Rover P6, Jaguar XJ6... or something else?

Rover P6, Jaguar XJ6... or something else?

Author
Discussion

P5BNij

15,875 posts

107 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
sun.and.rain said:
You wouldn't want it! It needs a lot of bodywork, sills, rear wheel arches, front wings, front crossmember and rear floor to list the worst. The jacking points won't load bare which is a concern as outwardly the floors and chassis members look solid. I've already spent 100s of hours on it without even starting on the bodywork. I know I spent over 40 hours getting the electrics to work, I can't think of one thing that worked as it should. The radiator burst on it, the previous owner spent $1000 on having the water pump replaced, it wasn't the issue, the header tank was blocked. It took me 5 months to find a new radiator as that style was only fitted for 8 months of production to XK engined cars with AC. They can be a frustrating, expensive and time consuming car to own.
Some s3 XJ6s circa 1979 were like that at one year old.
I still love them though.
On a more positive note are there any years of manufacture for OP to avoid? I believe quality control 1979/80 was "not good". Were the s1s really better? Were the latest ones best of all?

Edited by sun.and.rain on Sunday 11th October 18:00
I've always got the impression from contempory road tests and later classic car mag articles that S1s were very well put together, and the problems at Browns Lane started a year or two into S2 production. Build quality on the early S2s can be patchy (mainly in the interior fittings and paint finish) but there aren't that many survivors anyway.

On another positive note I've just got back home after a very satisfying three hundred mile round trip in my '73 S2 XJ, despite it having sat virtually unused for about two years with the previous owner it drove wonderfully today, it didn't overheat or miss a beat in heavy London traffic. Aside from a tiny bit of wind noise around the n/side front door top (just needs a new seal) it was a joy from start to finish. I'd previously been put off buying one after reading lots of typical BL / 70s horror stories, but find a good one and you won't regret it. Likewise with a good, solid Rover P6.



Edited by P5BNij on Sunday 11th October 19:07

Crosswise

410 posts

187 months

Monday 12th October 2015
quotequote all
Most of the issues with mine were not as a result of poor build quality, but a continued lack of routine maintenance. Because of how things work in WA, it was still road legal with none of the lights working correctly, the brakes hardly working, running hugely rich and leaking fuel, oil and ATF.

I would agree that the S2 probably did suffer from more build quality issues than any other model. Most of these are very unlikely to still cause problems 40 year on though and generally I think the parts quality is very high.

shaunwalls

10 posts

159 months

Monday 12th October 2015
quotequote all
For me a good Jaguar wins the game most times. S1 and S2 XJ6 have been long under valued compared with the daft prices for Aston and Italian sporting saloons of the same era. The scrappage scheme/ high fuel costs and tinworm took many of these out of the pool in the UK and there aren't many good ones left. For me it's a 2 door XJ12 that lights the fuse although a '76 XJS is just about to enter the free road tax band that makes the sub 20 mpg a little more reasonable if you add in classic insurance at £120 pa and the prospect of an increasing value. Interestingly parts are still readily available in UK - I just picked up a remanufactured injection loom for my Daimler Double Six which was not available five years ago.

Whatever you choose, well done on the retro ride journey, it's a way of life smile

pacoryan

671 posts

232 months

Monday 12th October 2015
quotequote all
XJ all day. Left field choice? Fiat 130. Coupé preferably but the saloon is a handsome old thing and cheap as the proverbial chips.

P5BNij

15,875 posts

107 months

Monday 12th October 2015
quotequote all
Reflecting a bit more on yesterday's trip to London in my S2, when I got home and parked the old girl in the garage I actually patted its flanks and gave it 'one last look' before shutting the door for the night, it's a while since I've done that with any car I've owned, old or new. It rode so well that I couldn't believe I was driving a forty two year old car. My rear seat passenger remarked that he felt like a king as we wafted through the traffic in Putney and Hammersmith, and another mate behind us in his Mk1 Granada said he was quite surprised at how nimble it was, not to mention how small it looked compared to the all moderns surrounding us.

The old adage that these cars seem to 'shrink around you' when you're cossetted inside ceretainly rings true.

rovermorris999

5,203 posts

190 months

Monday 12th October 2015
quotequote all
Certainly the ride quality of a series XJ is second to none. The build quality of the mid 70's cars was certainly grim, I remember them new, but by now the worst will have gone and the rest will have hopefully been sorted. I think the key with any classic is to get one that has been used regularly.

