View Full Version : Project Metro
Herminator
25-02-2003, 04:54
ok guys, I've lost all my sanity and I'm going to make a Rover Metro 1.1l look a little less crap. Or atleast handle a little better and sound a little better ;)
I've been driving an old Mk2 Polo 1l for about a year now and it's got some carb problems which are currently being fixed, it's done 108,000 miles so it's not the best runner and has a few spots of rust.
I now have a Rover Metro to drive for the week, it's about the same age at 8years but it's imaculate. I mean there's not one speck of rust on it, it looks and runs like new, an old lady had it for all it's life and it's only done 7850miles, 250 by me in the last couple days.
I can choose to either keep the Metro or get my Polo back, I would either sell the Polo for a few hundred quid or if I kept it I would get something like a second hand Ford Ka in October, 21st b'day :D Money from the Polo would go to pay some debts :( The Polo doesn't look great but it's slightly less of an old womans car than a light blue Metro. Although the radio in the Polo is crap, installation is uglier than Ling's ass, going by what those Ayr forum members say ;) since the center console was ripped out by someone before we got the car. The Metro has no stereo though, but I can get some money towards one and I have seen some very sweet cd players I want.
So far I'm thinking Metro, it means less money spent by me and a nicer car that should still be worth something by the time I finish uni and get a job.
So here's my plan, get a nice stereo asap, listening to either a little motor screaming or my insane humming is not very good for your mental health. Get some alloys for my B'day, hehe how many old Metro's have you seen with alloys? Lower the car, using shorter springs if I can find a suitable set, I like to test a cars body roll ;) See if I can get some subtle exterior changes, such as headlight brows, those sorry look headlights need to be made mean looking. If I'm feeling brave and creative enough I'll take out the door cards and use them as a base to make something more stylish looking. Eventually I may go as far as a complete respray for the car, in something like metallic blue or red, thats a long way off. Engine mods aren't feasable at the moment, insurance if you're under 25 is just stupid, even though I've never crashed and held a full licence for 3years :mad: Although if the exhaust ever needs replacing I'll probably go for something a little better than standard.
Ok so am I nuts or just thinking too much whilst half asleep?
ps. some stereo suggestions are welcome, I've heard a few bad things about JVC which is annoying as I love their Chamelean head units.
Its 4.21Am, im getting very annoyed with SQL and i read all of Herms post.
Get some beats pumping out, and as long as it doesnt sound like midge it'll be ok (poor midge !) :)
Graeme*Kustom*
25-02-2003, 19:53
midge rocked :) you should have seen how that car started, i turned it into a great looking little rollerskate :)
You don't even need to spend a lot of money to make a car look good - headlight brows and other stick on things aren't always the best way to go, making it simpler can often mean better for car mods !
First off, I bet your Metro has black bump strips and lots of horrid graphics - speak nicely to a bodyshop and you should be able to get some glue thinner from them. Then spend time heating any of these stickers ( a hairdryer will do nicely if you have a suitable power extension ) , peeling them off and using the solution to clear off any remaining glue. It takes a lot of elbow work, believe me - be prepared to spend 2-3 hours on it. Then a good polish shold sort that out.
Next , bits of black (possibly grey if it's faded!) plastic really doesn't help matters - it's worth getting a quote to get this painted by a smaller bodyshop (should be about £100 if you pay them in cash) or give it a go yourself if you're happy to spend a bit of time sanding them , priming the plastic and then painting.
These two things alone will probably improve the body appearance no end !
Add a set of 15" wheels and some low profile tyres and you should have a respectable looking car - don't be afraid to search the second hand market, there's always bargains out there. I'd offer you my OZ Super T's that I took off my Xsara but the tyres will too big to fit on a Metro :(
Salvage yards are also worth trying too - they quite often have stocks of good condition alloys from crashed cars, and a lot of them will do mail order. (I got a wheel from http://www.daautoparts.co.uk/ once - good service from them!)
