MDifficult’s E82 1M Coupe & Ariel Atom 3
Discussion
Tom4398cc said:
Very interesting that you quite fancy having your GP2 back. I regret selling mine (#1791).
I seem to remember that when you sold yours, you said the decals made it a frustrating car to try to clean and polish. Does being reminded of that help? If not, you’ll just have to go and have a look at the current contents of your garage and tell yourself the current fleet isn’t too shabby.
It's funny, I think there's a couple of things at play really.. (it would be interesting to know if you found the same)...I seem to remember that when you sold yours, you said the decals made it a frustrating car to try to clean and polish. Does being reminded of that help? If not, you’ll just have to go and have a look at the current contents of your garage and tell yourself the current fleet isn’t too shabby.
1. I really bloody loved that car because it looked great, drove great, and really had the optimum amount of size, power and performance for most UK roads most of the time.
2. I also had some of my best adventures in it - adventures I know would be less fun in almost anything else (even my current cars), so there's a huge dose of nostalgia too.
3. If people keep putting stupid prices on them, they're just going to start becoming garage queens which is real shame.
But, you're absolutely right, I sold it for a reason! I think it was just the fact it came up on Collecting Cars looking a little unloved and I wanted to rescue it then send it back out into the world
Call it loyalty maybe?
NeilAndHisMini said:
I did spot it was your old GP2 on Collecting Cars, and wondered ... 
Have been through the usual winter routine of driving doldrums/boredom and looking at potential replacements for mine, but also as usual I just couldn't do it. Know I'd regret it, as per your reasons 1 and 2, and a couple of recent drives in sunshine on dry tarmac made me laugh at myself for even considering it. There's one which is never ever going to be a garage queen.
Hey Neil! Glad you're keeping it and well done for spotting that one was mine! Have been through the usual winter routine of driving doldrums/boredom and looking at potential replacements for mine, but also as usual I just couldn't do it. Know I'd regret it, as per your reasons 1 and 2, and a couple of recent drives in sunshine on dry tarmac made me laugh at myself for even considering it. There's one which is never ever going to be a garage queen.
I'll tell you what makes it even worse.. that neighbour of mine still has his (in fact, rumour has it amongst the local car nerds that he also has an 'as-new' one tucked away in the garage!) and I have to walk past it every day when I'm walking the dog
which really doesn't help. I've got a terrible memory so I had to look back through this thread to remember why I sold it when I loved it so much... it was to help fund the 1M.
keo said:
MDifficult you can’t keep them all mate! I only really miss one car I sold. My Clio Trophy it was mint, 44k when I sold it I think. For £5k to put towards my house deposit…
It currently up for sale for £16.5k I would be very tempted to buy it back but it’s been messed about with and turned into a track car….
It currently up for sale for £16.5k I would be very tempted to buy it back but it’s been messed about with and turned into a track car….
You're so right! You should definitely talk to MrTouring.. he's still pining for his old RS Clio too and regularly talks about buying it back. It's for the same reasons too.. they're brilliant cars for UK roads and deliver amazing adventures!
A few small updates,
The Atom finally came out of hibernation and, combined with a day off, ferried me to the new Caffeine & Machine in Hampshire which was lovely. The geography means it's never going to match the majesty of 'The Hill' but it's much closer and a welcome spot for a coffee and a mooch around the carpark. Lots of interested guys with a million questions when I came back outside which is always lovely - without fail someone will mention that Clarkson Top Gear review and it always makes me smile!
The 1M has been performing family car duties but a recent stag do meant a solo trip from home to the middle of the Peak District. The weather was foul and the M40 was delayed 90 minutes so I did a huge chunk of the journey cross-country where the car just comes alive! 'Full send' down endless twisty country roads with the Waze guy shouting pace-notes through the stereo for 100 miles - it was the perfect reminder of why it's such a great car for that sort of nonsense. By the time I got back home again 3 days later it had a brown tide mark up to the windows
So pleased was I, I gave it a thorough detail to get it back to looking lovely, all ready for the Sunday Service at Mercedes Benz World. Another great one (personal favourites.. the Alfa Giulia GTA and the red Ford Puma 1.7 - neither of which did I think to take pictures of!) and even the weather held off.
