1997 Rover - Austin 200 Si from UK and Ireland - Comments

When I first got the car I had problems with it cutting out when dipping the clutch. This only happened when there were high-drain electrical items switched on like the heated rear screen. The dealer diagnosed and replaced under warranty a faulty ECU which fixed the problem.

The car tends to have quite a juddery clutch when pulling away. This is only during cold weather and when it has been standing for a while, but once it has warmed up the problem goes away. The problem hasn't got any worse so I have just lived with it!

It is a nice car to drive. The seats are comfortable and the driving position and visibility is good.

The car is overall solidly built. There are a few rattles from the dash area, but nothing has fallen off and everything has a solid click or clunk to it when using the switch-gear.

Equipment levels are quite sparse compared to modern cars, but with the Si you do get electric windows and sunroof, remote locking as well as the standard power-steering, alarm/immobilisor.

The standard stereo isn't much good, but it's a standard fit so you can replace it easily with whatever you want. The standard speakers are very reasonable and I didn't bother to replace mine.

The engine is a gem! 0-60 comes up in just over 9 seconds and whilst there isn't huge pulling power lower down the rev range, once you get it spinning at 3,500 rpm it pulls like a train all the way to the red-line!

The car is economical too. If I drive sedately 40MPG is possible, which is pretty impressive for a 1.6 engine, and what's more even if you drive thrash it it still gives you in the MPG in the 30's.

Insurance is a mere group 7, which for the performance is pretty stunning really.

You can pick them up pretty cheaply now since the 200 has been replaced with the 25, and some fantastic bargains can be had. Would be Escort buyer's take note - this is a far better, reliable and classier car to spend your money on!

I have the same problem with my rover (stalling!!!). my used car dealer did everything from replacing sensors to changing inlet manifold. I told them repeatedly that it was the ECU which they refused to believe and still do- what can I do??? dodgy dealer beware!!!

To the guy above: It was a fault in early ECUs of this car, apparently the problem is fixed in later cars (1998 on), but you problem could also be due to a faulty stepper motor (it controls the idle speed), or it may need resetting. You can take it to a dealer to be reset, but unofficially you can reset it yourself by doing the following:

1. Turn the ignition to position 2 (electrics - DO NOT START THE CAR!)

2. Now press the accelerator 5 times (floor it)

3. Switch off the ignition, wait a few seconds and then start the car.

I have a Rover 216 SE Auto and recently started having idling problems, it has been to two garages at a cost of £400 and still the problem persists. I am told "by Rover" it is an ECU fault and / or the throttle housing. The previous garage thought it was the stepper motor!!.

The car starts and drives fine, but revs high in Neutral and Park and often stalls when in drive, slowing to an idle speed. to replace all three components will be costly and I can't imagine they are ALL at fault.

What would you recommend I do first? get the ECU tested and reprogrammed? where can I get this done by a reliable company? and reset the stepper as mentioned in the above article?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Jason.

I am delighted to see the comments about stalling on the 216 auto. My local Rover Garage, made out I was some sort of idiot, they even questioned if I had the vehicle in "park" when I tried to start it. My problem does not occur in summer! and it does not occur when the engine is hot. My Rover agent has now given up and told me to try another garage, which is infuriating. I have done exactly that, and so far replaced the 5th injector which apparently is only active on startup... that didn't work, the rotor arm and distributor cap, but that also had no effect, they are now going to try the Coil, but I cannot help feeling that they are grabbing at straws. It is a great car... when it goes, but it is now damaging my wifes confidence in driving. The E.C.U. has never been mentioned, but despite the car being a 96 model it has only done 23k miles. Any suggestions?