going to look @ a 1997 1.8i s40, any pointers?

nifton · Post by **nifton** » 05 Mar 2010, 02:55

Hi Guys,

After stacking my beloved (see 440 thread) I need a quick replacement and have seen a ok looking S40, 1997 p reg, 114000 miles.

Does anyone have anything to keep an eye out for? I'm going to to be quizzing him over cambelt maintenence as that seems to be the main thing to strip the value off an old one of these.

Thanks in advance.

going at 12:30 so not long to comment

nifton · Post by **nifton** » 05 Mar 2010, 12:51

If anyone is in Leeds looking to buy S40's, save yourself the bother and leave the one in Headingly well alone,

Conns:
funny smelling oil with flecks of metal, almost banana yellow when spread over some paper and dried, was as black as the ace out of the case, can't think what was wrong with it. mould over inside of bonnet and damp specs all over the alloy components, boot has standing water, inside was thick with condensation and interior was very shappy. Badly cracked front right lamp, full of water. Chunk out of front left tyre with matching dent in alloy, rusty disks, damaged rear panel, slightly saggy bum due to tow-bar (rusted). alloys would need re-coating to look nice. Aerial mast snapped off halfway. Didn't really bother look much further than that, or even taking her on a test.
Seller has no information on cambelt maintenance, and considering the overall condition i'd be very wary about that. coolant system looked badly corroded, all fittings would have needed replacing for piece of mind.

Pro's:
Nice start, only did a quarter turn, engine was cold. sounded very sweet to be fair, and the exhaust seems leak free. No sqeaks. no rattle on the throttle, emmisions grey to start but cleared quickly.

Soon turned his smug grin around when a business man in a suit absolutley rumbled him. avoid.