Is is worth restoring a 119k C-reg Maestro EFi?

[G51 NAV]

Got the opportunity to buy a fairly-local 1985 Maestro EFi in targa red. I have not yet seen the car.

The car is un-MoT'd, untaxed and has been standing for three years, though the seller says he has kept the engine turned over regularly during this time. It has a leaky brake servo unit and needs welding to one sill to pass an MoT. A new servo is included with the sale.

The seller tells me the engine was rebuilt by him at 86k (hmmm...wonder why?) and is now on 119k. Let's assume for the sake of argument it was done well, so the engine is now out of the equation.

I am told the paintwork is faded, particularly on the bonnet, which the sellar says could ideally do with a respray. Rust is, apparently, "minimal". The sellar is asking £150.

What do you people think? Is it worth taking on and restoring a 100k+ early EFi, or do I need my head looking at?

Thoughts appreciated. Cross-posted to the MG BBS.

[malcsmaesty]

its one of those 50/50's isn't it? the do i or dont i?
personally, i would,you never know it may turn out to be a worthwhile resto project if you have the time to do it.£150 seems a little to much, £100 seems better:D
go for it!!!!!!!!:D ;)

[G51 NAV]

Opinion is frustratingly equally divided. My gut instinct is "leave it alone". My wife wants me to take it on.

One person on here has said 'yes', no one has yet said no. On the MG BBS, two have said 'no', one person has said 'yes',

I've asked the seller a few questions such as has the car got the digital dash and cheesgrater alloys; yet to receive a reply, but he's probably got a life and doesn't check his e-mail every hour like I do :-)

If I do take it on I think that £150 is going to have to drop somewhat, unless he offers to bring to me.

[matthewsemple]

Originally posted by G51 NAV
I've asked the seller a few questions such as has the car got the digital dash and cheesgrater alloys; yet to receive a reply, but he's probably got a life and doesn't check his e-mail every hour like I do :-)

If the car has been off the road for three years it will almost definitely need a new water pump and maybe an alternator. Fitting an alternator on an ealry O-Series is an expensive and costly job because it sits at the back of the engine unlike the alternator on your Maestro Turbo which will have an O2-series engine. You will want to check this out before buying the car.

I suggest that you don't take on the car unless the chap gives the car to you. There are plenty of good EFis out there that are taxed and MOT'd. An immaculate D-plate was sold on e-bay for £156 earlier this year.

To answer your question - unless the car has had it retro-fitted by the owner it will almost definitely not have the digital dash. Only MG1600s and early Vanden Plas had the digital dash as standard. When the EFi was launched in October 1984 it bacame a £200 option and very few owners opted for it and at some point in 1985 it was dropped altogether.

It will probably have cheesegraters unless the owner has taken them off as they were standard until 1986. Cheesegraters that have travelled 119,000 miles will be very tatty and will probaly leak air. New ones are available, however.

My advice would be to contact the owner and let him know you are interested in the car but you don't want to pay for it. Give him your number and tell him to call you if he hasn't sold it in a few weeks. This will save him the £100 it would cost him to scrap it.

The SWAG of the MG M Group were given a very good condition one-owner B-reg MG Maestro EFi last year. It had about 72,000 miles and it did have teh digital dash. It is the only 2.0 litre Maestro I know of that has the digital dash fitted from new.

[G51 NAV]

Had the decision made for me ... he's decided he's not selling!!!

[G51 NAV]

Just found an A-reg Metro Convertible for sale up near Edinburgh ... now THAT would be an interesting little project ... metalic blue like Tony's soft-top Monty ... get thee behind me Satan ...:) :) :)

[Beaker]

Ooooh Metro Convertible, sounds like it may be worth snapping up, Not seen one before!

Lindsey

[matthewsemple]

Originally posted by G51 NAV
Just found an A-reg Metro Convertible

Is it an MG or even a Turbo?

[G51 NAV]

Originally posted by matthewsemple
Is it an MG or even a Turbo?

The advert describes it as an Austin Metro, but at some point someone's fitted the later-style MG Metro front end.

It's on AutoTrader if you're interested ... can't see me buying it ... I already sold a perfectly good 16k-mile B-reg MG Metro this year because it was too small for my growing family; buying another wouldn't be sensible. Think I'll hold my breath for a mint low-mileage MG1600 coming up for sale, within reasonable travelling-distance of Blackpool (someone book an ambulance and tell them the patient has suspected asphyxiation :( )

John O