The roughest MG Maestro Turbo in the world?? [Archive]

5th April 2005, 12:59

I spent last sunday stripping down the Maestro Turbo with a friend of mine just so that we could see the extent of the corrosion and I really wish I had never bought the car. Apart from all the usual text book rot (sills, boot floor etc etc) the is serious rot in places like the roof, where the windscreen sits and holes on the bulkhead, door steps and lots of other places where you can't get a welder into. We've taken out the screen to reveal serious holes and I am now feeling rather deflated.

Silly question time.... were Maestro roof panels ever available as a separate item to the shell?

This car really should be scrapped but I'm not giving up just yet.

Beaker

5th April 2005, 13:13

Yes! There are 8 left in the factory (apparently), price is £429.80 and part number is BEP 2079

Hope that helps, :)

Number 3 on the picture

Beaker

5th April 2005, 13:29

We haven't looked at ours, hidden under a cover. All I can say is I don't expect ours is going to be any better than yours.

5th April 2005, 13:39

Out of interest, are the screen pillar parts still available? If I'm going to do a job like this, I may aswell do the lot. Thanks for your help.

SimonR

5th April 2005, 14:34

5th April 2005, 14:45

Ed, if you're any good with an angle-grinder I know of a very good condition roof on a white Maestro. Don't think that bit has been spoken for yet! I wonder if you could cut the roof off the car and reuse it...?

Sounds like a possible plan. My only other concern is, would the cars structure collapse when the roof is removed?

SimonR

5th April 2005, 15:27

Sounds like a possible plan. My only other concern is, would the cars structure collapse when the roof is removed?

I very much doubt it would, the bodyshell seems quite strong with panels removed...

Speak to Rich Smith - he has the car and probably wouldn't mind you taking the roof off. [Hope you don't mind me mentioning this, Rich!]

E_T_V

5th April 2005, 15:56

If you are welding in a new roof then welding in a couple of support bars to be on the safe side will take only minutes to do. Personally I don't think there will be a problem but I'd brace it up anyway for the sake of 10 mins work and a bar of steel.

I'm planning on using an a pillar from a scrap car to repair the mess I currently have.

I reckon I'll be able to make a strong challenge for the Turd-bo award as mine is really a shed.

5th April 2005, 16:49

I'll speak to my welding pal. In the meantime, heres a couple of pics. Not for the faint-hearted!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/Montyboy/F815%20SRK/0002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/Montyboy/F815%20SRK/0001.jpg

E_T_V

5th April 2005, 17:35

hahaha. still looks 100 times better than mine! :D Mine truely is a fltintstone style car :D

I'm not going to restore mine though, just put it back on the road where it belongs.

Dave

5th April 2005, 18:04

Can I have the alloys when you give up? ;)

matthewsemple

5th April 2005, 20:08

Ed, that doesn't look too bad. Sure there are some rough bits but far worse cars have been brought back to show condition.

That roof panel would surely be available cheaper than that now as the parts are being discounted by quite a lot of dealers. If they have eight left they will want to shift them. Maestros which have been accident damaged tend not to be repaired so they won't be much demand for them.

If anyone can find out the part number for the two screen pillars, I can find out price and availabilty. I need a couple for my MG1600 so a group order might be a possibilty.

E_T_V

5th April 2005, 21:09

Not sure if you need 7 or 4 but here are the necessary details I hope

E_T_V

5th April 2005, 21:27

I'll see you your crusty bits and raise you several holes!

G51 NAV

5th April 2005, 21:53

I'll see you your crusty bits and raise you several holes!
How much you want for your tyres ;)

E_T_V

5th April 2005, 22:00

Needs a new set of tyres too :D I can't think of anything that I'd class as good on that car but it was either me or the crusher so it ended up at mine.

G51 NAV

5th April 2005, 22:39

Needs a new set of tyres too :D
The tread on that o/s rear looks better than my o/s front!

