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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 10:38 AM
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Default Advice on a Rover...

I'm after a cheap as chips runaround, but one that is comfy, has aircon, and is a good motorway cruiser.

Now, as far as the text goes, this fits the bill perfectly, and for the price, it's a hell of a lot of car...


But what should I look out for? Is it true this model has the Honda Engine? Any known reasons why you wouldn't go for this car?

Here's the ad



All advice appreciated.

And before anyone says it, I know it's a Grandad car, I already have my Flat cap out of the loft...
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 10:46 AM
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yeah the engine in them is a Honda V6.

Pretty good car, my old man had one for years and it never really let him down except for one major breakdown that turned out to be a badly installed ECU loom that eventually rubbed through. Not a common fault though, I guess he was just unlucky.

I cant think of any reasons not to have one, lot of car for the money, they're well spec'ed. It'll certainly do motorway miles with ease, they arent particularly good on juice though if you're doing a lot of miles you might find it a bit thirsty.
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 10:51 AM
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Any issues with the head gasket problem known to rovers? Or is this model not prone?
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 10:51 AM
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i'd go for the vitesse turbo myself, reliable as fuck and you'll get more mpg when cruising down the m'way i'd have thought
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 10:54 AM
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HG is a k series related prob AFAIK
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by richard_syko
HG is a k series related prob AFAIK
And would this be a K series engine? Sorry, I literally know nothing about Rovers..
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by bud-weis
i'd go for the vitesse turbo myself, reliable as fuck and you'll get more mpg when cruising down the m'way i'd have thought
Can't see those with the budget, what sort of money do they go for?
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 10:59 AM
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yeah the infamous rover HG problem, is on the K-series engines.... 1.4's, 1.6's and 1.8's as fitted to rover 200/400 mgf's elises etc.

Though they arent as bad as the rap they get in my experience.
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:00 AM
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sorry to add to the above, the 2.7 V6 is NOT a k-series
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:01 AM
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Another option [which has a little more street cred] is a BMW 525i [or the 2 litre]. Similar money but slightly higher miles [mine has done 198’500 but was only Ł400] but it is very very strong and super reliable, I’ve done 10’000 miles in it since May!!
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by John Laverick
Another option [which has a little more street cred] is a BMW 525i [or the 2 litre]. Similar money but slightly higher miles [mine has done 198’500 but was only Ł400] but it is very very strong and super reliable, I’ve done 10’000 miles in it since May!!
I would have an e34 no problem, as you can see I'm a big BMW fan anyway...

Trouble is, finding one with leather and air con for my budget is proving difficult...

They do glide along like their on air though

EDIT - What about this? Would want a 12 month ticket on it though...

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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:14 AM
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My mate bought an 820 coupe turbo a couple of months ago and loves it. Leather, climate control, electrical everything, all you'd need. He got it for 2k but tbh payed well over what he should have, you can pick them up for well under that in good nick. In terms of performance it had the same t-seris engine as the 220 tomcat coupe, however is a little slower because its a heavier car.
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:21 AM
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Crikey!
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:21 AM
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Mine's on a J without Air-Con or leather but I'm not that fussed [It was only Ł400 ]

My neighbour has a 520i SE with Air-Con and no leather which he gave Ł600 for [about 140k].

The one you've posted seems a little dear to me...plus it doesn't list the mileage which probably means its been to the moon and back. And its an Auto which I personally wouldn't have.

You usually find th 2.5 is a little cheaper as nobody wants the big engine model but mine is 'Ok' on fuel

The other adavantage is its RWD...don't think the Rover is, is it?
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Aaron1204
Crikey!
Now your talking.....I've always fancied a 7
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:37 AM
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I've just phoned the guy regarding that 7'er..

He didn't have the documents in front of him, but from what he could recall:

Air con- he says the pump is working, but no cold air, could need a regas at ~Ł40, or it may have a leak ~Ł200

History - Full BMW up to 151000, nothing after.