P5BNij

15,875 posts

107 months

Monday 12th October 2015
quotequote all
Go on OP, you know you want to...



I'm finding that the more I use it, the more I enjoy it and it certainly seems to thrive on being used properly. I winced a bit when I saw the bill but am now very glad that I spent several quid on getting it back into the shape it deserves to be in, the suspension, cooling system, exhaust and ignition refresh has done it a power of good and has managed to put right a certain amount of neglect which to be fair to the previous owners probably wasn't intentional. Owner number four had it for twenty three years and kept it going very nicely indeed, but subsequently it seems to have sat around for quite some time until it was picked up at auction by the dealer I bought it from. He got it running again and put a new headling in to replace the sagging original, there are still some jobs to do on the interior but just sitting in it gives the impression that it's one hell of a car for the money and a great value classic in so many ways.

Edited by P5BNij on Monday 12th October 20:46


Edited by P5BNij on Monday 12th October 20:55

Tyre Tread

10,535 posts

217 months

Tuesday 13th October 2015
quotequote all
No mention of your P5 ownership experience Nij?

a8hex

5,830 posts

224 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
P5BNij said:
Go on OP, you know you want to...

Now that's just not playing fair!
How is anyone supposed to resist temptation like that!

Tyre Tread said:
No mention of your P5 ownership experience Nij?
To my mind the P5 is such a different car to the P6, and IMHO so much more desirable, even if I do have some fond memories of being driven around in a dark blue P6 in a uniform which looked somewhat similar to the usually occupants of dark blue P6s. Funny how people always seemed to get out of the way.

khd82

Original Poster:

13 posts

103 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
Crosswise said:
You wouldn't want it! It needs a lot of bodywork, sills, rear wheel arches, front wings, front crossmember and rear floor to list the worst. The jacking points won't load bare which is a concern as outwardly the floors and chassis members look solid. I've already spent 100s of hours on it without even starting on the bodywork. I know I spent over 40 hours getting the electrics to work, I can't think of one thing that worked as it should. The radiator burst on it, the previous owner spent $1000 on having the water pump replaced, it wasn't the issue, the header tank was blocked. It took me 5 months to find a new radiator as that style was only fitted for 8 months of production to XK engined cars with AC. They can be a frustrating, expensive and time consuming car to own.

Certainly feel free to get in touch if you need any advice.
sun.and.rain said:
Some s3 XJ6s circa 1979 were like that at one year old.
I still love them though.
On a more positive note are there any years of manufacture for OP to avoid? I believe quality control 1979/80 was "not good". Were the s1s really better? Were the latest ones best of all?

Edited by sun.and.rain on Sunday 11th October 18:00
P5BNij said:
I've always got the impression from contempory road tests and later classic car mag articles that S1s were very well put together, and the problems at Browns Lane started a year or two into S2 production. Build quality on the early S2s can be patchy (mainly in the interior fittings and paint finish) but there aren't that many survivors anyway.

On another positive note I've just got back home after a very satisfying three hundred mile round trip in my '73 S2 XJ, despite it having sat virtually unused for about two years with the previous owner it drove wonderfully today, it didn't overheat or miss a beat in heavy London traffic. Aside from a tiny bit of wind noise around the n/side front door top (just needs a new seal) it was a joy from start to finish. I'd previously been put off buying one after reading lots of typical BL / 70s horror stories, but find a good one and you won't regret it. Likewise with a good, solid Rover P6.



Edited by P5BNij on Sunday 11th October 19:07
Crosswise said:
Most of the issues with mine were not as a result of poor build quality, but a continued lack of routine maintenance. Because of how things work in WA, it was still road legal with none of the lights working correctly, the brakes hardly working, running hugely rich and leaking fuel, oil and ATF.

