Project Dollywobbler's Rover 45 - STOP - Carry on.

[dollywobbler]

Great video mate, and lovely to see you're getting along with it.

 

I love my V6 too and agree it is a superb if rather expensive wafter for motorways (wind noise aside) if you want to make good progress. 

 

I take it you always knock it into Sport mode to get that luscious noise from a standing start ?

 

If there was a bit more low-down torque this'd be a monster but you're right - it's a dignified motor that doesn't befit such hooliganism

 

Is your sunroof broken, Ian, as mine does tilt and also fully slides back ?

 

Perhaps we can compare notes at the next Cannock if you're bringing yours. Bet yours hasn't got a lovely dent in it. Or mismatched door handles (assuming I crack that job !). And do you bang your head when getting in - I still keep doing that !

 

I don't always engage sport mode, but when I do, I like it.

 

Sunroof is broken. Goes back about 1cm.

 

Mine has PLENTY of dents in it (ex-Eastbourne) and also has a mismatched door handle, because Reg Bollox is colour blind.  

 

Haven't smacked my head yet...

[Noel Tidybeard]

obviously what this rhonda needs is a spare airbox that you can drill strategically placed*, highly accurate* holes in for maximum aural pleasure without having to lower the mpg thrash the bejesus out of it :mrgreen:

 

*i honestly didnt do this with an mg maestro 

[dollywobbler]

ROVER NEWS.

 

That's outside a Jaguar specialist in Berkshire yesterday, where it met a Rover friend. I was a little concerned because when I filled up in Abergavenny, my calculations came out at 26mpg. That's about right, because it was below quarter of a tank after just 200 miles. Goes to show that it really is not the ideal vehicle for Welsh hills. 

 

Later that day, I found this winning wagon.

 

Today, I had to fill it up again, because tiny tank. This time? 33mpg! That's more like it. Yesterday's cruising made full use of the 10% for much of the time, because I was late, but there was very little traffic. I just kept moving. Today, I took it easier, covering 60 miles of motorway at 60-65mph.

 

Longer term, I can't see me keeping this car. Much as I like it, there are some changes planned next year, and I don't think I'll be able to justify this thirsty old beast. That will be sad times, because I really do rather like it.

[clayts450]

Oooooh.......posts interest now

 

It would make getting shot of my one a little more palatable if I know there's the chance to own another in the mediumish-to-long term.....

 

Sadly our V6s are doomed not to meet at Cannock due to the MoT fail (technically it expires Saturday and there's no dangerous entries, but I'd rather not risk having my collar felt)

[dollywobbler]

Over 5000 miles in this now. Might give it another wash.

 

It still is properly nice to drive, and the heated seats have been marvellous over the past few days! Much-needed after a chilly Cannock!

[dollywobbler]

That's the place on Greenham industrial estate? Did the general area stink of pickled onions when you were there?

 

It is, and it didn't...

[dollywobbler]

Rover went in for new boots today. A slight panic ensued when I realised I had no idea where the locking wheelnut key was. A frantic call to BOLLOX POWERTRAIN LTD saved the day.

 

Four new Nankang cross climate AW-6s fitted, and the tracking sorted out. It was way off. Feels very different now! Also had a narrow escape by the look of it. This was one of the front tyres, inside edge.

 

Car feels a lot nicer to drive. All-season tyres tend to be nice and soft, so the ride is less jittery and it now handles much better. I look forward to seeing if the tramlining tendency has also been banished.

 

Had a peek underneath too. There are a few crusty spots, but of the 'clean up and sort' level rather than scary holes. I must try and get those seen to before the winter really bites. All brakes look good, though the chap doing the work almost overshot the ramp. He reckons the brakes are a bit shit. I think he may have a point. They do need a darned good shove. 

[clayts450]

Brakes do seem to be a weak spot on HH-Rs as the pistons/guide pins tend to seize up if not regularly attended to. Might be worth a cursory examination - Bigg Red do some neat little refresh packs.

[Skut]

Was the 45 the last home of the 2.0 KV6 and did they survive to the bitter end of the facelift. They must have been selling in penny packet numbers by then.

 

I'd assumed the 2.0 continued in the 75 but the pricelist I saw suggested the 1.8 Turbo superseded it in the 75 which makes sense I guess. So why did it not in the 45?

[clayts450]

I suppose it was pulled from the 45 range for the same reasons as the withdrawal of the 2.0 engine in the 75 range - uneconomical, not a big seller at all, auto only.

 

Also perhaps it was viewed as internal contender to the MG ZS 2.5 KV6 ?

 

Who knows ? I don't think it made the facelift version - I think it was pulled around 2002/3.

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, I reckon the tax rule change would have done for the 45 V6. I suspect that's why the 75 changed to 1.8 turbo. That and the fact that the 2-litre in a 75 must be pretty horrendous if you're in a hurry.

