Rover 75 engines

T

TwinPlenum3500S

New Member
I have been offered a 75 Connoisseur at reasonable money .... ideal for the wife to ferry the baby about in a bash the life out of. HOWEVER, what I need to know is, which one has the BMW engine in? I WILL NOT buy a K series engined car as well all know these are practically useless.

1) Which model has the BMW engine in (Years, model etc)
2) Are there any modifications that can be done to stop overheating of the K series?

I thought about throwing the K series away and fitting a Mondeo or similar, but the wiring is beyond my capabilities and patience.

Cheers Jim
 
AFAIK only the 2.0 diesel is BMW, the petrol engines are all K series including the 2.0 or 2.5 quad-cam KV6.
 
I thought that the Lotus Elise fraternity had sorted all the K-series problems now or is that not the case?
 
I supsect the modifications are only as good as the person fitting them and dependant on how cooked the engine was before the gasket went. There's a metal shim available to be used if the head has too much skimmed off but I wouldn't be happy to own a car with one fitted
I did read in Car Mechanics that the diesel is not perfect but it's niggling things by comparison
 
The 1.8 is a K series
The 2.0 is a K-V6
The 2.5 is a K-V6
The 2.0 CDT is a BMW 115BHP
The 2.0 CDTi is a BMW 131BHP


The 1.8 head gasket problem can be improved by the fitting of the later type gasket but the cooling system really needs to be kept an eye on as the temp gauges are notoriously inaccurate.

The 2.0 & 2.5 V6 aren't that bad an engine but timing belts are a costly job & if neglected lead to an even more costly job, the VIS motors (control the variable intake) have a habit of failing but as far as I can gather are easily repaired & dont stop the engine running just cut the power down a bit. They are thirsty if pushed but a lot of people are getting high 20s & even low 30s on a run but dont expect much more than 23-24 around the doors.

The BMW diesel is the old 320 TDS engine (chain driven) & are pretty bullet proof but they do have little foibles of their own

I've always loved the 75 & ZT but was apprehensive about buying one as a Volvo replacement but I'm really pleased with mine

Regards Colin
 
even the 75 bmw powerd diesel is not a very good choice! i work for a company that sells ex lease cars on line..we used to sell a lot of 75's..
the engines about the only good thing on them..awfull build quality..hilarious electrics..and you cant even replace a light switch with a used part because its all coded to the ecu!
to replace the alterenator is bad..really bad...even by alfasud standards! you just cant get to it without an awfull lot of dismantling.even on a ramp!

go buy a mondeo diesel or a jag x type (same thing really...)
just make sure its had the clutch and dual mass flywheel replaced recently!
 
hotrod said:
..awfull build quality..hilarious electrics..and you cant even replace a light switch with a used part because its all coded to the ecu!
to replace the alterenator is bad..really bad...even by alfasud standards! you just cant get to it without an awfull lot of dismantling.even on a ramp!
Click to expand...

awful build quality, granted some of the very late ones suffered a bit at the hands of a disgruntled workforce

hilarious electrics, normally caused by poor maintenance of the bulkhead drains causing the ecu to get wet, & as for the
light switch thing that's true of most modern cars nowadays (can bus electrics) alternators are supposed
to be a bit of a swine as are a few other jobs in the engine bay but it's a five minute job to pull the front
bumper off & ten minutes to pull the slam panel & headlights out the way & access is greatly improved

Modern Rovers are a very easy target for knockers most of which have no or limited experience of them, people used to knock the old 800 but they weren't that bad particularly the Mk2 versions. All cars have their weaknesses & problems but people just jump on the bandwagon & I for one will happily defend the 75&ZT

Regards Colin
 
I'm not having a pop here but just wanted to defend my opinion of this much maligned car

Rover 75 Awards and Accolades 1999 - 2007

• What Car? ‘Car of the Year’ 1999.
• What Car? ‘Compact Executive Car of the Year’ 1999
• What Car? ‘Diesel Car of the Year’ 1999
• Auto Express ’World Car’ 1999
• The Journal / AA ‘Business Car of the Year’ 1999
• Italian ‘World's Most Beautiful High Class Saloon’ 1999
• Bild am Sonntag ‘Golden Steering Wheel Award’ 1999
• The Society of Plastic Engineers ‘Innovative use of plastic’ 1999 for the 75's V6 plastic intake system.
• British International Motor Show ‘Best riding and handling front wheel drive saloon in the world’ 1999
• Japanese 'Import Car of the Year' 1999
• Japanese 'Import Car of the Year' 2000
• New Zealand's National Business Review 'Car of the Year' 2000
• Executive Class ‘Portuguese Car of the Year’ 2000
• What Car? ‘Compact Executive Car of the Year’ 2000
• The only executive car to be short-listed in the 2000 ‘European Car of the Year Awards’
• Used Car Buyer 'Used Car of the Year’ 2000
• Used Car Buyer ‘Used Car of the Year’ 2001
• Diesel Car Magazine ‘Compact Executive Car’ 2001
• JD Power customer satisfaction survey ‘Only European car in the Top 5’ 2001
• Auto Express Used Car Honours 'Best Diesel Car' 2002
• Used Car Buyer 'Best Used Medium Car’ 2002
• ITM ‘Car of the Year' 2002
• Used Car Buyer ‘Used Car of the Year’ 2004
• Used Car Buyer ‘Best Used Family Car of the Year’ 2004
• ‘Most popular British Forces Germany tax free car purchase’ 2004
• Auto Express Drive Power ‘Best Ride Quality’ 2006
• Rover 75 voted Best Family Saloon in AutoTrader Used Car Awards 2007
__________________
Cant be that bad can it?
 
