Newbie - just bought MR2 3SGTE- tips please.

[stecad]

Hi all, recently became proud owner of a 1998 reg 35,000 mile 3SGTE and have run it for a few weeks before the road tax expired. Now sitting in the garage (laid up for the winter) and keen to do some polishing and get the spanners out.
Aside from the obvious (oil, filter, plugs) what are the key things to do considering she's 16 years old?
The body work is excellent as she was laid up for many years, albeit she's red and the paints faded. Interior is very good.
Defo needs new tyres (current ones perished). Still trying to work through the healthy debate on the best tyres so won't rush into buying yet.
I was thinking of servicing the turbo and changing all the bushes.
Previous owner has already done the fuel pump and replaced the radiator.
Boost gauge does not work but seems to be the sender unit - should be an easy fix.

thanks
steve

[androo007]

Congratulations!

Given she's been laid up so long I'd crack on and replace all fluids with fresh correct spec. Coolant, brakes, etc etc. Next up check all mountings and bushes and replace if needed.

Then its general maintainence followed by a couple of days detailing the car with mop and compound if you can (I always do by hand personally) and it'll be smashing.

Be sure you clean out arches and the sills being the wheel as well as checking all areas where water runoff goes is clear.

Get inside and check the state of the inner sills - if OK then get some dtnax s50 and get it in there....then lastly underseal - she'll be grand for years

[Ryan S]

Welcome to the club, sounds like the car has been sat around a lot to have that amount of miles, I'd be inspecting all the rubber hoses etc. possibly even replace the cambelt just for total peace of mind.

stay of boost in the wet and enjoy

[slipping clutch]

Guess it depends on how much your budget is and what you consider a priority - do the basics as you have already said but me for my money would be inspecting the cambelt and brakes - investing in a set of decent braided hoses to replace the rubber lines would be a good thing to do possibly? the choice is endless on what you can do to these cars its really up to you to decide what you think the priorities are on your own car - then post them up and we will all endeavor to help you

[cosmos]

Welcome,
Check floor in boot underneath the aerial.
Debatable but remove sponges from side trims behind the seats.
Avoid using handbrake for long periods of time chock wheels and leave in gear.
Replace brake pads and buy braided brake hoses.
Replace gear selector bushes for ball race bearings.
Antifreeze,brake, fluids change.
Remove sill scuffplates and insert extension to radial spray atomised waxoyl or similar rust preventative.
Drain washer fluid and flush through, stagnant water = nasties!!
Standard headlight bulbs…..not brilliant.
Boot bonnet interior moisture dehumidifying bags Pingi type silica gel.

[2mad]

Welcome to imoc mate ..

Tips ...

Stage one mods (airfilter and exhaust including good quality downpipe)

Under-seal.

Spend as much as you can on the best tyres.

Keep car well serviced .

Buy carbotech brake pads.

Dont push to much boost .

Stay off boost in the wet .

Enjoy your car

[QUOC2008]

Hi all, recently became proud owner of a 1998 reg 35,000 mile 3SGTE and have run it for a few weeks before the road tax expired. Now sitting in the garage (laid up for the winter) and keen to do some polishing and get the spanners out.
Aside from the obvious (oil, filter, plugs) what are the key things to do considering she's 16 years old?
The body work is excellent as she was laid up for many years, albeit she's red and the paints faded. Interior is very good.
Defo needs new tyres (current ones perished). Still trying to work through the healthy debate on the best tyres so won't rush into buying yet.
I was thinking of servicing the turbo and changing all the bushes.
Previous owner has already done the fuel pump and replaced the radiator.
Boost gauge does not work but seems to be the sender unit - should be an easy fix.

thanks
steve

Nice... sound like you got a good one!

Basics i would is
1. f1 goodyears asym 2 all round the best road tyres you can buy not exspensive for rain winter and summer. Check reviews 9 out of 10
2. Brakes carbotech ax6 pads and sfr castrol brake fluid change this will be as good if not better then a big brake kit upgrade
3. Coolant change
4. Meguiars ultimate componds quick and easy to use to restore your paint and get rid of that faded paint look n scratches. Only use micro clothes as these dont scratch ur paint and create swirls marks.
5.underseal it look under your car for rust and any leaks.
6. Power flex bushes or whatever u like check anti roll bars and drop links.