There's probably some good user groups / clubs on the net too - have a search about google / yahoo, as there's probably someone already completed what you plan to do , and there's always people happy to help out there !
Dont like metros. At all. but in this case it could be a better bet.
Bear in mind if its done 8k in 8 years, it could be well knackerd, as most cars need to be used.
Ive got a feeling the metro has got some wierdass hydrogas suspension, I think this has to be pumped up when its serviced, but this may give u probs lowering it. Im sure a google search would tell u, but im way too hungover.
Ive had a JVC cd head for a year or so, cost £60 from the market... in the box :) Ive been pretty impressed with it, the tuner isnt as good as the sony i had before, but the cd playback is fine, and it 'works' well, i especially like the direct track access: u hit the preset buttons while listening to a cd to jump to that track.
With the audio set up, id go for a cd head, or a tape head with a changer. JBL or sony speakers, depending on ur budget, behind the original speaker grilles, and a 10" sub. If you can afford it, get an alpine Type-R, otherwise, try a SPLx sub and amp from motor world (http://www.motor-world.co.uk) Ive got a 12HQ sub (http://www.motor-world.co.uk/kroozin/mmediadet.asp?pg=Products%3A+I%2EC%2EE+and+multime dia&articleno=110&class=SPLX) in my car at the mo, and had the 10" version in my old car, both of which are very impressive, especially for the cash.
Herminator
26-02-2003, 17:11
Thanks for the ideas guys, yes a car that doesn't get much use can have a few problems, luckily my parents bought the house in my father's home town where he has plenty of contacts, got it serviced by a friend and all the things that are likely to dry out or seize up were checked and replaced if needed. Nothing beats mates rates ;) Not sure about a sub, I think I'll run it without for a while and then decide if I need the extra bass, mainly worried about boot space, and it's not unusual for me to carry large things where the rear seats need folding down. Which would sometimes be a worry for lowering the car. I did a search last night and found a forum for metro's, looks like 14" is the largest I can go without modifying the wheel arches and even then tyre size is very important, and lowering makes things even worse :(
I think getting the black bits sprayed is a good idea if it's reasonably priced. I wasn't go to stick lots of little cheap crap on the outside, just thought brows on the front may make it look a little more serious but finding them will be next to impossible. I think I'll try remove the decal infront of the rear wheels, will take lots of rubbing though :/
Looks like my choices will be limited in what I do, wheel sizes are strange so alloy choice is limited, even the radio choice is limited by the fact that it's set back into the dash and so nothing can slide down below a couple milimeters of the bottom edge of the head unit. Then I have to find an aerial specificly for a Metro as the hole for it is already there and it's like a circle that's been lengthened with two straight sides, not a common shape I guess.
Graeme*Kustom*
01-03-2003, 02:20
easiest way to modify wheel arches is to use the spare wheel jack from your boot to press the arches out on a few locations - seems to do a good job :) Had to have loads of the arch cut away on my ax to fit 15s with a 60mm drop, looked good in the end tho :)
I found a lump-hammer and a pair of mole grips were pretty effective for sorting my archs. Bear in mind you will lose a fair bit of paint, or at least I did, so itll be worth having some wet&dry, primer and paint nearby.
Its possible that for the front archs, all you will need to do is remove the wheelarch liner (if there is one).
ok heres an idea. Why dont you sell your polo, pay off your debts.
Dont do anything to the metro, cause there absolutely rank,(bar the 6R4) even the gta/gti and if you try and make them look good everyone will laugh at it. Trust me my mate tried this and it just looks crap. I'm not being nasty about your plans but just trying to warn you
save your money and get a 1/2 decent small car with a bit of attitude from the off.......106xs,xsi,rallye.. mk1saxo vtr,...... you'll find that the parts are easyier to come by and the insurance quite cheap, You'll spend alot less if the cars not completely **** from the start
seconded.
you could get something for less than those suggested above if you can sacrifice a bit of street cred, which you arent going to have much of in a metro. My beloved 309 is quicker than a standard VTR, and cost 450. Or you could get an 309SRi for ~£500, which gives u 115bhp, sub 9 second 0-60time and group 9 insurance.
