MR2 (2000 onwards) – what to look out for?
Discussion
I can't remember the exact specifics unfortunately but I vaguely remember that this generation of MR2 (with the 1ZZ-FE engine) had a problem with the catalytic converter that meant it would gradually degrade until the honeycomb inside would disintegrate and send bits of it into your engine.
gazchap said:
I can't remember the exact specifics unfortunately but I vaguely remember that this generation of MR2 (with the 1ZZ-FE engine) had a problem with the catalytic converter that meant it would gradually degrade until the honeycomb inside would disintegrate and send bits of it into your engine.
?? Are you saying it could go backwards into the engine?Frimley111R said:
gazchap said:
I can't remember the exact specifics unfortunately but I vaguely remember that this generation of MR2 (with the 1ZZ-FE engine) had a problem with the catalytic converter that meant it would gradually degrade until the honeycomb inside would disintegrate and send bits of it into your engine.
?? Are you saying it could go backwards into the engine?Wadeski said:
As has been said, get a facelift one if you can - the early ones hat cat problems.
im sure the owners club will have all the correct info though.
Definatly, the newer ones have nicer back lights, front fogs and are 6 speed. I think they have a timing chain instead of a belt too.im sure the owners club will have all the correct info though.
Hi Guys
I bought a 2001 model MR2 Mk3 a couple of years back - during the research process prior to purchasing the car I almost decided against buying a Mk3 due to the pre-cat issues.
The deciding factors for me were:
- when the problem occurs it does so very quickly - within a few miles
- standard spec stainless steel manifolds are available which when fitted remove any possibility of the pre-cat material being sucked back into the engine and causing the failure
Therefore if the problem has not already occurred the fitment of a new manifold means that it cannot happen. If you are purchasing the car from a garage and have a 3 or 6 month warranty then even better.
My Mk3 has been utterly reliable requiring only service items to be replaced! I have the Toyota lower springs fitted with 16 inch alloys and slightly wider than standard tyres - this improved the road holding without upsetting the balance.
Good luck with it!
I bought a 2001 model MR2 Mk3 a couple of years back - during the research process prior to purchasing the car I almost decided against buying a Mk3 due to the pre-cat issues.
The deciding factors for me were:
- when the problem occurs it does so very quickly - within a few miles
- standard spec stainless steel manifolds are available which when fitted remove any possibility of the pre-cat material being sucked back into the engine and causing the failure
Therefore if the problem has not already occurred the fitment of a new manifold means that it cannot happen. If you are purchasing the car from a garage and have a 3 or 6 month warranty then even better.
My Mk3 has been utterly reliable requiring only service items to be replaced! I have the Toyota lower springs fitted with 16 inch alloys and slightly wider than standard tyres - this improved the road holding without upsetting the balance.
Good luck with it!
Rust, pre-facelift cars and staggered tyres.
The subframes rust quite badly for some reason, have a poke about it if possible. Easy to weld once it's off but a good bargaining tool.
The early engines had problems, some folk say chocolate cranks, others say the precats get ingested with the VVTi working at cruising speed. Either way, it's only about £50-£100 to have the pre-cats removed, i normally do that when fitting the replacement engines. Which are about £500-£1000 to buy plus about £300 fitting. An early car with a bust engine you can get very cheap, budget for a late engine (or something bigger?) and you're laughing.
If you don't have wider tyres on the rear than the front then the handling is somewhat scary. The roadster is very very sensitive to tyre choice and stagger so get it right.
If it's an MR-s import rather than a UK MR2 then chances are it won't have the LSD.
So, essentially, get a 2003 onwards UK Mr2 and you'll defo not be dissapointed.
The subframes rust quite badly for some reason, have a poke about it if possible. Easy to weld once it's off but a good bargaining tool.
The early engines had problems, some folk say chocolate cranks, others say the precats get ingested with the VVTi working at cruising speed. Either way, it's only about £50-£100 to have the pre-cats removed, i normally do that when fitting the replacement engines. Which are about £500-£1000 to buy plus about £300 fitting. An early car with a bust engine you can get very cheap, budget for a late engine (or something bigger?) and you're laughing.
If you don't have wider tyres on the rear than the front then the handling is somewhat scary. The roadster is very very sensitive to tyre choice and stagger so get it right.
If it's an MR-s import rather than a UK MR2 then chances are it won't have the LSD.
So, essentially, get a 2003 onwards UK Mr2 and you'll defo not be dissapointed.
OlberJ said:
Rust, pre-facelift cars and staggered tyres.
The subframes rust quite badly for some reason, have a poke about it if possible. Easy to weld once it's off but a good bargaining tool.
The early engines had problems, some folk say chocolate cranks, others say the precats get ingested with the VVTi working at cruising speed. Either way, it's only about £50-£100 to have the pre-cats removed, i normally do that when fitting the replacement engines. Which are about £500-£1000 to buy plus about £300 fitting. An early car with a bust engine you can get very cheap, budget for a late engine (or something bigger?) and you're laughing.
