My new Rover 75 - old man's car innit?

[dollywobbler]

Ah yes, the label of ageism is upon me already according to some of my friends. Insert Werther's Originals and tartan blanket jokes here for I am now a Rover 75 owner!

 

Despite some issues (not-cold aircon, third gear's a bit crunchy) I decided that the Rover 75 was worth going for as a direct swap for my Rangie. I was sad to see the old Range Rover go to be honest, as it's been very useful and a lot of fun. However, I've got a lot of miles to do soon and the Rover will be the ideal tool for the job.

 

Here's how she looks. She needs a wash...

 

Yes, those are pink flowers. Ugh!

 

Classy

 

It's the full-spec Connoisseur SE with BMW diesel power (very smooth and quiet, even under the bonnet) and the estate shape should be usefully practical. To be honest, it feels slightly shite in some respects, with some very non-quality trim rattles to be tracked down. I find the 'amazingly comfortable ride' mentioned by all of the press that drove it new to be slightly laughable too. It's good, but it's not Citroen good.

 

Now off to read the handbook so I can work out how all the electronic bumf works. There are buttons for everything!

[ashmicro]

Win. Check the gear oil level, and the fluid level for the clutch. Clutch slave is an ARSE on these. Nice motor, though. Note: despite the BMW diseasel engine, these don't have the swirl-pish-flaps, so no OM NOM NOM valves/head/turbo to worry about.

[myglaren]

Congrats DW.

Same spec as my daughter's but newer.

She could have done with an estate, the amount of crap she lugs around.

 

I find the 'amazingly comfortable ride' mentioned by all of the press that drove it new to be slightly laughable too. It's good, but it's not Citroen good.

You clearly haven't compared it with a C5 estate

[Shep Shepherd]

Best. Spec. Ever. The flowers have to go, though!

[wuvvum]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Rover 75 ownership. I agree about the ride - it's still pretty good though for a modern car with standard suspension. And they do go round corners quite well.

 

Tip: be careful if you ever need to fold the door mirrors in - they're not the most robust of things. Ask me how I know.

[gadgetgricey]

Just make sure you check the drain hole under the wipers on the passenger side.

 

There will be a lot more info on the Rover forums, but its a known fault.

 

Drain hole gets blocked and the ECU then sits in its own little bath of water.

 

Cleared it twice on my mates ZT, amazing the first time as the connector on the bottom of the ECU was submerged.

 

Nice cars BTW. Keep the flowers

 

- Dave -

[dollywobbler]

Thanks. Drain checking is high on the To Do list, as is the usual trick of the air con NOT making the cooling fan run at low speed. A duff resistor usually to blame for that.

 

Fully aware of OMG CLUTCH KAOS on these, but it feels like a synchro issue as all other gears (including reverse) are entirely crunch free. Gearbox oil level check will be a priority. Might even do it tomorrow if I get chance (bet I find it needs some fancy special tool I don't have...)

[hairnet]

the only 2 reasons to buy these

 

dizzle

 

estate

 

nice one

[ChinaTom]

Typical, just as they come into fashion, I get rid of mine. I'll miss it.

[Guest]

Well done sir - I hope to have one of these when they are below £1000 for a very good one.

[Lankytim]

Nice motor! I love every aspect of it, except the colour. I hate gold cars, but there you go..

 

These have been creeping closer and closer to my kind of money for a while now. One of Mrs Lankytim's ex BF's dad had one. Thats why we can never own one, apparently

[dollywobbler]

Would she notice that an MG ZT-T is almost entirely the same car? Somehow, the MG just doesn't seem so shite though.

[theorganist]

Nice one! I think these are lovely looking and I am sure future classic material. Definately one for the "must own one in the future list".

[Cavcraft]

Nice one! I think these are lovely looking and I am sure future classic material. Definately one for the "must own one in the future list".

 

+1.

 

Has it got leather, Ian? The interior on these are bloody ace and a really nice place to be. The estate version actually looks nicer (imho) they have that sort of classy, bank manager-y look about them and are quite sort of subltely different to other cars from the era.

[AnthonyG]

Has it got leather, Ian? The interior on these are bloody ace

 

If it's a Connoisseur SE it should have.

[RedSparrow]

Lovely. I'm really starting to warm to late MGR stuff. There are some right bargains to be had.

Enjoy it!

[dollywobbler]

Sure is leather!

 

I've never owned such a luxurious car. Well, the Alfa 164 Lusso got close (nearly all of the seat motors worked on that, they ALL seem to work on the Rover). I love the way the 75 seats deliberately look like those from a P6 in their base.

