Mk3 Maintenance specialist in the Midlands

[Craigjm]

Hi everyone, I am going to look at a mk3 tomorrow and the first thing i will want to do is get a really in depth service and inspection of it. I have found Rogue Motorsport that is quite close to me that can help me with this but was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations in the Midlands / Warwickshire.

Thanks

[shnazzle]

Hi everyone, I am going to look at a mk3 tomorrow and the first thing i will want to do is get a really in depth service and inspection of it. I have found Rogue Motorsport that is quite close to me that can help me with this but was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations in the Midlands / Warwickshire.

Thanks

Good day Craig.
You may find a friendly member willing to come along perhaps?
If you have a gander at the member map in the menu above, you can zoom around and see who's near you for a show and tell.
To get their attention you can tag them in here like so: @Craigjm 

[The Other Stu]

I agree with what Patrick says.
If you want someone to take it apart, SJ Autosport have excellent hourly rates - since Jam took over, he's trying to build the business so it's a good time!

[Carolyn]

Rogue is very good at parting folks from their money, in my experience.  Not everyone gives them top marks.

You don't need a specialist, just a good local mechanic with a lift, so you can inspect underneath.  Check the rear subframe for rust holes above where the exhaust passes under. Subframe replacement is £400 plus, I've seen shiny 'later' model cars with lowish miles that were rusty sheds underneath.

Don't buy a car with black oil (it will be an oil burner). 

Read the buyers guide on here and have a look at the servicing guide in the 'how to' section. 

Check the steering to make sure it's smooth in its operation.  Check the shock absorbers for any oil misting.  Make sure the clutch pedal bites fairly low in its travel (a clutch job is £300 plus).

Make sure the roof has no rips or tears.  A roof replacement is 350 plus a long wait to get it done.

[MikeBoo]

Rogue is very good at parting folks from their money, in my experience.  Not everyone gives them top marks.

You don't need a specialist, just a good local mechanic with a lift, so you can inspect underneath.  Check the rear subframe for rust holes above where the exhaust passes under. Subframe replacement is £400 plus, I've seen shiny 'later' model cars with lowish miles that were rusty sheds underneath.

Don't buy a car with black oil (it will be an oil burner). 

Read the buyers guide on here and have a look at the servicing guide in the 'how to' section. 

Check the steering to make sure it's smooth in its operation.  Check the shock absorbers for any oil misting.  Make sure the clutch pedal bites fairly low in its travel (a clutch job is £300 plus).

Make sure the roof has no rips or tears.  A roof replacement is 350 plus a long wait to get it done.

Also take what a seller says with a pinch of salt, only today someone had an MR2 for sale but it needed a new subframe. They said they're only £100 and 6 bolts and you're done 🤣🤣🤣
No mention of how long it takes or the 4 wheel alignment cost either once you've replaced one rusty subframe for a subframe that's been painted to look like new.

[Joesson]

@MikeBoo said:

you're done, very true!

[Topdownman]

Welcome, there is also Mister Two's in Willenhall.

[Zxrob]

Welcome, there is also Mister Two's in Willenhall.

Agree
Not the most inviting place if you are a bit fussy but they know about MR2's

Rob

[Joesson]

When I bought my 2 I was not aware of this Forum and so signed up for a maintenance contract with my local Mr T.
Long story short I was less than impressed and during the three years of Mr T's care I found this Forum and at the contract end started my own servicing and maintenance. That is not for everybody but as above I am certainly not a specialist but have successfully done what has been needed and a little more, as is often the case, for several years, so, unless you are wanting to track your car or really do feel the need for specialist help,  I would do as suggested by @Carolyn, who is a Specialist.

[Ardent]

@Craigjm

As above. A local competent trustworthy mechanic is all you need.
These are simple cars to work on.

[puma2]

Agree
Not the most inviting place if you are a bit fussy but they know about MR2's

this is true i have used Nathan and the confidence and understanding of 2s is a reason i travel from Wales to see him. 

[The Other Stu]

Also take what a seller says with a pinch of salt, only today someone had an MR2 for sale but it needed a new subframe. They said they're only £100 and 6 bolts and you're done 🤣🤣🤣
No mention of how long it takes or the 4 wheel alignment cost either once you've replaced one rusty subframe for a subframe that's been painted to look like new.

Wow!

Surely if it's that easy, they'd have done it themselves?

And I can assure you, it's far from 6 bolts. Not to mention that naughty wotsit one that needs replacing on each side as it's under high tension and torque - if you don't do it up to its full torque, the car can swing wildly under braking (ask me how I know)

[MikeBoo]

Wow!

Surely if it's that easy, they'd have done it themselves?

And I can assure you, it's far from 6 bolts. Not to mention that naughty wotsit one that needs replacing on each side as it's under high tension and torque - if you don't do it up to its full torque, the car can swing wildly under braking (ask me how I know)

I was highlighting to be wary of what the seller says about a car; there are a raft of people selling cars that have issues and sellers will say it's a cheap quick fix. As you've mentioned, if it was cheap and easy why have they not done it. If an advert states this, then I don't even bother considering the car as it's obviously got known issues which the current owner hasn't been able to resolve and are hoping to mug someone off to recoup their money.

[MrChris]

Wow!

Surely if it's that easy, they'd have done it themselves?

And I can assure you, it's far from 6 bolts. Not to mention that naughty wotsit one that needs replacing on each side as it's under high tension and torque - if you don't do it up to its full torque, the car can swing wildly under braking (ask me how I know)

How do you know...? Genuinely interested in what happened here, I've noticed my car "squirming" under hard braking and wondering if it could be to do with my subframe at all, or if it's just because I'm hammering the brakes.

