1990 Rover 414 SLi 'R8" goes for a Drive

[@schon74]

I just cant believe this car and 1990 are 30 years old ago lol

[@h.s.5995]

I remember being a kid and seeing these everywhere. Unfortunately, quite an unicorn these days

[@ColumbusII]

Used to have a '91 216GSi, one of the nicest cars I've owned. Took it to the UK a few times. Good memories 😊👍🏻Kindest Regards from the Netherlands

[@malcolmkeen7756]

Totall agree.I had a 1990 216 GSI and it was a great car the 0 - 60 was really good for those days.

[@JeeGee114]

People did not expect it to be that fast. Part of the fun.

[@ghostything]

The electric window controls should be on the door handle for the driver and in a square towards the front of the fabric insert on the passenger door card if they're factory, and those switches are not Honda parts either. Honda never put electric window switches on the centre console. They're retrofitted electric windows on manual window door cards, and I severely doubt they're dealer fit.

[@d2factotum]

Yeah, the 1993 214Si I mention in another comment had electric window switches on the doors, so this definitely looks odd to me.

[@Dan-hq2js]

Some early rover 25s even had those exact caps over the winder spindle where it stuck thru the door card straight from the dealers as if manual mechs where fitted with electric motors, but the switches where actually rover standard fit in the right location, not like those.

[@Simon-ui6db]

should see the later rover 400, the passenger window switch is in the centre console from the factory.

[@64bakes]

@@GentilsGarage I own an E30 with electric windows and my switches look identical to these, so I think you're definitely right

[@brianiswrong]

My 1994 214sli Had electric mirrors,electric sunroof and manual windows. I would suggest the featured car has had as mentioned,manual windows converted to electric by somebody.

[@charlesclark5029]

My dad used to have one of these, in red. It was with us when I was born, came with us to Belgium for two years then came back to the UK (dad was in the military so lots of travelling) we had the car till 2004 when it finally died. He was a tough bloke but I’ve never seen him cry so much when we lost the Rover. Now that he’s retired after his service of thirty years, I hope to find another one and present him with it. I knew he loved that car to bits. These are a bit more attainable than a Fiat X1-9 he wants. So good to watch this!

[@Stars_Falling_93]

That blue interior is gorgeous! As is the body colour. Loved the enthousiasm with which you presented this beauty to us.

[@saintfunny]

I used to work ( decades ago) for a company called Caffyns & we sold Rovers & Protons through our branch, the R8 gen 200/400 was a really lovely car for it's time.

[@alexandertoft3036]

So nice to see these cars still going! Rovers are a key part of my Muncanian childhood. My Grandparents had a 214 with 'Silverstone half leather' and later my Dad had a 600 and 75 as company cars. They really were wonderful cars and every one of them had a certain charm and character that was unique to the brand and something you don't get with modern cars. They all had that 'Rover smell' too. My Grandparents later had high-end Peugeot 306 D Turbos with the 2.0 HDI diesel engine that was revolutionary for the time. It had a lovely metallic clatter and you could hear the turbo and wastegate sounds. I remember picking it up in Bolton and thinking it looked so cool with the body kit and big alloys and the new leather smell was intoxicating! Thank you for doing these videos. It is nice to watch someone who has had similar experiences and to be able to watch videos of cars from a treasured time in my life that has long gone! Keep it up. 😊

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Sir, you seem to have forgotten that the whole dashboard was not Rover, but Honda (Civic I believe). But anyway, I drove a rental automatic for a day in the UK coming from the continent. It did two things for me. 1) I will never drive myself again in the UK. That is better for me and better for all other traffic in that country. I could not get used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road. 2) I fell in love with automatic gearboxes and almost every car I owned since has been an automatic. So, fond memories.

[@furiousdriving]

It does share its entire underpinnings with a Honda, so yes they are Honda dials, but Honda also have Rover dials! UK driving is easy once you get used to it, sets you up for places like LA to be easy, and Ive had the opposite - borrowed autos and decided I never wanted one!

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

Ronald de Rooij wrong

[@00kirbyd]

As someone who is the owner of a Rover Mk1 200 SD3 (and is struggling to keep it's memory alive), I appreciate the R8 was a considerable step forward for Rover. However, I can't help feeling that the R8 always has gained far more praise than the humble SD3 ever did. Which is a shame but there you go. I considered buying an R8 over a year ago but decided not too - the few remaining SD3s have far too few fans out there. Anyway keep up the good work!

[@Phiyedough]

The side plastic mouldings with red piping and grey stonechip paint below remind me a lot of Fords of the same era, Fiesta Ghia, XR3i etc.

[@pscollier1]

I had a 1998 Rover 214iS (not SI) with those same electric windows and blanking plates. I assumed it was a dealer-fit option - I think it was from Brighton - but it did have a factory electric sunroof.

