Well, reluctantly it seems it's time to sell my Ti, bought a few months ago on the MG-Rover.org forums, see here - forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=643817
Without going into the whole story, my girlfriend is off work ill, and it now looks like she will be off for the foreseeable future, possibly 3 years or more. With that in mind I've had to rethink my plans for the Ti, I badly want to keep it as it's a lovely car but it does need some work, I fondly imagined I'd have more time and money to invest in it but unfortunately that won't be the case for quite a while so it has to go. I've bought quite a few bits for the car which will all go with it, bought them to fit myself or have fitted but like I say, I don't have the time, energy or money to proceed with most of it, and I don't have anywhere to really work on the car either. Also, with it being quite low, I work in an area with loads of speedbumps which are a pain, and most of the sites I travel to for work are infested with speedbumps, potholes and the like which is highly irritating.
Most details are in the thread I bought it from, but I'll summarise the condition of the car below. If it's all a bit too long and waffly, I'll summarise neatly at the bottom after some pictures
First off, it's a 97 "P" plate 620Ti, with the "SW Autodesign" kit. This consists of side skirts, spoiler, 17" Momo Arrow alloy wheels, and possibly (depending on the source) lowered suspension, I'm not sure if this was part of the kit or added separately but there you go. It's done just a tad over 109000 miles, is MOT'd till next July, and taxed until the end of this month. For anyone not familiar with the 620Ti it's the 200hp turbocharged range topper from the Rover 600 range, which is based on the 93-97 Honda Accord. 0-60 was quoted as 7 seconds so it's fairly quick for a big barge. Half leather seats are standard, this one also has a sunroof (no leaks) and A/C (disconnected, see info below) which is fairly unusual. Full electric windows, electric heated mirrors, and assorted other kit.
Engine
Runs nice and smoothly, turbo kicks in as it should, pulls very well indeed. Slight oil leak which looks like cam seals, it is very slight though so I haven't given it any attention. Bottom engine mount is about done for so there's a bit of a clunk if you lift off suddenly or press the gas suddenly. Small power steering fluid leak which has affected the engine mount, again it's not a huge leak but I'm told it's likely to be the pump gasket - repair kit is about £10 from the bay but I don't have time or anywhere to work on it to give it a try. Aux belt has swollen due to power steering fluid getting on it from the leak but I'm told the belt itself looks solid, no cracks or anything. I do have a genuine aux belt ready to be fitted. I fitted a new expansion tank as the old one was leaking and quite dirty so that's all good. Dump valve fitted which sounds nice, Mongoose S/S exhaust, Magnecore HT leads, boost controller, boost gauge fitted. Few bits of rust on PAS cooler pipe, and in other locations around the engine bay, could use a rub down and some paint. Finally, not really engine related but as in the above linked thread, there's apparently a parasitic battery drain. Previous owner said it was a little intermittent and sometimes it'd die within an hour or two, other times it'd last all day, so I generally disconnect the battery when leaving it for any length of time just to be safe. I will say it's been in a garage for MOT and other bits, sat there for 2 hours, been started and moved briefly, and has always restarted right away, no hesitation, so it's not necessarily as bad as it sounds. I generally leave it connected if I'm popping to the shops, something like that, for up to 60-90 minutes and it's always been fine but I do carry a battery jump starter just in case.
Interior
Very good indeed, no rips or tears in the seats, bolsters aren't worn, nothing like that. Genuine cream Rover mats, could do with a bit of a clean. Steering wheel somewhat worn but only to be expected with the age and mileage. The rear view mirror has two map reading lights built in which is a nice touch, believe this was brought over from an MGF but it doesn't look out of place, just a nice touch.
Bodywork
I would say about 5/10. Rear arches are rusting but not horribly, I've treated them with ACF-50 to hopefully arrest further corrosion. Dent in the boot lid, crease in the bonnet, dent in the offside front wing, scrape below the dent on the bumper, and a small scuff on the offside rear bumper corner. Could all do with a good clean and polish really, I'll give it a clean but a machine polish would do wonders. The front grille is a bit snotty in that the rubber's peeling away, I have a brand new grille which will be included if I don't get time to fit it.
Suspension, wheels, tyres
It's been lowered and sits quite low as per one of my other threads, you'll struggle to get over speedbumps that are more than medium height without scraping. There is a knocking noise which sounds like it's coming from the front offside, not sure if this is suspension related or what exactly. Wheels are in pretty good condition, some curbing but not terrible. Tyres are all legal, not a huge amount of tread but not borderline either. Kumhos on the front, a Falken and Jinyu on the rear. I also have 5 x 15" wheels with tyres with plenty of tread, courtesy of mileshawk56, which I would give away with the car. My plan was to fit original spec springs and dampers to raise the car and use these wheels while I got the 17" wheels refurbished.
