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.

2002 Rover - Austin 75 Connoisseur SE 2.0 CDT from Serbia

Summary:

Quiet, smooth, with a superb ride quality

Faults:

I crashed it only few days after buying it, and the radiator fan was cracked. Because of the OEM fan costs, I had it fitted with an aftermarket. It was OK for the engine, but killed 2 air conditioning compressors, which were changed with no success.

The ABS light was on due to a chaffed ABS sensor wire, and I had the sensor replaced. I had minor electrical problems with doors, windows and locks which were fixed easily.

The car was crashed a few times before I bought it, neglected for a year or two at dealers, and that's the mother of all the problems.

The seat adjust switches never worked at all and the airbag light was always on...

General Comments:

Quiet, smooth, with a superb ride quality, Rover 75 diesel is the best buy at a budget price.

Interior and equipment are so much better than competitors that any comparison is impossible!

If you want a transport from A to B, then 75 is NOT the choice. But if you want to drive the car, you will see the difference in a second. 5,5l/100km highway, 8,5l/100km in the city is VERY nice for a 1600kg bear.

The cabin could have a bit more room for legs, but that's it. Driving 1100 km in one day, piece of cake!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th January, 2011