2003 Rover 45 V6 Connoisseur Goes for a Drive

The Rover 45 had been around for years when they decided to wedge a V6 lump in the front and make something a bit unusual.
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[@iainbruce3376]

I wish cars were still like this. Sleek saloon body work, glorious v6 sound tracks and no massive colour screens. Damn the 90s and 00s were great.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We are quite fond of her, I must say.

[@seancooke4127]

Manufacturers should never slip away from a V6 option cos it was always special. Cortina and Sierra 2.3, Cavalier CDX V6, Rover 75 V6(classic), X Type V6 (also classic), Laguna V6, 406 Coupe V6, Xantia V6, Golf VR6, BMW 320i, Audi 80 2.8, Toyota Camry V6, Hyundai Sonata V6, Mazda MX3 and Xedos 6 and so many more. Just better.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@seancooke4127, the V6 engine is fast disappearing from manufacturer price lists. All the more reason to hold onto our 45 and enjoy it...

[@seancooke4127]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Good health to enjoy her at every opportunity Mate. 👍

[@andypreston1524]

@@seancooke4127 I know exactly what you mean Sean. I have absolutely zero interest in modern cars, and I always take a second look when I see older V6 cars while I'm out and about. My brother and myself both own 2.5 Ford Cougars..... they are both almost 22 years old now and getting harder to keep in good condition, but we manage to keep them going on a minimum budget. They are all paid for, don't really owe us anything, and we just run them as an "ongoing preservation". They are both used regularly, return 24 to 35mpg, and are bloody good fun to drive !!!

[@NeoNeko99]

A Rover connoisseur in a Rover Connoisseur. Now that’s meta.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I was in the back when we went for a drive, so we actually had two connoisseurs in a Connoisseur!

[@matthewgodwin3050]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Hope you had your tweed jacket on. It's compulsory attire in a Rover, and rightly so. Lovely car sir, I'm very jealous.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@matthewgodwin3050, if you want to see me driving the car with a Tweed Jacket on, then there is also a full review on my channel. Thought that you didn't really like Rovers, or am I mistaken?

[@matthewgodwin3050]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting No no, I'm a huge Rover fan. I worked at a Rover, latterly an MG/Rover dealership from late 90s to early mid 2000s, leaving just before the company was closed down. It was absolutely heart breaking, my colleagues and I ate, slept, and breathed Rover, and watching the once fine car brand slowly die affected us a great deal. I've owned a few Rover cars over the years, and my parents and grandparents always had Rover cars. P6, SD1s, 800s, 600s, R8s, R3s, the 200 & 25, a 75, and my last hobby car was a 1962 P4. Between us all, we've owned an example of pretty much everything made post WW2. I'd like a nice automatic R8 at some point, but I enjoy seeing all the people keeping the old Rovers on the road and alive. Matt's channel particularly is wonderful for that. I'm loving the R8 Convertible being brought back to life at the moment.

[@terrificspokesman7416]

@@matthewgodwin3050 I do love an 800

[@lash9400]

Rover 45 was pretty old when it was launched but at least it had more class over the Golf/Astra/Focus/Escort. That bent 6 set it apart from the crowd.

[@mckay1402]

It was a lovely car to drive

[@j_c2225]

There’s just something so nostalgic about cars from the 90s and the first half of the 00s. Very special times

[@carravioli4803]

You see back in the day I thought these were not too great looking but now I think it looks better with age! Another great review, keep ‘em coming!

[@gui18bif]

Certainly better than mercs from that era!

[@furiousdriving]

They've aged like fine wine..if only people could see them for the great things they were when new

[@mr-wx3lv]

I think you enjoyed that car Matt.. wouldn't mind one of those..

[@Richard-Bullock]

@@furiousdriving I agree. But unfortunately most car buyers saw them as merely Roverised Hondas. While there may be a small element of truth to that, the cars were far far more than that.

[@rabit818]

I think Rover should have stuck with Honda. Rover’s heritage with Honda’s reliability is a win win.

[@andypreston1524]

Would have been a great little package!!

[@jackkruese4258]

Yup always thought the same. Mind you the lack of large scale production and thus economies of scale would have always denied them the deep pockets needed for serious R&D compared to VW or Toyota

[@SpitfireFortyFour]

They didnt really have a choice. Blame BMW for that.

