Rover 75 CDTi Tourer
Discussion
carinaman said:
Was there a production on at the Minack Theatre?
Is this an Auto or manual?
We saw 'Charlie and Stan', a physical comedy set on and around the time Stan Laurel and Chaplin were on the same boat to America. Good fun but the highlight was the live piano accompaniment in proper silent movie style.Is this an Auto or manual?
Its a manual - see earlier pages where I gave myself a black eye adding the wooden gearknob!
JakeT said:
Good choices. There’s a fantastic beach around the corner from the Minnack and Porthcurno that’s so well hidden it’s still quiet even in the heights of summer. 
Ah there's always one more beach in Cornwall! We will be back next Feb all being well, likely with thicker wetsuits!As part of the holiday unpacking ritual I gave the 75 a proper bath and also cut the lights back. Scrubs up well for 172k.
Thanks - if only the moon mileage was a target I could actually hit!
173k ticked over this weekend after another few hundred miles performing various duties.
I spotted a house being entirely gutted nearby that had a lot of original features, so asked the owner and builders if they could put a few things aside. I can't abide by waste, and when I spy original 1930s doors, sinks, bakelite doorknobs and other goodies I almost chained myself to the skip.
The 75 squeezed in 4 doors, 2 sinks and other trinkets with only a mild uncomfortable seating position...
..followed by a series of trips for my wife to Bristol, Dorset and Hampshire, we ended up meeting at a campsite for a BBQ with friends at the end of summer. Even my wife's mother said 'gosh is that the same car you've always had?'.
The only complaint the car had was a central thrumming/rattling on acceleration. I surmised it could be a heatshields, which had previously been secured with jam jar lid 'repair washers', but upon arrival home and jacking the car up, the culprits were identified as worn front exhaust rubbers which drooped enough that waste pipe clanged on the brackets.
With none to hand, I added the traditional old Jubilee clip and hoisted it clear of thrummable obstacles. I will await Jules' verdict on mounts that last.
Done. I also spotted some oil at the bottom of the radiator, traced back to the turbo pipe having a slight weep. Tightened clip, wiped down. Will check again when I return to the underside for the exhaust mounts.
Only 49k to go to the moon... oil change next.
173k ticked over this weekend after another few hundred miles performing various duties.
I spotted a house being entirely gutted nearby that had a lot of original features, so asked the owner and builders if they could put a few things aside. I can't abide by waste, and when I spy original 1930s doors, sinks, bakelite doorknobs and other goodies I almost chained myself to the skip.
The 75 squeezed in 4 doors, 2 sinks and other trinkets with only a mild uncomfortable seating position...
..followed by a series of trips for my wife to Bristol, Dorset and Hampshire, we ended up meeting at a campsite for a BBQ with friends at the end of summer. Even my wife's mother said 'gosh is that the same car you've always had?'.
The only complaint the car had was a central thrumming/rattling on acceleration. I surmised it could be a heatshields, which had previously been secured with jam jar lid 'repair washers', but upon arrival home and jacking the car up, the culprits were identified as worn front exhaust rubbers which drooped enough that waste pipe clanged on the brackets.
With none to hand, I added the traditional old Jubilee clip and hoisted it clear of thrummable obstacles. I will await Jules' verdict on mounts that last.
Done. I also spotted some oil at the bottom of the radiator, traced back to the turbo pipe having a slight weep. Tightened clip, wiped down. Will check again when I return to the underside for the exhaust mounts.
Only 49k to go to the moon... oil change next.
Oh cock, you've just reminded me I've to do the exhaust rubbers on ours, cable ties have held them together for 3 years but one is written off and the poor exhaust likes to vibrate the joiner eventually and it sags onto the cross-member.
Going to have a root at home on some random VW product for some.
Going to have a root at home on some random VW product for some.
mercedeslimos said:
Oh cock, you've just reminded me I've to do the exhaust rubbers on ours, cable ties have held them together for 3 years but one is written off and the poor exhaust likes to vibrate the joiner eventually and it sags onto the cross-member.
Going to have a root at home on some random VW product for some.
Good luck - it seems exhaust rubbers fail about 3-4 weeks after you just checked them with the car on a lift and easy access / good weather. I do like the fact that the 75 has a proper cross members so there's minimised danger of anything actually hanging off and dragging like mechanical entrails.Going to have a root at home on some random VW product for some.
Cambs_Stuart said:
Your heat shield repair washers have lasted well! I've got a heat shield type rattle from under my legacy that might need similar treatment.
