Great review. If you're ever on the Isle of Wight, you're more than welcome to review my Mk2 ZS180 and TF160 ☺
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Thank you ever so much indeed! I have already done a Mark 2 ZS 180, which was on Tweed Jacket Reviews, and we did a TF135 on No Budget Reviews last summer, but I definitely won't be turning down an offer to film a TF160 on the Isle of Wight. My e-mail address appears on screen about 30 seconds into the video.
@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain3 жыл бұрын
Excellent review Sir, never realised these came with the Ford IB5 Gearbox, and agree that the IB5 is a good gear box. Lovely example of a 45.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Yes, it's a decent gearbox, although they do go a bit wobbly with age (like this one). BMW really must have wanted to screw MG Rover over to make them have to get gearboxes from Ford instead!
@johnbrereton52293 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Throughout BMWs ownership of Rover you can see countless examples of their intent 'to really screw Rover over'. It seems they had that intention from the start, asset strip, break up, and destroy!
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@johnbrereton5229 , well, this was three years after they sold the Rover Group! It seems they kept the R65 gearboxes for themselves to use in the R50 Mini.
@johnbrereton52293 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yes, that's what I mean about asset stripping and breaking up the company. They divided Rover from Landrover and kept the mini whose success would have saved Rover. They refused to let Lotus developed the K series engine. They refused to allow the MG to be sold in the USA as they didnt want competition for their own sports car. They even destroyed the 75 sales at its very launch and left Rover in a very fragile state, it was only a matter of time after all that before it collapsed.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@johnbrereton5229 , yes, that is a pretty good summary of what happened.
@mattdeluxe96833 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this brilliant review, it convinced me getting a facelift 45 myself and I love it. Lovely car and best value for money really
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
No problem at all, Matt! Glad you found the video helpful. I have a pre-facelift 45 V6 which I have owned for over a year, and the post-facelift 45 1.4 I used to have was in our ownership for about three years, so these cars do become quite endearing....
@Elvis_TheKing3 жыл бұрын
Wow Mr Lloyd. This was a trip down memory lane for me - I had a 54-plate (post facelift) 1.6 Club SE in black. Bought it for £3k in 2009, and it lasted until 2016. Even with a head gasket replacement, that was cheap motoring. My coolant sensor either wasn’t fitted or didn’t work, as I had a coolant leak and it never alerted me (even when the reservoir was nearly empty). I didn’t realise that ‘round’ remote was called the Petron. The other problem with them is they disintegrate (although I managed to get a replacement shell on a well known internet shopping channel for £3). The Streetwise I had before it had the same issue with the boot as Elliot’s. It’s to do with the wiring loom, it doesn’t recognise that the boot is open. My streetwise was a Friday PM built car, with electrical issues up the ying yang. Had some nice memories with that 45! Thanks for the review Sir. Top work as always. 👊🏼
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir! Yes, the coolant level sensor was standard in the post-facelift cars (they have a different coolant reservoir), but yours probably broke like the one in my facelifted car did. The depreciation of these facelifted cars was absolutely shocking. I bought my 2004 1.4 Club SE in late 2009 for £2400! I think that they were £17,000 new. I sold it three years later for just £350 when the head gasket felt to be on the way out. The Pektron remote keyfobs are nightmare. As you say, poor quality (some people use duct tape to keep them together), easy to get unprogrammed, difficult to find someone to sort them out and virtually no grace once you get into the car. My car did not have the problem with the keyfob and the boot, maybe it just happens over time! Thanks again for watching.
@FuelPower3 жыл бұрын
Looks a nice example of a 45 Sir! I remember seeing a lot of these around the Midlands when I was younger. For some reason, I really like the simplistic design of the badge!
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Well sir, I am pleased that you enjoyed it. There would have been lots and lots of these in the Midlands from 2004 onwards, including mine when I drove up to Birmingham in it in 2009!
@chrislockey77063 жыл бұрын
I agree with you Joseph, I prefer the earlier 400/45 models with the Honda style dash board, I also think the saloon is better looking than the hatchback.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
I think that this is a nice looking car, otherwise I wouldn't have bought a facelifted one back in 2009, but now I have my 45 V6 I don't think that it is going anywhere. I still really enjoyed driving it, though, absolutely amazing steering compared to so many others I have driven over the last few years. Most people to prefer the pre-facelifts it would seem.