Misc
It's just had new rear discs and pads fitted for the MOT, only other advisory of note was that the front pads are wearing thin. A/C is disconnected, one pipe removed by the previous owner to change the water pump but I do have the pipe. Leaks fuel when full to the brim as the filler pipe is rusty, filled to 3/4 or less it doesn't leak at all. I do have a new filler pipe which has been sand blasted and painted which will go with the car. Genuine aux belt and fuel filter are also to go with the car, along with a new front grille as the one currently on it has seen better days. Electrics all work, heater works on all speeds and blows nice and hot if set to hot. Massive folder full of history, receipts, services, MOTs etc.
See below for pictures (click for full size) - I've tried to include photos of the dent in the wing, scuff on the bumper, rust on the arches, as well as the car as a whole and the engine bay. Pics were all taken shortly after buying it, pics of the dent were taken in June after it happened, and the engine bay shot doesn't show the new expansion tank. The rust also looks worse here than "in the metal". If there's anything else you'd like to see just let me know.
Too long:didn't read - summary of the above
Bad - Some rust, few dents, possible battery drain, small PAS fluid leak, fuel leak when brimmed, A/C disconnected, engine mount about done for, slight knocking noise when driving, only taxed till the end of the month
Good - drives OK apart from the above, has never let me down, electrics all OK, interior in good condition, few bits to go with it, new rear discs and pads, MOT till next July
Depends on your point of view - lowered, bodykit, Mongoose exhaust, dump valve, HIDs
Spares - 5 x 15" wheels with tyres on good tread, new genuine aux belt and fuel filter, new front grille, new fuel filler pipe
With all of this in mind, bearing in mind I got it for a bargain price but I have since had new discs and pads fitted, a fresh MOT, bought the spares listed above and replaced the expansion tank, I'm looking for £450 ono, open to offers on this as I do want to shift it sooner rather than later. I think with a bit of work this could be an amazing machine, I really wish I could keep it and spend the time and money it needs but my current situation means I just can't ever know when I'll have a free day with enough energy to tackle the niggly jobs, or whether if I spend x amount on whatever parts I might end up having to leave work or something so I just can't do what needs to be done. I'd hate to see it broken up or scrapped so hopefully it goes to an enthusiast.
Car is located in Derby but as it's currently my daily driver it comes to Nottingham where I work, and also up to west Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, and London. PM me for my number or to ask questions, arrange a viewing, test drive, etc
Edit: I could potentially be interested in swaps/part exes with cash either way, looking for a slightly "different" daily driver and RR is pretty much the perfect place for that! Nothing too low though due to needing to use it for work but try me with anything really!
Without going into the whole story, my girlfriend is off work ill, and it now looks like she will be off for the foreseeable future, possibly 3 years or more. With that in mind I've had to rethink my plans for the Ti, I badly want to keep it as it's a lovely car but it does need some work, I fondly imagined I'd have more time and money to invest in it but unfortunately that won't be the case for quite a while so it has to go. I've bought quite a few bits for the car which will all go with it, bought them to fit myself or have fitted but like I say, I don't have the time, energy or money to proceed with most of it, and I don't have anywhere to really work on the car either. Also, with it being quite low, I work in an area with loads of speedbumps which are a pain, and most of the sites I travel to for work are infested with speedbumps, potholes and the like which is highly irritating.
Most details are in the thread I bought it from, but I'll summarise the condition of the car below. If it's all a bit too long and waffly, I'll summarise neatly at the bottom after some pictures
First off, it's a 97 "P" plate 620Ti, with the "SW Autodesign" kit. This consists of side skirts, spoiler, 17" Momo Arrow alloy wheels, and possibly (depending on the source) lowered suspension, I'm not sure if this was part of the kit or added separately but there you go. It's done just a tad over 109000 miles, is MOT'd till next July, and taxed until the end of this month. For anyone not familiar with the 620Ti it's the 200hp turbocharged range topper from the Rover 600 range, which is based on the 93-97 Honda Accord. 0-60 was quoted as 7 seconds so it's fairly quick for a big barge. Half leather seats are standard, this one also has a sunroof (no leaks) and A/C (disconnected, see info below) which is fairly unusual. Full electric windows, electric heated mirrors, and assorted other kit.
Engine
Runs nice and smoothly, turbo kicks in as it should, pulls very well indeed. Slight oil leak which looks like cam seals, it is very slight though so I haven't given it any attention. Bottom engine mount is about done for so there's a bit of a clunk if you lift off suddenly or press the gas suddenly. Small power steering fluid leak which has affected the engine mount, again it's not a huge leak but I'm told it's likely to be the pump gasket - repair kit is about £10 from the bay but I don't have time or anywhere to work on it to give it a try. Aux belt has swollen due to power steering fluid getting on it from the leak but I'm told the belt itself looks solid, no cracks or anything. I do have a genuine aux belt ready to be fitted. I fitted a new expansion tank as the old one was leaking and quite dirty so that's all good. Dump valve fitted which sounds nice, Mongoose S/S exhaust, Magnecore HT leads, boost controller, boost gauge fitted. Few bits of rust on PAS cooler pipe, and in other locations around the engine bay, could use a rub down and some paint. Finally, not really engine related but as in the above linked thread, there's apparently a parasitic battery drain. Previous owner said it was a little intermittent and sometimes it'd die within an hour or two, other times it'd last all day, so I generally disconnect the battery when leaving it for any length of time just to be safe. I will say it's been in a garage for MOT and other bits, sat there for 2 hours, been started and moved briefly, and has always restarted right away, no hesitation, so it's not necessarily as bad as it sounds. I generally leave it connected if I'm popping to the shops, something like that, for up to 60-90 minutes and it's always been fine but I do carry a battery jump starter just in case.