Premium washers courtesy of Taste The Difference - no expense spared on repairs here!The original Rover front mounts should be a dark red substantial rubber, and upon consulting the oracles these are not available any mroe but decent imitations have been given the nod.
A pack of three arrived, cheaper than two singles (eh?) and so car went up on the jacks again today. Bit of silicon spray to ease things along, and I used the jubilee clip to position the holes at the exact gap of the holes on the mount. This saved an awkward strength test while squashed under the car, and meant I didn't have to reposition a jack.
Swapped the clip over after the firs tone, sizing set for the apertures and front done. Phew.
These replacements are about twice the thickness of the previous incumbents, so hopefully they will suffice.
The rear still hung a bit low though for my liking...
A quick gander at the outside rear mount revealed a more obvious mount issue.
Luckily, that third red mount was just keen to join its friends, and I ended up using the trolley jack on the back box to line it up.
Still, it wasn't perfect. Let me just check the other, final mount...
Oh for goodness sake!
That's enough cars for one day.
I patched our backbox with some Micra backbox and a stick welder, and lots of gun gum. Needless to say, it lasted for the test and not much more. When it fell off down the road, our local welder (who did one of the sills last week for the first time on a 17-year-old car) welded it back on and patched it up. The metal is s
te though, I think when it eventually rots away (and I am telling them to keep the car till it will drive no more), a stainless replacement of some sort - the back bumper is already cut to fit two round finishers which I hammered over the pipes 5 years ago and won't come off, so a generic twin exit, a la ZT-T could be in order. Having a welder around the corner helps - I can weld but what would take me hours takes him ten mins and twenty quid, one of the few jobs I don't do myself on the car.
te though, I think when it eventually rots away (and I am telling them to keep the car till it will drive no more), a stainless replacement of some sort - the back bumper is already cut to fit two round finishers which I hammered over the pipes 5 years ago and won't come off, so a generic twin exit, a la ZT-T could be in order. Having a welder around the corner helps - I can weld but what would take me hours takes him ten mins and twenty quid, one of the few jobs I don't do myself on the car.Spinakerr said:
mercedeslimos said:
Oh for goodness sake!
That's enough cars for one day.
If you don't want to find problems, don't go looking! That's enough cars for one day.
At least the red rubbers look nicely substantial. The OEM ones my my clio were made of cheese. And not a nice hard cheddar, more of a warm, mature brie.
Thanks - I decided to just buy a new rear section, as for £80 delivered I couldn't really fault a part that Jules and the 75 community says is 'acceptable'.
If I even manage to patch this rear bit I'm sure another crack will open up at another join!
At least I can re-use the old rubber mount as it looks to be in good order.
Not 100% sure how to tackle the exhaust fitment - I think attempting to get hold of a ramp rather than struggle on my own on a driveway is preferred, as its a significant piece of wandage.
If I even manage to patch this rear bit I'm sure another crack will open up at another join!
At least I can re-use the old rubber mount as it looks to be in good order.
Not 100% sure how to tackle the exhaust fitment - I think attempting to get hold of a ramp rather than struggle on my own on a driveway is preferred, as its a significant piece of wandage.
I'm always in two minds about ramp hire. On one side it makes jobs so much easier and more enjoyable, plus it's generally warmer than the driveway and there are people around for jobs where you need an extra pair of hands.
Given my last driveway oil change, not having to clean up all my mess is quite appealing too...
On the downside, the hourly cost of renting a ramp is not far off the hourly rate of a really good mobile mechanic who lives near me, plus the travel time to and from my nearest place puts 90+ minutes onto any job.
Given my last driveway oil change, not having to clean up all my mess is quite appealing too...
On the downside, the hourly cost of renting a ramp is not far off the hourly rate of a really good mobile mechanic who lives near me, plus the travel time to and from my nearest place puts 90+ minutes onto any job.
Any luck on the search for a ZT-T 260?
I was very tempted by the Le Mans green example currently advertised, however the wife has imposed a strict one in, one out policy and so one of my “old wrecks” is (hopefully) leaving for a new home next week, after that I can finally start a meaningful search for a V8 myself.
I was going to update my own 75 thread but it seems to have been lost within the depths of PH..
I was very tempted by the Le Mans green example currently advertised, however the wife has imposed a strict one in, one out policy and so one of my “old wrecks” is (hopefully) leaving for a new home next week, after that I can finally start a meaningful search for a V8 myself.
I was going to update my own 75 thread but it seems to have been lost within the depths of PH..