[@matthewsemple]

Looks dealer fit to me. The higher specification and most later cars had the Honda switches in the door. I had a 416GTi which was particularly pleasing because it had 4x e/windows and a very neat 4-switch control panel in the driver's door. This was very rare because the 416GSi didn't have rear e/windows and even the later 420GSi didn't have them as standard. But I have seen cars with those central switches and the non-matching blanking plates scream dealer fit because my 416 had no holes in any of the doors.

[@KbaltRX]

My father bought the 416 GSi model back in 1991 as our main family car and after almost 30 years we still have it in our garage. We love it as it has never let us down in any way through all these years. It has a Honda engine and it is the definition of reliability. It has 318.000+ km, with no major mechanical or electrical problems to this day (!) and sometimes we still use it as a daily. It is very practical, very easy to drive and the 16v, 111hp engine is quite peppy for its age, making it a very nice companion for urban or rural environments and long trips. Although it lacks the modern technology of today cars, it rewards you in other ways. In my opinion, it is a very beautiful British classic / vintage car, with lots of extras for its age, the ride quality is very nice, it is a very comfortable car and the visibility in every direction is great. It is always nice nowadays to drive a car from a different era and also here in Greece it has become a very rare car to see in the road these days. What I really love about the Rover, is the XJ220 rear lights - connection. How many family saloon cars have the honour of lending their rear lights to a supercar?! Everytime that I drive the 416, I enjoy the feeling of having a common car part with a legendary 90's supercar! Lol! We intend to keep it for the foreseable future, as we have many good memories with it and we also value its longterm reliability. Moreover, as years go by and it is getting towards a more classic status, it will be nice to keep it as a future classic!

[@pwensor]

The R8 range was the pinnacle for Rover. Coupe, cabriolet, 3-door, 4-door, 5-door and estate all on the same platform ! If only BAe had sold it to Honda instead of BMW, Rover would still be around today.

[@seancooke4127]

The estate or Tourer was a particularly lovely design, both in looks and practicality. In the right metallic colour you could just look at it all day long. The pinnacle is pretty accurate.

[@grahamariss2111]

They would have loved to have sold it to Honda, but Honda relationship was cooling as Rover was bringing less and less to the relationship and Honda decision to Build a factory at Swindon was a clear message that it was not really ever going to buy Cowley and Longbridge or even Solihull with all their baggage.

[@jackthurgood9614]

Can you imagine a 2020 new rover?

[@nathanhobson1142]

@@jackthurgood9614 I'd gladly have a brand new 414/416SLI. I think it would hold its own on the roads, even without mod cons like satnav.

[@cjmillsnun]

I've had 2 of those. Both G reg. Those electric windows are aftermarket. My first one had manual windows so I suspect it had manual windows from new.

[@b_mo]

We used to have a 216 (1991 model) in the family, kept it for almost 20 years without any issue or malfunction. It had the 1.6L engine with 111hp. Seeing the windows switches in the gear lever, I assume they were retrofitted. Ours had the switches in the doors like any modern car. I should mention that it was a well equipped car for the time with 4 electric windows, electric sunroof, a/c, hydraulic power steering wheel.

[@ThePuffin77]

As an American I have always been fascinated by Rovers. I don't know why top gear gave them such a bad reputation, but I remember seeing a similar car in their 100 pound challenge. Super cool to see a well preserved one.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

I just told algorithm not to recommend top gear

[@CSPV]

I own it, and i can tell you man they lied. Its a great car. And faaaast

[@robbiehillier1760]

I had a early '91, H reg, sli 1.4 exactly the same as this. Electric windows were honda switches on the front doors and my rear seat didn't fold down it was fixed. Mine was fitted with front factory extra fog lights. I really enjoyed it, it was my first car, I bought it in March 2001 on 54k miles for £995, it was Immaculate. I remember it revving at 3000rpm in 5th at 64mph! Great engine and gear box. Mine was pre cat model. Great video!

[@Thanos.m]

I love the R8 generation of rover having worked at MGR Rover specialist as summer job when I was school I've driven plenty and they they really do feel like class above the competition and also drive surprisingly like very modern car also they do hold up rather well I've 300k+ miles on some (have to add European models were better equipped the SLI would have had all electric windows sunroof mirrors leather steering wheel cente arm rest remote locking with alarm and power steering with the only things missing was AC ABS and leather which would come standard on the GSI )

[@justinlambert4937]

Had a 414si and loved it, it was reliable and a great drive - for a 1.4 it had some shove

[@martycrush6412]

My grandad had a 214sli from new in the same colour H20 NPE. And my Mrs had a 214 sei when I met her 14 years ago in night fire red. Love the response from the the eager k series 👍👍

[@bobbyblue1953]

I owned a 418SLD 1994 reg, 1.8 turbo diesel, it was the best car I ever owned only letting me down once in 196,000 miles with the stop /start solenoid on the injector pump failing, the trim was a bit fragile and the through ventilation wasn't up to scratch on warm wet days, to avoid misting the window had to be opened a bit, the compliance bushes on the multi-link rear suspension were prone to perishing, resulting in an MOT fail and mushy rear end handling, 48mpg was the norm no matter how I drove it. Sadly it was written off by a stolen car being chased by the police crashing into it, whilst parked, the Honda quality control and design detail certainly showed. Nice review by the way.