[@michaelgrace1298]

Obviously it wasn't

[@car9723]

However, when it comes to HHR's development, it seemed like Honda didn't have intetests on Rover as much as before. I think it seemed like Honda relationships could have ended someday even without BMW merger of 1994.

[@flemmingsorensen5470]

What a cracking car! Always liked Rover, but in Denmark they were quite rare, back in the days (they clearly still are 😉) 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 GREAT review, as always !

[@WmAHughes]

Every day I find myself getting a step closer to just calling it a day and going out and buying a rover!

[@jonnygti]

And then you thought, fck that for a game of soldiers😂😂😂

[@Thanos.m]

Find a good one and you won't be disappointed

[@jonnygti]

thanos mousios my comment wasn’t a dig at Rover, I know they can be decent cars👍🏻

[@fredyyfredfreddy]

Such a shame that rover went out of buisness

[@robblair3703]

Nice find. Had a 2.0 V6 in my old 75. No ball of fire but unbelievably smooth. Got a 2.5 now and it goes like the clappers but it's not as creamy smooth as the little 2.0.

[@noseyparker6622]

I've had a Rover 800 fastback, an 827 sterling and a 600.....i loved them all. Fantastic cars in my opinion.

[@jonnygti]

I had a 98 R plate 5 door civic about 10 years ago, this rover reminds me of it! The door handles(not chrome though), the switch gear, like the wiper arms, window buttons etc. If the interior was anything like my civic, it was brilliant, everything worked, even when I sold it👍🏻

[@frothe42]

It does remind me of a Honda Civic with Rover styling of the mid-90's.

[@jonnygti]

Frederick Rothe III yes and I’ve got to say, my old 98 civic interior was much nicer and seemed better put together than the newer shape civics that replaced it. Like the 2001/02 EP3 shape civics

[@gerryhannan9463]

I own the same civic, rover partnered with Honda at the time. They were the same car with different bumpers, lights and engines

[@willswheels283]

Have to say this is a nice example of a Rover 45 and being the 45 V6 Connosieur is a big plus, lovely well kept interior, headlining intact as well, credit due to its current owner and previous owners. Thanks for this review Matt.👍

[@Elvis_TheKing]

Now *that’s* what I call some Furious Driving! 😁 Nice one Matt. I had a 54-plate facelift Club SE, nice car to drive but by that time the quality was dreadful. The post-facelift dash didn’t even marry up to the door cards, and you could fit a biro in the panel gaps. Still, it cost £3,000 and lasted me 7 years! Nice review, that V6 soundtrack is amazing. And I recognise those alloys...!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I also had a post-facelift Club SE with the revised dashboard (which started cracking at around six years old). It was one of most unreliable cars I have ever owned. Still, I must have liked it in some way, as I bought this earlier this year!

[@Danfazza-ey6mx]

My dad had 1 of these on a 51 plate in metallic light blue... I just remember the engine making a really nice rumble...👍👍

[@MrSurf2]

The v6 suffered badly with cylinder liner seals failure

[@donlaight5943]

Hi from Spain, I have owned an identical 45KV6 (2002) for the last 2 years, 95000 kms to date, loving it.

[@1972dsrai]

I used to work on weekends for a well known US based car rental firm in the early 00's delivering and collecting cars from all over the south east and remember these cars very well. Overall the were reasonably well build and reliable, but my lasting memory of them is the very high revs and wafty steering.

[@Cheezwizzz]

I never really took notice of modern Rover cars until I found your channel! And now I want a loaded 75

[@SchteveZodiac]

V6's are rare for this size of motors but don't forget the Mazda 323f GLX/ZXi was around for 5 years in the 90's and so was the Golf VR6 which was often put against each other in tests. I've got a ZXi and it's a dream to use, different to the 45 as it's definitely more sport orientated and handles really well but I wouldn't be so confident on the ride compared to the 45 or the inside to be honest but it's oh so good to look at on the outside. Anyway, great vid and thanks for putting up so many different ones, this is my 1st comment on the channel, got me hooked now!

[@Muushondje]

Very nice storytelling. Man, I love your channel !

[@furiousdriving]

Thanks!

[@LeighParkin]

V6 redline sounds.. now that is what I am talking about 😉

[@geoffreystevens663]

Timely video, many thanks, very timely, I've been thinking maybe it was time for a change .. but, now, I know .. I'm keeping it!