Interior
Very good indeed, no rips or tears in the seats, bolsters aren't worn, nothing like that. Genuine cream Rover mats, could do with a bit of a clean. Steering wheel somewhat worn but only to be expected with the age and mileage. The rear view mirror has two map reading lights built in which is a nice touch, believe this was brought over from an MGF but it doesn't look out of place, just a nice touch.
Bodywork
I would say about 5/10. Rear arches are rusting but not horribly, I've treated them with ACF-50 to hopefully arrest further corrosion. Dent in the boot lid, crease in the bonnet, dent in the offside front wing, scrape below the dent on the bumper, and a small scuff on the offside rear bumper corner. Could all do with a good clean and polish really, I'll give it a clean but a machine polish would do wonders. The front grille is a bit snotty in that the rubber's peeling away, I have a brand new grille which will be included if I don't get time to fit it.
Suspension, wheels, tyres
It's been lowered and sits quite low as per one of my other threads, you'll struggle to get over speedbumps that are more than medium height without scraping. There is a knocking noise which sounds like it's coming from the front offside, not sure if this is suspension related or what exactly. Wheels are in pretty good condition, some curbing but not terrible. Tyres are all legal, not a huge amount of tread but not borderline either. Kumhos on the front, a Falken and Jinyu on the rear. I also have 5 x 15" wheels with tyres with plenty of tread, courtesy of mileshawk56, which I would give away with the car. My plan was to fit original spec springs and dampers to raise the car and use these wheels while I got the 17" wheels refurbished.
Misc
It's just had new rear discs and pads fitted for the MOT, only other advisory of note was that the front pads are wearing thin. A/C is disconnected, one pipe removed by the previous owner to change the water pump but I do have the pipe. Leaks fuel when full to the brim as the filler pipe is rusty, filled to 3/4 or less it doesn't leak at all. I do have a new filler pipe which has been sand blasted and painted which will go with the car. Genuine aux belt and fuel filter are also to go with the car, along with a new front grille as the one currently on it has seen better days. Electrics all work, heater works on all speeds and blows nice and hot if set to hot. Massive folder full of history, receipts, services, MOTs etc.
See below for pictures (click for full size) - I've tried to include photos of the dent in the wing, scuff on the bumper, rust on the arches, as well as the car as a whole and the engine bay. Pics were all taken shortly after buying it, pics of the dent were taken in June after it happened, and the engine bay shot doesn't show the new expansion tank. The rust also looks worse here than "in the metal". If there's anything else you'd like to see just let me know.
Too long:didn't read - summary of the above
Bad - Some rust, few dents, possible battery drain, small PAS fluid leak, fuel leak when brimmed, A/C disconnected, engine mount about done for, slight knocking noise when driving, only taxed till the end of the month
Good - drives OK apart from the above, has never let me down, electrics all OK, interior in good condition, few bits to go with it, new rear discs and pads, MOT till next July
Depends on your point of view - lowered, bodykit, Mongoose exhaust, dump valve, HIDs
Spares - 5 x 15" wheels with tyres on good tread, new genuine aux belt and fuel filter, new front grille, new fuel filler pipe
With all of this in mind, bearing in mind I got it for a bargain price but I have since had new discs and pads fitted, a fresh MOT, bought the spares listed above and replaced the expansion tank, I'm looking for £450 ono, open to offers on this as I do want to shift it sooner rather than later. I think with a bit of work this could be an amazing machine, I really wish I could keep it and spend the time and money it needs but my current situation means I just can't ever know when I'll have a free day with enough energy to tackle the niggly jobs, or whether if I spend x amount on whatever parts I might end up having to leave work or something so I just can't do what needs to be done. I'd hate to see it broken up or scrapped so hopefully it goes to an enthusiast.
Car is located in Derby but as it's currently my daily driver it comes to Nottingham where I work, and also up to west Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, and London. PM me for my number or to ask questions, arrange a viewing, test drive, etc
Edit: I could potentially be interested in swaps/part exes with cash either way, looking for a slightly "different" daily driver and RR is pretty much the perfect place for that! Nothing too low though due to needing to use it for work but try me with anything really!
certainly don't see many of these on the road these days, especially not with the SW Autodesign kit! Have a viewing arranged on Saturday now.
