RE: Rover 214 SEI: Reader's Car of the Week
Discussion
I got a new white 216 GSI Company car around 1992, replacing my Orion Ghia Injection after 3 years and 100k miles. ( that was a brilliant car, never missed a beat) I was tempted to just get another Orion but the 214/216 range were getting good reviews.
I was really impressed with the Rover overall, good spec, reasonable performance and handling. I remember I was doing a lot of miles at the time and seemed to be forever filling it up. Maybe a combination of my driving and a small tank.
Unfortunately I only had it six weeks. I used to do a backroad run from Leeds to home in York to miss the A64 and one evening I had to take evasive action coming round a corner to avoid a white Celica on the wrong side of the road. Result was a comprehensive write off, sadly business wasn’t too good at the time due to the recession so I had to make do with a pool car Sierra LX.
I’ve always liked the 214/216 range but never owned another. Someone in our village has a really tidy grey 214.
I was really impressed with the Rover overall, good spec, reasonable performance and handling. I remember I was doing a lot of miles at the time and seemed to be forever filling it up. Maybe a combination of my driving and a small tank.
Unfortunately I only had it six weeks. I used to do a backroad run from Leeds to home in York to miss the A64 and one evening I had to take evasive action coming round a corner to avoid a white Celica on the wrong side of the road. Result was a comprehensive write off, sadly business wasn’t too good at the time due to the recession so I had to make do with a pool car Sierra LX.
I’ve always liked the 214/216 range but never owned another. Someone in our village has a really tidy grey 214.
Compared to an Escort, Orion or Astra of the time these were streets ahead in interior quality and looks and slightly better engineering quality. K series engines willing and with the metallic and half leather much classier, and I think they had the less HGF-prone closed deck K-series. Total sweet spot for Rover. A bit creaky from memory with trim rattles.
Handling felt a bit stodgy from memory but not too softly sprung, but no more wooden than the Escorts of that period.
Handling felt a bit stodgy from memory but not too softly sprung, but no more wooden than the Escorts of that period.
They were a cut above their obvious rivals In terms of perceived quality and showroom appeal they were very attractive and praised in the motoring press. However, at medium mileage faults began to proliferate which resulted from poor attention to detail where it didn't show. Sorry, but I do need to mention head gaskets here, as they symbolise the Rover habit of failure to control quality.
Just read the whole thread and remember fondly my wife's. 214SEi, Nightfire red with black half leather, she had it as her her 3rd car ever circa 2001.
Felt solid, grown up and fun to drive. She used to drive it very enthusiastically and ultimately binned it. Which was a shame.
Replaced it with a bug-eye Civic Coupe that was no where near as much fun or as nice inside.
Lot of love for them. Nice car.
Felt solid, grown up and fun to drive. She used to drive it very enthusiastically and ultimately binned it. Which was a shame.
Replaced it with a bug-eye Civic Coupe that was no where near as much fun or as nice inside.
Lot of love for them. Nice car.
Used to blast round in company ones of these, we used to get them cheap from the MD's mate who owned a Rover dealers, used to buy the ex company ones, clean them up and flog them.
They drove nicely, 104 bhp was way more than the equivalent Ford or Vauxhall, could cover some ground in one if you felt like it, that engine felt like a race engine compared to a manky old Endura or similar.
They drove nicely, 104 bhp was way more than the equivalent Ford or Vauxhall, could cover some ground in one if you felt like it, that engine felt like a race engine compared to a manky old Endura or similar.
A few self indulgent pictures of the car on the 200/400 Owners Club (and of the stand itself-superb club, by the way). If you're at the NEC over the weekend, please feel free to pop over, say hello and nerd with me in a safe space.
The "nerd" bit being illustrated perfectly by the collection of various brochures, literature and generally crashingly dull but superbly anal paraphernalia on the parcel shelf...
The "nerd" bit being illustrated perfectly by the collection of various brochures, literature and generally crashingly dull but superbly anal paraphernalia on the parcel shelf...
Ace!
Had a K reg 416gsi back in the day that was absolutely mint when I bought it second hand. Honda engine was unburstable and handled pretty well. One private owner and low, low mileage and pristine for £3.5k. Loved it but some scrote nicked it from the works car park and I was gutted.
