New car, CDTi saloon 2005 Cont SE

hst125 · 25th April 2018, 17:11

Had the new 75 two days now and shakedown continues...
Bad points - caveat emptor as they say on eBay....

Sounded good on eBay, deal done, sounded better on the phone. Went to collect and yes the photos don’t show it as it is! Pulled out of the drive and scrapes galore underneath, mudflaps and undertray. A few clunks from drop links despite having many new suspension parts. Offside mirror been hit so glass wobbles, wipers have rigor mortis, boot interior scruffy, odd mats inside, wheels desperately need a lick of paint. Rear mudflap awol.
However... driven almost 100 miles now and all seems manageable - stat stuck open so R5 mod ordered, 5w led bulbs for interior lights as a couple blown, bodged undertray back up and ordered LR clip kit. Removed other rear flap but fronts still on due to paint wear. Flashed over one alloy in Plasikote silver looks much better. Do the same on others when wind dies down! Fitted Sonichi DAB kit from old car with mag mount aerial. Changed mats over for better ones.
Clayed one wing and looks much better.
I was cheesed off with purchase really as he’d spent a fair few quid on the car but neglected to mention a few fairly obvious issues.
But as time goes on I’m getting to like the car, never had a diesel auto before and it’s surprisingly sporty (I’ve had ZT 190s before) and actually quite a hoot to drive - with 40+ mpg!
Was registered a week before the closure...

bl52krz · 25th April 2018, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by hst125

Had the new 75 two days now and shakedown continues...
Bad points - caveat emptor as they say on eBay....

Sounded good on eBay, deal done, sounded better on the phone. Went to collect and yes the photos don’t show it as it is! Pulled out of the drive and scrapes galore underneath, mudflaps and undertray. A few clunks from drop links despite having many new suspension parts. Offside mirror been hit so glass wobbles, wipers have rigor mortis, boot interior scruffy, odd mats inside, wheels desperately need a lick of paint. Rear mudflap awol.
However... driven almost 100 miles now and all seems manageable - stat stuck open so R5 mod ordered, 5w led bulbs for interior lights as a couple blown, bodged undertray back up and ordered LR clip kit. Removed other rear flap but fronts still on due to paint wear. Flashed over one alloy in Plasikote silver looks much better. Do the same on others when wind dies down! Fitted Sonichi DAB kit from old car with mag mount aerial. Changed mats over for better ones.
Clayed one wing and looks much better.
I was cheesed off with purchase really as he’d spent a fair few quid on the car but neglected to mention a few fairly obvious issues.
But as time goes on I’m getting to like the car, never had a diesel auto before and it’s surprisingly sporty (I’ve had ZT 190s before) and actually quite a hoot to drive - with 40+ mpg!
Was registered a week before the closure...

That means it runs on rails.

marinabrian · 25th April 2018, 18:04

One might say these are age related things, and after all it is a thirteen year old car with 128K on the clock.

Not every owner treats them as objects of desire, or has the same idea regarding how a car should be described when selling, so if buying blind, it as you say is very much caveat emptor

Every single "cheap" Rover 75 or ZT I've seen advertised needs most if not all of the same jobs doing and more to bring them up to scratch.

So enjoy getting stuck in

Brian

hst125 · 25th April 2018, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinabrian

One might say these are age related things, and after all it is a thirteen year old car with 128K on the clock.

Not every owner treats them as objects of desire, or has the same idea regarding how a car should be described when selling, so if buying blind, it as you say is very much caveat emptor

Every single "cheap" Rover 75 or ZT I've seen advertised needs most if not all of the same jobs doing and more to bring them up to scratch.

So enjoy getting stuck in

Brian

Absolutely agree. I paid half this for my ZTT which was 200% straight but that was 3 years ago and they’ve definitely gone up a bit. I paid £1275 for this one so not bad considering, the body responded well to a clay bar so I reckon I’ll have it all like a new pin soon enough. Looking at your signature I can see a few mods coming up! (As soon as I’m happy with the engine I’ll be looking to tweak it

)

hst125 · 26th April 2018, 04:25

Update day 3:
Seems a loose undertray can demonstrate the symptoms of knackered drop links! Much quieter drive to work this morning. This car really is quite the sleeper, deceptively fast, going to have to keep an eye on the speedo...
Temp still low about 1/4 gauge (ambient 7c) so stat is next job. And fix the broken cup holder, I use that a lot!
Better by the day this old bus it's showing signs of being a keeper

i

Comfortably Numb · 26th April 2018, 23:20

Yes, a superb cruiser, with an inaudible motor at 70mph / 2,330 rpm, and they waft nicely along the A and B roads in a refusing-to-be-stressed sort of way.