E_T_V

5th April 2005, 22:55

Ahh yes the photo is a bit flattering.. the rust is worse and the tyre is perished and cracked :D

threelitre

6th April 2005, 07:47

Oh dear, both these Turbos let my 1.3LE and 1.6HLS look like new cars. And I am thinking of getting rid of one or both of them....

Alexander

carnumber19

6th April 2005, 11:37

I have a full set plus one spare of Firestones for a Maestro. If interested I will get you the spec.

Phil

How much you want for your tyres ;)

carnumber19

6th April 2005, 11:45

Just had a quick check the full set are 185/60 R14 28H all with good tread. The spare has no tread.

All tyres came of a competition car so they have done probably only 100 or so miles.

Interested?

I have a full set plus one spare of Firestones for a Maestro. If interested I will get you the spec.

Phil

carnumber19

6th April 2005, 11:46

if you want to get your hands on another maestro which i have seen been given away i can send you the details. not sure of the condition though.

Sounds like a possible plan. My only other concern is, would the cars structure collapse when the roof is removed?

matthewsemple

6th April 2005, 20:57

Out of interest, are the screen pillar parts still available? If I'm going to do a job like this, I may aswell do the lot. Thanks for your help.

The screen pillars are both still available and are listed as follows:

BEP916 - £58.38 (driver's side)
BEP917 - £79.40 (passenger side)

I have spoken to a Rover dealer who will offer a discounted price if we put in a group order for 5 or more. I need both sides - anyone else intereted? I'll do the arrangements and bring them to MG Saloon Day.

If we get a number for how many we need, I'll ring them back and get a final price. Not interested in "I might like some" - must buy if you say you want some because I don't want to messing about chasing people ;)

Beaker

6th April 2005, 21:16

If we get a number for how many we need, I'll ring them back and get a final price. Not interested in "I might like some" - must buy if you say you want some because I don't want to messing about chasing people ;)

I am afraid I am of the 'I might like some...' but depends if the discount is good. However if I like the final price I would be of the 'I want...and pay straight away kinda person'

John S

6th April 2005, 21:18

Good stuff Matthew! You can put me down for a set should you get the remaining four people on the list. :D

matthewsemple

6th April 2005, 21:56

Good stuff Matthew! You can put me down for a set should you get the remaining four people on the list. :D

Okay - John Shone wants two, I want two, Montyboy probably wants two - which should be enough to secure a discount. The chap said if we order 5 parts we'll get a discount. He seemed quite excited bout the prospect of a group order for a car club!

Skatiechick - I know you, so you are okay - I'll get a final price and then find out if you are happy with that.

E_T_V - the parts I have listed is no.7 in your picture - which is the piece that you can se in Ed's picture. No. 4 is an inner piece. If your car is really bad it might be worth checking if it has rusted through to there, too. Take off the inner trim from inside teh car to get a better idea.

Does anyone want a windsreen scuttle as well? It is the panel that your wiper sprout from and I need one of those as well. Let me know and I'll get a price for that too. No.1 in your picture (BEP913).

tony

6th April 2005, 21:59

Does anyone want a windsreen scuttle as well? It is the panel that your wiper sprout from and I need one of those as well. Let me know and I'll get a price for that too. No.1 in your picture (BEP913).

i belive mg mal has 3 new ones for sale too

E_T_V

6th April 2005, 22:05

I think mals scuttles are for the monty.

A maestro scuttle I'd be interested in hearing a price of as georges is rusty.

awol

6th April 2005, 22:21

matthewsemple

6th April 2005, 22:32

i may well be interested in a pair of a pillars for spares, subject to price being around the £100 mark (id have money available for them in 3 weeks) but i would also love to know if the rear panels are available, as the rear of my car is in need of some tlc where the bootlid shuts due to the holes there (pic attached - hopefully!)

I'm hoping to get them for about £50 each or less. The more we order the more chance of a cheap order.

