Mk1 1.8 Import VSpec '94 using oil?

[mk1TW]

Hi all,


Been in contact with the seller of what looks like a clean MK1 import V special.

I asked about oil usage and the seller replied,

'On normal journeys e.g. (30 mile commute) it uses nothing at all.

On a longer journey e.g. Near London to the Isle of Wight and back it uses just over half a litre'

The seller has kept on top of servicing, looks to be a nice example, is this oil consumption normal or should I be put off? The car is on 170,000 kilometers so around 105k Miles.

so around 300-400 miles using 0.5 litres of oil? I'd be putting in 2 litres a month...

Somethings surely not right?

Is there a 'normal' oil useage amount on these engines, or is it 'none',

Thanks

Tom

[Mazda Mender]

It does sound like the stem seals are on the way out?, which can be fixed, but she is using nothing on pottering around just driven hard? hard to say really without seeing her and testing, but you must remember how old these roadsters are now to Tom, Mk 2 1.8's were the worst for oil use, the harder you used them the more they would burn off as a trait of the version/car, Mk 1's tend to be very hard wearing, has i said you must remember how old these roadsters are if you are going to be using her as a daily runner, you will be doing maintenance simply because of the age, these engines can go on for ever just like the B series and A series in the MG's, if servicing is kept on top of.
Does she smoke on start up? is she a 1.6 or 1.8? if you will being doing a lot of miles than would you not look at a later version?

But there is a lot deeper questions i would be asking the seller to honest.
M-m

[mk1TW]

Thanks M-m.

I've given it a miss.

I won't be doing that many miles, definately set on a Mk1! That was sort of worst case scenario, though I am hoping to use it as my daily for a good chunk of the year. Likely 400 miles a month.

I'm more than happy to do general maintenance and learn about the car, just wanted to avoid and engine change right away.. haha.

I've found another, 1.8 s-special, '93, 93,000 miles. Seems excellent and up for strong money at £2750.

The only problem it has listed by the seller is this;

'Bad bits - seems to be dropping a small amount of coolant. Might need a new rad, maybe just tightening some hoses; I've not had time to look. Such a small amount that's being lost that cooling doesn't seem to be effected, but this will need attention.'


How worried should I be by that?

I will obviously be wanting some money off the asking price, and a new rad and hoses may well solve it. I assume the engine isn't drinking it that is...


I thought I'd report back and ask the expert, what's your thoughts!

Thanks M-m,

Tom

[Mazda Mender]

I would not be scared to view but that is a high price with that mileage , new rad and hoses is no biggy, but i would want to check everything,but the price, Hmmmm it would need to be good for that.
M-m

[mk1TW]

Thanks mate, yes mot history was very clean, had brand new Meisters and CGF roll bar, new mohair roof etc.

And...... the seller has decided to keep it Until March next year.

This mk1 finding malarky is grinding me down....

Cheers.

[Mazda Mender]

They are out there, there was a nice B2 for sale manchester way that looked very nice, i'll try and find a link.
M-m