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Metric tyres kind of made sense when most manufacturers seemed to be all going over to metric measurements for all their fasteners. However, presumably because of cost reasons, they never really caught on.
I know Dougal at Longstone tyres stocks the BMW TRX ones but as for the smaller ones I wouldn't know. I would imagine that a full set would be eye-wateringly expensive though...
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Apr 15, 2021 10:24:14 GMT
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mrbounce I did speak to Longstone a few years ago and they were apparently considering 315 tyres but I suspect given the decent selection of 12" and 13" wheels available combined with the relatively low value of Metros compared to TRX equipped BMWs it will be a while before it makes sense commercially. Looks like a good little car there rob1380 - I can't wait to see the project unfold! Luxury spec too, a clock, radio and a glovebox?! James
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Apr 15, 2021 15:58:43 GMT
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Thanks for all posts
So far ....
Oil change
Oil filter
Spark plugs
Air filter
Tightened book lock
Worked out where rear belts will mount ( Helped by friend, neighbour, stalker)
Replaced rear washer bottle pump ( Helped by friend, neighbour, stalker)
Mini winter steels on
Suspension pumped up ... looks high ( set to factory ) so will run for a week or two and see if it settles - will reassess then ( passengers , front and rear very likely)
After a run/ or two it’s evident that 2nd gear isn’t happy ( coming down from third) ..double declutch for time being
Other bits bought but not fitted yet ...
Anti roll bar bushes
Cotton reel bushes for gear linkage
Thermostat
And and special ( 1st of many) treats to improve and upgrade ....
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Apr 15, 2021 16:47:28 GMT
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Aaah yes the delightful second gear synchros that go. At least it isn't as bad as my old 1275GT which regularly jumped out of 3rd gear... Good luck! I am happily in for the ride  |
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Apr 15, 2021 17:25:04 GMT
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Aaah yes the delightful second gear synchros that go. At least it isn't as bad as my old 1275GT which regularly jumped out of 3rd gear... Good luck! I am happily in for the ride I’m sure the ‘jump’ will be on the cards soon 4x4 🤪 .... Sitting on steels and winter tyres  Had a play around with radio ... Crackle and hiss , interspersed with noises that may or may not resemble a song ...in mono from single speaker . Yeah I’ll be looking at that ASAP |
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Apr 15, 2021 17:48:07 GMT
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Oh and the obligatory Nurburgring sticker to be ‘in’ with the local wide boys  |
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Apr 15, 2021 18:19:12 GMT
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I had the pleasure of working at an Austin-Rover dealer around this era only thing was I had moved from a VW dealer to be nearer home and was utterly shocked at the quality of AR stuff compared to the same period VW. Had a silver Metro 1.3 HLE as a company car for a short while, tailgate used to pop open on a particular section of the M1 between J12 and 13 northbound when cruising at indicated 70. Delivered a brand new Maestro 1.6HLE that the alternator failed on as I arrived at the customer's house. When the MG Maestro first came out it was on twin webbers which patently no one at the factory or the dealership knew how to tune the carbs on. They were just built to very low budget by people who really did not give a t0ss about pride in workmanship. But I still love a Metro especially a luxury one like your HLE  . |
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Needs a bigger hammer mate.......
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ovimor
North East
...It'll be ME!
Posts: 934
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Apr 15, 2021 18:38:15 GMT
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duggers"..They were just built to very low budget by people who really did not give a t0ss about pride in workmanship.." Yeah, I'm a devout IMPnutter Share in your Pain... lol  OVIMOR
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Knowledge is to know a Tomato is a 'fruit' - Wisdom, on the other hand, is knowing not to put it in a 'fruit salad'!
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Apr 15, 2021 18:46:36 GMT
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I had the pleasure of working at an Austin-Rover dealer around this era only thing was I had moved from a VW dealer to be nearer home and was utterly shocked at the quality of AR stuff compared to the same period VW. Had a silver Metro 1.3 HLE as a company car for a short while, tailgate used to pop open on a particular section of the M1 between J12 and 13 northbound when cruising at indicated 70. Delivered a brand new Maestro 1.6HLE that the alternator failed on as I arrived at the customer's house. When the MG Maestro first came out it was on twin webbers which patently no one at the factory or the dealership knew how to tune the carbs on. They were just built to very low budget by people who really did not give a t0ss about pride in workmanship. But I still love a Metro especially a luxury one like your HLE . It didn’t get any better under Rover in the 90’s I had a brand new 97 mini .... 3 recalls in 6 months - including the analogue clock that was wired up to ignition , so stopped when car was switched off . Then I had a 6 month old mini in 99 ... it needed paint / corrosion repair within a year of coming off production line ! So finding a solid survivor from the 80’s is the proverbial poor quality wobbly children's play pony p@@ |
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Apr 15, 2021 22:10:51 GMT
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I had the pleasure of working at an Austin-Rover dealer around this era only thing was I had moved from a VW dealer to be nearer home and was utterly shocked at the quality of AR stuff compared to the same period VW. Had a silver Metro 1.3 HLE as a company car for a short while, tailgate used to pop open on a particular section of the M1 between J12 and 13 northbound when cruising at indicated 70. Delivered a brand new Maestro 1.6HLE that the alternator failed on as I arrived at the customer's house. When the MG Maestro first came out it was on twin webbers which patently no one at the factory or the dealership knew how to tune the carbs on. They were just built to very low budget by people who really did not give a t0ss about pride in workmanship. But I still love a Metro especially a luxury one like your HLE . Tailgate used to pop open on mine as well! Going to be honest, it was my first car and I hated it at the time, but I wouldn’t mind having it back now. |
