20 year old 220 turbo coupe
Discussion
Yesterday I finished restoring my mums 1 owner from new 1994 rover 220 turbo coupe.
It still goes like the clappers, the air con still works and the roof doesnt leak!
The paint had begun to flake on the rear bumper, spoiler and rear 1/4 so I had them sprayed, and then set to work machine polishing the rest of the car.
Some pics:-
And on the way home I reminisced about 90's cars and their rather "interesting" dynamics...
It still goes like the clappers, the air con still works and the roof doesnt leak!
The paint had begun to flake on the rear bumper, spoiler and rear 1/4 so I had them sprayed, and then set to work machine polishing the rest of the car.
Some pics:-
And on the way home I reminisced about 90's cars and their rather "interesting" dynamics...
Edited by hman on Monday 11th August 15:08
That looks superb and a credit to you ..... and your Mum.. 
Had one up until about ten years ago and loved driving it. Growing family meant three door coupe no longer suitable as daily driver. Exported it and the current owner had it fully restored too. Looks pristine now.
Here's what it looked like to most other road users when I had it :~
The previous owner to me was clocked at around twice the NSL on the M3 and banned for six months and hefty fine. It was the fastest speed I ever clocked in a bog standard Rover. Wont say how fast You wont believe me anyway ...
P.S. Which machine polisher did you use?
Had one up until about ten years ago and loved driving it. Growing family meant three door coupe no longer suitable as daily driver. Exported it and the current owner had it fully restored too. Looks pristine now.
Here's what it looked like to most other road users when I had it :~
The previous owner to me was clocked at around twice the NSL on the M3 and banned for six months and hefty fine. It was the fastest speed I ever clocked in a bog standard Rover. Wont say how fast You wont believe me anyway ...
P.S. Which machine polisher did you use?
Edited by MGJohn on Saturday 16th August 01:52
It's fair to say that I was surprised at how much pull it had in the nsl sections on the way home..
There are only 110ish 220turbo coupes left now so getting very rare on the uk roads.
Will get details of the machine polisher for you John - really easy to use and the results were stunning
There are only 110ish 220turbo coupes left now so getting very rare on the uk roads.
Will get details of the machine polisher for you John - really easy to use and the results were stunning
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/d...
£109 !! Used waffle pad and finest cutting polish first - this didn't cut enough though so used other pad and more a abrasive polish then switched back to waffle and finer cutting polish and finished off with meguiars carnauba wax by hand.
£109 !! Used waffle pad and finest cutting polish first - this didn't cut enough though so used other pad and more a abrasive polish then switched back to waffle and finer cutting polish and finished off with meguiars carnauba wax by hand.
Have you ever driven one or are you just going on what t'internet says ? - the torsen diff does a good job of pulling it around bends even if the body roll is a bit 1990's,
Luckily my 70 year old mum isnt into trackdays and taking it to the limit of its handling so the chassis is plenty adequate - as is the standard power output of over 200bhp.
Luckily my 70 year old mum isnt into trackdays and taking it to the limit of its handling so the chassis is plenty adequate - as is the standard power output of over 200bhp.
GeorgeMackmurdie said:
Looks nice. You can get more power out of these things but the handling a very difficult to improve as the underlying chassis is weak.
George Mackmurdie
They were the fastest production front wheel drive car at one time.George Mackmurdie
You don't want to up the boost either as the PG1 gearbox doesn't like it.
Anyway, gorgeous car OP! I hope you get many many more miles of great driving under its wheels! If you ever want to sell it, let me know...
Cheer Bob, I have had some interest from people wanting to buy this car over the last 6 months or so (pre- restoration and post restoration), I will need to see if mum is allowed to keep her licence next year when she is officially 70 and her licence is due for renewal. I am not sure they will let her keep her licence due to failing health and I am sure she would like to see it go to someone who really "gets" what this car was all about back in the day.
I remember the day it was bought, and why - my dad became very ill and wasn't allowed to drive his 6 month old Range Rover anymore, Mum found that car to be too big so he traded the Range Rover in and bought her this car as he always promised her a BRG MGB GT and this was the modern equivalent. He died 12 months later and as practically all the other presents (jewellery mainly) he bought her over the years were stolen when the house was burgled about 6 months after that this is all she has left of the pressies he bought her over his lifetime. Sad really but thats life and thats also why I restored it as a present for all the shenanigans I caused when I was younger.
So this is where its at 20 years later, a one owner car from new with 80k ish on the clock looking practically brand new for possibly its last year with the original owner.
