Rover 75 CDTi Tourer
Discussion
From previous experience it could well be a write off. I had an older Audi A3 that was written off due to the parts prices (insurance company had to replace with Audi parts and it needed a bumper, headlight and a wing). I was going to repair it with second hand or pattern parts, didn't in the end as really we needed a bigger car.
Personally I regret the decision and think I should have kept it, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Personally I regret the decision and think I should have kept it, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
If you’re not going the insurance route, a good smart repairer could well make that presentable without costing thousands. It won’t be as good as the original of course, but you might be surprised.
My wife’s Alfa has had a few bumps, one pretty big, and the repairs are essentially invisible unless you know where to look. About £250 per panel.
My wife’s Alfa has had a few bumps, one pretty big, and the repairs are essentially invisible unless you know where to look. About £250 per panel.
Thanks for the kind words, and those that sent PMs with advice.
Wife is all ok, just incandescent with fury, snd happy that it didn't happen in her beloved Saab 900 T16.
I have travked down a Tourer in the same green, HFF, that is being broken and has good panels, so hopefully this will all end well. Wing mirror and side repeater already en route!
On a positive note, this may solve the long standing annoyance of deep scratches on the driver's glass. Change door. Done.
Also may be able to source a driver's seat in better condition and a fabled original undertray.
Insurance company is keen to give us money and not write off the car at all, which is enscouraging but I'm worried the other party may suddenly start to dispute fault (and facts). Fingers, toes and every tool in the toolbox crossed.
Wife is all ok, just incandescent with fury, snd happy that it didn't happen in her beloved Saab 900 T16.
I have travked down a Tourer in the same green, HFF, that is being broken and has good panels, so hopefully this will all end well. Wing mirror and side repeater already en route!
On a positive note, this may solve the long standing annoyance of deep scratches on the driver's glass. Change door. Done.
Also may be able to source a driver's seat in better condition and a fabled original undertray.
Insurance company is keen to give us money and not write off the car at all, which is enscouraging but I'm worried the other party may suddenly start to dispute fault (and facts). Fingers, toes and every tool in the toolbox crossed.
Step 1: Make car roadworthy again.
In the grey light of day it actually doesn't look too bad, and even a gentle wipe took off a lot of van paint but left the doors looking almost acceptable.
20181208_153333
Roadworthiness entailed a change of a wing mirror, side repeater, check of the geometry and all door operations.
A wing mirror was sourced for a few pounds and arrived this morning. This doesn't have the folding function and is knocked up, but I'll hopefully be getting a better one from the donor car in the coming weeks. I'm glad these were electric - if not for the cable we would have lost it!
20181208_153355
Gently prise off trim and tweeter, loosened but did not remove the door card for expedience. Three 8mm bolts:
20181208_153652
Bigger block for the adjustment motors, smaller connector for the PowerFold(TM) feature on higher spec models:
20181208_154031
New item is tattered but working, sadly boring matt silver:
20181208_154344
Surprising how dreadful that looks:
20181208_155731
Fortunately the side repeater was just dislodged and cracked, so it is working now. Doors all open and close without issue, and the car drives straight and true without shenanigans or audible complaints.
It's now set for a long journey to pick up its donor organs next weekend. More to follow.
In the grey light of day it actually doesn't look too bad, and even a gentle wipe took off a lot of van paint but left the doors looking almost acceptable.
20181208_153333Roadworthiness entailed a change of a wing mirror, side repeater, check of the geometry and all door operations.
A wing mirror was sourced for a few pounds and arrived this morning. This doesn't have the folding function and is knocked up, but I'll hopefully be getting a better one from the donor car in the coming weeks. I'm glad these were electric - if not for the cable we would have lost it!
20181208_153355Gently prise off trim and tweeter, loosened but did not remove the door card for expedience. Three 8mm bolts:
20181208_153652Bigger block for the adjustment motors, smaller connector for the PowerFold(TM) feature on higher spec models:
20181208_154031New item is tattered but working, sadly boring matt silver:
20181208_154344Surprising how dreadful that looks:
20181208_155731Fortunately the side repeater was just dislodged and cracked, so it is working now. Doors all open and close without issue, and the car drives straight and true without shenanigans or audible complaints.
