Going to look at a couple of Rover 75s this week...
Discussion
Am in the market for a new car this week and looking at something for the family.
Have got an A4/A6/Passat/Superb/Avensis lined up to try out but the Rover 75s do seem like a lot of car for the money, even the lowly 1.8 engines.
I'm aware of the notorious HG issue but even with budgeting for that, the 75 would still leave me with a fair bit of left over cash and a big wodge of car from my budget.
My queries/concerns are:
1. Any other notorious issues I should be aware of?
2. I plan on keeping the car for another 4+ years, what is the situation with Rover spares likely to be in that time now they've folded?
3. What is the body work like on these? The Audis/VWs I'm looking at are galvanised and fairly rust-proof, how would the 75 compare over 4/5 British winters?
I'm looking at 2002/3 MY cars if that helps.
Have got an A4/A6/Passat/Superb/Avensis lined up to try out but the Rover 75s do seem like a lot of car for the money, even the lowly 1.8 engines.
I'm aware of the notorious HG issue but even with budgeting for that, the 75 would still leave me with a fair bit of left over cash and a big wodge of car from my budget.
My queries/concerns are:
1. Any other notorious issues I should be aware of?
2. I plan on keeping the car for another 4+ years, what is the situation with Rover spares likely to be in that time now they've folded?
3. What is the body work like on these? The Audis/VWs I'm looking at are galvanised and fairly rust-proof, how would the 75 compare over 4/5 British winters?
I'm looking at 2002/3 MY cars if that helps.
Find a nice, well maintained example and you'll be pleased with it.
If not already done so, search and read up on the R75s/MGZTs here :~
http://forums.mg-rover.org/forumdisplay.php?f=90
Check those items that you check on any seven-eight year old car. Look for positive signs of a well maintained car.
So called HGF issues. Not the KV6 2.5 litre examples, these primarily concern the little 1.8 four cylinder K-Series which I feel is asking the engine to punch above its weight in these larger Rovers and MGs. It really is a small engine despite the 1.8 capacity and does still punch well above its weight even compared to most more modern engine designs.
When and even if these HGF signs do/do not start to appear, lots of 'red herrings', because of the huge Media negativity overkill with ANY Rover engine ( ...
) owners tend to 'get rid'. So, although a car would at first sight appear to be sound, any car you are seriously considering purchasing should be driven ( quite normally ) for a minimum of twenty miles. Any excuses by vendor, low on fuel etc, offer to put a gallon in. Money could be well spent. If still not agreeable, walk. There's always another one. The engine really needs to become fully warmed up to enable a more accurate assessment of its condition to be made. It may 'boil over' on the trial drive. That could be serious or not as the valve in the coolant expansion bottle pressure cap may be worn allowing normal operating pressure to escape which allows the coolant to boil prematurely. Under normal coolant pressure, coolant has a much higher boiling temperature. Lose pressure, premature boiling.
Even if the worse comes to the worse after purchasing and the cylinder head gasket needs renewal, provided the car is not driven harmfully on when the signs first appear ( lots of drivers do drive on then after all the car is still going OK ~ I have known more than one owner to tell me that ), changing this gasket is a doddle on the little K-Series.
In the past few months, I have bought two such K-Series Rovers with known HGF issues for relative peanuts. One for my younger son and another for my own use for a while. I have been delighted with the resulting cars after I've fixed them for the cost of a few new parts and minimal initial purchase cost. It really is a doddle but, many in the trade see it as a "nice little earner" and overcharge. Worst still, not all pro-repairs are done competently and 'repeats' are far from rare.
Having said all this, I may have put you off ...
... hope not. As I said, find a nice well maintained example and you'll be delighted.
Now for the small print.
Other cars can have serious faults, more expensive to rectify than the Rover HGF.
..
.
If not already done so, search and read up on the R75s/MGZTs here :~
http://forums.mg-rover.org/forumdisplay.php?f=90
Check those items that you check on any seven-eight year old car. Look for positive signs of a well maintained car.
