I've spent a lot of time deliberating the last few days over what to do about my car - now I've moved back closer to work I'm not really sure if I can justify having a larger vehicle, especially with the excessive petrol prices, cost of modified insurance, and simple maintenance costs like nearly £100 a tyre as opposed to a normal unmodified car. The problem is that I'm not sure if there would be any demand for a modified 1.8 so I thought I'd just see what you guys thought an approximate value should be when I come to sell it.
I originally brought the car from Auction this time last year for £587 (after auction fee). The vehicle was completely standard with 12 months MOT and showing a measly 62k miles. There was no service documentation with the car but the oil was clean, it ran like clock work and closer inspection revealed score marks on the tappets which indicated that the vehicle had full dealer service history (tappet adjustment is carried out as part of major services with the Honda 1.8 unit and as far as I'm aware only Rover themselves used score marks on the tappets to indicate this). There are four score marks which in my eyes would indicate major services at the scheduled 12k mile intervals.
As with any vehicle I purchase, the first port of call was to book the car into the garage and have a full overhaul. This was at 62.5k miles and included changing every belt, pad and fluid in the car - Brake Fluid, Clutch Fluid, Water/Anti-freeze, Full Service, Timing Belt, Balancing Shaft Belt, Front and Rear Brake Pads etc. I have since carried out an oil change @ 69k miles (luckily as the Genuine MG Rover Oil Filter had already started to weep) and will be servicing the car again in 2 weeks time (75k miles) when the car goes in for MOT. The only problems that can be found on the car are a snapped split pin, 2 tyres in need of replacement and a bent drivers window mechanism. The Tyres and split pin will be replaced for MOT and the Electric Window Mechanism (and appropriate rubber guide) will be replaced before sale so the car will be sold as 100% mechanically perfect condition.
Since I have had the car I have carried out a number of modifications - all subtle and in the majority using standard Rover parts (with the exception of the suspension upgrade, Steering Wheel and Audio Equipment). A break down of these modifications are as follows:
Wheels & Suspension
17" Vitesse Sport Alloys (+ Spare - Although spare does need refubishment)
4 x 215/50 R17 Tyres
35mm Jamex Lowering Springs
Rover 800 Wheel Nuts
Body Styling
Colour Coded Rear Number Plate Surround
Standard TI Lip Spoiler (boot)
Colour Coded Grill with Black Painted Slats
Foglights (including Switch and Appropriate Relay)
Colour Coded Foglight Surrounds
MG Flags Badges
LED Sidelight Bulbs
Clear Side Repeaters
GB Number Plates
Colour Coded Mud Flaps
Spray work (Colour Coding, Fitting of Spoiler and Tidying up of scratched/dented areas)
Seats And Trim
TI Half Leather Interior
Issotta Steering Wheel
Momo Steering Wheel Boss
Fitted Mats
TI Under-Bonnet Insulation
In-Car Entertainment
Pioneer DEH-6500 Head Unit (with Remote)
Fusion Front Component Speakers
Rear Speaker Upgrade (Fusion 6x9's)
Fusion 300w Amp
Fusion Ported Sub-Box and 12" Fusion Sub
Pictures of the car as it stands are below (pictures were taken less than 4 weeks ago).
Regards
Gareth
