1.3 vs 1.6

[Guest]

For the lower cc is the 1.3 Maestro and Montego cheaper on the road than a 1.6? Also I have heard 1.3 engine models are more reliable. Is that true? Aunts one was a 1.6HLS and after she brought it the headgasket went but did get fixed. But that was because of someone fiddling about with it.

[matthewsemple]

The biggest single saving is now the tax disc which is £215 for a 1.6 Maestro or Montego but just £130 a year for the 1.3 models.

Depending on mileage, the fuel costs will be slightly cheaper with the 1.3 engine but there is not a significant difference. The reliability will depend more on the mileage and level of servicing than the engine size.

[daveyboy]

[QUOTE=matthewsemple;133932]The biggest single saving is now the tax disc which is £215 for a 1.6 Maestro or Montego but just £130 a year for the 1.3 models.

We are running my Mg Maestro 2.0i and 1.6LX auto as a spare i must admit the tax on both is a killer i have often wondered whether to sell the auto and use my 1.3 Clubman as a spare, but i like the auto its effortless to drive and 100% reliable and the Clubman is too good to use........decisions lol

[cybernaughthippo]

Are there any extra expences with the 1.6? I was origionally looking for a 1.6 but then got worried about the possible expense of timing belts etc on the 1.6compared with the chain on the 1.3. Does a belt exist on a 1.6 or can it be DIY'ed?

[matthewsemple]

Are there any extra expences with the 1.6? I was origionally looking for a 1.6 but then got worried about the possible expense of timing belts etc on the 1.6compared with the chain on the 1.3. Does a belt exist on a 1.6 or can it be DIY'ed?

The 1.6 S-Series engine does have a cam belt which needs replacing at set intervals. The earlier R-Series cars, like mine, has a timing chain not a belt.

[daveyboy]

Cambelt on the s series is a simple job takes no time at all, the engine is safe too so if a belt fails the engine is ok.

[Guest]

I'm quite weak when it comes to mechanics. I know where the oil, water and engine is but when it comes to real machanics I'm literally rubbish at it.

For me I would like an early plastic bumper Maestro in 1.3. It would be the icing on the cake if it either was Silver, Nightwatch Blue or Oporto Red. It would probabley be a L or HLE that would be suitable for me. Is there a 1.3 Maestro in HL spec?

[Austin-Rover]

Is there a 1.3 Maestro in HL spec?

In an early car? Only if you like sitting on the other side to drive it...

[Guest]

In an early car? Only if you like sitting on the other side to drive it...

That's not true - I had that C plate 1.3HL (in Moonraker - y'know, the one you helped me collect from Dodworth? )

[Austin-Rover]

Ah yes, but did it have the fibre optically illuminated orange needles in the instrument pack, and the little boot badges with Austin Morris logo?

That was my point...

[Guest]

1.3 vs 1.6

if you need to do lot running about on motorway,stick to the 1.6 s,a lot smoother,faster,5 speed,have done the cambelt cost only £4.00 on ebay.try and get one with powersteering,a must have..

[Guest]

When I finally have a Maestro I would only use it to go to my Nans, day centres, work and local driving around.

[Captain Slow]

PAS on them is too light IMO. 1.3s are surprisingly swift, so it doesn't really matter which you go for. Whatever is in best condition at the time!

[digital efi]

PAS on them is too light IMO. 1.3s are surprisingly swift, so it doesn't really matter which you go for. Whatever is in best condition at the time!

I agree on all three counts, Sam!

Steering on my MG was always a little heavy at parking speeds, (but nowhere near as heavy as that on my mate's Saab 99 Turbo lol) but I test drove one with PAS and it felt awful.........very little 'feedback' from what was going on between the tyres and the road.

If choosing between 1.3 and 1.6, I would probably go for the 1.3 in the end, if only for the cheap tax disc

[Austin-Rover]

1.3 with a 5 speed 'box is not only surprisingly swift, but also surprisingly leggy and refined on the motorway, too. Performs much better than it has any right to, really.