2002 Rover - Austin 75 Classic Tourer 2.0L CDT turbo diesel from UK and Ireland
Summary:
A fitting epitaph for the British Motor Industry
Faults:
- Electrics went a bit funny, with the speedo not working and various error messages flashing up on the message centre. However, switched the radio off and on again (I'd a habit of just leaving it on) and the electrics started working again!
- Sound proofing underneath the engine was fairly easily dislodged.
General Comments:
Fantastic car. The ride quality is fantastic, and it's like sitting on an arm chair in the QE2, as you cruise your way up and down the motorways effortlessly.
The 'Classic SE' trim level was a bit of a disappointment after my MG ZT-T, but even so, it still has the electric sunroof, brilliant comfy plush chairs, reversing sensors, and it still reminds me of the sort of car I lusted after as a wee boy - Jaguars, Rolls Royce's and such like.
Fuel consumption is a little disappointing, but then it is an automatic, and it will still return 50+ when cruising down the motorway.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th May, 2011
11th Nov 2016, 13:58
Just to follow up on this - I eventually gave the car to my parents 2 years and 40,000 miles later, and I still stand by the original review.
Brilliant car - it just felt eternally effortless in everyway, and I'm considering getting another one when my current 200,000 ZT-T eventually bites the dust. My brother now owns it (my father passed away a couple of years ago, and it was too big for my mum), and sitting in it a few weeks back just reminded me of how great a car it was/is. The only problem was a cracked plastic panel along the bottom of the windscreen causing the footwell to flood when it rained - this isn't a common fault, it's more down to my brother being reluctant to do any sort of maintenance on his car!
The only semi-recurrent issue that it's had (alongside my ZT-T) is the in tank fuel pump. Garages will try and charge several hundred pounds to replace it (sometimes in excess of £500). Don't - you should do it yourself. The original Bosch ones are expensive, but you can get replacement ones for a fraction of that, my last one being around £35! They don't last as long (the Bosch ones last for about 120,000 miles or so, the replacement ones about 40-50,000 miles), but it's worth it for the money saved. Whilst it's fiddly the first time you do it, when you get to know what you're doing, it's about a 45 minute job all in all. Do the underbonnet one at the same time (about a similar cost and time) and you'll be set.