Timewarp Rover 200 BRM
Discussion
itcaptainslow said:
It’s been in the area all of its life-the first and second owners were both local. I think the dealership has now gone, sadly-can anyone confirm?
I left Lichfield over 18 years ago and I'm sure it was still a Rover dealer then. It appears to have been taken over at some point and converted to Ford before finally having to close it's doors last year. I remember the dealership well. It was right in the centre of the City, close to the railway station and right on the corner of a busy cross roads (traffic light controlled). At that time, I had Rover's as company cars; a 216S followed by the new replacement, the 214 (with the Honda derived engine). The 216 was hopeless - the sunroof leaked from day 1 and was never cured and it was always breaking down. Luckily I didn't have it for long before it was replaced by the 214 which was much improved. My 214 was in white with the lower body painted in grey. I recall a colleague having the same car but in beige with grey lower body paint
Can you imagine that?Here's a link to a pic of the dealer forecourt as was:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shaw2bshaw/12751367
And an article relating to it's closure:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/s...
I always consider that these Rovers (along with the previous generation) are pretty sound mechanically given the Honda underpinnings...
Not sure how the engines stack up? The old 1400 K seemed a willing unit but not sure about the larger capacities...what are the book figures??
Must be good with a diff!
Not sure how the engines stack up? The old 1400 K seemed a willing unit but not sure about the larger capacities...what are the book figures??
Must be good with a diff!
I didn’t see the last couple of replies to this thread until I popped back in to post something-sorry chaps!
I remember the dealership well. It was right in the centre of the City, close to the railway station and right on the corner of a busy cross roads (traffic light controlled). At that time, I had Rover's as company cars; a 216S followed by the new replacement, the 214 (with the Honda derived engine). The 216 was hopeless - the sunroof leaked from day 1 and was never cured and it was always breaking down. Luckily I didn't have it for long before it was replaced by the 214 which was much improved. My 214 was in white with the lower body painted in grey. I recall a colleague having the same car but in beige with grey lower body paint Can you imagine that?
Here's a link to a pic of the dealer forecourt as was:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shaw2bshaw/12751367
And an article relating to it's closure:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/s...Thanks for the picture and article-always nice to see stuff like that. Shame the dealership isn’t around in some form still today.
The 214 (R8 shape) would have been the K-Series engine! The 216 could have either been the Honda unit or the K-Series.
Must admit as much as I liked the R3 the two tone colour schemes were questionable...! My parents had a Charcoal 214SEI which looked really smart-the shape did suit darker colours better as it has quite mature, classy lines. Bright colours look a bit weird on it.
The ties with Honda had been severed by the time the R3 was launched, although it carried over some of the underpinnings from the R8.
The 1.8 VVC seen in the BRM produces a peak output of 143bhp-later VVC units in the ZR/TF160 were 160bhp thanks to a different ECU, throttle body, machining work on the cylinder head (although this is sometimes debated apparently!) and stronger pistons (which don’t actually add to the power output).
There’s a reason the K-Series is popular with kit car builders and was used by Lotus & Caterham for years-it’s extremely light and powerful for the size, plus easily tuneable.
CharlieAlphaMike said:
itcaptainslow said:
It’s been in the area all of its life-the first and second owners were both local. I think the dealership has now gone, sadly-can anyone confirm?
I left Lichfield over 18 years ago and I'm sure it was still a Rover dealer then. It appears to have been taken over at some point and converted to Ford before finally having to close it's doors last year. I remember the dealership well. It was right in the centre of the City, close to the railway station and right on the corner of a busy cross roads (traffic light controlled). At that time, I had Rover's as company cars; a 216S followed by the new replacement, the 214 (with the Honda derived engine). The 216 was hopeless - the sunroof leaked from day 1 and was never cured and it was always breaking down. Luckily I didn't have it for long before it was replaced by the 214 which was much improved. My 214 was in white with the lower body painted in grey. I recall a colleague having the same car but in beige with grey lower body paint
Can you imagine that?Here's a link to a pic of the dealer forecourt as was:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shaw2bshaw/12751367
And an article relating to it's closure:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/s...
The 214 (R8 shape) would have been the K-Series engine! The 216 could have either been the Honda unit or the K-Series.
