Rover 75 1.8 question

Gat Dayum!

Hi

I see there's a few Rover 75 fans on here so I have a couple questions I want to put to them

I'm considering this car

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/2213783

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/2711585

1 year older but less mileage

Ok my questions are -

1) The 1.8 k series engine, surely it's legendary head gasket problems were all ironed out by 2004/2005? Is this the case?

2) At 118 bhp, is the 75 with this engine underpowered?

3) Does anyone have experience of real world MPG with this engine/car combo?

4) I've seen people say that the earlier models were better built. Does this mean the later ones are rubbish? Not up to the job?

5) Generally, what things should I look out for with this one? I understand the MAF and clutch problems that come with the diesel aren't an issue with the petrols?

Thanks for your help all

Padraig Mor

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

1) The 1.8 k series engine, surely it's legendary head gasket problems were all ironed out by 2004/2005? Is this the case? Don't know.

2) At 118 bhp, is the 75 with this engine underpowered? Depends on what you're coming from - it ain't fast though!

3) Does anyone have experience of real world MPG with this engine/car combo? About 28 - 30 mpg mixed driving

4) I've seen people say that the earlier models were better built. Does this mean the later ones are rubbish? Not up to the job? No

.

Gat Dayum!

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

..................................

1) The 1.8 k series engine, surely it's legendary head gasket problems were all ironed out by 2004/2005? Is this the case?.....................

Nope, although it would have an uprated inlet manifold gasket fitted from the factory, that was one of the causes of coolant loss that would have led to HG failure in the hands of certain types of owners and repeat HG failure as certain types of mechanics wouldn't diagnose it so the car would go back on the road "repaired" with the inlet manifold gasket leaking coolant.

Regardless of history a 1.8k is a weekly coolant check car, the HG won't just go all of a sudden without warning though, if caught early it's not too bad to get done, a few hundred onto a timing belt and pump job, less sometimes, cook it and you're in trouble.

The problem is it's hard to know if one you buying has been cooked.

Mr Benevolent

Get the diesel instead. Much more reliable, if harder to find. I'm on the lookout for a Connisseur SE auto diesel atm. Hard to find a cheapish one.

Gat Dayum!

Ok 28-30 mpg I cannot afford at the mileage I do. That's basically taken it off the table as an option. The official figure was 39 mpg on the combined cycle though....

RJ, in your opinion would a 100k well looked after brit import diesel be better than a 48 k 1.8 petrol of the same year and similar condition?

If doing the mileage most definitely, 100k isn't a lot really, I have almost that on my petrol ZT and its fresh enough.

Gat Dayum!

crap....guess I'll have to look in the uk so...was hoping to avoid the hassle

You'll get a diesel 75 here that suits with patience I would think.

the culture of deference

Confab wrote: »

Get the diesel instead. Much more reliable, if harder to find. I'm on the lookout for a Connisseur SE auto diesel atm. Hard to find a cheapish one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-75-2-0-CDTi-auto-Connoisseur-SE-/230690141178?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35b63433fa

I miss mine somedays.

RoverJames wrote: »

If doing the mileage most definitely, 100k isn't a lot really, I have almost that on my petrol ZT and its fresh enough.

Mine (2L cdt) had 180k on it, and the engine was still sweet.

Mr Benevolent

I forgot about eBay!

Gat Dayum!

the culture of deference wrote: »

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-75-2-0-CDTi-auto-Connoisseur-SE-/230690141178?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35b63433fa

I miss mine somedays.



Mine (2L cdt) had 180k on it, and the engine was still sweet.

Jesus that's respectable mileage. Any trouble with it over the years?

Owen

Definitely miss the luxury of mine alright ... great cars, pity the 75 Coupé never made it to market either!

Gat Dayum!

Confab wrote: »

Get the diesel instead. Much more reliable, if harder to find. I'm on the lookout for a Connisseur SE auto diesel atm. Hard to find a cheapish one.

You see this one?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Rover/75/2.0-CDTI/201105201103579/advert?channel=CARS

Paparazzo

My dad got one a couple of months ago, something to look for is to check the drain holes for the ECU is clear. His mate had a rover 75 and he had the same problem. Fills with water and obviously water and the ecu should not mix!
Other than that, both of them reckon it's a fantastic car, and both of them have gone through a lot of cars. He's got the 2l diesel btw.

Owen

If anyone does go down the Diesel route, budget about 250/300 straight away, and get the alternator and aircon belts replaced, and replace the crankshaft pulley while you're at it. It's preventative maintenance. Definitely make sure the Plenum drains under the windscreen are clear, and that's about it really.

Mr Benevolent

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

You see this one?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Rover/75/2.0-CDTI/201105201103579/advert?channel=CARS

Way above my budget (€2000) and I prefer the look of the pre-facelift models. Also, Project Drive hit the post 02 models hardest.

Gat Dayum!

