picking one up tommorow, 420D on a R plate.


anyone want to share any experiences?

In news:to2Eh.22801$Uy5.7516 (AT) newsfe2-win (DOT) ntli.net,
Rob <finlayson1 (AT) nospamntlworld (DOT) com> wittered on forthwith;
They're shite.

We had them in Avis when they were new and they were bloody awful then, I
can't imagine what they're like with a couple of million miles on the clock.

Engine appears to weigh the same as the Isle of Man and has the same effect
on handling as trying to corner with said island on the bonnet.



--
Pete M - Using the Scouse Side of the Force -
Golf GTi,
Mercedes 190E Auto
OMF#9

Ok, I admit it, I like Renault 5s.

Pete M <pete.murray (AT) bogoffwithzepressedmeatblueyonder (DOT) co.uk> wrote:

He's a minicabber, cornering speed and handling isn't a requirement. The
ability to drive *everywhere* in 5th, however, is top of the list....
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

"Rob" <finlayson1 (AT) nospamntlworld (DOT) com> wrote


I'm a fan of the noise they make - yes, they're not the quietest machines,
but then I like my diesel-factor to be high. They're a little cramped
inside but if you have the 105 bhp donk (I forget what was available,
there's a non-intercooled 85 bhp and an intercooled 105 bhp version),
they're relatively quick for what they are. Ten seconds to 62 mph, type
thing.

--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

pfft thats what i've got the octavia for Steve


the Rover shed is a 80 quid banger to sell on or drive like a loon for a bit
with

"Rob" <finlayson1 (AT) nospamntlworld (DOT) com> wrote

what it was. Economy was very good and insurance cheap. Nothing went wrong
with it either. The whole car seemed to vibrate at idle until it got
moving, once on the motorway you forgot it was a diesel.
If it is just for running about in then it's great. If it's for racing then
forget it, although it is faster than some of the crappy new cars you see on
the roads.

In article <to2Eh.22801$Uy5.7516 (AT) newsfe2-win (DOT) ntli.net>, Rob says...


--
Conor

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright
until you hear them speak.........

"Rob" <finlayson1 (AT) nospamntlworld (DOT) com> wrote

They're prone to the cambelt tensioner rollers letting go, so if you're
thinking of keeping it, make sure these have been done as part of any recent
belt change.

I've also seen one snap a fanbelt which then managed to get tangled up with
the cambelt which it then threw - not good.

On paper they look alright really - when I was breaking Rovers, I saved a
416 on a similar plate and found it pretty anonymous and boring, but then
sometimes that's a good thing.

The intercooled one, (has an i after the D or SD), is the one to have - more
power, more economy according to the guides.

I've considered one a few times, but I've seen enough die of issues like the
above to feel I couldn't really trust one.

As for rotten arches... hmm... I've seen a few early ones with some
bubbling, but not what I'd call terminal rot, so if it's cheap then just
live with it.

--
JackH

On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:53:08 GMT, Pete M wrote:

Yup, one of the few cars I've driven that I never, ever want to see or
drive again. In one week I went through at least four of them as hire cars.
Most unreliable pile of poo ever as well as handling like a greased whale.

Which reminds me, I spotted while channel surfing some godforsaken pile of
shite program even worse that Fifth Gear, indeed even worse than Pulling
Power. I didn't think that programs could get as bad as this, it was called
IIRC "vroom" or "vroom-vroom". However they did do a jokey lame arsed
attempt to do a Top Gear type challenge. Suffice to say the Rover didn't
even finish the course.

"Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote

thats old and it's sky one shite if i remember once, used to watch it for
lisa rogers but even that wore thin after a while.