Must admit as much as I liked the R3 the two tone colour schemes were questionable...! My parents had a Charcoal 214SEI which looked really smart-the shape did suit darker colours better as it has quite mature, classy lines. Bright colours look a bit weird on it.
chrismc1977 said:
I always consider that these Rovers (along with the previous generation) are pretty sound mechanically given the Honda underpinnings...
Not sure how the engines stack up? The old 1400 K seemed a willing unit but not sure about the larger capacities...what are the book figures??
Must be good with a diff!
Apart from the Honda 1.6 unit in some versions of the previous generation R8 to my BRM (which is the R3 shape), most of the engineering was Rover. I’m awaiting the arrival of MG John here! Not sure how the engines stack up? The old 1400 K seemed a willing unit but not sure about the larger capacities...what are the book figures??
Must be good with a diff!
The ties with Honda had been severed by the time the R3 was launched, although it carried over some of the underpinnings from the R8.The 1.8 VVC seen in the BRM produces a peak output of 143bhp-later VVC units in the ZR/TF160 were 160bhp thanks to a different ECU, throttle body, machining work on the cylinder head (although this is sometimes debated apparently!) and stronger pistons (which don’t actually add to the power output).
There’s a reason the K-Series is popular with kit car builders and was used by Lotus & Caterham for years-it’s extremely light and powerful for the size, plus easily tuneable.
CharlieAlphaMike said:
I left Lichfield over 18 years ago and I'm sure it was still a Rover dealer then. It appears to have been taken over at some point and converted to Ford before finally having to close it's doors last year.
I remember the dealership well. It was right in the centre of the City, close to the railway station and right on the corner of a busy cross roads (traffic light controlled). At that time, I had Rover's as company cars; a 216S followed by the new replacement, the 214 (with the Honda derived engine). The 216 was hopeless - the sunroof leaked from day 1 and was never cured and it was always breaking down. Luckily I didn't have it for long before it was replaced by the 214 which was much improved. My 214 was in white with the lower body painted in grey. I recall a colleague having the same car but in beige with grey lower body paint Can you imagine that?
Here's a link to a pic of the dealer forecourt as was:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shaw2bshaw/12751367
And an article relating to it's closure:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/s...
I took a few photos just before it was demolished, here’s one:I remember the dealership well. It was right in the centre of the City, close to the railway station and right on the corner of a busy cross roads (traffic light controlled). At that time, I had Rover's as company cars; a 216S followed by the new replacement, the 214 (with the Honda derived engine). The 216 was hopeless - the sunroof leaked from day 1 and was never cured and it was always breaking down. Luckily I didn't have it for long before it was replaced by the 214 which was much improved. My 214 was in white with the lower body painted in grey. I recall a colleague having the same car but in beige with grey lower body paint
Can you imagine that?Here's a link to a pic of the dealer forecourt as was:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/shaw2bshaw/12751367
And an article relating to it's closure:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/s...
Escy said:
I thought the K series engine was popular with kit car builders, Lotus and Caterham as they knew their target market like to wield a spanner and the K series is the gift that keeps on giving in that respect. The headgasket is near enough a service item. 
It’s not if it’s fixed properly, with the correct parts, checking the correct things and using the correct procedures. 
Escy said:
I thought the K series engine was popular with kit car builders, Lotus and Caterham as they knew their target market like to wield a spanner and the K series is the gift that keeps on giving in that respect. The headgasket is near enough a service item.
Can't disagree more with this.I changed the HG for the land rover kit and 6 months later drove the car for a month with a broken water pump with no ill effects. Saw it driving around 2 years after I sold it too(200vi)
Fun Bus said:
I’m watching the Sniff n Smith video on YouTube of the new Suzuki Jimny (I like Porter, not the Jimny) and what gets a mention at 1 minute 12 seconds?!
OP, check it out.
Seen it already thanks to a mention earlier in the thread. I was desperately trying to think where I was when that must have been taken (I haven’t exactly done many miles in the BRM!) but am none the wiser!OP, check it out.
300bhp/ton said:
The 200vi was a great car, been in a few. The BRM is better again, slightly slower to 60mph but same/better to 100mph due to the gearbox. But it's the front diff and handling that are the game changer, plus the lovely interior.
The BRM is the closest thing to a DC2 ITR I've driven in terms of FWD ability and feel. The key difference the ITR is much more noise and brash about what it can do. The BRM is the refined longer distance GT style cousin. But with very similar abilities.
