Tell me about Rover 25's

Ricochet J · 12 Oct 2008 at 21:42

I was foolish to think I could get a good Ford Focus for £1000 or near. That's more 1.25 Zetec Fiesta budget.

But before I do dive in and buy a Fiesta (I'm desperate for a car, sick of commuting to work on the weekend. By car it takes 20 minutes. By train it takes 1hr 10 minutes

) I thought i'd look at a Rover 25.

I noticed one thing: They're dirt cheap.

My questions are:
- How easy are they to service since Rover has gone bust do people still service these?
- What engine would give me more bang for my buck?
- Are they reliable? What do I look out for?

Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks

Pilky01 · 12 Oct 2008 at 21:43

Get the fiesta.

agw_01 · 12 Oct 2008 at 21:47

There's a recent thread on the MG ZR, which is basically the same car with the same engine options.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17929903

If you're going for a petrol, headgaskets are an issue. Check the expansion tank and oil filler cap.

If there's evidence of a mayo-like substance, walk away. Cambelts are due every 5 years/60k and waterpumps tend to go around 80k. If left unnoticed, could lead to coolant loss and overheating.

Parts are available. Dealers are getting quite thin on the ground since Horners went under, but there are still plenty of places to get parts. There is no shortage, so ignore anyone who says "you can't get parts for them mate".

People say the Rover dash is dated, but I find the Fiesta dash just as bad.

Ricochet J · 12 Oct 2008 at 21:52

Thanks agw. I'll look into what you said. I don't care about what the car looks like from inside or out. As long as it has no modifacations and is standard i'm good.

agw_01 · 12 Oct 2008 at 21:57

No problem

If you need any other information or advice, don't hesitate to pop over to www.rovertech.net

reefoid · 12 Oct 2008 at 23:58

agw_01 said:
There's a recent thread on the MG ZR, which is basically the same car with the same engine options.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17929903

If you're going for a petrol, headgaskets are an issue.

I can confirm the headgasket issue. I bought one last year with 53,000 on the clock and the head gasket had already gone for the previous owner. I then had to fork out £300 a couple of months ago for the same thing. Apparently this is a known issue with the Honda engines they use, the hedgasket goes every 30-35,000 miles.

Other than that its decent car. I get it serviced by a mechanic I've known for years, but other than the headgasket I haven't had any major problems

BigglesPiP · 13 Oct 2008 at 00:02

Bravo 80 SX money that.

[TW]Fox · 13 Oct 2008 at 00:05

BigglesPiP said:
Bravo 80 SX money that.

Yea great... I'd rather risk the Rover :eek:

Muffin` · 13 Oct 2008 at 00:06

^^^

ahahaha

BigglesPiP · 13 Oct 2008 at 00:52

[TW]Fox;12682525 said:
Yea great... I'd rather risk the Rover

Both are likely to need a head gasket during the OP's ownership. But one has one of the best parts networks behind it.

Muffin` · 13 Oct 2008 at 00:54

BigglesPiP said:
But one has one of the best parts networks behind it.

Did your heart flutter when you typed that?

But only an Alfa would demand that kind of network

Bennie-Mac · 13 Oct 2008 at 00:59

Seriously get the Fiesta

ShakenNstirred · 13 Oct 2008 at 01:02

KoR said:
I can confirm the headgasket issue. I bought one last year with 53,000 on the clock and the head gasket had already gone for the previous owner. I then had to fork out £300 a couple of months ago for the same thing. Apparently this is a known issue with the Honda engines they use, the hedgasket goes every 30-35,000 miles.

Other than that its decent car. I get it serviced by a mechanic I've known for years, but other than the headgasket I haven't had any major problems

they dont use honda engines, its rovers own K series engine
some of the older rovers used honda engines like the 216GTI

GT3 · 13 Oct 2008 at 01:04

Get a xsara either 1.9td or 1.6, might even get a 1.6 16v for the money (y plate onwards iirc)

Reliable engines, comfy and handle well. Same as a 306 but cheaper.

BigglesPiP · 13 Oct 2008 at 01:05

Muffin` said:
But only an Alfa would demand that kind of network

They're really not that bad. There's hardly anything broken on it.

On topic:
Id actually pick the Rover over the Ford if walking wasn't an option.

Muffin` · 13 Oct 2008 at 01:07

Hardly?

BigglesPiP · 13 Oct 2008 at 01:09

A bunch of wear items and a lambda probe.

Muffin` · 13 Oct 2008 at 01:10

That's quite respectable, post back tommorow.

Oj2k4 · 13 Oct 2008 at 01:21

Autotrader seemed to come back with some Focuses although they seem to be higher mileage but you should just check that they've had timing belt done?

The Edge · 13 Oct 2008 at 07:17

Apart from the head gasket issue the K series is a very good engine. Ground breaking in it's day.

I've heard you can get new gaskets now that have more or less solved the problem. Of course you've got to fit it, it depends if you feel confidant to do it yourself. If you do you'll save a lot of money!

IIRC they did a 1.4 and a 1.6 and a 1.8. The 1.4 8 valve K series was virtually bombproof including the HG, but it looks like they were all the more fragile 16v lumps by the time the 25 came out.

The car itself is not amazing, but will certainly get the job done and if it's the right sort of money you could do a lot worse provided the HG issue is OK. Rust can be an issue so check the wheel arches and sills carefully.