 

It's got lots of really sensible convenience features too - that actually are convenient. One press of the blipper gets just the driver's door open. Great for 95% of the time. I've long wondered why more cars don't have this. The memory on the seats can be programmed to the two different keys too - so when your wife hops aboard with the spare key, it automatically adjusts the seat for her. That's delicious geek-tech.

 

It's annoying in a way. This Rover is the most modern car I've owned in years and I'd sort of convinced myself that I hate moderns. Yes, it does share some of the downsides - like an A post that a Hummer can hide behind and lots of things that go Bleep - but I really like it.

 

So, it'll be for sale in about three week's time then!

[The Moog]

That is proper lovelyness...

[Lord Sterling]

WIN4R

 

Love these Rover 75s, theres something nice and unique about them. I always admire them. Driven a few and never had any complaints apart the 1.8 which is a bit gutless to say the least. The interior of a Rover 75 is a nice place to be, it has to be said.

 

Yes, as a Rover owner, I've yet to do the tartan blanket/panama hat on rear parcel shelf and walking stick in the back thing, but I'll get around to doing it. I think my Nan had a spare tartan blanket.....

[RoadworkUK]

My 825 came with a tartan rug on the rear shelf! Just the thing for the thirty year old about town.

 

Welcome to Roverdom, and with a very nice car indeed. I can see myself in a ZT at some point. It's almost inevitable, really.

[ashmicro]

 

Where 5 is the filler and 6 is the drain. Normal 15mm or 17mm bolts of memory serves.

[eddyramrod]

That interior does look like a really pleasant place to sit, well done. The 75 is quite popular over here, I know at least two owners; don't see many ZTs or estates though.

 

And I have tartan rugs on the back shelf of the Granada....

[Cavcraft]

My 825 came with a tartan rug on the rear shelf! Just the thing for the thirty year old about town.

 

Welcome to Roverdom, and with a very nice car indeed. I can see myself in a ZT at some point. It's almost inevitable, really.

+1. There's a blue ZT for sale over the road from work by a kerb side Arthur Daily type. Called the number on the screen but it doesn't seem to exist. From the writing though either a pissed up spider fell into some ink or the vendor is a weapons grade spacker.

[dollywobbler]

Thanks Mr Micro. Have already seen pics of where the filler/drain are. Access seems pretty horrific! I might have to farm the job out to my trusted local place as we're still ripping the house apart and trying to install a heating system. Not got time to tinker and I suspect access is much improved with use of a ramp!

 

Hoping I never have to replace the thermostat either. Seems to be buried down the front of the engine somewhere! My joy may be somewhat tainted by trying to work on the thing...

[scooters]

You old giffer!

 

Have you got a tweed homburg?

 

Is your application in for the bowling club?

 

Remember to drive 40% under the speed limit

 

I recommend a Peterson System pipe and a good beginners tobacco of Clan which is readily available in most newsagents.

[dollywobbler]

I've got a corduroy trilby...

 

No chance I'm driving it below the speed limit though. It handles too nicely! So quiet at 60mph that staying at 60mph is actually a challenge...

[gadgetgricey]

Do you know if its a 115 bhp or 125 bhp?

 

Its been a while but remember a lot of people have tuning boxs supplied by "Rover Ron" on the Rover forum, that gives more power for a little tuning box.

 

Might want to look into that if it interests you.

 

Love the 75's, but it always amazes me how such a big car can have such a small amount of rear leg room.

 

Cheers

 

- Dave -

[dollywobbler]

It's the 115bhp. The 135bhp only came in during 2003 apparently. Goes well enough for me, so I won't be going the tuning route. Well, unless I start getting MAF woes in which case I might...

 

The legroom's not that bad. Hardly luxurious but easily better than a W124 Merc, or even the one after that. Amazes me that such cramped vehicles are so popular as German taxis! Anyway, I sit up front, so all's well.

[warren t claim]

 

The legroom's not that bad. Hardly luxurious but easily better than a W124 Merc, or even the one after that. Amazes me that such cramped vehicles are so popular as German taxis! Anyway,

 

This ^^^^^ I'm shocked how cramped my W124 is in the back. Woeful packaging.

[freebird]

Got to say, im a tad suprised regarding the comments about the ride. I bought a 75 club SE when it was only a few months old back in 2002 and i found the ride to be excellent, infact, i prefered the soft, warm cloth seats to the leather. Are we talking about a car that has racked up the miles here? Could the standard of ride comfort have something to do with normal wear and tear to a 10 year old car? Is the judgement a little harsh?

Ive also owned a ZT190 and you cannot compare one to a 75!!! One of the best handling cars ive ever owned, cornered on rails and felt like a completely differnt car to the point that, if blindfolded, you would never know they shared the same bodyshell/platform.

Perhaps its just me being all misty eyed and remembering two cars that were virtually new, stll taught, still fresh and, at the time, good value.