I took my kids out in it for a little blast when I was restoring it, my eldest (6) comment "its as fast as a ferrari!!" made me chuckle!
I remember the day it was bought, and why - my dad became very ill and wasn't allowed to drive his 6 month old Range Rover anymore, Mum found that car to be too big so he traded the Range Rover in and bought her this car as he always promised her a BRG MGB GT and this was the modern equivalent. He died 12 months later and as practically all the other presents (jewellery mainly) he bought her over the years were stolen when the house was burgled about 6 months after that this is all she has left of the pressies he bought her over his lifetime. Sad really but thats life and thats also why I restored it as a present for all the shenanigans I caused when I was younger.
So this is where its at 20 years later, a one owner car from new with 80k ish on the clock looking practically brand new for possibly its last year with the original owner.
I took my kids out in it for a little blast when I was restoring it, my eldest (6) comment "its as fast as a ferrari!!" made me chuckle!
Lovely story there. Good on your Dad for buying the car for your mum - I especially thought it interesting that the 200 Coupe was seen as being a modern equivalent of the MG B GT.
Someone mentioned the PG1 gearbox not being up to coping with increased boost. That is true in factory spec but a set of steel caged gearbox bearings will make a very strong PG1. The diff bearings were especially weak; but metal caged replacements are strong. If you want to keep (and use!) it, this is a worthwhile investment.
For me, a boost controller is also a must. The factory design used what is known as a BCV - Boost Control Valve. It takes a digital signal from the ECU and adjusts the pressure sent to the actuator. The turbo won't provide full boost until quite high up in the rev range with this setup. This made for a very natural feel; it feels like a 3 litre NASP engine.
To appreciate the setup of the T16 turbo engine without spending too much you should look into a manual boost controller valve. Avoid bleed valves - they do not give good control. A manual boost control valve replaces the OE BCV. It contains a spring loaded ball bearing. When the boost reaches a certain point, the spring pressure is overcome and pressurised air is allowed into the actuator which opens the wastegate. This means -- you get FULL boost as soon as the turbo can produce it. In the T16 with OE T25 turbo this is around 2100 rpm. It'll hold 12 psi from there until around 6000! A **huge** improvement over the OE "gradual increase of boost" setup.
I'll stop rambling now and thank you for posting this thread and the lovely story which goes with it. Very best of luck with this car; it looks like a great example - there aren't many left so please do look after it.
Someone mentioned the PG1 gearbox not being up to coping with increased boost. That is true in factory spec but a set of steel caged gearbox bearings will make a very strong PG1. The diff bearings were especially weak; but metal caged replacements are strong. If you want to keep (and use!) it, this is a worthwhile investment.
For me, a boost controller is also a must. The factory design used what is known as a BCV - Boost Control Valve. It takes a digital signal from the ECU and adjusts the pressure sent to the actuator. The turbo won't provide full boost until quite high up in the rev range with this setup. This made for a very natural feel; it feels like a 3 litre NASP engine.
To appreciate the setup of the T16 turbo engine without spending too much you should look into a manual boost controller valve. Avoid bleed valves - they do not give good control. A manual boost control valve replaces the OE BCV. It contains a spring loaded ball bearing. When the boost reaches a certain point, the spring pressure is overcome and pressurised air is allowed into the actuator which opens the wastegate. This means -- you get FULL boost as soon as the turbo can produce it. In the T16 with OE T25 turbo this is around 2100 rpm. It'll hold 12 psi from there until around 6000! A **huge** improvement over the OE "gradual increase of boost" setup.
I'll stop rambling now and thank you for posting this thread and the lovely story which goes with it. Very best of luck with this car; it looks like a great example - there aren't many left so please do look after it.
Good on you for keeping and restoring it. My second car was a 1.6 Coupe and I loved it. I changed it for a 620ti to experience the power of the T16 turbo, but I've always regretted selling it.
Then, two years ago, I bought a well used 1.8 VVC with a knackered engine with a mind to restore it and use it as my daily, but then I got given a company car. I don't want to scrap it, but I'm not really in a position to sort it out at the minute; hoping to get on it this Summer...
Then, two years ago, I bought a well used 1.8 VVC with a knackered engine with a mind to restore it and use it as my daily, but then I got given a company car. I don't want to scrap it, but I'm not really in a position to sort it out at the minute; hoping to get on it this Summer...
Interesting tip about the caged bearings and the boost control - if it ends up in my possession I'll give those mods a go.
