Introduction & unintended purchase

Lancashirelad · 3rd January 2022, 18:40

Hello all, I thought it about time for a long overdue introduction. 3½ years ago I bought a 2003 2.0CDTi Club SE. I was looking for an automatic Connoisseur in any colour but black or beige. Ended up with a manual black Club! It was a bereavement sale, had been stood for over a year and had no MOT. 102,000 miles. (now 113,000)
For the past 5 years I'd been running a very nippy Peugeot 205TD, so it was a bit of leap in size. I've worked on cars for 50 years (since I was 12) so am able to do some things myself, although the energy, enthusiasm & agility are not what they once were.

It's my everyday car and I'm slowly (very) working my way through it.
So far its had:

Battery*
Plenum drains checked* (several times)
Headlights de-yellowed* (twice)
Paintwork buffed and polished*
Wiper blades (3 times)*
Front road springs*
Service (x2)
Crank case filter*
Interior light bulbs changed from 3 to 5w*
4 new tyres
Rear Road Springs
Front suspension wishbone bushes
Front & rear brakes cleaned & checked over*
Rear interior light repair* (fell out due to broken plastic prongs

*Did it myself.

I think the rear road springs had been broken ever since I bought the car and had been missed on 3 MOT's (2 different testers) due to the positions they are looked at from. It always sat low at the back end. As soon as I removed a rear wheel I saw it straight away. The 2 springs came out in 5 pieces between them. The replacements came from Rimmers c/w insulators and were the correct ones (white) according to the code on the sticker under the rear seat.

I'm looking for:

A gear lever knob. The old one had cracks in and fell to pieces.
The piece of plastic trim that runs along the top of the driver's door sill.

I find the car very comfortable (velour seats). It has been 100% reliable and doesn't use a drop of oil.

Still to do:
Drivers door damage
In-tank fuel pump
IPK display replacement/repair
AC condenser (maybe)
Boot rainwater leak (not the light assembly or the chrome trim).
Reverse sensors

Wanted to include a pic but there is no option showing in "Additional Options".

trikey · 3rd January 2022, 20:16

Welcome along, sounds like you have attacked several of the usual gremlins, as for the wet boot, try some 'Captain tolleys' on the seam where the rear quarter panels join the boot (near the boot hinges) This was the cause on my 75 and took over a year to find!!

Sonic ZS · 3rd January 2022, 20:18

Welcome to the club Jonathan, glad to hear you're keeping another one of these fine cars on the road

Well done that man !

bl52krz · 3rd January 2022, 20:50

Hi ? I am glad you chose what we consider to be the best car in the range. I am sure you will enjoy it more and more, especially if you take it on a long run.

Lancashirelad · 5th January 2022, 11:16

Thank you for the welcome guys.

@Trikey I think you might be right about the water leak. It's being very elusive. I've found and fixed a lot of rainwater leaks over the years but this one, so far, has me beat. I've even had my neighbour shut me in the boot with a torch whilst he ran the hosepipe over it. It's definitely dripping down from above. Any chance you could DM me a pic? Currently I have the wing chrome trim removed and the holes taped up so I know that is not the culprit.

@bl52krz I don't do many long runs these days, but I know what you mean. I find it very comfortable. (especially now with the rear springs done so standing a good few inches higher = easier to get in & out of). If I have the time to sit at 60 on the m/way, it will do around 60mpg which is terrific for a car of it's size and weight.

The furthest it's been last year was to Pickering in North Yorkshire, about 120 miles. Stayed the weekend in a brand new Premier Inn and took a steam hauled trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Whitby. Recommended!

Still cant' figure out how to include a pic here without hosting it remotely. I've managed to add one to the image gallery, page 25.

suzublu · 5th January 2022, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashirelad

Thank you for the welcome guys.