Bought another one with the insurance payout but it was s
te in comparison and it got moved on within a year.
Had a K reg 416gsi back in the day that was absolutely mint when I bought it second hand. Honda engine was unburstable and handled pretty well. One private owner and low, low mileage and pristine for £3.5k. Loved it but some scrote nicked it from the works car park and I was gutted.
Bought another one with the insurance payout but it was s
te in comparison and it got moved on within a year. valiant said:
Ace!
Had a K reg 416gsi back in the day that was absolutely mint when I bought it second hand. Honda engine was unburstable and handled pretty well. One private owner and low, low mileage and pristine for £3.5k. Loved it but some scrote nicked it from the works car park and I was gutted.
Bought another one with the insurance payout but it was ste in comparison and it got moved on within a year.
The amount of stories I've had from reminiscing owners today is untrue-I love hearing them, keep them coming!Had a K reg 416gsi back in the day that was absolutely mint when I bought it second hand. Honda engine was unburstable and handled pretty well. One private owner and low, low mileage and pristine for £3.5k. Loved it but some scrote nicked it from the works car park and I was gutted.
Bought another one with the insurance payout but it was s
te in comparison and it got moved on within a year. Thank you to everyone who has commented on this thread-it's really rather touching that so much love can exist for what is a fairly humdrum family hatchback. It's worth in the grand scheme of things very little in monetary terms, but so much more than can be expressed to me. It'll be the last thing out of the door behind my pants and the bath.
Complete and utter thread reserection but I've enjoyed reading all the comments on here and thought I'd add my two pennies worth, which should be worth something having just bought one of these cars in the grand old year of 2024!
I wasn't looking for a 200 series Rover, but needed a practical (for carrying decent sized 'stuff' about) classic car (because it needed to go onto my classic car policy as an extra vehicle....and I wanted something relatively simple, relatively fuel efficient and relatively interesting (the last point being a little subjective of course).
I wanted another Volvo Estate but couldn't find one locally for anything like sensible money but then spotted the Rover.
So, what are my findings of a 1990 214 Si (16v but low trim spec) with 55K on the clock?
Well, it is surprisingly good actually. Lots of things to like:
- visibility due to the massive glass house
- practicality due to the flat folding seats and decent cabin area
- lovely feeling of light weight and therefore easy driving
- tight gear shift, yum yum
- easy to self service (oil and plugs done already)
- surprising how many looks you get due to rareity these days
- decent trim and interior (my low spec example doesn't have the wood)
- central locking still works, ha ha
- although it will no doubt now sh17 the bed it starts first time, every time!
Things I don't like so much
- no PAS but that's my example and in reality isn't an issue really
- the noise of the engine. My word. It is NOISY when revved past 3K. It really doesn't feel like 'my example' it really feels like 'this is how they all are'
- the BOOM on the motorway due to the short gearing of the time plus my comment above. We have done an hour on the motorway but in 2024 it's certainly no motorway cruiser. Must look into bonnet insulation options to see if that can be improved?
- lack of torque but I do appreciate a 2024 mindset isn't really qualified to make this statement.
Considering though this car is 34 years old it must have been quite impressive back in it's day against the contemporary rivals. I collect magazines from the 1980s and 1990s and reading the stats, figures and impressions of the journalists back then 'cooking cars' in period were utterly SH17E and this one isn't that, even 34 years on. Good on ya Rover!!!!
I wasn't looking for a 200 series Rover, but needed a practical (for carrying decent sized 'stuff' about) classic car (because it needed to go onto my classic car policy as an extra vehicle....and I wanted something relatively simple, relatively fuel efficient and relatively interesting (the last point being a little subjective of course).
I wanted another Volvo Estate but couldn't find one locally for anything like sensible money but then spotted the Rover.
So, what are my findings of a 1990 214 Si (16v but low trim spec) with 55K on the clock?
Well, it is surprisingly good actually. Lots of things to like:
- visibility due to the massive glass house
- practicality due to the flat folding seats and decent cabin area
- lovely feeling of light weight and therefore easy driving
- tight gear shift, yum yum
- easy to self service (oil and plugs done already)
- surprising how many looks you get due to rareity these days
- decent trim and interior (my low spec example doesn't have the wood)
- central locking still works, ha ha
- although it will no doubt now sh17 the bed it starts first time, every time!