[@alansimpson835]

That does sound amazing. I love the way Rover kept some quirky models, like this, in the 45 line up to bring a compact exec type vibe to the proceedings. I wonder if it was also there to provide a downsizing option for those who for years had bought the bigger, powerful Rovers for years. I thought this one was Mr Lloyd's. He certainly seems to look after it well and enjoy it.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

The early KV6 engines fitted to late model 800 Series cars were very problematic due to being essentially hand cast and hand assembled. Once in mass production as fitted to the 45 & 75, it was a pretty decent and reliable power plant. Problems occurred later on due to botched maintenance. The rear spark plugs were a bugger to change, as were the belts, which were also quite expensive. People would take the car to an independent who solved these issues by ignoring them and merely charging the customer as if the work had been done. When the car inevitably broke down because of neglect, it was blamed on bad old Rover. A V6 Rover 45 isn't really a grocery getter like a K series powered car, it needs to be thought of as a sort of thoroughbred or specialist car and looked after accordingly. With proper maintenance, they give very good and long service. Just don't expect to run one on the same sort of budget as a 414 or 416 Si.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, changing the cambelts in 2018 cost the previous owner £480. The plastic thermostat housing and inlet manifold failures are common as well, and don't have anything to do with maintenance, just age and poor design. Mine has had both replaced in the last few months. Other things certainly would be to do with neglect, as the later KV6s are pretty reliable otherwise. Those rear spark plugs are definitely a pain and they are also more expensive than normal ones! I am very blessed to have a friend and fellow MG Rover era owner who lives locally who works on my engine, and of course the services of Mr Coleman, aka The Rubbish Mechanic, who has owned and worked on a lot of Rovers from the 1990s and 2000s, and looks after a lot of the routine maintenance. This is one of our daily cars, but, as you say, a lot of local garages have no idea about looking after these and would be best avoided.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Good to see the suspension working in the Go Pro view there, sir! Also got some nice KV6 noise during the test drive as well...

[@ibbykhan942]

The Rover is lovely 😊 Hope all is good sir!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@ibbykhan942, we aim to please, sir! Thanks ever so much indeed again for supplying so many of the cars for the channel recently.

[@furiousdriving]

That same stretch of road nearly put the City Rover into orbit!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@furiousdriving, I remember well when I drove the CityRover there. That was certainly terrible...

[@argonautsuk]

Rare indeed. I haven't seen it before. Thanks 4 the educational video

[@MacklandsMotors]

I had the absolute pleasure of driving this very car in July, I enjoyed it very much.

[@liam8910]

It was the 25/200 that was a re-developed R8 (with Maestro rear underpinnings). The 45/400 started life as the Honda Domani in 1992.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Matt, great review on this Rover 45,for its year nice clean car,kickdown and it goes like a rocket,same wheels as yours,very tidy.

[@RichieRouge206]

That noise. Simple reason to own one. And it’s different and I’d have it over the 2.0 Turbo in a heart beat. To be fair automatics are a lot better with torquey engines so this is ideal. What an appealing car - I always loved the rear of the 45 especially, very handsome. Great review Matt!

[@aftergrowth]

I really liked the facelift with the aggressive styling options you could get, including a really "practical" wing/spoiler

[@fhwolthuis]

That would be the ideal tea shelf 😉

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The MG ZS 180 sister car had an enormous optional spoiler, ideal for the packed lunch for several people.

[@histriamagna1014]

The funny thing was that the plastic door trim was so indented that gave no protection at all. We had the 1996 Honda Civic with the same door trim and it was quite annoying.

[@xjsteve]

Great review Matt, thanks. I think the Rover 45 was unjustly maligned in its day; the model was attractive and not really behind the competition in my view. Such a shame Rover failed a few years later. I encourage you to drive my 2002 Jaguar X-Type 2.1 V6 SE Manual, a booted mid size saloon which as a British built front wheel drive only model, is a very close rival to the 45 V6. Happy to provide my example any time, if you’d like to compare it!

[@frothe42]

The X-Type imported into the US had the 2.5 V6 only as well as AWD. I have ridden in several, I like the higher spec trim. Even one individual had an X-Type with a manual! And a friend had the X-Type Estate, the only Jaguar that was an estate!

[@frothe42]

Wrong! The X-Type I believe also came with a 3.0 litre V6, although I could be mistaken.