If you don't have wider tyres on the rear than the front then the handling is somewhat scary. The roadster is very very sensitive to tyre choice and stagger so get it right.
If it's an MR-s import rather than a UK MR2 then chances are it won't have the LSD.
So, essentially, get a 2003 onwards UK Mr2 and you'll defo not be dissapointed.
Having been the victim of HGF, then due to a slack fitted timing chain, bent valves, the engine has now died (HGF round 2).The subframes rust quite badly for some reason, have a poke about it if possible. Easy to weld once it's off but a good bargaining tool.
The early engines had problems, some folk say chocolate cranks, others say the precats get ingested with the VVTi working at cruising speed. Either way, it's only about £50-£100 to have the pre-cats removed, i normally do that when fitting the replacement engines. Which are about £500-£1000 to buy plus about £300 fitting. An early car with a bust engine you can get very cheap, budget for a late engine (or something bigger?) and you're laughing.
If you don't have wider tyres on the rear than the front then the handling is somewhat scary. The roadster is very very sensitive to tyre choice and stagger so get it right.
If it's an MR-s import rather than a UK MR2 then chances are it won't have the LSD.
So, essentially, get a 2003 onwards UK Mr2 and you'll defo not be dissapointed.
The AF sensors went and the Cat fell to bits.
The car is now sat looking quite sad. I'm not spending any more money on the engine as I suspect the head is warped or cracked (compression tests say it's fine but 2 HGF's in 1 year tells me otherwise).
So, where are these £500-1000 engines and 300 fitting.
I want one.
Have cash waiting.
(as long as they're not the ones off of ebay)
Hi Oli,
the engines we have picked up from breakers. DA Autoparts were the most recent ones we used, 2004 engine 45k on it for £500+VAT. Also had a reconned engine from somewhere else (will need to check) that came in at about £900 delivered.
We can swap the engine in to your current car for £300 including all your oil and coolant.
Only other thing i'd recommend is fitting a new clutch while the gearbox is being swapped over unless it's been done recently.
Whereabouts are you based?
(Tried to email you but it says you aren't receiving emails)
the engines we have picked up from breakers. DA Autoparts were the most recent ones we used, 2004 engine 45k on it for £500+VAT. Also had a reconned engine from somewhere else (will need to check) that came in at about £900 delivered.
We can swap the engine in to your current car for £300 including all your oil and coolant.
Only other thing i'd recommend is fitting a new clutch while the gearbox is being swapped over unless it's been done recently.
Whereabouts are you based?
(Tried to email you but it says you aren't receiving emails)
OlberJ said:
Hi Oli,
the engines we have picked up from breakers. DA Autoparts were the most recent ones we used, 2004 engine 45k on it for £500+VAT. Also had a reconned engine from somewhere else (will need to check) that came in at about £900 delivered.
We can swap the engine in to your current car for £300 including all your oil and coolant.
Only other thing i'd recommend is fitting a new clutch while the gearbox is being swapped over unless it's been done recently.
Whereabouts are you based?
(Tried to email you but it says you aren't receiving emails)
Hi J/Olber,the engines we have picked up from breakers. DA Autoparts were the most recent ones we used, 2004 engine 45k on it for £500+VAT. Also had a reconned engine from somewhere else (will need to check) that came in at about £900 delivered.
We can swap the engine in to your current car for £300 including all your oil and coolant.
Only other thing i'd recommend is fitting a new clutch while the gearbox is being swapped over unless it's been done recently.
Whereabouts are you based?
(Tried to email you but it says you aren't receiving emails)
In Basingstoke but am happy to have the car trailered to wherever (Good old AA). The 45k engine sounds fine. I'll email you my email address.
Cheers.
OlberJ said:
Also had a reconned engine from somewhere else (will need to check) that came in at about £900 delivered.
Possibly from api?http://apiengines.com/petrol.php
OlberJ said:
Hi Oli,
the engines we have picked up from breakers. DA Autoparts were the most recent ones we used, 2004 engine 45k on it for £500+VAT. Also had a reconned engine from somewhere else (will need to check) that came in at about £900 delivered.
We can swap the engine in to your current car for £300 including all your oil and coolant.
Only other thing i'd recommend is fitting a new clutch while the gearbox is being swapped over unless it's been done recently.
Whereabouts are you based?
(Tried to email you but it says you aren't receiving emails)
Hmmm, just realised, you're about as far away from me as is humanly possible (within the confines of the GB borders).the engines we have picked up from breakers. DA Autoparts were the most recent ones we used, 2004 engine 45k on it for £500+VAT. Also had a reconned engine from somewhere else (will need to check) that came in at about £900 delivered.
We can swap the engine in to your current car for £300 including all your oil and coolant.
Only other thing i'd recommend is fitting a new clutch while the gearbox is being swapped over unless it's been done recently.
Whereabouts are you based?
(Tried to email you but it says you aren't receiving emails)
Not sure anyone would take the car to Glasgow, a good 393 miles away from me.
DO you have any Southern counterparts you'd recommend?
:-)
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