[@TheStwat]

Fabulous cars. I almost wanted to say underrated. But they weren't at all. They were very highly rated back then, and rightly so. Sadly I've never owned one, but drove many back when I was in the motor trade.

[@pauldavies6037]

I think be best mid sized cars BL ever made classy interior and build quality I think the Honda influence made great strides in this period for BL

[@colinmoss7343]

They were better with the 16 valve Honda engines and gearboxes.

[@pauldavies6037]

@@colinmoss7343 yep

[@Shane-zx4ps]

colin moss here here

[@histriamagna1014]

I always loved the british looks of the interior. Here in Slovenia the 200 and 400 were pretty popular back in the 90's. They were considered much more refined and classy than Astras or Golfs.

[@histriamagna1014]

All cars today look somehow generic and same. Also the driving experience is very similar. Cars of the past had much more different characters.

[@another3997]

@@histriamagna1014 I disagree about the driving experience of modern cars, they do differ massively. And whilst there is a trend toward generic looks in several categories, there are still some good looking, stylish cars out there that are quite unique. Few cars are "pretty" or "beautiful", but that has always been the case.

[@another3997]

@@histriamagna1014 I disagree about the driving experience of modern cars, they do differ massively. And whilst there is a trend toward generic looks in several categories, there are still some good looking, stylish cars out there that are quite unique. Few cars are "pretty" or "beautiful", but that has always been the case.

[@tileng.5186]

Pozdravljen, vidim da si iz Slovenije 🙂 Imaš mogoče Roverja r8??

[@histriamagna1014]

@@tileng.5186 Pozdravljen. Ne, nimam Roverja. Žal...

[@wpo2949]

Good to see you talking up the R8. I know there is a bit more recognition being generated for them now and I too remember them as fundamentally a good car. I think Honda / Rover in the late 80's and early 90's successfully incorporated some SD1 styling into the R8 and in so doing created a more sensible but still very desirable to look at car. I'm wondering if you've actually tried talking an SD1 owner into lending you a car to 'play with'. I am the proud owner of a late 70's series one 2600 resto. job. Even though its a pretty good car it's not quite tidy enough to be showing off too much just yet.... However I think the time for the SD1 to try and shine 'just a little a bit' is well upon us and you might be the man to help push that in the right direction.! Why not see if you can get hold of a good solid and tidy SD1 to 'take for a drive'. It doesn't have to be a V8 or some absolute minter. Just unmolested, reasonable spec and as tidy as you can find. You can let it speak for itself !. Keep up the vids. Your own style is starting to show though a bit. Regards Will (proud SD1 owner)

[@0161pumaste]

i worked at a rover garage when these were new and the best one in the range was the 416 GSI which was very plush, and had the trouble free,1.6 litre single cam 16valve honda engine, with 116bhp it was quick, 0-60 in 8.7 secs! the 1.4's with 104bhp were quite nippy but did suffer badly with head gasket failures (being the rover k series,) in fact i remember picking one up new for a customer, from another dealer,and the head gasket went after 2 miles!!..... in 1991, the 416gsi cost an eye watering £14,000! whilst the lesser 414sli was still expensive at £12,000.

[@ash7990]

But the pre 1995 k series diddnt really suffer with head gasket problems

[@0161pumaste]

@@ash7990 im afraid it did, i was only the driver/valeter from 1990-1993, but the amount of 1.4's we had to go and recover to replace the head gasket was rediculous! one mechanic said it was roughly 1 in 10 that failed and had warranty claims, .....where as the honda 1.6, in single cam and twin cam versions, had no problems at all.

[@grahamevans9606]

I had a H -Reg 214sli back in 1995. It was flawless for the first 12 months of ownership...but after that, possibly the most unreliable car I ever owned. Head gasket.....then new head.... alternator....clutch..... Kept it for a total of 3 years. Despite the issues I had....which possibly was due to the previous owner skipping proper maintenance, I have always had a soft spot for them. A very late 214sei or preferably 216, not sure they did that in the run out sei guise, would be a lovely modern classic. Great video....and don't apologize for loving Rover etc. They made some excellent cars which the German Sheep owning brigade will never acknowledge. 👍

[@Roverjoe]

i saw this Rover for sale was very tempted to buy it, looks amazing glad you did a video on it, the owner is one very lucky chap

[@garysimpson3900]

Thanks for this article. Brought back very happy memories of my late fathers 214 SLi.

