MR2 Roadster - A Tale Of Woe, Maybe...

[Martin350]

Yeah, it would, but remember this car car effectively cost me £572 four and a half years ago, and despite the inevitable running repairs on a 16-20 year old car, it's done ok!
And you never know, it may get through another M.O.T. yet.

Ha, when I bought this one I only wanted one this colour, I love it!
There used to be another one this colour in the Maidstone area. One evening I was directly behind it driving through the town centre.
Whilst stopped in traffic a pedestrian asked me if we were travelling together on some kind of run out. I don't think he believed me when I said that I'd never met the other owner and it was just by chance we were together!

I'm sure the subframe could be welded but I don't doubt it's a very tricky job to do well.
My undertray was destroyed after hitting a huge puddle last year, haha!

Thanks for the offer, I'll see how things go with the car in the meantime, but I'll keep it in mind!

Edited by Martin350 on Saturday 14th November 23:49

[Ilovejapcrap]

mrtwisty said:

Would be a shame to see it go to the scrappy, especially given the work you've already put in and the rarity of the colour (never seen a green one on the road).

I was told that the subframe can't be welded, but I'm not sure on that - its a multi-piece welded item from new, so surely it can be patched? Not that an MOT tester would know anyway if your undertray is on...

If you're interested, I'll have the 1ZZ for sale from my '05 car in the late spring (the 2ZZ from my old Celica is waiting patiently to be fitted, pending completion of various other projects!).

The sub frame can be welded. I know of about 4 personally, if done right it may be even stronger than factory. Get it posdefcoated after a flash colour for extra chav factor like.

Mine failed MOT yesterday. I may have put my wheel on wrong and I may have turned so far I snapped the wire in steering squib. Anyway a new one is 30 quid and in it's way ro me.

[Martin350]

Thought I'd update from its MOT last month, which wasn't great but not that much of a surprise...



I've patched up the inner sills and got it through and when I get a bit of time I might address the other areas of corrosion with some rubbing down and under body schutz, or something.
But this really might be its last year, we'll see...

[Craikeybaby]

I kept saying that for about 3 years on my mk1 MX-5...

[Martin350]

I've said it for at least the last two years!

[Martin350]

Well, it's all come to a (big) end... (There's a clue there).

Last month I enjoyed a trip from Kent to Wiltshire, to see family, and back. Apart from using nearly a litre of oil in 300 or so miles it was great, a really enjoyable drive.

On thursday, I had an evening out with a local friend and we went to the coast, another nice drive.
After I'd dropped her off and nearly back at home, I heard a faint rattle, and again when I pulled up at home.

On my short commute the next day it got a little worse.
By sunday it was some more worse , I hoped it was something auxiliary drive belt train related so I removed the belt and ran the engine, no different.

This evening, on my way home from work, the noise got much badder, and my worst fears were confirmed when the oil pressure light came on...

Goodbye, dear friend, goodbye.



But hello 2004 E46 BMW 330ci M Sport.
I've fancied one of these for ages and I picked one up from Woking tonight!
And it made the journey home without any issues!

[MB140]

Well the MR2 has been a loyal servant to you.

Now I know you posted at mid night about it’s passing but come on man where is the thread and photos for the BMW.

Good luck with this one.

[Martin350]

Yes, five years and three months for a purchase price of, effectively, under £600. I can't complain!


Haha, I didn't get the BMW home until about 10pm.
Once I get round to cleaning it and taking some photos I might start a thread. Hopefully there won't be as much to report on this one!
Thank you.

Here's a taster.

Edited by Martin350 on Wednesday 18th August 10:33

[mrtwisty]

Oh that's a shame. Has it gone to Copart, or might someone save it?

[Martin350]

Yeah, I am a little bit sad about it, to be honest. I will miss it.

I'm going to keep the seats, wheels and tyres, and maybe a few other bits to sell on ebay and weigh in the rest.

I need the car gone quickly due to lack of space.

[Martin350]

MB140 said:

come on man where is the thread and photos for the BMW.

There you go!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[MB140]

Martin350 said:

MB140 said:

come on man where is the thread and photos for the BMW.

There you go!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Ta very much

[Ilovejapcrap]

sold my mr2 roadster about 5 months ago. Still miss it

[Martin350]

I know what you mean.
The BMW is very nice and all, but do I kinda miss the knackered little green car, ha!

[Martin350]

I can now draw this chapter to a close.

Quite an inglorious end but it's gone off to be a donor for another car, a conversion to a manual gearbox included, so some of it at least will live on.

It's been emotional, ha!

[carinaman]

I really like that colour. You got a fair few years out of it and bits of it will live on in another car.

[Martin350]

It used to get a lot of comments from people about the colour, it wasn't everyone's choice, but I only wanted one that colour.

Yeah, it's good to know that it won't all go in the bin, ha!