I believe the ball is entirely in your court on that one.
mnde wrote:wood-you-believe-it trim.
Pffft!
The main issue I have with metros is the angle of the steering wheel. Any flatter and it really would be a van, except it wouldn't be, as you're sitting almost on the floor and the steering wheel is about 3' too high. I wouldn't object if it was a function of the car being small, but other car manufacturers at the time managed to make cars exactly the same size but with much better driving positions.
Plus they sound awful. That characteristic whine of the gearbox should only ever be heard from a Mini. There it's excusable as it's a case of Jam-it-in-wherever-it-fits, but on what was a small family car?
Plus they sound awful. That characteristic whine of the gearbox should only ever be heard from a Mini. There it's excusable as it's a case of Jam-it-in-wherever-it-fits, but on what was a small family car?
!! BX related moment! My first BX was a 1984 BX 14E, and it had the so called 'Visa' engine that shared with the Mini and Metro a combined engine and gearbox sump, it also had a similar transfer box on the output shaft and the center idler gear (at least I rekon it was this) would make that same whine!! It was really quite distinctive.
My Cars: 2007 Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 16V VTX 1982 Citroen GSA Spécial Estate - gone to a new home 1991 Citroen BX16 TGS Meteor - still out there somewhere!
Postby mnde »
David wrote:Plus they sound awful. That characteristic whine of the gearbox should only ever be heard from a Mini. There it's excusable as it's a case of Jam-it-in-wherever-it-fits, but on what was a small family car?
Same on the Allagro with the A-plus engine. I also drove an earlier N reg Allegro that made the same whirry noises. Sounded like a whole load of palaver going on the the cog box to gain forwardsome motion!
DavidRutherford wrote: anyone over 5'4" had their knees around their ears.
I knew a girl like that once. Very popular she was!
Later
everyone else responded and wrote: Absolutley nothing about the comedic genius bestowed upon the masses by the doc
My humour is wasted on you people, really, I just dont know why I bother....pfft...
*wanders off into sunset rambling incoherentley to myself towards a sea of doom*
Pffffffffft - spits coffee all over monitor.
Still waiting on some more details from the garage, but looks like it could be for sale. Metrover sold to some woman who wants it for her daughter to learn to drive in, so that has saved me £300 and doomed another original looking piece of BL tin to pink fluffy trim, banging soundez and holes cut in the rear shelf for the 6x4's (or is that rough cut?).
So thats £300 I have saved, thus can spend on some Chevron flavoured shite, still in the mood for a Dyane, but prohibitivly out of my price range, even basket cases. Possibly aquiring a Mk1 TRS, possibly....
My Cars: 2007 Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 16V VTX 1982 Citroen GSA Spécial Estate - gone to a new home 1991 Citroen BX16 TGS Meteor - still out there somewhere!
Postby mnde »
I know of a nice red Dyane for sale. Won't be too much but does have MOT and tax. In Farnborough, Hants. Will ask about it if you like Marty
Aerodynamica wrote:My first BX was a 1984 BX 14E, and it had the so called 'Visa' engine that shared with the Mini and Metro a combined engine and gearbox sump, it also had a similar transfer box on the output shaft and the center idler gear (at least I rekon it was this) would make that same whine!! It was really quite distinctive.
That would be the "Suitcase" engine, and the gearbox on them only whines like that if they're really worn out. Not to say they won't go like that forever, but AFAIK they didn't do that from new.....
... whereas the A-series with gearbox-in-sump did. Badly.
Shame really, as the A-series engine is a delight to work on. Really Really easy, and with a CI head barely ever goes wrong. I've often wondered if you could drill and fit Diesel injectors where the spark plugs are and create an A-series Diesel. Wouldn't be very powerful, but I'll bet it would be uber-economic and extremely robust.
Last edited by DavidRutherford on Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
mnde wrote:I know of a nice red Dyane for sale. Won't be too much but does have MOT and tax. In Farnborough, Hants. Will ask about it if you like Marty
Mark.
Mark, that would be lovely - thanks.
DavidRutherford wrote: I've often wondered if you could drill and fit Diesel injectors where the spark plugs are and create an A-series Diesel. Wouldn't be very powerful, but I'll bet it would be uber-economic and extremely robust.
Sounds Like Challenge for DOCTORCHEVRON
Last edited by M on Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
Thought you weren't coming back mate? Anyhow now you're here I fully expect you to defend the mighty Metro!
I have 2 bx's still for now so will need parts etc so no point cutting of my nose etc if all things stay ammicable, as for BL tin you know im a huge fan and have been looking longingly at Mk1 Metros and Marinas on ebay.
I'm sure things will stay amicable but did you really rejoin just to get parts mucker?
Mark: it went to someone on eBay who promised to restore it. I hope he did/does because it was a little belter and very original. Early ones are really rarae now and, in my eyes, deserve saving. Of course as rare and as fun as they are, the ultimate winner's car of that era had to be the Chevette. Especially the saloon model. And even especially-er in white. And four doors.
More of that later though on another part of the forum...
DavidRutherford wrote:The A-series engine is a delight to work on. Really Really easy, and with a CI head barely ever goes wrong. I've often wondered if you could drill and fit Diesel injectors where the spark plugs are and create an A-series Diesel. Wouldn't be very powerful, but I'll bet it would be uber-economic and extremely robust.
Actually there *was* an A series diesel, which was fitted to the BMC Mini-Tractor. Don't get too excited tho, IIRC it boasted 16bhp...
Last edited by jonathan_dyane on Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Boring damned people. All over the earth. Propagating more boring damned people. What a horror show. The earth swarmed with them." -Charles Bukowski
DavidRutherford wrote: I've often wondered if you could drill and fit Diesel injectors where the spark plugs are and create an A-series Diesel. Wouldn't be very powerful, but I'll bet it would be uber-economic and extremely robust.
Sounds Like Challenge for DOCTORCHEVRON
Ok, someone get me an A series lump (actually I should be able to find one on the farm) and I'll knock one up.
Turbo'd obviousley!
Mat Fenwick wrote:*Sigh* If it makes you feel any better...
You're too kind sir!
Smokes lots, because enough's enough already!
Far too many BX's, a bus, an ambulance a few trucks, not enough time and never enough cash...
DavidRutherford wrote: I've often wondered if you could drill and fit Diesel injectors where the spark plugs are and create an A-series Diesel. Wouldn't be very powerful, but I'll bet it would be uber-economic and extremely robust.
Sounds Like Challenge for DOCTORCHEVRON
Ok, someone get me an A series lump (actually I should be able to find one on the farm) and I'll knock one up.
Turbo'd obviousley!
Then I will find a Mk 1 MiniMetro to hone it into.... That'll be a fun afternoon