MOT - Feb 07

Tax - None

It's been stood for a few months at a time, not being used at all, but he said it runs fine and drives fine, but only done 20k in the last 5 years.

What do you make of that?
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by John Laverick
Originally Posted by Aaron1204
Crikey!
Now your talking.....I've always fancied a 7
Cool car, wouldnt like the fuel bill though
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:40 AM
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Fuel economy is not a great concern, as long as it's not single figures
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:41 AM
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If u dont have to worry about Fuel then go for a Look!! I gotta say chuck wads of fuel money in kills me. hence why i driv a derv now
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:42 AM
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Do it!!

Much better than that Rover thing!!
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:43 AM
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What do you think of the chat with the guy selling? Anything to worry about?

I don't know these engines at all and don't want a huge bill!
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:46 AM
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For that money you not going to get huge bill!!!! If it breaks throw it away or break it
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:47 AM
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the 2.5 is a KV6 - shocker of an engine LOL

I sold my vitesse sport saloon for Ł800 recently - had 122k miles and a stainless exhaust, rebuilt gearbox and in very good condition (i actually miss the car in someways, as it was amusing to drive!).

for the mileage, i'd get the rover. i looked into a 7 series beemer a while back (4 litre v8) but went for a 3.0 v6 vauxhall omega elite but im selling that for a T5 now.. didnt want the running / servicing costs of the bmw..
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Rhys
For that money you not going to get huge bill!!!! If it breaks throw it away or break it
Very true, but I do need a winters trouble free motoring, so I could do with one that won't break

I need to go have a look I think, time to call someone in to go with me, who actually knows stuff
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:51 AM
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I paid Ł440 back in May......I changed the water pump and fan as it the bearing was becoming a little noisy [Ł200]....and serviced it myself [Ł40] + 1 new front tyre [part-warn - Ł20]

Total - Ł700

I've done 10'000 mile since May = 7p a mile

Bearing in mind ALL my mileage is paid for by work at 40p a mile The car has actually paid me 33p a mile to run it
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Aaron1204
Originally Posted by Rhys
For that money you not going to get huge bill!!!! If it breaks throw it away or break it
Very true, but I do need a winters trouble free motoring, so I could do with one that won't break

I need to go have a look I think, time to call someone in to go with me, who actually knows stuff
The engines are bombproof mate....if it sound's sweet and doesn't have any of the usual adverse symptons it'll probably do another 20k!!
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by spudmurphy
yeah the infamous rover HG problem, is on the K-series engines.... 1.4's, 1.6's and 1.8's as fitted to rover 200/400 mgf's elises etc.

Though they arent as bad as the rap they get in my experience.
Tell that to my mother in law. Her HG has just gone for the 6th time Car has less than 30k on the clocks and is immaculate and it will be going for scrap.
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Oranoco
Originally Posted by spudmurphy
yeah the infamous rover HG problem, is on the K-series engines.... 1.4's, 1.6's and 1.8's as fitted to rover 200/400 mgf's elises etc.

Though they arent as bad as the rap they get in my experience.
Tell that to my mother in law. Her HG has just gone for the 6th time Car has less than 30k on the clocks and is immaculate and it will be going for scrap.


'kin 'el !!!

thats shocking! 6 times in 30K though, I'd be asking questons of whoever is putting it back together. Even a shit K-series should hold together longer than that !
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 12:14 PM
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So is he saying it was last serviced at 151000 miles, which (as you've said it's only done 20k in the last 5 years and it's now on 170k) was 5 years ago?
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 12:25 PM
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Went with a mate to buy a Rover Sterling from the midlands somewhere. By the time we got back to South Yorkshire it had put a rod through the block, and before that developed an electrical fault
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by DogSmoke
So is he saying it was last serviced at 151000 miles, which (as you've said it's only done 20k in the last 5 years and it's now on 170k) was 5 years ago?
Yep, exactly...


Think I'll give this one a miss...
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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 04:32 PM
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Dont touch that bloody rover!!

The V6 blows headgaskets too, and theyre only available genuine and cost a fortune.

Its cheap for a reason!
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