Thread: Bought myself a classic

Originally Posted by oyamum

My question is what are some things I should look out for when I pick her up?
Any common problems the classics have? I'll be driving it back to melb so don't want any common problems to catch me out...

Thanks in advance

Answer to 1: Everything.

Answer to 2: What common problems DON'T they have....

I say this to everyone, (especially to first-time MB buyers, who seem to be ignorant of the potential pitfalls of purchasing a 20+ year old car) regardless of their ownership history or experience...

Unless you can do a properly thorough pre purchase inspection yourself (and remain 100% objective) on the vehicle in question (any vehicle that is, regardless of make), then you simply do not know what the actual condition of the vehicle is - and you should get someone to do an inspection for you if you are unable to view the vehicle (and I always strongly suggest you don't buy something sight unseen).

Use a widely respected & recognized independent specialist LR workshop. Do not take it to the local garage.

Their PPI report should give you a detailed list of all serviceable items, as well as those requiring immediate / urgent attention, suspect serviceable items which function but requiring more observation and items which are sound, but due for replacement according to service schedule intervals

That includes listing of all the appropriate sounds/noises are present/not present, fluids, seals, brakes, drivetrain, electrical test results, rust the lot.

Without that information, you cannot make any educated analysis of possible issues. Further to that, to make blind assumptions based on a list of commonly known issues means bugger all as well. Noone can predict what could or will or will not happen when they haven't seen a vehicle.

Seriously, that's a pretty broad reaching question you are asking. If you've seen the vehicle, and you still have this question, then you need to have someone else look over it and do the PPI.

Otherwise, it should be happy motoring, because having done your homework, you should be good to drive.

So long as you have a full roll of tools, coolant, gear oil, ATF, brake fluid, water, gaffa tape, #8 fencing wire, pliers, jumper leads, and a list of phone numbers for flatbed towtrucks between your pickup point and destination.

Don't laugh. I'm serious. Prepare for the worst, Hope for the best. If you prepare, then chances are nothing will go wrong. If you don't, chances are everything that can go wrong, probably will.

Enjoy the drive. Head over the snow, forget the highway. It's a much nicer drive back in through the east.

Yeah, if the condition is unknown, do yourself a favour and get RACV a total care before picking it up. If it's been modified with winch, etc it may have been worked very hard and things could be very worn.

Having said that, if you've taken it for a drive already before buying it, excessive lash in the drivetrain, clunks and motor rattles should already be known as well as if the cooling system works properly and what electrics work and what don't (I'd be amazed if everything worked)

It's a very open ended question, but I wish you luck getting it home and looking forward to you posting some pics of it and letting us all know what you ended up with.

Anyway, Ballan isn't far really - done that trip in a 101 that was sight unseen.

Might even be easier having it transported and catching a plane home.... could be cheaper.....

Gee's guys,

where is you sense of adventure. fill a backpack with tools as carry on ... drive to the nearest supercheap and get all the lubricants you need.... check them all... add air to the tires ... and start motoring. What is the worse that can happen If it overheats.... drive by the nearest wrecking yard, .... grab an EL fan and hardwire it to the battery... hold it on with a few cable ties until you get home. If it's the radiator ... replace it with a fresh one.

you will need to do this stuff either way .... and is a part of the fun. If you have low beam, brake lights and indicators your set.

Who cares about bushes and knocks and thumps. It'll still drive home no issues, it'll just wander at speed.

seeya,
Shane L.

Well its the things like sleeve knocks, and auto flares that you are really looking for.
Everything else is less expensive but those 2 should be deal breakers as they are $5000 each and really consign most RRCs to the scrap heap.
I had an optimist friend who was selling a nice soft dash LWB with about 270KK and wanted 10K for it. I asked him about the trans and he said Oh it flares a bit. It then became a 15K car.

Regards Philip A

Thanks for the advice guys... I should've explained myself a bit better. I am actually a qualified mechanic but not a rover mechanic. So I know my way around cars.. My question was more looking for common issues specifically found in early rovers. Thinking more along the lines "such and such wiring loom rubs on seat rail" or rust in some weird obscure hard to see area. I havnt seen the car in person and have bought it for $2000 based only on 6 pics that he sent me via SMS and some SMS messages explaining condition... Lol yeh I know it's a risk but I love an adventure

Then you should be fine. Wiring can cause issues and if the headlights havnet had a relay fitted and you're driving at night, you may all of a sudden find yourself in the dark. Maybe take some wire, crimps, etc.

Check all fluid levels before you leave - including the swivel housings although they may have one shot in them, but a couple of pumps of gear oil into each wouldn't hurt.

Originally Posted by Homestar

done that trip in a 101 that was sight unseen.

And what a memorable adventure that was.

Oh, we did have a chase car.

Are you taking a friend?