The Swansong of Rover - Rover 75 Review

[@CaiKeys]

Alright everybody, thanks for checking out the video, really, really enjoyed this one and I've been looking forward to getting it published. Minor correction, the M47(R) is the rover variant of the BMW M47 engine. Ahh, it's the same thing innit. Cheers!

[@宝矿力-o2i]

I still think that this is one of the best looking family saloon till today, baby rolls.

[@tillyfoxtrotter]

It was indeed a great design. Well the Mk1 version at least. The later refresh was an utter design disaster. How it was signed off as an improvement remains a mystery.

[@numberstation]

Absolutely gorgeous cars and to my eyes at least, better looking than any mainstream car in production today. What a lovely way to travel.

[@CaiKeys]

Indeed, even in mine, which as you can see is hardly a concurs example, it's a lovely place to be. Thanks for watching

[@TipTopMotors.]

Well done . Great and interesting video. Its amazing how many younger people seem to have adopted these which is great. They are such good value cars but as you say values do seem to be increasing slowly and the days of getting them under £1000 is not as easy as it was. 👍

[@CaiKeys]

Cheers, really appreciate it. I think the main reason for many younger people purchasing these, at least it was a reason for me back in the day, is mainly the insurance, I recall when I got my first 75, it was essentially the same price as a fiesta or corsa to insure, but the 75 is just objectively better than those two more common options. Excellent value for money, and a perfect blend between classic styling, and everyday usability.

[@cbeezy7092]

Sorry the fact you included the pic of you running people over outside my house while we where all "sober" is amazing

[@CaiKeys]

CaiKeys categorically does NOT condone driving under the influence of Alcohol, Heroin, or Rage.

[@cbeezy7092]

@@CaiKeys what about coke or ket? Maybe MD?

[@CaiKeys]

@@cbeezy7092 coca cola is fine as part of a balanced diet

[@wertywerrtyson5529]

I remember when these came out. I was 13 and was in love with the wooden dashboard. Only a handful still exist here in Sweden. It’s a shame wooden dashboards died out. I’ve never been a fan of aluminium or carbon fibre or plastic.

[@A_Manc_Abroad]

I really enjoyed watching this Cai , great video

[@Fizhy]

The Rovahhh

[@mk3mxtt]

Absolutely love these videos so far, really, really interesting! Whereabouts are you based? Would you consider reviewing an old Saab 9-3 2.2 diesel?

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks, glad to hear you're enjoying them - I definitely would be interested in reviewing a 9-3, if you shoot me a message on Instagram @RaspberryCai , we can sort something out. Cheers

[@mattwright2964]

I had one and they are really very good. They are a big surprise if you grew up on a diet of Rover are no good. It was smooth, quiet, comfortable and very reliable. I'm very much a Merc man but a bit of me hackers after the Rover.

[@CaiKeys]

As a fellow merc connoisseur, I totally get where you're coming from, there's something very nice about the 75. Thanks for watching.

[@KarlHamilton]

You are referring to Project Drive. The absolute worst thing they could've done at the time. Nice video btw, subscribed.

[@CaiKeys]

Cheers, the full list of project drive changes up on the forum makes for a frustrating read! I can understand why they did it, but it did of course dilute the brand's reputation a fair bit. I want to say the cityrover was even more destructive to what reputation rover had left too, even the 25 and 45 debatably had some level of 'prestige' to them, which a rebadged tata clearly lacked.

[@tillyfoxtrotter]

Project Drive was madness but then so was the notion Rover could survive without the means to fund a new model range. In truth by 98 the 75 was the only decent car they had in their line up.

[@CaiKeys]

@@tillyfoxtrotter The 25 and 45 were certainly antiquated towards the turn of the century, and by 2005 they were essentially propped up corpses. The 45 especially was outclassed. They weren't bad vehicles upon launch, but they overstayed their welcome. I think that the facelifts went some way with the 25 and 45 towards updating the car, and I reckon that the ZR and ZS were genuinely competent vehicles which looked fantastic and genuinely attracted a younger clientele . Ultimately though, I think your analysis is fair. It was too little, too late for Rover. Thanks for watching.