@paulie-Gualtieri.3 жыл бұрын
Those Project Drive facelifts were hideous, compared to the smart looking cars that went before. I've been looking at 45 connoisseurs, did they ever come with rear electric windows? The saloons look very smart indeed, wouldn't mind a absolutely fully loaded V6.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Yes, the Connoisseurs have electric windows. The V6s are really rare now, only 90 left taxed on the road, and ours isn't for sale, sadly. I don't think the facelift is hideous, I actually quite like it otherwise I wouldn't have bought one, but there are many who don't like the facelifts.
@PlanetautoUK3 жыл бұрын
It’s interesting to see the differences in 45’s - like many manufacturers run out models feature lots of extra bits, and of course bespoke additions too, it’s such a shame Rover had to reduce quality to try and save itself. White dials and Zonda bits madness, Thank you for the detailed review.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Yes, the facelifted 45s are quite different from the earlier ones, particularly this GSi special edition. It is a shame that they had to undertake Project Drive, thinking that it would help. We do like some Pagani Zonda climate controls, though, don't we?
@PlanetautoUK3 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes we do
@adamtoms27263 жыл бұрын
Very Nice late 45. Lovely car. My mum had the Honda Civic hatch which was based on the 400, and I had a Rover 416 in British Racing Green with a biscuit cloth trim, I can't remember the specs, but I think it was a 416 Si. I might be wrong it was a 99 T reg. Amazing how Rover kept managing to find ways to update what was a very old car by the mid 2000's, but regardless of that, they are lovely vehicle. It looks like Elliot has got a very straight and tidy example which he can enjoy for years to come.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, sir! Yes, the HH-R type 416 Si would have been around in 1999, the 45 didn't come on sale until 2000. The British Racing Green colour you mention was absolutely brilliant, lots of them were that shade. They did keep finding ways to update it, and some of them were successful, others less so. Elliot does quite like it, as do I!
@alansimpson8353 жыл бұрын
A most enjoyable review sir. Looks like Elliot has picked himself a good one and it's a nice little bit of luxury for no budget reviews money. Has he still got his Cityrover or dud this replace it?
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Oh sir, we like a bit of cheap luxury on No Budget Reviews! It is a pretty good one for a facelifted 45 in particular. The CityRover went to make way for this one, sir.
@mattw83323 жыл бұрын
I was hoping for a video on this Good Friday morning after a taxing week at work and you delivered. What a great 45 this is! I'm not sure about the facelift 45s. The dashboards in these look as tactile as a 1990s Proton or Kia. I wished that Rover just kept going with the quad headlamp 45 with the 400 series dashboard and just cut retail prices. With a view to pour funding into a brand new model (before we knew about the issues at Phoenix at that point). Same with the 25 which would have competed in the supermini class and there would have been no need for the City Rover!
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
The dashboard was mandated by Honda, who said that MG Rover had to come up with another one after they had finished production of all cars based on the HH-R platform themselves. The one in my 2004 car had started to crack by 2009. I like the look of these cars, but a lot of people don't. Bizarrely, there are facelifted cars similar to this one up for £2500-3000 at the moment, which shows that the four cylinder facelifted 45s are the most popular ones apart from the V6, so there must still be some demand there. You are right, once the 25 went in sale in late 1999, there was no need for something smaller in the Rover range. They dropped the prices to get it into the supermini class compared with the R3 200. The CityRover was aimed at the smaller city car class where, I suppose, the original Mini used to compete.
@frothe423 жыл бұрын
I must say this is a very lovely vehicle! Great condition. And very happy to hear that you enjoyed this lovely example. Also like that it has rear ultrasonic parking sensors! Another excellent review!
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Yes sir, I used to have a similar one many years ago as I said, but mine was a colour called Pageant Blue. You need those parking sensors as the rear visibility is not brilliant. The condition is pretty good, isn't it?
@frothe423 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I must say it is excellent condition, a very good find!
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@frothe42 , it's not bad is it?
@jdnrotterdam21503 жыл бұрын
In my eyes this is a very premium looking car but different that the premiums now. . Excellent looking car for showing up at a business meeting but Not arrogant like ( look at me i am successful! ) but classy. A car with good manners for the not arrogant well dressed man but always with some secrets... that’s not for public.... right mister Lloyd....?
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Well sir, I have had two Rover 45s myself, and my first one was a facelifted car like this, so I must quite like them. It certainly looked quite classy back in the day, even if things didn't always work in the way that they should!
@jdnrotterdam21503 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes but when things not always works like they should in classy cars, like some Italians or British vehicles. Does have also something romantic and gives it some karakter. You will always remember the car because of that.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@jdnrotterdam2150 , yes, having owned eight Rovers myself, I certainly know what it is to have things not work and add character to the experience!
@mattsbeamer3 жыл бұрын
Looks clean mr Lloyd. Keep up the good work
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
We aim to please, sir!
