Buying a 1.8T Rover 75

WalkieTalkie · 21st January 2017, 17:41

Hi all,
many thanks for accepting me here. While not an owner of a Rover I am off to look at one tomorrow near London. I am in Basingstoke so was just wondering if I could get a few pointers as to what I should look for when viewing the Vehicle. I have never owned a Rover.
The car I am going to look at was registered as new in April 2003. It has 42000 miles on the clock and looks to be in pretty much great condition. It has a five speed automatic gearbox and 1.8 turbo engine. The car has a full service history and appears to have been well looked after.
What sort of price should I be paying if it's in good nick?
What should I look for as far as problems or issue that maybe apparent?
Any other comments?
I guess it's cutting it fine to expect any answers, but do hope I get some.
Many thanks in advance.
Regards
Mike

suzublu · 21st January 2017, 17:47

Welcome & good luck with any future purchase, the 1.8T is, imo, the best of the bunch, but needs looking after. Have a quick read http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...13&postcount=9

RoverRyan · 21st January 2017, 18:06

The 1.8 T is a marvellous engine. I have experienced head gasket failure (hgf) but so long as you look after it you should be alright.
check coolant level before taking the test drive! [IMG]

[/IMG]

hope it all goes well!

solarsailor · 21st January 2017, 18:15

If you haven't already read this then it's definitely worth having a look at, although it contains so much information I doubt you'd remember all of it when checking over your prospective car.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=75282

I bought my 1.8T (manual) last April. It had covered just 42,850 miles and, apart from being in need of a thorough valet, was in excellent nick. It cost me £941 and was money well spent as it's been a joy to own. I'm no expert on the value of our cars but still believe I got it at a fantastic price - especially as I haven't seen a good example with that sort of mileage for sale at less than about £1,200 since.

But, like anything, it will be worth what you're prepared to pay for it.

Andrew

kc13661 · 21st January 2017, 18:50

The 1.8 Turbo is suited great to the Automatic gearbox, like others have said, check the coolant level and look for signs of oily deposits in the header tank, also check header tank cap and dipstick for signs of oil/water mix (looks like mayonnaise ) also look at water hoses make sure none are soft/spongy or look bloated
On test drive check heaters work, also temp gauge does not go above 9 o clock position, check gearbox changes are smooth, and all 5 forward gears engage.

Apart from that just like any other car

chiron_myth · 21st January 2017, 19:00

You'll find that most people love their own car on here. Diesel owners will love their diesels, v6 owners love their v6's and 1.8 owners love their 1.8's.

1.8's tend to need a little more love and attention than the diesel and v6's but are much cheaper to maintain and can be very rewarding (quiet around town with reasonable mpg, and fun if you let it rev a little).

The 1.8T and auto box is a very rare combination, but a very good one. IMO, the 1.8T is a wonderful engine and made better with the auto. Just check for signs of head gasket failure (i.e. coolant looks good and no signs of mayonnaise in the oil), and look after if you get it. Similarly, make sure that the auto-box works smoothly. The auto boxes are generally quite reliable, but can be expensive to fix if there is a problem.

One thing I love about the 1.8 (other than the cheap servicing) is that it's an easy engine to work on as you can almost climb into the engine bay if you need to (and I have done on occasion!).

sponge_mike · 21st January 2017, 19:06

Don't. Get a diesel automatic.
Mike

kc13661 · 21st January 2017, 21:47

I have the 1.8 T Auto and a Diesel Auto , both are great in their own right....

Rooney · 21st January 2017, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoverRyan

The 1.8 T is a marvellous engine. I have experienced head gasket failure (hgf)

Now that sounds like something I would say.

It's amazing how many of us have had a k-series with HGF who still sing the praises of the engine.

My standard advice for anybody thinking of buying a k-series is budget for replacing the head gasket and associated gubbins and you'll be getting a cracking car for comparatively little money.

FLYING BANANA · 22nd January 2017, 07:15

My 1.8t with manual gearbox is on 178,900. Has had a few HGF's but I just love the car and the reasonably reliable K series lump.