I would agree that the S2 probably did suffer from more build quality issues than any other model. Most of these are very unlikely to still cause problems 40 year on though and generally I think the parts quality is very high.
Thanks for all the great info guys... much appreciated! There's definitely heaps more series 3 cars available here but given that it's not going to be my daily drive I'm willing to sacrifice a little bit (or maybe a lot depending how unlucky I am) of reliability in exchange for those classic good looks! I guess I'm shallow like that biggrin

Long term though, perhaps if I keep chipping away at my wife she might relent and let me swap one of the horrid econoboxes for a Series 3 daily driver tongue out

shaunwalls said:
For me a good Jaguar wins the game most times. S1 and S2 XJ6 have been long under valued compared with the daft prices for Aston and Italian sporting saloons of the same era. The scrappage scheme/ high fuel costs and tinworm took many of these out of the pool in the UK and there aren't many good ones left. For me it's a 2 door XJ12 that lights the fuse although a '76 XJS is just about to enter the free road tax band that makes the sub 20 mpg a little more reasonable if you add in classic insurance at £120 pa and the prospect of an increasing value. Interestingly parts are still readily available in UK - I just picked up a remanufactured injection loom for my Daimler Double Six which was not available five years ago.

Whatever you choose, well done on the retro ride journey, it's a way of life smile
I have seen some lovely XJ12s available here for around the same money as the XJ6, but for some reason I just find the prospect of DIY mechanics a little daunting on those V12 engines! Perhaps when I've a little more experience, but something tells me that a simpler straight 6 is more the ticket for my current skillset...

P5BNij said:
Go on OP, you know you want to...



I'm finding that the more I use it, the more I enjoy it and it certainly seems to thrive on being used properly. I winced a bit when I saw the bill but am now very glad that I spent several quid on getting it back into the shape it deserves to be in, the suspension, cooling system, exhaust and ignition refresh has done it a power of good and has managed to put right a certain amount of neglect which to be fair to the previous owners probably wasn't intentional. Owner number four had it for twenty three years and kept it going very nicely indeed, but subsequently it seems to have sat around for quite some time until it was picked up at auction by the dealer I bought it from. He got it running again and put a new headling in to replace the sagging original, there are still some jobs to do on the interior but just sitting in it gives the impression that it's one hell of a car for the money and a great value classic in so many ways.

Edited by P5BNij on Monday 12th October 20:46


Edited by P5BNij on Monday 12th October 20:55
Not that I needed much more encouragement, but this really isn't helping! After all this talk and your lovely car I've all but neglected checking my Rover, Triumph and Range Rover searches on the usual aussie sales websites, and I'm drooling over the Jags pretty much non stop.

I've a couple things I need to pay for first (damn school fees, dentistry etc), but a XJ6 is definitely top of my list when there's a little more discretionary income freed up! I'm currently tinkering away on an old 70s Suzuki trailbike I'm sentimentally attached to, but lately I've found myself searching around to see how much it'd contribute to the kitty if it went to a new home scratchchin

khd82

Original Poster:

13 posts

103 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
a8hex said:
To my mind the P5 is such a different car to the P6, and IMHO so much more desirable, even if I do have some fond memories of being driven around in a dark blue P6 in a uniform which looked somewhat similar to the usually occupants of dark blue P6s. Funny how people always seemed to get out of the way.
I must admit the P5 is a very nice car, and probably more comparable with the XJ6 (certainly in the interior appointment)... but around here they seem to command a premium that takes a decent example just out of my price range!

I'm currently drooling over this local example (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ascot/cars-vans-utes/1973-jaguar-xj6-4-2-series-1-/1091924558), and wishing I had the funds ready to warrant taking a look...

It's torture keeping an eye on the listings and not being able to do anything about it, but I want a good idea of the market so that I'll be ready to go when the time is right!

Edited by khd82 on Wednesday 14th October 09:35

P5BNij

15,875 posts

107 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
khd82 said:
a8hex said:
To my mind the P5 is such a different car to the P6, and IMHO so much more desirable, even if I do have some fond memories of being driven around in a dark blue P6 in a uniform which looked somewhat similar to the usually occupants of dark blue P6s. Funny how people always seemed to get out of the way.
I must admit the P5 is a very nice car, and probably more comparable with the XJ6 (certainly in the interior appointment)... but around here they seem to command a premium that takes a decent example just out of my price range!

I'm currently drooling over this local example (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ascot/cars-vans-utes/1973-jaguar-xj6-4-2-series-1-/1091924558), and wishing I had the funds ready to warrant taking a look...

It's torture keeping an eye on the listings and not being able to do anything about it, but I want a good idea of the market so that I'll be ready to go when the time is right!

