Daily driving and servicing in Hampshire

[francisslang]

Hey everyone, probably been asked many times before. But what is everyone’s current thoughts on using a minor as a daily driver? I’m finally in a position to get a minor and have a couple of questions about it:
My commute is probably around 20 miles motorway driving each way. Do you reckon that’s suitable for a minor, or will the slow speed/noise, not make that enjoyable all year round?
In terms of doing that many miles, probably around 10k a year or more, is that something I could keep a minor going reliably covering that many miles. I know it depends on the car I get, but I really do need something that is going to get me to work each day.
And finally, does anyone know any reliable people or garages near Winchester that can service or do bigger jobs on a minor. As I think I can do the basic maintenance myself. And I asked a garage the other day and they said they don’t do classic car repairs and that that is pretty much the rule with lots of repair shops now?
Thanks everyone

[myoldjalopy]

If .......and that's an important 'if'.....if the car is in good order and regularly serviced, then it should not be a problem. For years I used a 1956 1000 saloon as a daily driver and clocked up up to 12K miles a year without issue. My current Minor is my only car.
As to how well you would cope with using such a car as a daily driver depends on how 'hard-core' you are and how much you can accept the characteristics of what is now a decidedly old-fashioned car. Personally, I accept and enjoy the car for what it is, but others fret over the limitations of things like brakes, seats, engines, gearboxes, heating etc.
I would search very carefully to get a really solid, well-maintained, leak-free* and reliable car and, even then, you may have to fix a few things once you have it so that it is constantly reliable, and regularly check and service it so that it remains so. And you probably won't want one of the earlier models with less power and weaker gearboxes. A good 1098cc model should do the trick. I would not advise an 803cc model for daily motorway driving.You might even want to work out an alternative route to avoid the motorways, I always think the Minor is happier on A, B and unclassified roads!
* By leak-free, I mean you do not want water entering the car anywhere, making the carpets soggy and smelly and rotting the body out quickly.

[francisslang]

If .......and that's an important 'if'.....if the car is in good order and regularly serviced, then it should not be a problem. For years I used a 1956 1000 saloon as a daily driver and clocked up up to 12K miles a year without issue. My current Minor is my only car.
As to how well you would cope with using such a car as a daily driver depends on how 'hard-core' you are and how much you can accept the characteristics of what is now a decidedly old-fashioned car. Personally, I accept and enjoy the car for what it is, but others fret over the limitations of things like brakes, seats, engines, gearboxes, heating etc.
I would search very carefully to get a really solid, well-maintained, leak-free* and reliable car and, even then, you may have to fix a few things once you have it so that it is constantly reliable, and regularly check and service it so that it remains so. And you probably won't want one of the earlier models with less power and weaker gearboxes. A good 1098cc model should do the trick. I would not advise an 803cc model for daily motorway driving.You might even want to work out an alternative route to avoid the motorways, I always think the Minor is happier on A, B and unclassified roads!
* By leak-free, I mean you do not want water entering the car anywhere, making the carpets soggy and smelly and rotting the body out quickly.

Thanks for your reply, yeah I’m looking for one of the 1098’s. Good to know they can cover such miles, if I find a good one!

[Binkley]

Hi, I too am Hampshire based and am looking for servicing recommendations for the Morris Traveller I have recently inherited from my father. Any Southampton/Winchester/New Forest garage recommendations will be gratefully received. Thank you!

[mowogg]

It's possible to do high mileages but be aware the service intervals are very short on some items. If you have drum brakes you are likely to be adjusting monthly allowance year round, and greasing at similar intervals. It sounds appealing when it's warm, but servicing at home in the cold can quickly become unappealing

[ManyMinors]

If you have drum brakes you are likely to be adjusting monthly all year round, and greasing at similar intervals. It sounds appealing when it's warm, but servicing at home in the cold can quickly become unappealing

I have drum brakes still but even when I commuted 50 miles each day I never had to adjust my brakes that frequently. My car has always been almost totally reliable - and easy to repair at home when anything HAS gone wrong. I have (and do) avoid motorways where possible and nowadays try to keep off salted roads in the winter. I probably wouldn't want a Minor anymore as my only car (because of long journeys and convenience as well as space) but it remains an excellent second car

[Guildbass]

Not exactly in Hampshire, but Graham at Fonthill Garage knows his way around the ASeries, he has a Frog Eyed Sprite amongst his fleet, and Tisbury Motors do all manner of classics. Both in South Wiltshire about 12 miles West of Salisbury.
I've just done my Travellers engine at Fonthill Garage under Graham's critical eye, and Tisbury had everything from AC Cobras to 1930's Rileys in while I was there.
Tisbury also has 99 octane ethanol free petrol in their only petrol pump....

