Hiya again :-)

I've been posting a lot on here lately, I think I need to get out more!

Just a quick one, I've heard that piston rings going on 1.4 16v's is a common problem. But do 8v's Get this problem too?

Just curious :-)

I guess it's possible on any engine, but highly unlikely on a well maintained 1.4 8v. Headgasket is something that seems to pop up now and again though. Also the timing chains can loosen over time and become noisy, but having a chain is somewhat of an advantage over most other engines that use a belt to drive the cam.

Edited 27 March, 201214 yr by anewman

From what i've read mpi's seem to be quite reliable assuming they had the revised HG (and it was torqued up properly) and they're well maintained. The issues i've had so far (apart from the supposed specialist who last serviced it extracting the urine from the previous owner) are the angle sensor causing issues with the power steering and the rear console bushes, both of those issues seem to crop up for the MK1 irrespective of engine, everything else is normal service schedule stuff.

Yup - what they said.

In the last couple of years of ownership i've replaced:

rear axle bushes (for cupra bushes)

front console bushes (for meyle HD bushes which are pretty good really - seem to be popular with beemer owners so thought i'd give them a whirl)

drop links (meyle HD)

head gasket (temac)

thermostat, temp sender & housing

discs, pads (both front and rear)

and general servicing (minus an aux belt that destroyed itself somehow!)

And it runs pretty sweetly.

I'm approaching 120k however, and there's a timing chain with the cars name on it that is to be fitted once I am allowed to drive again, but all in all it's pretty bombproof. And infinitely easy to work on as a DIY'er.