DGTi Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 (edited) Hello, My names Andy and I'm in the process of buying a Westie (hopefully) I've been stalking the forums for quite a while now but having seen a car that I'm interested in buying I thought it would be a good time to sign up, plus I have a question I am hoping you can help with! 🙂 The car I am looking at is a 2004 SEIW with a 2.0l Zetec engine. It has a reasonable amount of modification carried out and is probably 90% what I am after. On checking the MOT history for the car I noticed that the mileage hasn't changed since 2017. Being that the car will be made up from various new / used parts I'm not overly concerned with the mileage as long as it is in good mechanical condition and it has got a good amount of build / service history with it, however the seller has stated that the 'Speedo wasn't working when he purchased it and he hasn't been able to fix it, but accepted the car based on the condition, and that this is a fairly common issue'. I've read a few posts regarding issues with damp and the digital Odometer displays not showing (I'm not sure if this is digital) but I can't see it as a common issue as such. Is this something that is to be expected or would it raise a flag with more experienced members? The car is based around 300 miles from me, but 10 minutes (luckily) from my father in law so he is going to have a look at it this evening. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated - Thanks in advance, Andy Edited August 14 by Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO improved title to aid focus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Hello and welcome I’d say that these are “kit cars” and as you say bits get swopped about over the years anyway so knowing the history of the car is the main thing. ie was it a new crate engine at build or has the engine been changed to a Zetec previously, if so that engine may have already done 100k miles or may have been stripped and rebuilt so the mileage wouldn’t really be a true representation of what the Speedo says anyway. “Most” cars don’t seem to do mega miles. Just for example - My Dads is a 2000 model with 14,000 miles, mine is a 2021 model with 13,500 on it. Finding out the history as best you can will give you an idea. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigieboy Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Hi Andy and welcome. I'm new here too after getting my car in June and honestly joining the club has been the best thing I've done. The information contained within is never-ending, especially the build threads, even although I have a completed car and there is lots of other helpful advice on hand. My car was 5yrs old with 1k mls so sat around too, I've not had any issue with the speedo, but yeah have read about issues with the digital read out. The speedo pick up on mine is on the O/S/F hub and not the gearbox. Sorry i can't give you and advice on it, but sure someone else will. Good luck with the purchase and whereabouts are you located, people will ask. Cheers 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euan Hoosearmy Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Is it a VDO Speedo like the one in the image below? If so, yes the displays do malfunction but it's a fairly easy fix, you can buy a new LCD and cable and swap it out. I've had to do mine.... There's a bunch of threads with the details in the Tech part of this site. The recorded mileage is still retained in the speedo unit (as long as that's working) so you will discover the mileage when you've fixed it. It's not expensive to fix, IIRC the new screen and cable is around the £20 mark and it's about an hour to swap it over once you've got the speedo out of the dash. If it's a different brand of speedo, post up details, someone may have knowledge of them. How has everything else been looked after on the car? When was the cam belt last changed, when was the last oil change - with a zetec you tend to have a very small oil filter and so oil changes need to be regular, even with the low mileage these cars usually do - for some reason they tend to be driven quite hard, so the oil gets a good working over. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Yeh assuming the same as mine, mines a Zetec, offside hub. Sensor could be dirty/ gap to big etc May have just come unplugged behind the dash? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euan Hoosearmy Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Just as an afterthought - the speed indication part has to be working for an MOT. The odometer bit doesn't need to work for an MOT. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGTi Posted August 13 Author Share Posted August 13 Hi, thanks for the replies! I've not been to view yet - my father in law is going tonight on my behalf and if he gives it a clean bill of health I will travel down to have a look myself. The belts etc have all been done recently and look good from the pic I have seen, and the level of information supplied so far regarding the build and subsequent usage gives a warm feeling. I had the same thought regarding the Speedo needing to work he did mention using a GPS speedo but I can't see that on the pics and its not listed in the advert - so far its the only issue I've come across that has made me question it. I think it is the VDO type from the pictures but thinking about it I'm guessing the display works to allow the MOT tester to read the mileage but perhaps it doesn't register the speed? I can post the advert if that's acceptable? