Rover 214 (non-bubble)

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I reckon I might splurge 2 or 300 quid on one of these when i get paid this month.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180426627773

 

Why? Well at the moment I am doing 400+ miles a week in my P100 truck, which was fun to start with but is beginning to grate a bit as you cant really go any faster than about 75mph in it and 70 is not really what you would call a 'relaxed cruise' - its very low geared and the suspension is as hard as a mutha. Ms_Bol's X-reg Astra is like getting into a Bentley in comparison. I could do with not spending any money at all as I am stony, but the only wheels I have which would do the job are the Integra 1.5, and i dont really want to start clocking up loads of miles in that. so one of these is a decent, cheap, economical set of low-tax wheels with some interest value.

 

I drove one of these Rovers a lot in about 1998, it was an M-reg 214 SLi and although it had about 80k on despite being just 3 years old, it was absolutley GREAT to drive. The 105bhp 1.4 multipoin K series is an absolute honey of a thing and just loves to rev, if the head gask has not expired of course. I think the 1.4 is a little more robust on the head gask than the 1.6 and 1.8 versions. These are light cars and the chassis is decent, though not 205 GTi legendary, you can get a bit of oversteer if you are really keen (which i no longer am). I would say they are like an Alfa 33, but with a decent (in fact excellent) driving position and no torque steer. so really they are a much better backroad blaster than a 33. The front suspension is a completely different layout to the Honda Concerto, and with different engines, interior and exterior trim and suspension settings they are defo a car 'in their own right' rather than a half-arsed rebadging effort. In my view anyway. Mind you I would like to try a concerto with the 1.6 16v Honda engine, I imagine they must be a good crack.

 

I also think they look pretty classy, particularly the later ones with 15" alloys and colour coded bumpers. Certainly I think they look better than the later bubble shape 200, which perhaps due to its over-long lifespan and gradual decline in competitiveness on the market, always looks a bit of a skint persons car to a bigot like me, especially the 54-plate ones you see knocking about. Although I dont intend to spend much money on this Rover so you could call it a skint persons car.

 

Any one else got one of these?

[Father Ted]

I thought you had a blue one of these with faded grey bumpers?I had the 216 GSi for a while and it was a lovely place to sit - though sit was the correct word as the autobox kept throwing its toys out of the pram and dying.Pleasant place to be though.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I thought you had a blue one of these with faded grey bumpers?I had the 216 GSi for a while and it was a lovely place to sit - though sit was the correct word as the autobox kept throwing its toys out of the pram and dying.Pleasant place to be though.

Yeah FathaBol has got that blue one, its a really early single-point injection one. I fancy a late model multipoint one.

[AnthonyG]

Go for it Mr Bol!I had a 214 SEi as a courtesy car the other month and was surprised by good it still is, 15 years old. These are, with the possible exception of the 75/ZT, the best car ARG/RoverGroup ever made.

[Father Ted]

Ahhh!I had the 1400 MPi in a Rover 100 - it flew. I mean flew. Handled like a go cart.

[Guest]

Vic's had a few square-type 200/400s. Best one was a "214i base" which was amusingly basic, it was a facelift model with the funny grille, but it had an SOHC 8-valve K-series, 13" wheels, no power steering, manual everything. The interior was interesting though, all beige including the carpets and dashboard. The funniest point was that you got no walnut, those bits were black plastic instead. On the plus side, it had a radio cassette.Anyway, they're nice cars for what they are, like you say they've got a great driving position, nice revvy engine, good handling. Interiors are pleasant too, the walnut does make you feel like you're in something a cut above. I like them! Diesel ones aren't bad either (PSA XUD), I'd prefer a 214 though, they're nice and revvy.Main thing is those headgaskets, if it even has a suggestion of it going, don't bother. You can't get engines from scrapyards because they'll be knackered too, I was in a yard the other week that had a few in and he said that the ones he gets always have headgasket failure, the only one that didn't was a 1.6 Honda one. A good indicator of one being OK is that the temperature gauge should sit at just ever-so-slightly below half and not really move anywhere.I'd like to get a late 414 saloon and swap the bonnet/grille for the earlier sort, fit grey bumpers (with chrome inserts) and two-tone the bottom half in grey. That'd be ace.

[mnde]

Nice cars. My dad had a 214 Si from new on a L plate, in dark green metallic. It didn't last all that long because mum hated it and wouldn't drive it (long story) and he chopped it in for a Renault Megane.Mark.