Edited by khd82 on Wednesday 14th October 09:35
Ah, but the torture is all part of the process! When I put my P5B Coupe up for sale at the tail end of last year I worried like a right old wuss over whether I'd done the right thing or not. I miss it terribly but the thruth is I didn't use it as often as I should have done. In the months leading up to the decision I'd been trawling through online ads for '60s and '70s Jag saloons, at first I was adamant that I wanted a Mk2 (still do), it was definitely at the top of the pecking order for me, then I started looking at S-Types and 420s but had to dismiss MkXs and 420Gs as they're just too big for my garage. I shifted the goalposts a bit more until I'd set my heart on a S1 XJ6 as a really practical proposistion for my first ever Jag. I had a pair of early S1s lined up to see but they both sold on the same day. More fruitless to-ing and fro-ing then lead me down the path of early S2s and I lined two up to go and view, including the one I bought. The first one blew me away initially when I stepped inside the dealer's showroom and saw a gorgeous Sable Brown LWB 3.4 Auto, but looking closer it need a fair bit of work and was a bit crusty underneath the front bumper. Some of the chrome needed sorting out and the headling was making a move towards the floor in the usual '70s Jag fashion so I walked away. It would have been nice to have as the history file said it used to belong to someone who lived very close to me, I thought it was fate but no, I still walked away. That car was bought soon after by another dealer and almost a year later is still unsold with £3k added to the original price tag...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C605471

A few days later I ventured up the motorway to view Jag number two and knew within a few minutes that this was the one for me. It needed work, more than the brown one as it turned out but I now have a fantastic, usable waftmobile and I'm happy that I made the right choice - also as it turns out, if I had bought the brown one I'd have been stuffed as being a LWB it wouldn't fit in the garage, despite being only 4'' longer than the SWB version!

I'd love to have kept the P5B and bought the Jag but sometimes you have to shuffle the deck, scratch that itch and move on!

Edited by P5BNij on Wednesday 14th October 13:04

P5BNij

15,875 posts

107 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
Tyre Tread said:
No mention of your P5 ownership experience Nij?
It hurts too much to admit I sold it on Alan...! Like to think I'll have another one some day, hopefully in my favourite colour combo of Burnt Grey over Silver Birch with Mulberry interior. How did things work out with your lovely Burnt Grey beastie, and the house move...?

khd82

Original Poster:

13 posts

103 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
P5BNij said:
Ah, but the torture is all part of the process! When I put my P5B Coupe up for sale at the tail end of last year I worried like a right old wuss over whether I'd done the right thing or not. I miss it terribly but the thruth is I didn't use it as often as I should have done. In the months leading up to the decision I'd been trawling through online ads for '60s and '70s Jag saloons, at first I was adamant that I wanted a Mk2 (still do), it was definitely at the top of the pecking order for me, then I started looking at S-Types and 420s but had to dismiss MkXs and 420Gs as they're just too big for my garage. I shifted the goalposts a bit more until I'd set my heart on a S1 XJ6 as a really practical proposistion for my first ever Jag. I had a pair of early S1s lined up to see but they both sold on the same day. More ruitless to-ing and fro-ing then lead me down the path of early S2s and I lined two up to go and view, including the one I bought. The first one blew me away initially when I stepped inside the dealer's showroom and saw a gorgeous Sable Brown LWB 3.4 Auto, but looking closer it need a fair bit of work and was a bit crusty underneath the front bumper. Some of the chrome needed sorting out and the headling was making a move towards the floor in the usual '70s Jag fashion so I walked away. It would have been nice to have as the history file said it used to belong to someone who lived very close to me, I thought it was fate but no, I still walked away. That car was bought soon after by another dealer and almost a year later is still unsold with £3k added to the original price tag...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C605471

A few days later I ventured up the motorway to view Jag number two and knew within a few minutes that this was the one for me. It needed work, more than the brown one as it turned out but I now have a fantastic, usable waftmobile and I'm happy that I made the right choice - also as it turns out, if I had bought the brown one I'd have been stuffed as being a LWB it wouldn't fit in the garage, despite being only 4'' longer than the SWB version!

I'd love to have kept the P5B and bought the Jag but sometimes you have to shuffle the deck, scratch that itch and move on!
You're right of course - it's actually quite fun checking the classifieds everyday for new cars! I must admit I'm a little obsessive about it... I've kept a spreadsheet of all the cars I've found with price, notes on condition and photos so that I can make a good assessment of the market in my local area. Don't worry, I know, I'm a total geek nerd

In my defence, Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world and at this price point importing (even from interstate) is pretty much out of the question, so even the Australian price guides that are available aren't much use!

