Tell me about.....

[Guest Tony Hayers]

......Rover 75s. My dad has clocked a fully loaded one up for £1995 (77K OTC) he likes it and plans on having a look at it. Im not to clued up on the 75 as its a bit to new for me, but from what he says it sounds a nice one. Its the 2.5 V6 auto.So whats the good and bad on themThanks.

[r.welfare]

Cambelt change on a KV6 requires three belts and takes something crazy like six hours, so I'd check it's been done - probably due around that mileage.

[dollywobbler]

Head gaskets. Make a coolant change a priority. Stand a good chance of it not going pop but folk don't change the coolant when they should (ie every couple of years).ECUs are in a bit of a daft place that lets them get damp (BL heritage there surely!). If you're lucky though, a can of contact cleaner will save a big bill!

[Pete-M]

Beware of flickering dash lights. Not the illumination ones, the battery / main beam / etc panel. That's not cheap to sort.There's an issue with fuel pumps on some, and the immobilisers can go quietly mad. I think there's a way to tell, one's got a red tag or something. Google it.Clutches are awkward as fuck to do on diesel ones, don't know about the KV6 jobs. First sign is normally when they go heavy.Head gaskets, obviously.I secretly like Rover 75s. I'd risk a couple of grand on a posh spec MG ZT-T one with leather and a telly an all that jazz and see how long it lasted. I remember CAR magazine's one blew its motor up in under 15,000 miles. They are good fun. Once left Liverpool in a Rover 75 Diesel at 2 am and was at the Channel Tunnel entrance for 6 am. Didn't feel tired or stressed out from the journey and was comfy all the way. Stopped for coffee twice on the way - drank it in the car, but even so it was bloody good going and felt relaxed. It's exactly 300 miles from here to the Chunnel, and all motorway, but they're impressively good at it. Comfier than an A4 or 3 series.

[hennabm]

Beware of flickering dash lights. Not the illumination ones, the battery / main beam / etc panel. That's not cheap to sort.There's an issue with fuel pumps on some, and the immobilisers can go quietly mad. I think there's a way to tell, one's got a red tag or something. Google it.Clutches are awkward as fuck to do on diesel ones, don't know about the KV6 jobs. First sign is normally when they go heavy.Head gaskets, obviously.I secretly like Rover 75s. I'd risk a couple of grand on a posh spec MG ZT-T one with leather and a telly an all that jazz and see how long it lasted. I remember CAR magazine's one blew its motor up in under 15,000 miles. They are good fun. Once left Liverpool in a Rover 75 Diesel at 2 am and was at the Channel Tunnel entrance for 6 am. Didn't feel tired or stressed out from the journey and was comfy all the way. Stopped for coffee twice on the way - drank it in the car, but even so it was bloody good going and felt relaxed. It's exactly 300 miles from here to the Chunnel, and all motorway, but they're impressively good at it. Comfier than an A4 or 3 series.

Each to their own. We used to get the 75 as hire cars for a while and every one of the bloody things gave me back ache.Give me a 3 series or Audi anyday or anything German.. (not a Trabbie though

[ChinaTom]

Once left Liverpool in a Rover 75 Diesel at 2 am and was at the Channel Tunnel entrance for 6 am. Didn't feel tired or stressed out from the journey and was comfy all the way. Stopped for coffee twice on the way - drank it in the car, but even so it was bloody good going and felt relaxed. It's exactly 300 miles from here to the Chunnel, and all motorway, but they're impressively good at it. Comfier than an A4 or 3 series.

Same experience for me. Many trips from Peterborough to Dusseldorf and back in a 75 diesel Connoisseur auto. Bloody great leather armchairs for seats. Bit noisy above 90mph, but stereo drowns it out. One of the few cars my mother doesn't get car-sick in. I'd have one.

[VWPowered]

come in propershite colour schemes

 

[ChinaTom]

 

"ooo that's naaaasty"

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Jesus Christ! Its like being driven around in a double bed. Colour telly, all the toys & that 6 disc autochanger takes the sting off long journeys. Its the Connoisseur so it has electric everything.After we had a good inspection/drive of the car Father Jetronic paid £1600 for it. Almost a quater off the price As a win - It shifts with that 2.5 V6 up front Pics can follow if you want?

[Tayne]

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[VWPowered]

please

[Station]

Once left Liverpool in a Rover 75 Diesel at 2 am and was at the Channel Tunnel entrance for 6 am. Didn't feel tired or stressed out from the journey and was comfy all the way. Stopped for coffee twice on the way - drank it in the car, but even so it was bloody good going and felt relaxed. It's exactly 300 miles from here to the Chunnel, and all motorway, but they're impressively good at it. Comfier than an A4 or 3 series.

I couldn't agree more, I used my brother's to pick up a -settee- in his estate, and it was a quality car. Feel well built as well, could've been a BMW or Jaguar. Poor Rover, they were starting to do so well.

[Rocket88]

I had an estate for a bit, nice car to drive [2.0 v6] but a bit lacking in torque. Very comfy though, and seemed well built. I think they look great, and I foresee future "classic" status.

[CIH]

do we agree they suffered the Wacko Jacko syndrome ie; too many facelifts ?

[dollywobbler]

Yeah. They did chop it around a bit much. I always preferred the looks of the MG to be honest. Something delightfully brutal about them. And the indicators were less of an after-thought.However, the Rover V8 still has to be the ultimate. Stunning car.

[AnthonyG]

do we agree they suffered the Wacko Jacko syndrome ie; too many facelifts ?

It only had one facelift in the UK, but it was a very bad one that ruined the look of the car totally IMHO. The facelift to the MG version wasn't so bad as it was more of a sporty car to start with. The Chinese versions actually look better than the later UK ones. The styling was so right in the beginning, the Jaguar s type, which came out at the same time (they were both previewed at the 98' Motor Show) was compared unfavourably to the Rover. I had a early 2.0 V6 one, lovely car. Keep an eye on the coolant levels, although the KV6s in the 75s aren't as bad as the early ones (used on the last 800/Sterlings). They are also better than the 1.8s.I would have another tomorrow, but it would have to be the diesel I think.

[ChinaTom]

 

This is my old man's facelift diesel Connoisseur SE. This car responds better to some colour / wheel combinations than others. I think this is just about spot-on. The only thing it really lacks is power - the 2.5V6 should tick that box. His isn't exactly slow, just not great for overtaking. The winter setting on the autobox really does make a difference on the ice.