These cars are becoming very very rare now, when was the last time a rover coupe was seen on the streets? If you have one that needs an engine swap then I would think its probably a couple of days work and not a lot of money to do..
These cars are becoming very very rare now, when was the last time a rover coupe was seen on the streets? If you have one that needs an engine swap then I would think its probably a couple of days work and not a lot of money to do..
hman said:
Interesting tip about the caged bearings and the boost control - if it ends up in my possession I'll give those mods a go.
These cars are becoming very very rare now, when was the last time a rover coupe was seen on the streets? If you have one that needs an engine swap then I would think its probably a couple of days work and not a lot of money to do..
There's a less obvious reason why they are a rare sight now on our roads unlike say ten years ago when I sold mine.These cars are becoming very very rare now, when was the last time a rover coupe was seen on the streets? If you have one that needs an engine swap then I would think its probably a couple of days work and not a lot of money to do..
When they became dirt cheap a few years ago, many met a premature end with their power trains transferred to MG ZRs and MG ZSs and their empty shells weighed in. I have driven several MGs with the Rover T-Series Turbo transplant. Surprise many so called more impressive cars with that increased get up and go.
I would love to somehow transplant the T-Series Turbo into a high spec MG ZT. If only it was as straightforward as with the smaller MG Zed cars.
That looks lovely. Cant remember the last time i spotted a turbo infact it's been a long time since i've seen any other coupe on the road.
Did your mum have the bonnet changed to the later (facelift) style ? The early cars don't normally have the chrome grill.
If your finding it rolling a bit check the state of the suspension bushes and dampers if it's on original parts their probably worn out / perished by now. They shouldn't roll much.
This is my VVC owned it for over 10 years now had it since i was a teenager. It's currently tucked up in its garage for the winter but it still gets regular use in the summer this year doing the 1000 mile round trip to Goodwood revival.
Did your mum have the bonnet changed to the later (facelift) style ? The early cars don't normally have the chrome grill.
If your finding it rolling a bit check the state of the suspension bushes and dampers if it's on original parts their probably worn out / perished by now. They shouldn't roll much.
This is my VVC owned it for over 10 years now had it since i was a teenager. It's currently tucked up in its garage for the winter but it still gets regular use in the summer this year doing the 1000 mile round trip to Goodwood revival.
Edited by 555JWR on Friday 19th December 00:01
Loved mine. They are indeed a rare sight lately although I do see one or two about, usually later ones and thus not turbos. Ten years ago there were three in my street alone. My own, a lady neighbour's and an immaculate white one at the other end of my avenue. None there now and the lady neighbour's met a premature end one night due to vandals/thieves.
Ooooh big shame about the burnout coupe!!
The car is a mid to late L so it got the facelift bonnet, K plates were the older more smooth grille (which I think looks cleaner actually)
I'm pretty sure a Set of polyflex bushes are a necessity, the only bushes replaced so far have been on the rear arms for an mot
The car is a mid to late L so it got the facelift bonnet, K plates were the older more smooth grille (which I think looks cleaner actually)
I'm pretty sure a Set of polyflex bushes are a necessity, the only bushes replaced so far have been on the rear arms for an mot
hman said:
Ooooh big shame about the burnout coupe!!
The car is a mid to late L so it got the facelift bonnet, K plates were the older more smooth grille (which I think looks cleaner actually)
I'm pretty sure a Set of polyflex bushes are a necessity, the only bushes replaced so far have been on the rear arms for an mot
I prefer the earlier bonnet/grill too it's why i was wondering if it had been changed.The car is a mid to late L so it got the facelift bonnet, K plates were the older more smooth grille (which I think looks cleaner actually)
I'm pretty sure a Set of polyflex bushes are a necessity, the only bushes replaced so far have been on the rear arms for an mot
Mines got the polyflex bushes all round it does make a difference. The ride is a little harder than the standard setup but it still rides better than a modern car. Well worth the cost if your planning on keeping it.
I used to see one of the N FDH (Japan) Turbos quite regularly but i've not seen it for a year or two now. Think that was the last time i saw a turbo.
Still have a soft spot for the old 200.
Never owned a turbo, but a good friend did for many years have one.
My chosen 200 was a M reg 214 SEi, half leather sports seats and British racing green made for a nice daily. 1.4 105bhp k series was an excellent engine. Used to love a good rev!
Never owned a turbo, but a good friend did for many years have one.
My chosen 200 was a M reg 214 SEi, half leather sports seats and British racing green made for a nice daily. 1.4 105bhp k series was an excellent engine. Used to love a good rev!
Gassing Station | Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff