Rover 25 New Car

[Guest TheLibrarian]

I know what you mean. I have a Rover 200 TDi, it's a scruffy looking thing and I have just replaced the drivers window mechanism as the nylon runner wheels broke. Central locking keeps fusing now. But every morning I get in, turn the key and it goes.

 

My old '95 2ltr diesel 400 was over 223K miles when I sold it - it needed rear suspension and something labour intensice done to the rear breaks - but to my knowledge (and regret that I didn't keep it and pay for the repairs to be done) it has been to the south of France 5 times since and is still going...

[Sirbendy]

ah that's interesting... Apparently its the 1.8s that suffer from the gasket but not the 1.4?

 

IIRC, it's a K series (1.1/4/6/8) trait due to the design of the block/head/bolting system. Have a look for some freelander forums..admittedly they use the 1.8, but I saw much talk of imporved gaskets from 3rd parties etc. Same goes for the MGF (same lump).

 

http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs

 

That's where I used to frequent when I had Rovers..

Edited May 13, 2010 by Sirbendy

[Rydra]

how would people go about getting parts after rover went under?

 

Rover don't make cars anymore, but I believe they still have a parts making plant, and failing that several third party companies still sell parts for rovers.

[Gonk]

MG Rover sold their parts catalogue to XPart in 2004/5. All parts are now available though them.

[synaesthesia]

Had 2 Rovers, enjoyed them both. First a T plate 200 (1.6) then a P plate 416. Both very reliable and very quick.

Yeah, they do have a HG issue due to a design weakness, and if you can, spent the 400 or so getting it replaced with the uprated MLS gasket (not related to our librarian friends)

A theory went around that the only reason for them going in the first place was the owners - when you have an engine like the K-series (without which you'd not be driving the cars you are today) which is a very "please boot me" engine, driven by a "whats an accelerator" pensioner, it tended not to play ball too much

Parts are easy to get hold of - plenty on eBay for next to nothing. You can also interchange with many Honda parts - the Civics and Accords of the same eras use many same parts. There's 2 companies round here (Souls of Olney and Allen Fords (Allen Parts)) in northamptonshire/bedfordshire which are fantastic for MG Rover partage.

Treat it with respect and it'll do the same in return, assuming it isn't a lemon. That's a low mileage example and probably will do you a good 100,000 more.

Bought my P plate 416 with 58,000 miles on the clock and sold it for £100 (to get rid quick) with 170,000 miles. Did the HG replacement myself on purchase (also did inlet manifolds and complete fluids change)

[Homer]

The HG is prone to failure on the K series models, definately on the 1.8K but the 1.4K is a bit better, with the 1.6K in between. They can go on their own accord, however if the coolant is kept topped up and the fan is working, it should be fine.

 

You can get the HG done after you buy it, especially if the cambelt is due, but it could run you about £300-450 depending on who you get to do it. Don't pay over £500 for it.

 

As somebody else said, revvy little engines, which make a good sound, and the 1.4 is relatively powerful for its age (104bhp) and yes the street cred is none existant with the Rover brand but if you don't care about it then who cares it'll probably be a good car which you can run into the ground.

 

When you buy, make sure there is no sludge (mayo) in the coolant tank, or under the oil cap. Any sign of it, walk!! Or get them to test the HG

 

Hope this helps

[djh]

Brilliant thanks guys. Looked for all the bits last night, checked it all over. And brought it Insured it last night. Drove to work this morning

[Homer]

Heyyy cushty!!

 

Make sure you let it warm up before giving it a rag aswell (if you do), harsh revving when cold will help to blow the HG up!

 

Hope the car is good for many years! My old 416 was a good car

[CHR1S]

Ive had 3 Rovers, 111i, 114GSi and an MG ZR120 - All not bad cars but not brilliant either, keep tracks on the coolant like others have said and you should be ok.

Other bits to look out for is rusting of the wheel arches, bit of waxoil will help that and I found that at motorway speeds the back end can get a bit vague on anything but perfect tarmac.

 

At the price your offered it will be a great car, just prepare for the head to go