hst125 · 28th April 2018, 14:22

Day 5:
Car buying is such a minefield! Sometimes you buy a car and after a few miles you find faults, niggles, you start to fret and wish you hadn’t done it. Sometimes you turn up and walk away because it doesn’t feel right. After two failed purchases, first car - Citroen C2 - had HGF (only discovered when I sold it, luckily eBay buyer was a gent and we did a deal to get rid) second was an MX5 which was just too frantic for my commute, and the buyer of which (eBay sale) has given me grief, I went for this 75.
As mentioned I found niggles, a couple of faults, but accepted the car on the basis of the seller’s honesty and pile of bills, set to using the car for my 23 mile cross country commute..
After a few hours spare this week I’ve started working away at the list of jobs, thinking I could have dismissed this car so easily, but today’s drive to work and home again in Saturday shopper traffic - well I have to say, it just gets better and better. The drive is so effortless yet swift, only gripe is the cool heater, just waiting the stat. I went the long way round to dodge the traffic and I could have gone on for miles. I’ve just parked up outside and there’s something Bentley about this car, the colour, stance, wheels - we’ve a Bentley main dealer in the village and a Continental pulled out in front in near enough the same hue!
Sometimes you get a car and it turns out to be just right, or even better....

Nobby · 28th April 2018, 20:31

Mick, sounds like its goner turn out to be a good buy; few basic snags that most 2nd hand cars come with but sounds like nothing major. Have fun and why not also join some of us for a breakfast natter etc here

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=282348 - you might even get a spy hole mod done while your there if you need one

hst125 · 1st May 2018, 20:07

Day 8:
Spoke to a local remapper and he’s been today above upped me to 160 :-) whilst he was here I mentioned the wife’s Touran and he’s upped that from 105 to 143 and extra 20% torque, now that is a flying machine! I wasn’t going to tell Mrs but after I test drove it I thought I’d better as it is SIGNIFICANTLY more responsive and I could see her coming unstuck on the first drive..
Upside is I reckon I’m 20% improved on mpg already on the 75 and I reckon the VW will be even better.
Other jobs today - proper wash, Autoglym silver and lacquered alloys.
Next - Stat arrived today, along with K&N element, and undertray ultimate kit to fit. Then hardwired USB for DAB converter.

hst125 · 4th May 2018, 12:52

End of week 2 update
Stat replacement and undertray kit fitted thank you to DMGRS

LED replacement bulbs x 5 in courtesy lights

Headlight lens refresh - Turtle wax kit, better but not perfect
Wash and shine, full clay and polish when weather permits
Air filter swapped out for K&N - good job too, I’ve never ever seen such a filthy filter!!!
Cd slot phone holder fitted, handy
New wipers and Rain-X applied

Drive to work now increased to 48mpg

Next, fuel filter, USB hard wire

Loving this car it’s made for my 22 mile commute to its spiritual birthplace, Oxford!

25th April 2018, 17:11	#1
hst125 Loves to post 2004 ZTT CDTi manual, 2017 Fiat 500L MPW, 1946 MG TC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 272 Thanks: 22 Thanked 27 Times in 23 Posts	New car, CDTi saloon 2005 Cont SE Had the new 75 two days now and shakedown continues... Bad points - caveat emptor as they say on eBay.... Sounded good on eBay, deal done, sounded better on the phone. Went to collect and yes the photos don’t show it as it is! Pulled out of the drive and scrapes galore underneath, mudflaps and undertray. A few clunks from drop links despite having many new suspension parts. Offside mirror been hit so glass wobbles, wipers have rigor mortis, boot interior scruffy, odd mats inside, wheels desperately need a lick of paint. Rear mudflap awol. However... driven almost 100 miles now and all seems manageable - stat stuck open so R5 mod ordered, 5w led bulbs for interior lights as a couple blown, bodged undertray back up and ordered LR clip kit. Removed other rear flap but fronts still on due to paint wear. Flashed over one alloy in Plasikote silver looks much better. Do the same on others when wind dies down! Fitted Sonichi DAB kit from old car with mag mount aerial. Changed mats over for better ones. Clayed one wing and looks much better. I was cheesed off with purchase really as he’d spent a fair few quid on the car but neglected to mention a few fairly obvious issues. But as time goes on I’m getting to like the car, never had a diesel auto before and it’s surprisingly sporty (I’ve had ZT 190s before) and actually quite a hoot to drive - with 40+ mpg! Was registered a week before the closure... __________________ My other car's got 3 V12s under the floors.

26th April 2018, 04:25	#5
hst125 Loves to post 2004 ZTT CDTi manual, 2017 Fiat 500L MPW, 1946 MG TC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 272 Thanks: 22 Thanked 27 Times in 23 Posts	Update day 3: Seems a loose undertray can demonstrate the symptoms of knackered drop links! Much quieter drive to work this morning. This car really is quite the sleeper, deceptively fast, going to have to keep an eye on the speedo... Temp still low about 1/4 gauge (ambient 7c) so stat is next job. And fix the broken cup holder, I use that a lot! Better by the day this old bus it's showing signs of being a keeper i __________________ My other car's got 3 V12s under the floors.

