K W thompson - can belts and water leaks

[K W Thompson]

Dear Sirs.
I forwarded an Email to the Owners Club Email site some one hour ago. I hope you received this? May I request a member replies to my Email? Thank you. Keith

[Simondi]

Hi Keith

I've picked up and responded to your message, sadly as I have to work it means I do not pick up emails 24/7

I've copied your email below.

I'm sure someone will be able to assist.
What engine do you have?


Dear Sirs,
You may have a respondent who could get back to me a.s.a.p.? The above car has been exceptionally costly through water getting into cabin and boot on numerous occasions!
Especially the boot where 8.25 cms of water gathered and wrecked the Siemens 'off side' electric's 'box' disabling the CD Player, Radio, Tape Player, Cruise Control, Voice Over G.P.S.
I have not been able to obtain a replacement. Though I've spoken to Siemens.
My garage a former Rover Franchise (very well respected) has acquired the same model as I have - exactly, and proposes to take my car back for 'spares' and is asking £1,200 for the replacement Rover! i.e. no money in part exchange!
Both cars are '04' plate. My car has 77,000 mileage and the replacement has a mileage of 97,000. My car will need a cam belt and water pump (kit) in the next 12 months. The replacement had same fitted in 2015.
Am I being 'stitched up'? Would be most grateful for an early reply. Thank you. Keith

[neilll]

Hi Keith,
Not sure what engine you have, but I`m presuming a V6 and the cost of belt change`s pump etc will cost around 5/6 hundred pounds. The hiline equipment
I presume would cost between £20/£40 each, probably need radio tuner, tv tuner and possibly sat/nav. With the electrics being submerged the plugs/sockets might need replacing (see traders on this site)! I don`t think £1200 is overly excessive for a garage to carry out this work (but the source of the leak/s need to be remedied first!).Replacing the units in the boot is just plug and play but I do suspect that the wiring will be damaged and need replacing by splicing in good plugs/sockets (not to difficult)!
Hope this info helps .
Regards
Neil

[stocktake]

As I read this the garage are offering to simply swap the cars over and charging you £1200 for the privilege?
I would be wary of what your "replacement" has in the way of recorded works done and regarding water ingress, it is a common occurrence on our cars, who is to say the replacement is not in a similar state?
As for the belts: The replacement car will require a belt change in 24 months as it will fall into the 6yr category.
My thoughts are a like for like swap with you being out of pocket of £1200 for an out of date Satnav system isn't very appealing.

How far away are you from Colwyn Bay. There is a rover 75 specialist there who is second to none. He goes under the name of Jules on here.

[Snetty]

Originally Posted by stocktake

As I read this the garage are offering to simply swap the cars over and charging you £1200 for the privilege?
I would be wary of what your "replacement" has in the way of recorded works done and regarding water ingress, it is a common occurrence on our cars, who is to say the replacement is not in a similar state?
As for the belts: The replacement car will require a belt change in 24 months as it will fall into the 6yr category.
My thoughts are a like for like swap with you being out of pocket of £1200 for an out of date Satnav system isn't very appealing.

How far away are you from Colwyn Bay. There is a rover 75 specialist there who is second to none. He goes under the name of Jules on here.

Its a bit of an adventure to get to Jules from Howey, however it would be worth the time and effort.

[SD1too]

Hello Keith and to the club.

Originally Posted by K W Thompson

The above car has been exceptionally costly through water getting into cabin and boot ...

As has been said, other members have experienced this problem too. If you use the 'Google Custom Search' box on this page it should help you find the source of the leaks. From memory, the favourite for water in the cabin is the sunroof drain tubes and for the boot from the bright metal strip at waist level.

A club member will probably be able to help you with a replacement sat. nav. disc drive/computer at a reasonable price.

My advice is to decline your garage's proposal. Keep your car and have the cambelt job done a.s.a.p. making sure that the tensioner and idler pulleys are renewed. From my own detailed investigation it is these parts which fail first and before the specified mileage.

Simon