Wise Buyer: Metro
Forty years after a triumphant launch, we tell you why the clever Metro is a perceptive purchase
Why a Metro really is a smart buy.
In a period of industrial strife and bewildering social change, the Metro was a refreshing step forward into a digital decade. Despite some characteristically Bl-style twists and turns in its development, Longbridge nevertheless delivered a masterpiece of packaging. Not only did the new car have acres of room inside with a boot 30 percent bigger than a Fiesta, its well-proportioned body enveloped familiar mechanicals that promised owners very agreeable running costs.
Finding many friends in its ten-year lifespan, the Metro endured regular kickings by its rivals, most notably by the chic-looking, class-leading Peugeot 205 of 1984, but the Brit retained its reputation as one of the better small cars during a challenging decade for the newly formed Austin Rover Group.
Replacement came in 1990 with the heavily ‘reimagined’ Rover-badged Metro, after which the original incarnation suffered a catastrophic decline in numbers. But is the Metro a realistic and fulfilling purchase proposition now, four decades after it was launched? Here, we look at whether ‘the British car to beat the world’ is still winning.
Why you want one
No longer in the Mini’s shadow, the Metro’s time has come. Dare we say it, this is a car with merit every bit as significant as that of its older sister and there wasn’t a street without one back in the Eighties and Nineties. As an intended replacement for the Mini the Metro stacks up well, with more room, a better ride and similar go-kart steering – despite the bizarre driving position.
They’re very easy to work on and cheap to fix, thanks to that venerable A-series engine and Hydragas suspension system that’s well-supported by a network of specialists. And of course, they’re huge fun to drive. Interest in the car is such that a very dedicated band of fans now exist, meaning you’ll find plenty of advice and wisdom. Owners are a friendly bunch, too. They’ll bend over backwards to help you keep your Metro in fine fettle.
Which one should I buy?
Longbridge was churning out 180,000 examples a year at the Metro’s peak in the early Eighties, but Austin-badged examples (before the Rover brand took over in 1987) now number fewer than 350 – many being on SORN. Today’s survivors are often the rare few that found retired buyers when new and subsequently enjoyed a quiet, garaged, suburban lifestyle. Those do often end up on dealer forecourts but scour the classifieds and you’ll find a few remaining Metros with remarkably low mileages. Enthusiast-owned examples tend to change hands between club members.
There is an array of models to choose from – including some now very desirable sporty ones. Before the MG Metro there was the nowendangered ‘S’ but 1982 brought the revival of the Octagon badge – dormant since 1980 – in the form of the MG Metro 1300. This was not just an ordinary
Metro powered by a mildly tweaked A-series engine and nor was it a return to the BMC era of slapping an MG, Riley or Wolseley badge on the cars. It was a Metro with sporting credentials and… red seatbelts!
MG Metro Turbos have risen most sharply in value and lead the field in terms of desirability; being naughty and mega-rare, they can command more than triple the value of basic models. You could also bag yourself a bit of luxury in the form of the Vanden Plas. These came along in 1982 with Wilton carpets, velour seats and walnut veneer door trims.
What should I look out for?
Pay close attention to all of the Metro’s bodywork, watching out for filler and poor-quality plating.
The front and rear valances rot badly, especially around their various seams; take a look from either side of each, because they’re both double-skinned. Other rot spots include the fuel filler surround, rain guttering and the corners of each footwell, plus the inner rear wings and spare wheel well. MG and Vanden Plas Metros featured a sunroof; make sure the drain holes haven’t clogged up. Also take a good look at the base of the windscreen and the bulkhead.
All Metros featured the A-series engine, heavily reworked for greater efficiency and reliability.
It’s renowned for its toughness and will take hard use in its stride. Poor running can usually be traced to a soaked ignition system, thanks to the distributor being located on the front of the engine. Rain passes through the grille and gets into the electrics, with predictable results.
The 1275cc engines are especially prone to valve guides and stem seals wearing out, leading to clouds of blue smoke once the power is applied after the over-run. Timing chain rattle is endemic to 1.0-litre cars – fitting a duplex chain assembly for around £50 will cure it. The A-series engine isn’t very good at retaining its oil, so don’t expect a leak-free unit. Only two transmissions were fitted to the Metro; a four-speed manual unit or a three-speed automatic. The manual transmission whined noticeably in first gear even when the gearboxes were new – all part of their charm!
What is it like to live with?
Metros are almost as fun to drive as a Mini, but with a whole world of advantages – especially the extra practicality. Inside, the functional facia is basic, containing simple ventilation controls and a handful of switches. The minimalist design contributes to a feeling of space and everything is logically sited.
On the road, you’ll feel somewhat dwarfed but most Metro models are capable of keeping up with modern traffic. Considering its compact dimensions, the ride/handling balance is remarkable – and it’s all down to the Hydragas suspension.
The lack of a fifth gear is an Achilles Heel, so motorway driving can be tiresome. Local journeys and city squirts are the Metro’s forte.
The MG Metro adds a dose of rasping exhaust to the rumbling A-series. Sharper handling and bigger brake discs give it great B-road potential and there’s a pleasingly chunky feel to the smaller three-spoke steering wheel – its beefier rim was one of the main additions to the Metro interior, along with more heavily-bolstered seats and some funky detailing. Mini Cooper for the Eighties? You bet.