Thinking of buying a rover 25 2.0D

[cosdog]

I need a cheap runaround thats reltively good on fuel but is still remotely driveable on a daily basis without making one feel too suicidal.

When searching, my criteria were: cheap, economical (mpg around the 50 mark), 0-60 of around 10s or less. Basically this will be a commuting machine, so the lower the costs the better.

After some creative thinking and a bit of digging, going on facts and figures alone I've settled on a 25 2.0D as the strongest contender, as it seems to be "reasonably quick" (0-60 time or around 10s - anything too far above that starts getting dangerously slow), it certainly is in the right price range due to plummeting depreciation, and looks like its a perfectly good little car.

Now, I know that the powerplant is, well, shall we say unrefined, and even at the time was criticised for sounding like a tractor at best, but apart from that the unit was a ctually a solid little diesel engine.

I just wondered wether anyone has had any experience with these, and how they fare on the old reliability side of things?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

[heightswitch]

cosdog said:

I need a cheap runaround thats reltively good on fuel but is still remotely driveable on a daily basis without making one feel too suicidal.

When searching, my criteria were: cheap, economical (mpg around the 50 mark), 0-60 of around 10s or less. Basically this will be a commuting machine, so the lower the costs the better.

After some creative thinking and a bit of digging, going on facts and figures alone I've settled on a 25 2.0D as the strongest contender, as it seems to be "reasonably quick" (0-60 time or around 10s - anything too far above that starts getting dangerously slow), it certainly is in the right price range due to plummeting depreciation, and looks like its a perfectly good little car.

Now, I know that the powerplant is, well, shall we say unrefined, and even at the time was criticised for sounding like a tractor at best, but apart from that the unit was a ctually a solid little diesel engine.

I just wondered wether anyone has had any experience with these, and how they fare on the old reliability side of things?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

One of the greatest kept automotive secrets ever. MG John will be about shortly.

Dad bought one new, 124k miles, 2 cambelts 1 cv joint 2nd cambelt also needed a new tensioner
I bought a second hand one with 76k on clock, it now has 186k on clock still on original clutch, Never ever fails MOT on any more than minor consumables
I have just bought the 186k milers replacement with a mere 96k miles on clock, this is a 25, have slightly more complex engine management and Air flow meters more common Failures but still absolutely bomb proof.

my advice would be to search out a run out Rover 200 (intercooled Turbo diesel) these are the most bomb proof, secondly go for the 25 which air flow meter bits aside are still bomb proof.

Buy one without a sun roof, since seals are known to go.

the 2.0 L series is one of the best diesel engines ever made in my book and is actually very quiet and refined for a diesel. 60mpg is not uncommon if driven with a light foot and the 2.0 in such a small car punches well above its weight. I have seen an indicated 135mph downhill with following wind, I kid ye not.

i have a new defender and a new A4 quattro. I still always keep a Diesel Rover about the place.

have a look here..

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... rover 25 as a cheap run about, opinions?

N

Edited by heightswitch on Thursday 2nd December 22:32

[cosdog]

Thanks for a cracking little roundup there, it was just what I was looking for.

Definitely a go, looked at the older 200's too, but in my humble opinion the later tax system and the improved fuel management of the later engines are worth the (practically negligable) price difference. I'm also keeping an eye open for MG ZR TD's, essentially the same engine and car (with a slightly higher insurance group though) with mild suspension tweaks and slightly updated interior. Not too sure on the suspension changes between the two (I'm guessing slightly different spring and damping rates with an anti roll bar stuck on the back), but all being the same another strong possibility.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated

Cos

[heightswitch]

cosdog said:

Thanks for a cracking little roundup there, it was just what I was looking for.

Definitely a go, looked at the older 200's too, but in my humble opinion the later tax system and the improved fuel management of the later engines are worth the (practically negligable) price difference. I'm also keeping an eye open for MG ZR TD's, essentially the same engine and car (with a slightly higher insurance group though) with mild suspension tweaks and slightly updated interior. Not too sure on the suspension changes between the two (I'm guessing slightly different spring and damping rates with an anti roll bar stuck on the back), but all being the same another strong possibility.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated

Cos

my old fella now has the streetwise.
in my opinion though get the non sporty model which has a much softer and comfortable ride than the sportier models which become wearing after a while. The top of the range non performance branded car likely as now will have been owned by a more mature owner with far less wear.
N
N

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 3rd December 20:08

[MGJohn]

Compared to many other Diesel engines, the L-Series is a good, reliable unit and runs far more quietly than many others in the same class, irrespective of age.

My only experience of the L-Series was in a Rover 600 Diesel which I bought off a female work colleague when fuel prices went silly a couple of years back. It had been in her family from new and was well maintained. I did not drive it for economy and even so, it returned mid-40 mpg and more on a longer run. 100% reliable for the year I had it and when I sold it, I got rather more than I paid for it which was nice.

Nowhere near as fast as my usual daily driver, the petrol turbo Rover 600 version but, on one occasion, the SatNav showed 107 mph with more still to come from that unburstable Rover Diesel engine ..... In the smaller Rovers, that same engine will mean a quicker car should you need it.
.

[SunsetZed]

Will be selling a Rover 25 2.0TDi shortly if it interests you? It's an X reg with 57k on the clock. It's just had it's airflow meter replaced as well so you shouldn't need to worry about that.

Allan

[Zaps93]

I am interested in it. Could you pm me with more info please. How much would you be after for it?

Regards,

Joe

[SunsetZed]

Joe,

It says that you're not accepting emails at the moment when I try and PM you. I think you need to change your profile settings. If you want to pm me a list of the details that you're after then I'll check tax & MOT dates later on and collate everything else and send it to you.

I'm looking for £1,500 and am based in Berkshire, don't know if that's anywhere near you?

Allan

[Zaps93]

SunsetZed said:

Joe,

It says that you're not accepting emails at the moment when I try and PM you. I think you need to change your profile settings. If you want to pm me a list of the details that you're after then I'll check tax & MOT dates later on and collate everything else and send it to you.

I'm looking for £1,500 and am based in Berkshire, don't know if that's anywhere near you?

Allan

Hello,

I only made the account yesterday evening so I'm guessing that's why

Sadly my budget is only £800 as my work hours have been cut. Thank you for getting back to me though and best of luck selling it.

Edited by Zaps93 on Saturday 15th January 01:02

[iain_thornton]

L-Series is a solid, economical engine. very rare to hear problems with them
not kicking out the power that a 123d is, of course, and kind of chuggy, but to me, L-Series is what diesel engines are about. no fuss, no pretences, a solid and economical engine
can't go wrong