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Old 10th February 2019, 10:30   #11
Dorchester2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mss View Post
Do people ever wonder why it is always diesel owners that start and mostly contribute to these posts?

Perhaps due to a need to prove (or disapprove) something?

For me, the order would be as follows, taking account of the character of the car in which the engine is fitted.

1. 1.8k/1.8T

2. V6

3. Diesel (I actually own one, so not biased against diesels)

The V8 is in a specialist category on its own - if you own one, it will be the best. If you don't you will either dream of owning one or will constantly argue that the diesel is more powerful!

I posted on a similar topic a few years ago here.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...7&postcount=30
I had/have 3 K engines:

- 214Gsl (my parents') from new, moved to LPG in 2000 who lasted 24 years (unfortunately broken in a collision) - NO problem at all but snail-like & comparatively thirsty.

- very good condition first hand 25 1.4 bought in 2015 57k km (35k mls) lots of mods including a SAWS Tuning remap I'm delighted of & an E85 kit, very responsive, loves corners, uphill & downhill, equivalent now to a 1.6 - NO problem at all (no corrosion, no HGF), works a treat!

- my lovely 75 V6 2.5 Connie Cowley built, bought in 2017 157k km (98k mls), not so cared for before but now all is mint (new VIS motors among the whole lot) with a good amount of quids and every week TLC, now fuelled with E85 with some home made very efficient mods, very powerful, responsive, quiet, comfy, luxurious, NO problem so far (fingers crossed & all the like), a very bliss!

I don't care if the latter is a bit thirsty, I'm not mean & tight, it's the price to pay to go large & big & run authentically British...
Maybe a 1.8T might have been a good economical choice, but no comparison with a jolly efficient V6...

I know that diesel may be reliable & are generally long lasting vehicles: but diesel now is out of fashion here (mind you I'd 2 Peugeot diesel as well in the past), more & more banned from towns, and mainly that stinks & the noise isn't that nice!
BUT I don't want at all to look harmful & offensive to my fellow MG Rover addicts who chose diesel, it's not at all my purpose. Each on their own as they say. I was only telling here my own personal truth, no more.
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  • This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381
  • This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214
  • This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s
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Old 10th February 2019, 10:42   #12
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I actually test drove a 1.8 with a view to buying, afterwards, I got a whiff of coolant and walked away. I may go for a 1.8T next (if the diesel becomes terminally ill) if I can just be convinced it won't suffer HGF. I know it's an old 'bone of contention' if you like but I can't help having reservations. Can someone tell me, that (with the latest gasket etc) the problem is solved? I did like the smoothness and purity of the 1.8, and with diesels becoming outlawed it may be a good alternative.
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Old 10th February 2019, 10:56   #13
Dorchester2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Heddy View Post
I actually test drove a 1.8 with a view to buying, afterwards, I got a whiff of coolant and walked away. I may go for a 1.8T next (if the diesel becomes terminally ill) if I can just be convinced it won't suffer HGF. I know it's an old 'bone of contention' if you like but I can't help having reservations. Can someone tell me, that (with the latest gasket etc) the problem is solved? I did like the smoothness and purity of the 1.8, and with diesels becoming outlawed it may be a good alternative.

The way I've found out to avoid HGF:
- I've the coolant temperature permanently in control when driving in my 25 (head up display) & my 75 (Torque) as well
- Every week the coolant level is verified in every car.
Nothing bad may then occur without any preceding warning, at least I think so...
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Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp
  • This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381
  • This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214
  • This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s
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Old 10th February 2019, 11:04   #14
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Yeah that's fine, but are you not 'living in fear' of something nasty happening, to the point where you have to be constantly monitoring it? I want a car where I can just get in and go, and being reasonably certain it will get me where I'm going without an issue.
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Old 10th February 2019, 11:21   #15
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I own four K series engined cars, and the only 75 I've intentionally bought, was an 1800T.

The diesel is a reliable engine, surrounded by poor ancillaries, the KV6 is an engine which is too complicated and fragile despite what owners of that variant will have you say.

1800 models are generally reliable, unless they have been through the hands of an uncaring owner, or have been bodged in the past.