Graeme*Kustom*
05-03-2003, 23:16
depends on what your wanting really - it's fun to have a bit of a challenge, and if the metro does turn out well - at least it will stand out !
Saxo's / 106s are both great cars, but there's already a lot of them out there, and for some it's nice to have something a bit different.
Herminator
06-03-2003, 00:26
Well I can't afford much else, certainly nothing in good condition. Atleast the Metro can be a little different from all the saxo's and oh so butt ugly Nova's. Group 9 insurance is still quite high for me, I'm currently paying a little under £600 for a deal that means I'm one of the main drivers so I'm slowly building a no claims, although I'm technicly not the first driver. I like Greames idea of painting the black bits to match the rest of the car, best idea yet. I'm just about to order a nice head unit, Alpine or Pioneer. I've been on a Metro forum and it looks like the only place to get alloys, other than custom made ones, is from an old metro in the scrappie, they're very cheap though, which is good. Can also fit GTI side skirts for very little, something to do when getting black bits sprayed :) Lowering is also a possibility, requires a little machining of parts and then re filling of the shocks, should be very cheap to do at a friendly garage. Other than that I won't do much.
Well as long as you dont start sticking fake bonnet vents, bubbly fake tint, bolt on blue anodised tailpipe and those horrible glowing washer housing things on then i suppose we could let you off!!....
Keep it clean and simple, maybe de-badged...lowered with a nice set of 'lloys' on then most cars can look respectable....you got your work cut out, i admire your balls (or shear stupidity)
Good luck
:D
Herminator
06-03-2003, 01:40
No, I'm not one of those who stick cheap cack all over their cars in an effort to make it look fast when really it's a slow and rusty heap of junk underneath. I just need to make it a little more respectable. A difficult job.
Get a pic up of it standard and lets get operation 'Metro photoshop challenge' on the go!!
Smooth tools at the ready, best result wins your polo!
Herminator
06-03-2003, 03:13
Best result will win A polo, thats about as far as I'll stretch. Atleast they'll have minty fresh breath :p
Herminator
06-03-2003, 03:17
ok, it's identicle to this one.
http://www.metropower.co.uk/4677c1d0.jpg
http://www.metropower.co.uk/46880200.jpg
apart from I don't have alloys or the rear spoiler, and I have a hose pipe size exhaust :(
Oh and I have a three door.
But it is that colour :rolleyes:
you could get a body kit....
http://website.lineone.net/~burndred/metro/epynt2000_john_price2.jpg
0-60 in <3secs. WANT.
Monster of a thing that 6R4.
Probably about 1% of that car uses parts from hermin's 1 ltr though!.....You could always just rip the back seats out and stick a v6 in there, and rip the entire shell off and make your own lightweight rally shell.......wouldnt be too hard
Herminator
06-03-2003, 12:29
Hehe, wonder if I could find one of those bodies. Although it has the earlier front end. Not sure on the wing on the front bumper, better remember to parkk well away from the curb ;)
Actually if you see one for sale cheap.............
V6 would have to come next year :p
well I can dream :rolleyes:
Graeme*Kustom*
06-03-2003, 22:09
6r4s are mental - I bet they'd be up in the top runners against all the modern WRC cars ! Definitely a classic , I always wanted one when I was a kid !
I think its a real shame that group B was banned, looks utterly mental, especially the ford RS200.
Apparently 6r4s fetch £20-30k these days, shows how awesome they are.
Fireblade
07-03-2003, 11:11
Originally posted by Graeme*Kustom*
6r4s are mental - I bet they'd be up in the top runners against all the modern WRC cars! Definitely a classic , I always wanted one when I was a kid!
Although I remember the impact the 4-wheel drive Audis had when they were introduced on the scene, and appreciate how much they were instrumental in changing the face of rallying forever (forcing other manufacturers t' rethink their car design) the 6R4 is still one of the best rally cars of all time IMHO!
