Sold 1994 Rover 218D. MOT July 2019, £375. West Norfolk

[BeEP]

I bought this in April but haven't really done anything with it other than getting a new MOT last month (passed with no advisories).

 

Rover 218D, which means absolute base spec:  keep-fit windows, manual steering, no central locking, no little bits of fake wood etc.  XUD9 n/a engine.  76000 miles.  Basically one owner until June 2017; the first three years as a company car then bought when he retired.

 

The good....

 

Incredibally solid, never welded and doesn't need any.

 

Mechanically spot on.  In the last three years has had new clutch and cable, new battery, new brake discs and pads.  Oil and filter has been changed annually irrespective of mileage.

 

Interior is very clean.  Original radio cassette works well and comes with code.

 

The not quite so good....

 

Some of you may remember the pictures I posted when I got it showing the comical lacquer peel.  Judging by the coarseness of the remainder of the paint the old chap had been somewhat less fastidious about cleaning it as he was about oil changes.  I've rubbed it down and sprayed with the aerosols it came with.  Result; lacquer peel replaced by patchy paint whcih is half a shade off colour (and the bonnet required lots more prep but I got bored).

 

Tyres passed the MOT but are old and should probably be replaced sooner rather than later.

 

Edited to add:  Rear wiper doesn't work; well, it tries, which indicates it's the motor at fault, but needs a helping hand to complete its sweep.

 

The pictures.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

£375ovno to shiters (will be advertised for £450 elsewhere in a couple of days).  Location PE14, 5 miles from Wisbech on Norfolk/Cambridgeshire border.

[SRi05]

This will be gone soon you'd imagine!

[Simonsays]

That's a fine looking vehicle

[BeEP]

This will be gone soon you'd imagine!

 

I'd like to think so but I'm not holding my breath!

[BorniteIdentity]

Bit of Wuv, no?

[theorganist]

Why are all the interesting cars for sale always in East Anglia?!

 

I am sure someone will snap it up, it is a bargain. 

[Talbot]

A 218D! Knew these existed, but have never seen one before... 60hp from a 1769cc XUD7... must be spectacularly economic if not fast!

 

Roffle at £6.50? I'd have 2 tickets!

[Lacquer Peel]

It's an XUD9 in the 218D, XUD7TE in the 218D turbo, I owned the former years ago, it went okay, a bit heavier and longer geared than the equivalent PSA product so not as perky as a ZX.

[BorniteIdentity]

Why are all the interesting cars for sale always in East Anglia?!

 

I am sure someone will snap it up, it is a bargain.

If you fancy it, I’mma offer a limousine service from

St Neots to Wisbech for anyone wanting to live the bASe dream. We can do the journey in my bASe 190.

[DaveDorson]

My dad keeps banging on about wanting an economical car to keep the miles off his S type.

[theorganist]

If you fancy it, I’mma offer a limousine service from

St Neots to Wisbech for anyone wanting to live the bASe dream. We can do the journey in my bASe 190.

If I wasnt bothering a Maxi I would seriously consider it but I cant justify it at the moment sadly. Nice offer though. You also have a 190?

[BorniteIdentity]

If I wasnt bothering a Maxi I would seriously consider it but I cant justify it at the moment sadly. Nice offer though. You also have a 190?

Aye. Bought at the start of the year.

 

https://flic.kr/p/21GGHLw

 

Sorry for the thread drift. This Raver does look a good proposition for someone.

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Ran one as a daily from 2008 to 2010, same base spec non turbo. High 40's mpg local, nothing complicated to go wrong, mine was totally reliable at more than twice the mileage. Scrapped due to terminal corrosion.

 

Real world performance from the legendary Pug lump is more than adequate, also a very comfortable ride.

 

With an impressive Mot history even adding  on the cost of a set of tyres and a cam belt if it hasn't had one, it still looks a very good buy. 

[sierraman]

Really like this. I think I’d be dangerous these days with £500 burning a hole in my pocket.

[pandamonium]

Oh yes. If it is still around when I get back from my hols.... 

[wuvvum]

Bit of Wuv, no?

Tempting though it is, I already have three diesel Rovers - four would just be taking the piss.

[chaseracer]

ITYM...

 

Tempting. I already have three diesel Rovers - four would just be ideal.

 

[Lacquer Peel]

The keep fit steering is a bit of a deal breaker on these, it's very heavy.

[sierraman]

I’ve had one, it is heavy for parking but once you are rolling it’s ok. Wouldn’t put me off put it that way.

[Talbot]

It's an XUD9 in the 218D, XUD7TE in the 218D turbo, I owned the former years ago, it went okay, a bit heavier and longer geared than the equivalent PSA product so not as perky as a ZX.

I wonder if the turbo gearbox ratios (well, final drive) was used in the non-turbo version of these. I once fitted a turbo-spec gearbag in a non-turbo 405 diesel estate. Made it very slightly slower to accelerate, but lost something like 700 rpm at 80mph, and gained it 2-3mpg. Well worth it.

[doubleyeller]

The keep fit steering is a bit of a deal breaker on these, it's very heavy.

 

 

Just get a knob for the steering wheel?

[sierraman]

Or a telescopic bar attached to the wheel so you can get some real leverage on those tight turns in the car park.

[BeEP]

I’ve had one, it is heavy for parking but once you are rolling it’s ok. Wouldn’t put me off put it that way.

 

*this.  The only time I thought of it as heavy was the tight turn off the seller's drive.  Maybe it's because I didn't own a car with power steering until I'd been driving for over 20 years (and I don't own one with it now) but I don't see why people get so hung up about it (obviously unless there are specific physical reasons why it's needed).

[Lacquer Peel]

Maybe I'm just soft. The 218D's steering felt a lot heavier than the small petrols I'd driven with no PAS.

[BeEP]

Maybe I'm just soft. The 218D's steering felt a lot heavier than the small petrols I'd driven with no PAS.

 

Agreed, it is.  Probably just my personal preference, but I'd still rather have the feel of a manual system.  Anyway, these are all good free bumps; I've yet to disappear under a deluge of offers.

[sierraman]

Can’t be as heavy as the Astra with failed EPAS I drive a few months ago.

[bezzabsa]

owned a 418gsd....great car until it grenaded itself

 

 

 

veggy compliant???

[D Spares & Tyres]

If any midlanders or Wales dwellers want this then I may be able to offer them a lift over next week...

[BeEP]

If any midlanders or Wales dwellers want this then I may be able to offer them a lift over next week...

 

Thanks Tom; it's very much still here if anyone wants it.  Had someone coming to see it tomorrow but he's now postponed until Thursday.

[stephen01]

Tempting as I should really start to save some money as I've agreed to take the wife and three kids to Florida, 15 mpg from the s type on short runs or 40 from the rover?!