RE: Shed Of The Week
Friday 4th January 2008
The Rover 600 was a car that was entering into road tests with the big guns like Ford and Vauxhall, but still managed to hold its head up high. It wasn’t even bad looking and managed topick up a design award or two. But the turbo version had another trick up its sleeve – it was very, very fast. Packing 197bhp in 1994 was headline grabbing stuff, bearing in mind the mighty Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth of a few years earlier made do with only 7bhp more.The 620ti was the car that would take the fight to BMW and as far as bangs for bucks it had the Germans licked.
16” six-spoke alloys? Check. Rubbish wood trim? Check. Dark half-leather seats? Check. Wheelspin of biblical proportions? Highly likely. This car would hit 60mph in seven seconds and as you hammered past people at over 145mph they could only conclude that you were extremely late for a whist drive. To use the car like a hot hatch was to miss the point, this was an effective high-speed cruiser, and the 2.0 litre engine was smooth and refined. Some people said the only way you knew you were going so fast was to look at the speedo, which probably wasn’t a good idea when the turbo was spooling up.
We found this example on autotrader.co.uk and I can’t imagine many around this good. It has just 77,000 miles and is in gleaming ‘Nightfire Red’ which has always been my personal favourite. The seller claims it is in excellent condition and has recently had a full service. There appears to be stacks of history to back up the mileage, and it recently had a full service. The cambelt has been done recently, and there is a new clutch and exhaust. New tyres at the front are a huge bonus and should be good for another 50 miles and the other two are nearly new. There are heated mirrors, electric sunroof, ABS, the list goes on, with everything in perfect working order. This is a fast Rover that didn’t need an MG badge stuck on to give it credibility. It really is jolly tempting.
gleaming metallic nightfire red, this is a stunning example with very rare ultra low mileage. Immaculate inside & out with 6 Months MOT (12th June, 2008). Full service history including a recent full service and loads of receipts. The cambelt has also been done. New exhaust AND clutch last year (less than 4,000 miles ago) plus 2 new Pirelli P6000 tyres on the front - the other 2 are nearly new as is spare. 4 x Electric windows, electric heated mirrors, electric sun roof, ABS, remote central locking & alarm (with 2 fobs / keys). Aircon just regassed and very efficient. 16" 6 Spoke sports alloy wheels. Half leather 'Regency' interior with electric height adjustment on the driver?s seat and a brand new set of tailored floor mats. Everything is in perfect working order. A very clean, comfortable, reliable car - a pleasure to drive and a sought after model. Completely original and well loved / maintained. Surprisingly good on insurance (cost me just over £300 fully comprehensive with protected NCD). Baby on the way forces reluctant sale. £999. ono
SOTW: Rover 620ti
Move over grandad, this Rover's mine...
The British car industry hasn’t always been completely screwed. This car may look like a mini cab but this is a Rover 620ti - that’s ‘t’ as in ‘turbo’ - and it represents a time when we could at least pretend that Rover was on the up. To be honest we probably all knew it wasn’t but at least it gave us a glimmer of hope.
Who cares that it was basically a Honda in drag and you looked like a geriatric joy rider, the 620ti was a (slightly) desirable car that made people proud of Rover. We knew that with the 620ti Britain was back on the motoring map and the rest of the world knew not to mess. Of course it all went wrong not long after that but there are a few examples of this road warrior still around.
1994 ROVER 600 620 Ti 4dr Saloon £999 ono
Manual, 72,000 miles, This is the 197bhp turbo version of Rover's flagship luxury model (built to compete with BMW / Mercedes). A very refined, well equipped, quick car (0-60 in 7.0 seconds and on to 147mph) with surprisingly good fuel economy (driven well and running high octane (99ron) fuel can achieve 30-35 mpg). In
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If you are wondering what happened to the Peugeot 205 GTI we bought I’ll give you a quick update. Unfortunately we have become rather attached to it so mostly I’ve been driving it around, and it has been totally reliable. We did put it on eBay and the winning bidder backed out without viewing it, and then we learnt the hard way that putting a car on Autotrader’s website over Christmas wasn’t perhaps the best idea. However we need to sell it to move on and get something else, so if you want to bid here it is.
Discussion
underrated.. as bangers go. same engine as the 220 'tomcat' turbo.
Gotta be careful on gearboxes and driveshafts.. (a mate used to sell Rovers new back in the day!)
But like a very cheap 220 i once bought to save money on car-hire they seem to stay looking very tidy well into old age where comparable Escorts, Mondeo's etc of the same age are looking very tatty..