 

Don't think it would have been a rival for the MG. Very different target markets. Am quite keen to try an MG.

[dollywobbler]

My local garage always goes completely OTT with the old tyre soap. I went to clean it off and ended up cleaning the entire car.

 

Not bad. Survived hitting a pheasant on a drive this afternoon. Thankfully before the wash. Those alloys are a pain in the arse to clean though. 

 

Not sure why I bothered really, because I'm driving to Bridgnorth and back tomorrow. It'll be filthy by the time I get there no doubt!

[dollywobbler]

I just about managed to avoid a spectacular crash in this today.

 

I was accelerating out of a village. I could see a slower car in front, so was starting to ease off, but I was catching it up at a fair lick (at 60mph in a 60). We round a corner and BAM - low level sunlight straight in our eyes. I took my foot off the throttle. I saw the car I'd caught brake. What I didn't expect was for them to pretty much stop dead! Actual ABS kick-in in the dry, which at least proves that the brakes aren't quite as shit as they often feel (not a very responsive pedal, they need a shove). 

 

Shook me up a bit, but pushed on, only to almost get wiped out by a Transit van on the Elan Valley Mountain Road. I'll happily hoon the wider bits - and I did. The new tyres and tracking have been transformative. But, I slow down for the narrow bits. This van really didn't. Nor did it seem much interested in stopping. I swerved right to the edge of the road and they bounced all over the verge. Arseholes.

[dollywobbler]

I've lost the keys for this, which is a pain as I only had one key and fob. Of course, it's just new enough to have immobiliser nonsense, so I'm pretty screwed. ARSE.

[Noel Tidybeard]

i can fetch if you've left them round here

[dollywobbler]

They're not at the hotel. I've a feeling I did take them with me accidentally. Not in my luggage, clothes or wash bag and few hiding places in an Invacar. Also managed to lose my external microphone on that trip, so a bit of a disaster all-round. Still, I managed to find my wedding ring after several weeks today. It was on top of the fridge...

[dollywobbler]

PANIC OVER!

 

I left them in the pocket of a pair of trousers I wore last Wednesday. I'd foolishly put them away without checking the pockets... (I usually play safe by just leaving them hanging on a chair. That's what chairs are for yes?)

[Noel Tidybeard]

good news but you still deserve a

[dollywobbler]

I've been offered a C5 Hdi Exclusive estate, so am pondering a return to French motoring. That would mean that this freshly-tyred Rover is up for sale. I'm an idiot! So, anyone interested? I paid £375, it now has £150 of fresh rubber. £425?

 

Has working heated seats, working air con, belts by Bollox Powertrains Ltd, recent service and the brakes are all good.

 

EDIT - MOT March. I've been underneath and it all looks good. Only potential issues are driver's seatbelt occasionally a little unwilling to retract, passenger belt occasionally unwilling to actually come out.

[Burnside]

Shame you have to part with the Rover. I'm sure though this one will be snapped up soon enough.

 

With the seatbelt issue my Dad said something before about using Pledge on the seatbelt can help to restore the movement?

[egg]

I've just PM'd you on messenger about a Favorit to make things worse...sorry.

[SiC]

C5 Hdi Exclusive estate

freshly-tyred Rover is up for sale.

You are selling a v6 petrol to get a diesel 4-pot C5 ...

 

I'm an idiot!

 

No comment!

[Broadsword]

I think you would certainly be happy with the fuel economy on a C5. I had a C5 HDi 90 hatchback briefly. It was a good drive on the open roads but it very big. The estate is a absolutely enormous. It really needs the HDi 110 to lug the extra weight relative to say a Xantia.

[gadgetgricey]

Is the C5 the 1.9 or the 2.2Hdi.

 

Been a while since I owned Citroens but believe think the 1.9 was the stronger engine. Think there are a few issues with the 2.2.

 

Enormous loading area though.

[dollywobbler]

Is the C5 the 1.9 or the 2.2Hdi.

 

Been a while since I owned Citroens but believe think the 1.9 was the stronger engine. Think there are a few issues with the 2.2.

 

Enormous loading area though.

 

It's the 2.0. I think I want it mostly for the height control in the boot. Actually, it has full cow, Spanish waiter gears and a tractor engine. Am I sure about this?

[Lacquer Peel]

C5s are fine. I don't understand the snobbery about HP Citroens that don't have an X or S in their name.

[bramz7]

To be honest the one I briefly had drive as well as any Xantia I've had...if not better. And it was huge. And for the 90 it wasn't that slow.

[dollywobbler]

C5s are fine. I don't understand the snobbery about HP Citroens that don't have an X or S in their name.

 

They look fat and slightly ridiculous. I think that's the size of it. I once drove an early diesel auto hatch to Paris and back, and it was a very pleasant steer. 

[Broadsword]

Wow that was a quick sale.

[dollywobbler]

A new record for me. That's for sure! A friend looks to be having it.