1997 Rover - Austin 400 Si 1.6 16v

Summary:

BMW+MERC eater for escort money

Faults:

Nothing yet. But when it does I'm sure the dealer will fix it quickly and efficiantly

General Comments:

When I was looking for a replacement for my Citroen, I was concentrating on BMWs or an Audi, but the Rover caught my eye and I fell in love. The Rover 400 series is one of the most under-rated cars on the market. To see how good the interior is, simply park it up next to a BMW. Admire the wood trim and cream leather in the Rover, then look at the BMW- bland black plastic with grey cloth seats. The rover K-series engine is the best I've owned. You can easily get 140bhp by just adding some K&N air filters. Plant your foot to the floor and it makes a great noise like a v-8 but subdues to near silent on the motorway where you are cosseted by the interior. If you are looking for a big exec car Don't buy a BMW! Buy a ROVER!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st July, 2002

2nd Jul 2002, 10:15

I wish you the Best Of British my friend when it comes to dealing with the Rover Service Department at your local dealership. You are far better off finding a specialist as the dealers are great conmen. One thing to watch out for concerning the K-Series engines. They have very long head bolts. Which over time come undone or indeed break! Obviously this is a major repair. The rear arches also rust out badly on all 400 rovers. Luckily mine got written off. I now drive a Lexus which is obviously nicer image wise.

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1997 Rover - Austin 400 420 SDi 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

A good buy as you can pick up a great car for peanuts

Faults:

Drivers seat has not enough padding, but this may be because of the mileage (or a fat owner!).

Air con has expensive parts and exchange unit was damaged when I bought the car. Rover quoted me £420 for the part + £87 to fit! Got one from scrap yard at £40 the had a service engineer fit, at £60.

General Comments:

This car was a private hire car, but to say it had covered 70000 miles in the previous two years was in very good order.

Engine is mint, gives good performance and 50mpg.

Electric everything, luxuries in abundance!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th May, 2002

1997 Rover - Austin 400 420 Si 5 door 2.0

Summary:

Good all rounder with plenty of poke

Faults:

Only had the car a month.

Only possible thing might be a slight misfire first thing in the morning, performance is not hindered at all and it only last for a few minutes, so perhaps I am just hearing things, will replace the plugs and leads just to be on the safe side.

General Comments:

What a lovely car to drive!

I wasn't really looking for a Rover when I was buying, but this car just stood out.

The 2.0 engine is the dogs dangley bits!

It has the most wonderful sound when pushed near the limit and it's pretty quick too, loads of torque (overtaking power). Lovely to drive sedately as well, very few gear changes needed because of the torquey engine.

Cabin, plenty of space in the front although a little cramped in the back, is quite adequate for a 2 adults, 2 children family with surprisingly a large"ish" boot.

Well laid out controls, a nice touch is the way the rear wiper comes on when reversing (if your front wipers are on).

The power steering is little on the light side for motorway speeds, but perfect in town.

Fuel, drinks it like it's going out of fashion around town, but on a run is pretty darn good for a 2.0.

The only bit about the car I don't like is the way the car "jerks" in first and second gear if slow moving in heavy traffic, I think another reviewer noted this as well, also reverse gear is sometimes a fight to get engaged, but that is apparently a "Rover thing".

Insurance is a bit steep, group 13 seems a bit high for a "warm" hatch.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th January, 2002

18th Jan 2002, 04:04

My rover 200 1998 has exactly the same problems you mention about the jerking in first and second gear, and the difficulty to select reverse. They are only small problems, but a bit annoying.