Ford engine models are not without their own failings, but are so rare, as not to be worth considering in a poll of reliability, certainly when it comes to the prototype nature of these cars.

So it all boils down to what you want from a car?

1 Something that requires minimal attention, look to another manufacturer as MGR products are now getting too long in the tooth

2 Something to potter around the doors, any 1800 model will suffice

3 Something to potter around the doors, where fuel costs are not a consideration ever, a KV6

3 Something to do 20000 miles a year plus in reasonable economy and reliability, a manual diesel

4 something to park in a "circle of wagons" fashion a V8


The 1800T tourer I owned for several years, clocked up over 80,000 miles with my wife at the helm, the low speed fan never worked from collecting the car with 44,000 miles on the clock to parting with the car with 120,000+

I opened the bonnet once a month to check levels, never obsessing over coolant and was never bitten, the car was driven to the continent on several occasions, and never missed a beat.

The coolant was changed annually using blue antifreeze, something I have practised on every car I've ever owned, and this along with annual, or six monthly oil changes, depending on driving conditions, has stood testament to not needing the breakdown services.

The most unreliable car I've owned, the Mk2 diesel ZT, but whether this is just age catching up on it..........the most reliable car I've owned, 1995 214 SEi LPG fitted at 22,000 miles along with new pistons and liners to take the capacity to 1600.........current mileage 398,000 miles, but the body is now suffering terminal tinworm.

I occasionally put a battery on the lad and turn the key, just to hear him come to life on the button.

It all boils down to personal preference, I would never wish to own a V6, they are lacking in grunt, but by the same token, there are others for which a stone crusher is not the way.

Anyway, in terms of reliability, diesels top the breakdown charts requiring T4.

Brian
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Old 10th February 2019, 11:22   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Heddy View Post
Yeah that's fine, but are you not 'living in fear' of something nasty happening, to the point where you have to be constantly monitoring it? I want a car where I can just get in and go, and being reasonably certain it will get me where I'm going without an issue.
Why do you own a 75 then

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Old 10th February 2019, 11:23   #17
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I think it is telling that most of the "car won't start" threads are by diesel owners!

Perhaps that confidence people feel in the CDT is ill founded?
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Old 10th February 2019, 11:59   #18
bl52krz
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Non as bad as a keep blowing head gasket. Yes they have got that reputation, and it is unfortunately well earned. (1.8) The problem with all the diesel cars I have had, is that they are so dull...............they never seem to break down engine wise, it’s the ancillaries that cause the problem. Anyway,onwards and upwards as they say.
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Old 10th February 2019, 12:01   #19
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K series work for me; I've had five. I do a low mileage (say <6k mi p.a. each) on the 75 and 25, and the 25 does a lot of short city runs. K's warm up quickly, are pretty simple and pretty economical. For me, a diesel wouldn't work, on the 25 at least. Plus, the city where I live is just the sort of place that will ban diesels in the future.

On the down side, k's do need to be watched, so are not the engine for you if you are averse to doing your weekly checks!
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Last edited by gnu; 10th February 2019 at 12:03.. Reason: correction
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Old 10th February 2019, 12:34   #20
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I think MarinaBrian has summed it up quite nicely. Each engine is "the best" in it's own unique way and it really depends on your needs and expectations as to which you should choose. I have a 2.0 V6, which I love, however LeRich has just described it as:

Quote:
Originally Posted by LeRich View Post
......... The worst I would say is the 2.0V6 which, though refined, is slow and thirsty.
Perhaps surprisingly, I agree with his comments regarding performance, however, as I am more than happy to "potter about" in my gentlemans club on wheels, I would re-arrange his words as: "The best I would say is the 2.0V6 which, though slow and thirsty, is refined."

The thing is, we are both right from our own perspective. The V6 will go a bit with enough revs, but this in turn will make it even more thirsty. It's lovely and smooth though, and it surely has to be the nicest looking engine in the range (barring perhaps the V8). It's performance and economy really wouldn't suit everyone though, and I doubt that many members give a tinkers cuss how nice their engine looks .

Cliff
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