Rover ride quality

Panrock · 18th December 2006, 16:54

Hi chaps,

First post here...

I have a 75 V6 MkI Tourer (2003). I understand the ride quality of Tourers is firmer than that of Saloons, that is at least when they're lightly laden. When my car was new, my brother (an Audi driver) commented that he thought the Rover was 'firm'.

Anybody know if the MG Saloons are firmer still, or have about the same ride as Rover Tourers ?

Something I've always wondered... Thanks.

Steve

windrush · 18th December 2006, 16:58

I think you will find the MG is a firmer ride than my tourer

driverjgp · 18th December 2006, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panrock

Hi chaps,

First post here...

I have a 75 V6 MkI Tourer (2003). I understand the ride quality of Tourers is firmer than that of Saloons, that is at least when they're lightly laden. When my car was new, my brother (an Audi driver) commented that he thought the Rover was 'firm'.

Anybody know if the MG Saloons are firmer still, or have about the same ride as Rover Tourers ?

Something I've always wondered... Thanks.

Steve

Not sure about the tourers as I've never rid in them but as for my 75 saloon it is a very smooth and the suspension is very soft and comfy, it is an excellent motorway muncher but when it comes to the country lanes it isn't as good round the bends thats when the ZT/ZTT comes into its own where the suspension is firmer so it handles better round bends but is not as comfy as the 75 on the motorways so it is really what you prefer.

hth

M47Rman · 18th December 2006, 17:40

If BMW had let us keep the early prototype suspension settings, we would all have had the best of both worlds. Our 75 prototypes, I think up to DL3, outhandled, and DEFINITLEY outrode the BMW 3/5 series. That was when we were aiming for 'The best handling front wheel drive car in the world' , until of course BMW decided Rover might be treading on BMW toes of course! After that the suspension got slackened off, mainly to the detriment of handling, especially roll rates, with little if any improvment in ride quality, which was already (and still is) excellent.
Andy

David3807 · 18th December 2006, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by M47Rman

If BMW had let us keep the early prototype suspension settings, we would all have had the best of both worlds. Our 75 prototypes, I think up to DL3, outhandled, and DEFINITLEY outrode the BMW 3/5 series. That was when we were aiming for 'The best handling front wheel drive car in the world' , until of course BMW decided Rover might be treading on BMW toes of course! After that the suspension got slackened off, mainly to the detriment of handling, especially roll rates, with little if any improvment in ride quality, which was already (and still is) excellent.
Andy

Hi Andy,

What sort of work would be required to bring a production 75 back to 'best handling front wheel drive car in the world' status.

Did BMW just tweak the cars or were the changes a bit radical.

David

Dave Goody · 18th December 2006, 19:04

Having had a 75 saloon/ 75 tourer and now a ZT saloon, I can tell you the 75 saloon is softest the tourer only slightly harder and the ZT saloon is Hard with a capital H.!! Dave

M47Rman · 18th December 2006, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by David3807

Hi Andy,

What sort of work would be required to bring a production 75 back to 'best handling front wheel drive car in the world' status.

Did BMW just tweak the cars or were the changes a bit radical.

David

To be honest David, I couldn't tell you what all the detail changes were, as my area was diesel engine development. However, what I can tell you is that our vehicle test guys complained about the deterioration in handling, and got absolutely nowhere! From memory there were changes to
Steering feel/progression
Damper/spring rates
Roll rate

I remember the early cars (although not the Rover 800 coupe mules) feeling very taut and flat, and after about DL3 that seemed to have been replaced with higher roll rates and more understeer.
Another contributor on here, KBX10, would back me up on this, as he was in vehicle test at the time.
Andy

Bernard LPG · 18th December 2006, 19:19

This thread has prompted me to wonder about the feasibility of uprating the rear suspension of my saloon because of the extra weight of all the LPG I'm hauling around. When there's a dozen cases of wine as well in the car she looks a bit like a laying hen squatting!

Hey Panrock! Is that the Sedgeberrow near Evesham?

Panrock · 18th December 2006, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernard LPG

Hey Panrock! Is that the Sedgeberrow near Evesham?

Yup! I must be about 3 miles down the road from you.

Steve

Zeb · 18th December 2006, 19:55

Bear in mind that the Facelift 75s have different springing etc from the older ones. I drove a ZTT CDTi before buying my (new) 75 and it doesn't feel that much more wallowy....definitely a plusher ride though!

18th December 2006, 16:54	#1
Panrock Regular Rover 75 V6 Tourer & Rover P4 100 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Worcestershire Posts: 72 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Rover ride quality Hi chaps, First post here... I have a 75 V6 MkI Tourer (2003). I understand the ride quality of Tourers is firmer than that of Saloons, that is at least when they're lightly laden. When my car was new, my brother (an Audi driver) commented that he thought the Rover was 'firm'. Anybody know if the MG Saloons are firmer still, or have about the same ride as Rover Tourers ? Something I've always wondered... Thanks. Steve

18th December 2006, 16:58	#2
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	I think you will find the MG is a firmer ride than my tourer __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

18th December 2006, 17:40	#4
M47Rman Avid contributor 2001 Rover 75 saloon 2.5 KV6 Conn SE Automatic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 186 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If BMW had let us keep the early prototype suspension settings, we would all have had the best of both worlds. Our 75 prototypes, I think up to DL3, outhandled, and DEFINITLEY outrode the BMW 3/5 series. That was when we were aiming for 'The best handling front wheel drive car in the world' , until of course BMW decided Rover might be treading on BMW toes of course! After that the suspension got slackened off, mainly to the detriment of handling, especially roll rates, with little if any improvment in ride quality, which was already (and still is) excellent. Andy __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

18th December 2006, 19:04	#6
Dave Goody This is my second home 15 years of 75s & ZTs now an XTrail Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Danbury, Essex Posts: 3,761 Thanks: 18 Thanked 88 Times in 56 Posts	Having had a 75 saloon/ 75 tourer and now a ZT saloon, I can tell you the 75 saloon is softest the tourer only slightly harder and the ZT saloon is Hard with a capital H.!! Dave

18th December 2006, 19:19	#8
Bernard LPG I really should get out more....... 75 V6 Saloon 2003 LPG MGZT V8 260 LPG Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Evesham Posts: 2,134 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	This thread has prompted me to wonder about the feasibility of uprating the rear suspension of my saloon because of the extra weight of all the LPG I'm hauling around. When there's a dozen cases of wine as well in the car she looks a bit like a laying hen squatting! Hey Panrock! Is that the Sedgeberrow near Evesham?

18th December 2006, 19:55	#10
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bear in mind that the Facelift 75s have different springing etc from the older ones. I drove a ZTT CDTi before buying my (new) 75 and it doesn't feel that much more wallowy....definitely a plusher ride though!