New builder - donor options

beanpole · #1 21st April 2010, 08:35

Hi all.. I am about to embark on my third kit build having just sold my Cobra, and thinking about the 5exi.

I am not looking for a balls out racing experience just a decent performing car which looks nice, something the wife will be willing to drive for a change. I can pick up a Rover 2.0 Turbo engine and a rover 200 donor quite easily and cheaply , yet Marlin seem to now prefer Seat,VW,Audi, or Honda, is the Rover donor still a viable option ? if not I was thinking of an Audio A3 1.8t as the donor.

Steve

nutter · #2 21st April 2010, 13:25

Marlin still support the Rover option

An Audi A3 is a good choice, the drive train is the same as a Seat Leon, many parts are interchangable between the two.
The reason for the seat is that the aftermarket 2nd hand price for a seat leon is generally cheaper than an Audi A3.
You might also find more seat leon 180bhp available, than in the audi range.
Another option is an Audi TT, again the drivetrain is the same, just more powerful tuned engines.
Any of your chocies are fine, depends what you can get and for what cost.

Regards
Steve

SDMC001 · #3 21st April 2010, 17:29

I would look elsewhere for a kit car if I were you, or if you want a cheap Marlin car, send me a personal message

chrislandy · #4 22nd April 2010, 05:28

Shelsley ftw! Nice styling and very easy to drive!

The stonleigh show is in a couple of weeks so I'd take a trip up there and check out a few of the different manufacturers. And you can see the various kit qualities

limpabit · #5 22nd April 2010, 08:00

I would suggest go and have a look and test drive with different options.

Here's a map of builders locations:

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...2526#post12526

When I started my build, Marlin did not like the Rover turbo option. But is a very viable performance 200+ bhp car.

There are a few k series, type R cars completed. But very litte Vag ones completed. Mine is the only one I'm aware of but is far from the standard 180bhp donor. And was not cheap.

alackofspeed · #6 22nd April 2010, 16:49

Having seen you've already built two cars, you clearly enjoy building.

If you really want to build a 5EXI that's fair enough, but if you just want a smallish mid-engined car to punt around a track from time to time, I'd suggest 2nd hand Elise, and put some of the car-building skills to good use by installing an uprated engine.

If you want to go 5exi, I'd suggest the least bothersome route is most probably to build a car with an engine that has many proven examples. Marlin has experience of the 1.8t in the race cars, but I'm not aware of any road versions yet - limpabit's doesn't count, as it's all custom fabricated by him and friends. There are at least 3 privately built K20A2 cars about, and a plenty of Rover K-series cars.

A K-series 160bhp car is probably the most sensible option if you want a relatively trouble free build.

nutter · #7 23rd April 2010, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by alackofspeed

Marlin has experience of the 1.8t in the race cars, but I'm not aware of any road versions yet

This is very true. I belive I am the first builder to go for the 1.8t as from the marlin factory. There are others builders around.
There are a few teathing troubles and problems so far with the 1.8t build, but I am feeding my findings back to Marlin, and I would hope my comments are fed back and corrected into future chassis/ builds.
If you go for a 1.8t build from Marlin, I would hope your build should be less "hassle" than mine is.
I have a build diary on the go here http://www.stsa.co.uk/projectEXi/

Regards
Steve