Things I don't like so much
- no PAS but that's my example and in reality isn't an issue really
- the noise of the engine. My word. It is NOISY when revved past 3K. It really doesn't feel like 'my example' it really feels like 'this is how they all are'
- the BOOM on the motorway due to the short gearing of the time plus my comment above. We have done an hour on the motorway but in 2024 it's certainly no motorway cruiser. Must look into bonnet insulation options to see if that can be improved?
- lack of torque but I do appreciate a 2024 mindset isn't really qualified to make this statement.
Considering though this car is 34 years old it must have been quite impressive back in it's day against the contemporary rivals. I collect magazines from the 1980s and 1990s and reading the stats, figures and impressions of the journalists back then 'cooking cars' in period were utterly SH17E and this one isn't that, even 34 years on. Good on ya Rover!!!!
Honda sure did know how to engineer a good car, they were very good for the time.
Shame Rover condemned so many to an early death with the typically Leyland "nice idea, but you half arsed it" K series but if you can get one with a Honda engine, or maybe even a 420 with the 2.0 T Series Rover engine, they were good.
Shame Rover condemned so many to an early death with the typically Leyland "nice idea, but you half arsed it" K series but if you can get one with a Honda engine, or maybe even a 420 with the 2.0 T Series Rover engine, they were good.
GeniusOfLove said:
..or maybe even a 420 with the 2.0 T Series Rover engine, they were good.
The T series also had their fair share of head gasket problems. I got rid of my 220Gti when the head gasket went for the third time. Given my time again I would have gone for the 1.6-16v Honda engine shared with the CRX. That was proper.
Oh twaddy said:
Complete and utter thread reserection but I've enjoyed reading all the comments on here and thought I'd add my two pennies worth, which should be worth something having just bought one of these cars in the grand old year of 2024!
I wasn't looking for a 200 series Rover, but needed a practical (for carrying decent sized 'stuff' about) classic car (because it needed to go onto my classic car policy as an extra vehicle....and I wanted something relatively simple, relatively fuel efficient and relatively interesting (the last point being a little subjective of course).
I wanted another Volvo Estate but couldn't find one locally for anything like sensible money but then spotted the Rover.
So, what are my findings of a 1990 214 Si (16v but low trim spec) with 55K on the clock?
Well, it is surprisingly good actually. Lots of things to like:
- visibility due to the massive glass house
- practicality due to the flat folding seats and decent cabin area
- lovely feeling of light weight and therefore easy driving
- tight gear shift, yum yum
- easy to self service (oil and plugs done already)
- surprising how many looks you get due to rareity these days
- decent trim and interior (my low spec example doesn't have the wood)
- central locking still works, ha ha
- although it will no doubt now sh17 the bed it starts first time, every time!
Things I don't like so much
- no PAS but that's my example and in reality isn't an issue really
- the noise of the engine. My word. It is NOISY when revved past 3K. It really doesn't feel like 'my example' it really feels like 'this is how they all are'
- the BOOM on the motorway due to the short gearing of the time plus my comment above. We have done an hour on the motorway but in 2024 it's certainly no motorway cruiser. Must look into bonnet insulation options to see if that can be improved?
- lack of torque but I do appreciate a 2024 mindset isn't really qualified to make this statement.
Considering though this car is 34 years old it must have been quite impressive back in it's day against the contemporary rivals. I collect magazines from the 1980s and 1990s and reading the stats, figures and impressions of the journalists back then 'cooking cars' in period were utterly SH17E and this one isn't that, even 34 years on. Good on ya Rover!!!!
That’s a proper base model with black plastic rather than wood! Rover loved a bit of fake tree garnish, so any of their cars without it definitely sat pretty far down the model hierarchy.I wasn't looking for a 200 series Rover, but needed a practical (for carrying decent sized 'stuff' about) classic car (because it needed to go onto my classic car policy as an extra vehicle....and I wanted something relatively simple, relatively fuel efficient and relatively interesting (the last point being a little subjective of course).
I wanted another Volvo Estate but couldn't find one locally for anything like sensible money but then spotted the Rover.
So, what are my findings of a 1990 214 Si (16v but low trim spec) with 55K on the clock?
