Diesel Maestro - Any chance?

[k.b.]

Hello good people,

As you will see by looking at my reply to the 'low mileage' topic, I have a petrol Maestro which I'm really pleaed with. It does 30mpg round town and something over 40 mpg on a run.

I would be really chuffed if I could find a late model Maestro - BUT DIESEL. I know they're a bit noisy but could suffer that, but PAS would be a must.

I always look on the classifieds here but never see the right one. The ones in Loot and Exchange and Mart never sound too good.
It would have to be as good as the one I have now (which is immaculate and totally free of rust) and am beginning to think I'll not find one. I'm a bit fussy and reckon to be able to tell a good one from a baddun and am afraid I'll travel halfway across the country only to view a load of old tosh.

The alternative is to look for a diesel Skoda Felicia Estate - these went up to 2000(X) so I stand a much better chance, but will have to pay a tad more.

What is the view of the panel regarding my chances?
Is it worth going to any of the shows in the summer? Do they generally have decent examples for sale at these events?

Thanks in anticipation.

[D87 SMW]

As RDGelder would tell you, you can pick up a bargain on eBay (www.ebay.co.uk) and there have been a few pretty good Diesel Maestros on there recently.

The Diesel Maestro was built up to M reg, as were the 1.3 Clubmans,' when Rover discontinued the Maestro/Montego range.

[k.b.]

Thanks for that advice. I've never used Ebay. Are you able to make contact with the vendor as you would in a conventional advert?

[Jonathan]

It's worth a visit to ebay and doing a search for "Maestro" every few days. You can contact the vendor via the site regarding any item they're selling. One potential pitfall is that most auctions have a time limit of about a week during which time you'll presumably want to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. As with any auction, once it closes and you're the winning bidder you're obliged to purchase the vehicle whether you like it or not.

There are often one or two examples for sale at some of the shows in the summer but I wouldn't rely on this alone. I don't remember there being a diesel Maestro before.

I'd say you have a reasonable chance of finding what you want as long as you aren't expecting perfection. I'll keep my ear to the ground.

[John S]

If I were looking to buy another I would be looking to spend 600 to 800 quid for a very tidy late K/L/M reg turbo diesel clubman (these come with PAS). A complete nail would often be about 150 quid or less.
The best thing to do (in my opinion) is not to worry about the mileage if it's high (extremely durable engines) but to look at the bodywork for potential MOT failure points in terms of corrosion/damage. Any high mileage diesel is likely to have already had money spent on a new head gasket/water pump etc. recently in the past meaning you won't have to.
The diesels below K-reg are nearly always non-turbo diesels, which is not too much of a problem if you don't mind a slightly harsher engine note or a lack of acceleration due to absence of a turbo. Only benefit with earlier models is that some have electric windows (DLX) and plastic bumpers.

Try fish4cars.co.uk - I usually find quite a few Maestros on there.

Happy hunting!

[H48HPE]

there are some good ones come up on ebay, I think if you found a good one with say a bit of rust on one of the arches (usually the back ones) it would be worth picking up, and spending a bit at a body shop getting a new arch welded in and genral tidy up. then you would wstill have a nice clean rust free example for less than a skoda would cost

Andy

[k.b.]

Thanks for that, also.

Have just looked at Ebay and will look further in to that and take note of your additional info. I'll keep looking. The present one was a real gem. It needed a little TLC to get it looking as good as it does now and fortunately I have access to a really good, ex Rover trained, mechanic who knows these cars inside out.

When I move to Devon I'll have to find a replacement for him.......it's not going to be easy!

Thanks again for your interest.

[John S]

Edmunds Car Sales L MAESTRO 2.0 Diesel Injection 5-dr Hatch 5-sp. Midnight blue, fantabulous on fuel only £1,495 Tel No: 01522 691454

I found one, (v.likely to have PAS) but look at the price! It has to be an absolute minter, surely? I'd be looking to knock 'em down to 800 quid. :eek: They were going for that price three years ago but seems a lot to ask for one these days:rolleyes:

[k.b.]

Thanks RFA.

[malcsmaesty]

k.b, have you seen the one on ebay at the moment?
it's an L reg in white,145k and it's in Brentwood,Essex.
the start price is £350.
Malc.

[k.b.]

I did spot that, Malc, thanks - and it's not far from me either but I'd ideally like a more recent one and am prepared to pay the extra for a good, late reg. one.

Am quite happy to wait for the ideal car, the present one is, as mentioned, fine and the diesel would replace a little old Fiesta we're using at present.

