Mk 2.5 Newbie

[Biker 1]

As per title, so go easy on me!!
I picked up a 2003 Mk2.5 a few months ago. I think it spent most of its life garaged, has had a lot of £££ spent on it, including pretty decent sill repairs. I intend to service it at Xmas, & was after advice on engine oil.
I won't be doing any track days, but do like to drive enthusiastically....

65k miles on the clock - it seems the cam belt was done at around 35k. Should I look at replacement any time soon??

[Drive it fix it repeat]

I wouldn’t worry personally, non interference engine so even if it does go twang nothing gets bent. That being said it’s a pretty straight forward DIY job if you know your way around a spanner.

Main thing you want to watch is rust, mk2s are worst of the lot, I know from bitter experience as it killed my very tidy low miles mk2 1.6. They tend to rust from the inside out so often a big repair needed once you see it.

Mechanically they are very reliable, I had no issues in 2 years of daily use in my mk2 and so far my mk1 with a mk2 engine is also being pretty reliable. Have fun

[Biker 1]

Yep - a lot of the rust issues have been addressed: lots of sill welding & various underbody work. I'm thinking of putting it up on a ramp over Xmas & attacking the underside with wire brush/rust eater etc.
Any recommendations on engine oil? Is it worth doing diff/gearbox oil at the same time, given its only done 65K miles?

[Drive it fix it repeat]

Excellent that it’s had a lot of the rust seen to but Once they have it it’s very difficult to be completely clean of it, do not let your guard down. Mine was about the same miles and I never touched the gearbox oil or had any issues related to it but it can’t hurt to change it. As for recommendations I don’t know what’s best as I haven’t had to change my gearbox oil yet, I’m sure someone more experienced will be along shortly.

Got any pics or spec?

[Blackpuddin]

Our '04 Arctic 1.8 is the most reliable car we've ever owned. Just had the sills done and now feels as good as ever to drive. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we've enjoyed ours OP.

[Biker 1]

Drive it fix it repeat said:

Excellent that it’s had a lot of the rust seen to but Once they have it it’s very difficult to be completely clean of it, do not let your guard down. Mine was about the same miles and I never touched the gearbox oil or had any issues related to it but it can’t hurt to change it. As for recommendations I don’t know what’s best as I haven’t had to change my gearbox oil yet, I’m sure someone more experienced will be along shortly.

Got any pics or spec?

I'm not great at this new fangled internet photo thing, so will pass for now!
Anyway, its an Indiana, dark red/maroon, leather heated seats, chrome roll hoops (which don't look like they would save my bonce if I did roll it...), hard top in great condition for winter, soft top in VGC also. Stainless exhaust, refurbed wheels, no oil leaks as such, but a slight weep on one corner of rocker gasket. Bonnet is OK, by I don't think a MOP would get rid of all the stone chips! Brakes a little 'wooden': I think they would benefit from new pads & fluid change....
I had a mate run a full diagnostics - everything appears to be within parameters.
Apart from that, all standard & everything appears to work. I would rather mothball it for the summer & get a winter hack, but needs must right now....

Engine oil recommendations?