Meg II CC Ownership Costs
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 1:02 pm
Hi everyone,
Not new to the forum (fantastic knowledge base and helpful members) as joined formally in 2015 when I purchased my March 2004 1.6 petrol CC. Thought I'd offer an overview of my ownership experience.
Purchase pros:
>One family (non smokers) owned car from new, mother then daughter.
>HPI confirmed genuine 51k and all MOTs aligned with first registration month.
>Reasonably presentable in metallic blue.
>Interior in good condition.
>Boot trim very clean.
>Completely original.
>Roof working fine.
>No stains internally and no other evidence of roof leaks.
>All engine compartment trims / covers in place.
>10 months MOT remaining.
>No issues highlighted from test drive.
>Battery less than 1yr old.
>Exhaust system in good as new condition.
Purchase cons:
>Bodywork far from the best with car park dings evident but acceptable for an 11 year old car.
>NSR window non operable.
>Not much service history.
>Tyres ok but only 3 to 4k max left in them.
>Clutch bite high and like an on-off switch but no slippage.
What I did immediately after purchase:
>Full service inc full cam belt and water pump kit, oil/air filter, coolant flush and replenish, precautionary de-phaser pulley replacement.
>NSR window fix turned out to be cable and pulley replacement.
What else I've done in three and a half years and 15,000 miles:
>Modified boot to accept alloy spare with tools. Used wheel, tyre tool pack purchased.
>Fitted bonnet sound deadening mat.
>New number plates. I think nice clean plates help freshen the look of a car. Old ones were the originals and looked it.
>New tyres.
>Replaced ignition coil set. Didn't need to replace all so keep two removed good ones in boot with 10mm T bar just incase.
>OSR window cables and pulley kit.
>OSR window mechanism replaced recently as cable break wrecked motor drive gear.
>Gear knob insert (gear map) replaced.
>Aux cable to head unit for 3mm jack input.
>New brake discs and pads all round inc fluid change. Rears now done twice due to bearing noise.
>Fuel filler lock mech repair.
>Exposed, cleaned and re-greased both door window mechanisms to resolve slow operation.
>Various bulbs inc headlight which is bloomin awkward to change.
>Reinstate card reader. My son thought he was driving his BMW and pushed the card in too hard dislodging the reader.
>One puncture repair.
>One Temic module
>Door handle trim covers replaced.
>New key card batteries.
>Front wiper blades replaced twice. My fault for buying cheap fist time.
>New front door speakers.
>2nd hand OE rear wind deflector.
>Annual service inc clean and lubricate boot / roof seal rubbers.
>MOTs.
>New battery.
>Sundries and consumables
What has it cost:
I keep a log and doing all work myself (occasional help from mechanic friend) for all the above inc original purchase price its £2,088.00 to date.
These cars get a lot of bad press and perhaps (so far) I've been lucky but they are in my opinion great. If you are careful when you buy, willing and capable to do stuff yourself, its cheap, very comfortable and large boot practical open air motoring. Just don't expect a sports car.
Hope this offers a useful insight
Not new to the forum (fantastic knowledge base and helpful members) as joined formally in 2015 when I purchased my March 2004 1.6 petrol CC. Thought I'd offer an overview of my ownership experience.
Purchase pros:
>One family (non smokers) owned car from new, mother then daughter.
>HPI confirmed genuine 51k and all MOTs aligned with first registration month.
>Reasonably presentable in metallic blue.
>Interior in good condition.
>Boot trim very clean.
>Completely original.
>Roof working fine.
>No stains internally and no other evidence of roof leaks.
>All engine compartment trims / covers in place.
>10 months MOT remaining.
>No issues highlighted from test drive.
>Battery less than 1yr old.
>Exhaust system in good as new condition.
Purchase cons:
>Bodywork far from the best with car park dings evident but acceptable for an 11 year old car.
>NSR window non operable.
>Not much service history.
>Tyres ok but only 3 to 4k max left in them.
>Clutch bite high and like an on-off switch but no slippage.
What I did immediately after purchase:
>Full service inc full cam belt and water pump kit, oil/air filter, coolant flush and replenish, precautionary de-phaser pulley replacement.
>NSR window fix turned out to be cable and pulley replacement.
What else I've done in three and a half years and 15,000 miles:
>Modified boot to accept alloy spare with tools. Used wheel, tyre tool pack purchased.
>Fitted bonnet sound deadening mat.
>New number plates. I think nice clean plates help freshen the look of a car. Old ones were the originals and looked it.
>New tyres.
>Replaced ignition coil set. Didn't need to replace all so keep two removed good ones in boot with 10mm T bar just incase.
>OSR window cables and pulley kit.
>OSR window mechanism replaced recently as cable break wrecked motor drive gear.
>Gear knob insert (gear map) replaced.
>Aux cable to head unit for 3mm jack input.
>New brake discs and pads all round inc fluid change. Rears now done twice due to bearing noise.
>Fuel filler lock mech repair.
>Exposed, cleaned and re-greased both door window mechanisms to resolve slow operation.
>Various bulbs inc headlight which is bloomin awkward to change.
>Reinstate card reader. My son thought he was driving his BMW and pushed the card in too hard dislodging the reader.
>One puncture repair.
>One Temic module
>Door handle trim covers replaced.
>New key card batteries.
>Front wiper blades replaced twice. My fault for buying cheap fist time.
>New front door speakers.
>2nd hand OE rear wind deflector.
>Annual service inc clean and lubricate boot / roof seal rubbers.
>MOTs.
>New battery.
>Sundries and consumables
What has it cost:
I keep a log and doing all work myself (occasional help from mechanic friend) for all the above inc original purchase price its £2,088.00 to date.
These cars get a lot of bad press and perhaps (so far) I've been lucky but they are in my opinion great. If you are careful when you buy, willing and capable to do stuff yourself, its cheap, very comfortable and large boot practical open air motoring. Just don't expect a sports car.
Hope this offers a useful insight