It's now set for a long journey to pick up its donor organs next weekend. More to follow.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 8th December 18:36
I had something very similar happen to my 75 back in the summer - both doors, the wing, and the mirror on mine though. After checking the book value of the car I realised that any work more substantial than a full valet would cause it to be written off so I declined to make a claim. 
As luck would have it my local MGR garage/dismantler (MJN Motors in Bristol, very good guy) had a car in to break in the right colour - all sorted for less than the excess on my policy.
As luck would have it my local MGR garage/dismantler (MJN Motors in Bristol, very good guy) had a car in to break in the right colour - all sorted for less than the excess on my policy.
davepoth said:
I had something very similar happen to my 75 back in the summer - both doors, the wing, and the mirror on mine though. After checking the book value of the car I realised that any work more substantial than a full valet would cause it to be written off so I declined to make a claim.
As luck would have it my local MGR garage/dismantler (MJN Motors in Bristol, very good guy) had a car in to break in the right colour - all sorted for less than the excess on my policy.
Sorry to hear that, but glad it was resolved. Similar situation here, though as my wife wasn't at fault and we may have some camera evidence, the payout (without a write off) might keep us on the road for quite some time. Unfortunately the careful explanation of my consultancy and handiworks costs are met with desultory comments.As luck would have it my local MGR garage/dismantler (MJN Motors in Bristol, very good guy) had a car in to break in the right colour - all sorted for less than the excess on my policy.
Mr Tidy said:
That's a great read OP - thanks for sharing your journey!
I hope you can get the damage sorted for sensible money.
It's looking positive - Stage 2: Obtain the parts.I hope you can get the damage sorted for sensible money.
I tracked down a 2004 Tourer in a breakers two hours away, so with yesterday morning looking entirely delightful, I loaded up the tools, cleared the boot and headed off. Terrible picture, but it was lovely:
20181215_075746The donor was 61,000 mile car that had been scrapped under one of the dealer schemes. Other than flat tyres it was very good indeed - a travesty that society is this wasteful, but I was resolute in ensuring it's pointless sacrifice wasn't in vain. I resolved to get everything I could, and ensure the various 75 bods I knew were alerted to its existence.
The site manager was affable and really helpful, moving a few pieces so I could back my car right up and get to work, but said I had 1 hour before he closed early! To work...
Fortunately, clean panels on the driver's side:
20181215_104100With a suitable tyre for support, the doors came off quickly with 10mm and 13mm sockets, plus careful removal of the multiplug connectors. The front wing simply unbolts with a 10mm once mudflaps, arch liners and various clips are removed. Easy.
20181215_105722
20181215_111510
20181215_111854
20181215_112436
20181215_113201And that was it. Rather sad, but there was no way legally I could have got it back on the road. Open the the element now, but the interior was actually the worse part of it already - I think a family of dogs used it as a human car.
20181215_124738For reference, you can get all those panels in the back of another 75 without issue. Amazing car. I should have got a picture of the two together, blast.
I had a cup of tea with the owner of the yard and got chatting. He said he was happy to wait another half an hour if I wanted any bits, and as he'd charged me £150 for all the stuff I wanted, I couldn't turn it down!
Immaculate pair of rear lights - no leaks, no moss, and all tabs and fixings original.
20181215_125836A working cup holder.
Original hi vis jacket and warning triangle.
Wheel arch bulb covers.
A cuddly toy. Just kidding.
Plus many, many other bits and bobs that were missing, worn out rusty or otherwise on my car. I may be back for another load in January!
Car full, secured and back by 2pm. Unfortunately couldn't get started on the replacement work, as the car is off somewhere now doing yet more miles, but I'm happy so far with my boot of booty!
20181215_141011Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 16th December 19:15
littlebasher said:
Did you take the mirror as well 
Yes! I took the entire door; hook, line and wing mirror. Plenty of stuff to be resold once the picks of the litter have been deduced.Inclement weather and lack of time have put the larger scale panel repairs on hold, but after another instance of being skulldented by a sluggish boot I had to renew the gas struts. Same as the bonnet - nitrolift. Seem to work.
20190112_143021
20190112_143026
20190112_143054As always, the boot now threatens to chin anyone opening it as opposed to a slow drop, but anyway:
20190112_143833This allowed me to work on what I thought would be a quick job - the rear lights. The originals had started to separate and were loosing bulbs rather more quickly, and the harness wires were starting to look a bit chewed.
