New 75 owner - totally amazed

[Londonsteve]

Hello everyone, I am a first time Rover 75 owner, bit late to the party as my 2003 2.0 CDTi Connoisseur auto saloon is already 17 years old.... The level of refinement and solidity is absolutely incredible, far in excess of what I was expecting for a car of this vintage, not to mention price. I'll spare forum users what I paid for it, suffice to say it was very little and my expectations were therefore not high. I've had the car inspected on a ramp and the mechanic said, "I can't find anything wrong with your car," which is another thing that amazed me.



One thing is bugging me, however. I read about the 'magic carpet ride' from the 75 when it was a new car and I expected a ride quality in the Jaguar XJ league, however, it's rather firm and jittery, despite running on 15" alloys with 65 profile tyres. This did surprise me and initially I thought there must be something amiss with the suspension, but after having the car looked over by a professional, who declared it fighting fit, I started investigating this trait and discovered that other people have complained about similar characteristics and the 75 was built with a long list of spring and damper options, depending on the model and the market it was destined for. The manufacturer has obviously no longer with us and parts supply is mainly in the hands of the aftermarket, who may, for example, elect to supply one part for R75 or ZT models alike. I can see how confusion might arise and incorrect parts are fitted after the factory supplied bits have come to the end of their service life.



After driving my car at length, I decided there's nothing actually wrong with it, the suspension is functioning perfectly well, the body control is superb and the damping feels very sophisticated, it just feels like a friend's E46 BMW 330 saloon, in that it's firm and very agile, but a bit restless. Is it likely a previous owner may have had MG ZT suspension retrofitted for better road holding? Might CDTis have been firmer from the factory? I'd be interested in what springs and dampers I might need to re-fit in order for the magic carpet road manners to return.


Any advice gratefully received, also from people who've been down this road, had the same firm ride symptoms and what they did to cure it.....


Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

[bendrick]

I think that you may be confusing the damper setup with the one off the earlier convertible Rover model featured here made at Cowley before the transfer of production to Longbridge.

https://www.psbooks.co.uk/Lunar-Rove...iABEgLF_vD_BwE


A bit nippy temperature wise but a far smoother ride and the radio reception was also far superior to the much criticised later 75 set up after they reduced the size of the antenna during the cost cutting Project Drive.





On the other hand I'm sure one of the experts will be along shortly with advice

[BoroRover]

Welcome to the Club !! You already are a fan of these wonderful cars !
Here's hoping your new acquisition will bring you as much driving pleasure as we other owners have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy.

The driving experience, finesse, style and comfort sets these cars apart from anything else. There are, of course, times our 75's will give problems, but what car doesn't ?.

These cars get in your blood...that's a fact. !!

[peelaaa]

Check the shock absorbers under the wheelarches and see what colour is painted on them. That will show you the type fitted if they are original.
Also, are your tyres a decent brand as certain brands can be harder/noisier. Th R75 is fussy on tyres I find.

Is it a high miler too?

[Yorkshire GOC]

Originally Posted by Londonsteve

Hello everyone, I am a first time Rover 75 owner, bit late to the party as my 2003 2.0 CDTi Connoisseur auto saloon is already 17 years old.... The level of refinement and solidity is absolutely incredible, far in excess of what I was expecting for a car of this vintage, not to mention price. I'll spare forum users what I paid for it, suffice to say it was very little and my expectations were therefore not high. I've had the car inspected on a ramp and the mechanic said, "I can't find anything wrong with your car," which is another thing that amazed me.



One thing is bugging me, however. I read about the 'magic carpet ride' from the 75 when it was a new car and I expected a ride quality in the Jaguar XJ league, however, it's rather firm and jittery, despite running on 15" alloys with 65 profile tyres. This did surprise me and initially I thought there must be something amiss with the suspension, but after having the car looked over by a professional, who declared it fighting fit, I started investigating this trait and discovered that other people have complained about similar characteristics and the 75 was built with a long list of spring and damper options, depending on the model and the market it was destined for. The manufacturer has obviously no longer with us and parts supply is mainly in the hands of the aftermarket, who may, for example, elect to supply one part for R75 or ZT models alike. I can see how confusion might arise and incorrect parts are fitted after the factory supplied bits have come to the end of their service life.



After driving my car at length, I decided there's nothing actually wrong with it, the suspension is functioning perfectly well, the body control is superb and the damping feels very sophisticated, it just feels like a friend's E46 BMW 330 saloon, in that it's firm and very agile, but a bit restless. Is it likely a previous owner may have had MG ZT suspension retrofitted for better road holding? Might CDTis have been firmer from the factory? I'd be interested in what springs and dampers I might need to re-fit in order for the magic carpet road manners to return.


Any advice gratefully received, also from people who've been down this road, had the same firm ride symptoms and what they did to cure it.....


Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

This may help -saved some years ago from this site - but to check which dampers /springs were fitted in the factory there is a label under the rear passenger seat bolster giving you the spring code and damper code - the springs are still available but not the original dampers.

