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

[cort16]

The dizzle estate is the best choice. You just can't do better for around a grand.

I'm mildly obsessed with the price of facelift 75's and Zt's. You can get an 05 1.8 ZT for about £1300. Okay so you might get a k-series steam bath but these are heading for Shity Rover type low low prices.

[dollywobbler]

I'm sure age comes into it. At 175k, it's not exactly brand new. It isn't in any way horrific, but nor is it entirely jiggle free. I am very harsh and I do compare it with hydropneumatic Citroens, which are darned near unbeatable over most terrain. Looking forward to putting some serious miles on it this week so I'll report back after a longer stint at the wheel.

 

I really wouldn't go for a 1.8. It isn't just the HGF fear. It just doesn't seem enough engine for what's meant to be a luxury car. It'd be as disappointing as a P6 2000SC - which from personal experience is VERY disappointing.

[freebird]

Have to agree about the 1.8. My 75 was the 2.0 V6 which actually was discontinued as i bought mine then got reinstated for some reason. A 2.0V6 sounds all well and good and, if you put your foot through the accelerator pedal, it would move swiftly through the gears, however, at motorway speeds, i found it a bit flat, in particular, if you wanted to go from 50 or 60 to 70 and the like. Actually, scrub that, the engine was VERY flat at those kinds of speeds. The ZT was the complete opposite,very swift in all gears.

Apart from price, i cannot for the life of me see any good in the 1.8, i can only imagine having to work it hard, heavy fuel consumption and the feeling that you are thrashing it everywhere. Hey, ho, whatever floats your boat, right?

[ashmicro]

1.8 75 is alright for what it is. If you need more power, jiggery-pokery with the throttle body (ie changing it for a bigger one) is possible - the one from a T Series will fit with a bit of fiddling. If you get your 1800cc 75 cheap enough and intend to keep it, spending a few quid on an MLS gasket set and bolts and a used T series TB is money well spent. Provided, of course, you do the work yourself.

[scooters]

The 1.8 is a giffer's car - especially in SE Conniseur top of the range spec!

 

as such it demands RESPEK

 

 

To be fair to Ian, the oil burning estate speaks Ex Montego Countryman Owner rather than giffer!

[cort16]

I've been having worrying thoughts about this "classic" facelift 1.8 75 Giffermobile, which is about to go through an Auction in Glasgow. Check out the trimz man.

http://www.intercitymotorauctions.co.uk/stock_new.aspx?lot=312&site=glasgow&salenumber=2859

[wuvvum]

A 2.0V6 sounds all well and good and, if you put your foot through the accelerator pedal, it would move swiftly through the gears, however, at motorway speeds, i found it a bit flat, in particular, if you wanted to go from 50 or 60 to 70 and the like. Actually, scrub that, the engine was VERY flat at those kinds of speeds.

This. Mine's a 2.0 V6 and you have to rev the nads off it to get it moving at a decent lick. It does sound nice when you do this though, although I can't see it doing wonders for the fuel economy.

[scooters]

I've been having worrying thoughts about this "classic" facelift 1.8 75 Giffermobile, which is about to go through an Auction in Glasgow. Check out the trimz man.

http://www.intercitymotorauctions.co.uk/stock_new.aspx?lot=312&site=glasgow&salenumber=2859

 

 

be rude not to! Can't see it going for more than a few hundred quid - these are 2 a penny on the bay.

 

Interesting auction - my choices would be the 52 Plate Omega 2.2, the 1999 Mondeo ST24 - (oooh yerrs) and the Standard Pennant!!! - looks quite tidy as well

[barrett]

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

 

With all due RESTCP to Mr. Wobbler, I hardly think he is a barometer for what is or is not 'in fashion'

 

Nice buy anyway Ian, although quite surprising for me that these are in shite territory yet, they still seem like a new car to me...

[dollywobbler]

With all due RESTCP to Mr. Wobbler, I hardly think he is a barometer for what is or is not 'in fashion'

 

Ha ha! The man speaketh the truth! I don't even know what fashion is.

 

Nice buy anyway Ian, although quite surprising for me that these are in shite territory yet, they still seem like a new car to me...

 

It still feels far too new to be honest, so not sure it's really shite. It isn't nice and simple like most of the shite I own that's for sure.

 

Just had the gearbox oil changed - glad I paid a tenner for my mate to do it on his ramp! Didn't cure the 3rd gear crunch, but was worth a shot. Did give me a chance to glance at the underside. Front discs are a bit ropey, which explains the brake pedal judder at times. All good underneath though, bar a heat shield that had come adrift. The shite-tastic repair of using a cable tie will do for a bit.

 

I'm still finding my feet with the car, but haven't yet found the ideal driving position. I don't seem able to get the steering wheel far enough away. I like to stretch my arms but if I do that, I can't reach the pedals... Handling is definitely on the soft side. It steers much more precisely than the Saab did, but you'd never call it a hoon-mobile. That's not really the point though. It's ridiculously tall in its gearing though. 60mph is less than 2000rpm! Downside is that I find myself having to drop out of fifth gear far more often than I do in the BX.

 

It's too quiet as well, which is fine, but there are some trim rattles. Annoying. Must dig out my cassettes... (yes, it has a cassette player! Extra shite points).