20190112_143853In my haul from the breakers two units in fantastic condition:
20190112_144633But upon removal it was apparent the fixing were all on their last legs. This is a very common Tourer ailment - stuck screws, rusty mountings and broken plastic retainers. I had some broken brackets, a hodgepodge of screw types, some rusted fast, and plastic retainers in states of dilapidation.
20190112_150630I paused work and ordered a mounting kit from the Rover community, which comes with stronger clips and new bolts, as well as a crimper for the bolt housings.
Once received, I set to work on the old bits - clips easily out with a screwdriver, but the bolts required various methods of persuasion - the last, an oversized torx bolt, took a 'metal' drillbit, followed by my spotweld cobalt bit at 10mm.
20190113_161022Old nonsense out, hammerite applied.
20190113_163604New clips went in with a dab of sealant and a gentle push from the centre, per the detailed instructions:
20190113_165031Then, as night fell, a failure - I overtightened the bolt housing with the crimper and it split the bolt.
20190113_170046
20190113_170856
20190113_171729Fortunately there was enough protruding to get a dremel onto it and unscrew, but the thread is kaput and will need a new housing as well as the crimper tool. Darn. Ah well, that'll do for today.
The 75 is a great motor, they really are a bargain if you get a solid one.
Ride is very Jaguar-ish very similar to a 90's XJ, it just glides over potholes and speed bumps.
The 75 has a cult following and rightly so it's just a shame people overlook them mainly because of the Rover badge.
If they have stuck a BMW badge on the bonnet I doubt you would be able to buy a decent one for under £2000. But thanks to peoples opinions you can get a solid one for £600-£800
Ride is very Jaguar-ish very similar to a 90's XJ, it just glides over potholes and speed bumps.
The 75 has a cult following and rightly so it's just a shame people overlook them mainly because of the Rover badge.
If they have stuck a BMW badge on the bonnet I doubt you would be able to buy a decent one for under £2000. But thanks to peoples opinions you can get a solid one for £600-£800
Yes indeed great cars, sadly this year we'll have a surcharge for driving them into central London at any hour, and this one has moved so many of our friends and family or helped out with eBay furniture and car part bargains it'll be annoying. But, the charge doesn't apply to classics, so we'll assess whether an old Volvo or Merc might replace it. Unlikely.
Rear light saga completed, though not without loss of patience and a great deal of irritation.
To pick up where we left off, cobalt 10mm drillbit made quick work of the badly crimped fixing.
20190119_132002
A new kit arrived with daylight and careful setup I set to it.
20190119_134142
Unfortunately every fixing either bent to bolt or damaged the thread, so I had to get a pack of the toughest M6 bolts and dremel off the long nut each time. Painful.
20190119_142458
Finally, all four crimped in successfully. Of course, 2 of the 4 had crimped such that they interferred with the internal thread, and no bolt could get in. Ugh. Dull.
To cap it off, a trial fit with plenty of grease on the ball sockets for the new lights resulted in two of the new plastic plugs disintegrating.
20190119_154953
As I had a new set of plugs from the second kit I ordered, these went in and seemed to stay.
The new lights stay on, and look great. Everything works. I never want to go near rear lights of a tourer ever again.
Rear light saga completed, though not without loss of patience and a great deal of irritation.
To pick up where we left off, cobalt 10mm drillbit made quick work of the badly crimped fixing.
20190119_132002A new kit arrived with daylight and careful setup I set to it.
20190119_134142Unfortunately every fixing either bent to bolt or damaged the thread, so I had to get a pack of the toughest M6 bolts and dremel off the long nut each time. Painful.
20190119_142458Finally, all four crimped in successfully. Of course, 2 of the 4 had crimped such that they interferred with the internal thread, and no bolt could get in. Ugh. Dull.
To cap it off, a trial fit with plenty of grease on the ball sockets for the new lights resulted in two of the new plastic plugs disintegrating.
20190119_154953As I had a new set of plugs from the second kit I ordered, these went in and seemed to stay.
The new lights stay on, and look great. Everything works. I never want to go near rear lights of a tourer ever again.
Stage 3: Fit the new parts.