[retro80sboy]

my mum and dad had an L reg 214 for about 8 years and it didnt owe us a penny, great car.although aint the headgaskets prone to going on these? ours was ok but I seem to remember they had a reputation.

[Guest]

1995 Rover 414 SLi

 

Something along those lines would be ideal for my aforementioned pre-facelift and two-tone plan, it'd look really classy in that colour with a grey bottom half I reckon. £395 sounds a lot considering the test is up shortly though. Too rich for my blood! Never mind eh.

[Milford Cubicle]

The 214 you've posted is lovely, nightfire red is a very classy colour.I have had a couple of these, a 416SLi and a 218D.I am not overly fond of the Honda 1.6 in SOHC form, it doesn't seem to have the K's 'guts' and isn't as economical. I imagine they're a lot better in DOHC form though.The 218D had about 180k on the clock and was seriously neglected, but still drove well. It has the same gearbox and gearing as the 2.0 T-series and 1.8 Turbo D engines. It made for relaxed cruising but the performance was terrible, not like the non-turbo Peugeot diesels where the gearing usually perfectly matches the engine's power.I'd love to try one with a 2.0 T-series.

[Mash]

I like these. I always intended getting a 214SEi but when I was looking for one I always either missed them or they were not very nice examples. Got a new shape 414 instead.My dad had a Concerto 1.5 for a while. Though it was a nice car the ride was atrocious - I think the Rover's were much better in that respect.

[Guest]

George and Milfred Cubicle - I had a ride in a 420 saloon a bit back, certainly pulled hard enough when floored up a big hill. Nice and discreet-looking, had some really plain-looking alloys which looked more like hubcaps if I recall - other than the badge there wasn't really much to set it apart from some mid-spec 1.4/1.6 version from the outside.Bet they go for nowt nowadays given the big engine/non-hatchback depreciation combo. Might be worth investigating, no headgasket issues with those and they're nice enough inside - one I was in had half-leather semi-bucket things.

[r.welfare]

The 2-litre is one to get if available - I bought a J-plater, 420SLi, for £50 a couple of years back. Total OTR with a year's ticket and a service - £240. A real sleeper.I like the 1.4 as well, the SEi (as in your first picture) is the one to get. 3 door is the way forward for rarity points. They just feel much classier and nicer to drive than an 1.4 Astra, Escort or Golf of the same era.

[dollywobbler]

Yup, two-litre is a rapid motor. Mind you, the 1.4 really doesn't hang about and is good fun to rag - too many people do this from cold, which doesn't help with the head gasket weakness...I owned a later bubble 1.4 and that kicked out slightly over 100bhp. A great car ruined by a crap pedal box and super-dull looks. An R8 'boxy' one in a nice metallic shade is still a nice motor.For extra shite points though, remember that fairly bright solid blue colour? That's what I'd want.

[Station]

If you can get one for 100 quid with blown head gasket, I'd say you should buy it and replace the gasket and belt, of which are 50 odd quid. It's half a day's job, if you can be arsed with it. It'll knock the price down.Had cooling problems for a whole year with my kseries, it was the water pump leaking, but it still kept on going.

[trigger]

I used to drive loads of these Rover 200/400's about 10 years ago collectioning them and returning from local garages for bodywork.I quite liked them, A large improvement on the Montego, Drove a 420 Turbo once, I scared the crap out of myself, Not for the performance so much but for the awful torque steering which was determined to pull you into the nearest ditch.Most of them seem to suffer with rotten dog legs on the rear arches as well i found from a early age, But they was a pokey car, Always fancied a 214 SEi with the 1/2 leather seats and alloys.The Concerto was nice as well, The 1.6-16 went like shit and had all the luxurys as well as leather.

[Rod/b]

If you can get one of the ones pictured, a 214 SEi run-out model with the c/coded bumpers and the black leather interior, you'll be pleased with it unless it's a wrong'un.Budget for a belt and a HG swap when you get it and you should be alright.

[ashmicro]

+1 on all that has been said so far. While you're at the TB, have a good gander round the water pump and 'stat housing for cystal crispiness. If in doubt, change the coolant - 5 year OAT is the stuff.While my new, 3 door 214SEi w/half leather was a complete and utter pile of shite, I've never had HGF on a K, even in my ragged-silly Elise (RIP)Check for airlocks in the cooling system, and buy a new cap for the expansion tank (about £3 from Hellfrauds). Check for blocked ball valve in the return hose from the inlet manifold to expansion tank if the new cap don't sort it.The earth strap above the passenger headlight can go crispy where it bolts to the front panel - murder the thing with a wire brush to ensure good contact.Cats known to fall apart. In extreme cases, this can look like a horse's tail hanging out of the tailpipe!Rotor arms and dizzy caps can wear out quickly and crack. Cheap Cheap.Central locking mechanicals made of chocolate on late cars (93/4)Get a sorted one, though, and even the 14K16 goes very well.Bonne chance!

