£1000 Vectra SRI daily shed
Discussion
So new chain kit and tensioner is on, not my work but my very good mechanic mate who's looking at it for me.
Little bit of wear in its 143,000 miles, definitely wasn't broken anyway or in piece's as many tensioners are around 50k
Think the constant topping up of oil all its life has helped considerably.
Little bit of wear in its 143,000 miles, definitely wasn't broken anyway or in piece's as many tensioners are around 50k
Think the constant topping up of oil all its life has helped considerably.
chrismc1977 said:
Next job should be an O2 sensor.
That will likely be the running issue- especially if it’s thrown a code previously.
I don’t think a stretched/faulty timing chain issue will affect the sensor in any way personally.
Apparently a strenched chain allows unburnt fuel passed the cylinders into the manifold, thus runs lean then triggers O2 sensor, as it tries to compensate - then you get bad running.That will likely be the running issue- especially if it’s thrown a code previously.
I don’t think a stretched/faulty timing chain issue will affect the sensor in any way personally.
Glad chain is done anyway, long overdue
MINI's back, been ran and all seems well (touch wood) - definitely a marked improvement in its drivability.
So, it's had:
- Timings chain and Tensioners
- Oil + Filter (engine flush and Lucas oil stabilizer also, wonderful stuff this use this on most my chain driven cars I've had)
- Oil Filter housing gasket and cam cover gasket replacement (apparently a pig of a job the oil housing gasket)
- Lambda exhaust sensor also for good measure as this was EML triggered even after timing chain.
It's running all within it's timing tolerances now, so it's had a clean bill of health.
Let's see how we go, I am still quids in with what I wanted to spend on it, we all have a budget but I thought this MINI was definitely worth saving and carrying on with, and I still think £800 is a bargain tbh for a running MINI.
Will update in few weeks see how we go
So, it's had:
- Timings chain and Tensioners
- Oil + Filter (engine flush and Lucas oil stabilizer also, wonderful stuff this use this on most my chain driven cars I've had)
- Oil Filter housing gasket and cam cover gasket replacement (apparently a pig of a job the oil housing gasket)
- Lambda exhaust sensor also for good measure as this was EML triggered even after timing chain.
It's running all within it's timing tolerances now, so it's had a clean bill of health.
Let's see how we go, I am still quids in with what I wanted to spend on it, we all have a budget but I thought this MINI was definitely worth saving and carrying on with, and I still think £800 is a bargain tbh for a running MINI.
Will update in few weeks see how we go
Edited by 757 on Friday 3rd December 17:27
Cambs_Stuart said:
It's always good to catch up on the maintenance on older cars. Especially when it looks like you've got a good one.
How's the suspension?
Suspension is knocky in places, probably needs a refresh at this mileage - but I am not willing too put anything into it until it needs it i.e MOT or my mechanic tells me it needs doing.How's the suspension?
_Mja_ said:
Nice job and has got my brain thinking as I like these Minis.
I was going to get rid of my family estate (8yrs old, owned since 6 mths old, good car) for an electric car but the thought of a run around mini and keeping my estate appeals and will surely cost a lot less.
What's the deal with engines - i think I'll avoid the 1.4 on reading the thread although you're doing a stirling job at maintaining the bits that need attention. Is the 1.6 petrol the best motor to go for in the minis?
Cheers, yeah the 1.4 is not too bad, completely gutless tbh, coming from a 5 cylinder Volvo and a previous twin turbo SAAB it was quite a shock I was going to get rid of my family estate (8yrs old, owned since 6 mths old, good car) for an electric car but the thought of a run around mini and keeping my estate appeals and will surely cost a lot less.
What's the deal with engines - i think I'll avoid the 1.4 on reading the thread although you're doing a stirling job at maintaining the bits that need attention. Is the 1.6 petrol the best motor to go for in the minis?
1.4/1.6 use the same engine the PSA just different ECU tune...I believe in these R56 models, happy to be told differently?