Other then that oil filters etc... these cars are solid bullet proof so you dont need to worry too much

[stecad]

Many thanks for all the tips so far.
I was struggling with the tyre choice but will go for the Goodyears.
Looking at the HEL brake set as I use these on my bikes and they are good and cheaper than other makes.
HT leads currently Yazaki and resistance is different across every lead. Suspect this is correct due to the differing length - longest having higher resistance than shortest.
Have already ordered gear change bearings as the lever is mighty stiff and awkward.
Need to get under her but the previous owner did show me where he'd under coated her and sprayed waxoil in all the necessary places.
The paint really is beyond sensible effort and I will get her re-sprayed in the spring.
Where's the best place to learn about turbo & boost as this is all new to me.
Keep coming with the tips.

[QUOC2008]

Many thanks for all the tips so far.
I was struggling with the tyre choice but will go for the Goodyears.
Looking at the HEL brake set as I use these on my bikes and they are good and cheaper than other makes.
HT leads currently Yazaki and resistance is different across every lead. Suspect this is correct due to the differing length - longest having higher resistance than shortest.
Have already ordered gear change bearings as the lever is mighty stiff and awkward.
Need to get under her but the previous owner did show me where he'd under coated her and sprayed waxoil in all the necessary places.
The paint really is beyond sensible effort and I will get her re-sprayed in the spring.
Where's the best place to learn about turbo & boost as this is all new to me.
Keep coming with the tips.

Go for goodridge brake hose... hell ones can fail
Use hammerite on rust then underseal
Paint can b fixed with a da polisher or 3000 grit wet sandpaper make sure u soak the paper. Watch youtube
Turbos are all about boost.. more boost more power its addictive
But dont go mad
Carbotech brake pads is the number one mod you can do... u wil be mile faster on a track as you can stop so late its the people behind u got to b worried about more. Talk to ian hes the main guy and say quoc refered u.

[Mullen]

...Debatable but remove sponges from side trims behind the seats...

Do it. Hopefully they're factory fresh not clumped with rust.
Thread here www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=181276

Also, & it's a bit of a pain, you could take the rear bumper off to check for rust you can't see from the exterior or inside the boot. It's a bit extreme perhaps but if you have the time/inclination.

[stecad]

Looks scarey. I have the time as the bumpers will come off for painting.
Looks like a job well worth the effort.

[Draven]

...Debatable but remove sponges from side trims behind the seats...

Do it. Hopefully they're factory fresh not clumped with rust.
Thread here www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=181276

Also, & it's a bit of a pain, you could take the rear bumper off to check for rust you can't see from the exterior or inside the boot. It's a bit extreme perhaps but if you have the time/inclination.

Wow thats some badass rust..

[bobhatton]

Porterfield are the best brake pads to use, the only ones we will fit to our race and road cars
For help with any other things pop up and see me, only 20 min drive from Truro

[QUOC2008]

Porterfield are the best brake pads to use, the only ones we will fit to our race and road cars
For help with any other things pop up and see me, only 20 min drive from Truro

I have never tried these pads how do they compare to carbotech pads...? To be honest i have never heard of porterfield pads.

I have tried many different pads green red yellow ds2500-3000 pagid rs26 etc and carbotech so far have been the best by miles the others are no way near as good as carbotech. they are f1 car pads so i would be interested to hear anything else is better

Evo forum
Gtr forum
All forum rate carbotech but the only negative is squeeky pads and eat discs but ax6 are not too bad or noisey and bite when cold so

[Peter Gidden]

Carbotech pads are very good, but are not used by F1 cars.

[QUOC2008]

Carbotech pads are very good, but are not used by F1 cars.

Someone told me this... so it could be untrue

[Peter Gidden]

Carbotech pads are very good, but are not used by F1 cars.

Someone told me this... so it could be untrue

Carbotech don't make carbon pads.

Most F1/LMP pads are made by Carbon Industries.

[QUOC2008]

Carbotech pads are very good, but are not used by F1 cars.

Someone told me this... so it could be untrue

Carbotech don't make carbon pads.

Most F1/LMP pads are made by Carbon Industries.

I dont know but i swear ian says they r made out of carbon mix with other stuff ceramic, metals etc...

[killerferret666]

what are the porterfield like on Dust??

I cant have the carbotech ones, just far to dusty for my wheels, id have to clean them all the time.

Need a good balance of dust to performance.