[@owensteele1274]

So much unique character on these earliest R8's. Every single one had 4 colours on each door. On this one, we have Satin black on the glass surrounds, Atlantic Blue on the main body, Tempest Grey semi-satin on the lower parts, and red moulding strips. Very nice example, this one. I once had G295 HTX, a 1990 820Se in Pulsar Silver with the same wheel trims as this car, which I also loved, although the gearshift occasionally baulked its way into fifth, that was normal and when it was new. Rover really were making each car with love, at that time. Electric front windows weren't fitted on the first year of the SLi, these are E30 switches, not Honda, so maybe the first owner was adamant that he had to have electric windows at one point, after discovering they became standard on the SLi later. I actually quite like them on this car. However, I am very glad that he resisted all temptation to have a chrome grille retro-fitted to the bonnet, like so many were after about 1994.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The warm nostalgic glow is even stronger than usual! Superb example, much nicer than the 1996 216 SLi automatic that I used to own, which I paid £650 for in 2015. I suspect that it was made in 1995, though, as the R3 shape 200 had been out a while then. That had the electric window switches in the usual place on the driver's door, an airbag (only standard from around 1993-4, I believe), no two tone paint, the newer headlamps, rear lights and grille and different wheel trims. Everything else is very familiar, though the interior wasn't quite so blue, and the wood was a bit nasty. This one is definitely a particularly nice R8 for someone!

[@RichieRouge206]

Teashelfery is on a par with HubNut's Triangle of Doom 😂 love it

[@furiousdriving]

We need a T shirt!

[@turquoisecat761]

In 1996 I had a rapid "G" plate Honda Civic 1.6i-16 which had a similar-ish dash to these. The R8 Rover has a nice red glow of the instruments at night. My friend had a G plate Rover 214 SLi in this colour, went well, that definitely had wind up windows all round and a shame PAS was a rare option on these ISTR. Another great review from a likeable host.

[@PolosLatinos]

That engine was also on FSO Polonez (with 103bhp). I used to have a 218SD Turbo. I really loved that car and its clear quality interior. Pity brands like Rover or Saab stopped existing

[@paulwilkinson7746]

I remember these being everywhere for what seems like a few years ago, had a few of these in the mid 2000s. I remember buying a 214 sei with half leather, in knightfire red on an N Plate at Christmas back in 2005ish, it looked great, had Rover 200 brm kind of mini lite style wheels, had a tomcat colour coded boot panel and even had a gsi rear spoiler 👍 Only problem was it didn't lock, you couldn't put more than £20s worth of fuel in as it leaked everywhere, then the fuel pump used to cut out which was a pain when you could only have small amounts of fuel in it and you went round a corner a bit too quick as it would splutter to a halt. Then the clutch pedal used to drop to the floor after you pressed it more than half way. Oh and the 'new' alternator which had just been fitted before I got it decided to snap off on the mounting points on the way to Wales! Ended up dropping a valve a few months later, Loved that car though, ended up buying another car to strip to fix mine for about 75 quid.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

This was nice car in 1990, I remember then my dad drove a 309 and this was much nicer, but let's be real, the reason this "Rover" is so well made and reliable is due entirely to Honda engineering and production processes.

[@furiousdriving]

Honda reliability with Rover design - its what the Alfa Arna should have been!

[@benbrown3541]

@@furiousdriving I dunno, the K-Series is a very good engine, long as it's been built properly & maintained well. Credit where credit is due, I've driven several K-Series Rovers & my Dad had 2 Rover 200s, one of the most pleasurable engine characteristics I've experienced. There's just no torque curve, it's linear, no flat spots & likes being revved the nuts off or taken gently. Just change the coolant regularly, don't skimp on oil changes, replace the head gasket & tie rods with the better ones, and all should be well. Or swap it for a brand new K-Series, don't know how easy that would be and it is Chinese but apparently they're reliable. Wonder if anybody has done that? ;)

[@ash7990]

I don't agree with that. Britain had some brilliant engineers. The Honda was built in the Rover factory anyway.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

@@ash7990 it was factory that Honda reorganised and applied proper quality control management to.

[@Shane-zx4ps]

Ben Brown The Honda engines were years ahead of rovet K series, oil changes is all the engine needs, not all the other stuff the rover engine needed

[@MrMaxeemum]

I used to drive a Kred 420 SLi as a company car, It got abused but it took it. It was fast and would do 40MPH in 1st and 70MPH in 2nd and nearly 100MPH in 3rd, brilliant for for overtaking and joining the motorway. It was Met Green with Cream interior. I still think of that car with fond memories.

