Don't push me cos I'm close to the Wedge... (Rover 400)

Member Name: unnameable

Product:	Rover 400
Date:	08/06/04 (12071 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nippy, Reliable, Cheap to buy

Disadvantages: dodgy high milers, expensive servicing

Welcome to my first review since the beginning of March! I'm sure you're all glad to see me back (stop stifling the laughing at the back).

As you've probably guessed through reading my other reviews, I manage to get through a lot of cars (on number 12 now, not bad for someone who has only been driving 7 years). So I thought I may as well write my big comeback masterpiece on my latest pride and joy, my beloved Rover 414SLi.

Before I plough into this, I should warn you that it is based entirely on my experiences with this car, and a 416GSi I owned a few years back, which are both Mk 1 'wedge' models. I don't like the newer curvy, girly ones anyway!



Brief History:

Brought in to replace the ageing Montego in 1990, the 400 series was a collaboration with Honda (nearly identical to a mid-90's Civic in fact!). A mixture of Honda's design and reliablity, and Rover's quality K-series engine, made for a great compact saloon with a 'big car' feel.

Available with 1.4, 1.6 & 2.0 petrol, and 1.8 diesel engines, there were several models ranging from entry-level 414 Si, to the awesome 420 GSi Sport Turbo which boasted 200bhp and a boy racer beating 0-60 in under 7 seconds (I want one!).

The 'wedge' was replaced in early 1996 by the still-Honda-like curvy model which is still around today as the Rover 45 (although they claim it is a completely different car!)



Reliability:

This is a big plus point for the 400 series. Due to the added input from Honda, these cars easily rival Japanese cars for reliability. In fact, the main concerns with these cars is the huge amount of worn out high milers that are on the second hand market. Many have been neglected and wear & tear have taken their toll.

I know many people may have heard the head gasket horror stories about the Rover K-series engines, but they really aren't any worse than other
engines. I suppose it has a lot to do with the likes of Jeremy Clarkson taking digs at Rover at any given opportunity!

Servicing and repairs can be expensive through Rover dealerships, but your local mechanic (or cheapo grease monkey) will sort it out for a lot less. Surprisingly, many major repairs are cheaper than you may think due to the well designed engine bay giving easy access to the likes of the gearbox and clutch!



Driving:

Now here's the bit I really enjoy. The 1.4 models produce a surpising 103bhp and are very nippy as a result. You do have to push them slightly though! 1.6 is probably the best all-rounder (and is a Honda engine, so bulletproof) and strolls in calmly at 111bhp. As I said before, if you're lucky you can get hold of a 2.0 turbo version that'll give you whiplash if you're not careful! Diesel models come in at 67bhp for non-turbo, and 88bhp for turbo. Pretty damn respectable if you ask me.

The 1.4 can be a little noisy at high revs, but you can't really blame it can you?

The overall ride is very smooth. The little fella will happily ease itself in and out of a dip in the road with nothing more than a slight bounce. Only complaint I have is that road-noise tends to be a little higher than with similar cars. Easily solved by turning up the radio!

The steering is very responsive and light and, as an added bonus, the handling is superb. The car sticks to the road, and there is no noticable oversteer (gotta love frotn wheel drive!) or understeer when heaving it around a roundabout.

Be sure to go for one with power steering though, early non-PAS models had horribly heavy steering. I suppose you might want one, if only to build up your biceps!


The brakes are perfectly adequate, but tend to wear quite quickly. ABS is available on most newer 1.6 and 2.0 models. Quite a few owners have opted to upgrade their front discs and pads to vented versio
ns, which are far superior and not much more expensive than the standard equivalent.

Now to the most important bit, comfort! The interiors are very nicely trimmed, and seats are soft but supportive. You can easily take on a 200 mile trip without worrying about knackering your back.

