Interested in Moggies and I've got questions!

[stranter]

Hello,

I'll introduce my self - I'm Stewart and I'm a BMWphile, mostly classic though. I've got a 1987 E30 318i and a 1987 E28 535i at the moment, although I might be preparing to get rid of one.

I've always liked how the Moggie looks and I'm intrigued as to whether I'd like to own one and how much a genuine good one will cost. I mean good as in usuable daily, not concours but not a bodged mess full of filler.

I'm happy to do quite a lot of DIY mechanics, minor bodywork but no welding and no major overhauls. I'm not familiar with carb setups, or "points" or how old engines work really. I've been brought up on fuel injection, on which I'm quite knowledgeable. Is there a brief guide on how "old" engines work?

What's the parts supply like? I had a Mk2 Transit recently and we didn't get on parts-wise. Most stuff not available anywhere, about 60% of panels available, most garages/motor factors/ford dealers were useless and had no idea what I was asking for. It was a question of sourcing second hand parts - simple stuff like master cylinders where no new parts are available and few seal kits are available - and this proved difficult. I sold her on in the end as it was just too frustrating!

More importantly than all of this, I'd like to test drive one and generally look one over. I'm in the Derby area, are there any specialist garages nearby who'd be obliging?

What sort of creature comforts can one expect? Heater? Radio? Interior light?

What's the fuel economy like?

How well would a good'un, with proper maintenance, stand up to the rigours of a modern ten mile daily commute?

Any answers to the above questions would be helpful, thanks in advance!

Stewart

[MoggyTech]

Hi Stewart,

Parts supply was excellent, a few items currently hard to source, but parts supply is still very good.

Creature Comforts, Heater, Interior Light, maybe a radio if previous owner fitted one.

35 to 40 MPG

Old sidevalve engine will struggly in modern traffic, but all of the overhead valve engines will cope fine with a daily commute of 10 miles or more. 1098 engine is lively with massive torque for it's capacity.

There are also a stack of mods available like front disc brakes, 5 speed gearbox conversion etc etc.

Main thing is to get one with the least amount of body rot. There are a few rust traps, and some of them are in structural areas.

[chickenjohn]

"How well would a good'un, with proper maintenance, stand up to the rigours of a modern ten mile daily commute? "

Mine copes very well with its 10 mile commute and on a typical week (mixed A road, stop start and some motorway) I get 39mpg. On a run 45mpg is possible.

Get a late 1098, buy one that an entusiast has restored and keep it waxoyled and it will last. Servicing is easy, carbs and old ignition easy to service.

[dalebrignall]

they are good and reliable just get one that is sound underneath.you can upgrade the ignition to electronic for about £60,that way you dont have to worry about setting up pionts and the car is always in tune.the standuard brakes are fine as long as you keep them adjusted.engines are strong and reliable just keep the oil clean.if i can service mine anyone can,they are a great car.

[aupickup]

hi well we do have trouble with ill fitting panels and at the moment front kingpins are not available

beware shiny, they can hide a multitude of quick bodges

sometimes a scruffy one may well be more structually solid than a shiny one, that has had a quick make over as with any other makes

i paid £500.00 for mmine with 12 months mot, scraggy but structually solid and all original floor pans and cills etc

[rob1954]

What have I started?

[stranter]

Too right Rob! Just trying to locate one round here so I can go for a test drive to see if I like them. How do they compare to the BMW?

Stewart

[dunketh]

How do they compare to the BMW?

Difficult to answer that. Obviously the Minor is a lot rougher, slower and colder but it has 'soul' which a BMW doesn't.
Sounds all new-agey but you'll see.
The other thing is everybody loves Minors, they're like a national treasure. Folk let you out at junctions, pensioners wave at you and small children go nuts at the sight of them.

Also, you can drift a moggy at walking pace, the BMW would take more pushing.

How well would a good'un, with proper maintenance, stand up to the rigours of a modern ten mile daily commute?

Bare in mind, most have lasted upwards of 40 years! Mine copes with its 15-20 mile daily commute perfectly. They're excellent in traffic as you only have 4 gears to worry about and they're stupidly easy to drive.

[ASL642]

Stranter, we have an East Midland branch who may be able to give you a ride around in a mog. If you ring our Derby Office they will be able to give you the phone number of the local contact. His name is Murray Jessop. The office number is 01332 291675.