[@furiousdriving]

I have an X Type waiting to be filmed, its similar in concept but 75 size, I do like those

[@frothe42]

@@furiousdriving Cannot wait! A good vehicle, which had promise. What I found horrendous is the redesigned XJ ended up looking like the X-Type. That was entirely Ford's fault at the time.

[@ThomasFG]

Gotta love the sound of a short stroke V6 that love to rev !

[@mattsbeamer]

It’s great seeing another one of Joseph’s cars on your channel again :)

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, how can anyone give this video a thumbs down?

[@mattymrj01]

This one actually seems quite nice. I drove a beaten up 1.6 rover 45 a couple months ago as a free loaner, the thing was an absolute death trap!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

My previous 2004 post-facelift 45 1.4 Club SE wasn't great when I had it about ten years ago, but this is sublime.

[@darrenwilson8042]

With the benefit of hindsight Rovers of this era were handsome motors

[@GentilsGarage]

A very nice car indeed and love the v6 noise. As for the tea shelf, the Rover 800 facelift with passenger airbag is another strong contender for nil points

[@furiousdriving]

very poor from Rover..

[@olliebeck2952]

Now this bloke knows what he's talking about. Thanks for the informative vid. 👍

[@inkysteve]

I had it when it was rebadged as an MG ZS 180. A lot more powerful and handled beautifully.

[@stevennorth6484]

Loved my Rover, I had the previous 416 sli automatic saloon, reliable & classy. It was as good a my previous car a 3 series BMW.

[@cornishrider]

Reminds me of the Suzuki Kizashi (2.4 V6 Auto) from a few years back, now that would make a good video. The 45 V6 was a very curious blend an exercise in customer retention? Can only think it was aimed squarely at existing loyal older Rover owners who kept downsizing as they got older but still wanted to retain some essential elements of their previous cars. Similar to what happened with the Jaguar X-Type, really that was it's nearest like for like competitor as it was smaller than the 75.

[@martinfletcher8275]

They were a four pot engine only, never a v6.

[@frothe42]

@@martinfletcher8275 That's what I thought, Kizashi had a relatively relaxed 4 cylinder, no V6. Nice vehicle, but it killed sales in the US and they retreated back to Japan. I believe VW now owns them after being with GM for decades!

[@furiousdriving]

Yes, they were great looking but let down by the CVT, it was 2.4 wasnt it, very big engine for such a small car

[@WidleyWesident]

Havant. Petersfield. You’re so close to my place! At the time of this car I was making the driver & passenger airbags, the PBP buckles, the seatbelts and the door mirrors. Rover Longbridge was my usual trip out with work. Funny but I never realised that they did a 45 with a V6 !

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They aren't exactly common, but they are worth having!

[@kd23se4]

Congrats on your opinion on SUVs!

[@frothe42]

I was amazed that the engine revved up to 7000 RPM before shifting! It is quite a lovely vehicle, and subscribed to Lloyd's channel after his filming of the British Motor Museum gathering, to which there were several blue 200 coupés like yours kind sir! Of course, another Brilliant video. And I did spot a vintage Focus Estate while you were driving whilst filming, very rare here.

[@furiousdriving]

I was quite surprised it revved so high! Id like an early Focus now.

[@frothe42]

@@furiousdriving You did drive by a Focus Estate. And I believe that was well over ten years old!

[@frothe42]

I could see you test driving an early Focus ST. Around 2003?

[@xxrs2009]

Nice review, I love how you high"light" all the interior features and lights. Thos Becker radios were also branded which the Porche name, and worth a lot of money. However the displays are weak, showing lines after a while.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The Becker unit is just not very practical for daily use, hence swapping it to a Sony unit, and it didn't come with the code anyway. It's definitely going somewhere safe for the future, though...

[@brucemay5409]

Hi Matt, I actually do have a Rover 45 1.8 connissiuer in BRG With Catkin green interior.A 2000 X reg in decent condition.Its 21yrs old and drives well.Love ya videos, take care..

[@petergouldbourn2312]

What a great review of a great car. Pete 🇬🇧

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Lunchtime viewing sorted or earlier if I run out of work to do. Now I know where you got the idea of the alloys from ;)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I did check to see if my car was standing on bricks after those wheels suspiciously appeared whilst I was away in another part of the country.

[@furiousdriving]

Now where did I put my breeze blocks...

[@trabali5168]

a rare gem, Mr Lloyd really picked a beauty!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We aim to please, sir!