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Post it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGTi Posted August 13 Author Share Posted August 13 Ok 🙂 https://www.gumtree.com/p/westfield/westfield-seiw/1483582730 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 #teamyellow 👍🏼👍🏼 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Colonial Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Welcome! The odometer part of electronic speedo is ridiculously common and entirely believable. Looks to be a tidy, well specc’d car from the photos. It also falls under the Westfield Truisms list: #22: The Westfield you really want to buy will inevitably be at the farthest geographical point away from your home, ie. you live in Aberdeen and the car you want to buy is in Cornwall. And after you get it: #23: When you buy your Westfield and arrive to drive it home, the weather forecast of bright sunshine will instantly change to thunderstorms, pouring rain, hail, and ten degrees colder. Good luck! 2 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigieboy Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 36 minutes ago, Captain Colonial said: Welcome! The odometer part of electronic speedo is ridiculously common and entirely believable. Looks to be a tidy, well specc’d car from the photos. It also falls under the Westfield Truisms list: #22: The Westfield you really want to buy will inevitably be at the farthest geographical point away from your home, ie. you live in Aberdeen and the car you want to buy is in Cornwall. And after you get it: #23: When you buy your Westfield and arrive to drive it home, the weather forecast of bright sunshine will instantly change to thunderstorms, pouring rain, hail, and ten degrees colder. Good luck! Both points sound familiar! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hunter - Club Secretary Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Welcome, exciting stuff searching for a first Westy! As everyone else has already said, it's not an unusual thing for the speedo to stop recording miles or speed, normally an easy fix or will needs a new speedo (just add it to your haggle list). The car looks nice and honest with some desirable parts (carbon cycle wings, gel battery, LSD, carbon silencer, diffuser etc). The 13" team dynamics 1.2 alloys are quite sought after (no longer produced) and tyres only look 3 years old. I would ask for proof of the claimed 185bhp, a standard 2.0 zetec on Webers will normally be in the 160-165bhp range, still a quick car but most at that price will be on more modern and sofisticated ITB's. My first westie was very similar, yellow 2.0 zetec on twin 45's (165bhp). It was great fun and sounded amazing (although I did have to learn some of the old school idiosyncrasies of carbs). Also, not sure if it has lowered floors. Not a problem if you're under 6ft but will make it a little uncomfortable for leg room if you are taller. This isn't a deal breaker though, I'm 6ft 5 and managed with standard floors on my old car with a few tweaks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGTi Posted August 13 Author Share Posted August 13 1 hour ago, Benrobson2999 - Kent AO said: #teamyellow 👍🏼👍🏼 😄 That was one part of the 90% 34 minutes ago, Captain Colonial said: Welcome! The odometer part of electronic speedo is ridiculously common and entirely believable. Looks to be a tidy, well specc’d car from the photos. It also falls under the Westfield Truisms list: #22: The Westfield you really want to buy will inevitably be at the farthest geographical point away from your home, ie. you live in Aberdeen and the car you want to buy is in Cornwall. And after you get it: #23: When you buy your Westfield and arrive to drive it home, the weather forecast of bright sunshine will instantly change to thunderstorms, pouring rain, hail, and ten degrees colder. Good luck! Thanks for the reply I was of the same opinion with my limited knowledge but it means a lot to get a second opinion from more experienced owners I've had #23 in my head all week; I'm still on the fence about the lack of windscreen and 300+ miles up the M5/M6 could be enough to convince me to fit one!!haha I will keep you posted on how I get on and hopefully all being well see you at a meet one day soon! 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGTi Posted August 13 Author Share Posted August 13 2 minutes ago, Rob Hunter - Club Secretary said: Welcome, exciting stuff searching for a first Westy! As everyone else has already said, it's not an unusual thing for the speedo to stop recording miles or speed, normally an easy fix or will needs a new speedo (just add it to your haggle list). The car looks nice and honest with some desirable parts (carbon cycle wings, gel battery, LSD, carbon silencer, diffuser etc). The 13" team dynamics 1.2 alloys are quite sought after (no longer produced) and tyres only look 3 years old. I would ask for proof of the claimed 185bhp, a standard 2.0 zetec on Webers will normally be in the 160-165bhp range, still a quick car but most at that price will be on more modern and sofisticated ITB's. My first westie was very similar, yellow 2.0 zetec on twin 45's (165bhp). It was great fun and sounded amazing (although I did have to learn some of the old school idiosyncrasies of carbs). Also, not sure if it has lowered floors. Not a problem if you're under 6ft but will make it a little uncomfortable for leg room if you are taller. This isn't a deal breaker though, I'm 6ft 5 and managed with standard floors on my old car with a few tweaks. Great info thanks I wasn't aware that the 13's were no longer produced! When I got in touch with him there were a few other engine mods that he hadn't listed; I take the 185 with a pinch of salt I was hoping for something with north of 160bhp and an LSD so it should fit the bill there 🙂 I'm a decent bit under 6 foot - in fact I'm hoping they haven't been lowered or I may need to bring a cushion with me! 😅 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.