Moving from a 75 to a beemer; thoughts

Anon3 · 12th February 2018, 21:04

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 :-(

Comfortably Numb · 12th February 2018, 22:19

Ironically, I've just bought a 2001,75CDT (116bhp) for a 130mile daily round trip, on M6 and rural A roads. I used to have an A4 TDi 130bhp, which was far quicker off the mark, but no more relaxed at cruising, but after 2 weeks of the longest commute I've ever done, I am arriving far fresher, and without the joint and back pain of the Audi. So tomorrow, I am off to see Marina Brian for him to stuff some extra horses under my bonnet, then it will be way better than the Audi. And I hope it doesn't snow where you live - RWD cars are mostly rubbish in snow, unless, like the MGF/TF they are rear/mid engined as well!

Astraeus · 12th February 2018, 22:22

Hi

I hope you enjoy your BMW. One of the best cars I ever had was a E30 1984 BMW 320i fitted with high lift cams. Was only three years old when I got it and was a fantastic machine. In all honesty would I swap my V 6 for one...no...but I would swap my 1.8T for it or...maybe the V6....

In my experience BMW s are driver's cars and ( barring the one series which in my opinion is not a 'real'BMW ) are fun to drive. I have never understood the hate BMW mantra on here...each to their own I suppose.

Enjoy your car mate but remember you don't need to own one to be on here..

Chris

Rickoshea · 12th February 2018, 23:45

Been there, done that!

We bought our V6 75 estate in 2001 and after 12 years I decided it was time for a change. Before the 75 we had owned an MGF, 2 800s and a Marina so a long track record with Layland products, the quality and finish of the 75 was vastly better than any of the leyland products and this had to be down to the influence of BMW.

Originally thought about the XF estate but that was only available as a diesel and I could not drive anything so polluting so it was off to the BMW dealer for a nice F31 with a splendid petrol engine built in brum. Not as wonderful as the 75 but it works and goes like stink with lots of toy (including Head up display). I see the BMW 3 estate as the Morris Traveller for the millennium pensioners so great for this old NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-.

hrissim · 13th February 2018, 05:23

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
My cousin is keen on BMW. For 17 years he change hundreds of them as later on he began to do business with second-hand ones.
The only one which I liked was 735i L 4d `95 leather in excellent condition.
What a quality performance - both materials & execution.
Fortunately he decided to keep it.
A good decision.

coab · 13th February 2018, 05:35

Been down that road. After 7 ZTs bought a 2007 320d M sport. The difference is night and day between the two. The Beemer is obviously more modern and has the benefit of continual redevelopment where as the Rover was designed and produced and very little changed in the production years. The beemer is a great car but the parts are astronomical if an ABS pump goes etc. Upgraded to a 10 plate 320D M sport running a std 184 Bhp and it was a belter but didnt have an ounce of character like my ZTs did.
All modern cars will have better equipment and engines thats life and many cant realistically continue to use a 14 year old car such as the R75 or infact any car.
I now have a focus ST and its a cracking car and the best bit about it is the availability of used parts at really low prices where the BMW parts were upto 3 times the price!
Judge a car on how many are on our roads and what the retail prices are like. Some people hate BMWs some Audis but make your own mind up. There are plenty of indys now who specialise in BMWs etc so shop around when servicing and buying parts.

grivas · 20th February 2018, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astraeus

Hi

I hope you enjoy your BMW. One of the best cars I ever had was a E30 1984 BMW 320i fitted with high lift cams. Was only three years old when I got it and was a fantastic machine. In all honesty would I swap my V 6 for one...no...but I would swap my 1.8T for it or...maybe the V6....

In my experience BMW s are driver's cars and ( barring the one series which in my opinion is not a 'real'BMW ) are fun to drive. I have never understood the hate BMW mantra on here...each to their own I suppose.

Enjoy your car mate but remember you don't need to own one to be on here..

Chris

BMW make excellent cars period, there is no hatred of the mark anywhere, the problem most people have is that BMW 'drivers' have over the years been convinced that they are the best drivers in the universe BECAUSE they drive the so called ultimate driving machine. What they have failed to realize is that the great majority of them do not in fact possess and never will possess the necessary skills to truly appreciate a well balanced suspension and a powerful engine. driving fast does not equate to driving well, try the advance driving course and most will soon find out how little they in fact know about driving.

Enjoy the car and don't compare it to the Rover, they are miles apart, in every way possible the Rover V6 is a good car but an aging one at that very few modern cars are as charming or have the old world beauty of it, quite a wonderful and unique car.

vacuman · 20th February 2018, 17:10

Let's all make a note to return to this thread in 10 years time

By then the 75 (and ZT) will be a rare(r) sight on UK roads and a good one will turn heads (like they do now).

