable, wiper blades and a couple of bulbs for the MOT. It was missing a battery so I have purchased a new one, this showed up that the alternator wasn't charging, so I have had a new one fitted.

 

I mistakenly assumed that it had a timing chain not a belt, I don't ever remember having it changed on my Maestro diesel (probably didn't worry about it back then) and my Rover 800 diesel had a timing chain, different engine of course. However on finding out that it does indeed have a timing belt, I had that changed too, so I have spent a fair bit of money on it so far.

 

I have forgotten how to drive an old diesel, it seems very sluggish at first then suddenly picks up, it seems high geared too. It has the bonus of optional power steering, I remember my old one was quite heavy. It is comfortable, it is one of the last so has different seats to my old Clubman, they seem plusher with padded headrests, more like a Mayfair. It has the later Montego facia so the heater controls and switch gear are better placed. It certainly sounds like an old diesel, clatters into life and has that wonderful diesel smell. It seems really smooth and is not that noisy on the move. The gear change feels a little loose but I guess after 138,000 miles that is not a surprise.

 

It has a couple of minor faults, I can't find the choke being one, where is one supposed to hang ones umbrella from?!

 

The only "major" problem is that the heater fan doesn't work, I will investigate over the weekend, luckily I had a handkerchief (clean) for the short drive home. I will also look into what is causing the loud banging from the boot. 

 

I think with the fan fixed, the oil changed and filters changed it will be a really good car. My mechanic was very impressed with how solid it is underneath and how good mechanically it is.

[Brodders]

Very nice, if this is one of the ones that were in the field, well done for buying it. I am surprised that it didn't need much more work considering it was 4 years since the last MOT, but I suppose that is a bonus. Good luck with it and I hope to see some pictures of it up here soon.

[theorganist]

It was part of the collection but was hiding in a shed near the farm house. Sadly the ones in the field had gone when I went to collect the Maxi (long story). I did message Glaspers to find out where they had gone, but got no reply, as I fancied trying to save the blue C reg one as I was on a roll. Plus the others were diesel so plentiful for spares.

 

It has a bit grot on the rear of the wheel arches but I have seen worse on Maestro's. 

 

Complements the Merc and R5 quite well, I like some variety in my fleet!

[Noel Tidybeard]

good luck with the fan- the resistor pack usually packs up

 

replacement of said resistor pack is a bit of a twunt- dash out & split the case

 

maybe the m&moc will have alternative advice

[theorganist]

Thanks, I will check it out.

[dollywobbler]

Excellent. I feel a head-to-head battle coming on now I've got the ZX fixed.

[Faker]

This thread is useless with no pictures! We like pictures!

[Noel Tidybeard]

Excellent. I feel a head-to-head battle coming on now I've got the ZX fixed.

you were winning until this post!

[Lacquer Peel]

Turbo? The VM OHV engine in the 800 has gear a gear driven valvetrain. Robust!

Would love to try a Monstro diesel.

[theorganist]

Excellent. I feel a head-to-head battle coming on now I've got the ZX fixed.

Sounds like a plan

[theorganist]

This thread is useless with no pictures! We like pictures!

I shall take some Saturday

[theorganist]

Turbo? The VM OHV engine in the 800 has gear a gear driven valvetrain. Robust!

Would love to try a Monstro diesel.

Yes this is a turbo diesel, I think it should go well.

 

I hadn't realised the VM engine was OHV, explains the timing chain then. It went well, however it decided to behave like other Rover's of the period and blew the head gasket!

[dollywobbler]

Oh, it's a turbo? I'm out-gunned! Great to see it saved though. I feel this has gone rather better than the Maxi promised.

[forddeliveryboy]

Change the gear oil too - not many pennies but well worf it. PAS in a Maestro - luxury!

[Lacquer Peel]

Oh, it's a turbo? I'm out-gunned! Great to see it saved though. I feel this has gone rather better than the Maxi promised.

 

Maestro TD 0-60 12.1s

ZX 1.9D 0-60 14.2s

 

Get him on the corners.

[Cavcraft]

You've done really well with that and the turbo diesels are magic.

[Rocket88]

I got one of these for my Dad some years ago...................he liked it so much he drove it into the sea.................accidentally misjudged the tide, according to him....................

[D Spares & Tyres]

Have you found the work experience lad from the garage in the boot yet?

[Noel Tidybeard]

Maestro TD 0-60 12.1s

ZX 1.9D 0-60 14.2s

 

Get him on the corners.

 

never underestimate the cornering/handling of an maestro

[robinmasters]

never underestimate the cornering/handling of an maestro

I once overestimated the cornering/handling of a Maestro. Or maybe it was my talent I overestimated.

[Asimo]

never underestimate the cornering/handling of an maestro

I went from Maestro to 5 series: the BMW felt much faster through the corners but was actually much slower through them than the mighty Maestro.

 

And was there ever a hatchback with better visibility?

[Eddie Honda]

Maxi

 

Sorry, that's a five door saloon (until the DVLA changed my docs without asking)

[theorganist]

I went from Maestro to 5 series: the BMW felt much faster through the corners but was actually much slower through them than the mighty Maestro.

 

And was there ever a hatchback with better visibility?

Probably not, apart from maybe the Maxi although the Maestro has bigger glass. Although as mine currently permanently looks like it has been to the local dogging spots due to a non working heater fan it does inhibit visibility somewhat!

[Arragonis]

The banging in the boot will be the tailgate, adjust the catch at the bottom to increase the tension - they came from the factory with that rattle fitted as standard.

 

Had a red one from new back in the day, very nice to drive. Could frighten a TD 306 up to about 100 and never did less than 55 MPG. L-Series sounds like a smaller Disco TDi of the same vintage.

[theorganist]

The banging in the boot will be the tailgate, adjust the catch at the bottom to increase the tension - they came from the factory with that rattle fitted as standard.

 

Had a red one from new back in the day, very nice to drive. Could frighten a TD 306 up to about 100 and never did less than 55 MPG. L-Series sounds like a smaller Disco TDi of the same vintage.

I think it is the tailgate, I will put that on my list of jobs, I also have a non starting Renault 5 to sort out. I have noticed the rear seat back isn't sitting properly, I will have a good look in the daylight over the weekend.

 

I seems noisier than I remember my old one being but maybe in context with today's diesels it just sounds noisier. It certainly moves when the turbo kicks in.

[Arragonis]

Would love another. We need pics!

[theorganist]

Should get some pictures tomorrow. After I have rescued my broken down Renault 5!

[warninglight]

When you got it home did you literally cry?

[theorganist]

Here are some pictures of the battle-worn beast!

 

 

 

 

If anyone is interested in the random alloy wheel I found in the boot, let me know?!

[Lacquer Peel]

Class in a glass.