1996 Rover - Austin 400 SDi review from UK and Ireland
"Super performance, ultra reliable - choose the diesel!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing, runs perfectly.
General comments?
This is a totally underrated car. I bought it to replace my 1996 Jeep Cherokee, as fuel prices have become too high to run it. I was averaging between 15-18 mpg.
I previously owned the cheaper Rover 400 Turbo D, which basically has mechanical fuel injection and no intercooler for the turbo. It was painfully slow, so I gave it too a family member.
I then decided to try the 400 SDi, which has electronic fuel injection and an intercooler. This takes the horsepower from 88 to 104, and the torque is 177.
The acceleration is amazing, especially in the higher gears. It pulls very well in 3rd, 4th and 5th. The MPG is never below 40, regardless of how it is driven, and reaches well over 50 on a long run.
The interior is fine, all electrics still work and it handles very well, although I would not push it too hard, due to the weight of the diesel engine up front.
So overall, forget the petrol engines, the diesel is a real gem.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 2008 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 turbo diesel Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 114000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 125000 miles |
| Previous car | Jeep Cherokee |
| Date of Entry | 1st August, 2008 |