TIMS BX BLOG

[Defender110]

The mk 1 variant were much better in my opinion , I also had a later mk 2 variant that was just held together with luck, very plasticky and just about the worst thing to come out of the BL camp.

[Kitch]

just about the worst thing to come out of the BL camp.

Surely that was the Ital??

[Defender110]

Surely that was the Ital??

Correct they did get worse with the later Marinas being identical to the Ital in spirit and build quality.

[Tinkley]

There's a part of me that wants to own one, if only to see just how bad they really were! I remember my Dad telling me it was truly awful in nearly every way, which prompted me to ask "Why did you have it 8 years then?!"

They were pretty bad considering they were virtually contemporary to the new BX and Sierra, at least the later Ital versions. The rear suspension was such that you could feel the tyres losing adhesion on bumpy roads. I recall some interesting drives in the Leicester area and especially on the hills around Sheffield, even more exciting towing a boat trailer which it did not seem to enjoy too much. My old Chrysler Sunbeam would easily out handle one, and that was 1977 vintage, you would have liked the Lotus Sunbeam version Kitch. However they (Marinas) were reasonably reliable plodders, with of course the propensity to occassionally drop a front wheel - Minor style as it was almost unchanged front steering design. They (Marinas) would also overheat brakes descending Alpine passes which none of the French (or German) cars would do at the time, made even more fun if a caravan was hitched too...I counted several on one Alpine crossing all stopped to let the brakes cool after severe fade issues... If it does not have faux wood it will have a nicer interior IMHO....

The Allegro really was worse, mind......

[Tim Leech]

Rust wise they are no worse than a ford of the same era, and the one's we had were incredibly reliable, one had way over 200000 miles on it just kept on ticking.

This one starts as soon as you insert the key. Ok the handling Isn't great but the later ones had roll bars and with slighter wider tyres as I've just fitted they are fine as a daily as long as you don't drive too fast.

[Kitch]

Rust wise they are no worse than a ford of the same era

So shocking, then?

they are fine as a daily as long as you don't drive.

Edited that for you

[Tim Leech]

Well we did it! Michael and I are now married, thanks for the good wishes and to Mark and Sandre who shared our special day.! We're currently on honeymoon down in Ivybridge in a little holiday cottage with Jack, chilling out, eating too much and seeing the sights.

Feels all a bit surreal!

See you all at the National.

[Tinkley]

Congratulations. Hope you get reasonable weather!. Ivybridge, quite a nice part of the world.

[Tim Leech]

It's lovely, although the locals drive like idiots on very narrow roads!

[Defender110]

Congratulations Tim.

[saintjamesy89]

Congratulations Tim! Hope you had a nice day, was there a BX involved?

[Tim Leech]

Sandre's car was in the car park, we used a Bentley and the Sd1 as the wedding cars!

Thanks Tom

It was an awesome day, which passed all too quickly.

[mds141]

Thanks for allowing be to be part of such a special day Tim. I felt a tear welling up more than once I have to say. It was a wonderful day.

[Jaba]

Congrats Tim. I have been married a couple of times and can concur that a wedding day is always special...........

[jamescarruthers]

Very well done Tim, Congratulations! I am following in your steps in a few weeks.