@depechem0demusic3 жыл бұрын
I was always a fan of the last incarnation of rover models-especially the rover 75 with the same style front grill and slightly squared off rear end
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Yes, I quite like the facelifted 75s, but quite a lot of people aren't so keen on them, sir!
@depechem0demusic3 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Well I don’t care what other people think-I like them and that’s that 😂😂😂
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Is that what you will be saying to Mr Coleman during the Livestream at 7:30pm on Monday, Sir Depeche?
@depechem0demusic3 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Why-doesn’t he like them??
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@depechem0demusic , I am afraid not, sir...
@depechem0demusic3 жыл бұрын
Not quite as fast as a zonda though Mr Floyd
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Not quite, Sir Depeche, but nice climate controls anyway!
@usuallyfixingtinkering Жыл бұрын
Having now owning a MK2 45 CVT I've noticed some weird variations on these very late models - my rover has '45' at the top and then 'rover' at the bottom on the tailgate, 1:19 - this has the opposite how strange! Great review, always underappreciated these late ones despite being essentially a HHR with a small facelift.
@lloydvehicleconsulting Жыл бұрын
Yes, the badging on this one is wrong. I have owned eight Rovers, including a facelifted 45 like this one (a 1.4 Club SE), and so I have got to know a fair bit about them. The ownership report on my own 45 V6 was just uploaded this evening, in fact. The radios at the time of this 1.6 GSi, for example, were whatever they had lying around. The facelift between the 400 HH-R and the 45 was actually quite comprehensive, they changed a lot more than it first appears.
@usuallyfixingtinkering Жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting They changed a fair amount comparing to earlier models! I'm still learning about them and I've paused this video a few times to check for things that are missing on my example. I noticed the carpets with the correct later-style viking badge on them, if they're genuine that's extremely rare! Also to have a genuine radio is rare as apparently they can fail very early on, mine currently has an aftermarket one but will have a look at some genuine period ones that will plug in. I think the facelift was done very well on pennies, its not to everyone's taste but this would have been fine for a little longer if Rover had found a partner!
@lloydvehicleconsulting Жыл бұрын
@@usuallyfixingtinkering , yes, my 2004 1.4 Club SE already had an aftermarket radio when I bought it in 2009. The mats are indeed correct, as I also had some like that. The facelift does actually look remarkably good, but the later cars are more prone to faults than the earlier ones, sadly. Not a massive fan of the Pektron keyfobs, for example...
@usuallyfixingtinkering Жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I agree with the pektron system, much higher Thatcham rating but its no good if the relays go south! The facelift on paper looks good, if things had been made to match there would be more left. I think getting rid of the boot lock is a big downside!... Getting genuine mats correct for a facelift is like hens teeth so I may have some custom made with the correct badge!
@lloydvehicleconsulting Жыл бұрын
@@usuallyfixingtinkering , yes, I have had Pektron problems myself in the past, which is why I am glad that mine has the Lucas remote. Getting rid of the external boot lock caused even more problems on the facelifted 25....
@David_H-733 жыл бұрын
As others have said I prefer the pre facelift with the added chrome. I think the badges the wrong way round look fine . MG Rover tried there best to update it with no budget. Hope this nice example gets looked after.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
They did try to update the 45 and ZS on a minimal budget, but sadly Project Drive and the decision to change the electrical system to a Pektron one meant that the facelifted cars, despite being pleasing to the eye to many. Glad you enjoyed it, sir!
@a11csc3 жыл бұрын
super condition joseph
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
It's not bad, is it, sir? Better than Elliot's old CityRover!
@seancooke41273 жыл бұрын
I really did and do like this facelift styling. This exact car in Metallic Red was my good friend's present to himself because he never really had a new car. 6 months later MG Rover's bankruptcy took the shine right off it for him. I do love watching your driving style. It seems to be even smoother in a Rover product, if that's possible. Very considerate towards clutch, brake components and gearbox longevity. Have you done the Advanced Driving Test?
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Ah, Mr Cooke! I am glad that you enjoyed this. I think I drove this 45 a bit harder than I usually would, as I am very familiar with how they brake, handle and steer, but still moderately enough. As you probably know, our MG3 did 60,000 miles on its original front discs and pads, which Mr Coleman put down to good quality parts and my driving style. I still err towards to the former, though. The dark metallic burgundy colour was lovely, MG Rover had some great colours at the time. The Ford gearbox in this very late car is lovely, good driving position and excellent steering. A proper driver's car for this sort of class, most people don't give them much credit for that.
