is an MG Metro as much fun as a mini?

[Caddy93]

Always loved mini's, but have been offered a non-turbo mg metro for a decent price in decent nick. Should I do it?

[DanGT]

Metro's do have there fans and clubs etc. Not as big a following as mini's and I would say out of the box not as much fun to drive. But for free I would.

[annodomini2]

1. Get the suspension checked out (it's hydro-spastic), nearly impossible to get parts for and if you can, they are usually ridiculously expensive (generally more than the car is worth!).

2. If it's still running metric wheels and the tyres need changing, account for either:

A, Tyres will cost a small fortune.
B, Buying new wheels and tyres!

[FWDRacer]

Let's Face it - the lads got himself a donor

[Caddy93]

Well i'm currently in the market for a cheap (ish) mini, needing some work, but not a complete rebuild. And I cannot find any half decent ones anywhere, and this came up and thought it was worth a look. But I think i'll stick to looking for a mini

[Typhoo]

I'd say go for it,as long as it's cheap...they're getting rare now.
Check out the rear arches,rear seat belt mountings, sills,
front inner wings etc, for tin worm.
Plenty of Rover Metro/100's in the scrap yards for spares,
Even the MGF had hydro suspension...
10 years ago I bought this, my " Poor mans Cooper"
Great fun until it finally got too rotten to repair.
Long gone and sadly missed.

Typhoo

[GingerWizard]

My dad had a turbo version and it did a ticketed 101mph....... it felt very fragile and unsafe even when stationary mind.....

I would avoid unless its a very late model... better spec, trim etc....

[Fire99]

Well firstly, after having owned a Mini (and been in countless ones) and a Metro, I think we can take safety out of the equation. A Metro may not feel like a tank but compared to a Mini, it's a definite step up in the 'feeling of security' stakes.

Ultimately the Mini is more 'flickable' but a well set-up metro is an absolute hoot. I had the full 'Challenge' setup and it was brilliant.
Also, having better aerodynamics, a bit more space and a more plush interior, made it a toy that was a good distance cruiser too. Not to mention more space under the 'lid' to play with the turbo engine.

I think the Mini is the classic design and rightly so but the Metro has far more merit than it's often given credit for. Ignore the stereotypes and have a blast.

[Clemstar]

annodomini2 said:

1. Get the suspension checked out (it's hydro-spastic), nearly impossible to get parts for and if you can, they are usually ridiculously expensive (generally more than the car is worth!).

2. If it's still running metric wheels and the tyres need changing, account for either:

A, Tyres will cost a small fortune.
B, Buying new wheels and tyres!

I'm sorry but thats the biggest load of shyte I've heard. Suspension is great on the MG Metro, yes it's hydrolastic but requires little maintenance, a re trim of the height is normally £15, and your usuual greasing, same as the mini.

Parts are readilly available and plentifull in supply, and are dirt cheap!

MG Metro's didn't use metrics apart from the "Cheesegrater" style wheels which were in production for long.

[Cooperman]

But, it's just not a Mini!

[Pothole]

Clemstar said:

annodomini2 said:

1. Get the suspension checked out (it's hydro-spastic), nearly impossible to get parts for and if you can, they are usually ridiculously expensive (generally more than the car is worth!).

2. If it's still running metric wheels and the tyres need changing, account for either:

A, Tyres will cost a small fortune.
B, Buying new wheels and tyres!

I'm sorry but thats the biggest load of shyte I've heard. Suspension is great on the MG Metro, yes it's hydrolastic but requires little maintenance, a re trim of the height is normally £15, and your usuual greasing, same as the mini.

Parts are readilly available and plentifull in supply, and are dirt cheap!

MG Metro's didn't use metrics apart from the "Cheesegrater" style wheels which were in production for long.

never let the truth get in the way of a good internet bullstfest, though!

[annodomini2]

Clemstar said:

annodomini2 said:

1. Get the suspension checked out (it's hydro-spastic), nearly impossible to get parts for and if you can, they are usually ridiculously expensive (generally more than the car is worth!).

2. If it's still running metric wheels and the tyres need changing, account for either:

A, Tyres will cost a small fortune.
B, Buying new wheels and tyres!

I'm sorry but thats the biggest load of shyte I've heard. Suspension is great on the MG Metro, yes it's hydrolastic but requires little maintenance, a re trim of the height is normally £15, and your usuual greasing, same as the mini.

Parts are readilly available and plentifull in supply, and are dirt cheap!

MG Metro's didn't use metrics apart from the "Cheesegrater" style wheels which were in production for long.

Firstly, I never mentioned that they handled badly.

Secondly, from my research:

New Hydrolastic units are around £230 a corner

Pipe sets are around £100 each not including all the other little.

You may be able to get them cheaper, I'd like to know where.

But if the entire system was shot, I wouldn't want to be spending a £1000 on a car worth £500 at best.

I never said it had metric wheels, I said check if it had metric wheels and be prepared for costs if they are fitted.

I suggest reading what I posted before spouting your own bullst

[Clemstar]

annodomini2 said:

Firstly, I never mentioned that they handled badly.

Secondly, from my research:

New Hydrolastic units are around £230 a corner

Pipe sets are around £100 each not including all the other little.

You may be able to get them cheaper, I'd like to know where.

But if the entire system was shot, I wouldn't want to be spending a £1000 on a car worth £500 at best.
I never said it had metric wheels, I said check if it had metric wheels and be prepared for costs if they are fitted.

I suggest reading what I posted before spouting your own bullst

PMSL at the arrogance,

Firstly, where did I insinuate that you said they handled badly. R E A D what I posted before you spout off.

Secondly, the units tend to last a decent amount of time, however brand new units are readilly available via AK Motorsport, £60 each, hardly a bank breaker, and thats befor you even begin to expolre the possibility of good 2nd hand units. If the pipes go thats a perfect opportunity to individualise the suspension, making a great handling little car handle even better. Effectively making each unit an independent unit, along with front shocks, handling is supreme. I've had a K series pushing out 170 bhp in a Metro GTi, still running on Hydrolastic albeit lowered and incresed pressure in the units, handling was immense to say the least.

I suggest you do a little better and more in depth research before coming on with half arsed cocky responses that make you look like an amatuer.

To the OP, yes if you can get it cheap snap their hands off, cracking little cars, not a Mini by any means but still a hoot to drive. Ignore some of the ignorance in this thread.

Edited by Clemstar on Sunday 21st November 19:22

Edited by Clemstar on Sunday 21st November 19:35

[cone]

I think there's some confusion between Austin/MG and Rover metro. IIRC most Mg versions had metric (160/65/315 td ) tyres apart from the pepperpots and the last models which had 13s, the suspension was individual units at the front and the rear was linked across (I'm pretty sure it was just brake pipe).Everymodel had an A series under the lid.
Rover metros had there suspension linked front to rear via plastic pipe , and also ran 13s but with a different centre tabs on the hubs . All models had K's under the lid (obviously not the diesel ones)

Both very different cars to drive, much fun could be had just like a mini but not a mini . So back to the OP my answer would be no , but still a fun car and probably getting quite rare now .