Which 75?

Neal P2
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Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:05 pm

Which 75?

Post by Neal P2 » Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:06 pm

Dear all,
I have recently been considering a 75 for a modern car. Having read many different reviews of the different models they seem to point to the diesel versions to go for. They suggest the V6 versions are thirsty and the 1800 'k' series units are prone to the same gasket problems of the other Rovers that used them.

I just wondered if anyone has had experiences of the 75 - They seem to be such good value at the moment and there doesn't seem to be much price difference between the models.

Thanks in advance
Neal

GOY189
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Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:08 pm

Re: Which 75?

Post by GOY189 » Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:52 am

Hi Neal,

The Diesel is certainly favourite, that having been said, I have driven petrol 1.8 models and was impressed. If Its any recommendation, The 75 is the car of choice forat least 7 committee members.

Regards

Mike Maher

Neal P2
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Re: Which 75?

Post by Neal P2 » Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:55 pm

Hi Mike,

Thanks for that - I have since read that the cylinder head gasket problems of the 1.8 'K' engines was sorted out on the later cars. I would be interested to know if this is the case or if anyone has heared otherwise.

Thanks again

Neal

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47p2
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Re: Which 75?

Post by 47p2 » Fri Feb 26, 2010 1:48 pm

Sadly I know of a number of people who have had HGF on the 75 series Rovers

Neal P2
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Re: Which 75?

Post by Neal P2 » Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:14 pm

Yes - this is what was worrying me about the 1.8 versions, but reading as much as I can on them from various websites they seem to suggest Rover sorted it out in the end with better gasket design. The thing is I can't find seem to find out how late the models have to be to have been 'cured'.

regards

Neal

andrewmcg
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Re: Which 75?

Post by andrewmcg » Sat Feb 27, 2010 5:39 pm

Hi Neal

I have owned a 1999 2.5 petrol saloon for 9 years with 85,000 on the clock and a 2.0 diesel estate for 5 years with 63,000 on the clock, they are both automatic Connoisseur SE models purchased second hand with low mileage and one owner.

I am very pleased with both of them, other than regular services and tyres no real problems except a cam sensor and cambelts replaced on the 2.5 saloon.

With ATC on the 2.5 averages 25/30mpg around town and 35/37 on long motor-way runs ( I understand this is as good if not better than the 2.0), the diesel 35/38 and 45/48 respectively, with ATC off both return 2/3mpg better.

Of the two, I find the 2.5 saloon the more relaxing and enjoyable to drive, it is more responsive, nippier and quieter (no doubt to some extent because it is a saloon), and as of now would not hesitate in buying another should the need arise.

The decision between petrol or diesel is down to personal choice, no doubt better consumption and the saving on belt changes probably gives the diesel an advantage. I personally would not consider either a 1.8 or 2.0 petrol as they seem much more prone to HGF, as is evidenced by the number for sale on ebay as 'non runners' due to suspected HGF, the 2.5 seems much less prone, but no doubt it can happen.

Regards
Andrew

Neal P2
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Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:05 pm

Re: Which 75?

Post by Neal P2 » Sat Feb 27, 2010 6:05 pm

Hi Andrew,

Thank you very much for giving your experiences with the 75's - I will certainly consider the 6 cylinder models now. The mpg sounds quite reasonable especially being automatic also.
Is there any problem regarding garage servicing - concerning parts / specialist servicing etc.?

Many thanks

Neal

andrewmcg
Posts: 120
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:40 pm

Re: Which 75?

Post by andrewmcg » Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:56 am

Good morning Neal

Following Rovers demise I continued using the Rover dealer in Bury St Edmunds for a while, as despite switching to Ford they still had the same mechanics in their workshop together with all the Rover servicing equipment. I think most ex Rover dealers , despite their new dealership are still interested in servicing Rover cars.

However over the last few years I have used a local garage in Kirtling, it is owned by fellow RSR member Chris Whitehead, who has excellent workshops and does a super job. Many members use him to overhaul and/or rebuild their P1 and P2 engines and gearboxes.

As far as parts go I have never had any problems as far as servicing requirements go, however so far I have never needed body parts but I understand Rimmers and X-part are useful contacts for parts, and of course Ebay always has a large amount of second hand and sometimes even genuine new parts for sale.

You may already know of it but a useful forum for the Rover 75 owners is - www.75andztclub.com -, I have found several posts of interest, in particular the fact that in freezing conditions a diesel engine takes considerably longer to reach operating temperature. This is exactly what I had noticed in our recent cold spell, the diesel engine took anything up to 6/8 miles to reach operating temp against 2 miles with the petrol engine.

Happy hunting
Regards
Andrew

Neal P2
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Re: Which 75?

Post by Neal P2 » Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:08 pm

Thanks again Andrew - this is very helpful and much appreciated

regards

Neal

Paul Gregory
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Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:20 pm

Re: Which 75?

Post by Paul Gregory » Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:35 am

Hello Neal,
There seems to have already been some good information provided on this thread but I thought it worth adding my experience as well. I have now been running 75's for the last 10 years and have covered about 130K miles with them . I run a 2.5 litre auto which I bought new in 2000, which has about 65K on it - I bought it with the intention of keeping it long term so it has not been used as the daily hack, hence its fairly low mileage. It has however spent a fair bit of time towing our caravan up and down the country...quite regularly to the RSR National rallies. I also have a 2002 2.5 litre manual which had 29K on it when I bought it privately in 2005, it now has 101K as I use it as my main vehicle. I agree with the V6 consumption figures which Andrew has mentioned, and probably get a couple of extra mpg out of the manual. When towing the caravan I usually get about 20mpg out of the auto. Overall I probably prefer driving the auto, although that may be due to the fact that it is a nice change from the daily use of the manual.
Andrew has already mentioned the need for cam belt changes on the V6 - this isn't a five minute job for a back street mechanic - there are three belts to change and it is better to also change the tensioner while you are in there. It is really a days work and should be undertaken using the proper tools, so costs a good few quid to have done, although that is certainly less than the cost of an engine should one fail. If memory serves me right the belts should be changed at 6 years or 90K whichever comes first.
You will probably be aware from reading around the subject that the engine cooling fans on certainly some of the earlier cars have been prone to fail. This can inevitably lead to overheating, and almost certainly won't have helped out some of the 1.8 litres. I have had two fans fail on my auto car, but have not had a problem on the other one.I actually believe the true fault wasn't properly traced on failure of the first one, hence the second one - there was a fault in the fuse box so this had to be replaced as well. I've also experienced a problem with the autobox, which ended up with me having it changed for a new one as one became available. It has all been OK since. I suspect some of the problems I have had are due to the vehicle having longish period of inactivity, usually over the winter to keep the salt off it.
I know Andrew has posted a link to another forum which has useful info available, you may also wish to have a look at http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/index.php The site Andrew mentioned and this one started together but split apart which seems so often to be the case with clubs. I am certain there is a fair bit of knowledge and experience within the RSR now about the 75's, so if you want more info please do ask.
Regards
Paul
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