28th April 2018, 14:22	#7
hst125 Loves to post 2004 ZTT CDTi manual, 2017 Fiat 500L MPW, 1946 MG TC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 272 Thanks: 22 Thanked 27 Times in 23 Posts	Day 5: Car buying is such a minefield! Sometimes you buy a car and after a few miles you find faults, niggles, you start to fret and wish you hadn’t done it. Sometimes you turn up and walk away because it doesn’t feel right. After two failed purchases, first car - Citroen C2 - had HGF (only discovered when I sold it, luckily eBay buyer was a gent and we did a deal to get rid) second was an MX5 which was just too frantic for my commute, and the buyer of which (eBay sale) has given me grief, I went for this 75. As mentioned I found niggles, a couple of faults, but accepted the car on the basis of the seller’s honesty and pile of bills, set to using the car for my 23 mile cross country commute.. After a few hours spare this week I’ve started working away at the list of jobs, thinking I could have dismissed this car so easily, but today’s drive to work and home again in Saturday shopper traffic - well I have to say, it just gets better and better. The drive is so effortless yet swift, only gripe is the cool heater, just waiting the stat. I went the long way round to dodge the traffic and I could have gone on for miles. I’ve just parked up outside and there’s something Bentley about this car, the colour, stance, wheels - we’ve a Bentley main dealer in the village and a Continental pulled out in front in near enough the same hue! Sometimes you get a car and it turns out to be just right, or even better.... __________________ My other car's got 3 V12s under the floors.

28th April 2018, 20:31	#8
Nobby Aged to perfection! Rover 75 Conn SE Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Princes Risborough Posts: 639 Thanks: 405 Thanked 423 Times in 226 Posts	Mick, sounds like its goner turn out to be a good buy; few basic snags that most 2nd hand cars come with but sounds like nothing major. Have fun and why not also join some of us for a breakfast natter etc here https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=282348 - you might even get a spy hole mod done while your there if you need one __________________ Nobby....... Sometimes I talk to myself, Then we both LAUGH!

1st May 2018, 20:07	#9
hst125 Loves to post 2004 ZTT CDTi manual, 2017 Fiat 500L MPW, 1946 MG TC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 272 Thanks: 22 Thanked 27 Times in 23 Posts	Day 8: Spoke to a local remapper and he’s been today above upped me to 160 :-) whilst he was here I mentioned the wife’s Touran and he’s upped that from 105 to 143 and extra 20% torque, now that is a flying machine! I wasn’t going to tell Mrs but after I test drove it I thought I’d better as it is SIGNIFICANTLY more responsive and I could see her coming unstuck on the first drive.. Upside is I reckon I’m 20% improved on mpg already on the 75 and I reckon the VW will be even better. Other jobs today - proper wash, Autoglym silver and lacquered alloys. Next - Stat arrived today, along with K&N element, and undertray ultimate kit to fit. Then hardwired USB for DAB converter. __________________ My other car's got 3 V12s under the floors.

25th April 2018, 18:04	#3
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	One might say these are age related things, and after all it is a thirteen year old car with 128K on the clock. Not every owner treats them as objects of desire, or has the same idea regarding how a car should be described when selling, so if buying blind, it as you say is very much caveat emptor Every single "cheap" Rover 75 or ZT I've seen advertised needs most if not all of the same jobs doing and more to bring them up to scratch. So enjoy getting stuck in Brian

26th April 2018, 23:20	#6
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	Yes, a superb cruiser, with an inaudible motor at 70mph / 2,330 rpm, and they waft nicely along the A and B roads in a refusing-to-be-stressed sort of way.

4th May 2018, 12:52	#10
hst125 Loves to post 2004 ZTT CDTi manual, 2017 Fiat 500L MPW, 1946 MG TC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reading Posts: 272 Thanks: 22 Thanked 27 Times in 23 Posts	End of week 2 update Stat replacement and undertray kit fitted thank you to DMGRS LED replacement bulbs x 5 in courtesy lights Headlight lens refresh - Turtle wax kit, better but not perfect Wash and shine, full clay and polish when weather permits Air filter swapped out for K&N - good job too, I’ve never ever seen such a filthy filter!!! Cd slot phone holder fitted, handy New wipers and Rain-X applied Drive to work now increased to 48mpg Next, fuel filter, USB hard wire Loving this car it’s made for my 22 mile commute to its spiritual birthplace, Oxford! __________________ My other car's got 3 V12s under the floors.