1991 Rover - Austin Metro l from UK and Ireland - Comments

Right were do we start.

I bought the car and the clutch was slipping.

That was OK. Then the next thing to go wrong was you guessed it the head gasket. {k-series engine}

Then I discovered the rear radius arm bushes was worn and needed replaced.

I noticed petrol leaking out when I was putting it in and looked and there was a hole in the delivery chute. But the way Rover put it on it needed a tank which I got from my local scrapyard.

After doing the head gasket and studs, replaced the timing belt and changed the oil and filter I started it up and noticed water gushing out of the side of the engine. Guess what the water pump packed up.

I got a new water pump and put it on and started it up and then I had to bleed the system.

Around the back wheel arches rust got the better of it and I ended up scrapping it. I was never so pleased to see it getting crushed after the trouble it gave me.

I would never have one again if you gave one to me because it is a load of rubbish. There was not much leg room. I am 6 foot and your legs were crushed driving the thing.

It was well finished inside. The seats weren't worn or there was no damage to the upholstery.

What do you expect when you buy a Metro with 93000 miles on it? My first two cars were mk2 Metros, and apart from a little rust, they only required routine maintenance to get over 60,000, each from 10,000 over 5 years. They never let me down, even though they are average built cars, and there are loads of better cars out there, but I didn't have a clutch or waterpump go in either car.

Got my Civic now, and that is the pinacle of engineering genius, and beats any car for superb build and engine, including the germans. Buy a car for the quality, and don't be vain and get the badge first, and think of the car second.

Do you think the head gasket went because all the water "gushed" out the side of the engine, because I do.

I personally love my Metro, 1.1 K series, lovely little run around, work on it all of the time because of the oil leaks, but love doing it, so it's no problemo =). It has the most comfortable seats ever, if I got a new car, would want to take the seats with me. Speedy lil car too. Perfect to me =)

Storm.