I'm buying a 75 Conny: Technical Points and MOT Advisories

[JayofRover]

Hey guys!

First - Hi there, I'm new. New to the forum; new to the Rover 75 and pretty much new to cars. I've been more of a motorbike/scooter man.

I've always loved slightly older cars such as the 75 and I find myself in the fortunate position of viewing one tomorrow. It's going for around the £600 mark but I'm looking to negotiate down the price to £500 or even less if possible.

My intentions are to use it as a honest motor to get me longer distances that I won't otherwise do on my scooter but also as a project car. I really want to put in the, largely cosmetic, work into restoring the car to it's former glory as far as possible. At least with certain modcons such as Apple CarPlay! I'm new to cars in general - driving test fast approaching but not letting that put me off one bit because I absolutely adore this type of car.

I'm going to have a good rummage with a torch and someone who knows a bit more about cars *in general* so I can make an informed purchase (or long walk home) but I wanted more of a 75/ZT enthusiasts opinion too.

These are the MOT advisories:

- Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i));

- Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i));

- Offside Front brake pipe corroded;

- Nearside sill damaged;

- Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i));

- Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e));

- Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))


Issues I'm already aware of:

- Steering wheel fabric has faded;
- Headlining/Interior roof is coming apart at the rear.

I'd be looking to replace the steering wheel and the interior roof myself as I have the time and I'm confident in being able to do the work. I may also change the discs and pads myself too, I'm MORE than happy getting my hands dirty with that.

I just wanted to know how much it would likely cost me to iron out the advisories (the ones that are pressing)?

Also how much roughly should I be looking to haggle to in light of the above? I have a figure in mind around the £450 - £500 mark but wanted to know if I am being fair here.

[FLYING BANANA]

Welcome to the fountain of knowledge concerning our cars.

[JayofRover]

Well this is awkward... I get a call to say two head gaskets has blown. :s

[JayofRover]

Originally Posted by FLYING BANANA

Welcome to the fountain of knowledge concerning our cars.

Originally Posted by JayofRover

Well this is awkward... I get a call to say two head gaskets has blown. :s

Looks like it wasn't meant to be (yet)

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by JayofRover

Well this is awkward... I get a call to say two head gaskets has blown. :s

Is this a dealer or a private sale Jay? Ask what the symptoms are. Ask if K-Seal has ever been put in the engine. If the reply is that it's overheating or that the oil and coolant have mixed, there are simpler and cheaper reasons why that can happen on a KV6.

Simon

[macafee2]

A pair of arms about £200
A pair of rear springs about £100 ?

The arms once they start to rust may go quickly but you may be able to save them by having them shot blasted and painted

Check web sites of DMGRS and Rimmer Brothers for parts and prices

macafee2

[JayofRover]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Is this a dealer or a private sale Jay? Ask what the symptoms are. Ask if K-Seal has ever been put in the engine. If the reply is that it's overheating or that the oil and coolant have mixed, there are simpler and cheaper reasons why that can happen on a KV6.

Simon

Private sale! Old fella who said the car needed a bit of work but that he did some recently but doesn't have time to do the rest.

He called the AA over to do the battery in advance of me popping over tomorrow and apparently the HG is gone; misfiring on two cylinders and the battery (new) won't hold charge. I asked him about the oil/coolant and K Seal so hoping for a reply soon. Seems to be in quite a bit of a flap about it which is understandable but a bit frustrating because if I can just get all the faults/ info in one go then I can come back here and resolve the problem maybe

I feel it's an overheating issue though because he did say that before lockdown he put it in the garage because it was overheating. Most of the coolant pipes; thermostat and battery were replaced before he got it back this summer.

[JayofRover]

Originally Posted by macafee2

A pair of arms about £200
A pair of rear springs about £100 ?

The arms once they start to rust may go quickly but you may be able to save them by having them shot blasted and painted

Check web sites of DMGRS and Rimmer Brothers for parts and prices

macafee2

Many thanks!

Doesn't seem as bad as I thought in parts tbh. Even if the car is £600!

[SD1too]

Hi Jay, thanks for your reply.

Originally Posted by JayofRover

He called the AA over ... and apparently the HG is gone; misfiring on two cylinders ..

I would take that diagnosis with a pinch of salt if I were you. It takes a lot to damage a KV6 head gasket. It's the AA's favourite reply though.

Originally Posted by JayofRover

... if I can just get all the faults/ info in one go then I can come back here and resolve the problem maybe

That would be ideal. The usual cause of overheating is the radiator fan which can be repaired.

Simon

[ADO282]

I would suggest this car be given a wide berth, unless you really really like the look of the car.



Rusted suspension arms, overheating, and a multitude of "fixes" applied, none of which have worked, along with a sketchy description of "faults".


Consider waiting for something better as you haven't committed to buy this car, the right one, and by which I mean a one which hasn't been tinkered with will come along.




Happy searching