My W (2000) plate Audi had covered 155k miles and has been written off by the insurance company and with the settlement, i am considering to replace it with a newer Rover 75 Cdti (2003) connisseur model with 80k miles, 1 company director since new with leather and all the equipment with it with FSH for £2700.00
Can anyone give me any information as to the general reliability of the 75 compared to an Audi A4. Shall i stick to another A4 or go with the 75.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me urgently.
|
The BR is anti-Rover so good luck getting impartial views!
My only comment would be, is the FSH to Rover specs and also is it an auto as big cars easier to sell on if they are? If it is sounds nice to me.
Colour is important though, they came in some awful shades ( White Gold and Primrose Yellow in particular ).
|
My neighbour is on his third 75
A work colleague has a 75 CDTi with 100k and it's never had anything other than routine servicing.
If you can live with the styling, it's a good car. Go for it.
|
|
I believe they are very good. Only negative I seem to remember reading about was a difficulty in changing headlamp bulbs. Might be wrong. Always liked the estates m'self. Especially in MG spec.
|
|
|
|
The rover is in blue, and is manual. The FSH is from Rover Main dealer. Its had 6 stamps, at 1k and 15k intervals thereafter. It has leather interior and heated/electric front seats. it looks impeccable throughout. But i am concerned about is reliability compared to an A4, which I had owned for 2 years without any major problems and was great to drive. I did go through 2 AC Compressor units though, which is making me a bit doubtful about another.
|
The CBC does have a list of issues with the 75 but then it does for alot of popular cars, so careful reading is required. Diesel seems to be the best coupled with manual box, from a reliability perspective.
Given that Rover franchises sort of disappeared when Rover went under, id ask myself who these Rover main dealers are who serviced it recently - specialists?
|
Ahhhh. Even if it is serviced by specialists, does that mean genuine parts are still available and would have been used or pattern parts?
|
Well unless its had major work, "pattern" parts would be Oil and filters. No problem with those as long as they are to spec.
|
|
Not quite the same, but I had an MG ZT for nearly 2 years. Utterly faultless and I still miss it now.
|
|
|
My wife had one for 3 years - pleased to get rid of it.
Dad has had from new on a 51 plate - very happy
|
|
|
|
|
|
The lump at the front is a BMW M47 engine, so they are pretty much bullet proof. The main thing to check is the Cooling Fan, these have a habit of failing on the earlier 3 speed type. Easy way to check is to put aircon on (make sure ECON button is not pressed) and turn ignition on (you do not need to start the car) if the fan runs all is well, if not then if it is an earlier 3 speed fan the motor brushes have worn out. New motors are about £300-500 fitted, cheaper if you want to it yourself. If it is of the newer 2 speed type then chances are it is the resistor (you can see the resistor by looking trough the grill.
The above really only effects the aircon as the M47 runs very cool anyway.
The only other noted weak point are the clutch (slave cylinder) some say they go at about 80-90k and about £700 to replace, so check to see if it has been replaced recently. Having said that my 2002 has done 131k and still on the original!!!
I would say general reliability is as good as any Audi ( I had an A6 as a company car and that was fine), but as with any car, you can get a lemon!!
I am more then happy with my 75 and would happily get another if I needed another car or to replace my current one!!
Should just add that parts are readily available still for the car.
Edited by R75 on 13/01/2009 at 15:55
|
I am considering a similar swap - my 2002 A4 is feeling a bit tired with 150K on it and have seen a nice MG ZT 190 on a 54 plate - heart ruling head at moment!
My previous experience from owning a 75 CDT was nothing other than excellent - mine had done 225,000 miles when I traded it for my A4 and have to say it wore the miles better than my current A4 and had nothing other than normal servicing.
|
My dad is very fond of his. Virtually bullet proof (only thing needed has been the fuel tank lifter pump). Don't bother looking for and paying a premium for the CDTi, just get it chipped. That's all Rover did. The brakes are the best of any car I've driven. Don't hit potholes with the low-profile alloys, it hurts.
Most important: TRY THE CLUTCH BEFORE BUYING. It is phenomenally heavy and only you can decide whether you can live with it.
Dad averages about 40mpg in mixed driving on the motorway and country lanes. The estate is big and heavy so this seems about normal. It's quite difficult to judge where the back is. Parking sensors would help, but the bumper is soft and flexible so the ol' "go back until it stops and then forwards a bit" technique works fine.
We're looking for a diesel auto to replace ours, but struggling. Seem quite popular now, which is a bit of shame.
|
|
|
|
"The BR is anti-Rover so good luck getting impartial views!"
This is of course nonsense, so don't be put off: the Backroom doesn't have a corporate view but is a group of individuals with their own views - and you've had some good impartial advice above based on experience.
If I had the choice, I'd prefer an Audi to drive, but for your £2700 you wouldn't get nearly as new an Audi as the 2003 Rover - at least I don't think so, but you should check on www.autotrader.co.uk to make sure.
Check out Rover 75s on Autotrader as well in case there is one with lower mileage or newer within your budget. Also try and get a test drive in one to make sure you like it - and can live with the dashboard which reminds me of a 1940s front parlour.
Clearly there are some good Rovers around - you can get some more useful information from the Car-by-car breakdown on this site.
Good luck!
|
|
For wider ownership experiences also check out the owners club at www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum
|
|
|
|
