If you could only do 6 checks...

[George]

Hi
As a first time owner of a P5B coupe, I'm really impressed by the huge amount of knowledge you guys have, and your dedication to your vehicles.

Having just acquired a fair condition, reasonably solid, newly MOT'd P5B, I'm anxious to identify early on any problems that might suddenly leave me stranded. However, the usual problem of work and family eating into my time means that the time I've got for working on the car is limited.

So....based on your experiences with these cars, if yoiu had a recently MOT'd runner which has done very small mileages in recent years, what would be the half dozen things you would check first? I'd just like to try to minimise my chances of having to tell the wife that we're completing our next outing on foot...!

Thanks in advance
George

[Deleted]

;DWelcome to P5 ownership and this forum

An essential is membership of the club and then come to one of the rallies - whereabouts are you?

Important things for reliability which do not cost much are:.......................

Oil & filter changes every 3000 miles or 18 months regardless and use good quality mineral 15/50 oil like GTX

Replace plugs, points & condenser every 12k miles

Renew the antifreeze with good quality Glyocol based stuff at at least 33% concentration

Renew coolant hoses if doubtful

Renew rad cap

Renew both drive belts

Renew brake fluid and check rear brake cylinders are free to slide on the back plate - many garages tighten up the bolts

Check/renew ATF in gearbox and power steering

The above will not cost too much even if the hoses are renewed but really the brake linings and pads shoiuld be inspected for wear. More than six but all dead easy.

You should carefully read both the Owners Glove box manuals ( or obtain ones if missing)

Do not assume that because it has an MOT or not used very much its roadworthy.

Good luck and do not be afraid to use it just because its old

[DanielSheard]

Brakes. Water hoses. Brakes again.

Daniel

[guitardave]

Can't say more than Rover Lunatic but to do all these things before May as you will want to go to the rallies with some confidence that you won't break down.Do you have any photo's of the car?

[David]

Don't forget the AED - worth changing over to manual fo those moments when.....

..... and I would recommend fitting a Luminition kit - car starts much easier and runs smoother - also removes the need to check points*.


* Based on my distant memory of driving my P5B

[adyonekenobi]

If I had just bought any car, I would do more than just check half a dozen things. I would give it a thorough going over before venturing far just for my own piece of mind.
Having said that, do what you can and ENJOY Rovering !!

[George]

Thanks, guys, for invaluable advice.
Now, I'll have to start working through the list. I can see how addictive it might become.

I'm near Brighton and will join the owners club immediately.

I don't have any electronic pictures yet.

Did 150+ miles last night in my P5, with a mate, round part of the M25. I drove there, and was lucky enough to be the passenger on the journey back (hic..!) Foolhardy perhaps, before doing any of your reommended checks, but what a great driving and passenger experience. So different to any modern car. Only thing that went wrong was the rear exhaust mount shearing just as we arrived, with no apparent damage to the exhaust, luckily. A couple of minutes with a wire coat hanger temporarily solved that one, with a trip to Kwik-Fit lined up for today.

Sorry to drone on, but I am genuinely really happy to have acquired this car. Maybe this is the sort of gushing you get from all first time owners.

Looking forward to perhaps meeting some of you at rallies.

Best wishes

George

[Smallfry]

Kwik fit Oh dear ! Good luck.