Owen wrote: »

If anyone does go down the Diesel route, budget about 250/300 straight away, and get the alternator and aircon belts replaced, and replace the crankshaft pulley while you're at it. It's preventative maintenance. Definitely make sure the Plenum drains under the windscreen are clear, and that's about it really.

By plenum drains, you mean just the regular water channels below the wipers? Is this a major problem? I have to park under a tree that sheds a huge amount of leaves. Would one day's blockage be potentially a disaster?

Gat Dayum!

Confab wrote: »

Way above my budget (€2000) and I prefer the look of the pre-facelift models. Also, Project Drive hit the post 02 models hardest.

What happened in Project Drive? This goes back to my original question - are the post 02 models bad quality/loads of problems etc?

Mr Benevolent

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

What happened in Project Drive? This goes back to my original question - are the post 02 models bad quality/loads of problems etc?

No, they're not bad quality or have loads of problems, but they are a lower quality car than the pre-'02. All sorts of stuff was removed to save pennies and it did them no favours.

Changes in Material/Design
Leather Handbrake Grip replaced by Plastic Grip
Leather Gearknob - changed to plastic type
VIN Plate - change to content
Sun visors - change to specification
Tyre size change
Cigar lighter - change to type fitted
Door reflectors - change to self-adhesive type (November 2002)
Bonnet locking platform warning labels - combine 3 into 1
Engine oil cooler - change to type fitted
Exhaust System - design change
Door mirror specification change
Vented rear brake disc specification change
Toolkit stowage - common across range (December 2002)
Alloy Wheel Centres - material change (November 2002)
Twin Horn replaced with Single Horn (September 2002)

Items Deleted/Removed
Bottom coolant hose - heat sleeve deletion
D post badge - deletion from D post finisher
Catalyst heat shield
Front door engine derivative badges
Front seat belt lower anchorage bolt head caps
High pressure PAS sensor
Rover 'Viking' boot badge
Jack handle grip
Rear lamp access panel
Rear parcel shelf sound insulation
Rear anti-roll bar (1.8 and 2.0 CDT models)
AM/FM diversity aerial amplifier
Power steering pump cover
Headrest trim piping
Tailgate latch finisher
Fuel burning heater deletion
Body colour side finisher deletion (ZT)
Engine compartment undertray deletion on 1.8
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) change to Model applicability
Tailgate Release Switch (November 2002)
Drivers grab handle
Drivers side plenum drain tube (November 2002)
Transit brake disc covers
Body colour door mirror caps (Classic models)

Additions to the specification
Automatic oil cooler
Rear parcel shelf - modification & fitment of dynamic absorber
Plenum drain tube modification
Instant Tyre Repair (ITR) introduction

And this list was only up to the end of 2002...

the culture of deference

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

Jesus that's respectable mileage. Any trouble with it over the years?

over 6 years 100,000 miles.
wishbones, bushes, springs, anti roll stab, oil cooler (autobox) very rare part for pre 02 cars, oil coolr hoses, front therm housing, window regs, rear door locks, drivers seat .

never buy spurious parts

40mpg is do-able in the auto

Gat Dayum!

Confab wrote: »

No, they're not bad quality or have loads of problems, but they are a lower quality car than the pre-'02. All sorts of stuff was removed to save pennies and it did them no favours.

Such as?

One think that was driving me towards the post facelift models was the generic radio. That thing that was in them before was crap and if removed, the blanking panel offsets the radio space to one side due to, I assume, something in the way in the space behind. That would do my head in and I gotta have a decent sound system....

Tragedy

Project drive is overstated. I've had a early-mid 2002 build MG ZT(judging by the stickers I found all over the internals) and a late 2004 build MG ZT and the difference isn't noticeable.

Wouldn't be overly worried with the project drive to be honest, long list of much to do about nothing really.

Gat Dayum!

the culture of deference wrote: »

over 6 years 100,000 miles.
wishbones, bushes, springs, anti roll stab, oil cooler (autobox) very rare part for pre 02 cars, oil coolr hoses, front therm housing, window regs, rear door locks, drivers seat .

never buy spurious parts

40mpg is do-able in the auto

Holy crap...now I'm put right off....

Gat Dayum!

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

Holy crap...now I'm put right off....

One or two of that list would be bad luck, unusual issues, overall for 6 years on a car that was well broken in its not too bad really, the springs are common on the diesels.

Gat Dayum!

Confab wrote: »

Rear anti-roll bar (1.8 and 2.0 CDT models)
Fuel burning heater deletion

They got rid of the anti-roll bar???? Did that not completely screw up the handling??

The fuel burning heater - is that the thing that heated the cabin at a preset time? How did that work?

Mr Benevolent

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

Holy crap...now I'm put right off....

Me too. I'm scampering off to find an MX-5!