Tyre Tread

10,535 posts

217 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
P5BNij said:
Tyre Tread said:
No mention of your P5 ownership experience Nij?
It hurts too much to admit I sold it on Alan...! Like to think I'll have another one some day, hopefully in my favourite colour combo of Burnt Grey over Silver Birch with Mulberry interior. How did things work out with your lovely Burnt Grey beastie, and the house move...?
Does this answer your question Nij:


Maybe I can sell you mine if I ever have to sell it. ;-)

misterp

10 posts

124 months

Thursday 15th October 2015
quotequote all
Im in Perth, and the club scene is..eerrr...quiet..to say the least. Given our location and the number of residents (~2M) there is alot of really nice cars, but no really 'huge' single club with exception perhaps to something like the Mustang club?
The problem with your original post will be the $$ you have.
Looks like you are already keeping tabs on the cars that come up so you know what your target cars are already, but dont discount something left field (I have a hankering for a Volvo P1800ES at the moment!)
I already have a TR6 and a Jensen Interceptor..no room left!
The only ones that come to mind for that sort of budget are the Jags (XJ6 etc.) and VW Beetles and perhaps some of the local Fords/Holdens, but the odd MG or Triumph (2500/Dolomite etc)may come up from time to time. The old Mercs are also plentiful.
Remember here as well that most cooling systems in the type of cars we are talking about are designed for the Northern hemisphere and so most can and do need work to get them reliable in 35+ degree heat.

Club rego is a god-send, but there are some reasonably strict rules around the rego. From memory you need to remain a paid-up member of the club otherwise your rego is invalid. Some clubs insist on getting annual checks by the club registrar, and you should only drive it on official club events and/or to and from places to get it fixed/serviced.
Saying that however...its cheap as chips once you get it sorted (mines $40 per year smile )

Also, worth remembering that parts supply is a challenge sometimes. More often than not, the postage costs more than the part itself and up to now, anything less than $1000 is GST free...but if the new laws come into effect you may find the falling AUS$, postage costs and the added 10% GST may make even the cheapest part stupidly expensive.

The Jag is an excellent starter and I agree with the 6 being simpler than the V12 (thats why the 12's are cheap!) but parts can be pricey...for my money Id perhaps look at a good MG, TR saloon/Stag perhaps as they can be used as a reliable daily driver if needed, have excellent parts availability, and have a decent local support network in their respective clubs.

Anyway..good luck and drop me a message if I can help.

Edited by misterp on Thursday 15th October 09:20

P5BNij

15,875 posts

107 months

Thursday 15th October 2015
quotequote all
Tyre Tread said:
P5BNij said:
Tyre Tread said:
No mention of your P5 ownership experience Nij?
It hurts too much to admit I sold it on Alan...! Like to think I'll have another one some day, hopefully in my favourite colour combo of Burnt Grey over Silver Birch with Mulberry interior. How did things work out with your lovely Burnt Grey beastie, and the house move...?
Does this answer your question Nij:


Maybe I can sell you mine if I ever have to sell it. ;-)
Well played Sir, well played... looks like you've landed on the set of 'Hart To Hart'!

If the situation ever arises where I'd have somewhere to put it I'd certainly consider taking it off your hands, you know how much I admire your Coupe. Hope that awful vibration problem is now long gone... have you got any hair left mate..?

OP - apologies for continually wandering off topic but you know what it's like with old Jags and Rovers wink

Tyre Tread

10,535 posts

217 months

Thursday 15th October 2015
quotequote all
P5BNij said:
Tyre Tread said:
P5BNij said:
Tyre Tread said:
No mention of your P5 ownership experience Nij?
It hurts too much to admit I sold it on Alan...! Like to think I'll have another one some day, hopefully in my favourite colour combo of Burnt Grey over Silver Birch with Mulberry interior. How did things work out with your lovely Burnt Grey beastie, and the house move...?
Does this answer your question Nij:


Maybe I can sell you mine if I ever have to sell it. ;-)
Well played Sir, well played... looks like you've landed on the set of 'Hart To Hart'!

If the situation ever arises where I'd have somewhere to put it I'd certainly consider taking it off your hands, you know how much I admire your Coupe. Hope that awful vibration problem is now long gone... have you got any hair left mate..?