Lastly, it went in for its 'major' service at BMW today. Thankfully, no issues again (well, not on the tech side at least) and the car feels even better. Brake Fluid, Gearbox Oil, Diff Oil, Plugs, Filters and a new rear coil spring (the coating was coming off one of them and why wait for it to corrode and snap?). I can't say the gear change felt bad in any way before, but it's buttery smooth now.
And that's it - fully updated. Next big adventure is the return to Prescott Hill Climb in a fortnight. I really hope the weather plays ball and I can take the Atom again, but if not I'll try slithering the 1M up the hill instead
The Atom finally came out of hibernation and, combined with a day off, ferried me to the new Caffeine & Machine in Hampshire which was lovely. The geography means it's never going to match the majesty of 'The Hill' but it's much closer and a welcome spot for a coffee and a mooch around the carpark. Lots of interested guys with a million questions when I came back outside which is always lovely - without fail someone will mention that Clarkson Top Gear review and it always makes me smile!
The 1M has been performing family car duties but a recent stag do meant a solo trip from home to the middle of the Peak District. The weather was foul and the M40 was delayed 90 minutes so I did a huge chunk of the journey cross-country where the car just comes alive! 'Full send' down endless twisty country roads with the Waze guy shouting pace-notes through the stereo for 100 miles - it was the perfect reminder of why it's such a great car for that sort of nonsense. By the time I got back home again 3 days later it had a brown tide mark up to the windows
So pleased was I, I gave it a thorough detail to get it back to looking lovely, all ready for the Sunday Service at Mercedes Benz World. Another great one (personal favourites.. the Alfa Giulia GTA and the red Ford Puma 1.7 - neither of which did I think to take pictures of!) and even the weather held off.
Lastly, it went in for its 'major' service at BMW today. Thankfully, no issues again (well, not on the tech side at least) and the car feels even better. Brake Fluid, Gearbox Oil, Diff Oil, Plugs, Filters and a new rear coil spring (the coating was coming off one of them and why wait for it to corrode and snap?). I can't say the gear change felt bad in any way before, but it's buttery smooth now.
And that's it - fully updated. Next big adventure is the return to Prescott Hill Climb in a fortnight. I really hope the weather plays ball and I can take the Atom again, but if not I'll try slithering the 1M up the hill instead
After almost a year of looking, faffing, nearly 'pulling the trigger' and then backing away, I've finally secured myself a spare set of 'summer/track' wheels for the Atom and I'm chuffed to bits!
A little background... Atom 3 wheels are a bit of a pain because they're in a stupid PDC of 4x95.25 which is basically Lotus Elise S1, MGF and nothing else of any interest. That means when it comes to getting spare wheels you only have a couple of options.
Option 1 is to get a second hand set of what I already have, Team Dynamics 1.2s. These are only available second hand because although Rimstock (the people who make them) are back out of receivership, the Ariel factory have given up with them and so haven't ordered any in the Atom sizes for ages. Unfortunately they don't come up for sale very often in Atom fitment and when they do they nearly always need a refurb AND people want a lot of money for them. I absolutely love these wheels but sadly, never managed to find myself a second set (and they are quite heavy)..
Option 2 is to buy a new set of Braid wheels from the Atom factory. They're excellent wheels, same thing as on the Atom 4, look fantastic but are... £1,500 for a set which... I can't really justify. But if I couldn't find another option I was resigned to getting these..
Option 3 is to go for the super-light and ruinously expensive Dymag magnesium wheels. These were a ridiculously expensive option back in the day and sets change hands for £1,500-£3,000 depending on condition even ten years after they stopped making them. The positives is that they look amazing, are the lightest possible option and are flash as f*ck. But.. buying magnesium wheels second hand is a tricky business because you've no idea what life they've led and they're prone to cracking. The only real option is to send them for crack-testing and refinishing which is around £250 a wheel AND there's only really one guy in the UK anyone trusts with Dymag magnesium wheels. So, amazing wheels but super expensive options. Sets have come up from time to time but both the cost, and the fear of one failing, ultimately put me off...
Option 4 is that Skunkworx (an independent Atom parts supplier) once got a production run of Rotas made in the right fitting. They're all long-since sold out but they were great value, almost as light as the Damags, strong and could be had in matt black, gloss black or gold. There's not many sets out there though but if they come up they're basically a similar priced option to option 1.