So called HGF issues. Not the KV6 2.5 litre examples, these primarily concern the little 1.8 four cylinder K-Series which I feel is asking the engine to punch above its weight in these larger Rovers and MGs. It really is a small engine despite the 1.8 capacity and does still punch well above its weight even compared to most more modern engine designs.
When and even if these HGF signs do/do not start to appear, lots of 'red herrings', because of the huge Media negativity overkill with ANY Rover engine ( ...
) owners tend to 'get rid'. So, although a car would at first sight appear to be sound, any car you are seriously considering purchasing should be driven ( quite normally ) for a minimum of twenty miles. Any excuses by vendor, low on fuel etc, offer to put a gallon in. Money could be well spent. If still not agreeable, walk. There's always another one. The engine really needs to become fully warmed up to enable a more accurate assessment of its condition to be made. It may 'boil over' on the trial drive. That could be serious or not as the valve in the coolant expansion bottle pressure cap may be worn allowing normal operating pressure to escape which allows the coolant to boil prematurely. Under normal coolant pressure, coolant has a much higher boiling temperature. Lose pressure, premature boiling.Even if the worse comes to the worse after purchasing and the cylinder head gasket needs renewal, provided the car is not driven harmfully on when the signs first appear ( lots of drivers do drive on then after all the car is still going OK ~ I have known more than one owner to tell me that ), changing this gasket is a doddle on the little K-Series.
In the past few months, I have bought two such K-Series Rovers with known HGF issues for relative peanuts. One for my younger son and another for my own use for a while. I have been delighted with the resulting cars after I've fixed them for the cost of a few new parts and minimal initial purchase cost. It really is a doddle but, many in the trade see it as a "nice little earner" and overcharge. Worst still, not all pro-repairs are done competently and 'repeats' are far from rare.
Having said all this, I may have put you off ...
... hope not. As I said, find a nice well maintained example and you'll be delighted.Now for the small print.
Other cars can have serious faults, more expensive to rectify than the Rover HGF.
..
.
Cheers for the reply. I was aware of the overstated reputation for HGF but then read through the reviews on Parkers and it was more widespread than I thought. That said I've budgeted for a HGF job anyway and the low price of second hand 75s means that's not an issue because they can be had for peanuts relative to the spec of the car.
So it seems the HG issue is mainly on the 1.8 K series. I'm being thick but were the later 1.8T engines also affected?
So it seems the HG issue is mainly on the 1.8 K series. I'm being thick but were the later 1.8T engines also affected?
BDZ said:
Cheers for the reply. I was aware of the overstated reputation for HGF but then read through the reviews on Parkers and it was more widespread than I thought. That said I've budgeted for a HGF job anyway and the low price of second hand 75s means that's not an issue because they can be had for peanuts relative to the spec of the car.
So it seems the HG issue is mainly on the 1.8 K series. I'm being thick but were the later 1.8T engines also affected?
That seems a sensible approach. These cars are exceptional value now.So it seems the HG issue is mainly on the 1.8 K series. I'm being thick but were the later 1.8T engines also affected?
Any engine can be affected, not just Rovers either. It's more about caring users and correct maintenance by folks who know what they're doing. Cylinder head gaskets rarely ever fail, they are first damaged by some other agency usually over heating following coolant losses.
The family bought the first new K-Series Rover close on two decades ago. Still in the family. None of my Rovers and new MGs since have ever suffered but, there's always a first time despite my best efforts.
I bought my first car over fifty years ago now and have always been interested in all forms of transport. Over those years, talking to other car users I've come to the conclusion there are probably more unreliable car users and those entrusted with their care than unreliable cars.
As previously posted, I have recently bought two Rovers with known head gasket issues. One car had overheating problems as it Water Pump was worn out allowing progressive loss of coolant on a run. This had not been identified in previous ownership.