@seancooke41273 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes Burgundy was correct not red. I haven't seen John in a few years. I wonder if he still has the Rover 45. I bet he has.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@seancooke4127 , there are plenty of old Rover 45s still in garages, sir...
@seancooke41273 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting the main dealer was there for decades. They had BL, Austin Rover, Rover Group, MG Rover and were Land Rover Specialists. It is a Catering Supplies Warehouse now. Very sad.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@seancooke4127 , that must be the case for an awful lot of former MG Rover dealerships, sadly!
@willswheels2833 жыл бұрын
I quite like the interior on the later Rovers, but I’m not sure that the front end facelift was an improvement. It’s a nice car, but still quite obviously a mid 90’s design, based on the Civic. Yes I’ve heard some stories/nightmares of the Petron immobiliser, mind I had a BMW 5 series with immobiliser issues and so I had to get rid. Great review once again Mr Lloyd.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Oh gosh, the immobilisers of the 2000s were awful, weren't they? Don't get me started on Pektron keyfobs.... Elliot had a nightmare with his as well. I do like the facelifted ones, although most 45 owners prefer the older cars. Lots of Civic bits still very evident, aren't there?
@willswheels2833 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yes, some Honda switchgear being used even though they broke ties in 1995. My 200 R3 has switchgear from Honda’s of the period, switches that I’d seen before on my mk1 Honda CRV. The Pektron use was Rover trying to be too clever I think, they were probably trying to “modernise” the cars despite the system not been proven.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@willswheels283 , that's right, lots of Honda bits in an R3/25. The change to the Pektron remote keyfob in 2003 was really, really silly. They should never have done it.
@MarcusTDM3 жыл бұрын
Great review. The climate control panel is the same as the pagani zondas but that is because they bought it from rover, so the zonda has climate control from a Rover, not the other way around.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
I think the Zonda was released in 1999, whereas the facelifted Rover 45 was not released until 2004, so if the Zonda got the climate controls from somewhere else, I don't think it was from the 45, at least initially.
@MarcusTDM3 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting correct, but I think it was used by land rover previously while they were under bmw ownership. Would be interesting to see where it originally came from.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@MarcusTDM , it may have just been a standard part that a company like Valeo or Johnson Controls decided to make available for various manufacturers. I don't think the Freelandeer 1, Discovery 2 or Range Rover P38 used it, so I am not sure where it came from...
@markonmotoring3 жыл бұрын
I can see the appeal of run out models with all the extras thrown onto the car. A little sad in the case if the 45 as it really did represent the end for River as we knew it in the UK. Check out that Ford Ka. My wife had a Ka Collection brand new in 2004 and it was fantastic.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Those Ford Kas are quickly disappearing to good old rust, sadly! I have driven a Mark I Ka, and they were remarkably sweet little cars, very nice handling and steering, albeit a bit cramped. Yes, these 45s do drive nicely, and I do like the combination of the slightly more powerful engine than my old 1.4 and the Ford gearbox.
@garygriffiths29113 жыл бұрын
By 2005 we are looking at a facelift too far for this model I think - all it does is make the 45 look worse than it was previously in my opinion. But this is certainly a nice example with a rather classy interior.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Yes, Elliot has found a good example, and I do like these, otherwise I wouldn't have bought a facelifted car myself in 2009. However, a lot of people prefer the earlier ones, and I do understand why that may be.
@Pauljn673 жыл бұрын
That's been kept nice Sir.
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
Not bad, sir, is it? I actually really enjoyed driving it, probably because it was a manual with a bit more power than my old 1.4.
@trabali51683 жыл бұрын
It certainly looks like it was made by the administrators!!! Btw how long were rovers made by the administrators, the latest reg rover i've ever seen is a 2006-56?. oh and are doing a live tonight?
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
If you look at the Community Page, sir, you will may find something to your advantage... Some of the last Rover 45s are on 08 plates, although 55 to 56 plates are also quite common. I don't know when the administrators finished production, but I think it was by mid-2005.
@trabali51683 жыл бұрын
@@lloydvehicleconsulting excellent, tell the colester to brush up his info on 80s/90s ford/vauxhall/rover because i will be firing those question at him!.............and to you too mr lloyd of course!!
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
@@trabali5168 , Mr Coleman is always ready for you, sir! He loves those Livestreams.
@heed173 жыл бұрын
Don’t these late ones have the same suspension settings as the ZS? Sleeper
@lloydvehicleconsulting3 жыл бұрын
I am pretty sure that these have different suspension settings from the earlier 45s. The theory I have heard is that they are the same as the pre-facelift ZS (although not the 180). I could be wrong, though!