Whereas that old BMW....have to say you don't see many 15-20 year old BMW saloons in regular use considering the numbers sold. And E46 models, the same generation as our cars, sell for similar prices due to the high financial risk should something break or an MOT be failed.

dhr90 · 20th February 2018, 22:12

I'm currently in a similar mind set with my 75, looking to replace due to expense (and a desire of something newer), but really struggling to find something with that charm and sheer level of comfort of the 75. Cost of coolant is a bit prohibitive to keeping it though (been to the garage 3 times for it, said garage (Rover specialist) did the HG last year and they can't find a fault/leak - lost half a litre across a week last month despite my not even unlocking the car...). Then there is the electronics involved and the cost of repairs of newer cars, I work in a bike shop and e-bikes are a nightmare, and there isn't much on them!
Tried focus's, insignia's, several Volvo V60's (current first choice) but I jsut haven't found that charm. A new 5 series does ride very well, but just lacks... something, probably the sentimental value my 75 has after a year of ownership and 12 years of waiting for it to be handed down to me.

I turn and look when I see a 75 (or an S-type), but simialr age BMW, ford, honda, mercedes, volvo, etc just don't seem to have aged as well?

Interesting on your thoughts of the 3 series though, they do tempt me, but BMW service and repair costs put me off.

solarsailor · 12th February 2018, 23:01

Back in 2002 I was the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that enabled me to buy a new car outright and I opted for a BMW 318i SE (E46 facelift variant). Don't get me wrong, it was a lovely car and I added a couple of options including leather interior and wood trim. However, having had my Rover for nearly two years now I know which I'd choose if I could turn the clock back 16 years - and it wouldn't have been imported from Germany. Hindsight is a wonderful thing of course, but on the other hand I wasn't even aware of the 75's existence in 2002.

I can't comment on the ride quality of newer BMWs as I've never driven one, but my 2003 75 is smoother, quieter and more comfortable than my 2002 3 series was by a country mile (and quicker too).

However, enjoy your new car and I hope it gives you many years of trouble free motoring.

12th February 2018, 21:04	#1
Anon3 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,392 Thanks: 199 Thanked 219 Times in 187 Posts	Moving from a 75 to a beemer; thoughts 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 :-( __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Villa, Stella, Balti. It's Brummie latin that means, er...... Vis tester available to local V6 owners

12th February 2018, 23:45	#4
Rickoshea Loves to post Jaguar I Pace Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Surbiton Posts: 342 Thanks: 10 Thanked 74 Times in 47 Posts	Been there, done that! We bought our V6 75 estate in 2001 and after 12 years I decided it was time for a change. Before the 75 we had owned an MGF, 2 800s and a Marina so a long track record with Layland products, the quality and finish of the 75 was vastly better than any of the leyland products and this had to be down to the influence of BMW. Originally thought about the XF estate but that was only available as a diesel and I could not drive anything so polluting so it was off to the BMW dealer for a nice F31 with a splendid petrol engine built in brum. Not as wonderful as the 75 but it works and goes like stink with lots of toy (including Head up display). I see the BMW 3 estate as the Morris Traveller for the millennium pensioners so great for this old NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-. __________________ Miss the 75

13th February 2018, 05:23	#5
hrissim Gets stuck in 75 MK1 2.5 V6 Saloon Join Date: May 2017 Location: Samokov Posts: 781 Thanks: 372 Thanked 423 Times in 240 Posts	Thanks for sharing your thoughts! My cousin is keen on BMW. For 17 years he change hundreds of them as later on he began to do business with second-hand ones. The only one which I liked was 735i L 4d `95 leather in excellent condition. What a quality performance - both materials & execution. Fortunately he decided to keep it. A good decision. __________________ Don`t drive faster than your guardian-angel can fly!

20th February 2018, 17:10	#8
vacuman Gets stuck in MG ZT-T Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: St Albans Posts: 855 Thanks: 69 Thanked 236 Times in 172 Posts	Let's all make a note to return to this thread in 10 years time By then the 75 (and ZT) will be a rare(r) sight on UK roads and a good one will turn heads (like they do now). Whereas that old BMW....have to say you don't see many 15-20 year old BMW saloons in regular use considering the numbers sold. And E46 models, the same generation as our cars, sell for similar prices due to the high financial risk should something break or an MOT be failed. __________________ • This vehicle was the 8,186th ZT-T to run off the production line, out of 8,249 • This vehicle was the 1,723rd ZT-T 190 + to be made out of 1,756 • This vehicle was the 149th ZT-T in Mica Blue (Ignition) (code: JGY) to be made out of 160 Mica Blue (Ignition) ZT-Ts

