Perfect car but belts not done... Advice please!

[///M]

Hi guys.


First post. Sorry to be asking for advice straight off the bat...


Just so you know, I'm a BMW guy so a complete novice in this arena.

So, my wife wants a 197 and we've found the perfect one. Right colour, low miles, recaros, absolutely mint... HOWEVER, although the history is mostly fine, it has NOT had the cambelt done.


It's currently sitting just short of 40k miles and has done just under 2k miles in the last 3 years due to the owner having five (yes five!) other cars.


What do we do? Run a mile?


Or buy it, baby it home (does this even make a difference?) from Scotland all the way down to London and get a full service with a specialist as soon as we can get it booked in.


I wouldn't make such a fuss usually but other than the belt service, everything else is literally perfect and the price is VERY good. Even given the asking price PLUS the full works service it's still a good price.


Words of knowledgeable wisdom would be greatly appreciated.


Cheers folks.


Mes

 

[antnee]

Buy it and get the cambelt done when you can, no need to baby it as such. Mine has done 75k and is 8 years old with no obvious signs the belt has been changed, I hammer it about. I have inspected the belt and it doesn't look perished but due to no history it will be getting done soon.

 

[///M]

Buy it and get the cambelt done when you can, no need to baby it as such. Mine has done 75k and is 8 years old with no obvious signs the belt has been changed, I hammer it about. I have inspected the belt and it doesn't look perished but due to no history it will be getting done soon.

Antnee, thanks a lot for the reply. That's a heartening first response!

It's a R27 by the way!

Oh and I'm liking your current "172" post count!

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[The ANT]

If you want it get it but I'd be booking it in for a cam belt as soon as id handed the money over, all 197s should have been done one age alone, a few hundred quid bill is better than a few thousand quid bill I think you'll agree.

So long as you know that you need to get it done I see no issues

You'll have a great car afterwards if it is a good one.

I had mine done a few weeks after I got my car as the invoice saying it had been done looked dodgy to me. But with the car in bits we found it had been done. 2 new belts in less than 2000 miles and 4 months.

In my opinion leaving it longer than it should is a foolish thing to do.

 

[Chris]

Is it from a dealer or private? If its from a dealer, you'd have at least 3 months warranty if it went kaput.

Ive heard of just one case since I've been on this forum of a cambelt snapping, and that was well in the time and mileage constraints.

 

[PAUL JA]

If the price is right buy it. You could always make a long weekend of it and get the belts done at Rentec

http://www.rentecautocare.co.uk/

 

[///M]

If you want it get it but I'd be booking it in for a cam belt as soon as id handed the money over, all 197s should have been done one age alone, a few hundred quid bill is better than a few thousand quid bill I think you'll agree.

So long as you know that you need to get it done I see no issues

You'll have a great car afterwards if it is a good one.

I had mine done a few weeks after I got my car as the invoice saying it had been done looked dodgy to me. But with the car in bits we found it had been done. 2 new belts in less than 2000 miles and 4 months.

In my opinion leaving it longer than it should is a foolish thing to do.

Hi Ant, thanks mate.

Money isn't an issue (well, you know, have plenty to get it done!) so I'm not fussed about that. More worried about having to immediately drive it 450 miles back down to London.

For 100% certain, the next journey it made would be to a specialist to get it properly sorted.

 

[///M]

Is it from a dealer or private? If its from a dealer, you'd have at least 3 months warranty if it went kaput.

Ive heard of just one case since I've been on this forum of a cambelt snapping, and that was well in the time and mileage constraints.

Hey Chris, it's private mate, otherwise I'd not be worried at all for the reason you stated.

Good to know that it's rare to hear of one snapping though. I just know this is way way overdue!

 

[///M]

If the price is right buy it. You could always make a long weekend of it and get the belts done at Rentec

http://www.rentecautocare.co.uk/

Good shout Paul. That might be an option!

 

[DS197]

I drove around in my 57 plate 197 for 2 weeks before it had its belts changed. Although I did try to stay at low revs. I wouldn't worry about it and would get it booked in as soon as you can. Paul's idea is also a good one

 

[chris1888-197]

Once you get it home m8 get it done asap and then you can enjoy the car as if you don't get the belt done you will only worry about otherwise. They are great fun little cars. Any pics ? Oh and welcome to the forum

 

[///M]

Once you get it home m8 get it done asap and then you can enjoy the car as if you don't get the belt done you will only worry about otherwise. They are great fun little cars. Any pics ? Oh and welcome to the forum

Chris. Thanks a lot for the welcome mate. Although it's not for me, I'm going to really enjoy driving it!

No photos yet. Don't wanna tempt fate. IF my wife gets the keys, there will be photos at some point I'm sure.

8)

 

[Rogue]

Could just get it trailered home if you were that concerned.

 

[nicknameless]

In reality it is highly improbable that the belt would go twang just after buying. If everything was okay with the car and how it drives etc. I really wouldn't worry about it, and get it done soon after purchase.

 

[antnee]

Just buy it and drive it home without worrying, for it to go you would literally be the unluckiest person in the world

 

[///M]

Guys, thanks so much for all your help.

However after a conversation with the owner last night, my gut feeling is that it's not been looked after at all. I also did a bit of research online and found some posts from who I'm 99% sure is the owner saying he only ever drives it for 10 miles or so and is regularly "bouncing it off the limiter"...

Colour me thoroughly put off. Too many bad feelings about it.

Back to the drawing board I'm afraid.

 

[antnee]

Whats wrong with hitting the limiter? The limiter is there to stop any damage being caused.

 

[Chrisgti6]

Whats wrong with hitting the limiter? The limiter is there to stop any damage being caused.

Sounds like you are driving a ticking time bomb - no belt change and hitting the limit regularly...

Doesn't sound like the kind of person to wait until the car is up to temperature before venturing into the higher revs though does he.

Also, whilst the limiter is there for protection, there really isn't any need to hit it on a regular basis. You have a rev counter, you know when it is going to cut in, change gear earlier - simple.

I don't think i've ever hit the limit in my lolvo, and it's quite low (maybe 6,500 revs?)

 

[///M]

Sounds like you are driving a ticking time bomb - no belt change and hitting the limit regularly...

Doesn't sound like the kind of person to wait until the car is up to temperature before venturing into the higher revs though does he.

Also, whilst the limiter is there for protection, there really isn't any need to hit it on a regular basis. You have a rev counter, you know when it is going to cut in, change gear earlier - simple.

I don't think i've ever hit the limit in my lolvo, and it's quite low (maybe 6,500 revs?)

Exactly mate. Sometimes rich people just don't value things enough. It may look mint but who is to say it's not close to peppered after being really harshly treated. Most journeys around ten miles and likes to wring its neck... No thank you.

Officially given up with this one! In addition, my car needs a new windscreen, two new rear tires and an inspection service. NOT cheap, so we're probably going to drop our sights a bit to a non R27 car.

Does anyone know what the deal is with the wanted section in here? Seems to be blank / unused. Or is it a paid membership thing?

If anyone knows of a very good RB 197 anywhere around £6.5k please shout! Obviously I'm checking here, ebay, PH, Autotrader and Gumtree daily!

Happy Friday all!

 

[Chris]

To view the for sale sections and wanted threads you need to be a paid member yeah, £5 per annum.

That budget you will find a nice car!