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

[dollywobbler]

Not a lot to report really. I'm driving it, nothing breaks. Did 170 miles in it on Monday and my only real concern is that it doesn't feel very nippy when overtaking. I think I'm still used to the frantic lunacy of the Sirion at 5000rpm. The Rover makes a lot of noise when given a bootful, it just doesn't feel quick. On-paper figures show it can out gun most rivals (and a 2-lire Montego) between 50 and 70, so I'm not sure why it feels lethargic. I love having a sunroof again though. Bliss!

[KruJoe]

As we were saying before, this engine is grunty and 'flexible' enough lower down the revs, it makes you feel that it should pull hard when you gun it, but it doesn't. It doesn't respond well to a thrashing.

 

I was chatting about this with "Jack the Test" yesterday, when my 216 passed with flying colours, (FUGGIN YAY!) apart from the emissions, which were borderline. He said it probably needs a regular Italian tune-up to keep it clean, but the feel of the engine doesn't encourage it.

I don't drive like Grandma, but I can "make progress" without caning it.

[dollywobbler]

Oh good. Glad yours is the same. Makes a great, raspy growl when you boot it, but doesn't go quickly! Mind you, it has flown up some hills this morning that most cars I own just won't. I've got some new tyres on the way, so headed out in the rain to establish just how crap the heavily-worn Bridgestones it wears up front are. Not very! Really hard to get it to break traction. I certainly couldn't get it understeering without going far faster than I was comfortable with (so I didn't) and even stamping the throttle mid-bend on a damp hairpin caused nothing but a very slight scrabble. Can stop quickly enough to shut the sunroof blind in the wet without skidding too. Reassuring!

 

 I'm planning to switch the tyres around and repeat the test with the Wanli ditchfinders up front. It isn't raining, so I shall do it now while the roads are still wet.

[phil_lihp]

My 220 felt very loose and floaty at the front end, especially after a nearly new set of Dunlops was fitted, and always felt like it was about to let go on fast corners.  Pretty sure that would have been sorted with some new bushes on the front suspension to tighten things up, it actually had plenty of grip and could be caned along windy roads like the A377 in all sorts of conditions.  

[dollywobbler]

Can't say there's much difference. It still feels pretty planted. No looseness and no threat of eating scenery. I can just feel the Wanlis struggling a bit with higher cornering forces, but it still seems pretty stable. The Bridgestones are mightly impressive for the couple of mil of tread left. 

 

I did do a wheelspin start test and my only concern is the blue smoke I noticed in the rear view mirror... Can't get it to puff out any more though.

[dollywobbler]

Second tank of fuel and the MPG has gone up to 36mpg. Quite a lot of that was at less than 60mph behind trucks and slow arseholes, but on the other hand, I've also been thrashing about testing the tyres. I bet my wife could get 40mpg in it. 

 

I need to get the front suspension checked though. I've a nasty feeling there's a balljoint past its best or something as there's a definite looseness. Need to jack it up and get a pry bar underneath the tyre - shame the weather is utter cack!

[dollywobbler]

Also, more sticker removal.

[dollywobbler]

And here's the finished product, taken with a proper camera. All stickers now removed. I washed it and even polished some bits! I did investigate the spoiler, as Mrs DW isn't keen. With removal likely to leave holes and horrendous rain forecast, I think I'll leave it for now...

[Parky]

That's looking really smart, the whole R8 series just looked right didn't it? Doesn't matter if it was the coupe, saloon, hatch or tourer they were just a well styled range.

 

Wheels suit it too

[cort16]

Looks much better dw these really suit being white. I'd keep the spoiler I quite like it .

[dollywobbler]

I must say, I normally hate white cars (says he who owns two of them - sort of) but this Rover is a smart looking thing. I noticed today that when I drive over one of the bad bits of road in Wales - a horrible, broken up surface mid-bend which felt like driving over boulders in the Sirion - this thing just absorbs it with the merest of jiggles. It can jiggle around a bit at other times, but it's really pretty good. Probably on its original dampers too.

[cort16]

What are the wheels? Mgf?

[KruJoe]

No, wrong PCD, I reckon they're off a 25 or 45.

 

[dollywobbler]

No, 45 I think.

EDIT - beaten to it by KrueJoe!

[HMC]

Looking smart! After being a Don_H8R, I've owned a few white cars and I'm a total convert. Minor bodywork repairs are so much easier to do, and dents etc aren't as noticeable. I'd be tempted to lose the spoiler like you but I suppose they've become a "period" accessory basically.

[Six-cylinder]

Looking very good but that metal handrail in the back ground is horrid, so I have popped you into Austria!

 

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, not the best backdrop. I went out and took some nice photos, but may need those for work purposes. You lot got the Shite pictures, because it's Autoshite.

 

I fitted new Lucas windscreen wiper blades yesterday. They're pretty good, though the driver's blade leaves a mark going up (then clears it coming back). Can't see anything on the blade. Odd. The spoiler also keeps falling off. LUCAS QUALZ0RZ!