@Trikey I think you might be right about the water leak. It's being very elusive. I've found and fixed a lot of rainwater leaks over the years but this one, so far, has me beat. I've even had my neighbour shut me in the boot with a torch whilst he ran the hosepipe over it. It's definitely dripping down from above. Any chance you could DM me a pic? Currently I have the wing chrome trim removed and the holes taped up so I know that is not the culprit.

@bl52krz I don't do many long runs these days, but I know what you mean. I find it very comfortable. (especially now with the rear springs done so standing a good few inches higher = easier to get in & out of). If I have the time to sit at 60 on the m/way, it will do around 60mpg which is terrific for a car of it's size and weight.

The furthest it's been last year was to Pickering in North Yorkshire, about 120 miles. Stayed the weekend in a brand new Premier Inn and took a steam hauled trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Whitby. Recommended!

Still cant' figure out how to include a pic here without hosting it remotely. I've managed to add one to the image gallery, page 25.

I believe you need to be a subscribed member to post pictures.
I use Imgur to post remotely

DMGRS · 5th January 2022, 12:21

Imgbb or Imgur will let you host remotely and post pictures

While we're based in Southampton as a business, I'm only up the road from you in sunny Southport (if heading in via Banks you may have seen my collection of MG ZSs and Rover 75s!)

Sounds like yours is in the right hands

MSS · 5th January 2022, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashirelad

............

The furthest it's been last year was to Pickering in North Yorkshire, about 120 miles. Stayed the weekend in a brand new Premier Inn and took a steam hauled trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Whitby. Recommended!

.

The drive from Pickering to Whitby is also really nice up the A169. There are great walks around Hole of Horcum and views further up near RAF Fylingdales. Fylingdales is an ICBM detection station with a massive flat antanae.

I've done it in my Omega a few times but never in the 75.

Discofan · 5th January 2022, 15:50

[I've even had my neighbour shut me in the boot with a torch whilst he ran the hosepipe over]

A previous boss had a prized Audi 80 Sport, about 1986 vintage. He had a boot water leak and got in and his wife used the hose repeatedly to identify the leak. He came into work all chuffed that he'd cured it. Naturally another colleague then goes to the car and pours a pint of water into the boot. Next day the boss was despondent because his leak cure had been unsuccessful. 🤣🤣🤣

hogweed · 5th January 2022, 16:08

When you've uploaded your pic, go to Image Gallery > My Images.

Below each pic you'll see various boxes containing code to insert in your message - click in the box labelled BB Code IMG, do <CTRL> A to select all, <CTRL> C to copy, then do <CTRL> V to paste it into your message... the image should appear when posted

3rd January 2022, 18:40	#1
Lancashirelad Newbie Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Preston Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 1 Post	Introduction & unintended purchase Hello all, I thought it about time for a long overdue introduction. 3½ years ago I bought a 2003 2.0CDTi Club SE. I was looking for an automatic Connoisseur in any colour but black or beige. Ended up with a manual black Club! It was a bereavement sale, had been stood for over a year and had no MOT. 102,000 miles. (now 113,000) For the past 5 years I'd been running a very nippy Peugeot 205TD, so it was a bit of leap in size. I've worked on cars for 50 years (since I was 12) so am able to do some things myself, although the energy, enthusiasm & agility are not what they once were. It's my everyday car and I'm slowly (very) working my way through it. So far its had: Battery* Plenum drains checked* (several times) Headlights de-yellowed* (twice) Paintwork buffed and polished* Wiper blades (3 times)* Front road springs* Service (x2) Crank case filter* Interior light bulbs changed from 3 to 5w* 4 new tyres Rear Road Springs Front suspension wishbone bushes Front & rear brakes cleaned & checked over* Rear interior light repair* (fell out due to broken plastic prongs Did it myself. I think the rear road springs had been broken ever since I bought the car and had been missed on 3 MOT's (2 different testers) due to the positions they are looked at from. It always sat low at the back end. As soon as I removed a rear wheel I saw it straight away. The 2 springs came out in 5 pieces between them. The replacements came from Rimmers c/w insulators and were the correct ones (white) according to the code on the sticker under the rear seat. I'm looking for: A gear lever knob. The old one had cracks in and fell to pieces. The piece of plastic trim that runs along the top of the driver's door sill. I find the car very comfortable (velour seats). It has been 100% reliable and doesn't use a drop of oil. Still to do: Drivers door damage In-tank fuel pump IPK display replacement/repair AC condenser (maybe) Boot rainwater leak (not* the light assembly or the chrome trim). Reverse sensors Wanted to include a pic but there is no option showing in "Additional Options".