21st January 2017, 17:41	#1
WalkieTalkie Newbie Rover 75 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Basingstoke Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Buying a 1.8T Rover 75 Hi all, many thanks for accepting me here. While not an owner of a Rover I am off to look at one tomorrow near London. I am in Basingstoke so was just wondering if I could get a few pointers as to what I should look for when viewing the Vehicle. I have never owned a Rover. The car I am going to look at was registered as new in April 2003. It has 42000 miles on the clock and looks to be in pretty much great condition. It has a five speed automatic gearbox and 1.8 turbo engine. The car has a full service history and appears to have been well looked after. What sort of price should I be paying if it's in good nick? What should I look for as far as problems or issue that maybe apparent? Any other comments? I guess it's cutting it fine to expect any answers, but do hope I get some. Many thanks in advance. Regards Mike

21st January 2017, 18:06	#3
RoverRyan Avid contributor Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Alfreton Posts: 201 Thanks: 21 Thanked 47 Times in 36 Posts	The 1.8 T is a marvellous engine. I have experienced head gasket failure (hgf) but so long as you look after it you should be alright. check coolant level before taking the test drive! [IMG][/IMG] hope it all goes well! __________________ *Ryan Walker* *My Car...* was the 97,610th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 was the 2,001st 75 1.8 T Connoisseur to be made out of 2,392 was the 10,746th 75 in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 14,280 Starlight Silver 75s

21st January 2017, 18:15	#4
solarsailor Posted a thing or two 75 Saloon 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Colchester Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 87 Thanked 653 Times in 344 Posts	If you haven't already read this then it's definitely worth having a look at, although it contains so much information I doubt you'd remember all of it when checking over your prospective car. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=75282 I bought my 1.8T (manual) last April. It had covered just 42,850 miles and, apart from being in need of a thorough valet, was in excellent nick. It cost me £941 and was money well spent as it's been a joy to own. I'm no expert on the value of our cars but still believe I got it at a fantastic price - especially as I haven't seen a good example with that sort of mileage for sale at less than about £1,200 since. But, like anything, it will be worth what you're prepared to pay for it. Andrew __________________ This vehicle was born on Wednesday June 4th 2003 @ 08:24:38 This vehicle was the 73,905th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,862nd 75 1.8 T Club SE to be made out of 3,980 This vehicle was the 6,856th 75 in Wedgewood Blue to be made out of 7,515 Wedgewood Blue 75s

21st January 2017, 18:50	#5
kc13661 I really should get out more....... Freelander Td4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gateshead Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 704 Thanked 909 Times in 419 Posts	The 1.8 Turbo is suited great to the Automatic gearbox, like others have said, check the coolant level and look for signs of oily deposits in the header tank, also check header tank cap and dipstick for signs of oil/water mix (looks like mayonnaise ) also look at water hoses make sure none are soft/spongy or look bloated On test drive check heaters work, also temp gauge does not go above 9 o clock position, check gearbox changes are smooth, and all 5 forward gears engage. Apart from that just like any other car __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is compulsory.... Growing up is Optional

21st January 2017, 19:00	#6
chiron_myth Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Shifnal Posts: 422 Thanks: 57 Thanked 80 Times in 66 Posts	You'll find that most people love their own car on here. Diesel owners will love their diesels, v6 owners love their v6's and 1.8 owners love their 1.8's. 1.8's tend to need a little more love and attention than the diesel and v6's but are much cheaper to maintain and can be very rewarding (quiet around town with reasonable mpg, and fun if you let it rev a little). The 1.8T and auto box is a very rare combination, but a very good one. IMO, the 1.8T is a wonderful engine and made better with the auto. Just check for signs of head gasket failure (i.e. coolant looks good and no signs of mayonnaise in the oil), and look after if you get it. Similarly, make sure that the auto-box works smoothly. The auto boxes are generally quite reliable, but can be expensive to fix if there is a problem. One thing I love about the 1.8 (other than the cheap servicing) is that it's an easy engine to work on as you can almost climb into the engine bay if you need to (and I have done on occasion!). __________________ Done so far... loads. Special thanks to Arctic, Lord_Skyrunner John_H, Holland314, JamieWelch and Drewski for their help so far. Left to do... loads!!!

21st January 2017, 17:47	#2
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,912 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Welcome & good luck with any future purchase, the 1.8T is, imo, the best of the bunch, but needs looking after. Have a quick read http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...13&postcount=9

21st January 2017, 19:06	#7
sponge_mike Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connoisseur SE CDTi Automatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Skegness Posts: 899 Thanks: 191 Thanked 157 Times in 96 Posts	Don't. Get a diesel automatic. Mike

21st January 2017, 21:47	#8
kc13661 I really should get out more....... Freelander Td4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gateshead Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 704 Thanked 909 Times in 419 Posts	I have the 1.8 T Auto and a Diesel Auto , both are great in their own right.... __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is compulsory.... Growing up is Optional

22nd January 2017, 07:15	#10
FLYING BANANA Moderator/Club Shop MG ZT 1.8t+. No.3 of 4 in Sunspot Yellow & Ford Fiesta in Black. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rattler Farm Posts: 22,555 Thanks: 9,270 Thanked 15,645 Times in 6,806 Posts	My 1.8t with manual gearbox is on 178,900. Has had a few HGF's but I just love the car and the reasonably reliable K series lump. __________________ 233,320. New rear tyres on order for BBB. onen hag oll