Rover 200 - Worth buying?

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 16:13
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - Alfred Rees-Glinos

Hi everyone. I have a real hankering for a Rover 200 series (1989 to 1996 version). I am really only interested in purchasing a 1.4 engined one. Is there anything to look out for, (particularly regarding the supposedly infamous head gasket issue-does it affect this series of car, and this engine size?). Also, how difficult will it be to find spare parts-any more difficult to find than on a car of similar vintage from a manufacturer that still exists? I look forward to hearing your feedback. Many thanks.

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 16:21
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - oldroverboy.

The Honda 1.6 engine is far superior.

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 16:46
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - galileo

Hi everyone. I have a real hankering for a Rover 200 series (1989 to 1996 version). I am really only interested in purchasing a 1.4 engined one. Is there anything to look out for, (particularly regarding the supposedly infamous head gasket issue-does it affect this series of car, and this engine size?). Also, how difficult will it be to find spare parts-any more difficult to find than on a car of similar vintage from a manufacturer that still exists? I look forward to hearing your feedback. Many thanks.

If this is the version with the same body shape as the Honda Concerto, I had one with the Honda 1.6 engine and it was a really good car, unfortunately a no-fault accident meant I had to replace it. One item it did need was rear suspension bushes, not cheap.

The replacement 1.4 Rover 200 was OK, surprisingly quick, didn't suffer head gasket failure but the thermostat failed (open) which meant slow warm-up. Couldn't be bothered fixing it so traded it for a Corolla.

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 17:11
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - Bolt

Hi everyone. I have a real hankering for a Rover 200 series (1989 to 1996 version). I am really only interested in purchasing a 1.4 engined one. Is there anything to look out for, (particularly regarding the supposedly infamous head gasket issue-does it affect this series of car, and this engine size?). Also, how difficult will it be to find spare parts-any more difficult to find than on a car of similar vintage from a manufacturer that still exists? I look forward to hearing your feedback. Many thanks.

If this is the version with the same body shape as the Honda Concerto, I had one with the Honda 1.6 engine and it was a really good car, unfortunately a no-fault accident meant I had to replace it. One item it did need was rear suspension bushes, not cheap.

The replacement 1.4 Rover 200 was OK, surprisingly quick, didn't suffer head gasket failure but the thermostat failed (open) which meant slow warm-up. Couldn't be bothered fixing it so traded it for a Corolla.

The replacement 1.4 Rover 200 was OK

I wouldn't touch one now, they had nothing but electrical problems

the earlier 216 was the better car and the 416 estate version, which I owned one for 3 years until it was rear ended and wrote it off, after that engine I bought Honda, after that never looked back...but Rover did the 1.4 and 1.6, but the Honda was far superior and come with a manual instead of auto

You may even be better off finding a Honda as they were the same bodyshell just minor changes for Rover, mechanically far better and imo better on fuel and quicker

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 17:19
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - Zippy123

I had one of the earlier (long shape) and later rounder shape Rover 220 diesels. Company cars. Choice of trim and colour only.

Both very stylish at the time with no major problems and quite stylish compared to the competition at the time.

The only observation I would make is that under very heavy breaking the newer rounder shape 220 would lose grip at the back very quickly and could cause a spin. Several other users in the company noticed this feature as well.

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 21:19
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - Bolt

Just to correct my post, the Rover 25 was the worst of the Rovers for problems, they were supposedly a better car, but most I come across wore rear wheel bearings rapidly due to the seals cracking and letting water in

and the electrics were not that clever, where I mentioned the 200 series being bad it was the 25 so my apologies for that mistake, although the 200 small car had problems they were nowhere near as bad as the 25 which was the replacement

interior leaks as well as sunroof corrosion including seals that severely cracked and were at the time expensive plus panels that broke off...

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 17:36
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - SLO76
Ah memories. I flogged loads of these back in the 90’s with few problems to report. Yes the 1.4 did suffer HGF but it wasn’t as common as the larger versions of the K series motor - it was never meant to be larger than 1400 but was hurriedly upsized because of the loss of the excellent Honda motors. It typically failed around 70-100k but if repaired properly with the upgraded gasket there was little to worry about, it was otherwise quite robust though the Peugeot designed gearbox wasn’t as tough or as pleasant as the Honda box in the 1600’s.