Following the rear light debacle I was keen to replace all the damaged panels and get the car respectable again. A dry Saturday and good light made it all possible, and it was a relatively straightforward job.
Recap - RH front wing, RH front and rear doors rippled and scratched beyond economical repair. The dents don't actually look too bad in these photos but they are deep and miserable, I assume you.
20190120_122705
20190120_122711
Here are the new additions in matching HFF green. They photograph well but do have the usual marks and grime from 10 years on the road. Note the wing mirror, also in great condition.
20190120_123431
20190120_123439
20190120_123443
Doors off first to allow better access to the front wing bolts, this is as simply as putting the spare tyre underneath covered with a blanket for support, undoing the 10mm check strap bolt and then using a small screwdriver to unhook the two clips on the top of each hinge. Then the rubber sleeve for the electrical connections can be teased out and unclipped. Doors lift up and off, and are surprisingly heavy.
20190120_125424
20190120_131309
20190120_131624
Whoever designed this plug deserves a medal - very satisfying and reassuring connection action using an inbuilt slider to tighten and lock. Clearly not in the 'rear light housing' design department.
20190120_131629
Easy enough.
20190120_132447
Front wing had a number of 10mm bolts, along the top under the bonnet and then at each corner. All allow easy adjustment for panel fit, and the only snag is the front point by the headlight, which is very awkward to get to. I spent about 15 minutes blind with a spanner to get the bolt out as I refused to unbolt the bumper. After a frank discussion with my wrists and knuckles,we decided to take of the bumper. Next time.
20190120_132544
20190120_135716
20190120_130101
There are two at the bottom of the A pillar that require the mudguard strip to be removed. These four screws were very much rustified and so the Dremel once again converted posidrive to flathead.
20190120_135920
20190120_140435
Mudguard and inner wheel arch moved, the last bolts were easily out.
20190120_141710
I know how you all like a nudiecar shot, even with a tattered gloveflap in the shot.
20190120_141958
All looked relatively good, fortunately no more damage underneath, though the start of some bubbling.
20190120_142147
20190120_142205
20190120_142207
A good clean up, especially the mud and guts in the wiring, followed by rust converter and protector in the crannies.
20190120_143457
20190120_145558
A quick clean of the new panel unfortunately revealed some iron oxide, and so once again some scraping, cleaning and rustproofing was deployed.
20190120_143704
20190120_143806
20190120_145551
The smashed side repeater needed replacement, and sadly the new panel had the standard Rover 75 in-built green grot creeping into the plastic.
I ordered a new one previously for Stage 1, so this was installed.
20190120_143728
20190120_152815
A particularly fearless robin was particularly interested in my spanners, and we had a good chat about British build quality and German wiring looms over a tea break.
20190120_153306
Right, 'refitting is the reverse of removal', or however the old joke goes. The wing glid (glidded? glouded?) in with ease. A quick check with the other side confirmed that yes, this was the panel gap for the facelift Mk2.
20190120_153427
20190120_153432
Careful tightening of bolts for initial fit, with some play left for when the doors were mounted.
20190120_154954
A pleasant few minutes were spent cleaning the new door jams. All this means is that at some stage I'll be taking the other side off to get them this clean... oh well. The front wing probably needs removal to dump the kilo of leaves and twigs that have accumulated in any case.
20190120_161609
Passenger side on with ease, and the two clips and check strap added. Perfect fit first time. Whole assembly greased and test-shut a few times. Lovely.
20190120_162021
Little bit of grease on the rubber boot for the wiring connection, carefully stuffed in with a thin screwdriver.
20190120_162024
Happy with that. Note the dirtiness and ingrained grime of the 'new' door.
20190120_162252
20190120_162257
Driver's door a bit more awkward trying to position it for the lift as the plug is bigger, the door heavier and the wing somewhat in the way. Likely much easier with two people.
20190120_165111
Slight tweaking required to get perfect...
20190120_165216
The wing bolts were luckily very easy to tweak into a perfect flush fit.
20190120_165938
All done! Ready for the next van to take a swing at it.
20190120_172410
20190120_172424
Door cards and trim will have to be swapped over next time. Well done Rover for logical design and solid build quality.
Following the rear light debacle I was keen to replace all the damaged panels and get the car respectable again. A dry Saturday and good light made it all possible, and it was a relatively straightforward job.
