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I have only one question which is kinda bugging me and was hoping someone would have brought up already (if you have then I apologise I must have missed it lol). What is really wrong with a Rover 214? I've had various views on them, I know the head-gasket is a common issue with them, but is that the only thing that makes them worse? I have also taken into account thats its an old persons car... But then isn't every car (ok, maybe not the american muscles... But they aint exactly common cars over in the UK). As I am a young driver, this is to be my first car. As I look at it, I like the look of the Rover 214, I think it looks nice and am definately not into doing a car up to make it look better, if I wanted a fast car that sticks out like a sore thumb, I'd get a mustang. But really, I dont want to buy the car and discover loads of unwanted problems, so if someone could just give me a straight answer as to whether getting a 214 is a wise move, then I'd be grateful. No car is perfect, but I dont want to be stuck with something that is a constant pain and run out of money to keep going lol. Cheers!
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In my opinion it is a fine car, the best one they ever did bar the HG problems. My wife had N plate 214i & both of us thought it an excellent car, cheap to run & insure. Just make sure that the HG has been done correctly, has FSH & keep an eye on the fluids & you will have a good car that will last years. IMO anyways.
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Never been in one but I agree it's a good-looking smallish car. Certain fashion-conscious youth segments at my end of town seem to like it when they can't afford BMs or Nissan Skylines.
Might be worth investigating the modification, said to be available and anyway probably improvisable without too much difficulty, for increasing the capacity of the cooling system.
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The capacity increase mod is available from Brown & Gammons SFAIK
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I have had one for nearly 4 years and 50,000 miles and has been excellent. Really cheap to run and has cost very little over the years. It has currently done 111,000 and have every faith it will give another 4-5 years serive trouble free.
As mentioned, watch for head gasket but in reality if caught in time it doesnt cost a lot to fix if you put it into perspective, especially if cam belt is done at the same time.
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I had one of these and it was a great little car. We travelled together for 50,000 miles over two years until some inattentive person murdered it on the M25. Had no trouble with HGF at the time of its untimely death - mileage was then 63000. HGF seems to be more of a problem on my current car - Rover 25 1.8 VVC. This failed at 32000 miles and cost £700 to put right. I checked fluid levels regularly but the problem was due to a failed water pump which made me wonder whether poor quality water pumps may be causing this problem? Too simplistic I guess ! Anyway, while posting this have just realised that although HG failed only 10 months ago my mileage is now at 54000 so does that mean in approximately 10000 miles time I'll be hit with another bill for £700? Help.
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Thanks for all your comments guys, I'm glad that you all think the car is ideal because it makes it easier for me knowing I will have a good reliable car :)
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I'm 18 and I have a N reg 214i as my 1st car!!!
they really are ideal - not to tiny, not too big. From what i've heard, HGF is more of a problem on the 1.8 K-series than the 1.4. Just keep the usual weekly checks up in case. But it should be a sound buy ;) ;)
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Hey Mustang: not everyone said it was ideal. Take the cooling system business seriously before and after purchase. Otherwise you may risk enormous unexpected cost. Never good that.
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Yeah I will that that into account :) Is there anything else thats pretty serious thats known to go wrong on the car (other than head gasket)?
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Yeah I will that that into account :) Is there anything else thats pretty serious thats known to go wrong on the car (other than head gasket)?
Not much, just a few build quality issues which will have been long-since sorted out. The 214 is to all intents and purposes a Honda with a Rover engine, so most of the car is solid, better than average.
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If you're worried about HGF then just get the diesel - it's a Peugeot engine and far more sturdy than the K-series.
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Well since you mention Honda lol, worries gone :D lol I would get a diesel, but the noise they make is kinda off-putting lol. I do like Peugeots though so its tempting lol
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Sorry to double post here, but I'm looking at getting the 97-98 version 214. Is there any difference in the problems or is it all the same as been said?
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I work for a motor factor and popular items are: Head Gasket & Bolt sets, Front Discs & Pads, Front Calipers, Front Anti-roll bar links & Rear Trailing arm bushes. Sounds like a lot, but they are pretty cheap from a motor factor. One hint is to check the radiator, the cooling fins corrode and can hinder the cooling process, which in turn doesn't help with the head gasket problem! Also, if you replace the cambelt, change the water pump as well, again pretty cheap and readily available at any factor worth it's salt. Hope this helps.
Oh, and they go through distributor caps and rotor arms as well, easy to replace though. I had a J-reg 214 & it sailed through 3 MOTS with no problems, it's still going strong around town.
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>>but I'm looking at getting the 97-98 version 214. Is there any difference in the problems or is it all the same as been said?
Same unit same problems,otherwise nice car
--
Steve
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The front brake pads aren't pinioned. They float in a space between the disc and the caliper. Thus when they wear a bit and well before what would otherwise be replacement level they thin to less than the width of the gap and when you next put your foot on the brake they shoot out the back of the car. After its happened to you once, my first time was Saturday afternoon on the Kings Road, you will learn to check them religiously.
I won't say appalling engineering as the wrath of the Roverites will descend upon me so I'll just think it.
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thats incorrect, the peugeot diesel was the 218 D from the pre-gen 200, the bubble had the 220D which was a rover L-series. but that was a tough old boot too
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">if I wanted a fast car that sticks out like a sore thumb, I'd get a mustang.<"
But if you want a car to "make good progress" round corners then get a 214.
I used a 216 for a couple of months, great fun. More revs please ;-)
The K-series engine problems are all solveable.
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lol, well it sounds to me like this car will do me well providing I service is regularly which I'm more than happy to do lol. Thanks for all your helps guys, appreciated! :)
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