Austin / MG / Rover Metro

The Austin Metro was launched in 1980, as a 'British car to beat the world'.All versions: Metros do not have standard springs and dampers. They use a 'hydragas' arrangement, where fluid and gas are compressed to provide suspension. Mk1 and Mk2 Metros have seperate units in the front, and two joined units at the rear. Mk3s and Rover 100s are connected front and rear as well. Some cars look very low, or not level, on their suspension. Some garages have facilities to pump them up, and this shouldn't be too expensive- search on the internet for The Hydragas Register to find one in your area. Some versions do use dampers as well as hydragas.Bootspace is surprisingly big and access is fantastic due to the hatchback with a low loading lip. The seats fold forward and forward again, making the boot very usable. There is also storage in the door bins, glovebox and the higher spec models have a box or spaces for cassette storage in the centre console.The Mk1 and Mk2 Metro featured the Automatic as a seperate model, or as an option on the Vanden Plas. The Mk2 Automatic continued into the reign of the Mk3 while Rover were sorting out an Automatic gearbox for the Mk3. Mk3s and Rover 100 Autos use a CVT (continuously variable transmission) setup, where the power is transferred by belts.The Mk1 and Mk2 cars are fitted with the A-series engine. It used to be common practice for Mini owners to swap the engines into their Minis, but this is now frowned upon by most car enthusiasts since the early Metros have become classics in their own right.Mk2 Metros and some Mk1s use 'Metric' wheels and tyres. These are 315mm rather than the size given in inches. Tyres are expensive (around 75 each or 200 per set), but part worn fairly new tyres already fitted to wheels turn up on eBay.Mk1- 1980-1984. Features the early bonnet and headlight arrangement. MG and MG Turbo versions launched in 1982, along with the posh Vanden Plas and the base model City. Hydraulic clutch, points igntion. Early versions were called 'Mini-Metro', but they became Metro in 1982.Mk2- 1984-1990. Features a revised front end, and now available in 5-door forms. Cable clutch (self adjusting cable), electronic ignition. 1987-on cars lost the Austin badges and were just badged as Metros, but MG versions were still badged as such. Vanden Plas now only available as five door, and had a leather option on Gold and Oporto red cars, and manual VPs now share the MG engine. 1989-on cars run on unleaded petrol but many earlier cars have been converted by owners.Mk3- 1990-1994. Features the new 'K-series' engine, and badged as a Rover. Still quite popular on Britian's roads. Great fun to drive and even the 1.1 cars are surprisingly fast. MG is replaced by GTa, and later the GTi. Watch out for possible head gasket failure (check for 'mayonnaise' in the oil filler cap)- this can be fixed but isn't cheap. Other popular faults are alternators and rusty rear arches. Carb or fuel injection available, both are quite reliable.Rover 100- 1994-1998. Facelifted version of the Mk3 Metro, and rebadged as the Rover 100 series. Carb fed versions dropped, so all 100s have fuel injection. Early 100s are badged as '111' and '114'. here the last two digits relate to the engine size, so a 111 is a 1.1, a 114 is a 1.4 and a 115d is a 1.5 diesel.Specials:Austin Metro Vanden Plas 500 - special edition of 500 top spec cars to celebrate 500,000 Metros. Based on the Mk1 Vanden Plas but with leather as standard, alloys and a few other luxuries. All in black.Austin Metro City and City X - Base models below the rest of the range- the X meant a rear wash/wipe and a couple of other toys.Metro Advantage (Mk2) - nice lookers with cross-spoke alloys, body colour bumpers and white stripes, choice of British Racing Green or Cherry Red. 3-door only, grey interior, 63bhp 1275cc engine.Rover 100 Kensington and Ascot - don't be fooled by the posh names- these aren't particuarly rare. 1120cc K-series engine, some specs had body-colour bumpers, sunroofs, and other options.For more information, please see:www.austin-rover.co.ukwww.triple-m.co.ukwww.rovermetro.co.ukwww.metropower.co.ukwww.austinminimetro.co.ukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_MetroIf you have anything to add to this guide, please contact me.My eBay items