Rover 45 2.0 TDi Connoisseur Saloon

Done over 70k in a model with 110k on the clock when we bought it. Utterly reliable with only a fix to a hole in a pipe in the a/c required after 4 years use. Still feels good to drive now.

I bought my Rover 45 TDi Connoissuer on ebay a year ago for £1600. The car came with full service history and looked immaculate. I owed a 96 Rover 414si at the time which had just done over 100,000. I was clocking up the mileage with my job and also wanted to avoid a HG failure on the K-series engine. The L-series diesel HG don't have the same design fault as the petrol. It had 144,000 on the clock but being a diesel and with FSH I wasn't worried. Two days later I noticed a loss of coolant. 4 mechanics later it and a few nervous drives it was diaognised with....HGF!! I was gutted as it was really expensive to fix. How ironic! Turned out a pipe carrying coolant was leaking and a botch job was done on it. Over time the HG cooked especially at the higher speeds on the motorway. I took the decision to get it fixed.

I did 18,000 miles in 8 months. The car is comfortable, well equiped with AC, electric windows, ABS, front fog lights, alloy wheels and leather seats. There are also a few air bags for safety. The engine allows for swift acceleration through any gear but is particularly good between 50-70mph (and a bit more...). The Mass air flow sensor was burst. Once I put a new one is the car shot along. As for looks, I think it is pretty sharp and impressive. The best part is the fuel consumption which is close to 60mpg on the motorway.

I have a few minor complaints. I have a power steering fluid leak but that isn't terminal and is more of a nuiscance. The engine is quite loud especially at lower speeds or when it is cold. Compared to other diesel engines it is not very well refined. Depreciation is a problem and despite the work I had done it probably worth less than I paid for it almost a year one. I don't mind though - it will keep going until the cambelt needs changing. By then it would have done 230,00 miles! I stick to the recommended service intervals of 6000 miles for oil and 12,000 for full service. It passed its MOT without a hitch and had nothing extra done when serviced.

If you can get your hands on one of these with service history, and you are not to snobby about the Rover brand, the TDi is a good car which will will do plenty of miles without to many problems.

oh my what a heap of junk!! Worst car we have ever ever had. 7 days after having the thing, had a new battery, battery connecters had corroded, head gaskets blown, spent the next two weeks in the garage!! got rid of the thing before we had it even 12 months, couldn't take spending any more ££££ on the thing!! Such a dissapointment.

Just bought a 2001 Rover 45 TD connoisseur for £995. Having just filled the tank, its averaged out at 59.1mpg!! It's spacious, practical, very quick mid range acceleration and only costs £125 to tax. The SRS light has come on, which i think is an electrical glitch, but otherwise everything works as it should. Ride and handling are surprisingly tight too. This car cost nothing to buy and despite being 9 years old and having 85,000 miles, it still feels young and nimble. Credit crunch? What credit crunch...!?!

"So its a Honda civic circa 1996" but there have been so many year on year improvements culminating in the 2004 job, not just the visual ones dash etc. But to the engine, suspension and general all round quality feel. I've had new company cars Volvo Vauxhall both with reliability probs. Not so our 5 door Rover 45 1.6 just look at the Auto trader reliability index .

I have long been a fan of British cars, and none are more mainstream British than Rover. I chose the Rover 45 in full knowledge of poor Rovers troubles, and it did not phase me, because I am buying the car not the company.

I have now had this 2004 facelift 45 over a year and can honestly say that it is the first new car I have had that hasnt suffered any reliability issues. I have had Fords, Skoda's and Fiats and all of them have been back and forth to the dealership within weeks of purchase.

Not so the Rover. It is a classy looking car thanks to it's graceful saloon body, far better looking than the Honda inspired hatch version, the 45 really does look like the son of 75 even thought it's an older design. The rvisions in 2004 add to the classy look with smart headlamps and grille at the front to the classy R O V E R chrome badging on the now smooth boot lid. The Ski Blue paint finish is excellent and really stands out, and the obligatory chrome finishing like handles and mirrors are Rover trademarks that thankfully remained post facelift.

The car handles very well indeed for what is often called an "old" design, it can compete with any of the new breed of hatches from Ford and GM, and where it does score is design, the saloon 45 is more comfortable with itself than any of the Focus/Astra bolted on saloons that always look gawky and out of place.

The engine is the Rover designed L-Series Turbo Diesel. A very punchy and economical unit that provides very brisk acceleration and good fuel economy at the same time. My only criticism would be that it is a little less refined in the noise department than some newer diesels - but it feels like a strong unit that will last and last.

Interior revisions again are very well excecuted. The new fascia looks more modern and whilst it now uses hard plastic (like many other manufacturers like Toyota have now opted for) it is nice to the touch and does not creak or groan. The wood effect trim is as usual with a Rover very well done, it does look like wood which cannot be said of many other brands attempts. The climate control, as used in the MG SV and Pagani Zonda fits neatly into the design and is easy to use and effective. The leather seats are a joy and very well made if a little lacking in side support, leather and fast bends do not agree so you do find yourself clinging to the wheel to stop yourself sliding to the other side of the car.

I love my Rover and would most definitely purchase another one, given the chance, if the company returns to any kind of production in the near future, I will be first on the order list.