Well, it is surprisingly good actually. Lots of things to like:
- visibility due to the massive glass house
- practicality due to the flat folding seats and decent cabin area
- lovely feeling of light weight and therefore easy driving
- tight gear shift, yum yum
- easy to self service (oil and plugs done already)
- surprising how many looks you get due to rareity these days
- decent trim and interior (my low spec example doesn't have the wood)
- central locking still works, ha ha
- although it will no doubt now sh17 the bed it starts first time, every time!
Things I don't like so much
- no PAS but that's my example and in reality isn't an issue really
- the noise of the engine. My word. It is NOISY when revved past 3K. It really doesn't feel like 'my example' it really feels like 'this is how they all are'
- the BOOM on the motorway due to the short gearing of the time plus my comment above. We have done an hour on the motorway but in 2024 it's certainly no motorway cruiser. Must look into bonnet insulation options to see if that can be improved?
- lack of torque but I do appreciate a 2024 mindset isn't really qualified to make this statement.
Considering though this car is 34 years old it must have been quite impressive back in it's day against the contemporary rivals. I collect magazines from the 1980s and 1990s and reading the stats, figures and impressions of the journalists back then 'cooking cars' in period were utterly SH17E and this one isn't that, even 34 years on. Good on ya Rover!!!!
Please get yourself on the 200 & 400 Owners Club (www.rover200.org.uk) - they do some great work on finding/reproducing parts, plus there’s goodies available like the original Rover workshop manuals available for download.
Your significant engine noise may be down to perished engine mounts - there seems to be a lot letting go at the moment. Worth checking. If you do find they need replacing and struggle to find the parts, drop me a message and I’ll have a look for the part numbers and see what I can find.
My 214 is still around, but shamefully hasn’t even been out this year so far. Hoping to take it to the Rover event at the Great British Car Journey in a couple of weeks time (12th May from memory). The thread resurrection has given me a timely reminder not to forget it!
Some interesting observations from 2024 there.
I had a 1990 Cavalier 1.8L when I got offered a company car. I had a choice of the 214SLi or a couple of 1.8 Sierras. BIK was cheaper for a 1.4 than a 1.8 and the Rover was more powerful so it was a no brainer!
It drove much better than my Cavalier did in terms of performance (so long as you revved it), handling, ride and refinement. It also felt like a much better quality car, and I never found it boomy on Motorways so maybe yours has an issue. Surprisingly economical too seeing as I didn't spare the horses, but PAS would definitely have been handy.
I got made redundant after less than a year with it and had to give it back. Bought a 1991 Sierra Sapphire 2.0 GLSi next and it handled better (I prefer RWD) and was quicker, but didn't feel as well built.
Looking back I think they were under-rated.
I had a 1990 Cavalier 1.8L when I got offered a company car. I had a choice of the 214SLi or a couple of 1.8 Sierras. BIK was cheaper for a 1.4 than a 1.8 and the Rover was more powerful so it was a no brainer!
It drove much better than my Cavalier did in terms of performance (so long as you revved it), handling, ride and refinement. It also felt like a much better quality car, and I never found it boomy on Motorways so maybe yours has an issue. Surprisingly economical too seeing as I didn't spare the horses, but PAS would definitely have been handy.
I got made redundant after less than a year with it and had to give it back. Bought a 1991 Sierra Sapphire 2.0 GLSi next and it handled better (I prefer RWD) and was quicker, but didn't feel as well built.
Looking back I think they were under-rated.
itcaptainslow said:
That’s a proper base model with black plastic rather than wood! Rover loved a bit of fake tree garnish, so any of their cars without it definitely sat pretty far down the model hierarchy.
Please get yourself on the 200 & 400 Owners Club (www.rover200.org.uk) - they do some great work on finding/reproducing parts, plus there’s goodies available like the original Rover workshop manuals available for download.
Your significant engine noise may be down to perished engine mounts - there seems to be a lot letting go at the moment. Worth checking. If you do find they need replacing and struggle to find the parts, drop me a message and I’ll have a look for the part numbers and see what I can find.
My 214 is still around, but shamefully hasn’t even been out this year so far. Hoping to take it to the Rover event at the Great British Car Journey in a couple of weeks time (12th May from memory). The thread resurrection has given me a timely reminder not to forget it!