So... I've been around and around this loop for about a year, with wheels coming up but being in a bad state, or too far away, or too expensive, or needing refinishing, or being of questionable virtue and I got to the point of... screw it... option 2 and £1,500 it is. BUT, before I placed the order with Ariel I decided to check eBay just one more time and... literally about 45 minutes earlier a guy had put up a boxed, unused set of matt black Rotas up for sale for a bargain price (cheaper than used TD 1.2s). I made a cheeky offer below that and... within ten minutes... accepted!
At this point, like anyone, there's always a risk of this being a scam or some other issue but this morning.. these well-worn boxes arrived..
Looking good so far...
Oh baby...
As promised, they're absolutely mint having seemingly never left the boxes. There's even fresh centre caps and brand new black wheel bolts in the packaging too. Again.. result!!
I ran off to the tyre fitters with my new wheels, my set of part worn super-sticky AO52s and some new wheelbags all crammed into the 1M and came back with these...
All ready for their centre caps and to be fitted to the Atom as soon as I spot a warm, sunny day on the horizon. The moral of this story? Sometime, being a procrastinator really DOES pay off.
A little background... Atom 3 wheels are a bit of a pain because they're in a stupid PDC of 4x95.25 which is basically Lotus Elise S1, MGF and nothing else of any interest. That means when it comes to getting spare wheels you only have a couple of options.
Option 1 is to get a second hand set of what I already have, Team Dynamics 1.2s. These are only available second hand because although Rimstock (the people who make them) are back out of receivership, the Ariel factory have given up with them and so haven't ordered any in the Atom sizes for ages. Unfortunately they don't come up for sale very often in Atom fitment and when they do they nearly always need a refurb AND people want a lot of money for them. I absolutely love these wheels but sadly, never managed to find myself a second set (and they are quite heavy)..
Option 2 is to buy a new set of Braid wheels from the Atom factory. They're excellent wheels, same thing as on the Atom 4, look fantastic but are... £1,500 for a set which... I can't really justify. But if I couldn't find another option I was resigned to getting these..
Option 3 is to go for the super-light and ruinously expensive Dymag magnesium wheels. These were a ridiculously expensive option back in the day and sets change hands for £1,500-£3,000 depending on condition even ten years after they stopped making them. The positives is that they look amazing, are the lightest possible option and are flash as f*ck. But.. buying magnesium wheels second hand is a tricky business because you've no idea what life they've led and they're prone to cracking. The only real option is to send them for crack-testing and refinishing which is around £250 a wheel AND there's only really one guy in the UK anyone trusts with Dymag magnesium wheels. So, amazing wheels but super expensive options. Sets have come up from time to time but both the cost, and the fear of one failing, ultimately put me off...
Option 4 is that Skunkworx (an independent Atom parts supplier) once got a production run of Rotas made in the right fitting. They're all long-since sold out but they were great value, almost as light as the Damags, strong and could be had in matt black, gloss black or gold. There's not many sets out there though but if they come up they're basically a similar priced option to option 1.
So... I've been around and around this loop for about a year, with wheels coming up but being in a bad state, or too far away, or too expensive, or needing refinishing, or being of questionable virtue and I got to the point of... screw it... option 2 and £1,500 it is. BUT, before I placed the order with Ariel I decided to check eBay just one more time and... literally about 45 minutes earlier a guy had put up a boxed, unused set of matt black Rotas up for sale for a bargain price (cheaper than used TD 1.2s). I made a cheeky offer below that and... within ten minutes... accepted!
At this point, like anyone, there's always a risk of this being a scam or some other issue but this morning.. these well-worn boxes arrived..
Looking good so far...
Oh baby...
As promised, they're absolutely mint having seemingly never left the boxes. There's even fresh centre caps and brand new black wheel bolts in the packaging too. Again.. result!!
I ran off to the tyre fitters with my new wheels, my set of part worn super-sticky AO52s and some new wheelbags all crammed into the 1M and came back with these...
All ready for their centre caps and to be fitted to the Atom as soon as I spot a warm, sunny day on the horizon. The moral of this story? Sometime, being a procrastinator really DOES pay off.
d_a_n1979 said:
Oohh... I am partial to a set of Rota Slips
Because I'm old I ran these and Rota Grids (as well as a few Enkei and Buddyclub wheel sets) on my Jap import Honda's back in the early 2000s when Rota were just making a name for themselves
Superb wheels; they'll look spiffing on the Atom
Cheers mate - yeah, they should look the business as a track wheel I am partial to a set of Rota Slips Because I'm old
I ran these and Rota Grids (as well as a few Enkei and Buddyclub wheel sets) on my Jap import Honda's back in the early 2000s when Rota were just making a name for themselvesSuperb wheels; they'll look spiffing on the Atom
Kaveney said:
Well thank you very much ..... i just about have my weight saving fetish under control and you post about some new sexy light weight wheels 
They look very nice and even better that you got them at a great price so well played that man .
