would you want to be in a crash in one of these?

[barry badger]

Our txd was 't' boned a couple of months ago at quite low speed by a smallish car but the damage is considerable, both os doors/ sill/inner sill and b pillar. I'm in the process of fixing it (slowly) but these cars are worryingly weak compared to their modern counterparts. I'm still committed to running a bx but this is a concern. Has anyone given any thought to adding strength? I was actually considering a roll cage for front and side protection but i'm assuming this then makes the car modified, is that something a classic car policy might accept?

[Tim Leech]

Hi Barry

Any 40 year old car compared to new ones will be, the BX was lauded as being very safe for its time, I dont run a BX as a daily, but comparted to alot of classic, some I own (60 MINI, 63 BEETLE) its very safe! Glad noone was hurt

[Jaba]

Not surprising really Barry. I had an Estate written off once in a similar fashion. Nobody was hurt though, just the car. The risk of being in a serious smash is very small and will not put me off using a BX.

[barry badger]

We need a bx for our old dog, nice and easy for him to get into with the suspension lowered and also good for scrap metal runs from my garage. So i've put the 4x4 back on the road to plug the gap, it had only done 1 mile since its last mot 3 years ago. It needed 1 front sphere replacing, the osf one had gone rock hard since its been parked up, just put a second hand one on for now.

[deltic]

Leclerc_vs_car-L.jpg

BX definitely outgunned in an accident here!

[Kitch]

Structurally altering a BX could cause you all manner of issues. It may actually perform worse in a crash, as impact protection is as much about directing energy into the places you want it (away from occupants) as it is about being strong.

Basically, if you want to be safe on the road, don't daily a BX. If you seriously crash in one (along with many other cars of that era), you better enjoy hospital food. I say that as someone currently dailying a Peugeot 106 (though probably not for much longer).

1100kg BX vs. 2500kg electric SUV? It won't be pretty.

[panky]

Is Dumpit being dumped?

[Kitch]

Is Dumpit being dumped?

Too expensive to tax, can't justify paying £20 a month when other bigger, more modern but ultimately similar value cars are £35 for the entire year. It's a madness!

[panky]

Good grief, probably what I'm paying on the GT - but the rest of the fleet is free so can't complain.

[barry badger]

Really struggling trying to get the doors fitting right on this. I don't have any hydraulic pulling equipment just blocks of wood and and a new 14lb sledgehammer bought specially for this! So the osr door gap at the back is too big at the top and too tight at the bottom and the front door back edge has dropped about 3/4" so the top clashes with the top of the osr door. I need to take the doors off again to 'adjust' the hinges, given there's no adjustment facilities on the hinges how was it done in the factory? surely the body shells/doors couldn't have been so accurately made they fitted properly first go.
Really sorry i didn't scrap this but i've gone too far with it now, The os 'b' pillar was in at the bottom by about 1" so big hammer and a block of wood and it's not too bad now but the curve of the pillar just above the top hinge had been flattened slightly, with the back door on there was a 1/4" gap between the door and the door rubber half way up when the door was closed so used a 6' piece of 3"x2" and sledgehammer through the open nsf door to get it back to shape. I know this all sounds a bit a bit of a bodge but if i can get the hinges sorted out there'll be nothing to give it away other than a slight crinkle in the roof above the 'b' post.
As an aside what are the insurance rules on a modified car, can i change the front bumper on my 4x4 to one with a splitter and fog lights. were these available as optional extras? so not counting as modifications?