The parts you need are BEP428 and BEP429. These are the triangular sections around the rear quarter light. Check it out in the pdf document in E_T_V's post earlier. I'll get a price tomorrow when I collect some parts I ordered last week and I'll try to negotiate a percentage disount so I can give everyone a better idea of the prices.

awol

6th April 2005, 22:36

Excellent, thanks Matt! they definitly look like the parts i need. in fact i may well have a root about of my car and my finances as i have a habit of buying spare spare's for when the spares have rusted through and need replaced.

Thanks!

John S

7th April 2005, 09:01

I'm also interested in a scuttle panel as it's all I need to finish the car ready for spraying. :thumbup:

MGTurbo469

7th April 2005, 09:21

Beaker

7th April 2005, 09:26

I'm also interested in a scuttle panel as it's all I need to finish the car ready for spraying. :thumbup:

I wish our project was going that quick, got most parts for George now apart from a few little bits. We were going to weld a new windscreen pillar in, but if it proves cost effective to get panels then so be it. Not sure if he needs an inner, as we have not yet taken the windscreen out, planning to start from back to front. Just something else always crops up when we are ready to start on him, at least now the later nights are here we can get more done in the evening.

Out of interest Montyboy, did you manage to get the windscreen out in one piece. We have done one before, but it wasn't well sealed in so was practically falling out anyway. Got another one to do in the very near future, so was just wondering if you had any tips?

Any idea when your turbo will be on the road M170..? It will be nice to see all these restoration projects at shows when they are finished.

Beaker

7th April 2005, 09:31

sounds silly I know so please please forgive me...

whats the panel beneath the windscreen - is THIS the scuttle panel??
*more or less the top of the bulkhead*

:hat: <-- this is a dunce's cap by the way :eek:

If you see E_T_V's pdf above, it is No.1 in the picture. You know where your black grille sits just below the windscreen and gets leaves in, then the heater blows them out in the vents in the car, and you get all scared because you think a bee has just got in. Well maybe that just happens to me :rolleyes: :D Anyway this is the scuttle.

matthewsemple

7th April 2005, 09:31

sounds silly I know so please please forgive me...

whats the panel beneath the windscreen - is THIS the scuttle panel??
*more or less the top of the bulkhead*

That's right Rover describe part BEP 913 as 'Panel-windshield scuttle' on the pdf document in ETV's post. Like you say, it is beneath the windscreen and on top the bulkhead and behind the bonnet. I am going to check price and availabilty today.

John S

7th April 2005, 09:40

I'm also interested in a scuttle panel as it's all I need to finish the car ready for spraying. :thumbup:

There's still a lot of prep work to be done, but it's time mainly. I'm going to spend the next several weekends on the car sanding and priming. Basically, once I get all or part of the scuttle welded in there will be no rot holes on the car. It looks like Montyboy's turbo at the minute, i.e. totally stripped. The car had rusted in exactly the same areas, only not quite as bad. #399 will definitely be ready for 2006, don't think it'll be 100% ready for this year's shows though. M170 is in storage as I can't realistically afford to run that car as well as seeing to the turbo. Once I get the Turbo restored though I could probably use M170 to tow a trailer to take #399 to shows, so it's not all doom and gloom for the old girl! Can't wait to get all these MGs together, they're getting to be proper cult cars...

MGTurbo469

7th April 2005, 10:12

now they were some quick replies :) thanks to you.

I didn't even know there was a PDF there I missed it completely!
I'll keep the hat on :hat:

The leaves in the blower thing catches me out occassionally I do admit.
I'm not used to it as my heater blower hasn't worked ever in this car. It's been cold and difficult to de-mist I can tell you! fixed now thankfully (now I don't need it!)

Matthew if you have any luck, I will need one of these too! Local MGR dealer says "no way José". The man from Rover, he say "no" :laugh: typical

Thanks again
Alex

7th April 2005, 11:26

The screen pillars are both still available and are listed as follows:

BEP916 - £58.38 (driver's side)
BEP917 - £79.40 (passenger side)

I have spoken to a Rover dealer who will offer a discounted price if we put in a group order for 5 or more. I need both sides - anyone else intereted? I'll do the arrangements and bring them to MG Saloon Day.