A little more poke in the 1.6 would be nice, they do go quite well once up to speed, but that's not the point of a MINI, even this 1.4 can hustle the country lanes superbly, it's fun to drive.
shalmaneser said:
From memory the mini one only opens the throttle up to a maximum of 75% whereas the cooper opens the throttle 100% so a remap can be quite effective.
But that is a ten year old memory so it could be complete rubbish but might be worth looking in to
Possibly, I have read the 75bhp 1.4 'First', (this isn't a One, it has 20bhp less than a One) is actually quite tricky to bump up the power to the One let alone a Cooper, no idea why - doubt I will bother anyway, if it means spending money unessesarily, nah this is the shed game with this MINI But that is a ten year old memory so it could be complete rubbish but might be worth looking in to
It will get money spending on it if it requires it - only.
Ouroboros said:
Glad you kept it.
I bought a car to save on fuel, then working from home lol.
Yeah, pretty happy with it now tbh - done 300 miles so far in this, 200 of which are this week already, really is like a different car now.I bought a car to save on fuel, then working from home lol.
I am working kind of hybrid at the moment, so in the office twice a week compared to daily, mixture of fast motorway and country lanes, get to 65/68mph it cruises really nice.
Still, this is cheaper than having a expensive depreciating diesel on the drive & running costs etc etc, nice having the capital in the bank rather than locked in a car, why didn't I do this years ago!!
One thing I've noticed so far, especially in this weather is how dirty MINI's get, I know the short rear overhang doesn't help the rear staying clean, but the rake of the front window means, your constantly on the washer jets!
Edited by 757 on Tuesday 7th December 08:20
a11y_m said:
Noticed that when I owned a R56 too - filthy rear end. What condition is the windscreen in with those miles? At 40k miles mine was pitted/chipped to hell due to that rake you mention, it was terrible driving at night.
That looks great with the steels and roofbars.
And they really drive better on smaller wheels don't they! I swapped from 17" with RFTs to 16" and non-RFTs on my Cooper S. Not a common thing to do but improved the ride and handling immensely.
The front windscreen is in a dire state, still useable That looks great with the steels and roofbars.
And they really drive better on smaller wheels don't they! I swapped from 17" with RFTs to 16" and non-RFTs on my Cooper S. Not a common thing to do but improved the ride and handling immensely.
but pitted and lots of repaired holes, it looks to be the original screen aswell - few more may result in me using my windscreen excess to get replacement, see how I go, did have a few advisories in the past due to this on the MOT.Definitely agree on the smaller wheels, super cheap tyres too and a fantastic ride quality, yeah people seem to get suckered into big fancy wheels, but I know a few mates have downsized their wheels on various cars just due to the state of the UK roads, gets very very tiresome daily.
So, after a week of having the work done and about 350 miles under it's nice new chain.
I checked the oil levels and all is fine, hasn't lost any, so it's not burned anything noticeably either which is great!
I did add some Lucas stabilizer to the oil when we changed it, great stuff this as it slightly thinkens the oil (not by much but a enough) and quietens downs things.
I checked underneath and all is nice and dry so the oil leaks have been nicely rectified.
So far so good, the MINI has been a little trooper so far, sitting up at 70mph on the motorway holding its own, the lack of torque is hilarious though but it sits there quite happily and is remarkably comfortable really.
I do tend to come off a junction before my turn off and take it down the the country lanes, as its so fun chucking it about, dropping down a gear, all the noise and not actually going faster than 30mph!
Makes me humble thinking I'm mixing with some expensive cars on my commute but knowing my £800 MINI is hustling just aswell as the £££ leases and newer cars, is quite funny, we all still get there in the end
I checked the oil levels and all is fine, hasn't lost any, so it's not burned anything noticeably either which is great!
I did add some Lucas stabilizer to the oil when we changed it, great stuff this as it slightly thinkens the oil (not by much but a enough) and quietens downs things.
I checked underneath and all is nice and dry so the oil leaks have been nicely rectified.
