advice on bringing my 200 back to top condition!

Hi, so, the backstory is, i have a '98 200, 1.4 16v, i've had it over a year now, done about 10,000 miles, and definitely couldn't have had a better first car!



Overall, it's served me very well, but troubles are slowly starting to creep in and i'd like to get them sorted, been searching around the forum for best things to do but i'd like to check with everyone first! sadly don't have the budget to get it fully worked over by a garage but i'm more than happy to get at it myself!



the main issue i'm not sure what to do about it a fair drop in fuel economy, only 25 mpg on the last tank, and the current one doesn't look like it'll fare any better. i used to get 30-33, though my commute is only 7.5 miles, half country roads half town (generally in a fair bit of traffic) so i guess that's why it's quite low, but the recent drop is unusual. seems like it's a tad down on power, and can be a little rough at low revs (doesn't stall or anything, and the power drop might just be me worrying over nothing, i have no way to compare and see it's not all in my head). i figured the fuel economy, slight roughness and minor power loss would be linked, right, what could this be?



also, seems to be warming up quite slowly, but does get to and hold temperature, and heaters blow hot. could this simple be down to it being colder (hence engine starting colder, being hit with colder air and me using the heater more often). it's at the point where often i can't have the heater on at full on setting 2, because the temp gauge just starts to drop (damned annoying when it's this cold!). seems like it could be the thermostat stuck part open? this was replaced at 54k (now on 77k) so would that make it more unlikely? (this in mind, at what point on the gauge is the temperature at the point where it stops the over fuelling it does when cold? as guess that could well explain the previous symptoms)



also, my gearbox is getting quite notchy, and sometimes crunches a little going into 2nd/3rd. slightly worried as i have (being a typical teenage boy i guess) given it some stick at times, including a small amount of clutchless shifting (not something i make a habit of, did it a little after my clutch cable snapped so i'd be ready if it ever happened while on the move!). greased the gear linkage as per instructions on this forum, and it's made the shifter movement a tad smoother, but not sorted the odd crunches. i have been told it could be the clutch cable needing adjusted, if so how do i do this? suppose i should note i'm using a non-oem clutch cable (though correct for the car) after my original snapped, should i get and fit a proper OEM one? otherwise any other ways to get the gearbox running smoother? changing the oil seems like a good bet, and is an additive like molyslip a good move for the R65 'box?



finally, there's a lovely big hole in the backbox, clearly a new one is the solution, currently deciding whether to go for a standard on or something a bit louder. do mg zr backboxes directly fit? as if i do get something non-standard i'd want it to just be bolt on, so i could do it myself and not need to pay to have anything welded in!



so, in addition to sorting this, are there any bits i should think about renewing to keep it in tip-top condition? (i have done oil and all filters recently) thinking maybe spark plugs, coils and ht leads? happy to spend a decent amount on good plugs and leads, denso plugs and magnecor leads seem the best choice? 7 or 8mm leads? (the 8.5 does seem excessive)



thanks to anyone who's kept reading this far! any advice would be greatly appreciated, just want to keep my baby on the road!

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