Are you madabout kit cars      
 "We've Got Kit Cars Covered" Information about Madabout-Kitcars.com Contact Madabout-Kitcars.com         Home of UK kit cars - madabout-kitcars.com Various kit car write ups All the latest kit car news Kit car related and general discussion

Search
Manufacturers
Kit Cars
Kit Car Data sheets
Picture Gallery
SVA Knowledgebase
Clubs & Communities
Build cost estimator
Kit cars for sale
Knowledge Base 
KitcarUSA.com
Classic-Kitcars.com
 

Go Back   Madabout Kitcars Forum > Mad Build Area > Marlin 5exi builds

Marlin 5exi builds Calling all you sexi builders....sorry 5exi builders, show us your progress.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19th September 2008, 20:06
marcus_b marcus_b is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
marcus_b is on a distinguished road
Default Hi and buying advice

Just thought I would say hello,

Im new to the world of kitcars and am thinking about buying a used 5exi... there are a few of them about at the moment.

Just wondered if anyone had any buying advice etc... what to look for... know problems etc...

Ive been reading the forum and am a bit apprehensive over the handling and rear suspension set up... are all the cars skitish when backing off at over 80mph? has anyone found a solution to this problem?

thanks for the advice you will no doubt dispense,

cheers,

Marcus

(Manchester)

Last edited by marcus_b; 19th September 2008 at 20:19..
Reply With Quote
Available from eBay
  #2  
Old 20th September 2008, 07:26
bigrich's Avatar
bigrich bigrich is offline
Senior Member
Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 404
bigrich is on a distinguished road
Smile

Hi Marcus & welcome.....

Most people I've spoken to have been adjusting / modifying their suspension set up to improve the handling.

The Marlin Mark 2 rear suspension cures the bumpsteer...but I'm not sure how succesful this is with regard to the otehr handling attributes.

My car (orange R plate on the gallery) has the Mark 1 suspension and I have redesigned the rear upper track links to remove bumpsteer....

Handling....not as good as an elise. Can be unpredictable, but with spring / damping / toe changes I have managed to get a car I am now confident with.


Eithehr way it's still good fun.

...oh, and it's reluctantly for sale....£9K

Rich
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20th September 2008, 07:50
MikeR MikeR is offline
Senior Member
Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wootton Bassett
Posts: 108
MikeR is on a distinguished road
Smile

Or you could buy mine for £7k - 1.6lt with 2000miles on the clock.

Mike R
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20th September 2008, 08:05
limpabit's Avatar
limpabit limpabit is offline
Senior Member
Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Basildon, Essex
Posts: 1,800
limpabit is on a distinguished road
Default

The best thing to do is go for a drive in them before you buy.

Test the 1.6's and the turbo John's got.

Here is the locations.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...73,19.6875&z=6
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23rd September 2008, 15:47
craig's Avatar
craig craig is offline
Senior Member
Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Tyne and wear
Posts: 784
craig is on a distinguished road
Default

How much are you looking to spend??

Just thinking that you will have quite a bit to spend on the car after purchase to get it sorted properly

4x 48's
rear suspension
etc
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23rd September 2008, 15:56
marcus_b marcus_b is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
marcus_b is on a distinguished road
Default

There have been a few advertised for 5K (all rover variants) and its these that im interested in.

Im probably going to ask a stupid question... but what do you mean by 4x48s??

Apart from the rear suspension geometry is there anything else that may need attention/i should look out for?

Cheers

Last edited by marcus_b; 23rd September 2008 at 16:33..
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23rd September 2008, 18:29
craig's Avatar
craig craig is offline
Senior Member
Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Tyne and wear
Posts: 784
craig is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by marcus_b View Post

Im probably going to ask a stupid question... but what do you mean by 4x48s??

Apart from the rear suspension geometry is there anything else that may need attention/i should look out for?

Cheers
Sorry, if you are going to track/drive the car hard you will need 4x A048's or something similar (tyres) and these are not cheap

Look out for rust as mine has not seen water and has been garaged for two years until 1st sept and in places looks like the titanic
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23rd September 2008, 19:12
marcus_b marcus_b is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
marcus_b is on a distinguished road
Default

Ah i should have worked that one out.... i figured it must have something to do with the wheels! Have you guys used Kumho Ecsta MX tyres? I changed over to them from pirielli p zeros and they offer up much more grip and are very progressive when your on the limit. Ok it might not be an apples for apples comparison at the Kumhos are track tyres but they might be worth considering if your on a budget (they were less than half the price of the p zeros!) and so far look like they will almost cover the same mileage.

Any particular areas to look for rust... or just everywhere?
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +0. The time now is 12:58.

copyright © madabout-kitcars.com 2000-2024
terms and conditions | privacy policy