OP - apologies for continually wandering off topic but you know what it's like with old Jags and Rovers wink
The house isn't as impressive as it looks. It's a project! Room one is just about done - 2 months after we moved in. The vibrations suddenly subsided. No idea what it was. There's still a trace of it but its barely noticeable. Can't believe I rebuilt the engine twice, had everything balanced and it still didn't solve it and then it just went. Bizarre!I have very little hair left bit not entirely the fault of the Rover. We did Italy in the TVR last year -- Was excellent!

Sorry again OP.



khd82

Original Poster:

13 posts

103 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
misterp said:
Im in Perth, and the club scene is..eerrr...quiet..to say the least. Given our location and the number of residents (~2M) there is alot of really nice cars, but no really 'huge' single club with exception perhaps to something like the Mustang club?
The problem with your original post will be the $$ you have.
Looks like you are already keeping tabs on the cars that come up so you know what your target cars are already, but dont discount something left field (I have a hankering for a Volvo P1800ES at the moment!)
I already have a TR6 and a Jensen Interceptor..no room left!
The only ones that come to mind for that sort of budget are the Jags (XJ6 etc.) and VW Beetles and perhaps some of the local Fords/Holdens, but the odd MG or Triumph (2500/Dolomite etc)may come up from time to time. The old Mercs are also plentiful.
Remember here as well that most cooling systems in the type of cars we are talking about are designed for the Northern hemisphere and so most can and do need work to get them reliable in 35+ degree heat.

Club rego is a god-send, but there are some reasonably strict rules around the rego. From memory you need to remain a paid-up member of the club otherwise your rego is invalid. Some clubs insist on getting annual checks by the club registrar, and you should only drive it on official club events and/or to and from places to get it fixed/serviced.
Saying that however...its cheap as chips once you get it sorted (mines $40 per year smile )

Also, worth remembering that parts supply is a challenge sometimes. More often than not, the postage costs more than the part itself and up to now, anything less than $1000 is GST free...but if the new laws come into effect you may find the falling AUS$, postage costs and the added 10% GST may make even the cheapest part stupidly expensive.

The Jag is an excellent starter and I agree with the 6 being simpler than the V12 (thats why the 12's are cheap!) but parts can be pricey...for my money Id perhaps look at a good MG, TR saloon/Stag perhaps as they can be used as a reliable daily driver if needed, have excellent parts availability, and have a decent local support network in their respective clubs.

Anyway..good luck and drop me a message if I can help.

Edited by misterp on Thursday 15th October 09:20
Thanks for the tips misterp... there's a couple of muscle car and motor bike enthusiasts where I work and they also cautioned me on English cars here in Australia! I figure if I keep it as a third car and avoid the absolute peak of summer I should be alright though - unfortunately for me the American/Aussie stuff just doesn't do it for me for some reason.

Thanks for the hints re club membership. I've assumed that "test-driving" for maintenance purposes would also include taking it for a drive after doing my own maintenance to ensure it's working as intended, not just to and from a mechanic. I'm looking to do as much work as possible myself - that's one of the main attractions for me as I like tinkering and I'm looking to step up from messing around with homemade robots, mechanical watches and motorbikes biggrin

khd82

Original Poster:

13 posts

103 months

Saturday 17th October 2015
quotequote all
P5BNij said:
Well played Sir, well played... looks like you've landed on the set of 'Hart To Hart'!

If the situation ever arises where I'd have somewhere to put it I'd certainly consider taking it off your hands, you know how much I admire your Coupe. Hope that awful vibration problem is now long gone... have you got any hair left mate..?

OP - apologies for continually wandering off topic but you know what it's like with old Jags and Rovers wink
Tyre Tread said:
The house isn't as impressive as it looks. It's a project! Room one is just about done - 2 months after we moved in. The vibrations suddenly subsided. No idea what it was. There's still a trace of it but its barely noticeable. Can't believe I rebuilt the engine twice, had everything balanced and it still didn't solve it and then it just went. Bizarre!I have very little hair left bit not entirely the fault of the Rover. We did Italy in the TVR last year -- Was excellent!

Sorry again OP.
No need to apologise for going off-piste - I'm enjoying the relaxed atmosphere around here which in the main seems pretty constructive and not too aggressive!