[@ShotGunCyril]

Sounds like you ragged the bollocks off it!

[@nathanhobson1142]

Had a 14ish yr old 414 SLI around 2003-2006. Absolutely loved and miss that car. Such nice a lovely interior, tan colour. Bought it from an old bloke, it only had about 45k on it. Had a little rust over wheelarches which barely worsened right up to scrapping it. I was very sad I had to retire it to a scrapyard. It's one of those cars I wish I could have back. K series was a gem, really pokey for a 1.4, if a bit loud. Best gear change of any car I've had too. Only 1 major complaint, back end too heavy esp when braking hard on a wet motorway, felt it start to wiggle but it straightened up immediately once off the brakes.

[@DanLTjoe]

Always loved these early 90’s Rover saloons R8’s! 😍😍

[@stevennorth6484]

I was the proud owner of a BRG 416 sli automatic beautiful car bought from Rover very reliable I regarded it as my mini limousine because of its quality & I thought it was as good as my BMW 3 series. Only downsides were depreciation & Rover servicing charges.

[@Muushondje]

Superb video ! I enjoyed it very much. Wasn't this car in the series "Keeping Up Appearances" with Hyacinth Bucket.

[@Zerofightervi]

No, that was an SD3 200, based on the Honda Ballade.

[@keithshayle123]

I think you will find that blanking plate to the right of the steering column was for the electric sunroof button. The heating/ventilation controls were from Honda. By this stage Austin Rover realised that switch gear and controls were done better by Honda, this change most noticeable on the 1991 Rover 800. Also as has been said the electric windows were operated from door mounted switches, this car clearly had an after market system fitted. Quite a nostalgic video, At one point around the late eighties/early 90s most of my family had a string of Rovers. I myself bought new in 1992 a Rover 820 SLi Auto Fastback in Nightfire Red and Sandstone Beige interior. Back then the company created almost a new market sector against the mainstream rivals by offering products that just looked and felt like a classy almost premium alternative to say a Ford Escort or Vauxhall Astra. The front grille introduce d on the '91 year 800 Series and then expanded across the Rover range proved a spectacular success in sealing the perceived quality image, and very much stole the march against Rovers rivals!! Whilst by no means perfect, in many ways this was really one of the high points in the company's history, representing a massive turn around in their fortunes, offering an entire range of effective products, and in some cases - R8 absolutely class leading. What a pity the whole thing ran out of steam and money... If things had been managed and funded differently, there could still have been a place for Rover cars today. I believe JLR own the rights to the Rover badge, I wonder if at some point in the future there could still be a place for a new Rover car!

[@Kuessemir]

It seems as though the owner of this Rover was adept at Keeping up its Appearances, it may even pass the Hyacinth white glove test. We know Richard would find his private joy in it. Thank you for that delightful review.

[@waynetetley584]

Loved my 1990 white 214SLi. The 1.4k series was a riot to drive hard! It was a high quality car when new. The door shut was impeccable. The stalks operated so well. Only problem was a water pump at 60k miles. Good memories. Thanks

[@BartMGRX]

These R8's really were great cars, had a few and they never let me down. Nice to see that I'm not the only one whose OCD makes me turn the lighter so it's straight.

[@Bulletguy07]

I had one of these, same year even the identical colour but mine was the 216GSi hatchback. The engine was superb, very high revving yet smooth, bags of power and good mpg. The only problem i had was when i had to renew the brake discs. When i came to fit the new ones, try as hard as i might i just could NOT get them to align on the splines.. I checked the box.....yep sure enough right model stamped on the box. Desperate to get it sorted (had to be at work next day!) i had to put the old ones back on, run it to a nearby garage who ordered some discs in which went straight on. I took the ones i'd bought back to the motor factors who double checked everything......and found the wrong discs had been packed in the box!

[@TG-pd3ft]

Still looking sharp and elegant

[@adrianchell]

Back in the 90s, whenever I had to travel for work, the company insisted that I hire a car and I often ended up with a Rover 214i or 414i and always thought they drove better than the contemporary Escorts and Astras that I occasionally got.

