Rover 600 Diesel 2 litre

[pompei]

FIL took me to see one of these today which his neighbour is selling. It's on an R plate and looks pretty top spec with air con + sunroof. It seems to have 113,000 miles and FIL says that the seller is a 70 something retired engineer with a garage full of vintage and veteran cars and bikes which he maintains himself.

 

Unfortunately he wasn't there but he'd left it open and it looked tidy enough in green with a fetching beige velour upholstery. A couple of scabs on the rear flanks but that looked about it. He's asking £650 which is probably steep and he's rejected an offer of £100! It's got 11 months test but no tax and supposedly plenty of history.

 

I know nothing about these at all. Are they any good and are there any obvious shortcomings? Is the engine turbo'd and is it in any way quick? I'd settle for quick-ish. Any views on price?

 

Thanks in advance

[wuvvum]

These aren't bad motors really. The diesels run an intercooled version of the Perkins Prima-based direct injection diesel - I think it's 105bhp, so they're adequately quick and quite economical. A good one should be nice to drive too, although gearboxes tend to get a bit floppy and the turning circle is crap. Interior plastics are not especially hard-wearing. The scabby rear arches are a common issue on 600s. £650 does sound a bit steep - I'd see that at nearer £400, they're not the most sought after cars.

[ashmicro]

These aren't bad motors really. The diesels run an intercooled version of the Perkins Prima-based direct injection diesel - I think it's 105bhp, so they're adequately quick and quite economical. A good one should be nice to drive too, although gearboxes tend to get a bit floppy and the turning circle is crap. Interior plastics are not especially hard-wearing. The scabby rear arches are a common issue on 600s. £650 does sound a bit steep - I'd see that at nearer £400, they're not the most sought after cars.

Aren't they the L Series, wuv?

[wuvvum]

Aren't they the L Series, wuv?

Yup, you're right, they are. But the L-series is derived from the Prima. I get mixed up with the different BMC / Rover series letters so I avoid using them.

[Milford Cubicle]

The L-series is a great engine, they don't really go wrong and they've got quite a bit of guts about them.

 

I've owned a 600 and my mum's owned a couple of the Accords they're based on. No real issues there either, apart from what wuvvum's mentioned - the front brake discs are behind the hub so a bigger and more costly job than you'd imagine if they're worn out, the rear brake calipers can be a bugger and the electric window switch packs and regulators are failsome.