Recap - RH front wing, RH front and rear doors rippled and scratched beyond economical repair. The dents don't actually look too bad in these photos but they are deep and miserable, I assume you.
20190120_12270520190120_122711Here are the new additions in matching HFF green. They photograph well but do have the usual marks and grime from 10 years on the road. Note the wing mirror, also in great condition.
20190120_12343120190120_12343920190120_123443Doors off first to allow better access to the front wing bolts, this is as simply as putting the spare tyre underneath covered with a blanket for support, undoing the 10mm check strap bolt and then using a small screwdriver to unhook the two clips on the top of each hinge. Then the rubber sleeve for the electrical connections can be teased out and unclipped. Doors lift up and off, and are surprisingly heavy.
20190120_12542420190120_13130920190120_131624Whoever designed this plug deserves a medal - very satisfying and reassuring connection action using an inbuilt slider to tighten and lock. Clearly not in the 'rear light housing' design department.
20190120_131629Easy enough.
20190120_132447Front wing had a number of 10mm bolts, along the top under the bonnet and then at each corner. All allow easy adjustment for panel fit, and the only snag is the front point by the headlight, which is very awkward to get to. I spent about 15 minutes blind with a spanner to get the bolt out as I refused to unbolt the bumper. After a frank discussion with my wrists and knuckles,we decided to take of the bumper. Next time.
20190120_13254420190120_13571620190120_130101There are two at the bottom of the A pillar that require the mudguard strip to be removed. These four screws were very much rustified and so the Dremel once again converted posidrive to flathead.
20190120_13592020190120_140435Mudguard and inner wheel arch moved, the last bolts were easily out.
20190120_141710I know how you all like a nudiecar shot, even with a tattered gloveflap in the shot.
20190120_141958All looked relatively good, fortunately no more damage underneath, though the start of some bubbling.
20190120_14214720190120_14220520190120_142207A good clean up, especially the mud and guts in the wiring, followed by rust converter and protector in the crannies.
20190120_14345720190120_145558A quick clean of the new panel unfortunately revealed some iron oxide, and so once again some scraping, cleaning and rustproofing was deployed.
20190120_14370420190120_14380620190120_145551The smashed side repeater needed replacement, and sadly the new panel had the standard Rover 75 in-built green grot creeping into the plastic.
I ordered a new one previously for Stage 1, so this was installed.
20190120_14372820190120_152815A particularly fearless robin was particularly interested in my spanners, and we had a good chat about British build quality and German wiring looms over a tea break.
20190120_153306Right, 'refitting is the reverse of removal', or however the old joke goes. The wing glid (glidded? glouded?) in with ease. A quick check with the other side confirmed that yes, this was the panel gap for the facelift Mk2.
20190120_15342720190120_153432Careful tightening of bolts for initial fit, with some play left for when the doors were mounted.
20190120_154954A pleasant few minutes were spent cleaning the new door jams. All this means is that at some stage I'll be taking the other side off to get them this clean... oh well. The front wing probably needs removal to dump the kilo of leaves and twigs that have accumulated in any case.
20190120_161609Passenger side on with ease, and the two clips and check strap added. Perfect fit first time. Whole assembly greased and test-shut a few times. Lovely.
20190120_162021Little bit of grease on the rubber boot for the wiring connection, carefully stuffed in with a thin screwdriver.
20190120_162024Happy with that. Note the dirtiness and ingrained grime of the 'new' door.
20190120_16225220190120_162257Driver's door a bit more awkward trying to position it for the lift as the plug is bigger, the door heavier and the wing somewhat in the way. Likely much easier with two people.
20190120_165111Slight tweaking required to get perfect...
20190120_165216The wing bolts were luckily very easy to tweak into a perfect flush fit.
20190120_165938All done! Ready for the next van to take a swing at it.
20190120_17241020190120_172424Door cards and trim will have to be swapped over next time. Well done Rover for logical design and solid build quality.
Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 27th January 12:49
I found this example - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Would such a low mileage at this age be a concern? I'm after a reliable commuter car and this looks fantastic. Most I've seen are at 80k miles or more. What is their high mileage longevity like?
Would such a low mileage at this age be a concern? I'm after a reliable commuter car and this looks fantastic. Most I've seen are at 80k miles or more. What is their high mileage longevity like?
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff