Mk 2 granny v SD1

[Bren]

I am currently on my 4th SD1, never had a mk 2 granada, i had a mk 3 2.9 i about 15 years ago.

 

What is the mk 2 like compared to an SD1? I would imagine that v6 ones go better than the six pot rovers, but i would imagine that even an injected v6 would not go as well as a V8 SD1.

 

The granada looks a bit less claustraphobic inside , is this the case?

I always thought that considering the SD1 had a live rear axle, it handled pretty well. What is the granada like?

 

No doubt a few of you on here have had both - which one is best?

[Squire_Dawson]

I've never had one, but... there's no harm in trying, is there?

[RoadworkUK]

That's a bit like having to choose between sweets and ice cream. Both marvellous. Being that I can't choose between them and can't have both, I'm forced to go for neither.

 

But I do have excellent memories of a 2.8i Ghia X (EXECUTIVE) tyre-smoking away from ESSO in Frinton-On-Sea once.

[EssDeeWon]

As a kid my dad had both the SD1 and the mk2 Granada. The Granada was a better car but there was something about the SD1 that's leaves more fond memories. Maybe the design, the more plush interior and the SD1 being that little bit more memorable and quirky with the rather unique block steering wheel, speedo box plonked on top of the dashboard and the slightly more daring design with the Daytona type front end.

 

I always enjoyed riding in the Granada but the SD1 was just.........I don't know, unique in its own right where as the granny was a slightly larger and more powerful Cortina.

[xtriple]

You all know what I'm going to say here don't you?

 

I've had loads of both of these buggers, back in the day.... V8 Rovers sound EPIC but never seemed to be all that quick in SD1s. Also they have a rotten thirst on them and the build quality was... laughable: open the door and leave the door trim in the gap. Happened to me a few times. Also little ponds in the under dash cubbies to keep goldfish in/wash your smalls while you're sat an the side of the M1 waiting for the AA! In fact, all dealers advised punters to buy SE, VDP spec cars as they were more comfortable to sit in while waiting for the AA.... For all that, I really like them! They always feel a bit soft and lacking in precision, almost as though things are in the process of wearing out and have gone a bit baggy.

 

MK2 Grannies are brilliant. They feel better built, precise and, dare I say it, quite sporty! 2.8s go well and sound great and the Ghia and GhiaX have brilliant trim, Also, loads of room under the bonnet for fettling.

 

To be honest, I'd prefer the Ford, but wouldn't turn down either.

[mercrocker]

I have had scant experience of SD1s but  have driven all the models except the Vitesse, mostly the dismal O series and the straight six.   I have to say I found them pretty shite in a not-so-good way.   The 2600 was a good tool but I am glad it wasn't mine when it fell apart.   Really the SD1 confirmed for me that the P6 was the last proper Rover and the Mk 2 Grannies I owned confirmed that they were the last Ford worth bothering with.   I would have another Granada (2.8i Ghia X) Mk2 if it wasn't for the fact that they cost as much as old Mercs.   The build quality is very good, the drive excellent (yes its a big Corty but there is nothing really wrong with that) and they are superb looking cars.....I think the dynamic advantages of an SD1 are probably weakened quite considerably by age.

[cort16]

The Sd1's have nicer interiors. and I think it's a more stylish car. I like the grannie but it's that classic 3 box shape where as the SD1 has a more designed look. The hatch in the sd1 would be a great asset f it wasn't for the rear panel getting in the way making getting things in and out hernia poppingly. The estate grannie is truly enormous and is hugely practical.

The only motor that's of any cop in the granada is the 2.8. The 2.3 is nice but they're usually lumbered with the autobox and the 115bhp just isn't enough.  I also found the autobox in the sd1 much smoother than in the granada, which in both my 2.3 granada and 2.3 cortina was truly horrible.

The 2600 is definetely much more pokey than the 2.3 grannie but for a straight six it's not that smooth.  I've no idea what the 2.0 pinto is like in the grannie but the 2000 sd1 is okay.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Have owned examples of both at the same time on many occasions . Have to agree with most previous comments regarding build quality, Grannies always felt a step up in quality,there's a good reason you don't see many SD1 b*#$@er racers.

2.0 Pinto Granada manual can be thrashed to be as quick as any sub V8 Rover,because it feels unburstable ,nobody with an ounce of mechanical sympathy or consideration for their reputation would ever abuse a 6 cylinder SD1. For an example watch 'Liver Run ' on YouTube and look at the smoke that 2600 is pushing out after a 12 mile thrash.

Manual V8 Rovers are serious fun, but in auto form I'd prefer a 2.8i Granada.

Funnily enough ,when I recently floated the idea of a Granada or SD1 with management she says she prefers the Rover, but 20 years ago she would moan like fuck if all I'd got for her to drive was an SD1 and she loved Granadas. Rose tinted glasses and all that.