[@Midnight.k1]

Thank you, this was a great watch! ✨

[@CaiKeys]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Andrew-mv5zt]

The 2.0 KV6 is much maligned by people who have never driven one. The engine is perhaps one of the smoothest engines ever built. But not only that, it's very revvy and incredibly good fun, and sounds absolutely fabulous. MPG is marginally better than the 2.5 too. And I'm someone who owns both.

[@andrewkimber6183]

after 15 years of 45's I recently bought a low mileage 75 2.0 V6. What a fab car, with a fantastic engine! with a sound like that, who would want a diesel version??

[@yorkshire6458]

They did at a later time with the Rover 75 V8 and MG V8 Mustang Motor

[@nickmoore2301]

Just came across your channel 👍 I've had many Rover 75 cars, I did own 4 at once about 8 years ago, a time when even less people wanted them and were basically giving them away. There is one engine you have forgotten, the 1.8 Turbo k series fitted to the 75, this was a great engine and changed the character of the car completely. I had a facelift 1.8T the same colour and year as your Silver Facelift 75. I wish I can find a decent one these days but the biggest enemy of the 75 these days isn't Head Gasket Failure, its terminal rust. They rot out at the rear of the sills and rear sub frames making them un economical to repair, unless they are badly bodged up 😮 You may find your excess smoke is from a blocked EGR valve or it's over fuelling, try some diesel injector cleaner in the fuel, try cleaning the MAF / MAP sensor too. It could also be a sign of an engine Remap which has increased the fuelling. Keep up the great content ❤

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you liked the video - knew there was something I had forgotten! I've noticed that the 75 doesn't seem to rot out as badly as it's competitors, especially the E39, but the passage of time and the salted roads has inevitably meant that unless some preventative maintence has been done, many are succumbing to rust now. Unfortunately, the one you see in the video has recently failed its MOT on rust and is beyond economical repair, but like I said, it was never a particularly good example. It got me to work for two years with minimal problems though, so it served its purpose. Thanks for the support, much appreciated!

[@cbeezy7092]

"Its disgusting" Elise had me

[@CaiKeys]

Most important issue with the car, that. Should've put it in caps

[@cbeezy7092]

@@CaiKeys didn’t mention you can hold a glass of whiskey in the back while being driven around either

[@CaiKeys]

@@cbeezy7092 technically, that is legal

[@yorkshire6458]

Yes what could have been if only the workforce and Management plus BMW have done there thing but because of the statement was the end of Rover,but really they were only interested was for Mini and one or two models for late production

[@Shane_Marsh]

Great video mate. My 2003 MG ZT 260 V8 was terrible. It leaked through windscreen seal, rear window seal, all door seals, sunroof seal and sunroof drains halfway down A and C pillars, Plenum (obviously) and heater box, boot seal, rear light seals, even let water in through the side stripe fixing holes. Such a shame because the 75/ZT is such a handsome car. I've had over 145 cars since 1985 and this ZT was undoubtedly the worst one.

[@CaiKeys]

That's really interesting to hear, I've personally noticed quite a difference between the pre facelift 75's and the post facelifts (as all the 260's were) regarding build quality and water ingress, but I've never known a 75/ZT to not leak like a sieve. Both of mine have leaked through the rear lights and side strips, luckily the cabin has remained dry on both. Sounds like yours was made on a Friday afternoon! The boot especially is notorious and unless you seal them properly after purchase, they end up getting horribly mouldy. Some stupid design choices with the rear light seals, they made them with a split which lets water in. Like you said, obviously the plenum is a weak spot too which can brick the car. What did you think of the V8? I'm assuming it was significantly more wafty/cruiser oriented as opposed to having any impressive performance credentials, but I'd imagine that the V8 + RWD combo would make for quite a pleasant drive. Either way, I'd love to own one at some point, though your review might make me reconsider!

[@Shane_Marsh]

I so wanted to love the car and as far as driving it was majestic, lots of low down grunt and effortless waft but didn't like being hurried through the gear changes. There was also what I wod call transmission shunt. The noise is what sold it for me with the X-Power exhaust and it was just a nice drive, or should of been if it didn't stink of wet carpet all the time 😂

[@CaiKeys]

@@Shane_Marsh I know what you mean by transmission shunt, I've always considered that'd be an issue on the ZT V8, lazy old 5 speed as far as I'm aware - it's a shame it wasn't the car you wanted it to be, quality on the 75 varies massively, from genuinely decent to British Leyland special. Thanks for sharing!

