5 WAYS TO MAKE IT BETTER

1 PROTECT IT FROM ROT

The 405 doesn’t have a particular reputation for corrosion but it’s always a risk with advancing years. So a bit of time and a modest amount of money spent on rust-proofing a rot-free example is always going to be sensible. Do it yourself or pay a specialist a few hundred pounds to do it for you.

2 MAINTAIN IT

There’s little to be gained from modifying the engine of a cooking petrol or diesel model; the cash is better spent on regular maintenance. Changing the oil and filter every 6000 miles is a cheap way to ensure longevity and don’t forget the cam belt. Parts are cheap and a garage will charge a couple of hundred pounds.

3 KEEP IT COOL

A grotty cooling system risks all manner of expensive problems, so spending a few quid on annual coolant changes is a wise move. Grab yourself a copy of the Haynes manual – you can easily do the job yourself, and it will stave off corrosion within the engine. This gives you a good opportunity to check the condition of all the hoses, too.

4 BETTER HANDLING

The 405’s exceptional ride and handling balance always set it apart from its period mainstream rivals, so a regular and thorough check of the suspension and steering is essential. Replacing any worn ball joints and bushes will restore the impressive road manners, and it shouldn’t prove too difficult to source all the parts required.

You could fit stiffer dampers and polyurethane bushes but there’s little need and you run the risk of adversely affecting the ride quality.

5 HOTTER ENGINE

The Mi16’s XU9J4 engine responds well to tuning, and there are plenty of options from uprated internals to ECU remaps. How far you go depends on your budget and what sort of drive you’re after, and you may need to upgrade the clutch or transmission depending on power output, so it’s worth discussing the options with a specialist or other owners before committing.