MG ZT and ZT-T front springs CI code Free Length diam. Spring rate Rover Module No, Spec
1.8 Turbo MG suspension RH Brown/Yellow SH 284.38mm 15.45mm 31 N/mm RND 001000 Comfort
1.8 Turbo MG suspension LH Brown/Yellow TJ 284.38mm 15.45mm 31 N/mm RND 001010 Comfort
1.8 Turbo Sport suspension RH Brown/Blue KP 264.50mm 16.25mm 37 N/mm RND 000800 Sport
1.8 Turbo Sport suspension LH Brown/Blue NG 264.50mm 16.25mm 37 N/mm RND 000810 Sport
KV6 MG suspension RH Brown/Red QK 294.38mm 15.45mm 31 N/mm RND 000341 Comfort
KV6 MG suspension LH Brown/Red RE 294.38mm 15.45mm 31 N/mm RND 000351 Comfort
KV6 Sport suspension RH Brown/Brown QJ 275.59mm 16.25mm 37 N/mm RND 000340 Sport
KV6 Sport suspension LH Brown/Brown PD 275.59mm 16.25mm 37 N/mm RND 000350 Sport
M47 Diesel MG suspension RH Brown/Red QK 294.38mm 15.45mm 31 N/mm RND 000341 Comfort
M47 Diesel MG suspension LH Brown/Red RE 294.38mm 15.45mm 31 N/mm RND 000351 Comfort
M47 Diesel Sport suspension RH Brown/Brown QJ 275.59mm 16.25mm 37 N/mm RND 000340 Sport
M47 Diesel Sport suspension LH Brown/Brown PD 275.59mm 16.25mm 37 N/mm RND 000350 Sport


MG ZT, ZT-T, Rover 75 rear springs
ROVER 75 2002 SALOON Pink RB 277.54 RKB101420
Rover 75 2.5 V6 Red RC 280.31 RKB101430
Blue RD 283.08 RKB101440
ZT saloon 190 early standart set Lilac RJ 234.33 RKB000240
ZT-Tourer 190 early standart set Grey RF RKB000250
Rover 75 Manual 1.8 Turbo/CDTi White RL RKB101421
Violet RM RKB101431
ZT-Tourer 190 comfort set Brown RQ RKB000251 REB101430
Rover 75 saloon CDTi 2003 Yellow RN RKB101441
Rover 75 estate CDTI 2002 ? Orange RG RKB106...
ZT saloon 2.5 v6 auto ? Light Green RP RKB000241
Self Levelling Blue/Brown RH RKB000370
ZT saloon 58N/mm
ZT-T estate 64 N/mm
ZT Cdti Saloon 2.0 Manual Light Green RP RKB000241

MG ZT, ZT-T, Rover 75 rear dampers
Rover 75 Saloon G RPD 102220 All
Rover 75 Tourer self leveling J RPD 000240 All
Rover 75 Tourer NON-self leveling H RPD 108411
MG ZT and ZT-T standart early models GB RPD 000150 All
MG ZT and ZT-T standart comfort GC Comfort
MG ZT and ZT-T sports GD RPD 000530 Sport
FILL YOUR DATA HERE model year front spr. rear spr. rear damp.
MG ZT-T KV6 manual 190 2003 Brown/Brown Grey RF GB early standart
MG ZT K18 160 2005 Brown/Brown Lilac RJ ?
Mg ZT 190 190 2003 Brown/Red Light green RP <- is this the Comfort set for rear?
MG ZT T 130+ 130 2003 Brown RQ
The front is comfort, so rear must
be also. Thats for saloon
R75 CDTi 2004 PL/JL RL G Pre Facelift saloon
R75 CDTi 130 2003 PM/JM RN G

[VVC-Geeza]

I would say it's likely that it doesn't have the suspension set up that it left the factory with if you are finding it firm and like on rails. I wanted those characteristics so fitted lowering springs and a rear anti roll bar. It's nothing like the magic carpet but (for me) wallowy ride it was before.Comfort levels with the factory set up are usually second to none

[suzublu]

First and foremost, welcome along, you will be smitten very soon
Under the rear seat you'll find a sticker with the colour codes for spring and damper fitments. After 17 years, yours may be a little tired, so look to DMGRS or Rimmer bro's for replacements
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...59&postcount=4
Martin beat me tonight, must be getting slow

[Yorkshire GOC]

Makes a change

[coolguy]

I suspect that someone has fitted MG ZT suspension parts. I have 75s and ZTs, and the Rovers glide, the MGs are a true sports saloon - certainly not badge-engineering ! Each are excellent, but just in different ways.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by suzublu

Under the rear seat you'll find a sticker with the colour codes for spring and damper fitments. After 17 years, yours may be a little tired ...

Steve,

This is sound advice from Ronnie but don't change anything unless you have to. I have the same profile tyres as you do and all my suspension is original spec. My car is 21 years old. The ride quality is still "magic carpet".

Simon