If we get a number for how many we need, I'll ring them back and get a final price. Not interested in "I might like some" - must buy if you say you want some because I don't want to messing about chasing people ;)

I'm definately up for both sides. #33 will not survive without new ones. I'm wondering whether or not I need the roof panel too, and a scuttle. The roof panel is obviously extremely expensive so I'll have to think about forking out for one of those.

7th April 2005, 11:28

Out of interest Montyboy, did you manage to get the windscreen out in one piece. We have done one before, but it wasn't well sealed in so was practically falling out anyway. Got another one to do in the very near future, so was just wondering if you had any tips?

Erm... well we started with all intentions to remove it in one piece, but seeing as it was cracked anyway, and it was not even attached to rusty pillars, we decided that once it had cracked, we'd just pull it out. I spent a long time going round with the dust pan and brush! :nonono:

matthewsemple

7th April 2005, 17:19

I have asked for prices for the following parts:

Screen pillars, inner and outer (both sides)
Windsdreen Scuttle panel
Triangular sections around quarter lights
Roof panel with sunroof aperture*

They are going to find out which parts are available and how many are left. Then they will work out how much they are charged for them by the factory and work out the discount. This may take several days. I will let you all know as soon as they phone me.

*This will be too big for me to take to MGSD!

TurboMG

7th April 2005, 18:31

The inner A pillars are BEP 2080 and BEP 2081, these are listed as retailing at £67 each, the frame around the rear 1/4 windows is BEP 428 and BEP 429, £91 each, the scuttle is BEP 913 and retails at £48. These are all showing as stil available.

matthewsemple

7th April 2005, 19:11

These are all showing as stil available.

That looks promising for our order! (I have sent you a PM, TurboMG)

weasel2400

7th April 2005, 19:57

Sounds like a possible plan. My only other concern is, would the cars structure collapse when the roof is removed?

Hi,

Just to say that a maestro deisel will zome around quite happly on private land with the roof b pillar and c pillar removed so dont worry about the sub-frame colapsing.

been there, done that, baby was sick on the t-shirt. :D

E_T_V

7th April 2005, 20:07

Yes take a look at tonys or that other blue montego cabriolet.. I know some strengthening has gone into them, well I bloomin well hope it has!, but still it should be ok.. not sure if I'd drive it about like that though ;)

John S

7th April 2005, 20:09

Hi again Matt,

Is it possible to have my parts re-directed to another Rover dealership, namely Barber's MG Rover, Northwich. The guy there has offered to take in items that I've ordered elsewhere before. Or am I 'pushing it'? :)

John

matthewsemple

7th April 2005, 20:19

Is it possible to have my parts re-directed to another Rover dealership, namely Barber's MG Rover, Northwich. John

I can ask for you but that would complicate it a bit. ;)

matthewsemple

12th April 2005, 21:55

Got the prices for those parts. Apparently Caterpillar who supply them are operating 'Business As Usual' and are not affected by SAIC fiasco.

Here are the prices (which are all subject to VAT):

BEP 913 - Scuttle - £45.76
BEP2079 - Roof panel - £4.29
BEP 944 - Roof clips - £0.23
BEP 916 - RH Pillar - £52.54
BEP 917 - LH Pillar - £71.46
BEP2081 - Inner Pillar LH - £78.22
BEP 428 - Quarterlight panel RH - £95.62

BEP2073, BEP2080, BEP429 are all obsolete.

It looks like they have offered me 10% discount on some items so its not a massive saving. The dealer is not a Rover dealer that are likely to close as they are a old Rover specialist that knows our cars.

Let me know what you need for your cars - via e-mail - and I'll order it all with the parts I need for my car. Then I'll bring the parts to MGSD or Bristol Classic Car Show - whichever you are planning to attend.