[k.b.]

Upon re-reading your post, malc, I see that it is in fact L reg. As late as I'm likely to find in fact. Pity is has done 145.000. How many has yours done - how do you get on with it?

[MGTurbo]

Originally posted by k.b.
Upon re-reading your post, malc, I see that it is in fact L reg. As late as I'm likely to find in fact. Pity is has done 145.000. How many has yours done - how do you get on with it?

145k is not an issue with the Perkins. I recently did a HG change on my 123k Montego TD Estate and there was no apparant bore wear, it was in excellent condition, but has been superbly maintained according to the service history. 250k plus is pretty much the norm with these engines, don't let the miles put you off.

Gareth

[k.b.]

Thanks, MGT.

I wonder if there's any point in thinking about acquiring a diesel lump and getting my favourite mechanic to do a transplant. Can't be too many diesel engines laying about these days.

The Montego Diesel seems increasingly rare - I could probably be talked in to one of those if it was a nice one............I think I need to lean on Malc to see if I can twist his arm and convince him he needs to sell his.

[malcsmaesty]

Originally posted by k.b.
Upon re-reading your post, malc, I see that it is in fact L reg. As late as I'm likely to find in fact. Pity is has done 145.000. How many has yours done - how do you get on with it?


mine has done roughly 69,400 at the moment,but is now standing stationary due to a dodgy alternator,but i have sorted out a replacement(thanks to a very helpful forum member :) )
as Gareth mentioned,145k is still good on a TD,as long as they are regularly serviced and looked after should be good for 250k+. a friend of mine who works at the rover,longbridge,says that the perkins prima is one of the best diesel engines ever produced and describes them as "bulletproof"

[k.b.]

I suppose given that my that my present one has only done 19,000 miles, I should be content with that, however I had a Yaris diesl up till August (when it was stolen from under my very nose)and it's a real novelty having a car that does 50/60 mpg (as you well know).

I've taken the back seats completely out as we're taking stuff to Devon and the room in the back is vast - combined with ladder racks, the car is serving very well as a removal van........hence my comments about Montego Estates and Felicia Estates.

[malcsmaesty]

there are going to be lower mileage TD maestys out there,but obviously it will just be a waiting game, sorry k.b,can't sell,won't sell!!!;)

[k.b.]

Indeed you are right malc, I'll keep my eyes open and maybe spend a week in Eastbourne or Bexhill - bound to be some gems sitting in warm garages waiting to be re-homed.

[E_T_V]

I managed to get hold of a 110k car for 100 quid.. the doors are rusty but the shell is solid enough. I only bought it for the engine and gearbox to transplant into my 200k mile campervan! :o

But people keep telling me it is too good to scrap.

The perkins lump is reliable although will need a headgasket every 100k (Don't we all!)

Might be worth checking out the local loot/admag thing as that is where we found ours.

You aren't likely to find a low milage one with no rust so take your pick of the best that is out there and have fun!

[k.b.]

Ta, ETV. Duly noted.

[Andy]

u should have been on ebay about a week ago ther was a late 2 litre diesel maestro on with mg wheel's kit and interea.

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by Andy
u should have been on ebay about a week ago ther was a late 2 litre diesel maestro on with mg wheel's kit and interea.

Was full of dents and rust, and it was running on three cylinders. Had no front bumper....

Did have a digi-dash though. :eek: ;)

[Ricky]

Originally posted by F170 GGT
Was full of dents and rust, and it was running on three cylinders. Had no front bumper....

Did have a digi-dash though. :eek: ;)

Hey! You're describing my maestro!! Can't all be concours showroom condition, you know! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Still wish I had looked as good as my maesty at 19!!!!:laugh: :laugh:

[D87 SMW]

Just as we talk about it, it appears again on eBay!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2451500446&category=10414

[Andy]

yes but its not as bad as u have made it out 2 b. the person selling it cant make his mind up like 'probably the best body' to 'believe not to be original are rusty and some dented' but its gt good tyres in will b a good base f a cheap(ish) way of getting it bac on the road

[H48HPE]

by the look of it a wheel arch is badly dented so the body shell isnt totally great, the engine needs at least a new head gasket and the doors are rusty. i'd say £20 would be a more realistic start price,

also it has been customised into an MG which is OK if thats what you want but you would have to state it was modified on your insurance otherwise you may get problems should you come to grief.

all in all its probably not too bad if you could trailer it away. I think theres been better diesels sold for between £100 and £200 that would be a beter buy than that one.

Andy