[@markonmotoring]

My Grandad owned two R8 200 series of this era brand new.. The first being a (J reg) 214 GSI manual. It looked almost identical to this 414 SLI with the same grey bumpers and lower side trim, same red inserts and exact same wheel trims. It too had electric front window, electric mirrors and electric sunroof and of course the wood. The 200 series so got proper head restraints the same as the ones on front seats. No standard fit pier steering though. A year later due to health issues he swapped to a (K plate) R8 216 SLI Auto which in paper was a trim level lower but the specification was almost identical but added power stearing, different wheel trims and a duck tail spoiler. On both cars the electric window switches were on.the doors and didn't have the blanking plates so I suspect the ones in this 400 being reviewed must have been done as an aftermarket change. My Grandad later looked at the estate which came much later in the cars life. I think.it actually was on sale along side the R8 replacement which is what he ended up with but in the form of the five door hatchback 416 SLI. I fully agree that no one has ever bettered the Rover tea shelf, possible due to pasanger airbags becoming standard equipment. For what may have been am aging client base these cars were well suited to parking on the see front and having a picnicking. I myself have never owned a Rover but would love an R8 220 GTI 3dr (if I had the space for another car at home).

[@thatitguy4453]

These have got to be my favorite car of all time. I remember our old N reg 214sei years and years ago and hopefully would love to come across a nice condition one to buy myself. Style and class you don't get in today's cars!

[@zephyr0815]

I love british cars! They are so heartfull !

[@Landie_Man]

More Anglo-Japanese here

[@bigp1309]

I had a 1991 214GSi which was quite rare, had power steering which made a massive difference to how it drove. I liked it a lot, never had a head gasket problem. Much better car in its day than an astra or escort. I miss it, was my second car after a Nova, what a step up! Those window switches are definitely aftermarket as should be on door and cars with electric Windows didn't have blanked off winder holes.

[@nk53nxg]

I liked Rovers, these were nice well appointed cars for the time. That K series head gasket issue really caused reputational damage though, despite being a smooth revy engine for the time. Easily fixed with a better gasket apparently. My dad had Rovers, an SD1 3500 SE which everyone loved, then a G reg 827 Vittesse fastback in metallic British racing green. I remember the Vittesse had a lovely interior. Never liked the pipe and slippers retro 75 though, sorry!!

[@nk53nxg]

And those Jerks Jeremy Clarkson and Tiff Needel constantly slagged Rover off in the 90's, putting people off the brand, shocking behaviour. Tiff always compared the 420 Rover to a 3 series BMW. Tiff should of just slapped a BMW badge on his forehead back then to be honest. But Tiff kept forgetting that when purchasing a rear drive (totally crap in the snow, which he never mentioned) BMW you had to specify a stereo never mind electric windows, and then they got very very expensive compared to an equivalent specced Rover. The BMW was a better drivers car, but the 3 series was not as well built as the main stream motoring media of the time boasted, they rusted too, just as badly as any other vehicle. In fact the high cost of parts for BMW back then and now meant many were badly maintaned when they got to 7 or 8 years old on the ownership chain. These 3rd owners usually bought BMW then as a status symbol, and many could not really afford to run them, so many were dogs especially the lovely M3 unfortunately.

[@seancooke4127]

At the time I was in a 205 1.1 aspiring towards a new Honda Civic DX 1.3. I really liked and respected both the R8 and the SD3 for build and finish but they always seemed to be premium priced compared to other makes in that class. In 95 we moved up to an Astra Merit 1.4. It was very reliable and miserly, 50 mpg, with 5 doors and standard power steering. I know that the equivalent R8 would be equipped just as well but would have been nearly £2000 more. I couldn't afford it. Maybe if Rover pricing had been keener they would have sold millions of them. I would have had in a second. Just a thought, maybe the company would have survived, who knows. Great cars, well done Auntie Rover.

[@furiousdriving]

I think Rover were deliberately pricing high to create the luxury, aspirational aura

[@seancooke4127]

@@furiousdriving I understand the customer they were aiming at and I respect that. The 200 and MG ZS that followed were amazing too but the cash flow situation left them trailing behind Vauxhall, Ford, Volkswagen, Citroën, Toyota etc. My mate saved up and bought a new 2004 Rover 45 just to find the company go bust. He felt very disillusioned and unsure of his investment.

[@alanbellwood3902]

A lot of these and other Rovers still around near Blackpool as we have BAE who used Rovers as Company Cars when they owned a share of Rover. Also with Lytham St Anne's being nearby and having lots of retired folk you still see 800's (Hubnuts looked like an ex BAE car and was from Lytham) infact there is a nice low miles 1.5 Tomcat at a dealer near me as we speak. Great cars that engine was a revelation compared to anything Ford offered at the time.

[@craigemblem3562]

I use to have a facelift 'k' 414sli... Loved it. Great video as always 👍🏼

[@RWL2012]

I didn't realise the rear deck speakers were 8" ones! Yes if the surrounds are foam they've probably disintegrated by now. Factory speakers are extremely cheap, so probably better to just replace them with aftermarket ones. Interestingly 8" coaxials are still made new - Alpine SXE-2035S and Pioneer TS-A2013i - sold at Car Audio Security. I reckon the Alpines would actually be better despite their lower price and on-paper specs.