[@6643bear]

Lovery car really underrated , nice comfy to drive , great video. Regards mark

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks Mark, really appreciate the kind words.

[@elisehoward3755]

I miss the old rover 😢

[@CaiKeys]

straight from the 'Go Rover Chop up the soul Rover , set on his goals Rover I hate the new Rover, the bad mood Rover The always rude Rover, :( in the news Rover I miss the sweet Rover, chop up the beats Rover I gotta to say at that time I'd like to meet Rover See I invented Rover, it wasn't any Rovers And now I look and look around and there's so many Rovers I used to love Rover, I used to love Rover I even had the model Rover, I thought I was Rover What if Rover made a review about Rover Called "I Miss The Old Rover, " man that would be so Rover That's all it was Rover, we still love Rover And I love you like Rover loves Rover

[@darrensmith6999]

At the launch of the Rover 800 2.5 V6 the salesman successfully balanced a 50 pence peace on top of the running engine

[@cargogh]

By 21:00 I was sweating bullets for the camera!

[@adamparker5852]

How went the MOT?

[@CaiKeys]

@@adamparker5852 not well unfortunately! Failed on a fair bit of rust as expected, it's sitting in the garden now until I can take some valuables off, then it'll go to the scrapyard

[@aaron___6014]

I miss this era of cars.

[@CaiKeys]

Luckily there's still plenty about - Keep the dream alive!

[@MarriedToTheKGB]

had the estate of these in diesel. I liked it. Engine blew up at 188k miles

[@CaiKeys]

They're absolutely lovely cars, especially when they're not as absolutely ruined as my example. Don't think mine's too long for this world, I must say. Thanks for watching!

[@MarriedToTheKGB]

i had the poverty spec club edition so cloth upholstery but I did love it and it was useful. I'd love a top spec one again@@CaiKeys

[@CaiKeys]

@@MarriedToTheKGB now might be the time, prices seem to be on the up - plenty still around though, true testament to the build quality of the things, and the (generally) fastidious owner they attract

[@KarlHamilton]

It wasn't RWD because BMW didn't want it competing with their 3 series. They didn't want it lowered either, thats why the indicators are at the lowest point allowed by law - if you lower the car it becomes illegal. BMW scuppered it.

[@CaiKeys]

Thanks for watching, appreciate the support! I think Rover were right not to lower the car any more than it already was, it's a fairly low-riding vehicle as-is, any further would impede on the usability of the car. I've bottomed mine out a few times and any lower would be a real issue. - it's not so much the ride height, it's that I consider the profile of the car itself to be a bit too tall, especially towards the rear on the saloon, in comparison to the E39 and the rover 600, although I really was nitpicking, it's a great looking car. That being said, that slightly curvier profile was more than likely inevitable, mostly in the interests of safety, which the 75 excelled in at the time.

[@chriskappert1365]

I had a 1.8 Connoseur , Arden green with Sandstone leather from 2017 to end 2022 . Great quality , high comfort , superstylish ! But they should have had Honda engines ......!

[@CaiKeys]

They're lovely cars on the whole, but I agree, Honda engines would have improved general reliability and potentially power output (though the rover K series had a good power/weight ratio), and certainly would have improved brand image. But I also think BMW missed a trick by not putting any straight 6's in there, it'd suit the car very well. Sure they would have fit with enough engineering. Thanks for watching!

[@chriskappert1365]

​@@CaiKeysyep , unfortunately the big K got a burned out valve at 230K km at newyearsday 2023 . Being 22 years old then I didn't want to spend around Euro 3000 to get that fixed . Will remember that Rover as the best in my 39 year " car carreer " .

[@DecadesVideos]

DA ROVAHHH

[@julesviolin]

Never buy a neglected example of any car , it's a hiding to nothing. BTW With the proper long 24mm dog leg spanner it takes 30 mins to change the aux belt 😅 Only another 10mm spanner required to release the AC belt and a torch . Job done 😅

[@CaiKeys]

It looked pristine in the ebay listing lol! I do generally agree with wanting to avoid neglected examples, it's generally false economy, though luckily this 75 has been superb. I didn't half struggle with the aux belt, bought about 3 different spanners and just couldn't find the right one. Resorted to grinding down a US PRO closed 22/24MM long aviation spanner which got the job done. Still a tight fit getting the belt round everything!