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rickygolf83
Scotland
Mk2 Golf 8v & 16v, VR6, Nova Antibes, Mk4 1.8t & mk4 Gt Tdi 130
Posts: 560 
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Love this car 😁 So basic its awesome and a true survivor of a Metro 👍 Basic? HLE is a posh one ( not quite as posh as a VP but close!) compared to some. I had loads back in the day and a few years ago accidentally bought a mk1 City Special at a local vintage auction. One mirror, one sun visor, no heated rear screen or parcel shelf and fixed back seats are a few of the things that make it special 😂. HLE is positively palatial in comparison 😂 Sadly I don't have any metro ownership experience, but did go to the scouts in an F reg white mini city circa 1990 😁 |
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Apr 17, 2021 17:42:00 GMT
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Basic? HLE is a posh one ( not quite as posh as a VP but close!) compared to some. I had loads back in the day and a few years ago accidentally bought a mk1 City Special at a local vintage auction. One mirror, one sun visor, no heated rear screen or parcel shelf and fixed back seats are a few of the things that make it special 😂. HLE is positively palatial in comparison 😂 Sadly I don't have any metro ownership experience, but did go to the scouts in an F reg white mini city circa 1990 😁 You probably got around corners/ roundabouts faster then ! |
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spacekadett
Part of things
F*cking take that Hans Brrix!!
Posts: 838
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Apr 19, 2021 19:00:04 GMT
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Love this car 😁 So basic its awesome and a true survivor of a Metro 👍 Basic? HLE is a posh one ( not quite as posh as a VP but close!) compared to some. I had loads back in the day and a few years ago accidentally bought a mk1 City Special at a local vintage auction. One mirror, one sun visor, no heated rear screen or parcel shelf and fixed back seats are a few of the things that make it special 😂. HLE is positively palatial in comparison 😂 It’s surprisingly easy I’d only tagged along with my dad, who’d gone for the vintage tractor stuff when we spied it amongst the few classic cars in the sale. A very cursory look over and it looked ok other than a bit of grot in the wings and valance. I had my weeks wages in my pocket and thought if it started cheap I’d have a punt. It started at £200 so I was in I reached my maximum and was going to stop there until the auctioneer dropped the bid and started giving it the you don’t want to lose it for another £20 etc. I figured just one more and it was mine! I didn’t need another project and didn’t think until after I’d bought it that I didn’t know if it even ran, let alone had any mot, or indeed how I was going to get it home!  |
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Mechanic's rule #1... If the car works, anything left on the floor after you finished wasn't needed in the first place |
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Apr 19, 2021 20:01:35 GMT
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Basic? HLE is a posh one ( not quite as posh as a VP but close!) compared to some. I had loads back in the day and a few years ago accidentally bought a mk1 City Special at a local vintage auction. One mirror, one sun visor, no heated rear screen or parcel shelf and fixed back seats are a few of the things that make it special 😂. HLE is positively palatial in comparison 😂 It’s surprisingly easy I’d only tagged along with my dad, who’d gone for the vintage tractor stuff when we spied it amongst the few classic cars in the sale. A very cursory look over and it looked ok other than a bit of grot in the wings and valance. I had my weeks wages in my pocket and thought if it started cheap I’d have a punt. It started at £200 so I was in I reached my maximum and was going to stop there until the auctioneer dropped the bid and started giving it the you don’t want to lose it for another £20 etc. I figured just one more and it was mine! I didn’t need another project and didn’t think until after I’d bought it that I didn’t know if it even ran, let alone had any mot, or indeed how I was going to get it home! Looks tidy ... love the colour You ALWAYS. Need another project .... it’s the law |
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Apr 22, 2021 18:44:36 GMT
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Bung in the big bobbins on the b reg Gear change refresh .....    |
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Apr 23, 2021 17:02:38 GMT
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So , I do this to all my minis / metros . (Along with other tips/ tricks and design changes ... more to come) I use the longer mini moke KAD quickshift gear-lever . This brings the gear lever/ knob close to steering wheel ( a la touring car) it also eliminates the reach to get into 1st and 4th. Much nicer / more comfortable and shorter movement to boot ! Have done a few now so can fully fit and reassemble in an hour. Have gone for the black edition - less chrome ( suited more to 80’s metro) Before   During  Note length difference After  And the cherry .... had a bespoke insert made to match the original gear knob pattern / design    This was insert that came with kit  Oh, and a PS... don’t drop the gear knob while fitting , it will scratch it 🤦 |
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Apr 23, 2021 17:27:20 GMT
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Oops .... length comparison pic  |
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Apr 23, 2021 21:19:44 GMT
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1 - 2 - 3 - E ?
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Apr 23, 2021 21:26:14 GMT
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Hle was ‘economy’ model with a slightly tweaked gearbox ... highest mpg of the metros . The 1-3e pattern was on this model ... ‘get into high gear ASAP for more economy’ 🤣 |
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 64.1 mpg ..... yeah not how I drive ! |
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