[Justin Case]

Hope that I'm not hi-jacking your thread, but this one seems to tick a lot of boxes too, although isn't it near the dreaded cambelt change? Auction on Thursday at Brightwells, Leominster, Herefordshire; it will be interesting to see what it goes for, especially at that mileage. Could it be down in the land of AS?

 

 

Lot number 4

Make Rover

Description 75 Saloon 2.5 V6 Contemporary Se 4dr Auto

Registration AV05RWL

Year 2005

Colour Graphite Grey,

Mileage 74829 miles warranted,

Other Info V5 here, MoT 24 Jul'12, Black Leather, Electric Memory Seats, Climate Control, CD Player, Alloy Wheels, Electric Windows, Remote Locking, 2 x Keys, On Site, No Major Mechanical Faults, No VAT.

[cort16]

My Alfa has a cassette multi changer. I've never seen it on another car but there's probably a reason for that.

 

edit. That 75 looks loverly. Where's that coming up?

[Justin Case]

That 75 looks loverly. Where's that coming up?

 

Sorry, it's at Brightwells in Leominster, just North of Hereford, who also have a big weekly 4x4 auction and classic car auctions from time to time. (Earlier post now edited )

[barefoot]

I agree with the consensus that they are a classic in waiting, here's my two penneth that I copied & pasted from somewhere

(apparently in December '07)

 

"A nice surprise is that Longbridge cars are better built than Oxford cars with better handling.

The easy way to distinguish a Longbridge (MG Rover) built 75 from a Oxford (BMW) built 75 is that

Longbridge 75s have body colour sills and Oxford built cars have black sills.

 

It has a cassette player (they were little square things that came before CD's but were a bit crap).

 

I don't really know if its correct, but it might break the ice at parties.

[jonathan_dyane]

 

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.

 

You wanna try the W201. To sit behind me you'd have to be a double amputee...

[scooters]

call me Mildred but I prefer the pre facelift 75's which look properly British - not these sausage eating, jackboot wearing, Poland yearning aggressive looking later cars!

[dollywobbler]

You're right Scooters, but how about a 2007 registered 75 for just £2k? http://tinyurl.com/62qnuwo

[ashmicro]

That's a turbo petrol. The trade are scared shitless of them, hence this seller wanting shot of it quick.

[chaseracer]

A turbocharged K-series? What could go wrong...?

[ashmicro]

A turbocharged K-series? What could go wrong...?

 

 

I've almost finished building a supercharged one, so Gawd knows what that'll do.

[AnthonyG]

"A nice surprise is that Longbridge cars are better built than Oxford cars with better handling.

The easy way to distinguish a Longbridge (MG Rover) built 75 from a Oxford (BMW) built 75 is that

Longbridge 75s have body colour sills and Oxford built cars have black sills.

 

 

I wouldn't say that Longbridge cars are better built, they had a equally high standard of build at both places. What is true is that MGR cheapened the parts quality during the cars life - moving from real wood to fake wood on the dash etc. This was all under the auspices of Project Drive, which is detailed on AROnline. My preference would be a Cowley or early Longbridge car.

 

Personally I couldn't have a facelift 75 unless I intended to put the earlier front back on. I think they are hideous, like someone has stuffed a pair of Japanese superbike headlights into the front bumpers, and the whole front bumper assembly never sits true to the body anyway.

 

What Peter Stevens was thinking I have no idea, his MG supercar thing was equally hideous. I guess at that point it was a case of making the best of very limited funds. I don't mind the MG facelift as the less drastic changes are more in keeping with the character of the car.

[AnthonyG]

It's too quiet as well, which is fine, but there are some trim rattles. Annoying. Must dig out my cassettes... (yes, it has a cassette player! Extra shite points).

 

You sure there's not a CD changer hiding somewhere Ian?

[dollywobbler]

There is. Found it in the glovebox! Silly me, thought a glovebox was for storing things in...

[dollywobbler]

Got bored. Grabbed a lamp and had a play with lighting. I really need a tripod.

 

External shots really didnt' work. I shall attempt to add to my kit collection at some point and will try again!

[Lord Sterling]

That looks really nice Ian, I must try that someday, all I need is a tartan rug. Anyone?

[dollywobbler]

Actually, that's just Welsh weather... (I did Rain-X the side glass earlier though, for much beading!)

[RobT]

Good photos there Ian. Rover interiors were always a cut above, the 75 being no exception.

 

What's the insurance like on it? I presume you had to get a normal policy for this as it's not a pre-91.

[dollywobbler]

Good photos there Ian. Rover interiors were always a cut above, the 75 being no exception.

 

What's the insurance like on it? I presume you had to get a normal policy for this as it's not a pre-91.

 

Gawd knows what the insurance will be like. I've switched the Mini onto my classic policy (adding my wife and also taking off the Saab and Range Rover - for no admin charge! Thanks Peter James!) and Direct Line, who previously insured the Mini, covered the Rover with me as main driver for an extra £70. I await the renewal in July with some trepidation...

[Cavcraft]

Are there a nicer set of dashboard clocks on a car of that era anywhere? Haven't seen them if so.

[RobT]

July is a long way away, you'll have sold it by then I'm with Peter James too and it cost me £30 to add the BX which aint bad.