Rover Economy

Nedved11

Nedved11

Nedved11

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2003
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Have been looking at the 200 Series, 214 and 216 Hatch in particular, and they seem great value for money, including insuring it. I need a little run around and these seem ideal. I know people seem to curse them but I don't think they deserve all the abuse they get.

Anything amiss here? What should i be looking for in a nice 214/216? Any common problems these cars have or could have?


Cheers
 
This forum hates Rovers. There is one person in here who doesn't, actually maybe two people. The rest of them will now commence ruining your dream :(
 
I bought a rover thinking the same thing mate, but i've had nothin but trouble from day one (owned for almost a year).
As a matter of fact its going in the garage over the weekend, if u want something value for money and good to insure, Zetec-S or Peugeot 306 (1.9 TD)

Gaz

Yer, i dont really like rovers much either :)
 
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Surely its just the luck of the draw? Are the earlier K-Series renowned for the head gasket problems or does that go into the 1995-2000 models too?

What is actually that so bad about them, is it the structure? mechanics? electrics?
 
I think the main problem with Rovers is they are so dated in comparison to the alternatives. Rover were still kicking out cars designed over 15 years ago till there closure last year. When you compare them to anything else they show there age. Only exception is tyhe 75 in my mind but even that is getting a bit long in the tooth now.
 
you on about the older shape or the bubble shaped 200? i know the 216 in the older shape had a honda engine, so that shouldn't blow a head gasket
 
216 Gti with the twin cam 130hp 1.6. Great engines, decent cars too. Well ahead of the escorts you can get for same price
 
I've got a 200, 1.4 16V.

It's been modified by the previous owner; lowered, colour coded body, MOMO wheels and front and rear spoilers. (it looks nice, honest)

People on these forums slate Rovers - it's fashionable to do so. Indeed, I'd bet most people on here haven't even driven Rovers, but as is the case with most forums just state what they've heard by the few.

As for reliablity issues; I've owned it for just over a year now (it's a T Reg) it's only ever failed me once. That was electric coil failure and due mostly to me driving in a very spirited fashion over a VERY bumpy road at 6k RPM.

Make sure you go for a 16V model, as the 8V's are a little slow. The 1.4 is 103bhp and the 1.6 nearer to 120bhp, which means you've got a lot more power than many other cars in its class (saxo VTR = 98bhp, Honda Jazz = 88bhp edit: Okay, Honda Jazz isnt in its class... but its faster than one anyway...etc etc) For a 15 year old design, I dont see an issue here? Oh, and as for this head gasket rubbish, yes Rover's do seem to have an issue, but from what I can gather this seems to be a problem with the larger K series engines (1.8's)

Rover 200's are a bargin atm, You're looking at £1300-2000 for a car thats cheap to run and insure. The only car close to that kind of value for money is the 306.
 
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I find that although the older 8v engines are less power than the 16v counterparts they are far more reliable.

So if reliability is more important than power then maybe look at one of those.

My 8v 214i (Mk3) is on about 110k miles!

I have a 400mile journey to make in it tomorrow! Hope it makes it!
 
Nedved11 said:
Surely its just the luck of the draw? Are the earlier K-Series renowned for the head gasket problems or does that go into the 1995-2000 models too?

What is actually that so bad about them, is it the structure? mechanics? electrics?
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Other way round.

I've found that 1993-1995 engines are less prone to HGF than the post 96 ones.

The reason for this is on the early engines, the engine block was solid and so the coolant channels didn't come into direct contact with the cylinder bore liners, whereas on the later engines the block was hollow and thus the coolant was free to rest against the liners.

With the position of the thermostat, and the way it opened, this would allow cold air from the radiator to rush into the head making it contract. Eventually, the silicone beading on the head gasket would wear away (from the constant heating up and cooling down of the head - causing friction on the gasket) which would result in a failure of the gasket.

If you have a post-96 engine, it WILL suffer from HG at one point. I know a hell of a lot of pre-96's which have done 100,000 miles on the original gasket.
 
Mine is a Mk3 with an 8v 1.4. Is this a honda Engine. It will have almost 112k on it this time tomorrow :)
 
<(Multi)> said:
People on these forums slate Rovers - it's fashionable to do so. Indeed, I'd bet most people on here haven't even driven Rovers, but as is the case with most forums just state what they've heard by the few.
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That's complete horse-shed mate.
I've found this forum to be very neutral with it's opinion towards cars. If it's a decent car, it will be regarded as a decent car. If it's a turkey, it will get shot down.

As it stands, many Rover models are seen as old design & often un-reliable, out-scored by plenty of competition, that's why 'People on these forums slate Rovers'. Car's made by VW/Lotus/Ferrari receive the same criticism for poor models.

Honestly, stick with Rover forums if you want 'greatest car ever' comments for every Rover thread.
 
Regarding the Rover 200, I've pottered about in one plenty of times & never had a problem. Get over the fact that it's got no sporty intentions & it seemed fine to transport you from A-B with minimal fuss. This was a 1400CC W-reg.
 
agw_01 said:
Other way round.

I've found that 1993-1995 engines are less prone to HGF than the post 96 ones.

The reason for this is on the early engines, the engine block was solid and so the coolant channels didn't come into direct contact with the cylinder bore liners, whereas on the later engines the block was hollow and thus the coolant was free to rest against the liners.
Click to expand...

Incorrect, both early and late engines had wet liners. The early design had the liners supported from the top and the later engines had a semi-floating liner.

The fact that the engine has wet liners is immaterial wrt HGF, many modern engines also have wet liners. The only possible difference is that the somewhat more closed design of the deck in the earlier engines may have improved the blocks rigidity slightly.
 
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Whatever with the headgasket, it's not exactly a difficult job to do yourself with the help of a Hayne's manual even if you don't know what you're doing. Change it straight away and for the sake of £25 for a new gasket and a weekend getting mucky and drunk with some pals (beers and mates help the job go smoothly) you will have hassle free motoring from it.
 
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