Rover 75 1.8T Tourer Connoisseur in Tempest Grey

[mossrose]

It is finally time to part with my 2004 Rover 75 1.8T Tourer Connoisseur (Tempest Grey). I have had it since 2012 and, as my daily driver, I have covered seventy six thousand miles in it(total mileage c146000).

It has become tatty inside and out, however I cleared its MOT advisories last October and I had invested in a new radiator earlier in the year, so I was expecting another year or two of service without major problems.

The car currently does not start and would take some investment of time and money to get it back on the road. I donÂ’t have the time or space to do it, so regrettably it must go.

Yesterday ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ struck. Earlier in the week I had noticed that the oval shaped dashboard display (speed, average speed, range, mpg etc…) was no longer working, it was merely glowing. Then the battery became flat. I am unsure whether one was the cause of the other. I went to open the bonnet on Saturday morning to investigate and found that I couldn’t. I have previously had the common problem with the release cable junction box and repaired it, accessing via the route recommended by this forum. I used the same method to check the junction box yesterday and it seemed in order, and I still can’t open the bonnet. I am beginning to think that one of the latches was disturbed when the car had a new radiator last year and that the bonnet may need to be sacrificed and replaced.

The carÂ’s good points are as follows:

It was supplied new by Edwards of Stratford, the family dealership of John Edwards who became infamous as a member of the Phoenix Four, and the car still carries its Edwards of Stratford number plates.
No advisories on the MOT
Work in September 23:
Rebuilt steering rack.
Rear shock absorbers, discs and pads.
Work in June 23:
New radiator.
Work in October 22:
Rear engine mounting.
Work in May 20:
Rear passenger side sill/jacking point repair with TJ Hobbs repair panel.
The car pulls gamely through the gears and stops well, although driving is no longer as silky smooth and effortless at high motorway speeds as it was at lower mileages.
The majority of the flexible cooling hoses have been changed in recent years.
The car doesnÂ’t use oil.
Spare key.
The brightwork, with the exception of one sill trim, is in good condition.
The leather seats and carpets are in well maintained condition.
The car has a large history file from my time of ownership and before.

The carÂ’s bad points are as follows:
The reversing sensors no longer work.
The airbag warning light comes on annoying regularly and is turned off with a wiggle of the connecter blocks below the front seats.
There is an occasional check engine warning light displayed for a P0420 catalyst error code that I can extinguish with a Halfords code reader.
There is a very rare (twice in my ownership) check engine warning light displayed for a crankshaft position sensor error. This extinguishes itself when the car is turned off and restarted.
There are roof leaks on both sides forward of the tail gate.
The front grille badge, C post union jacks and road wheel centres are all faded.
There are many scuffs and scratches around the car especially on the front and rear valances and doors on one side.
The rear valance has a short split below the rear tail light cluster on the passenger side.
The driverÂ’s and passenger door glasses are badly scratched.
It has an aftermarket oval tube rear exhaust silencer., that sits below the line of the rear valance and detracts from the appearance of the car.
The roof lining has become detached to the front and rear.
All four door cards are flying off at the top trailing corner.

I hope that I can move this car onto a good home with someone who has the resources to do the necessary repairs and is experienced in maintaining MG Rover cars and their K series engines. If this isnÂ’t possible, I would want it to go to a specialist MG Rover breaker/used spares supplier. In either case the car is immobile and would have to be trailered away by the buyer.

Please get in touch by reply or PM if you are interested in the car and would like to view it in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. It would be lovely to receive fair offers from MG Rover enthusiasts for the car, otherwise I will have to let it go to a general breaker. I have been told that I must include a price and I have £500 or near offer in mind.


Best Wishes

Steve

PS I now have some general photos that I can send to interested parties.