The engine note on those things has had no equal, and it's great t' both see and hear em in not-so-high-profile rallies t' this day ;)
So never mind "when I were a lad" Graeme... I'd still like t' own one o' those beasts even now :D
having two qualified mechanics/car+rally-mad sons, I'm ever hopeful :D
yeah shame groub B got banned. Them short wheel base quattros were sommin else aswell.
Closest thing nowadays is some of them crazy saabs and that vitara (escudo) that compete in pikes peak
Herminator
10-03-2003, 23:48
Well I started my first body mods today. I rammed it into the back of a crap hyundia. :( Stupid woman was in the fast lane of a dual carrigeway matching the speed of the que of traffic in the slow lane when you couldn't see a car infront of her. She suddenly braked at 10mph when I was right up her **** trying to get her to pull over, just as I was releasing my clutch which is kinda jumpy in the metro, and wham. Her rear bumper was dented but popped back out a few minutes later, just needs a paint touch up, may even polish out. My car wasn't so pretty, since it's a worthless pile of $#!^ and about as strong as a paper bag. The front bumper has been pushed back 3inches, the left headlight has been smashed, the bonet is buckled up about 5inches and the number plate is smashed. The front left wing looks fine but the passenger door won't open fully, meaning something is bent underneath the wing. Engine is fine.
Made me think how weak the car is. Going to see if it's even worth repairing, may be better to sell the bits like the engine which is in near new condition. I don't think I want to drive a small old car again. If it did that after braking hard from such a low speed so I was under 10mph when I hit yet it did so much damage, how on earth will it look at 50mph :eek: Time to get an old ex army land rover.
Dead_One
11-03-2003, 09:03
Just shows you you should learn to drive before going into a car doesnt it...
trying to force someone to pull over by driving too close is a baaadddd thing.
What if a kid ran out in front of her, you would have pushed her into it.
you should maybe take a driving refresher course...
as for group b cars, anyone ever try a delta s4?
Herm, go for the Landrover, they're great modding tackle. I had one for years, stripped it down to the chassis and rebuilt it modding as I went. Tricked up the suspension, added a full roll cage, lots of other bits. It's great to work on coz it's all held together with nuts and bolts. Only welding needed can be in the bulkhead area. Of course, the best thing is that they're solid and nobody messes with you:D
/edit, gotta say I agree with Dead One though, don't drive up anybodies a**e. Just flash the lights instead;)
Herminator
11-03-2003, 10:24
Yeah I was stupid for being so close but it was not in a residential area so no risk of kids running out and it was at very low speed. It was more a combination of my clutch being a little jumpy an I just let it up as she braked hard for no imdeiate reason so I kinda jerked forward as I went to hit the brakes. I don't think her car even moved a meter when I hit it, more or less just moved on the suspension. If I was driving anything a little newer and stronger the damage would of been limited to the bumper too and maybe a smashed light.
Think a land rover would of thought it was a gust of wind :rolleyes: although her car would probably have more damage.
I know I'm not the best driver in the world but an awful lot of accidents are caused by people driving too slow, they're too unsure of themselfs and not in control of the car, causing frustration and often making sudden and unneeded moves. I often drive a bit too fast but atleast I'm more aware of other cars and let people past as soon as it's safe.
Comiserations man, I sympathise. I wrote off my fiesta at a roundabout at a similar speed, I always assumed that I would go through a hedge or over an embankment. Felt like a let-down to all the boy-racers out there.
Landrovers are definitly the way to go if you want strength, a Firebird pulled out in front of my mate, did £9k worth of damage to the pontiac, and £25 worth to my mate's 110 (it smashed his spots).
Personally I wouldnt want a landy as an main vehical, as the fuel economy is very bad, theyre quite slow and the handling is wierd. On the other hand, its a laugh racing boy racers with my mates V8 series 2!
Me and my mate built a V8 Series 1 80" (1952). You should have seen the fun we had in that. Talk bout jaw dropping:D :D
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