I finally have a 75 - and here's what I think of my 1.8 Classic SE

[mcd840]

Originally Posted by ashy90

Ive owned many modern day Rover's. My every day car that I keep long term has always been a Rover, but also alongside that I have bought many Rovers that are non runners, spares or repair or needing attention. I like to fix them and save them from being scrapped. I think it's around 20 I have owned. But never have I had a 75. Until now.

I recently rescued a w reg 1.8 saloon that was going to be broken up. It's quite a low spec model (classic se I believe) but it has only done 43k miles! It had an external coolant leak from the head gasket. I have replaced the head gasket and just started driving it, these are my first impressions;

-lovely interior

-very comfortable seats and driving position

-quite a few interior creaks and rattles etc which is a suprise I must admit. There's more creaks and rattles than my 2002 Rover 45 has which has done double the mileage. The doors/door cards, centre arm rest and clutch pedal all seem to creak or squeek.

-the 1.8 engine is not that bad! I do not think it is particularly underrpowered. It might be a bit sluggish initially, but it goes quite nicely when pushed. The engine noise is more hushed than the k series in other Rover's, which is good, however it is still fairly noisey at higher speeds. There's no getting away from the k series booming away at 70mph it seems. Did I read the autos are quieter as they sit at a lower rpm cruising at 70?

I must admit I am concerned about driving it for one reason. The clutch hydraulics. Are they that bad?

+ 1 - The interior on these cars are very nice however I do think interior build quality for an executive car is shocking, poor and not well made at all, more noticeable from the diesel 75's

[Rogue]

+ 1 - The interior on these cars are very nice however I do think interior build quality for an executive car is shocking, poor and not well made at all, more noticeable from the diesel 75's

In what respect? Interior in mine is fine... No creaks or squeaks anywhere and everything fits well.

[mcd840]

Originally Posted by Rogue

In what respect? Interior in mine is fine... No creaks or squeaks anywhere and everything fits well.

Where do I start ? dashboard creaking, rattling door pins, rattles from headlining, rattling drivers door handle, rattles from cheap flimsy loose fitting black oak dash and that's just what I remember. As your car is a Cowley built 75 I do believe that these were of a better quality than the later project drive cars like my 2005 contemp se. I remember sitting in Astreus Cowley built 2.0 V6 and straight away the difference in quality was noticeable. All of the above were one of my main reasons for getting shot of it, simply couldn't be bothered with it in the end.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by mcd840

Where do I start ? dashboard creaking, rattling door pins, rattles from headlining, rattling drivers door handle, rattles from cheap flimsy loose fitting black oak dash and that's just what I remember. As your car is a Cowley built 75 I do believe that these were of a better quality than the later project drive cars like my 2005 contemp se. I remember sitting in Astreus Cowley built 2.0 V6 and straight away the difference in quality is noticeable. All of the above were one of my main reasons for getting shot of it, simply couldn't be bothered with it in the end.

Yup... She's a Cowley and heading for her 20th birthday. None of those problems with mine, about the only creak i get is if the leather from the seats rubs against the cubby hole cover which is no big deal. I can only assume most of the issues are caused by project drive deletions.

[mcd840]

Originally Posted by Rogue

Yup... She's a Cowley and heading for her 20th birthday. None of those problems with mine, about the only creak i get is if the leather from the seats rubs against the cubby hole cover which is no big deal. I can only assume most of the issues are caused by project drive deletions.

I think so, the car hadn't even reached 60k. Perhaps if it was a Cowley built cdti coupled with an auto box I would have kept her - even the clutch was far to heavy. On a plus point it did pull along very well

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by Rogue

I can only assume most of the issues are caused by project drive deletions.

I had a 53 plate ZT that had just shy of 140k on the clock when I moved it on. Can't recall any squeaks, rattles or other noises from the interior trim.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by mcd840

I think so, the car hadn't even reached 60k. Perhaps if it was a Cowley built cdti coupled with an auto box I would have kept her - even the clutch was far to heavy. On a plus point it did pull along very well

The diesel 'Urge' can be quite addictive but i don't think it feels quite so much in an auto i borrowed recently even though the speedo proved it to get up to speed just as nicely

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

I had a 53 plate ZT that had just shy of 140k on the clock when I moved it on. Can't recall any squeaks, rattles or other noises from the interior trim.

I'm not saying that they all do but certainly things like the dash not fitting the vents quite so nicely are noticeable and the reduction in soundproofing can't help.

[stevestrat]

I suspect most of those that do squeak and rattle have been in bits for some reason.

[trikey]

The later non metal backed dashboards are well known for creaking, door pins rattling are common (Though easily fixed) The door handles shouldn't squeak or rattle though!