1985 Rover - Austin SD1 VDP 3.5 V8

Summary:

A classic high performance bargain

Faults:

Since I had the car all that's gone wrong is a burst transmission pipe and the fuel pump.

General Comments:

I think this car is superb car to drive and it has a lot of power from its 3.5 V8 powered engine, and turns a lot of people's heads when driving it around. As I am only 21 years old, the insurance is about £1,500 and up, it only costs me 3rd party fire and theft a massive £1,400 and that's for a 3.5 V8.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2001

3rd Oct 2001, 05:33

Insurance is much cheaper if you go through a classic car route... I got quoted £150 doing this when I was 21...

I went to Swinton Insurance for a laugh and they quoted £3500!!!

13th Oct 2006, 05:50

Finally - someone in the same situation as me! I've been searching the net for weeks to find a decent quote for my V8 Vandenplas SD1. I'm 20 so I'm going to keep it off the road and I'm not going to insure it until I have restored it to full health. Just covering the fuel bill is difficult enough let alone the insurance and tax. I have dreamed of driving one of these since I was three, as one of my earliest memories is being in the back of my parent's 2300. I might even apply to pimp my ride uk and see if they can help me out!...not really.

1985 Rover - Austin SD1 3500 Vitesse 3.5 V8 Efi petrol

Faults:

As it's an old car most of the parts replaced are due to normal wear and tear. Things like tyres, steering components, brakes pads etc.

However I did have to replace the oil gasket between vee.

This is one of the few weaknesses and it is caused by the breather system becoming semi-blocked creating excess crankcase pressure, this causes the oil gasket between the vee to burst (pumps oil all over the place). Fairly cheap and easy to remedy but it is a known problem.

General Comments:

Having owned two, I have a general idea of the cars faults. The major one is running costs. To keep the vehicle in good running order a prospective buyer would have too realise that it is not going to be cheap.(On average - depends on mileage - expect to spend between £1000 - £1800 per annum to keep this vehicle on the road mechanically)

The other known problem, is that if frequent oil+filter changes have not been done, slight wear in the camshaft and lifters will become apparent at around 90K-100K. Although the cars will still go on until 125K-135K (probably more) before this wear becomes seriously noticeable ie it drops a cylinder.

The best thing about this car though is its smooth rocket-like performance, which I shall always look back on with relish.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th January, 1998

6th Feb 2004, 08:27

I think the mechanical running costs quoted are much too high. £1000-1800? a little pessimistic if you are an able mechanic. Maybe more like £500.