[dollywobbler]

Yesterday, I headed off to Kwik Fit for some Uniroyal RainSport 3 tyres to be fitted. I'd never go to Kwik Fit out of choice, but free fitting was enough to entice me. The RainSport 3s have an A rating for wet weather stopping distance. They should be pretty handy in Wales, and are certainly better than a pair of Chinese Wanlis and a pair of 2mm-treaded Bridgestones. I also got an alignment chucked in - handy being a journo sometimes! Especially as the tracking was out front and rear. The lads at Kwik Fit seemed pretty good to be fair.

 

Straight away, the car felt much better. It still occasionally tramlines a little, but the odd sensation of it feeling like it was trying to go in different directions at once has gone, and it no longer pulls to one side. I hadn't noticed it was until I drove away...

 

Today, we've had some epic rain, so I went for a drive.

 

Must be said, there's certainly enough grip for me to lose my bottle well before it starts struggling, though I was surprised to discover earlier in the week that it also handled pretty well on the Wanlis and worn Bridgestones. I could feel it starting to understeer on the Wanlis in the wet, but not alarmingly so. Does feel very secure now. 

 

I'm still arguing with Mrs DW about the spoiler. I don't like the attention it attracts, so I must concede she may have a point. If it comes off, that'll be a major step towards taking it back to original. To go all the way, the grille needs to go (which I don't much like anyway) and it needs all-grey bumpers and lower body sides.

[forddeliveryboy]

 

I also got an alignment chucked in - handy being a journo sometimes!

 

 

Did they recognise you, or do you tell these places when haggling?

 

Not sure I'd be happy letting KF loose on my steering, even if for nout. Car's looking good - Rover really did a good job with those Hondas.

[dollywobbler]

It was pre-arranged with the tyre supplier. Proof is in the pudding here. Car went in, came out feeling better. Of course, unlike most customers, I was able to chat to the mechanics and watch them like a hawk while they worked on my car. I generally dislike garages that keep you well away from the work going on. 

 

And, to be fair, they even fixed the door. For some reason one of the check strap bolts just fell out and the door then wouldn't shut!

[CortinaDave]

I quite like the spoiler, but its all down to personal taste. I think the car looks great as it is now!

[TRW]

Rover really did a good job with those Hondas.

 

There's quite a bit more to it than that!

 

Personally DW, I like the rear spoiler, but each to their own.

 

If you are going to go for originality then you are going to have to bin the Fissions and get the original 14" steels and 'wind' style trims.

[Richard]

I've found Kwikfit to be as cheap as all the online suppliers if you book and pay online.

[dugong]

I've found Kwikfit to be as cheap as all the online suppliers if you book and pay online.

 

Don't worry, they shatter that illusion with biblical incompetence.

And my local one said they don't do bookings, or something.

 

[Honey Badger]

 I'm still arguing with Mrs DW about the spoiler. I don't like the attention it attracts, so I must concede she may have a point. If it comes off, that'll be a major step towards taking it back to original. To go all the way, the grille needs to go (which I don't much like anyway) and it needs all-grey bumpers and lower body sides.

 

Have you thought that the attention the car gets is because it a genuinely good looking car in decent nick, which in my eyes your only going to ruin by taking the bits you list off.

 

The car looks great, and the spoiler and wheels suit it. You have done a good job getting rid of the stickers, now leave it alone and enjoy it!

[Richard]

I've used it twice. The first one (in York) was great, did the job quickly and didn't try to sell me anything. Business as usual for the second time (St Andrews), they didn't have our tyres in stock.

[dollywobbler]

Have you thought that the attention the car gets is because it a genuinely good looking car in decent nick, which in my eyes your only going to ruin by taking the bits you list off.

 

The car looks great, and the spoiler and wheels suit it. You have done a good job getting rid of the stickers, now leave it alone and enjoy it!

 

The dirty looks are usually when I overtake. It seems to really piss people off! The 2CV just amazes people, but the Rover seems to cause much annoyance. I blame the somewhat rorty exhaust and the alloys/spoiler look. I must concede though, I really like the way this car looks now. I've now got some paint to touch up the primered areas and bumper scuffs. I need to get a touch of Rustoleum on the lower sills, but that'll do for cosmetics for now.

 

It has gently misbehaved a couple of times. I turned the engine off for a quick photoshoot - the above pic is one of those taken. When I restarted, it refused to idle - or rather tried to idle at about 300rpm. I turned it off and on again and it was fine.

[Stroller133]

Don't worry, they shatter that illusion with biblical incompetence.

And my local one said they don't do bookings, or something.

 

I got an online quote 4 tyres, £300, but next appointment was in a week. Called the branch, they had 4 tyres in stock, but wanted £390 if I called in? They lost that sale....

[dollywobbler]

If I'm paying with my own money, I'll still use the local garage it must be said. 

[twosmoke300]

^^^^ Good to hear , especially as a small independent garage owner