Gat Dayum!

the culture of deference wrote: »

over 6 years 100,000 miles.
wishbones, bushes, springs, anti roll stab, oil cooler (autobox) very rare part for pre 02 cars, oil coolr hoses, front therm housing, window regs, rear door locks, drivers seat .

never buy spurious parts

40mpg is do-able in the auto

What happened the wishbones? Anti roll stab? Oil cooler hoses? Front therm housing? Drivers seat???

These are not standard maintenance run of the mill problems surely....

Tragedy

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

They got rid of the anti-roll bar???? Did that not completely screw up the handling??

No, they changed the rear suspension setup as a result. Members have tried adding the rear anti roll bar and found that it actually made the post-project drive car handle worse.

Point being, it made no noticeable difference

The fuel burning heater - is that the thing that heated the cabin at a preset time? How did that work?

It burned small quantities of diesel to warm the car and cabin prior to getting into it, used a remote keyfob.

Gat Dayum!

Tragedy wrote: »

It burned small quantities of diesel to warm the car and cabin prior to getting into it, used a remote keyfob.

Is this a feature on many cars? Seems amazing! What way did it burn the diesel though? Engine wasn't running etc?

the culture of deference

Confab wrote: »

Way above my budget (€2000) and I prefer the look of the pre-facelift models.

Me too.

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

By plenum drains, you mean just the regular water channels below the wipers? Is this a major problem? I have to park under a tree that sheds a huge amount of leaves. Would one day's blockage be potentially a disaster?

\you just pull out the plenum and cut a cross shape at the thinnest end, others just slice it diagonally, any rover 75 forum will have all the info.

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

What happened the wishbones? Anti roll stab? Oil cooler hoses? Front therm housing? Drivers seat???
These are not standard maintenance run of the mill problems surely....

wishbones need to be replaced at 6-8 years. in the UK you can replace the ball joints and bushes and keep the wb. not here though.

i replaced mine with spurious for half the price, and they lasted quarter the time the originals did. the stabilisers and bushes are the same,

genuine setup for the front would cost each side 200 a wb, 100 bushes, 40 stabiliser, then labour.


all for nct.

also had to replace braked lines.

auto gearbox oil must be changed at 90,000miles.
hoses can burst.
oil coolers can break when an apprentice gets his hands on it.
only 3% of 75's were diesel auto's. the 01 model has no fog lights because they couldn't fit it in

Owen

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

Is this a feature on many cars? Seems amazing! What way did it burn the diesel though? Engine wasn't running etc?

Some vans have it, the 75 diesel came with it as standard before project drive. It basically worked like a small parafin heater, it had it's own air intake, and used the normal diesel the engine runs on to warm the engine coolant. They all had them around that time, but they weren't wired in. If you chose the option from the factory, they subsequently fitted a timer.

It's possible to wire them up youself to run off a separate remote - but that just gets the heater to fire. To get the cabin warm, you need to do additional wiring too. I had mine wired up, and it was brilliant in the depths of winter.

Gat Dayum!

Owen wrote: »

Some vans have it, the 75 diesel came with it as standard before project drive. It basically worked like a small parafin heater, it had it's own air intake, and used the normal diesel the engine runs on to warm the engine coolant. They all had them around that time, but they weren't wired in. If you chose the option from the factory, they subsequently fitted a timer.

It's possible to wire them up youself to run off a separate remote - but that just gets the heater to fire. To get the cabin warm, you need to do additional wiring too. I had mine wired up, and it was brilliant in the depths of winter.

So hold on, your car did not come with the heater as an option but you got the wiring done so it did work? What did u do for switchgear etc? That's class!

Owen

The heater's in there, but it's not wired up. Simple enough to wire it though if you're handy with electronics.

Gat Dayum!

Owen wrote: »

The heater's in there, but it's not wired up. Simple enough to wire it though if you're handy with electronics.

Ok but switchgear etc? Is there no dashboard switch etc required?

Owen

It's up to you where and what switch you use. I had mine working off a keyfob remote control, some people buy a webasto campervan timer and install that under the armrest, other people put a simple switch in there.

Gat Dayum!

Owen wrote: »

It's up to you where and what switch you use. I had mine working off a keyfob remote control, some people buy a webasto campervan timer and install that under the armrest, other people put a simple switch in there.

Pretty cool...anyway...either somebody reassures me that the petrol won't require the €900 DMF job and will give 35+ combined MPG or I'm gonna have to start researching avensis's

George Dalton

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

What happened the wishbones? Anti roll stab? Oil cooler hoses? Front therm housing? Drivers seat???

These are not standard maintenance run of the mill problems surely....

It is an old car. If you have a budget of €2000 then it doesn't matter what make or model you buy you can't expect to just have routine servicing to think about. Things will break and/or wear out and it will cost money to fix.

Gat Dayum!

Gat Dayum! wrote: »

Pretty cool...anyway...either somebody reassures me that the petrol won't require the €900 DMF job and will give 35+ combined MPG or I'm gonna have to start researching avensis's

can't see you getting 35 plus combined. BArely got that from a 216 coupe when I was up and down to galway.