[rob1954]

Every trip is an adventure.

As said previously, go for a later one with the bigger engine that'll keep up with modern traffic. Mine's got the 803cc engine and early gearbox and I get overtaken by elderly folk in 30mph zones! The same elderly folk I would normally blast past in my BMW.

But if you've got plenty of spare time and you're in no rush to get anywhere and you don't mind chatting to people about it at petrol stations, carparks etc then go for it.

It's main advantage over the BMW is it's simplicity. No complicated electronics or hydraulic systems. I broke down in my Morris yesterday with complete electrical failure. Within 5 mins at the roadside I was away again. When it happened in my BMW last year, the AA man couldn't fix it and I spent 2 weeks fault finding before discovering a faulty ECU.

Also, I'm finding it easier to get parts for it than the BMW. You can get absolutely everything...... nearly.

Do it!

[stranter]

How do they compare to the BMW?

Difficult to answer that. Obviously the Minor is a lot rougher, slower and colder but it has 'soul' which a BMW doesn't.

Old BMWs have soul, I promise, but definitely not as much as a Minor.

How well would a good'un, with proper maintenance, stand up to the rigours of a modern ten mile daily commute?

Bare in mind, most have lasted upwards of 40 years! Mine copes with its 15-20 mile daily commute perfectly. They're excellent in traffic as you only have 4 gears to worry about and they're stupidly easy to drive.

Sounds good

Every trip is an adventure.

I like adventures

But if you've got plenty of spare time and you're in no rush to get anywhere...

I currently commute in 1.0L Corsa, so I honestly doubt there's much difference in speed between the two.

Stranter, we have an East Midland branch who may be able to give you a ride around in a mog. If you ring our Derby Office they will be able to give you the phone number of the local contact. His name is Murray Jessop. The office number is 01332 291675.

I'll do this, thanks!

Now, how do I tell my girlfriend about all this??

Stewart

[Kevin]

I'd like to own one and how much a genuine good one will cost.

Around £1,500 - £2,000 would buy you a really nice 1098cc saloon 2 doors tent to go for a little more than 4 doors and the Travellers and Convertibles go for quite a bit more in the same condition.

Just trying to locate one round here

You live where our HQ is so shouldnt be a problem use the number Lou has given.

Is there a brief guide on how "old" engines work?

Have a look in the technical tips section in the right column, there is also a buyers guide which you will find useful, good luck and dont jump in with the first one you see unless you come across a real cracker first time.
And feel free to ask as many questions as you like as there are quite a few chatterboxes on this site

[Kevin]

Now, how do I tell my girlfriend about all this??

Thats easy to answer Stewart most girls & ladies love them even more than we do, its down to the cute shape and old car aroma (I dont mean oil & smoke) given off by the interior

[ASL642]

Take her for the test drive too? Followed by the pub!

[Orkney]

Now, how do I tell my girlfriend about all this??

Mogs are babe magnets !!! Seriously - your biggest worry is if you get one will she pinch it !

You need to go in one a few times and have a drive is the only way you'll know if you can handle the difference between that and beamers - for your daily commute reckon if you get comfy seats you'll find it fine.
Best thing about a mog is its endearing charm - you'll find commuting a lot nicer than in an annonymous new car.
You'll get let out at junctions more often - women smile at you (A LOT) ... they are great cars!

Mechanically if your handy with the spanners then nothing - even major bits and pieces shouldnt be beyond you, carbs, timing, electrics you get stuck and all the help you need is right here - havn't had mine quite a year yet and from spending too much time on here theres not much i dont know how to tackle now.

Other considerations - it wont depreciate as long as you dont let it deteriorate, no tax and peanuts insurance with great MPG to boot.

[dalebrignall]

dont tell her just get one there great cars

[minor_hickup]

Indeed, heaps more character than old BMWs (my 2 brothers drive a 2000 and a 2002) plus much cheaper parts and more reliable. I'm keeping my eye out for my 3rd moggy, but I'm sick of the site of the oily parts of an '02. Rust is the only real consideration.

http://www.carbibles.com is a great resource for all things oily from old to new. For specific info on how these cars work a BMC workshop manual is spot on. They come up regularly on flea-bay and perhaps here if you post in the wanted section.

The only downside is noise at speed and a top speed of 75 on later cars. They will go faster but won't happily cruise these speeds.