Bangernomics - is it time to consider the move towards this?

Brooker_Dave

Merry_Gentry wrote: »

I bought a 1997 R reg Rover 600, diesel last September for £795. Since then, the following has occurred:

* £750 - full service, which revealed brake fluid had drained away, so front discs, etc

Finding a £500 car for £800 that needed £750 worth of work was your first mistake?

Merry_Gentry

bargepole wrote: »

Taking a contrary view to most on here, I bought a Rover 600 (1997R, the 2.0 petrol version) from the car auction a couple of years ago, ran it for 18 months, and sold it for £750 - a £200 profit.

I did 27,000 miles in the car while I had it, and the only expenses were a new battery (£40) and a tin of radweld to fix a pinhole leak in the radiator. The local MG Rover dealer did the servicing for £115 fixed price all in.

These cars are really nice to drive, with much more luxury than you get on the modern Japanese aternatives, and my advice would be to stick with it for as long as you can.

I only sold mine because I needed an estate car for work, so I've now got an 05 MG ZT-T, which I really like as well.

Sounds like you did well out of your Rover :beer:

Merry_Gentry

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

Finding a £500 car for £800 that needed £750 worth of work was your first mistake?

Yeah it would seem so - you live and learn I guess.

Merry_Gentry

Conor wrote: »

You have been robbed absolutely blind. Even with the most major service and replacing all the brake components, it wouldn't be a £750.

£20 for a motor from the scrappies - an hours labour to fit. I know because mine went on my 620.

Clutch cylinder is £50 for master, £30 TOPS for slave plus an hours fitting.

Bangernomics works really well as long as you don't then go to the most expensive garage you can find when it goes wrong.

Well I know much more about bangernomics now than I did before (when I bought the Rover I wasn't trying to do bangernomics, it was simply what I thought was the best for what I could afford). I guess it would seem I have been a fool to trust the mechanic I have been going to, and will need to look around. Thanks.

Conor_3

If in doubt, ask on this forum. A lot of us are or have been mechanics or service our own cars so know how much parts should be and how long it should take. Hourly labour costs vary wildly which is why I always reply with the cost of the part plus how long it typically takes to do the job so you can come to your own conclusion what you think is fair based on a garages' labour rates.

Merry_Gentry

Thanks, that's really appreciated :beer: . The last job he did for me (£245) included the tow to the garage as the car was undrivable, the clutch cylinder, oil and the labour. I knew it was £45 for the tow, so paying £200 for the cylinder, oil and labour seemed reasonable?

bungle4x4

I have a mondeo outside, 99 T plate. on LPG it runs for 4p a mile. 10000 miles of trouble free motoring for 500 quid.

Merry_Gentry

bungle4x4 wrote: »

I have a mondeo outside, 99 T plate. on LPG it runs for 4p a mile. 10000 miles of trouble free motoring for 500 quid.

Was this just to make me feel worse?!! :rotfl::rotfl:

bungle4x4

no mate, its a major plus in bangernomics.

ill be flogging it soon if your interested

Merry_Gentry

bungle4x4 wrote: »

no mate, its a major plus in bangernomics.

ill be flogging it soon if your interested

I might just take you up on that!! Of course, I would have to ask why you're flogging it......