Gotta be careful on gearboxes and driveshafts.. (a mate used to sell Rovers new back in the day!)
But like a very cheap 220 i once bought to save money on car-hire they seem to stay looking very tidy well into old age where comparable Escorts, Mondeo's etc of the same age are looking very tatty..
Oh dear!
The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Whilst it was quick, the rover 2.0 litre was prone to problems (eating head gaskets etc.) and this was only made worse by the extra strain the turbo put on the unit!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Unfortunately they were rare as hens teeth then, so finding a good one now could be an issue!!!!!
The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Whilst it was quick, the rover 2.0 litre was prone to problems (eating head gaskets etc.) and this was only made worse by the extra strain the turbo put on the unit!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Unfortunately they were rare as hens teeth then, so finding a good one now could be an issue!!!!!
Yeah, those old Rover 2.0 engines had a appetite for head gaskets! Especially so with the turbo with the increased under bonnet temps. But from what I saw (worked for a company that ran a fleet of Rovers), some of the engines were very susceptible while others weren't. Get a good one and they are great, get a bad one and be prepared for lots of cost...
A real hoot in turbo form though...
A real hoot in turbo form though...
Re: 623Gsi - Just found this on Autotrader...
158bhp aint bad!!!!!!!
ROVER 600 SALOON 623 GSi 4dr Auto
Technical Data :Summary
Body Style Saloon
Engine Size 2259 cc
co2 Emissions 242 g/km
Insurance Group 14
Technical Data :Performance & Economy
Fuel Consumption (Urban) 19.6 mpg
Fuel Consumption (ExtraUrban) 36.2 mpg
Fuel Consumption (Combined) 27.7 mpg
0-62mph (Secs) 9.8 secs
Top Speed 134 mph
Cylinders 4
Number of Valves 16V
Engine Power (bhp) 158 bhp
158bhp aint bad!!!!!!!
ROVER 600 SALOON 623 GSi 4dr Auto
Technical Data :Summary
Body Style Saloon
Engine Size 2259 cc
co2 Emissions 242 g/km
Insurance Group 14
Technical Data :Performance & Economy
Fuel Consumption (Urban) 19.6 mpg
Fuel Consumption (ExtraUrban) 36.2 mpg
Fuel Consumption (Combined) 27.7 mpg
0-62mph (Secs) 9.8 secs
Top Speed 134 mph
Cylinders 4
Number of Valves 16V
Engine Power (bhp) 158 bhp
Edited by HeavyRightFoot on Friday 4th January 10:55
P'ah! Head gaskets, be positive!
I love these Rovers, they were quick for the day, torque steered like a bastard (that's character that is) if you drove hard they ate driveshafts and the occasional gearbox (character again) but loads of fun.
I'm considering buying this, it's my favourite Rover colour and looks to be in well kept condition, they're getting thin on the ground now.
I'll have to admit to being a fan of MG-Rover and I also used to own a 220 Coupe so I'm a bit biased.
Nice motor.
I love these Rovers, they were quick for the day, torque steered like a bastard (that's character that is) if you drove hard they ate driveshafts and the occasional gearbox (character again) but loads of fun.
I'm considering buying this, it's my favourite Rover colour and looks to be in well kept condition, they're getting thin on the ground now.
I'll have to admit to being a fan of MG-Rover and I also used to own a 220 Coupe so I'm a bit biased.
Nice motor.
Definately a good shed. Probably still worth best part of whatever it's bought for in a year - eg wave £850 in £20s'infront of the seller and you never know - so that's a big plus.
My only critisism is that it's condition looks too mint. Needs a couple of panels kicked to give it more of a true shed appearance.
My only critisism is that it's condition looks too mint. Needs a couple of panels kicked to give it more of a true shed appearance.
HeavyRightFoot said:
Oh dear!
The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Whilst it was quick, the rover 2.0 litre was prone to problems (eating head gaskets etc.) and this was only made worse by the extra strain the turbo put on the unit!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Unfortunately they were rare as hens teeth then, so finding a good one now could be an issue!!!!!
It uses a T-Series - not a K-Series, no H/gasket issues on T-series. Serviced properly they'll do 150K without a sniff. The T-series was so strong they let Perkins make a TD out of it.The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Whilst it was quick, the rover 2.0 litre was prone to problems (eating head gaskets etc.) and this was only made worse by the extra strain the turbo put on the unit!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Unfortunately they were rare as hens teeth then, so finding a good one now could be an issue!!!!!