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Hi Mat, that was a good review of a very nice car. That Rover 45 V6 really is a very nice car and the engine is rather reliable given its a Rover!!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's had a new plastic thermostat housing and a replacement inlet manifold fitted recently, but otherwise it's not bad.

[@huwdavies6650]

As HubNut said about his 45 V6. That engine is more of a Noise maker than a Power generator.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's a very, very nice noise indeed, one of reasons I bought it.

[@furiousdriving]

Its a nice noise..which is lucky ;-)

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Re watching this video for some research for the weekend.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Rover without teashelf I am shocked!!! Going to have to lie down.... Cracking review as usual I really thought you were going to have a traffic light grand Prix with the Evo. Makes a lovely noise, lovely car and a credit to @lloydvehicleconsulting

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed, more videos of this car (and other Rovers, including a review of the Furiousdriving Tomcat) on my channel.

[@furiousdriving]

I dont think we'd have worried the Evo to much!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@furiousdriving, no, having driven an Evo X myself, it's not really in the same league.

[@coopers4491]

Nice looking rover , especially with those wheels great content matt STAY SAFE😃😃😃😃😃☕☕☕☕☕🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@furiousdriving]

It looks great on bricks now ;-)

[@coopers4491]

@@furiousdriving dont tell me you nicked the wheels after your review!!!!!

[@maxidyne]

Mini 75 ! I really like the small V6, reminds me of the Mazda MX-3 1.8 V6, smallest V6 ever produced. Hope you review one of those in the future. Thanks for the great video, enjoyed it Matt.

[@lash9400]

I like the straight 6 BMW 2.0 and 2.3L. Smooth a silk if a little gutless

[@aaronaaron6196]

Oh god I remember the Mx 3 really well when I've mentioned it before people.used to day you mean Mx 5 noooo my aunty had a turquoise blue one she spent 18 months looking for the exact spec and colour she wanted they were great cars

[@furiousdriving]

Id like to find one, I knew an owner but he sold it

[@fubard74]

Except for Mitsubishi's 6A1 range of engines. They started size at a 1.6

[@davidjames2910]

For someone who wanted a 75 but smaller and an older design - that's a niche market!

[@fredparkinson4324]

I own a Rover 45 V6 2ltr automatic 2001 model left hand drive. Apart from the fuel consumption 28Mpg I love this car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, same here, around 29 mpg, but we didn't buy it for the fuel economy!

[@histriamagna1014]

You are killing us at 6.00 AM. Not a chance I miss it.

[@furiousdriving]

Got to get those viewing figures up!

[@histriamagna1014]

@@furiousdriving So you start early. Makes sense.😁

[@matttimpson9606]

Squeakiest rear seats ever 😂 another brilliant video!

[@applejuice5272]

Fun fact: this was the homologation model for BTCC entry (2.0 V6 running at 200 kW (272 PS)).

[@Roadwarrior92]

Beautiful looking car, compared to modern cars of today

[@andypreston1524]

Oh yes. The more I look at modern cars, the more I dislike them......!!!!

[@ahmedislam2580]

@@andypreston1524 Is this car an british car? Or is it a product of honda or bmw?

[@homeopathical]

Another one of those videos where I'm thinking, hang on a minutes, he's going past my house! Cool car, cool noises :)

[@furiousdriving]

Where was the cup of tea then!?

[@homeopathical]

furiousdriving if only I’d known 😝

[@grayfool]

Nice, never seen one of those on the road. Good one.

[@furiousdriving]

Thanks 👍

[@david1976aful]

15:07 - I can’t believe you never said anything when you were stuck behind that new MG. 😂👍

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

There is a no SUV policy on the furiousdriving channel, I have done many reviews on the new ZS SUV variants.

[@neildempster2827]

What's to say?

[@furiousdriving]

Id already commented on how ugly the Maser is, the video could have turned nasty!

[@neilwalsh4058]

Probably more of a top spec C-Class rival? Leather and wood more reminiscent of a Merc. Lovely car and a great review of a very interesting and rare blast from the past. Thoroughly enjoyed it 👍

[@furiousdriving]

Much smaller than a C, that would be a 75 rival

[@cruickie99]

I have the ZS v6. Very underated car. Would be interesting to experience the difference between the 2 cars. Any interest in reviewing a ZS?

[@David_H-73]

I am sure Matt and Joseph Lloyd would be interested in reviewing your car , just contact them via their channel.