Yeah, I'm not sure what spec items i am missing 100% but mine does seem very basic although it's got most things I need and there is less to go wrong.Please get yourself on the 200 & 400 Owners Club (www.rover200.org.uk) - they do some great work on finding/reproducing parts, plus there’s goodies available like the original Rover workshop manuals available for download.
Your significant engine noise may be down to perished engine mounts - there seems to be a lot letting go at the moment. Worth checking. If you do find they need replacing and struggle to find the parts, drop me a message and I’ll have a look for the part numbers and see what I can find.
My 214 is still around, but shamefully hasn’t even been out this year so far. Hoping to take it to the Rover event at the Great British Car Journey in a couple of weeks time (12th May from memory). The thread resurrection has given me a timely reminder not to forget it!
I've got no wood (it was real in this era though rather than fake I believe?), no PAS, 4 x windy up windows, plastic steering wheel, wheel trims only, no sunroof, manual wing mirrors, BUT working central locking, an in-cabin remote boot release, working rear window demister and wash wipe and decent looking seat material.
I'll check the owners club out thanks for the tip off.
Regards the engine mounts I'm looking for material engine movement when revved at idle am I (plus anything that looks deterioated)? I would like to quieten the thing down because it makes a right racket at the minute, which combined with the lack of torque and general speed probably looks ridiculous on the outside...."Daddy, why is that old car making such a noise and not going very far??"
Oh twaddy said:
Yeah, I'm not sure what spec items i am missing 100% but mine does seem very basic although it's got most things I need and there is less to go wrong.
I've got no wood (it was real in this era though rather than fake I believe?), no PAS, 4 x windy up windows, plastic steering wheel, wheel trims only, no sunroof, manual wing mirrors, BUT working central locking, an in-cabin remote boot release, working rear window demister and wash wipe and decent looking seat material.
I'll check the owners club out thanks for the tip off.
Regards the engine mounts I'm looking for material engine movement when revved at idle am I (plus anything that looks deterioated)? I would like to quieten the thing down because it makes a right racket at the minute, which combined with the lack of torque and general speed probably looks ridiculous on the outside...."Daddy, why is that old car making such a noise and not going very far??"
On the noise front, its also worth checking the exhaust manifold. I had one where one of the manifold studs has snapped, and it only made a difference to anything under load at high RPM. Once I'd extracted the remains of the stud and fitted a new one it was virtually silent in comparison. I've got no wood (it was real in this era though rather than fake I believe?), no PAS, 4 x windy up windows, plastic steering wheel, wheel trims only, no sunroof, manual wing mirrors, BUT working central locking, an in-cabin remote boot release, working rear window demister and wash wipe and decent looking seat material.
I'll check the owners club out thanks for the tip off.
Regards the engine mounts I'm looking for material engine movement when revved at idle am I (plus anything that looks deterioated)? I would like to quieten the thing down because it makes a right racket at the minute, which combined with the lack of torque and general speed probably looks ridiculous on the outside...."Daddy, why is that old car making such a noise and not going very far??"
GeniusOfLove said:
Honda sure did know how to engineer a good car, they were very good for the time.
Shame Rover condemned so many to an early death with the typically Leyland "nice idea, but you half arsed it" K series but if you can get one with a Honda engine, or maybe even a 420 with the 2.0 T Series Rover engine, they were good.
The R8 was a joint engineering project between Rover and Honda, pretty much 50/50. You're confused by the later Rover 400, that was pure Honda and generally regarded as a retrograde step.Shame Rover condemned so many to an early death with the typically Leyland "nice idea, but you half arsed it" K series but if you can get one with a Honda engine, or maybe even a 420 with the 2.0 T Series Rover engine, they were good.
The K series in the R8 didn't really suffer from headgasket failure, that was a cost reduction exercise by BMW, making your remark invalid.
We got a new one of these in Nightfire in 1997/8 as an un marked police car. It was surprisingly capable and very discrete, not many expected the hidden blue lights and sirens coming on behind them. Remember one late shift we'd been at the scene of an rtc. The Rover was parked up with its front blues on to warn oncoming traffic. We got cleared up and back in the car and the battery was knackered and it wouldn't start!
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