MR2 Owners Club

Glen N wrote:What experiences have you guys had on past trips of cars breaking down etc? Or have they been mostly reliable?

There have been very few breakdowns over the years, only 2 cars have not made it home under there own power - one because of an accident(his own fault) and an other because of engine failure.Just shows how good these cars are if properly maintained.

Glen N wrote:What experiences have you guys had on past trips of cars breaking down etc? Or have they been mostly reliable?

TBH we've done really well, a couple of years back Ripley had a fatal engine problem.
The main problems we've experienced have been MK2 radiators holed, we can get a bit of grit flying around and the rads are getting old and are exposed. One or two new windscreens were required when getting home. Vinny had the most interesting problem last year on his MK3 which lost a nut holding the belt idler pulley on! The cars do get a hammering though so make sure it's ready to take it.

Nice to see the peoples bringing their AA cards and no tools have the club spirit

Like I said earlier, the guys I drive with all the time and myself will be putting together a tool kit for our own piece of mind I'll also be bringing 1 or 2 spare bits and bobs and some fluids

I will have a small selection of tools and fluids and most important good set of longish jump leads, even have them when I go to Japfest / JAE etc.
Just in case.
If something drastic goes then I have greenflag

Sure between us we should have most simple things covered (enough space savers of each mark as example - maybe not Mk1's but you get the drift)

Wabbitkilla wrote:The cars do get a hammering though so make sure it's ready to take it.

I would say the biggest issue is stone chips. Leave a BIG gap to the car in front on the single track roads otherwise the nose can end up looking like you have been tailgating a gritting lorry on the M74.



Alternatively get it wrapped in urethane film.

peteV6R5 wrote:most important good set of longish jump leads, even have them when I go to Japfest / JAE etc.

Forgot to mention those simply because I never go anywhere without mine.
I have had the same set for well over 30 years. They are heavy duty insulated booster cables capable of handling 24V truck batteries.

I never had AA membership in 6 years of owning MR2s...until last year. A week after getting free membership with a new joint a/c my clutch spat a spring out 100 miles from home 1 set of lights away from the M1, jamming the clutch - and the AA man saved me by bumping the car in 2nd, allowing me to drive home sat in 5th on the M1. Again I was saved last month after driving to Heathrow and spitting out a spark plug (I had tools, but not an extension long enough!). After that episode I decided to get Home Relay as if anything serious happens you have to pay per mile and I got a quote of £250+ to get home the last time!

38 days to go

My front bumper needs painting at some point so ill leave it until we get back from the trip if that's what happens to them. That's good going if only 2 cars have not returned under their own steam. I've been changing loads on the car to make sure its reliable,so fingers crossed!!

I always carry a low level trolley jack in the frunk along with 2 litres of ready mix coolant, oil, octane booster if you have a tubby, and 1 litre of screen wash, a spare set of bulbs, and some tools in the boot - 8,10,12,14mm sockets and Allen key extensions in a small pouch and some ratchet spanners if I'm on a trip.

Overkill you may think, but not in my experience!

HM

only 37 days to go

All this talk of tools kits has me yearning and remembering.

Have a great time when it comes around.

5 weeks to go from tomorrow :-)

Tick tock, tick tock,
leFrog watcheth the clock

34 days to go,you guys sorted out your Viking costumes out yet? :-)