Worth Saving Advice Please ?

Norman2CV · 7th February 2023, 10:50

I've been informed of a Rover 216SLi locally which is part of a house clearance. It is garaged, was owned by an elderly gentleman, looks clean and smart but on looking at the MOT history has had rust in the subframe, sills and wheel arch. It was in use with mot until very recently. It is likely to go for scrap but i have an opportunity to save it if I go get it. I know nothing about them other than it has a Honda engine which people say is excallant.
Is it worth time and fuel to go and save it ? Would anyone ever want it ? or shall I just let the scrapper pick it up ? Thanks.

Pete · 7th February 2023, 11:38

Without wanting to sound daft, is it the SD3 or R8 model? I think both versions had a 216SLi in their ranges.

Actually scratch that, I believe it's the R8 model as the SD3 used the S-series engine. I'd very much advise contacting the 200/400 club and alerting them to it. Even if it proves to be beyond saving it could be a treasure trove of unobtaniums.

CDT Player · 11th February 2023, 01:06

If it's been garaged and in use with an MOT until recently then it's worth a look and could well be very nice.

I wouldn't take too much notice of MOT advisories that say about rust on subframes, most cars have surface rust there and over keen/cautious inspectors feel the need to mention the smallest of things in advisories especially when it comes to surface rust, some even put vehicle undersealed as if that's a bad thing.

mileshawk56 · 11th February 2023, 13:59

My wife has a 1999 S reg. Rover216 GSi I believe that makes it a R8 Its a first class car. very little rust,I would say better in than my '54 in that aspect. The Kseries 1.6 twincam engine is very smooth and pulls like a train. It has a CVT gearbox which is not everyones choice but provides no problems today. Hmm just seen you say its a Honda engine, if that the case its not a R8- most likely `1996 vintage. Chris.S.

mileshawk56 · 12th February 2023, 17:19

correction- R3 not R8. Chris.S.

Norman2CV · 12th February 2023, 22:03

Many thanks for all the replies, I have only seen a photo of it in a garage so am going to have a look this week. It is 'J' reg and first reg Feb '92 so am unsure which engine it has until I see it. I will post my results when I've had a good look at it.

Sonic ZS · 15th February 2023, 04:59

A '92 J-reg 216SLi will be the Honda engine, NOT the K-series as was used in the later 'bubble' shape models.

Sold a lot of these back in the '90's, a great, reliable car, from memory they suffered with ignitors (?) failing in the ignition system but otherwise were excellent.

At that point, PAS was still an option on that spec, but if you're lucky it might just have it (it was standard on the equivalent Honda Concerto). Lower half should be grey. Good luck with it

Norman2CV · 16th February 2023, 12:57

Thanks for all the advice, I bought the car this morning as next in line was the local breakers ! It has been loved and looked after and engine sounds sweet. Underneath is pretty sound, some patching has been done to the sills, but three of the wheel arches are crusty. Interior is very clean . Up for grabs if anyone wants it, dont think it will take alot to get an MOT. May advertise it in the for sale section if a non 75 is allowed !

Norman2CV · 17th February 2023, 15:02

This car is now advertised for the amount it owes me (£190) in the 200/400 club forum, as my aim was simply to save it from going for scrap. Will make a nice car.

woolley11 · 19th February 2023, 07:24

Good stuff - Well it’s a got a second chance now.

7th February 2023, 10:50	#1
Norman2CV Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon. Pre Production. Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Callington Posts: 90 Thanks: 40 Thanked 72 Times in 25 Posts	Worth Saving Advice Please ? I've been informed of a Rover 216SLi locally which is part of a house clearance. It is garaged, was owned by an elderly gentleman, looks clean and smart but on looking at the MOT history has had rust in the subframe, sills and wheel arch. It was in use with mot until very recently. It is likely to go for scrap but i have an opportunity to save it if I go get it. I know nothing about them other than it has a Honda engine which people say is excallant. Is it worth time and fuel to go and save it ? Would anyone ever want it ? or shall I just let the scrapper pick it up ? Thanks.

