1995 Rover - Austin 400 SLI 1.6

Summary:

Simple, reliable, no nonsense motoring

Faults:

Drivers electric window did not shut properly - had to be manually manoeuvred into place. New window regulator did not fix the problem. Passengers window also on its way out.

General Comments:

Engine reliability could not be faulted (Honda engine), though had to be worked quite hard for performance. Interior was pleasant with lashings of wood and controls well placed. Bodywork good for a 9 year old car with no rust.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th February, 2006

1995 Rover - Austin 400 Si 1.6 petrol 16v

Summary:

Good equipment and ride. Otherwise mediocre

Faults:

The bulb for clock and radio display stopped working soon after purchasing the car. It was rather expensive to buy (Main dealer only!) and was extremely awkward to fit.

Starter motor packed up. Rover UK quoted £150.00+ for the part alone! I used a non-manufacturer's starter motor in the end, at half the price...

Gearbox was replaced.

Head gasket went pop. Typical fault of all K-series engines. I should have bought a diesel.

General Comments:

The car is lovely to drive and the drive is unbelievably comfortable.

Steering feel is a bit remote, but I soon got used to it. Handling is confident, but rather floaty.

Seats are a bit small, the old Rover 200/Honda Concerto were far superior.

Interior quality is rather mediocre.

The car has excellent standard spec for the year, including ABS, electric sunroof and remote central locking.

Rear seat space is cramped, despite the car's size.

Rover should have marketed the car as an Escort/Golf competitor. It would have fared much better. Instead, Rover decided to chase Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 406. Mad!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th October, 2003

1995 Rover - Austin 400 414i 1.4

Summary:

Don't buy if you have shallow pockets!

Faults:

The clutch arm developed a crack that made it impossible to use the gears. The problem was hard to identify and the dealer failed to diagnose the fault, but wanted to put in a new clutch, new slave cylinder and a new gearbox to see if that fixed the problem!

General Comments:

This is a very comfortable car that handles well in all weather and road conditions.

It has a reasonable amount of power, and is fun to drive.

Unfortunately the Rover dealership (Chapman's, Co. Kildare, Ireland), have an atrocious maintenance and diagnostic department.

The parts are expensive and take time to reach Ireland. Trade-in values are also poor as the Rover 414i has a reputation for mechanical problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th September, 2002

1995 Rover - Austin 400 i 1.6

Faults:

At 36000 miles a cylinder liner has broken and the head gasket blown. The damage was bad enough that the engine has had to be scrapped.

General Comments:

The interior is nice.

Driver and passenger seats are set too low.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th May, 2001

1995 Rover - Austin 400 416 Si 1.6

Summary:

Blinding

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

One of the best cars I've ever driven, smooth and reliable. After having a Rover as a company car for years, I had to purchase one myself.

Classic inside and out, and severely underrated.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th March, 2001

1995 Rover - Austin 400 414i 5 door 1.4i petrol

Summary:

Fairly reliable, economical, and comfortable, but some quality concerns

Faults:

Recurring starter motor/bendix noise and failures.

Driver's door window fell into the car twice when in motion, glass fixed to the metal support using "super-glue".

Cylinder head gasket failure at 75,000 miles, despite full Rover main dealer service history.

Lots of clonks and squeaks from the rear suspension for quite a while now.

Frequent failures of the headlight dipped beam bulbs, which seem expensive to replace.

General Comments:

Overall, reliable and economical, but let down by build quality or perhaps some cheap components.

Quite comfortable, interior is well finished.

Performance quite good for a 1.4 litre.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd February, 2001

1995 Rover - Austin 400 414 1.4

Summary:

Very nice car, shame about the quality

Faults:

First thing was the left back side suspension rocker.

Then the starter motor.

Then the engine started leaking water, and started leaking oil from the rocker cover and the head gasket and everywhere, but it keeps going.

Door hinges worked loose somehow?

General Comments:

I love the car, what can I say, it has been fun to drive, the 1400 engine feels like 2000cc engine and it is responsive once it has been revved.

The handling is excellent with no modifications and standard tyres.

The cabin feels roomy for a family of 4.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th January, 2001

29th May 2001, 16:26

I agree about the engine, the K-Series 16 Valve is an outstanding little unit and provides reasonably rapid performance for a heavy car however...

I don't know what your talking about the handling cuz mine handles like a shed!

It looses grip at the slightest turn and sends you wallowing all over the place, you have to be so careful with the thing.

I've never driven the Turbo model but all I can say is I hope Rover sorted the handling on that out cuz the 414 really poor into bends.

24th Jul 2001, 19:41

Is you car the new shape rover 414 or is it the old shape?

20th Nov 2002, 04:23

I have a rover 416 sli 16v, it's a gem! very responsive engine, and since I replaced the springs with some H&R's the handling it superb :-)

26th Jun 2003, 09:55

I have a m reg 416, I brought it last year. can anything else go wrong, I have had to re-place: gear-box, clutch, starter motor, the boot doesn't shut correctly (faulty catch) , but I just love driving the thing, trouble is i,ve spent that much on it I can't afford the god damn petrol.