E_T_V

12th April 2005, 22:00

Yes! There are 8 left in the factory (apparently), price is £429.80 and part number is BEP 2079

Hope that helps, :)

Number 3 on the picture

I'm guessing that mat got his decimal point in the wrong place there!

See lindz does know something sometimes :D

matthewsemple

12th April 2005, 22:06

I'm guessing that mat got his decimal point in the wrong place there!

Well I thought it looked wrong, too - but my sheet definitely says £4.29 - I think somene has transcribed it wrong after hearing "four twenty-nine". I'll ring the garage again tomorrow to check - but strangely no discount was available on this part.

G24 BDG

12th April 2005, 22:16

TurboMG

13th April 2005, 14:24

All they have offered you is trade price, and no offense but anyone can get that...

matthewsemple

13th April 2005, 18:12

All they have offered you is trade price, and no offense but anyone can get that...

I was a bit disappointed with the discount - this is because Caterpillar would not sell them any cheaper.

I have offered to help because lots of people are having trouble getting parts. Either they don't have a Rover dealer in their area or their dealer is not interested in getting Maestro parts for them.

Quite a few dealers have only been selling Rovers since 2000 and they don't have the fiches - these dealers do not offer Maestro parts at trade prices. I'll be ordering my parts soon - let me know if you are interested.

13th April 2005, 19:31

I'll be ordering my parts soon - let me know if you are interested.

I'll leave mine for the moment Matthew thanks. There have been a few developments on the Maestro front which I'll divulge at a later date.

awol

13th April 2005, 23:50

Ah the bodywork! i've had to really tighten my belt financially this week, but there are definitly parts i'm after, i just have to decide which panels it is going to be, but bodywork wise i've been lucky today with the weather and friends help (they did it all really) welding & suchlike in preparation for mot test hopefully tomorrow, i've also unfortunately fitted the ITG filter back on and as i told this to the insurers, the quote went up by £54. wheras the 280mm disc conversion, stainless exhaust, and full bodykit only made the quote go up by £28.

anyway! veering off topic and tired so i shall say more when i'm not insanely busy with the car... obsessive perhaps.

John S

30th April 2005, 20:26

I've now ordered a scuttle from Rover. Thanks to Matthew for checking out on the availability of these parts, I wouldn't have bothered otherwise! My scuttle is now going to be completely replaced rather than welded along with all the exterior plastic trim. I'll not be buying door strips or rear window rubbers until I've enough spare cash though. :( By the way, the part number for the scuttle seems to have changed. I'll update you on it next week.

PS: My dremel went up in smoke today due to constant abuse. Hey ho, off to buy another tomorrow!

Beaker

1st May 2005, 10:05

By the way, the part number for the scuttle seems to have changed. I'll update you on it next week.

Yes Please! :)

John S

7th May 2005, 20:53

Yes Please! :)

Still no news on this I'm afraid. The parts guy at CD Bramall Stoke-on-Trent did tell me however that they used to keep a big stock of these panels due to repairing cars which were corroded even 10 years ago or more (must have been very early cars). Shall be receiving it next week so I'll let you know then.
Up 'til now the parts desk have kept getting the wrong part ordered in! :banghead:

TurboMG

9th May 2005, 20:25

BEP 913 was the part number when I got mine a couple of months back....

talkingcars

13th May 2005, 10:36

Sounds like a possible plan. My only other concern is, would the cars structure collapse when the roof is removed?

Montegos, perticularly estates flex, so much so that they have to go up on 4 post hoists or one can't shut the doors when the car is in the air.

John S

13th May 2005, 11:23

Got it today, BEP 713 as it has always been and cost 53.78 GBP...

D87 SMW

13th May 2005, 11:31

Montegos, perticularly estates flex, so much so that they have to go up on 4 post hoists or one can't shut the doors when the car is in the air.

Don't want to go off topic here, but I know my Maestro's certainly 'flex' to an extent when up on a jack... The doors clunk more when closing them, etc...