Author Topic: A reliable Bis (Read 7811 times)

Dom · « **on:** July 03, 2007, 10:39:15 AM »

Is this possible?
If so, I am in need of a nice bis to use as my daily runner as my both my aircooled 500 and 126 are proving to be extremely high mainatinance and off the road as much as they are on it!
How reliable is a bis? Can they manage long journeys etc...?

simsk · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2007, 10:55:33 AM »

ahahah, i havent had much reliability out of mine. ever since i got it mot'ed, its broken every other day!! lol, its brakes then i fix it, then it brakes, then i fix it!!! endless fun!!! it does have quite a hard life tho. i dont reckon theyd be that bad if you look after them and dont drive them hard. luv 126s tho!!

Dom · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2007, 11:49:16 AM »

I have enjoyed the braking and fixing element, but as I now have a regular 9-5 job with a nice 25min commute, have no time during the week to play with it and need something that wont make me late for work every other day

126dave · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2007, 12:02:51 PM »

bis is def the wrong choice dom,get your aircooled fleet sorted !!!!...

simsk · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2007, 12:27:07 PM »

yer, thats the same problem i have. except i can get a lift to work when the bis brakes. im now putting my effort into getting my 205 gti on the road as that was far more reliable than the bis but the economy really peeesss me off. im guna keep the bis for small fun trips.

Dom · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2007, 12:38:26 PM »

Ok, I guess thats that.
Just need a very cheap and reliable car to get too and from work. As it's a regular 15/20 mile round trip each day, would be nice to give the 500 a rest also as it's just wastigna way the engine to sit and wait in rush hour traffic.
Any ideas on a really cheap and reliable car to do this job. Kinda like it a bit quirky also (hence bis).
No Robin reliant though!

126cab · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2007, 04:40:01 PM »

Hi Dom, Theirs nothing wrong with a bis if it is serviced correctly, ok i dont drive mine every day but have travelled miles in my cabio and it has never let me down once. The only problem with the bis is owners & dealers for that matter did not know how to service and look after them correctly (Hence head gasket probs ect) personally i think the bis engine is a great little engine, i did quite a few motorway miles last year in Italys heat wave temperatues driving at between 60 & 70 mph absolutely no problems whatsoever, i would drive my bis anywere with full confidence. So if you can find a realy nice one that has been looked after correctly i say go for it.

bis13 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2007, 06:26:06 PM »

i am in agreement with david on this one the only reason i have taken up the aircooled is because the greater variety of tuning parts available . the bis has a great little engine it just needs care .

126dave · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2007, 06:52:06 PM »

thats the rub....it needs care,so if your looking for a work beater the bis aint it !!....a late fsm a/c will be 100% reliable with a tenth of the care a bis/ferrari/lambo/vulcan bomber/supermarine spitfire needs....engine good yes,i agree,but fragile when not cared for.if you dont rev an a/c thro to 5k and do change the oil it will just keep going.......

had both,i know what i prefer/would drive to south of france with :shock:

Dom · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2007, 11:38:15 PM »

I'm torn.
I guess I will just have to get my master cylinder back in and continue on using my 500 with late 126 engine in.
Just wish it would stop bloody raining so I can actually work on the thing!
Or I may invest in a little marquee in which to carry out the work!

bis13 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2007, 07:05:37 AM »

if you are gonna buy a car to go to work in then buy an old 205 xe 900 odd cc and they run forever . and this is the best bit cost very little .

ciaoflyer · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2007, 02:53:51 PM »

Get a 2cv! Great aircooled engine!

Dom · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2007, 03:08:32 PM »

I kind of like old Renault 5s, but good ones are rare and expensive. Had no idea the mid engine one would fetch over Ã‚Â£25k!
Am thinking of getting a direct access bike test and getting a nice bike as traffic is ever increasing and parking spaces decreasing. Have some old vespas, but they are too slow and unreliable!

126dave · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2007, 05:05:17 PM »

jee just chuck a hundred or so at the 126.............get it sorted!!!!!

you end up buying some one elses crap and be at square one again!!!.....a a/c 126 fits the bill,and you have one,retire the 500 and fix up the a/c

Chris Lakin · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2007, 08:14:49 PM »

pug 205 gti then Dom,

my bro has one, rapid little beast, i lpve it, and it has 126/500 like handling!!!!

dont get me starte don the old BIS/aircooled debate, my BIs was more relibale than my aircooled, wish its engine was back in with new gearbox, but finding time is hard to do it.

BIS is best for everyday traffic jam roads.

Chris