RE: Rover 75 Tourer | Shed of the Week

[pSyCoSiS]

I like these, especially these early models. The headlamps look way better, and in the right colour combination, they have some class about them.

I'd prefer a cream leather and manual, but I like this Shed. Good car that should motor on reliably if looked after.

[sdiggle]

I've run 2 ZT 190 V6's as sheds. Great cars. Not thirsty. Always saw at least mid 20's.

Sold one for a profit and scrapped the other for a small loss. Unfortunately the sunroof leaked (common problem) and the rear footwell was like a swimming pool.

Thinking back build quality was a little suspect...but next time I need a shed a 75/ZT KV6 will be my first port of call.

[bnseven]

I had one new, replaced a previous audi 80 avant and then an A4 avant. neither of which were great, the 75 was a lovely thing, I did 200k in mine, 50mpg and comfy thing to ride in. I only got rid of it because nothing had broken bar a headlamp bulb and at 10 years old and with just north of 200k on the clock I was worried that it was going to disintegrate. its probably still alive now.

Much nicer than the A4 and I also tried a C class and the Alfa Romeo before I bought it. Really nothing to dislike about it in my ownership experience, quick enough (mine had the "MG X-POWER" upgrade to 135bhp) very comfy and 50mpg on diesel. longest I have ever kept a daily driver which probably speaks volumes. I guess chopping it in at 5 yrs old (2006) would not have been an option given the manufacturer had died but I liked it enough to keep it another 5 years without anything going wrong.

[Water Fairy]

bnseven said:

I had one new, replaced a previous audi 80 avant and then an A4 avant. neither of which were great, the 75 was a lovely thing, I did 200k in mine, 50mpg and comfy thing to ride in. I only got rid of it because nothing had broken bar a headlamp bulb and at 10 years old and with just north of 200k on the clock I was worried that it was going to disintegrate. its probably still alive now.

Much nicer than the A4 and I also tried a C class and the Alfa Romeo before I bought it. Really nothing to dislike about it in my ownership experience, quick enough (mine had the "MG X-POWER" upgrade to 135bhp) very comfy and 50mpg on diesel. longest I have ever kept a daily driver which probably speaks volumes. I guess chopping it in at 5 yrs old (2006) would not have been an option given the manufacturer had died but I liked it enough to keep it another 5 years without anything going wrong.

So you're saying you only got rid of it because it was unremittingly reliable?

[Bennet]

wpa1975 said:

Sorry but the KV6 was crap, launched well before it was ready for sale, chocolate head gaskets etc also very expensive to replace cam belts as it runs 3 belts, yes the later ones were better but engines should not be on sale with known issues.

There are certainly some issues to be aware of with the KV6, but it sounds like you've got your wires crossed here.

The KV6 has no head gasket issues like the 4 cylinder k-series (and even that is not the huge issue people make out...)
The early poor ones you refer to were in the Rover 800.
The later "better ones" you refer to are the ones in the 75 and ZT.

They are definitely an enthusiast's choice. But then a lot of 20 odd year old cars are.

[jl34]

i loved mine, still to date the most comfortable cars ive ever owned and reliable too.

[bluemason]

Fun fact, the design team at bentley were inspired by the rover 75 when they were designing the flying spur.

[Portofino]

Good shed but who the F links a car with a political view they do not agree with?

What do these people think of VW then?

[bluemason]

According to the the wikipedia,the bottom car is the modern successor of the rover 75

[Rumblestripe]

Portofino said:

Good shed but who the F links a car with a political view they do not agree with?

What do these people think of VW then?

Cheap predictable idiocy from the hard of thinking.

Had one of these as a long term loan and loved it. It was the V6 petrol and to be honest I never dared calculate the mpg, didn't care because it all went on expenses. (Sorry Gaia). Nice interior (compared favourably with the concurrent Jaguar S type) very comfortable and surprisingly spritely I used enjoy outbooting BMWs out of roundabouts. Childish but fun.

Looks very tidy for 1.5k.

[crofty1984]

I really quite like this.

[Mattaru]

it looks like a hearse. it is a Hearse, except the dead body is in the driver's seat.

[bnseven]

Water Fairy said:

So you're saying you only got rid of it because it was unremittingly reliable?

I think it went because I was worried that it may not always prove to be so and everything "might" go wrong at once.

Plus i fancied a change....

[PrinceRupert]

sjabrown said:

I’ve mixed views on these. Part of me admires the styling for being different but also quite timeless (compare how these are ageing with same age Mondeo or Vectra). But there’s also that impression they were owned by Brexiteers before the omnishambles that is Brexit existed.

I wonder what parts supply is like and how fixable they are for some home tinkering? If I was to buy a Rover it would be one of these or something from the 1960s.

Parts supply is fine, there are a few companies that provides all the bits you would need. Parts aren't hugely expensive either.

They are solid, well-built cars (at least early ones) and they are fixable on the driveway (though a belt job on a KV6 is meant to be fairly tricky).

[S600BSB]

Unfortunately it's a Rover. No.

[PrinceRupert]

wpa1975 said:

Sorry but the KV6 was crap, launched well before it was ready for sale, chocolate head gaskets etc also very expensive to replace cam belts as it runs 3 belts, yes the later ones were better but engines should not be on sale with known issues.

The 18T was only launched to replace the 2.0 V6 due to emissions and tax purposes, I don't rate it as a great engine.

The KV6 does not suffer from head gasket problems.

Yes, the cam belt job is involved, but it isn't that expensive - £600 or so.

[itcaptainslow]

I'm a big fan of the ZT/75, having owned the former and currently own the latter. They're a smooth, extremely comfortable car, with (in my eyes) handsome styling in Mk1 guise (the facelift cheapened the look and didn't flow anything like the original in my opinion), assured handling and considering how much of a bashing Rover seemed to get, few reliability foibles.

I'm in my mid 30's, voted remain and my political views don't align with the stereotypes that have been widely portrayed on this thread.

It's quite easy to spot the posters who have never driven one and are just regurgitating the tired, crap cliches they've seen elsewhere on the internet.

[Chris C2]

Good shed. If you a buy a good (early) one it won't depreciate. Not a great DIY repair proposition. Shame that SAIC didn't import them to the UK once they started making improved/updated versions of them in China. Never quite understood the panel line on the outer headlamp edges - looked like indicators/side lights were originally meant to go there.

[njw1]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Best forgotten forever, along with all other post SD1 Rovers.

Does that include the R8 Rover which was absolutely leagues ahead of it's contemporaries?

[Watcher of the skies]

njw1 said:

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Best forgotten forever, along with all other post SD1 Rovers.

Does that include the R8 Rover which was absolutely leagues ahead of it's contemporaries?

Some would argue that the SD1 should be forgotten and that nothing after the P6 was worthy.
As usual, any discussion regarding Rover, AR, BL etc brings out a variety of extreme views.