Yep, same engine. Also donated to Saab as well.

Oh FFS!!!! I can't believe that some journalists are just so plain DUMB!!!! How many times does it have to be explained to them??? I wish someone would write a book called "Joint Ventures for Dummies" and send a copy to every journalist in the country.

Yes the agreement will be signed later this month. As soon as it is signed and approved by the Chinese Government, MG Rover and SAIC should be able to release more detailed information regarding the agreement. Hopefully things will become much clearer to everyone. (apart from most journalists of course, who will continue to print the same rubbish that everyone reads and believes...)

However from my understanding, the agreement will effectively result in the creation of a joint venture company owned by SAIC and MG Rover. SAIC will remain Chinese and MG Rover will remain British. Let me repeat that - SAIC will remain Chinese and MG Rover will remain British. Control of Phoenix Venture Holdings (the company the own MG Rover) will remain under British control. However the new JV company will be partially Chinese and partially British owned, the exact percentage ratio will probably be announced once the agreement has been signed.

The JV company will develop new models and own Intellectual Property rights to the new platforms that they develop. I would guess that MGR will perform most of the R&D given that SAIC have no expertise in this area (this is one of the reasons why SAIC are so keen to form a JV) whilst SAIC will supply most of the cash.

The first platform to be developed will be RD/X60, a Golf sized platform. The first models to use this platform will be a 5 door hatchback and 4 door saloon, which will finally replace the Rover 45/MG ZS. It is expected that a Rover MPV and MG sports car will follow and will be based on this platform. (One of the reasons why MGR was so keen to find a partner was that they would only have been able to put a 5 door hatchback into production on their own but with a partner they will have the financial resources to produce other varients from the same platform.) Apparently the development work on this platform is almost complete. However the interior and exterior styling of the above model variants needs to be finalised followed by testing and then finally putting them into production. I have heard that MGR have so far spent around £300-£350 million developing this platform.

Apparently the JV will also develop a platform which, amongst other things will replace the 75/ZT and another platform which again, amongst other things will replace the 25/ZR.

Will be interesting to see if my predictions or almost everyone elses predictions on here regarding MGR will be correct. ;-)

yes it is also i now notice that 2nd to 3rd

can involve a 2nd to 5th which suggests gear linkage problem.

Have you checked the gear linkage is properly aligned? On the Cavalier you have loosen the clamp bolt securing the gear selector tube in the engine bay. Then remove a small rubber plug on the top of the gearbox seletor housing, grip the gear selector tube and twist in an anticlockwise direction until insert a 4.5mm drill bit can be inserted through the hole where the plug was and lock the selector lever. Now lift up the gearstick rubber gator and hold the gearstick in neutral in the 1st/2nd gear plane. The lever should be resting against the reverse stop, and the arrow and notch should be aligned. Get someone to tighten the clamp bolt back up in the engine bay. Remove the drill bit and check that all gear can be selected easliy with the vehicle at rest, engine running and the clutch pedal depressed.

Obviously this is the setting for a Cavalier, and *may* differ to the Espero.

Hi, I have had the same problem as you and I also have cleared the blockage now and had the pollen filter replaced. How did you get rid of the water in the footwell as this is under the carpet, I have been told it has possibly soaked into the foam. Any ideas?