[@nigelcharlton-wright1747]

We own the base version from 2003, it replaced a Jaguar XJ6 TVDi X350 (the German made DPF got blocked up again), which in it's self replaced an unusual version of an X-Type from 2001, full leather interior, CD player and electric sunroof among other things! The X-Type was in my eyes was a far better car compared the the 75, yes, both are FWD, but the Jaguar even in entry level is a far all round better car, made you feel special, whilst the 75 reminds me of a Morris Oxford, an excellent car but not in the same league as an X-Type. Don't get me wrong it's a beautiful design bar the door cards and the header tank that even confused an MG specialist and a local garage, due the engine coolant disappearing, causing hydraulic engine lock, both fuel pumps failing and the driver's window regulator failing. But I do think it's a keeper, just a shame that BMW were involved.

[@CaiKeys]

That's really interesting, thanks for the comment - I've yet to drive an X type but have been in one on multiple occasions, although that was some time ago. Would love to pit the two together, people tend to disparage the X type as a 'Mondeo in a fancy suit', so hearing from somebody who has owned both offers a little bit of balance. Cheers!

[@knutarneaakra6013]

Anuhow I do clean my car 2 times a week. Dirty cars are more like dirty underwear for me.KEEP CLEAN!😊!

[@trevorsanders5303]

Not all 75’s are front wheel drive. The V8 is rear wheel drive

[@CaiKeys]

Absolutely, I touch on it a little bit in the review, but I reckon the lineup would have really benefited from being RWD across the board. Thanks for watching!

[@elisehoward3755]

It’s r-over now

[@keithvers569]

Where abouts are you based? You sound a Yorkshireman.

[@CaiKeys]

Lancashire - you weren't too far off!

[@keithvers569]

I have an L322 Range Rover if you fancy doing a review

[@keithvers569]

It’s the TDV8 3.6 litre model

[@CaiKeys]

@@keithvers569 That would be really interesting to review, I definitely appreciate the offer and would take you up on that - do you have Instagram at all? If so, if you message me @RaspberryCai , we can hopefully get something sorted out. If not, we can sort it via email, just let me know. Thanks.

[@keithvers569]

@@CaiKeys will message you tonight

[@markcornes9078]

Officially the worse motor manufacturer in Europe,after working for decades at 2 rover dealerships i have never seen such utter junk and rubbish in all my working life!.All the employees new the end was coming and was only a matter of time.Almost every single new vehicle was being returned to us for massive warranty claims costing the company millions in losses.Some 2 year old cars being on their 2nd engine and 3rd gearbox,drilling holes in the floor and boot to let the water out and replace the carpets.!.As a paint technician i can only say it was the worse paint and bodywork i have ever seen.The MGs were even worse,diabolicaley bad is an understatement.Things were so bad when they arrived on the transporter that i asked why can they not be returned to the factory as defective goods and not fit for purpose?.Only to be told that we cant,and have to accept them.We even had one MG that had sailed through Mr magoo quality control with no gearstick in it!.And they wonder why everybody went and bought a Toyota?.

[@CaiKeys]

Fascinating and entertaining, thanks so much for sharing. You've got a point! I'd argue the best thing about my 75 is the BMW engine lol... Few people in the comments saying the quality on their rover has been abysmal, they all leak like mad, I've definitely gotta agree on the paint too. Every 75 I've owned has had paint defects, the one in this video, the paint was quite literally peeling off the bloody thing. It's now about to be scrapped for rust too... I do love the 75, but as you said quality is hit and miss (maybe more often a miss). Did you have any experience with the colour shift monogram paint? Lovely to look at but if the application was sub-par, I can only imagine what an absolute hassle those must be to live with. I bet you've got plenty more stories to tell about rover, thanks for watching!

[@markcornes9078]

@@CaiKeys You would nt believe me,we found out once that the factory knowingly fitted 3000 porous engine blocks!.So you get a new engine on warranty,and guess what?its identical to the one that they just took out!.

[@CaiKeys]

@@markcornes9078 That's part of the reason Rover had such a poor reputation - hit and miss quality, that's totally unacceptable, 3000 is an awful lot of cars to sell knowingly defective (1 is already too many.) Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoyed the video.