Edited by FWDRacer on Friday 4th January 12:25
FWDRacer said:
HeavyRightFoot said:
Oh dear!
The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Whilst it was quick, the rover 2.0 litre was prone to problems (eating head gaskets etc.) and this was only made worse by the extra strain the turbo put on the unit!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Unfortunately they were rare as hens teeth then, so finding a good one now could be an issue!!!!!
It uses a T-Series - not a K-Series, no H/gasket issues on T-series. Serviced properly they'll do 150K without a sniff. The T-series was so strong they let Perkins make a TD out of it.The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Whilst it was quick, the rover 2.0 litre was prone to problems (eating head gaskets etc.) and this was only made worse by the extra strain the turbo put on the unit!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Unfortunately they were rare as hens teeth then, so finding a good one now could be an issue!!!!!
Edited by FWDRacer on Friday 4th January 12:25
chrisbr68 said:
I reckon the 420t is the best bang for buck you can get. Mate of mine picked one up for £50 in working order, he now runs it at 250bhp and has not changed the head gasket!
If only they were rwd I would have one!
Yeh, same here. Used to the drivetrain of RWD, so torque steer is a big no no!!!If only they were rwd I would have one!
HeavyRightFoot said:
The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
I remember reading the Honda engined car was actually the most problematic (cracking cylinder heads iirc)! T-series is a strong lump, if maintained , gearbox is the worryImho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Buyers guide...
http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?sk2buyingf.htm
I've just bought a 220 tomcat turbo 'shed' for the winter with the same engine. They usually need a head gasket by 100,000 miles but it's not a massive job. I know someone who is on 200K miles in his £500 620 shed without an issue! If you get a klinger 5 layer gasket they will run for ever. The most annoying thing about them is the odd oil leak as I am currently experiencing. This is usually the main reason for a head gasket change. Engine power is limited due to the weak Honda derived gearbox, these can be rebuilt for £300 with steel caged bearings. Later engines with forged pistons can also handle more boost. There's lots of shiny bits on the motobuild website to look at as well!
Tomcats have a Torsen diff, not sure about the 600's. This helps to calm the torque steer a little.
'A Honda in drag' - Bloody cheek, the Honda is just as much a Rover as the other way round, they were co-developed!
Sadly a lot of these 220s and 620s are being broken so the engines can be put it all-sorts like chavved up ZRs.
Tomcats have a Torsen diff, not sure about the 600's. This helps to calm the torque steer a little.
'A Honda in drag' - Bloody cheek, the Honda is just as much a Rover as the other way round, they were co-developed!
Sadly a lot of these 220s and 620s are being broken so the engines can be put it all-sorts like chavved up ZRs.
I purchased a 623gsi Automatic off one of my customers recently for £300. Drove it back from Doncaster to Brum, and I'm well chuffed with it.
All leather, everything worked, electric seat (singular
), cruise, electric aerial, air con, four leccy windows, leccy sunroof, four speed auto.
Great under-steer trying to negotiate a roundabout this morning. Front wheels at a right angle and the car's still going straight
Down side is, that my no claims discount is being used on A TVR, and it's cost me £600 to insure the Rover. More than I pay for a Cerbera
All leather, everything worked, electric seat (singular
), cruise, electric aerial, air con, four leccy windows, leccy sunroof, four speed auto.Great under-steer trying to negotiate a roundabout this morning. Front wheels at a right angle and the car's still going straight
Down side is, that my no claims discount is being used on A TVR, and it's cost me £600 to insure the Rover. More than I pay for a Cerbera
FWDRacer said:
HeavyRightFoot said:
Oh dear!
The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Whilst it was quick, the rover 2.0 litre was prone to problems (eating head gaskets etc.) and this was only made worse by the extra strain the turbo put on the unit!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Unfortunately they were rare as hens teeth then, so finding a good one now could be an issue!!!!!
It uses a T-Series - not a K-Series, no H/gasket issues on T-series. Serviced properly they'll do 150K without a sniff. The T-series was so strong they let Perkins make a TD out of it.The 620ti was one of the few 600's to use a rover engine... not good!
Whilst it was quick, the rover 2.0 litre was prone to problems (eating head gaskets etc.) and this was only made worse by the extra strain the turbo put on the unit!
Imho the Rover 623gsi, with it's 2.3 Honda unit was the better (although slightly slower) car.
Unfortunately they were rare as hens teeth then, so finding a good one now could be an issue!!!!!
Edited by FWDRacer on Friday 4th January 12:25
The 820 were very prone to weeping head gaskets!
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