Amazingly, they’re only 10% heavier than the magnesium ones - I’m absolutely chuffed because they would have been a steal used, let alone brand new. Can’t wait to finally try the A052s which all the other Atom owners swear are the dogs danglies! They look very nice and even better that you got them at a great price so well played that man .
In preparation for the upcoming 'two weeks of hot sunny weather' the MET office has promised us, I figured I should stop titting around, get the wheels fitted and be ready to go...
Fitment is great (the fronts require a small 5mm spacer because I have the larger Alcon brakes and it gives enough clearance) so I'm really pleased. I'll admit, I personally prefer the gunmetal TD 1.2 style on the Atom but these look purposeful, are light, strong and just perfect for track wheels.
So pleased was I with the evening's work, I finally got around to treating the Atom and myself to another little upgrade... a glovebox! Finally somewhere to put my wallet, keys, spare ear plugs and sunglasses... which should finally free my pockets and relieve me of my fear that something will fall out of my pocket and onto the road
It's a repurposed waterproof bicycle frame bag and fits perfectly onto the little space on the tub - firmly attached! Practically luxurious! It'll be floor mats and an ashtray before you know it!
Right, come on sunshine.. I want to stop fiddling and drive this bloody thing!
Fitment is great (the fronts require a small 5mm spacer because I have the larger Alcon brakes and it gives enough clearance) so I'm really pleased. I'll admit, I personally prefer the gunmetal TD 1.2 style on the Atom but these look purposeful, are light, strong and just perfect for track wheels.
So pleased was I with the evening's work, I finally got around to treating the Atom and myself to another little upgrade... a glovebox! Finally somewhere to put my wallet, keys, spare ear plugs and sunglasses... which should finally free my pockets and relieve me of my fear that something will fall out of my pocket and onto the road
It's a repurposed waterproof bicycle frame bag and fits perfectly onto the little space on the tub - firmly attached! Practically luxurious! It'll be floor mats and an ashtray before you know it!
Right, come on sunshine.. I want to stop fiddling and drive this bloody thing!
My wish came true.. we had a couple of days of actual sunny sunshine.. so much so that I managed to do a couple of hundred miles... in shorts! Got a little nippy towards the end but it was lovely to be back at it. Seems a distant memory now, as I sit here looking at the hail out of the window.. but the summer briefly started!
So far, so good on the A052s. I started with the pressures too high (19psi all round) and it was extremely darty. After a chat with other owners I went down to 13psi front and 15 rear and that added a bunch of extra compliance and calmed everything down. Most notable difference to the AD08RS is that they're much more confidence inspiring at the front, which is where you need it on an Atom, so I can see why all the owners rave amount them. Still don't like the looks of black wheels as much as the gunmetal ones, but can't argue with the performance.
Only minor wrinkle to the weekend... came around a country road corner in a 50 zone (doing 50) to find a bus overtaking a cyclist right before the bend... cue a bum-clench for all of us (me, the bus driver and the cyclist) as it all got a bit tight but we all made it out the other side with inches to spare. I hope the driver of the bus got a little wake-up call about choosing his moments more appropriately. I did a little hat-tip to my departed grandfather who always taught me to 'only drive as fast as you can see' because his advice saved me again
So far, so good on the A052s. I started with the pressures too high (19psi all round) and it was extremely darty. After a chat with other owners I went down to 13psi front and 15 rear and that added a bunch of extra compliance and calmed everything down. Most notable difference to the AD08RS is that they're much more confidence inspiring at the front, which is where you need it on an Atom, so I can see why all the owners rave amount them. Still don't like the looks of black wheels as much as the gunmetal ones, but can't argue with the performance.
Only minor wrinkle to the weekend... came around a country road corner in a 50 zone (doing 50) to find a bus overtaking a cyclist right before the bend... cue a bum-clench for all of us (me, the bus driver and the cyclist) as it all got a bit tight but we all made it out the other side with inches to spare. I hope the driver of the bus got a little wake-up call about choosing his moments more appropriately. I did a little hat-tip to my departed grandfather who always taught me to 'only drive as fast as you can see' because his advice saved me again
Bit of a different update to normal...