The best models in the range were the 1.6 Honda models (especially the high spec 416 GTi) which were much quicker, no worse on fuel and vastly more reliable or the tough Peugeot diesels which would run and run. But while I’d pay extra for one of either it will be down to what’s available and a well maintained K series example that’s had its head gasket replaced can be a good daily retro classic. These were excellent cars for their time, vastly superior to all rivals of the time until the Peugeot 306 appeared in 1993.

They’re old cars now but parts are fairly easy to get still especially service and mechanical parts but body panels and trim are much harder to find so buy on body condition over anything else. Don’t be afraid of a 1600 auto either, it’s the most reliable combo with all Honda running gear and usually a longterm elderly owner.

Short Mot on this but history looks good and only one owner, could be worth a look. But worth only £300-£400 with almost no Mot tops.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20191117444...9


This was a great model. A run out special edition, the SE had the more powerful 103Bhp multi point injection 1400 motor and loads of spec.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20191115440...8



Edited by SLO76 on 01/01/2020 at 17:44

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 18:03
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - Avant

SLO( or anyone), do you happen to know which engine went into the Rover 220i? I drove one for a few weeks in the 1990s when I was in between company cars and it was in between drivers, and it was great to drive.

Big engine and medium-sized body - my favourite combination which I've been able to enjoy since the children grew up.

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 18:26
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - RT

SLO( or anyone), do you happen to know which engine went into the Rover 220i? I drove one for a few weeks in the 1990s when I was in between company cars and it was in between drivers, and it was great to drive.

Big engine and medium-sized body - my favourite combination which I've been able to enjoy since the children grew up.

According to Wikipedia, it was the 2.0 Rover T-series engine - available as normally-aspirated and turbo form

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 18:27
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - Bolt

SLO( or anyone), do you happen to know which engine went into the Rover 220i? I drove one for a few weeks in the 1990s when I was in between company cars and it was in between drivers, and it was great to drive.

Big engine and medium-sized body - my favourite combination which I've been able to enjoy since the children grew up.

T series as GTI GSI and Turbo models, I bought the estate GSI, according to Rover they didn't do an estate, but they did, and it was a good car imo but wasn't happy with the MPG but kept for 2 years

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 19:32
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - SLO76

SLO( or anyone), do you happen to know which engine went into the Rover 220i? I drove one for a few weeks in the 1990s when I was in between company cars and it was in between drivers, and it was great to drive.

Big engine and medium-sized body - my favourite combination which I've been able to enjoy since the children grew up.

It used the M series 2.0 16v from the 820 then it was replaced by the T series which was an update of the same design in 92. They went well and didn’t drink too much but didn’t like neglect with timing belt a frequent failure if left beyond interval and big end bearings known to go on abused examples. The 1.6 Honda motor was quick enough and had no vices. The 128bhp 1.6 416GTi was my favourite.
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Wed 1 Jan 2020 19:42
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - SLO76
There are a few models to avoid. Late 1.6 and 1.8’s used the enlarged K series which is very prone to HGF. Again if repaired correctly they’re fine but they are far more likely to fail in the first place. Almost everyone gets confused and believes these are Honda motors but they’re nowhere near as reliable.
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Wed 1 Jan 2020 19:46
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - SLO76
Don’t forget to search for the full R8 range. Here’s a few nice examples I spotted but again depends on budget.


I love this...

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190524829...3

Probably the most reliable version...

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190307566...8


Next gen with the gutsy 2.0 T series, not a turbo despite the advert but very nice. I’d change the timing belt if there’s no receipt for one recently.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190903181...8



Edited by SLO76 on 01/01/2020 at 19:50

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 20:23
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - Alfred Rees-Glinos

Thanks to everyone so far for their response. Much appreciated! Keep them coming :)

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 20:59
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - focussed

I just had a poke round on leboncoin france - it's a sort of french ebay site, and there are 6 Rover 200's on offer on there from €300 up.

https://www.leboncoin.fr/recherche/?category=2&text=rover%20200&model=200&brand=Rover&vehicle_type=berline,break&fuel=1

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Wed 1 Jan 2020 21:25
Rover 200 - Worth buying? - badbusdriver

Not actually a 214 but near enough, this 414 looks great and the price isn't too bad given the (apparent) condition.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-Rover-414-1-4-SLi-16v-27-3...i

My dad had one of these and really liked it. He only got rid of it because a change of circumstances meant him and mum needed an estate (a rescued greyhound and, a few months later, a lurcher). I drove his a few times, and have driven quite a few Rovers with that engine over the years. Always found them really nice, smooth, sweet and surprisingly punchy (for a n/a 1.4 of the time).

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