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, being born in the 60's, this was a great improvement in Rover's history.

[@RichieRouge206]

Love this car. I had an M-reg 218SD Turbo and it was a bit of a shed to be honest but it ran faultlessly and I loved it to bits. I called it 'Clunker' lol. A lot of Volvos do the fresh air in the centre vents too - especially 700/900 cars. Great video and an awesome, decent car from an era when cars did things well and didn't have all the bloody computers, complexity and expense. I think the motor industry has gone backwards..

[@rulebritannia1553]

Had a 92 214SLi loved it then moved onto a 98 218iS. Great cars Thanks 🙏 from Expat in Australia 🇦🇺

[@matthewgodwin3050]

I love these R8 Rovers. Back in the day, my dad had a bright red 1990 214Si as his company car, and later on, a blue 1992/3 (K reg) 214 SLi. After the Escort he'd had before, it felt like a huge upgrade, and much posher than anything else Ford or Vauxhall were making at the time. Many happy memories of those cars, and I've always wanted to run one as a fun car. Maybe I will one day. Where are you G893U(N/M)B and K613YNF? Would love it if one of these still survives.

[@anonymouscyclist1233]

I have fond memories of a 416 GTI with the D16A9 motor, that was so rev hungry, would happily bounce off the rev limiter at about 8000rpm if you even looked at the accelerator. Lot of tyre roar though, but would change direction quickly and corner pretty flat. And the leather was proper old school leather, which bastard let the 90's end.

[@petergouldbourn2312]

I love your shows Furious. If they’re showing on my suggested feed I always try to watch them because you are so entertaining. Thank you so much for showing me the differences between all these R 8 platform Rover vehicles. Pete UK.

[@furiousdriving]

Thanks for watching when they appear!

[@cambs0181]

I had one around 18 years ago, great car! Though the water pump did leak!

[@alandavies1054]

Had a company 214SLI many moons ago in a very dark blue. Had it for 4 years and it was brilliant…never let me down. One of my favourite cars I’ve had 👍🇬🇧

[@brianrocks7277]

Honda finished off their Concerto varient at Swindon.

[@andrewbarnes1295]

The pinnacle of tea shelferage I must agree

[@keithhetherington2397]

Excellent and informative as always!! Keep up great work

[@khew1]

Superb video! Brought back lots of memories, especially the sound of the central locking. Miss your comments on the smell of cars interiors. BTW, my Fiat Grande Punto was making that odd noise and it only lasted for that one journey. Hasn't come back touch wood. So it's all ready for you to review 😁

[@robertgibson7716]

the 416 with the Honda engine was a flying machine i had the coupe 19 93 with the Honda engine and a while later my friend and me picked up 19 92 416 saloon for 500 pounds at auction he run that car for over ten years with regular maint and a bit of welding lol

[@Zerofightervi]

In the words of Indiana Jones "it belongs in a museum". That's way too rare to be used & abused as a daily driver.

[@alphatrion100]

This is a honda right? That is making me interested

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

@@alphatrion100 a Honda with a Rover engine

[@victorjennings3004]

very smooth drive i forgot how they felt while driving

[@getinthevantim]

Thanks, a nice bit of Seven Mile Lane and Mereworth woods action there. One day, try the next right turn past whatever ye olde Beech pub is misnamed nowadays, Swanton Road. If you keep right at every opportunity you'll end up in Crouch and come back down onto the A25. Nice laneage !

[@AndyD070568]

I had a '93 214SLi and a '94 414SLi. My 414 had power steering, a driver's airbag and the switch on the right that was blanked off operated the electric sunroof. The 214SLi only had a passenger electric mirror, the driver's mirror was still manual. As far as I'm aware the 400 never had a folding rear seat option.

[@HooverLux]

Oh wow, friends parents had one back in the day, we thought they were soooo posh. Lovely video.

[@alchapman1052]

A very nice example of a decent Rover , very well looked after , shame it all ended in tears for Rover.

[@kernowforester811]

I had a 1993 414si as a cheap runner for work in the early 2000s. This was much better than the mk5 Escort of the time. Nice car, with 104bhp from the fuel injected engine, and it nipped along well. .....But then head gasket failure, due to of all things, catastrophic water pump failure on the motorway on the way to the airport in a heat wave. Cost over £500 for the head skim and gasket etc. Ended up failing again, so off the scrappy around 2003! I've had two more k series head gasket failures since, now in my MGF VVC, which now has a tripple layer, reinforced rail etc, is still okay.

