Mk.1 Buying guide

[banther]

So going to look at a Mk.1 tomorrow.

Anything major I should be looking at?

​Any help massively appreciated.

 

[Harbinger]

Not really but if you getting rid of the Cup shotgun Cup Turinis with a swap for 182 wheels?

 

[banther]

No I'm not.

You wouldnt want them anyway. Flakey pain.

 

[Matt@codered]

Which phase/year is it?
Rusty rear arches and sills, play in the steering column, noisey steering pump, noisey hydraulic tappets to name a few things to look/listen out for.

I co wrote a buyers guide many moons ago for 'French Performance Car', my old red car was used for the write up, Terryc101 now owns it..... God, I miss that car.

 

[Harbinger]

FFS fate clearly doesn't want me to have these rims, any links to the MK1? is it a Williams 1,2,3?

 

[banther]

I cant link to it mate - its not for me its for a fellow member and he wants it kept under wraps. Its not advertised anywhere to my knowledge.

Its a 1.8 16 valve 1992.

​Thanks for help so far.

 

[Harbinger]

Valver, rust mainly, and above stuff, generally i'd make sure it's all documented with belts etc etc, body parts wishbones etc aren't the most expensive and any car this old will need these things, unless it's advertised as minter than mint and never been in the rain.

 

[banther]

To me it looks tatty as f**k but Ive been asked to go look at it so I will.

Just didnt want to turn up and look around it like a lemon.

​Rust it is!! It has no Tax or MOT so cant take it out unfortunately. Cant i test the steering wheel noises on site?

 

[Harbinger]

well the steering will be under more load when it's still won't it so turn full lock each way and listen to it whine, squeal like a pig.

I would be careful of rust around the arse though, expensive to put right properly unless you can find a bodger to chop it out and coat with filler and paint cheaply, how much is it?

 

[banther]

As I said - not for me.

Its ludicrously cheap for what it is. Just needs a bit of TLC on the exterior. Photos are shite though.

I'll be listening for that whine.

TBH when I go to look at cares I go really slowly around everything and notice the seller's behaviour. Anything dodgy and they get tetchy and try to hurry you along.

 

[Harbinger]

I'd want to see it with a warm engine too, see how it sounds, also try and get inside and wiggle the wheel about and listen for any clunks, knocks, creaks etc, personally id want to drive it, cant check gearbox, clutch, brakes and bearings with it sitting.

 

[banther]

Yeah I know.

​But hey, its not for me just following the potential buyers wishes. I'll try to drive it down his drive hahaha

 

[Matt@codered]

At least you can find out if the diff circlip has popped just going up the drive :rasp:
Does your mate want a project or a daily driver?

 

[Zmaster2k]

J plates dont tend to rust that bad tbh

Body :-
Rear arches as already said, £ Circa 500-700 to put right (if you want a good job)
Floor:- Tends to be passenger side caused by leaky heater matrix. But worth checked out sills too, (9 times out of ten the inner sills need attention too)
Front wings are plastic, but the inner wings are susceptible too

Enginewise, the hydraulic tappets in the F7's are LOUD with age, but a good oil will sort them out.. if not you can buy a set of 16 on ebay for £65ish (better than the £300 from renault)

Steering column's are also prone to ware causing ALOT of play, check for this. (canbe fixed with a welder)
Some power steering pumps tend to be LOUD but these can be swapped out (Mat Brown is your man for a spare)

Gearboxes tend to be weak but there are lots of options for replacement. 172 cup, Williams, Megane etc JB3/Jc5 series with speedo drive.

if you need anyhing let me know

 

[Chris Lewis]

So going to look at a Mk.1 tomorrow.

Anything major I should be looking at?

​Any help massively appreciated.

Unless it has been owned by an obsessive owner, it will be very rusty. Might look ok on the surface but underneath everything will be fubar. The only mk1 i would touch with a barge pole would be a williams 1, as they justify the excessive work you have to do to maintain them.

 

[Chris Lewis]

Nothing wrong with the gearboxes if you drive normally on the road within the legal limits and service them regularly.

 

[Chris Lewis]

Don't money on hydraulic tappets, just service the car regularly and give it a flush and they quieten down.

 

[banther]

Thanks for all your help guys. I'll have the thread open when I go to view it!!

 

[adeathfromadove]

So going to look at a Mk.1 tomorrow.

Anything major I should be looking at?

​Any help massively appreciated.

Check the chassis and frame, check if its primed, the mk1 clio for a couple of years wasnt primed properly by the french and caused it to rust quickly. My N reg was a typical example, rust on the main frame. Check the jack points... they have a tendancy to collapse as well

 

[Zmaster2k]

^lol thats utter myth!

 

[McGherkin]

I know who you're doing it for

I think everything's that really needs checking been covered too pretty much.

 

[banther]

Don't go spouting it sh1t Sheeran

 

[Chris Lewis]

Oh and a mk1 without tax and test is probably worth the following if you cant test drive it:

RSi: nothing
1.4 / 1.2: nothing
1.8 16v: 200 quid.

 

[banther]

Yeah aware of that.

 

[banther]

update:

He bought it.