[seth]

My dad had a couple as company cars though I can't remember the exact spec. I remember going in one when it had only 24 miles on the clock or something. He really rated them - though the engines were great, really revvy etc.

[Cavcraft]

Shouldn't you be getting in contact with that 'Range Rover exhaust copulating lookalike' fella who sells these? I like the 214s, they're quite rorty and a bit of a laugh to drive but dogged by the 'head gasket' issues. Not all bad news because if you could be 4rsed there's a lady in Newton Abbot whose garage repairs these and gives a decent, worthy warranty.

[AnthonyG]

Yup, two-litre is a rapid motor. Mind you, the 1.4 really doesn't hang about and is good fun to rag - too many people do this from cold, which doesn't help with the head gasket weakness...I owned a later bubble 1.4 and that kicked out slightly over 100bhp. A great car ruined by a crap pedal box and super-dull looks. An R8 'boxy' one in a nice metallic shade is still a nice motor.For extra shite points though, remember that fairly bright solid blue colour? That's what I'd want.

I reckon thats the colour of the one MrB bought and gave to his dad!

[Guest]

I, erm, had a race with a 414 owned by the lad from Tasty's down Washway Road in the small hours when I had my 306 TD. Same engine.Revvy buggers are K Series engines. I didn't stand much of a chance really. He pinged the speed camera past the Peugeot garage doing 95 and got banned. I threw in the towel past the Co Op as he was well past me. I just saw a flash of Gatso. In the rain. At 2 am.

[ashmicro]

Yup, two-litre is a rapid motor. Mind you, the 1.4 really doesn't hang about and is good fun to rag - too many people do this from cold, which doesn't help with the head gasket weakness...I owned a later bubble 1.4 and that kicked out slightly over 100bhp. A great car ruined by a crap pedal box and super-dull looks. An R8 'boxy' one in a nice metallic shade is still a nice motor.For extra shite points though, remember that fairly bright solid blue colour? That's what I'd want.

I reckon thats the colour of the one MrB bought and gave to his dad!

Henley Blue over Tornado Grey FTW!! V.popular on Montegos too.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Yup, two-litre is a rapid motor. Mind you, the 1.4 really doesn't hang about and is good fun to rag - too many people do this from cold, which doesn't help with the head gasket weakness...

 

I owned a later bubble 1.4 and that kicked out slightly over 100bhp. A great car ruined by a crap pedal box and super-dull looks. An R8 'boxy' one in a nice metallic shade is still a nice motor.

 

For extra shite points though, remember that fairly bright solid blue colour? That's what I'd want.

I reckon thats the colour of the one MrB bought and gave to his dad!

you rang????

 

[dollywobbler]

Ah, lovely. Best colour ever. Maybe...

[Guest]

I think it's great that the first important move towards getting that blue one on the road was buying a set of proper Rover wheeltrims off eBay. I would have done exactly the same.

[kelvin2008]

got a turby drizzle one myself, does near 500 miles to a tank and accelerates strongly in top gear in the 50 mph plus speed range, pisses silver german tdi company car drivers off as it matches em on the motorway. You do know you have a heavy engine up front, pushes the nose on corners, petrols handle a lot better.

[Gompo]

There's a lot of these on E-bay isnt there? I dont see many about at all - many seem to have disappeared in the last 2-3 years. I like the 4xx better than the 2 but they're both cool cars...And as mentioned, I've always liked the Concerto. I remember reading the specs for the top of the range one and looking at the pic in the Daily Mail Car Guide thing and wondering why it was so rapid but looked so dull.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

If you want a 214, avoid all the hopeless shitboxes and buy this:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-ROVER-214SI- ... 439b2afd44

 

That, if well maintained. is a car for the next 10 years. No catalyst MOT nightmares, it's a proper hue (hearing aid beige) and it's mint.

[andrew e]

Two shitters on here Mr B... I'm sitting on some GTI half leathers and a Honda engine cat-back exhaust if your needing too.

 

http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/viewtopic. ... cdroitwich

 

http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/viewtopic. ... cdroitwich