2004 Rover - Austin 75 CDTi Contemporary SE 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Great value luxury motoring, and different from the usual rep mobiles

Faults:

Broke crankshaft.

Ran out of fuel (faulty fuel gauge).

General Comments:

The Contemporary SE has the MG ZT interior with full leather seats and dark wood effect dash. Everyone is amazed at how luxurious and comfortable it is inside. Certainly a lot of car for the money.

I was unlucky to have the crank shear (not unknown on the BMW engine), but replaced the engine with a low mileage used one from a Freelander, and have had no problems since.

The auto box is smooth and the handling competent, if a little soft, but that gives the smooth ride and comfort.

There are a few things to watch for, not least to keep the drain clear in the plenum, which houses the cabin filter and also the engine management computer.

The electric fan can fail due to a dodgy resistor, but can be easily replaced by an upgraded resistor.

I have done a few mods to mine to improve performance, and have fitted a nice sound system, and can't see myself changing it for a long time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th June, 2010

2004 Rover - Austin 75 Connisieur SE Tourer 2.0 cdti

Summary:

A good car, but not a Volvo

Faults:

Noisy diesel pump and howling noise from the turbo area on overrun.

Vibrating exhaust pipe when pulling hard in gears.

Lots of radio interference.

Clutch makes howling noise when doing hill starts or reversing up a slope.

General Comments:

Very spacious and roomy car, exceptional comfort and ride, although the clutch pedal is heavy and too near to the bulk head.

Fuel consumption is not exceptional for a diesel and the engine is noisy when cold.

Slow to warm up in cold weather, over 10 miles before the heating takes effect.

Some of the build quality leaves a bit to be desired and I have gone through the car and corrected cables hanging or not fixed etc.

Worst was jubilee clip rubbing through on a heater hose!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th December, 2005

23rd Jul 2006, 15:15

I have had a Rover 75 2.0CDTi diesel for 3 years and I have to say nothing has gone wrong yet, and it has more than lived up to my expectations in terms of quality and robustness. The BMW engine is very refined and quiet even when cold. One thing that I am slightly disappointed with, though, is the lack of foot-well space and rear head and leg room. Overall the Rover 75 has bean an absolutely superb car and an amazingly quiet and comfortable motorway cruiser. I can barely think of a bad word against it.

2004 Rover - Austin 75 Connisseur SE 1.8

Summary:

Underpowered, but luxurious inside!

Faults:

The interior lights don't work when opening the doors on the vehicle, only when you press the button.

Alarm is too responsive (when small dust particles move), causing it to go off everywhere,

General Comments:

This was the car we were given as a hire car when our Peugeot was written off. Please remember the 405 was worth about £500 and they gave us a brand new hire car (with only 4 miles on the clock).

It also came with leather heated and electrical seats. A CD Player, ABS, 4 x electric windows, A/C - digital climate control (left and right side of the car), alarm, 16" alloy wheels, parking sensors, front fogs lights and much more.

This is the middle of the range car and in my view very well equipped. The remote key fob works from about 100m, which could be seen as good or bad, and you can also open the boot with the key! Whilst the indicators illuminate for about 10 seconds lighting up the pavement for everyone.

It has also had new styling with its bold grille and bulgy headlights. These are xenon spotlights and look very modern.

The only downsides to this car is the engine, do not go for the 1.8 as it is underpowered, go for the 2.0 or 2.5 V6.

Also the walnut dash may not be to everyone's taste, but is very well done with the little extras, e.g. 4 cup holders, lights in the vanity mirrors and also the slow opening glove box!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th October, 2004

16th Feb 2005, 08:16

The review is far too short and not detailed.

I think that it was done in a hurry and not much effort was put into it.

A review must contain enough information to help a potential buyer make their minds up.

I am interested in buying one of these cars, but your review did not help.

17th Sep 2008, 15:36

How can you know how good the car is if it is only hired to you?

22nd Jul 2012, 05:24

Your review lists almost no faults to the car, in fact you sound quite impressed in your review, yet you still would not buy another from this manufacturer?