[philthehill]

That is interesting to know about the 99 octane and Tisbury is not too far from me.

[philthehill]

Called today at the garage at Tisbury and the pump was labelled E5 not ethanol free.

[Guildbass]

Called today at the garage at Tisbury and the pump was labelled E5 not ethanol free.

Sigh... Yes, E5 means 'UP TO 5% ethanol, 'Up to' includes 0%.
There is no label under current regs for 'ethanol free'.
I worked there until last year, I have known the owners, Mark and Elaine, for 24 years and I was part of the decision making that kept that pump at E5 rather than going E10. The actual fuel in the ground that supplies that pump is ethanol free 99 octane which falls under the E5 classification.

[philthehill]

You can sigh as much as you want but your inside information/description is not matched by the details on the pump which just says E5. I did not see any obvious reference to the pump supplying ethanol free fuel or it being 99 Octane.

The garage was closed when I visited at lunch time today so could not ask anyone for any more information or purchase petrol of any description.

The visit to Tisbury was not all wasted as I had a very nice pint of Red Beard in the Boot Inn near opposite the garage.
Phil

[Guildbass]

You can sigh as much as you want but your inside information/description is not matched by the details on the pump which just says E5. I did not see any obvious reference to the pump supplying ethanol free fuel or it being 99 Octane.

The garage was closed when I visited at lunch time today so could not ask anyone for any more information or purchase petrol of any description.

The visit to Tisbury was not all wasted as I had a very nice pint of Red Beard in the Boot Inn near opposite the garage.
Phil

No, you won't.
No one labels a pump E0. Every fuel station that has a 'Super' pump will have E5 on it. That does not mean it IS 5%, only that it could be as high as 5% and still be within limits according to its classification.,
There are only two common designations in the UK, E5 or E10.

E5 is UP TO 5% ethanol, and it is up to the supplier and/or garage as to what percentage UP TO 5% they are pumping.
I repeat, E5 does NOT mean it is 5% ethanol, it is a designation that allows for anything up to 5%.
Tisbury has 0% ethanol, which sits under the classification E5

There is no reference to it being 99 octane on it. That is a bit of 'inside info' from me because I used to work there, was part of the decision to go 'super' rather than E10 and dealt with the tanker drivers.
Twice a week the tanker driver filled up the petrol tank and the invoices said 99 octane, zero ethylene.
https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/fu ... 0biodiesel

[Guildbass]

deleted duplicate post

[Guildbass]

You can sigh as much as you want but your inside information/description is not matched by the details on the pump which just says E5. I did not see any obvious reference to the pump supplying ethanol free fuel or it being 99 Octane.

The garage was closed when I visited at lunch time today so could not ask anyone for any more information or purchase petrol of any description.

The visit to Tisbury was not all wasted as I had a very nice pint of Red Beard in the Boot Inn near opposite the garage.
Phil

No, you won't see any reference to ANY pump being ethanol free.
No one labels a pump E0. Every fuel station that has a 'Super' pump will have E5 on it. That does not mean it IS 5%, only that it could be as high as 5% and still be within limits according to its classification.,
There are only two common designations in the UK, E5 or E10.

E5 is UP TO 5% ethanol, and it is up to the supplier and/or garage as to what percentage UP TO 5% they are pumping.
I repeat, E5 does NOT mean it is 5% ethanol, it is a designation that allows for anything up to 5%.
Tisbury has 0% ethanol, which sits under the classification E5

There is no reference to it being 99 octane on it. That is a bit of 'inside info' from me because I used to work there, was part of the decision to go 'super' rather than E10 and dealt with the tanker drivers.
Twice a week the tanker driver filled up the petrol tank and the invoices said 99 octane, zero ethylene.
https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/fu ... 0biodiesel

[Sleeper]

Guildbass

YES, I think we have got it now......

John ;-)

[Guildbass]

Guildbass

YES, I think we have got it now......

John ;-)

Don;t know why it posted twice...V strange!