[@colindowd9756]

I remember really loving the look of the 420GTI (?) and wanting it

[@alexeden7570]

First car I remember my dad having, he had a white one!. Being younger back then it was cheaper for him on insurance than some more so called “cool” family cars. He loved it but struggled to keep pesky rust at bay, spent a lot of money battling it but unfortunately the rust won :/. Also remember him letting me try and steer it around a car park and nearly broke my arms! He had no power steering haha. I’m really debating picking one up in the near future, they’re only gunna get rarer and deserve to be saved :)

[@1972dsrai]

I worked for car rental company in the mid 90’s on weekends while a student, collecting and delivering cars to clients all over the South East. I quite liked the Rovers, although the steering and gears felt a little light and loose, but the overall quality was decent and it was a pleasant enough car to drive.

[@k1701d]

I had a 414SLi. Great car. The blanking plate on the right of the steering wheel on mine was for the electric sunroof.

[@James-oo1yq]

Had same car but 214SLI, same colour. Liked it a lot, and was such a better built car than the Escort/Renault etc of the time. Mine was H reg and never any problems with head gasket. Good car for the time, before Rover went to poop!

[@mattylamb9194]

Excellent video. You love your Rovers and it is excellent to see a much maligned marque get the credit they deserve. That looks a really good example. I own an MG ZR. Okay it is fourteen years newer than this car, but I can see the similarities., within the switchgear and of course that K series engine. Like you say, it's much maligned for blowing head gaskets. But it is a great engine otherwise; high revving, pulls well and ounds great. No coincidence that it has been used in so many non Rover/MG cars.

[@uksteves]

Thanks - enjoyed that. Fond memories of driving a few, when borrowing company cars back in the 1990s, and also later on owning a “bubble” shaped 216 SLi. They really weren’t bad cars. If I needed another car right now, and could run a modern classic, I’d be tempted to buy it.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Nice. Lovely fit and finish and I really like the interior. Thank goodness this car exists in such good condition to remind people how nice they are. Cheers.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Matt,what a great video,the last one this tidy was when I valeted one from a main dealer,this one however is a nice example,for the mileage it's still looks new,rare sight on the roads these days.

[@davidcoleman7674]

Excellent video. That brings back memories, a friend of mine had a 214 which we did a lot of driving around in

[@ryano8768]

That Rover central locking sound is so distinctive.

[@nitrorory]

My first car was a 214si. Kicked the crap out of it thinking I was a racing driver and it took it all and never have problems. Great car

[@mickles1975]

A mate of mine had a Rover 216 of the earlier model (Honda Ballade type) with vitesse doors and that had proper door cards with switches without the hole for a window winder. Those surely can't be factory fitted.

[@joeseeking3572]

Rover never really played here in the US, but we did have the Sterling (Rover 800). I remember being favorably impressed when they came out, with the 'full English' interior treatment, and I felt they drove better than the Acura Legend. However, when I was shopping in about 1990, I read the quality reviews and took a wide pass. Nowadays, they are a very rare orphan, and if I found a survivor with a manual, and especially with the 2.7, I'd give it a serious look.

[@SmR8008]

I've always loved these. We had a 214 cabrio and often opened the boot instead of the fuel cap!

[@pi6706]

My dad had a H reg Rover 216SLi back in the 90’s. The front electric window controls were on the doors themselves though.

[@shepshepherd]

I love that exterior/interior colour combination. I almost bought a 214 Si of similar vintage in the same colour scheme from a garage near Canterbury 20 years ago, but its engine had a nasty top end tap and the panel the tailgate attached to was rotten. I ended up buying a 1994 214 Si from the garage next door instead, which served me well until I bought a Volvo 740 estate in 2003.

[@Cavalier_Steve]

I think I may have said before I had a 1992 J Rover 214SLi hatchback, it had electric windows these do have that aftermarket look to them, the switch on the right hand side was also used for the electric sunroof. Having owned one of these as my 2nd car I agree with you that the car needs a 6th gear. Great review as always Matt I enjoyed this one.

[@barryjohnmillsip2853]

Really like those videos with the older cars keep up the good work .

[@hamstirrer6882]

Want it so bad, but i don't think I'd be able to bring myself to drive it, so pristine

[@furiousdriving]

A shame not to , but I know how you feel

[@DingKong]

I had a 414i around '98 or '99. It was a great car. Nippy enough and comfortable on a long drive. Picked it up for around £800 at the time, think it was a '93 model.

[@chriswathen9612]

I had a G-Plate 1990 216GSi and it did have the usual R8 window switches on the doors. In my time also had a 414SLi with the same door switches but this was a 1995 model. Possibly the SLi originally didn't have electric windows and the dealer offered their own cheaper option vs a factory option or upselling to the GSi? The gearknob in that car also isn't original, that one looks like it came from a Metro.

[@brianiswrong]

First car i had finance on was a 1994 (L reg) 214SLI in white with a grey interior, First fuel injected car we owned and first car with an electric sunroof. Had a decent turn of speed for the day.