[@iainbruce3376]

Those ZS 180s were brilliant. Took one around thruxton and was astounded how well it handled.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@David_H-73 , already got one lined up for my channel next week! I believe Mr Richardson also now has a taste for some more KV6 action having done a V6 75 Tourer before mine...

[@somervillearron]

im sure hell reply to u hes a nice guy always replys to me

[@furiousdriving]

Thats actually in hand!

[@robertngreen6]

This really is a lovely car. Mr Lloyd has got a good'un there.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, sir!

[@ash7990]

What a sound that is! It makes me laugh people think of Rover's as Grandads cars yet they are more dynamic and fun to drive than most of the competition! The k series absolutely loves to be driven hard and is very pleasing to do so, I've got a Rover 45 1.6 and its a hoot to drive - no Vauxhall, Ford or VW comes close, its such a sweet engine. The 2.0 T series just grunts and sounds like no other engine, and the KV6 sounds glorious and even as a v6 auto revs to 7k rpm! People bang on about Honda engines and how they like to rev and scream, well Iv'e got a twin cam Honda engined 216GTi and to be honest it sounds quite tame, bland and un-dramatic compared to a K series Rover. It is odd though really poorly timed. Rover stopped their very decent 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder and bought out a V6 in place, just when the rest of the industry were stopping V6's in favour of 1.8/2.0 Turbo's! The 75 would have been a much better car with the solid 2.0 T series instead of the 1.8 K. As much as I love the K series, it really wasn't suited to the 75.

[@nuclearlad]

there was something about the car's shape that seemed eerily familiar, and sure enough, my parents had this generation of Honda Civic EX (us version)! this is like the highest possible specification of that civic you could get, with an engine that civic never got. Odd to think of it as a premium car. In canada they sold an Acura EL, which was their take on a luxury Honda Civic, but it did not have a v6 like this one.

[@Strike86]

I'm starting to really, really want a ZS V6...

[@David_H-73]

Beautiful car, much preferred to the 2004 facelift. Love the MG style chrome mesh lower grille that they put on the V6. I fear that Mr Lloyds average mpg may have taken a hit!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's OK, sir, that's why the channel is called furiousdriving.

[@admiralalcatraz6080]

Big fan of the 400/45, but only in a saloon. I had a 420 SLDI with the L Series turbo diesel. Excellent car, unfortunately it slowly started breaking in half.

[@tobeycat2007]

I had a 2001 model years back with 2 litre v6 auto and was lovely car, but needed something more practical so it had to go.

[@losch78]

That engine sings beautifully in kick down, even if it seems not to push that hard at all.

[@Pauljn67]

The 45 V6 was not a project drive car. It was made from 2000 with all the PPD nice touches like high gloss walnut instead of the dull matt finish wood in this car. The early cars had lovely thick leather seats not unlike the 75 seats.

[@furiousdriving]

It started in 2000 so all the cars after then were affected even after production started

[@PaulinesPastimes]

A far cry from the boring and ubiquitous old Astra and Focus. It gives you something to look at and the V6 is sweet. Still recovering from the lack of tea shelf though. Cheers

[@furiousdriving]

I needed smelling salts and a stiff drink afterwards!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

@@furiousdriving 😄😄

[@AJC508]

As ever, nice video Matt. Saw a nice Stinger there in the video. If you get a chance, would love a modern Monday with one of those. Preferably the ttv6 model I never got to buy.

[@furiousdriving]

Id like to drive one of them

[@Thanos.m]

Rover actually had made a 400 2.5v6 prototype in the 90s the reason the T series was dropped was emissions whilst the KV6 was much more modern engine that was destined to meet euro 4 emissions standards and in fact it went all the way up to euro 6 in China. I had an MK2 45 connoisseur diesel in firefrost with a monogram part leather alcadara interior it was such a good car did 55mpg plenty of performance and the suspension was amazing and you're right the 45 did feel a cut above the competition which back then was mostly drab black plastic stuff but I upgraded to a 75 v6

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, it is Euro IV and Ultra Low Emission Zone compliant!

[@Thanos.m]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting amazing if you think the KV6 was designed in the mid 90s. cracking car btw !

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@Thanos.m , thank you very much indeed, got lots of videos of MGs and Rovers on my channel (including this one and the Tomcat from furiousdriving) if you are interested.

