I need some help from the collective!
Earlier today I somehow found myself viewing a MK1 NA Berkeley Edition. It is currently stored in a very dry and weatherproof barn on a remote farm. It is kept under a cover connected to a trickle charger. More things that get my heart racing;
22,000miles on the clock
excellent bodywork, just a couple of ‘car park’ marks on the drivers door
it had a new roof last year
inside is in great condition although the wood veneer needs restoring or replacing
it started first time having not been used since August last year and runs smoothly
the engine has had all the belts and pullies replaced plus a comprehensive service about 18months ago
recent new front discs and pads
four new tyres
a big file of paperwork
one negative so far, the front mudflaps are missing
The current owner is not actively marketing the car but does want to sell it. They think it’s worth “around £10k”. Over to you for thoughts on it’s value?
Sounds ok and probably worth the £10k on mileage given. It would have to be simple cosmetic TLC for me to want to spend £10k on a Mk1. Wooden trim is probably not easily repaired (is it wood in these?) dent repairs can be simple or hard to get at. The most important aspect is, has it got rust, has it been welded anywhere, probably @22k miles no but do your checks.
KGF the classic car sellers recently had one up for sale, they wanted top money of course, I think much more than £10k but is was lower mileage and in excellent nick.
I remember noticing this one go through auction last year. More mileage but around a £6k sale price, plus buyer’s premium at 15% including VAT for Iconic on a live auction as this one was:
So without seeing total condition of this one and having it properly inspected, I’d go with somewhere in the £8-10k range. All depends how much someone is willing to pay of course, how much the seller wants, how much they want to actually sell it, and whether a compromise position can be reached
How much of its life has it spent in the current ideal enviroment? Any implications from why the wooden bits have deteriorated?
Not trying to be a ■■■■-out but recently cancelled a look at a ‘06 at just 15k, one lady owner etc for a cool £9995. One recent MOT report had a fail because of rust in one sill and the upper suspension location on the same side. That didn’t stack up for me.
It had only recently been advertised on Facebook by a dealer. It’s currently dropped 2k so I’m tempted but very low mileage is not without its problems…
Got to remember none of these are rare, Mk1s that is. Over 400,000 were made, Mostly, so-called Limited Editions, including Berkeleys and low grade white R-Limiteds, are over rated. They all went down the same production line. Ultra low mileage 1.8s can be a poisoned chalice. The later Mk1 1.8s, early Mk2 1.8s had issues with sticking oil scraper rings, and the oil pump strainer can clog up.
Buy on condition, not spec.
What a 1 million yen NA in Japan (entry level price) looks like now. Its a 1996 S-Package. Yes, that sill has rotted.
I’d say only go for the Berkeley if you like the spec and are planning to leave it stock and just use it for sunny runs out. You’ll probably always get your money back on it as long as it remains in great condition. The issue for me would be that beneath the ‘luxury’ additions it’s a basic car without an LSD or any of the other benefits an import brings. If you’re planning to ‘improve’ it, I’d start with one of those instead.
Wooden replacement kits i believe can be sourced relatively easily. I think the Berkeley has the same wood kit as the Merlot (which i own). I know a number of Merlot owners have replaced theirs using the available kits.