Fuel economy is very good in the 1.4, and almost as good in the 1.6. The 2.0 is quite thirsty, but who cares when you can out-accelerate a rocket ;)



Features:

Driving - Power steering as standard on all models from June 1993.

Safety - Side impact beams on all models from June 1993, Drivers airbag on GSi SLi and SLD turbo models from 1994.

Security - Alarm as standard from 1992, Immobiliser system from 1994 & remote central locking from 1994.

My particular car (414SLi 1994) has power steering, airbag, alarm & immobiliser. The interior is very pleasant, with it's wood trim, and chrome 'Rover' kickplates under the doors. The drivers seat it fully adjustable (height too) and someone of over six foot would easily fit into it! There are some good, but pointless additions, such as a coin drawer and a rubber non-slip mat on the dashboard!

Safety-wise, I don't feel threatened by mini's in this car (see my Escort review!), and I feel confident that myself and my family would be protected if we ever had a smash in it.

Room-wise, it'll hold five adults comfortably (six if you put one in the boot!) and won't be down in power too much if fully loaded. The boot is pretty big considering the size of the car, and can easily hold anything we've thought about putting in it (even a fold-down table)



Buying a used wedge:

There are only a few main things to look out for...

Rust - Many of these will have rust spots by now, but don't worry about anything that's just on the surface. Be sure to check around wheel arches (behind plastic mouldings if
you can!) and along the top of the windscreen (can cause leaks). One place you MUST check is where the pillar meet the sill on the drivers side. If this is rusted, it'd be an MOT fail AND a possible safety issue. This is the point where the seatbelt is fixed to the car!

Engine - check the oil filler cap for mayo-like gunge. This would indicate a head gasket problem that'd be around £200 to fix. Also, check the coolant system for cloudiness and leaks (radiator especially...look for flaking 'fins'). Listen for any loud ticking coming from the camshaft (not the injectors). It'll get quicker with higher revs, and can spell a new engine!

Gearbox - Listen out for any whining noises, and check for any problems putting in and out of gear. The gearboxes on these cars can wear out quite suddenly with high miles. Also listen for any clicking from the driveshafts when steering at full lock either way.

Clutch - Beware of clutch judder. You will feel it when pulling away in low gears as a shake coming from the engine. This can be caused by a leaky gearbox or just a worn out clutch. Not hugely expensive to fix (~£100)



Costs (the important bit):

You can pick up a good M reg 414SLi for around £600, and a similar 416 for around the same price. 420's are dearer due to them being less common, and more sought after. If you're lucky you can get hold of an older low mileage car for under £300 which will last you for years!

Tourer (estate) models are roughly twice the price simply because of their rarity and popularity.



Personal experience summary:

I bought my 414SLi for £520 back in March from eBay (a risk I know), and am very pleased with it overall. It did need a little work, but didn't cost an arm and a leg. Radiator and exhaust replaced for £150, front brake pads £38, and a new tyre (chump before me had one of the front tyres too small!)

There's a co
uple more bits that I'd like to do, but nothing major really. Just a bit of a service etc. It doesn't use a lot of coolant (anymore), and the engine runs as smooth an anything. Also, it is costing us quite a bit less in petrol than my old Peugeot 4051 1.6, but is surprisingly more expensive to insure!

It has served us well so far, suits our family perfectly, and looks quite 'respectable' too. I much prefer it to the standard slightly older type with the bog standard grey bumpers. In fact, I think I'll post a photo or two of the wee motor.

Security is excellent I have found, alarm works faultlessly, and the immobilser really does immobilise the car! I've had no break-in problems since owning this car (perhaps the blinking red LED scares them!).

The only thing that does bother me a little is the longstanding 'grandad' image associated with Rovers. I really cannot see the reasoning behind it!

Overall, these are perfect family cars, and also suit those just looking to transport themselves just as well! Good reliable engines with more power than you'd think, and plenty of room inside, makes for a great small saloon car.



What more can I say?



Thanks for reading

Marc

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