So far so good, the MINI has been a little trooper so far, sitting up at 70mph on the motorway holding its own, the lack of torque is hilarious though but it sits there quite happily and is remarkably comfortable really.
I do tend to come off a junction before my turn off and take it down the the country lanes, as its so fun chucking it about, dropping down a gear, all the noise and not actually going faster than 30mph!
Makes me humble thinking I'm mixing with some expensive cars on my commute but knowing my £800 MINI is hustling just aswell as the £££ leases and newer cars, is quite funny, we all still get there in the end
144,100 miles
My safety OCD gas got the better of me in terms of having brand new rubber at the front of the car, so quick swap REAR > FRONT etc - to get the older tyres worn down a little more, as they are getting on a little but with lots of tread (date code 2016..)??
Hoping to swap to full winters all year (whole set at somepoint once these wear down) if we have the car that long...no reason I won't at this rate.
Also, one jack will jack up the entire side of a MINI, makes the process such a quicker job
My safety OCD gas got the better of me in terms of having brand new rubber at the front of the car, so quick swap REAR > FRONT etc - to get the older tyres worn down a little more, as they are getting on a little but with lots of tread (date code 2016..)??
Hoping to swap to full winters all year (whole set at somepoint once these wear down) if we have the car that long...no reason I won't at this rate.
Also, one jack will jack up the entire side of a MINI, makes the process such a quicker job
Edited by 757 on Sunday 12th December 12:27
Had a really bent steel wheel, so knew it would be an issue at somepoint, did try and bang it back but seemed daft when I could just get a fresh used unbent one...so local scrappers for the win, £10!! Got my mate to rebalance my tyre onto it.
Even comes with extra dirt/brake dust, to match the rest of them
Even comes with extra dirt/brake dust, to match the rest of them
_Yeti said:
Well with a small bit of inspiration from this thread and a large lack of financial sense. I now have an R56 Cooper S sitting outside. Not quite the bargain you have for slogging the motorway, but a mini nonetheless and a high-miler to match (130k). I have found out something interesting though, apparently, if you equip yourself with the 15-inch alloys, the Ginetta Junior race series runs road-spec tyres in the form of Michelin Pilot Sport 3s and can be found on a certain auction-site for around £100-ish for a set of 4...
Happy shedding fella!
Edit: Just discovered the 15s only fit on the R53
Happy shedding fella!
Edit: Just discovered the 15s only fit on the R53
Edited by _Yeti on Friday 17th December 13:08
I'm glad I have inspired your MINI purchase!
Ah that's a shame with the 15" wheels, makes tyre purchased very very cheap! I love the handling on these steels, the car originally had 16" cooper wheels on (currently on eBay) and I immediately but the OEM 15" steels back on, less faff and less worry.
Shed Christmas present...£15 eBay special air and cabin filter service. 
Few tricky screws and little bit fiddly, but all done - just in time for a brew.
Air filter wasn't too shabby, but the pollen was particularly gross.
MINI has been great over the past 1,000+ miles under my watch, so let's see what the new year brings.
Oil is in check, not lost any, topped it up a little just out of habit but it's tighter than ever it seems now under there.
Happy shedding for 2022
Few tricky screws and little bit fiddly, but all done - just in time for a brew.
Air filter wasn't too shabby, but the pollen was particularly gross.
MINI has been great over the past 1,000+ miles under my watch, so let's see what the new year brings.
Oil is in check, not lost any, topped it up a little just out of habit but it's tighter than ever it seems now under there.
Happy shedding for 2022
Edited by 757 on Friday 31st December 13:20
dirky dirk said:
I got given a 1.4 09 plate
Its a pain id never have another one and this was free
Its like it knows youve free time and throws a fault up just to keep you busy
Its a pain id never have another one and this was free
Its like it knows youve free time and throws a fault up just to keep you busy
yeah, they do have a reputation, this is a stop gap car hoping to get a good years motoring out of it, see when MOT comes around in Sept '22 then see where we are - been good up to now I've fixed a few things on it, we will see.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff