Rover SD3 - 216SE EFi MK1 - only two left!
Discussion
Just bought this little Rover 216 SE Efi Auto. It's a 1989 F reg, and has covered just 54000 miles from new. An elderly couple have owned it since Feb 1997, during which time it has covered just 4500 miles!
Overall ,it's not in bad nick, as the pictures show. The engine is particularly clean, and it's not even leaking very much from the rocker gasket!
All the electrics seem to work, and it even has the original Rover stereo.The interior is A1 apart from a sagging headlining, and I will have to learn how to deal with this properly - it's not a major issue, but i'll try and get it done.
Body is ok and pretty straight - just a ding in the front panel in between the headlights and a trolley dent in the OSR door. The NSR wheelarch will need replacing at some point, as it is rusting in a couple of places, and the OSR will be heading the same way in a few years, as it is just starting to bubble now. Fortunately both arches and sills are still available for these SD3 Rovers, so it will be able to be done properly.
A quick look on How Many Left show it to be just one of two left on our roads at present, so I do think that it will be worth while getting the bits of rust sorted properly, but at present it's not a major issue.
Seems to drive OK - bit of wheel wobble at 70 MPH needs looking at, but otherwise it's fine!
I'm not really sure why I've ended up with it to be honest, but it is very clean and tidy so will be worth keeping up and together , and over time I hope to be able to get it looking immaculate again!
Some gratuitous pics -
Not much compared to some of the stuff on here, but it would be nice to try and keep it on the road - there are less than 300 left combined of all the 213s/216s made now!
Overall ,it's not in bad nick, as the pictures show. The engine is particularly clean, and it's not even leaking very much from the rocker gasket!
All the electrics seem to work, and it even has the original Rover stereo.The interior is A1 apart from a sagging headlining, and I will have to learn how to deal with this properly - it's not a major issue, but i'll try and get it done.
Body is ok and pretty straight - just a ding in the front panel in between the headlights and a trolley dent in the OSR door. The NSR wheelarch will need replacing at some point, as it is rusting in a couple of places, and the OSR will be heading the same way in a few years, as it is just starting to bubble now. Fortunately both arches and sills are still available for these SD3 Rovers, so it will be able to be done properly.
A quick look on How Many Left show it to be just one of two left on our roads at present, so I do think that it will be worth while getting the bits of rust sorted properly, but at present it's not a major issue.
Seems to drive OK - bit of wheel wobble at 70 MPH needs looking at, but otherwise it's fine!
I'm not really sure why I've ended up with it to be honest, but it is very clean and tidy so will be worth keeping up and together , and over time I hope to be able to get it looking immaculate again!
Some gratuitous pics -
Not much compared to some of the stuff on here, but it would be nice to try and keep it on the road - there are less than 300 left combined of all the 213s/216s made now!
lyricalgangster said:
Looks great, nice one!
I am surprised at how 'square' these look - I dont remember them looking so angular...
Was the top of the range model called vitesse?
I have a fondness for off the wall car purchases like these...good call OP
Either the Vitesse or the Vanden Plas, depending on your point of view I am surprised at how 'square' these look - I dont remember them looking so angular...
Was the top of the range model called vitesse?
I have a fondness for off the wall car purchases like these...good call OP
My first car was a 216SE E251XSB
In a champagne gold colour. Fantastic car and quite quick for an18 yr old to drive.
Had a wee bit of rust on the boot lid but that apart was a great car. Although that was 20 years ago!!!
My aunt sold me it cheap but after initial year the insurance went sky high £1200 and had to get rid of for a lesser motor!
Loved that car
In a champagne gold colour. Fantastic car and quite quick for an18 yr old to drive.
Had a wee bit of rust on the boot lid but that apart was a great car. Although that was 20 years ago!!!
My aunt sold me it cheap but after initial year the insurance went sky high £1200 and had to get rid of for a lesser motor!
Loved that car
Liquid Knight said:
Bloody Hell she's immaculate. Very good buy there. The 70mph wobble could be tyre balance as the car's done so few miles they could have resettled since they were fitted. Failing that track control ends are good for about 60,000 so that's where I'd look next. 
Actually, with the miles it's not done the tyres could well be more than 15 years old - best to check the ages of the tyres (on the sidewall) before going any further IMO since old tyres can get brittle and go pop at inopportune moments.Great find i would say its well worth keeping.
I had a V/P 216 efi years ago and was surprised how nippy it was .
I never had a single mechanical problem with that car, even the rocker gaskets didnt leak.
They were such a underrated car, a far better car than the ford escort in my opinion .
I had a V/P 216 efi years ago and was surprised how nippy it was .
I never had a single mechanical problem with that car, even the rocker gaskets didnt leak.
They were such a underrated car, a far better car than the ford escort in my opinion .
Look what's on my watch list now you git....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/austin-montego-1-6-l-/32...
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/austin-montego-1-6-l-/32...
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