3rd January 2022, 20:16	#2
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,767 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Welcome along, sounds like you have attacked several of the usual gremlins, as for the wet boot, try some 'Captain tolleys' on the seam where the rear quarter panels join the boot (near the boot hinges) This was the cause on my 75 and took over a year to find!! __________________ Lest we forget..

3rd January 2022, 20:18	#3
Sonic ZS Posted a thing or two 75 Conn CDT Tourer, 75 Conn SE V6, 75 Conn V6, 75 Conn CDTi Tourer, ZS 180 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Devon Posts: 1,986 Thanks: 1,287 Thanked 963 Times in 534 Posts	Welcome to the club Jonathan, glad to hear you're keeping another one of these fine cars on the road Well done that man ! __________________

3rd January 2022, 20:50	#4
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,392 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Hi ? I am glad you chose what we consider to be the best car in the range. I am sure you will enjoy it more and more, especially if you take it on a long run. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

5th January 2022, 11:16	#5
Lancashirelad Newbie Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Preston Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 1 Post	Thank you for the welcome guys. @Trikey I think you might be right about the water leak. It's being very elusive. I've found and fixed a lot of rainwater leaks over the years but this one, so far, has me beat. I've even had my neighbour shut me in the boot with a torch whilst he ran the hosepipe over it. It's definitely dripping down from above. Any chance you could DM me a pic? Currently I have the wing chrome trim removed and the holes taped up so I know that is not the culprit. @bl52krz I don't do many long runs these days, but I know what you mean. I find it very comfortable. (especially now with the rear springs done so standing a good few inches higher = easier to get in & out of). If I have the time to sit at 60 on the m/way, it will do around 60mpg which is terrific for a car of it's size and weight. The furthest it's been last year was to Pickering in North Yorkshire, about 120 miles. Stayed the weekend in a brand new Premier Inn and took a steam hauled trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Whitby. Recommended! Still cant' figure out how to include a pic here without hosting it remotely. I've managed to add one to the image gallery, page 25. Last edited by Lancashirelad; 5th January 2022 at 11:30..

5th January 2022, 12:21	#7
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	Imgbb or Imgur will let you host remotely and post pictures While we're based in Southampton as a business, I'm only up the road from you in sunny Southport (if heading in via Banks you may have seen my collection of MG ZSs and Rover 75s!) Sounds like yours is in the right hands __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

5th January 2022, 15:50	#9
Discofan Loves to post (Land)Rover Freelander 2 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Stuck in the 1980's Posts: 477 Thanks: 118 Thanked 135 Times in 94 Posts	[I've even had my neighbour shut me in the boot with a torch whilst he ran the hosepipe over] A previous boss had a prized Audi 80 Sport, about 1986 vintage. He had a boot water leak and got in and his wife used the hose repeatedly to identify the leak. He came into work all chuffed that he'd cured it. Naturally another colleague then goes to the car and pours a pint of water into the boot. Next day the boss was despondent because his leak cure had been unsuccessful. 🤣🤣🤣

5th January 2022, 16:08	#10
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	When you've uploaded your pic, go to Image Gallery > My Images. Below each pic you'll see various boxes containing code to insert in your message - click in the box labelled BB Code IMG, do <CTRL> A to select all, <CTRL> C to copy, then do <CTRL> V to paste it into your message... the image should appear when posted __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.