There's a chance that I might be putting the 1M up for sale on Pistonheads - an opportunity on another dream car of mine has potentially come up.
Before I do though, there's a chance that one of the readers of this thread has always thought 'I'd bloody love that car if he decided to sell it'.
It'll be heart-wrenching to see it go but if you're interested, now's the time! I'll probably be putting the ad up in the next day or so.
Cheers
There's a chance that I might be putting the 1M up for sale on Pistonheads - an opportunity on another dream car of mine has potentially come up.
Before I do though, there's a chance that one of the readers of this thread has always thought 'I'd bloody love that car if he decided to sell it'.
It'll be heart-wrenching to see it go but if you're interested, now's the time! I'll probably be putting the ad up in the next day or so.
Cheers
Moderator edit: link to PH ad is fine, otherwise no advertising please
JakeT said:
I’ll give you £20k. I’m local, so it’s obviously a good deal for you since you might see it around sometimes.
In all seriousness though, good luck with the sale. I’m sure whatever you’re selling it for must be very special!
Well. it's an opening bid! Thank you In all seriousness though, good luck with the sale. I’m sure whatever you’re selling it for must be very special!
And you're right.. it's going to take something very special to prise me out of this car. Very far from a done-deal at the moment but fingers crossed.
Here's a link to the advert for anyone who's interested in breaking my heart and buying it
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16638691
Any feedback welcome - hate writing adverts and bound to have missed something!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16638691
Any feedback welcome - hate writing adverts and bound to have missed something!
bencollins4 said:
Just did my usual daily refresh of newly listed private cars for sale and I knew whose car this was instantly! Can’t say I’m not tempted……..! I’m also interested in what could prise you out of this, but can see you are not going to reveal this just yet!
Hey, thanks very much! Honestly, I'm not trying to be secretive but I'm a big believer in not counting chickens.. especially as there's a lot of steps between putting up the adverts and actually replacing it! Suffice to say, if it comes off, it won't disappoint.
d_a_n1979 said:
Sad to see this up for sale; but it must be hell of a car you're considering to 'up the ante' on the 1M
Mr Tidy said:
It's a shame to see it listed, but if you have your heart set on something else that's how it goes, unless you can keep them all!
So many cars, so little time.
Cheers chaps - very kind. There’s a fair chance I may have taken total leave of my senses this time but let’s hope not! So many cars, so little time.
d_a_n1979 said:
Can we start guessing at its replacement?
I'll start - 2CV with a K20 conversion...
Close! I'll start - 2CV with a K20 conversion...
keo said:
I was going say Mono. I might be wrong but his exploits in the atom prove he is mad/ daft enough
You flatter me! I'm way, way short of being able to afford a Mono and personally, don't see the point of a fast car with one seat. There's a clue for everyone though.. it has more than one seat! The 1M is still for sale but signs are good so far. As always, there's been an epic number of time wasters on email but I've turned down a couple of good offers and I've had three visits so far from apparently genuine potential buyers - it was amazing the uptick in interest when the sun came out
Clearly the short remaining MOT was a mild concern for some so the car went in for a fresh one this morning, flying through as expected.
Been two weeks now though, so I'm toying with putting the car on Autotrader too and see what that brings. I'll give it until the end of the week and then decide.
With the Atom, I'm getting excited for the Prescott Climb on Sunday (weather is looking favourable!) and I've got a brand new set of AO52s to stick on afterwards ready for June's Anglesey Adventure. I've been using it quite a bit now the good weather is finally here and I have to say these tires really are a revelation - especially on the brakes. On a dry, flat piece of tarmac you can lock them but you have to be really, REALLY trying. Remarkable.
Clearly the short remaining MOT was a mild concern for some so the car went in for a fresh one this morning, flying through as expected.
Been two weeks now though, so I'm toying with putting the car on Autotrader too and see what that brings. I'll give it until the end of the week and then decide.
With the Atom, I'm getting excited for the Prescott Climb on Sunday (weather is looking favourable!) and I've got a brand new set of AO52s to stick on afterwards ready for June's Anglesey Adventure. I've been using it quite a bit now the good weather is finally here and I have to say these tires really are a revelation - especially on the brakes. On a dry, flat piece of tarmac you can lock them but you have to be really, REALLY trying. Remarkable.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff