1995 Rover - Austin 200 SEI review from UK and Ireland

Most pressing concern was leaking power steering fluid. Traced to a perished hose and replaced.

An irritating rattle from the exhaust heat shield from 2-2.5K R.P.M., it seems to be a fairly common fault to the model.

First impressions are good, the subtle night fire red setting off the dated, though undoubtedly classy lines.

Paint work has held up well to seven years of use, aside from the expected stone-chip rash.

The SEI has part leather sports seats, and alloys that impart an up market feel, heightened by the is it -or isn't it pseudo wood veneer. Very comfortable, restrained, but firmly middle aged, I'm afraid.

Performance has to be revved out of the 1.4 k-series. Despite its modest capacity the unit feels punchy and potent. It enjoys a good thrashing and rewards you with a pleasingly mellifluous hum as the 185 section tyres and precise handling add up to a suprisingly quick point-to-point machine. Only ship-at-sea body roll mars the driving experience.

The old 200 series has something of an image problem, demonstrated ably by by car's (only) previous owner- a retired Grandad type character.

I'd never owned a Rover group product before, and I pleased to report (so far) I've been utterly impressed by build, comfort, economy (35+ MPG, even when 'pressing on') and reliability.