[@marknelson5929]

Interesting what you say re the updated styling post 2004 on the 45. I think the synthesis of this restyle was expressed in the 2004-2005, 180 ZS, with its pronounced wheel arches, gills on the front wings, updated alloy wheels, front air dam etc etc. It gave the car a lot more presence over the dare I say 'bland' 'Series 1' 2.5 180s, which look little different to the 45 sister aside from the wheels. The later cars had the looks to match the handling. I speak as the owner of a 2004 2.5 180 here in Oz - a very very rare car here as few were imported, so much so I get a lot of looks for an 18 year old car.

[@cactus3796]

yay! this is the only good review of the rover 45 in general on youtube

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Have you seen the one on my channel?

[@applejuice5272]

16:50 | Funnily enough, the MGR engine technical data for the 75 / ZT says that the 2.0 KV6 has a maximum engine speed of 6,750 rpm (continuous) / 7,000 rpm (intermittent). 2.5 KV6 - 6,500 rpm (continuous) / 6,750 rpm (intermittent).

[@Liamthewaldo]

Wonder if anyone has ever put a turbo in one od those

[@d.c.Jones70]

Nice car!! Any chance of a review of a 800 coupe always liked them

[@frothe42]

They are gorgeous. I like the Rover Coupé better than the Legend!

[@d.c.Jones70]

Yes I thought of you when I watched an episode of Flipping Bangers on Motortrend they bought one and it was a peach.

[@furiousdriving]

Im sure one will turn up!

[@saippuakivikuappias]

Never realised these were essentially an R8, albeit massively tweaked. Really didn't like the look of the saloon when it first appeared but it quickly grew on me. A nicer design than the later facelifted models. Shame it was never pitched to the right market until it was too late.

[@furiousdriving]

heavily reworked but the same basis

[@seancooke4127]

Above All It's A V6. Definitely one to keep for Mr. Lloyd, a great find. Was there a V6 Bora? There was certainly a V5 Bora and the Vento had a V6. You're probably right Matt, usually are. Loved this have only ever come across the MG ZS V6.

[@MarcusTDM]

Great video and lovely car. The second generation rover 400 what the 45 is based on isn’t based on the R8 platform it was a totally new car. I always get annoyed that Ford claimed that the Focus was the first car in. It’s class to have rear independent suspension when really the 400 was.

[@CherylCold]

2.0L KV6!!! I had no idea they made a V6 so small (of course the mazda 1.8 V6). I thought I knew everything.....

[@neilhopkins8673]

That v6 sounded nice

[@MrWarneet]

What a gem.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you!

[@darrensmith6999]

Brilliant Thank you(:

[@matthewmason2357]

The interior looks very almost identical to my 1999 Civic, even the door cards and the layout of the window buttons!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They are very closely related indeed!

[@TheJetJONES]

The only interior differences between the Honda Civic liftback/aerodeck and the Rover 400/45: - (obviously) the sterring wheel (4-spoke: Honda; 3-spoke: Rover) - Honda had sometimes wooden trim; Rover had always wooden trim 🙂

[@timhancock6626]

I gather that Hub Nut's old 45 V6 has gone to the great car park in the sky if I am reading the runes right on his most recent You Tube offering. They are quite nice cars really and deserved to do better. It fell between niches didn't it.

[@HammyMansell80]

HubNut enjoyed his Rover 45 V6 too!!

[@paulmckinder3082]

I do like rovers had a 214 on a k plate then had a 214 bubble on a s plate had another bubble but a 25 1.6 and a 45 53 plate I loved them wish I kept at least 1

[@richardyardley5127]

Great review ☺ I have a Mk2 180 ZS V6. 2.5 saloon. A really amazing car, with the full body kit too. Looking to put the Rover 45 shiny chrome bits on it though. If you're ever on the Isle of Wight, you'd be more than welcome to test drive/review it, along with my TF160 ☺

[@BRI535D]

A similar concept to the BMW 320 6 cylinder circa 1980’s.Smaller than a 5 series but smooth 6 pot motor.?

[@paul1153]

An enjoyable review Matt.I hope you returned it with a full tank of fuel ha ha.

[@furiousdriving]

of course..*shuffles feet and straightens tie*

[@terrificspokesman7416]

The passenger airbag cover reminds me of the Cityrovers passengers airbag cover. Well in this they put soft touch where as in the cityrover it would be hard plastic. But on both cars they look a bit like an afterthought. Buy at least you have it