My Dad's always been a 'Rover man', having owned P6's all through my childhood and later years . One of which I now have myself (handed down) :D ..a few years ago he bought a Rover 75 with the 2 litre diesel engine and auto gearbox (he says he's getting too old for manuals! :LOL: ) . Personally, I think the '75 is a very nice car having driven it myself and my Dad's more than happy with it. I quite like the 'retro' look of it too!
 
I must say that I do like the look of the ZT-T.

There was a chap in Coventry who sold me the Vitesse wheels currently on my P6. When I turned up to collect them he had to move his car from the garage to allow access. It fired up and I had to go and lie down? It was the ZT 260 - a rather nice one with the V8 :shock: What a sound.

I don't know much about ZTs but I have driven Colins and must say I was impressed with it
 
As 2Diesels has said, the 75 has it's faults but so do a lot of modern cars; with the right maintainance they can be very good.

From experience the 1.8 is the main one to avoid, yes you can fit better head gaskets but it's still very underpowered for the size of car. The KV6s are much better, but as mentioned are costly to change belts on. Find one already done and you're laughing!

The BMW engine is alright but I've heard of problems with the cooling system on this (ironic!).

Connoisseur is a high spec model though, so it should be a very comfortable and relaxing car to drive!
 
Just been told by a friend today of the following in the last 3 weeks, 75, 54 plate cooked up and engine had it, another that got so hot it melted the dipstick and an MG version that has another common fault .... wiring looms getting wet, the owner spending £1800 on electrical work this morning.... also have you heard the latest about topping up the clutch reservoir!!

I think these motors are cheap for a reason!
 
I run an MG Rover specialist garage, and deal with these cars on a daily basis. The engines in the ZT are as follows:

Petrol
1.8T 160ps
2.5L 160ps
2.5L 180ps (sports auto)
2.5L 190ps (manual)
4.6L 260ps

Diesel
2.0L 113ps
2.0L 132ps

The diesel engines are made by BMW, the 1.8L and 2.5L engines were made by Powertrain (part of MG Rover Group) and the 4.6L was made by Ford. The Rover 75 was also fitted with a 2.0L KV6 engine.
 
sorry chaps...most modern cars dont suffer these kind of maladies!
as I mentioned..i work for a compant that sells high milage ex lease cars..we dont get any trouble at all to be honest apart form the odd air con re gas and blown bulb.
modern cars are usually very good in a boring kind of way..but the poor old 75 was a clunker..im basing this on having driven and sold quite a few of them..forget owner abuse, these things were on lease contract and got everything and anything they were due.

im not british car bashing, but its like trying to defend marinas as a good cortina rival!
its not suprising that rover went bust as the product was just not good enough, comparing it to its direct rivals like audi, bmw,ford..these cars all represent good used buys with milege on them and they seem to able to stay in one piece.

the very last ones didnt even have a spare wheel (not even a space saver!) just a big hole in the boot and a tin of tyre weld!! im aware these views may not be popular..indeed im a big rover fan but even i can see the sd1's I loved for so many years were just poorly built and finished compared to the german stuff. they sure looked a whole lot better though.

I guess if you like alfa romeos you accept they are going to fall part! maybe the same thing has to be allowed for in late rovers.
as for the headgasket problems..a lot of it was down to poor maintainence but like the stag from ages before it was a weak link.
 
forgot to mention..if you really must have one make sure its an auto!
the manual gearbox is cursed with a really heavy clutch in most used examples.
they are a much nicer more relaxed drive in auto form. :D
 
hotrod said:
the very last ones didnt even have a spare wheel (not even a space saver!) just a big hole in the boot and a tin of tyre weld!!
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This does not have to do with Rover, it is a late trent that other manufacturers like Mazda like to follow.
And it will become more common, no matter we like it or not.
 
Hmmm do any of you buy a Rover for reliability????? if you wanted that you would buy a Toyota slash Honda slash most jap cars. I know for my self that all my non Jap cars have been a PIA every time Rovers being close to top of that list next most things Italian lol. Going into ownership of any thing Rover you need your eyes wide open, my daily drivers have been Hondas since 1991 and NEVER a fault, I will say that again NEVER a fault (except for my wifes Honda Vigour never buy one of those peices of crap) All the company vehicles I drove prior to owning my own business were Japanese and once again never a fault. But life is not about having the most reliable car on the planet and for that reason I have owned many euro cars and have lived with the greif they have given me, but in the full knowledge that they will not be the perfect.

Graeme
 
It is my understanding that the timing belts must be replaced without fail every 5 years or 80,000km. Locally it is a $2500 undertaking, say....1200 Pounds.

Ron.
 
SydneyRoverP6B said:
It is my understanding that the timing belts must be replaced without fail every 5 years or 80,000km. Locally it is a $2500 undertaking, say....1200 Pounds.

Ron.
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That's fairly common with modern cars though Ron.

My Audi is 60,000 miles or 4 years and costs around £700.00 if done at a main stealer.

It also costs £60.00 for them to tell me that the little light on the dashboard has come on because the secondary air system is a little low on pressure on the left hand bank :shock:

Modern cars; too complicated to be reliable and too expensive to fix.
 
Didn't they downspec Rover 75's towards the end ? The radios etc were inferior .No doubt someone made a saving in taking away the spare wheel .Not disguising where the spare wheel should have been is a bit poor though

I'm not going to criticise Rover 75's - my daily driver is a Citroen C5
 
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