Dollywobbler's GR-8 Rover - getting better all the time

[KruJoe]

My '94 SLi does buzz if I open the door with ignition off and lights on. I don't mind it actually.

 

If your central locking all works all the time, you're a lucky, lucky man. That might be unique in R8's of today.

[dollywobbler]

Wheels now balanced. Feels much better, though the way one of them was weaving on the balance machine, I suspect either the tyre is deformed or the wheel is slightly buckled. Also, the tyre fitted laughed at the Wanli ditchfinders fitted to the rear. I'd better remember that when it rains...

 

Cat shield also suitably bodged with an exhaust clamp. Horrid rattles begone! Sadly, there's still a buzz from the back end somewhere. May need to check those boot rods again. 

[KruJoe]

Does it have a sunroof?

I have a buzz / rumple with cold idle speed from the back of the roof, above the headlining, maybe at the back of the roof tracks or summink.

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, it does. And it sounds like the blind rattling, but it isn't that. I'll have another go at the crossbars as it is quieter, just not eradicated. 

 

VIdeo is uploading by the way. Just over an hour remaining and it's been uploading for over two hours already!

[dollywobbler]

Video finally uploaded. 

[KruJoe]

Yep, agree with most of that, especially the gearing bit. It's not ideal for blasting to East Anglia and back, but great on the sort of roads you and I spend most of our time.

 

I don't think mine has been over 4,500 rpm in my ownership; as you say there's just no need. Rapid enough progress can still be made.

[brickwall]

Great review DW

[dollywobbler]

Thanks chaps. You're spot on Joe. You can drive very briskly without risking a piston through the bonnet. It's actually very similar to driving a BX diesel. Relaxing yet surprisingly rapid.

[dollywobbler]

Booked in for a spot of sill welding on Wednesday. It must be love.

[mrbenn]

Haven't had a trip in a Rover 400 for ages, thanks for the vid!

[HH-R]

The right two heater control knobs are deffo HH-R or pre facelift 45.

[RobT]

Good review William Wobbler. They certainly do grow on you, hence why I've got two now. All the car you ever need really, especially in 220 hatchback flavour (not that I'm biased or anything...). Driving Joe's manual 216 at Shitefest made me realise how much better it is than my auto 416, badermatic doesn't suit the Honda lump IMO.

[forddeliveryboy]

I agree with ^^ - a professional delivery, Will, "no rattles" comment excepted - listen to 4.09 - can't believe you didn't hear that enduring, rather loud rattle!

 

The more distant the heady smell of newly-minted plastic and headlining, the more it becomes obvious the car is fundamentally a Honda - shell, engine, gearbox and so on. But with Austin Rover's expertise for European taste, with chromed plastic and wood trims, front struts instead of double wishbones (there's an improvement) and spring and damper settings. I would find it hard to call it a Rover, really. The trick was, they weren't cheap - so the comment about how much better they are than much cheaper Monstraesto rather unfair, given the indigenous products were roomier cars, aimed at families rather than the slightly-better-off-than-some newly retired.

 

A Honda, honed for Europe and priced high is bound to be better than bargain basement Austin-Rover domestic products, from a quality pov. Especially 20-odd years down the line. Try an early-90s Prelude, you should love that.

[dollywobbler]

It wasn't a trim rattle though - either the catalyst or those pesky bars in the boot.

 

Hard to call a Rover? I stand by the VAG analogy. A Skoda is a Volkswagen these days, and perhaps all the better for it. As for pricing, was that driven upwards by the fact that quality was that much better? The only reason they could push it up market was because it was a better car - in driving dynamics as well as quality. 

 

And I would indeed love to try a Prelude. They were on my radar but as Junkman has already hinted on this forum, prices are already rising for a good one. 

[dollywobbler]

Annoyingly, I haven't got a suitable socket to remove a lambda sensor so local garage to the rescue! The new one from Ebay is ENORMOUS but fits and also keeps the light off. Yay! Progress! A fine way to mark the one week anniversary. 250 miles covered and I need to get some fuel for it now.

[Rover414]

My '94 SLi does buzz if I open the door with ignition off and lights on. I don't mind it actually.

 

If your central locking all works all the time, you're a lucky, lucky man. That might be unique in R8's of today.

 

Mine works all the time! I was amazed it still worked off the fob after being left without a battery for so many years.

 

I quite like this, even the wheels, I sometimes find earlier cars don't suit later alloys but it works here quite well.

[RobT]

I'm not sure about the boot spoiler on these.  It sits a tad too high for my liking, lower would give it a sleeker look.  But that's a minor quibble, GR9 car otherwise!

[dollywobbler]

The boot spoiler is from a Rover 200 hatchback! It's a bit odd seeing it every time I glance in the rear view mirror.

[KruJoe]

Without it, 400's look oddly distended, but I quite like the spoiler on this, it balances the whole look of the thing.

On the 200, I prefer the smaller duck-tail job, it's more subtle.

[dollywobbler]

One week ago, I was driving home in this car! It's a very different animal now. No rattles, no warning lights, fewer stickers although no noticeable change in the way it drives with the new oxygen sensor. I'll fill up and check out the MPG tomorrow if I can (after sill welding) and look forward to seeing if there's a change on the next tank.

[phil_lihp]

Very good video, I'd agree with everything you've said about the R8 (aside from the engine, couldn't comment personally as I've not driven one with a 1.6 Honda lump).  Despite mine being scruffy and very well-used, the only occasional rattle in the cabin was from the sunroof blind, there were no squeaks, creaks or groans from anywhere and it still felt like a quality item.  Nice thick carpets and plenty of sound insulation I'd suspect helps that impression.  I'd definitely have another one, a 400 tourer for preference though.

[twosmoke300]

400 tourer in the met red wine colour they did with the lattice trims . Hmm

[phil_lihp]

SEi alloys for preference, the 220 had/has lattice trims, the poverty spec trims were better.

[twosmoke300]

Mums 418sldt had the lattice trims hence the soft spot

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Hey thats a great film WobblAr. Nice work! Very clear and so on. Particularly like the Chris Goffey-style bit at the end where you pull up at an angle and talk through the open window to the camera. I reckon you should end the film with that Elton John tune they used to put on the end of Top Gear!!!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

For a more modern look to your next video, just wear a curly wig, grow a beer gut, make a racist joke and 'amusingly' crash the rover into a skip etc.

[forddeliveryboy]

For a more modern look to your next video, just wear a curly wig, grow a beer gut, make a racist joke and 'amusingly' crash the rover into a skip etc.

 

 

For all the crassness and waste associated with New TG, I'd find it very, very difficult to argue for a return to the old, 'serious' version. 

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

There must be some middle ground between staged racist car accidents and fifteen minute films about grey carpet mats. 

[dollywobbler]

Check out the Carbuyer videos and report back. That's aiming for serious reviews of current cars. I try and inject more personal opinion and background though. Anyone with a hint of car interest buys for more than just inherent goodness.

[dollywobbler]

And thanks for all of the positive feedback! I drive around talking to a camera, wondering what the point is sometimes.