Muddle238 said:
Any luck on the search for a ZT-T 260?
I was very tempted by the Le Mans green example currently advertised, however the wife has imposed a strict one in, one out policy and so one of my “old wrecks” is (hopefully) leaving for a new home next week, after that I can finally start a meaningful search for a V8 myself.
I was going to update my own 75 thread but it seems to have been lost within the depths of PH..
Yes actually we have been spending quite a bit of time on this idea. I built up a significant amount of info from Jules and the twosixties board on a buyer's guide, and went to see pretty much every MG estate that went up for sale this year.I was very tempted by the Le Mans green example currently advertised, however the wife has imposed a strict one in, one out policy and so one of my “old wrecks” is (hopefully) leaving for a new home next week, after that I can finally start a meaningful search for a V8 myself.
I was going to update my own 75 thread but it seems to have been lost within the depths of PH..
Overall it was a deflating experience - the V8 may be rare but that's not a single reason to price something at 10k. Many have low mileage and good paint/interior but sorely lacking in pro-active maintenance, even oil changes or tyres less than 10 years old. This is the exact opposite of what I really want - a workhorse with a V8 I can park outside.
I think the reality is a lot of these V8s are with 'enthusiasts' that cover low mileage and very few check the Prodrive specific components or do any rustproofing under the pretty paintwork. In recent years the costs and parts availability for doing required work on a 15 year old that is relatively obscure has let standards slip, and if you tot up a bill for the required rear brakes, suspension and some proper remedial waxoyl treatment you're soon knocking on 15k.
So I haven't found one we were happy with yet, and it may be the case that something fitting what I perceive to be the right value and level of useability from the right prior owner just... doesn't exist.
Glad yours is motoring along - hope you find a V8 that fits the bill.
Spinakerr said:
Yes actually we have been spending quite a bit of time on this idea. I built up a significant amount of info from Jules and the twosixties board on a buyer's guide, and went to see pretty much every MG estate that went up for sale this year.
Overall it was a deflating experience - the V8 may be rare but that's not a single reason to price something at 10k. Many have low mileage and good paint/interior but sorely lacking in pro-active maintenance, even oil changes or tyres less than 10 years old. This is the exact opposite of what I really want - a workhorse with a V8 I can park outside.
I think the reality is a lot of these V8s are with 'enthusiasts' that cover low mileage and very few check the Prodrive specific components or do any rustproofing under the pretty paintwork. In recent years the costs and parts availability for doing required work on a 15 year old that is relatively obscure has let standards slip, and if you tot up a bill for the required rear brakes, suspension and some proper remedial waxoyl treatment you're soon knocking on 15k.
So I haven't found one we were happy with yet, and it may be the case that something fitting what I perceive to be the right value and level of useability from the right prior owner just... doesn't exist.
Glad yours is motoring along - hope you find a V8 that fits the bill.
It can be a frustrating search, especially when V8 estates are so thin on the ground as it is and new ones appearing on the market being a rare event. Overall it was a deflating experience - the V8 may be rare but that's not a single reason to price something at 10k. Many have low mileage and good paint/interior but sorely lacking in pro-active maintenance, even oil changes or tyres less than 10 years old. This is the exact opposite of what I really want - a workhorse with a V8 I can park outside.
I think the reality is a lot of these V8s are with 'enthusiasts' that cover low mileage and very few check the Prodrive specific components or do any rustproofing under the pretty paintwork. In recent years the costs and parts availability for doing required work on a 15 year old that is relatively obscure has let standards slip, and if you tot up a bill for the required rear brakes, suspension and some proper remedial waxoyl treatment you're soon knocking on 15k.
So I haven't found one we were happy with yet, and it may be the case that something fitting what I perceive to be the right value and level of useability from the right prior owner just... doesn't exist.
Glad yours is motoring along - hope you find a V8 that fits the bill.
The mileage point you make is something that struck me too, I enquired about one the other day that had only covered a few hundred miles per year for several years; I can’t see how that’s good for the car, dry seals, fluids rarely circulating, stagnant air sitting in the car for long periods… I’m sure eventually the “right” car will come along, but when is another matter.
Or, the alternative is find an immaculate 2.5 V6 Tourer, not quite the burble of the 260 but reasonably more obtainable, just finding a good one is also no easy task; very few have been lavished upon with no expense spared, due to the relatively low price point of the things in the first place. Just look at the silly reasons these things are being scrapped for…. It’s a double edged sword.
