[Anon3]

Basically, I've called time on my 2.0 V6 petrol auto and moved to a BMW 320D (190hp) auto and just want to give my thoughts.

First, I should say I've loved owning the 75.
It's a classy motor.
But I just can't get away from the fact that it's just too old-fashioned to run in the real world today.

Bear in mind the 75 is a petrol V6.
With the mileage I do (60 miles a day, on mostly a fast A road averaging 65 mph), I was getting 30mpg.
The Beemer averages 50mpg.

Ok, I'm comparing petrol and Diesel and you'd be right to point that out.
No doubt the 75 diesels are pretty frugal too.

But then you have to compare the autoboxes.
The 75 has a 5 speed, as opposed to the beemer's 8 speed.
It's here the cars are worlds apart.
Where I used to chug uphill in the Rover, the Beemer changes up and down at will and is much more fluid.

Pure grunt next and the Beemer romps this again.
The Rover? 0-60 10.6 on a good day, I think
Beemer 7.5 or less, depending what you read.
That's a massive difference and although not the be all and end all, so it makes entering a motorway much more easy.

Never mind, the Rover's got to be much more comfortable, hey?

Not so.
I've got 18" wheels on the Beemer as opposed to 15's on the Rover and even with sports seats, it's a much better ride. Which really surprised me, as my previous experience in a 1 series was poor.

The Beemer's a very class act; economical, comfortable and goes like a train. I can see why people flock to it.

But it has absolutely no character whatsoever.
I could easily be driving a Cortina.

That wooden dash and wooden steering wheel is just something that the Beemer can't match and for me, the Rover's a better place to be.

Sadly, the Rover's wholly impracticable and it has to go.
I'd love to keep it, but I don't have anywhere.
Fortunately, I'm selling it on to someone who appreciates Rovers and will hopefully look after it.

But it's a real sad day for me.
As someone who was BL and then Rover through and through, I've dreaded it; not knowing what I'd buy.

How I wish there was a new Rover to buy, but hey ho :-(