12th February 2018, 23:01	#10
solarsailor Posted a thing or two 75 Saloon 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Colchester Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 87 Thanked 653 Times in 344 Posts	Back in 2002 I was the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that enabled me to buy a new car outright and I opted for a BMW 318i SE (E46 facelift variant). Don't get me wrong, it was a lovely car and I added a couple of options including leather interior and wood trim. However, having had my Rover for nearly two years now I know which I'd choose if I could turn the clock back 16 years - and it wouldn't have been imported from Germany. Hindsight is a wonderful thing of course, but on the other hand I wasn't even aware of the 75's existence in 2002. I can't comment on the ride quality of newer BMWs as I've never driven one, but my 2003 75 is smoother, quieter and more comfortable than my 2002 3 series was by a country mile (and quicker too). However, enjoy your new car and I hope it gives you many years of trouble free motoring. __________________ This vehicle was born on Wednesday June 4th 2003 @ 08:24:38 This vehicle was the 73,905th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,862nd 75 1.8 T Club SE to be made out of 3,980 This vehicle was the 6,856th 75 in Wedgewood Blue to be made out of 7,515 Wedgewood Blue 75s

12th February 2018, 22:19	#2
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	Ironically, I've just bought a 2001,75CDT (116bhp) for a 130mile daily round trip, on M6 and rural A roads. I used to have an A4 TDi 130bhp, which was far quicker off the mark, but no more relaxed at cruising, but after 2 weeks of the longest commute I've ever done, I am arriving far fresher, and without the joint and back pain of the Audi. So tomorrow, I am off to see Marina Brian for him to stuff some extra horses under my bonnet, then it will be way better than the Audi. And I hope it doesn't snow where you live - RWD cars are mostly rubbish in snow, unless, like the MGF/TF they are rear/mid engined as well!

12th February 2018, 22:22	#3
Astraeus Regional Secretary North Scotland MG ZS Exclusive 1.0T Auto 2022 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tayport Posts: 5,754 Thanks: 1,676 Thanked 1,855 Times in 1,058 Posts	Hi I hope you enjoy your BMW. One of the best cars I ever had was a E30 1984 BMW 320i fitted with high lift cams. Was only three years old when I got it and was a fantastic machine. In all honesty would I swap my V 6 for one...no...but I would swap my 1.8T for it or...maybe the V6.... In my experience BMW s are driver's cars and ( barring the one series which in my opinion is not a 'real'BMW ) are fun to drive. I have never understood the hate BMW mantra on here...each to their own I suppose. Enjoy your car mate but remember you don't need to own one to be on here.. Chris

13th February 2018, 05:35	#6
coab This is my second home 2007 57 GOLF GTi EDITION 30 DSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Newport Shropshire and Coventry. Posts: 5,138 Thanks: 2,424 Thanked 1,452 Times in 852 Posts	Been down that road. After 7 ZTs bought a 2007 320d M sport. The difference is night and day between the two. The Beemer is obviously more modern and has the benefit of continual redevelopment where as the Rover was designed and produced and very little changed in the production years. The beemer is a great car but the parts are astronomical if an ABS pump goes etc. Upgraded to a 10 plate 320D M sport running a std 184 Bhp and it was a belter but didnt have an ounce of character like my ZTs did. All modern cars will have better equipment and engines thats life and many cant realistically continue to use a 14 year old car such as the R75 or infact any car. I now have a focus ST and its a cracking car and the best bit about it is the availability of used parts at really low prices where the BMW parts were upto 3 times the price! Judge a car on how many are on our roads and what the retail prices are like. Some people hate BMWs some Audis but make your own mind up. There are plenty of indys now who specialise in BMWs etc so shop around when servicing and buying parts.

20th February 2018, 22:12	#9
dhr90 Newbie Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I'm currently in a similar mind set with my 75, looking to replace due to expense (and a desire of something newer), but really struggling to find something with that charm and sheer level of comfort of the 75. Cost of coolant is a bit prohibitive to keeping it though (been to the garage 3 times for it, said garage (Rover specialist) did the HG last year and they can't find a fault/leak - lost half a litre across a week last month despite my not even unlocking the car...). Then there is the electronics involved and the cost of repairs of newer cars, I work in a bike shop and e-bikes are a nightmare, and there isn't much on them! Tried focus's, insignia's, several Volvo V60's (current first choice) but I jsut haven't found that charm. A new 5 series does ride very well, but just lacks... something, probably the sentimental value my 75 has after a year of ownership and 12 years of waiting for it to be handed down to me. I turn and look when I see a 75 (or an S-type), but simialr age BMW, ford, honda, mercedes, volvo, etc just don't seem to have aged as well? Interesting on your thoughts of the 3 series though, they do tempt me, but BMW service and repair costs put me off.