Its a shame theres not many again but the Alfa 145 PH2 Cloverleaf is in that arena as well. I've had two and they were incredible cars, they would happily do the distance and the engine was 155 bhp of high revving fun that you don't get these days. My best mate who's more of a sucker for punishment than I has them now and is spending all his free time welding them up.The BRM is the closest thing to a DC2 ITR I've driven in terms of FWD ability and feel. The key difference the ITR is much more noise and brash about what it can do. The BRM is the refined longer distance GT style cousin. But with very similar abilities.
Escy said:
I thought the K series engine was popular with kit car builders, Lotus and Caterham as they knew their target market like to wield a spanner and the K series is the gift that keeps on giving in that respect. The headgasket is near enough a service item.
As others have said, this is an unfair criticism of the K series. If it does occur it's either due to poor maintenance, being ragged from cold or poor design of the cooling system in the particular car eg Freelander. I've had K Series engines in a Caterham and Lotus Elise S1 and they gave zero HG issues even when driven hard.Lovely car OP! Reader's car of the week too
I've only ever seen a 200 BRM on the road once in my life, so it's great to see yours in such good condition.Hate thread about these car.
Nearly bought one 20 years ago and didn't due to the panel with the electric window switches being loose in the car, so bought a 200vi instead. To this day I regret not buying that car. I still dream of buying one to this day and enjoying it
Good luck with the car
Nearly bought one 20 years ago and didn't due to the panel with the electric window switches being loose in the car, so bought a 200vi instead. To this day I regret not buying that car. I still dream of buying one to this day and enjoying it
Good luck with the car
Itcaptainslow - i think i may have seen you a couple of months ago. I’m only a few miles up the road from you in Bedfordshire and waved at the driver from my Up Gti and the driver (you?) waved back noting my appreciation of your steer.
Of course there could be another one in the area.
(Also got a slight soft spot for Rover’s having had a 620, 620Ti and a v6 75 in the past along with an S1 Elise 135)
Of course there could be another one in the area.
(Also got a slight soft spot for Rover’s having had a 620, 620Ti and a v6 75 in the past along with an S1 Elise 135)
AshD said:
Itcaptainslow - i think i may have seen you a couple of months ago. I’m only a few miles up the road from you in Bedfordshire and waved at the driver from my Up Gti and the driver (you?) waved back noting my appreciation of your steer.
Of course there could be another one in the area.
(Also got a slight soft spot for Rover’s having had a 620, 620Ti and a v6 75 in the past along with an S1 Elise 135)
I remember it-near Shefford! I do also remember thinking “Ooooh, Up GTI!” (my girlfriend has one) so I was as much showing appreciation for your car too Of course there could be another one in the area.
(Also got a slight soft spot for Rover’s having had a 620, 620Ti and a v6 75 in the past along with an S1 Elise 135)
Wow, interesting car to find in such condition.
I always liked the look of these in the day and they’ve aged well on the outside!
Those seats though, surely as part of the package they’re the weak link when properly using the car?
Considering special diff, gearbox and suspension etc, something a bit more racey would have been expected?
I wonder why anyone would store such a car for so long though. It’s got to be rare to find such a car?
I always liked the look of these in the day and they’ve aged well on the outside!
Those seats though, surely as part of the package they’re the weak link when properly using the car?
Considering special diff, gearbox and suspension etc, something a bit more racey would have been expected?
I wonder why anyone would store such a car for so long though. It’s got to be rare to find such a car?
itcaptainslow said:
AshD said:
Itcaptainslow - i think i may have seen you a couple of months ago. I’m only a few miles up the road from you in Bedfordshire and waved at the driver from my Up Gti and the driver (you?) waved back noting my appreciation of your steer.
Of course there could be another one in the area.
(Also got a slight soft spot for Rover’s having had a 620, 620Ti and a v6 75 in the past along with an S1 Elise 135)
I remember it-near Shefford! I do also remember thinking “Ooooh, Up GTI!” (my girlfriend has one) so I was as much showing appreciation for your car too Of course there could be another one in the area.
(Also got a slight soft spot for Rover’s having had a 620, 620Ti and a v6 75 in the past along with an S1 Elise 135)
Definitely lusting after your BRM - enjoy!
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