It’s why I’m holding onto our diesel, over the years I’ve inadvertently spent so much time, effort and money on it not only keeping it in good, reliable working order but also trying to return it to almost as-new condition, it’s in far better condition than when we bought it. I’d struggle to find another in as good shape without having to spend another small fortune on brining one up to scratch. Oh well.
I know what you mean about cars that do no mileage. When we bought ours it had been owned since new in January 2004 by an older gentleman in East Yorkshire somewhere, garaged for sure (not a speck of rust, caravan hitch and electrics), and a great service history with every invoice. And then imported here to Ireland in 2015, history goes cold, and I reckon the rot sets in. Bought it with suspension knocking, no handbrake worth speaking of and clutch master and slave leaking. gave €495 for it in December 2016.
Heading for five years later it drives and runs aeons better than it did then, despite the 50k plus that has been put on it. Yeah, there's a little rust creeping in, got the sill welded for the first time recently but that's because they've started using salt on the roads here the last few years, unfortunately. But it thrives on being used, and nothing major (touch wood) has gone wrong. Alternator brushes and a PAS hose that rubbed the crank pulley and dumped its fluid everywhere have been the only fail-to-proceed in that 5 years. It's a diesel and is an excellent workhorse, but every year for the test we replace something suspension or brake-related and it gets a better and better drive.
If I was you I'd have a good look at a relatively well-used but well-looked-after V6 that someone has lavished attention on. Having said that, I know the underside needs a rub down and a waxoyl, REALLY not looking forward to that job...
Heading for five years later it drives and runs aeons better than it did then, despite the 50k plus that has been put on it. Yeah, there's a little rust creeping in, got the sill welded for the first time recently but that's because they've started using salt on the roads here the last few years, unfortunately. But it thrives on being used, and nothing major (touch wood) has gone wrong. Alternator brushes and a PAS hose that rubbed the crank pulley and dumped its fluid everywhere have been the only fail-to-proceed in that 5 years. It's a diesel and is an excellent workhorse, but every year for the test we replace something suspension or brake-related and it gets a better and better drive.
If I was you I'd have a good look at a relatively well-used but well-looked-after V6 that someone has lavished attention on. Having said that, I know the underside needs a rub down and a waxoyl, REALLY not looking forward to that job...
Muddle238 said:
It’s why I’m holding onto our diesel, over the years I’ve inadvertently spent so much time, effort and money on it not only keeping it in good, reliable working order but also trying to return it to almost as-new condition, it’s in far better condition than when we bought it. I’d struggle to find another in as good shape without having to spend another small fortune on brining one up to scratch. Oh well.
mercedeslimos said:
But it thrives on being used, and nothing major (touch wood) has gone wrong It's a diesel and is an excellent workhorse, but every year for the test we replace something suspension or brake-related and it gets a better and better drive.
If I was you I'd have a good look at a relatively well-used but well-looked-after V6 that someone has lavished attention on. Having said that, I know the underside needs a rub down and a waxoyl, REALLY not looking forward to that job...
Thank you both - really its about cutting down to known quantities for the car that we rely the most on in the worst situations to just go and do things without a second thought. The 75 stays for the time being. If I was you I'd have a good look at a relatively well-used but well-looked-after V6 that someone has lavished attention on. Having said that, I know the underside needs a rub down and a waxoyl, REALLY not looking forward to that job...
Recently I took it on a long weekend to Wales with a friend for hiking, the only item that failed was a dipped headlight bulb, which I had in the boot. It tackled muddy lanes, farm tracks, inadvertedly-encroached-upon green lanes and horizontal all-night rain with a shrug.
Bulb warning light sadly doesn't mean the Rover has a great idea.
This contortion act to the access flap is now well-known. Osram bulbs in, otherwise I know I'll be here again in 2 months.
Some further photos from the area for your viewing consideration. The wooden bridge at Penmaenpool was a highlight. 80p well spent - 20p tip well deserved!
Cadair Idris without a soul for 6 hours...
Plus our neighbours:
If I drive any of them to anywhere further inward of the Big Smoke, I will be billed.
Except the GT6. But then I planned to sell that about 6 months ago. And at present its blocked by a Saab 900 with a broken exhaust, an Alfa 164 with a broken exhaust, and a Rover 75 with a broken exhaust.
Except the GT6. But then I planned to sell that about 6 months ago. And at present its blocked by a Saab 900 with a broken exhaust, an Alfa 164 with a broken exhaust, and a Rover 75 with a broken exhaust.
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