The other car also overheated as the two bolts holding the coolant elbow on the cylinder head were only finger tight following a recent service and work on the car. This allowed coolant to progressively escape leading to over heating. Needing transport for work, the frustrated owner decided to get rid quick as the unidentified problem persisted.
Fortunately, both previous owners realised something was not right with their cars and stopped using them before any real harm was done. Two simple things leading to the "It's a Rover they all do that" scenario. Both Rovers are now running like a well maintained K-Series should. Like a willing little turbine and quite economical too.
.
EDIT to add @ 18:22
Did you check the 75/ZT link I gave you? More reliable information than Parkers.
Be warned though, it's a bit like a Doctor's surgery waiting room full of sick people with problems. Healthy types stay away in droves.
Edited by MGJohn on Tuesday 1st February 18:22
Parkers isn't worth taking notice of. In general, the people who bother posting are generally the angry ones. I don't think as many HGFs have occurred as are perpetrated at all. there is a trend with it on the K-Series, but not as bad as made out. it's Rover's only typical problem, better than the Teves ABS failure (I think that's what it is?) on VW Group stuff, and no worse than the expensive servicing on BMWs and Mercedes, if truth be told.
such an underrated car, too. fantastic drive, comfortable, lovely things
go for it. I can't recommend them enough
such an underrated car, too. fantastic drive, comfortable, lovely things
go for it. I can't recommend them enough
Personally I wouldn't touch a 1.8, but that's only my opinion.Pop onto here www.the75andztclub.co.uk great source of help and info.
I bought a top spec Connie SE 2.5 V6 auto 1 owner with 28k miles 18 months ago for 2300 quid. 14K miles on,other than a service, it's cost me 56 pence in bulbs.For the money there's simply no better way to travel. If you're not doing too many miles, the V6's are absolute bargains.
I bought a top spec Connie SE 2.5 V6 auto 1 owner with 28k miles 18 months ago for 2300 quid. 14K miles on,other than a service, it's cost me 56 pence in bulbs.For the money there's simply no better way to travel. If you're not doing too many miles, the V6's are absolute bargains.
Edited by sjc on Thursday 3rd February 12:54
I just got a 2004 1.8 non turbo. And power wise (at 118bhp) it's really not too bad. 0-60 is 11 seconds, which is not terrible, and I'm averaging about 30mpg around town. It's got a lazy cam in it so it pulls from low revs quite nicely. I never have a need to wring its neck to make progress, and it'll waft along at 60 quite nicely.
The big problem with the K-series is not the head gasket as it happens. The water pump is rather prone to leaking, and it's the drop in coolant that results from that that causes the overheating that makes the HG fail that's the issue. Simply checking the coolant once a week is sufficient to make sure there's not a problem there.
It's a hell of a lot of a car for the money.
The big problem with the K-series is not the head gasket as it happens. The water pump is rather prone to leaking, and it's the drop in coolant that results from that that causes the overheating that makes the HG fail that's the issue. Simply checking the coolant once a week is sufficient to make sure there's not a problem there.
It's a hell of a lot of a car for the money.
I was told to avoid the 1.8,s as they struggle to pull it as it's a big ol' lump.I bought a 99 Rover 75 cdt turbo diesel(BMW engine) and it's the best car i've ever had,and i've had a few!Economy,turn of pace when you need it and comfort,what else could you ask for?Plus,it's really quiet for a diesel,no timing belt to worry about either as it's a timing chain,you'll get a rattle before it pops!I can't recommend the diesels highly enough,i love it!Gone through the last 2 mot,s and hasn't needed a thing,82,000 miles,fsh and i got it for £800!!
It's worth remembering that if you have a manual version, the gearbox has to come off if you have a problem with the clutch slave cylinder. So make sure that all is well in that department.
Some trim/body parts can be hard to track down as can some BMW specific electronics on the diesel (engine ECUs were certainly a problem a while back)
Some trim/body parts can be hard to track down as can some BMW specific electronics on the diesel (engine ECUs were certainly a problem a while back)
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