Symon

I have for sale a pair of 1.8/2.0TS cam locks. They are listed on ebay but if anyone here wishes to buy them I will of course end the listing. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310642242544?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

The 3.0 and 4.0 V8's both suffer from Nikasil issues. You are better off with a later 3.5 of 4.4 V8 IMO.

Slow spool and no boost until relatively high RPM can also be caused by a boost leak. Holed intercooler, split pipe etc..

I have had 2 Vitesse Turbos myself. A 1994 Vitesse sport Lux, and a later 200bhp Vitesse. I had quiite a bit of trouble with both of them to be honest. I suppose this was a few years ago now, and because they were cheap there were many neglected ones about. The ones that survive now are probably well looked after.

I am not all that keen on either if I am honest, but the Giullietta looks the better of the two IMO. The Mito looks too tall and narrow.

My 1st Alfa was a 164 3.0 12v. It was a great car. Good ones are pretty rare now though.

A wanker probably, but I would rather be a wanker than a hairdresser.

My dad had a Mk2 1.8 for a while. Not my cup of tea to be honest. I found it cramped inside, it wasn't very quick, the engine note and looks are dull, they are common, the interior looks cheap and I got called a hairdresser. Ok it handled well, but I reckon on a twisty road my Ford Puma would have had it.

Wasn't the 45 floorpan derived from a Honda civic? I used to be a member of Rovertech in a previous life. I needed to be, all the Rovers I have owned were constantly going wrong. * * Not saying they are unreliable, I was probbaly just unlucky.

BMW M5 E39 Can be had for about 5k, 5.0 V8 making 400bhp Should do about 20mpg driven carefully, as well as being pretty reliable. Or a Jag XJR if you are not keen on Beemers

If it was me, I would probably go with the GTA. The reason being, it is rarer. A 3.2 GT looks pretty much the same as the 1.8 and Diesel, where as the GTA looks different to other 156's. Having said that I would also consider an E46 M3 as well.

I have only ever owned one Nissan.

The 6 cylinder engines are even more difficult to bleed aparrently. I need to change the coolant on mine, and I am not looking forward to it..

My Grandad had a marina the same as that, only it was Red. Horrible car, it broke down on him twice before he wrote it off.

Did it not have a paper type gasket? I am not familiar with this engine though I must admit. It might be worth asking on bmwland.com