Hi all I've found some really good information here. So much so I paid for membership. I currently drive an old BMW 525i but I'm looking to swap it for a hot hatch. The 197 has caught my eye but I am worried about reliability, build quality etc. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance. Please be gentle with me.
Hi, thinking about buying a 197?
- Thread starter Robert_197
- Start date
Welcome to the family! 
You won't regret it if you get one, they're such a blast!
In terms of reliability, it's completely dependent on how they've been treated in the past, if they're serviced regularly and with good quality parts then usually reliability isn't a problem, so if you go and find any just make sure the history isn't sketchy
Like with any car there are the usual parts which are prone to failure, lower ball joints and exhaust manifold to name a few, so these are the things to check for when buying (full list of things to watch out for are in the buyers guide)
Good luck with the search if you decide to go for one!
You won't regret it if you get one, they're such a blast!
In terms of reliability, it's completely dependent on how they've been treated in the past, if they're serviced regularly and with good quality parts then usually reliability isn't a problem, so if you go and find any just make sure the history isn't sketchy
Like with any car there are the usual parts which are prone to failure, lower ball joints and exhaust manifold to name a few, so these are the things to check for when buying (full list of things to watch out for are in the buyers guide)
Good luck with the search if you decide to go for one!
Hi Tofty welcome to the Family with cars it's down to luck and buy on history and Condition take your time.Lots of dogs but all so some real stunner's good luck
Chris
Bad cop
Welcome to the forum tofty, as you might have read there is a few problems these cars can have, as mentioned its down to buying a well maintained car, which if you do, and continue on with this maintenance it should be fine. There are a few elements of the car that can give but its unlucky (example the gearbox)..
Wow that is a long list of things to check! Thanks!Welcome to the family!
You won't regret it if you get one, they're such a blast!
In terms of reliability, it's completely dependent on how they've been treated in the past, if they're serviced regularly and with good quality parts then usually reliability isn't a problem, so if you go and find any just make sure the history isn't sketchy
Like with any car there are the usual parts which are prone to failure, lower ball joints and exhaust manifold to name a few, so these are the things to check for when buying (full list of things to watch out for are in the buyers guide)
Good luck with the search if you decide to go for one!
I dream of 27mpg lol! Let's just say my old BMW definitely does not achieve that.
lol. I think of my 197 like a girlfriend that's cheated. Can't look at it some days , then I walk past it again and fall head over heels. Oddest car I've ever owned
Take the handbrake offI'm currently getting 21.1MPG out of my 200
Yeah in pipeline. Collecting bits still but have engine etc. Can't deal with lack of torque.lol
It's mainly being stuck in stop-start traffic to and from work
If there's no traffic and I reset my counter I can get about 30MPG
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