[Junkman]

I'm currently on my 15th MKII Granada and went through thick and thin with them.

I can't compare them with the SD1 though, since I never had one of those.

[ShiteRider]

Oddly enough in the last fortnight i've watched both "The worlds end" and "Rita, Sue and Bob too" and can conclude the following;

SD1= good for threesomes with eighties teenagers.

Granada= bad for defending the earth.

[Pete-M]

I've had about 10 Mk2 Grannys (mainly 2.8i), and four or five SD1s (mainly V8).

 

The Granny has a lot more interior space. Acres more. It also handles at least as well as an SD1 in standard form. A 2.8i Granada on the proper TRX will out-handle the SD1 by quite a margin, and also ride better. Unfortunately, the Granada won't stop as well, and the 2.8 injection Cologne lump is very breathless and wheezy in comparison to the glorious EFi Rover V8. 

Do not consider buying a non-injection Mk2. They're really not very good. The engine is hopeless in carb form. Wankers removed the injection system from a fair few 2.8is in the 80s and 90s because they didn't understand it. The same wankers took the TRX wheels and tyres off because the tyres are bloody expensive. Problem is, the only good Mk2 Granada is a TRX equipped 2.8 injection. 

The Ghia X spec ones are a bit soggy, but they're well equipped with aircon and loads of electrickery. 

The 2.8 injection (known to some as the 'special') with the white TRX rims and Recaro seats are much lower spec than a Ghia but they're the best driving Granada of all. I ran A220 JCC, a manual 2.8 injection for nearly 2 years. Totally reliable, handled well, and wasn't horrific on fuel out of town. It'd do 30 mpg on a motorway run. 17-18 in town.

Auto box isn't brilliant on the Granny. They're quite well known for popping the rear oil seal. Also, the propshaft has a huge rubber doughnut in the middle as an attempt to cure drivetrain vibration. It doesn't quite work. When the 'box leaks the doughnut is normally knackered shortly afterwards. The CV joints can go on the rear suspension as well. Normally the first sign is a slightly clattering on full lock that goes if there's weight in the boot. Beware rot. The Granny knows how to rust just as well as an SD1 does. A good indicator is if there's rust along the trailing edge of the front wings - that normally means that the inner wings have given up and moisture has got through. Suspension bits aren't cheap, the 2.8 injection uses Bilstein shocks that are worth keeping.

The SD1 and Granny are very evenly matched, but panels and parts are more plentiful for the Rover. 

[Richard]

From my hitch-hiking days I remember the Mk2 Granada as being surprisingly small inside and the Rover SD1 as being more roomy, maybe the SD1 just felt roomier from the passenger seat.

[Pete-M]

The Mk2 Granada looks smaller inside than it is, the SD1 looks larger inside than it is. 

I've never really been a passenger in either, but the Granada seems to have a lot more space around the driver than the SD1 does. Also, my head never touches the roof in a Granada - it often does in an SD1. 

I bought my first SD1 when I already had a Mk1 Granada Coupé.  I was surprised how small inside the SD1 was in comparison.

[EssDeeWon]

Most peoples heads would touch the roof inside an SD1 because the bloomin headlining is always hanging down!!

 

I would love a MK2 Granada 2.8 Ghia but they are now old + ford = £££ for anything decent.

 

The SD1 came in really handy with the folding rear seat and stacks of loading space, I used my old V8 when I moved into my flat it was GR10, and sourcing parts was never a problem.

[Pete-M]

The SD1 boot is brilliant.

 

Also, none of my SD1s had droopy headlining.

[cort16]

I wonder if anyones ever modified the rear panel on an sd1 so the middle comes up with the boot? The boot is massive and I've used it for karting all kinds of shite but humphing it over the rear panel is a pain in the arse/back.

[Junkman]

Parts supply, or better, the lack thereof, is a serious issue with the Granada now, as I woefully experience with mine.

There is hardly any new stuff available, due to the devastating warehouse fire at Ford Cologne in the early 90s (Taunus/Cortina and Capri owners suffer similarly), and anything second hand seems to have been carefully stored in a mud puddle the past 20 years.

Ford Europe doesn't seem to be the least bit interested in preserving its cultural heritage, like Ford USA, or other European car makers do.

 

On these grounds, I'm inclined to believe, that the SD1 is currently the better buy, if long term ownership is considered.

[cort16]

I know someone who replaced every single panel on their SD1 from rimmer bros stock. Everything is there if you'e got the money to pay for it.

[Bren]

To be honest panel supply is not a problem for SD1's - however other stuff certainly is.

 

I am led to believe that brake drums have all but dried up, lots of the switchgear is no longer available - i have resorted to looking for used items.

 

Much of the trim, especially in unusual colours, is no longer available.

 

I damaged the bonnet badge on mine while removing it. No longer available, somebody was selling one for £50 on shitebay.

 

Potentially in a few more years running one may be quite tricky.