[The Other Stu]

How do you know...? Genuinely interested in what happened here, I've noticed my car "squirming" under hard braking and wondering if it could be to do with my subframe at all, or if it's just because I'm hammering the brakes.

Ah, if it's squirming under braking, that could well be a sign that one of the calipers isn't performing properly.

Mine was a bit worse than that - it literally tried to throw me in a ditch! I came on here, did a search and it suggested that my bolts may not be tight enough. I also skimmed over the bit that said there are certain bolts you shouldn't reuse. These are the ones that go from the subframe to the hub. If you look in the "how-to" for the subframe, there's a mention of the torque.

What was worse for me was that after replacing the subframe, I had the full tracking done and it was never mentioned to me that the bolts might be the problem.

Here you go. I've even been quoted in the thread 
Carolyn has helpfully added the torque spec too.
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=65858.msg775246#msg775246

[Craigjm]

So the comprehensive list of stuff that I got from Rogue Motorsport came to £1100. I sent the same list to a local garage just down the road and the quote has come back at £600. This is for a complete major service and inspection including  -

Change engine oil and filter
Change gearbox oil
Change thermostat
Change engine coolant
Change power steering fluid
Change spark plugs
Change air filter
Clean MAF sensor
Change fuel filter
Change brake fluid
Change clutch fluid

I know it probably wont all need doing but I wanted a price for the lot. Thats quite a difference!

[Carolyn]

So the comprehensive list of stuff that I got from Rogue Motorsport came to £1100. I sent the same list to a local garage just down the road and the quote has come back at £600. This is for a complete major service and inspection including  -

Change engine oil and filter
Change gearbox oil
Change thermostat
Change engine coolant
Change power steering fluid
Change spark plugs
Change air filter
Clean MAF sensor
Change fuel filter
Change brake fluid
Change clutch fluid

I know it probably wont all need doing but I wanted a price for the lot. Thats quite a difference!

There's no fuel filter to change.  There is a gauze in the pump unit it the tank, but it's not known to clog up or cause problems.

Otherwise £600 is a decent price for quite a lot of work.

[Joesson]

@Carolyn said:
There's no fuel filter to change.

I wonder what the specialist included for that then?

While there is some difference in prices of fluids and other items dependent upon label that is nevertheless a significant difference in quoted prices.

[Ardent]

@Craigjm

Have they specified they will be using genuine Mr T fluids.
Power steering, coolant, dot 3 brake and clutch fluid, gear oil?
Although it would be correct I would hope a full synthetic rather than Mr T semi synthetic.

Mr T fluids are expensive, but you would have peace of mind.

I don't know for sure, but I can imagine the fluids would be closing in on £200. (Could be wrong)

[Craigjm]

@Craigjm

Have they specified they will be using genuine Mr T fluids.
Power steering, coolant, dot 3 brake and clutch fluid, gear oil?
Although it would be correct I would hope a full synthetic rather than Mr T semi synthetic.

Mr T fluids are expensive, but you would have peace of mind.

I don't know for sure, but I can imagine the fluids would be closing in on £200. (Could be wrong)

Thanks for that. I was going to ask them for a quote just for labour and supply my own fluids too so that I could see the difference. Do you have a link to these Mr T fluids?

[Ardent]

Sweeping generalisation of garages. No.

But if you've done your home work and a local indy values their reputation. Maybe.

I do know
Their coolant is approx £25 5 litres you need 2.
Steering fluid is expensive, have not done mine, others have and a bit of searching on here may reveal the £s.
No idea on gear oil but...

You could try your luck or make an enquiry via Toyota's own eBay shop.

[Joesson]

Thanks for that. I was going to ask them for a quote just for labour and supply my own fluids too so that I could see the difference. Do you have a link to these Mr T fluids?

TCB performance parts an affiliate on the Forum offers some fluids. Your local Toyota garage offer a service kit, at various prices dependent upon locality and whether or not semi or full synth oil.
I believe all Toyota fluids have an aftermarket proprietary option, except, I believe for the SMT transmission.
Forum Members favour / use various fluids and not many reports of disaster!

For myself I use aftermarket/ branded oil filter.
Full synth 5:30 branded oil, usually Mobil 3. ( This oil I could also use in my diesel daily).
After market / branded air filter.
NGK plugs
Sensors, the two I've changed were NGK.
Comma dot 4 brake fluid, I know what it says on the reservoir lid!
Still Mr T clutch (brake)fluid that I put in last year because it does not seem to deteriorate as quickly as in the brake system and I used the whole dot 4 bottle doing my brake refurb.
Ravenol power steering fluid.
Ravenol coolant, mixed with Tesco de ionised water.
Gear oil I changed about 10 years ago, I then used Toyota oil. Change due.
Warwickshire air in all four tyres and spare.

[Topdownman]

Mister Twos are happy to use fluids you supply but some garages wont be. I use fuchs titan XTR oil, MT90 is the best gear oil I have used. I have used ravenol p/s fluid and no problems with that so far. Always get denso O2 sensors if needed. Nothing fancy for my spark plugs and good brands are cheap. I will happily use any oil filter but usually get bosch (with a new sump washer which I buy on ebay about 20 at a time for a few quid). Any paper air filter will do too I reckon.

You may want to add a strip and lubricate brakes to your list too as a clean every year is the best way to keep them working.

[Craigjm]

I guess these are the "Mr T" (sorry took me a while) original fluids....

https://mr2-ben.co.uk/categories/71

[Zxrob]

Otherwise £600 is a decent price for quite a lot of work.

Cant disagree with that, considering my local Porsche dealer wanted £135 for a brake fluid change

Rob