7th February 2023, 11:38	#2
Pete Owners Club Director Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sherfield-on-Loddon Posts: 4,872 Thanks: 137 Thanked 996 Times in 444 Posts	Without wanting to sound daft, is it the SD3 or R8 model? I think both versions had a 216SLi in their ranges. Actually scratch that, I believe it's the R8 model as the SD3 used the S-series engine. I'd very much advise contacting the 200/400 club and alerting them to it. Even if it proves to be beyond saving it could be a treasure trove of unobtaniums. __________________ Follow The Club On Twitter

15th February 2023, 04:59	#7
Sonic ZS Posted a thing or two 75 Conn CDT Tourer, 75 Conn SE V6, 75 Conn V6, 75 Conn CDTi Tourer, ZS 180 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Devon Posts: 1,986 Thanks: 1,287 Thanked 963 Times in 534 Posts	A '92 J-reg 216SLi will be the Honda engine, NOT the K-series as was used in the later 'bubble' shape models. Sold a lot of these back in the '90's, a great, reliable car, from memory they suffered with ignitors (?) failing in the ignition system but otherwise were excellent. At that point, PAS was still an option on that spec, but if you're lucky it might just have it (it was standard on the equivalent Honda Concerto). Lower half should be grey. Good luck with it __________________

11th February 2023, 01:06	#3
CDT Player Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: West Wales Posts: 99 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	If it's been garaged and in use with an MOT until recently then it's worth a look and could well be very nice. I wouldn't take too much notice of MOT advisories that say about rust on subframes, most cars have surface rust there and over keen/cautious inspectors feel the need to mention the smallest of things in advisories especially when it comes to surface rust, some even put vehicle undersealed as if that's a bad thing.

11th February 2023, 13:59	#4
mileshawk56 Posted a thing or two MGZT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Berkshire Posts: 1,281 Thanks: 1,738 Thanked 299 Times in 216 Posts	My wife has a 1999 S reg. Rover216 GSi I believe that makes it a R8 Its a first class car. very little rust,I would say better in than my '54 in that aspect. The Kseries 1.6 twincam engine is very smooth and pulls like a train. It has a CVT gearbox which is not everyones choice but provides no problems today. Hmm just seen you say its a Honda engine, if that the case its not a R8- most likely `1996 vintage. Chris.S.

12th February 2023, 17:19	#5
mileshawk56 Posted a thing or two MGZT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Berkshire Posts: 1,281 Thanks: 1,738 Thanked 299 Times in 216 Posts	correction- R3 not R8. Chris.S.

12th February 2023, 22:03	#6
Norman2CV Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon. Pre Production. Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Callington Posts: 90 Thanks: 40 Thanked 72 Times in 25 Posts	Many thanks for all the replies, I have only seen a photo of it in a garage so am going to have a look this week. It is 'J' reg and first reg Feb '92 so am unsure which engine it has until I see it. I will post my results when I've had a good look at it.

16th February 2023, 12:57	#8
Norman2CV Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon. Pre Production. Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Callington Posts: 90 Thanks: 40 Thanked 72 Times in 25 Posts	Thanks for all the advice, I bought the car this morning as next in line was the local breakers ! It has been loved and looked after and engine sounds sweet. Underneath is pretty sound, some patching has been done to the sills, but three of the wheel arches are crusty. Interior is very clean . Up for grabs if anyone wants it, dont think it will take alot to get an MOT. May advertise it in the for sale section if a non 75 is allowed !

17th February 2023, 15:02	#9
Norman2CV Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon. Pre Production. Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Callington Posts: 90 Thanks: 40 Thanked 72 Times in 25 Posts	This car is now advertised for the amount it owes me (£190) in the 200/400 club forum, as my aim was simply to save it from going for scrap. Will make a nice car.

19th February 2023, 07:24	#10
woolley11 Regular poster MG Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: York Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Good stuff - Well it’s a got a second chance now.