800 turbo

hi well I got one in October ,and although I had 800 s years ago had not had one recently.i think the common thing to check is the front end ,top arms wheel bearings etc,,,both my top arms had seen better days ,and managed to get two ,brand new about 80 quid each,but not ideal shelling out so soon after purchase.the thing with the turbo is as they are now cheapish to buy,the boy racers get there hands on them,and thrash the nuts off them.i made the mistake recently of letting a lad drive mine ,who was actually buying it take it for a test drive while I chatted to his dad when he got back said it was smoking and holding back ,which it had never done before as im 55 and drive within reason ,and he obviously thought it was formula one.anyway oil in all the pipes arghhhhhhhhhhhhh,anyway it was over boosting ,put a manual boost on it now fine.i think there a great buy if they have had decent owners backed up with a decent history.gearboxes suffer from wear unless they have had steel case bearings fitted,and the diffs can be a bit whiny,but it seems most do that on the turbo,,,check the cills for rust,and yes the window switch is common,also the window regulator cable can snap due to corrosion.i think a decent one that is looked after and not thrashed to death is a good buy,and will only appreciate in value cheers steve good luck

 

hi well I got one in October ,and although I had 800 s years ago had not had one recently.i think the common thing to check is the front end ,top arms wheel bearings etc,,,both my top arms had seen better days ,and managed to get two ,brand new about 80 quid each,but not ideal shelling out so soon after purchase.the thing with the turbo is as they are now cheapish to buy,the boy racers get there hands on them,and thrash the nuts off them.i made the mistake recently of letting a lad drive mine ,who was actually buying it take it for a test drive while I chatted to his dad when he got back said it was smoking and holding back ,which it had never done before as im 55 and drive within reason ,and he obviously thought it was formula one.anyway oil in all the pipes arghhhhhhhhhhhhh,anyway it was over boosting ,put a manual boost on it now fine.i think there a great buy if they have had decent owners backed up with a decent history.gearboxes suffer from wear unless they have had steel case bearings fitted,and the diffs can be a bit whiny,but it seems most do that on the turbo,,,check the cills for rust,and yes the window switch is common,also the window regulator cable can snap due to corrosion.i think a decent one that is looked after and not thrashed to death is a good buy,and will only appreciate in value cheers steve good luck

Splendid - Thanks for your informative reply.

I've actually just had a good read of your thread about the young lad driving the car, Sorry to hear that - Hopefully you get it sorted soon.

I'm actually only 22 myself, however i'm not so much of a 'boy racer' lol, I know how to look after a car properly but I'm just after something a little more 'barge' like that my current run around. I do a fair amount of mileage so I'm mainly after the creature comforts - And a little more poke if i'm honest.

Will give it a good thorough once over when I get there, I just hope the weather holds out on Saturday... With any luck, Sunday too so I can give her a good clean & service

I can honestly say, the last time I saw one of these was at POL last year - And I live in Longbridge where they were made!

 

rover 800

lol sorry for the the generalisation of BOY RACERS but you get my drift,also check the petrol filler pipe feel under the rear arch or get a torch and check it ,these can rust badly and are no longer available ,and second hand are like hens teeth to get,they DO suffer from oil leaks on the top end,mine was stripped and had new gaskets and seals before I got it.but I think rust is the biggest killer cills etc,give them a good tap and the floor pan near the cills,,,,,and make sure everything works,abit prone to electrical gremlins.lets be honest you could make a list about problems with most cars old and newish,at the end of the day there 15 plus years old,so the more history receipts etc the better good luck with the car let us know when you have it cheers steve

 

lol sorry for the the generalisation of BOY RACERS but you get my drift,also check the petrol filler pipe feel under the rear arch or get a torch and check it ,these can rust badly and are no longer available ,and second hand are like hens teeth to get,they DO suffer from oil leaks on the top end,mine was stripped and had new gaskets and seals before I got it.but I think rust is the biggest killer cills etc,give them a good tap and the floor pan near the cills,,,,,and make sure everything works,abit prone to electrical gremlins.lets be honest you could make a list about problems with most cars old and newish,at the end of the day there 15 plus years old,so the more history receipts etc the better good luck with the car let us know when you have it cheers steve

No problem lol.
I've been warned about the filler pipe issues, I'll be sure to have a good look around on that! Worst comes to worst, I can always get a new filler made up - How hard can it be?

I've been told its 'rust free' so I'm more concerned about the arches and what not because of the panels, Things like sills and stuff I cant see doesn't bother me too much as I know a pretty decent panel beater.

Thanks Buddy - Will let you all know how I get on tomorrow!

 

great choice of car


As mentioned above fuel filler pipe will want checking. Also the windscreen wiper scuttle panel (under the wipers) is worth removing and rust proofing on the rear at least. other items hard to get now, are coupe front wings, coupe sills, coupe rear window, and the reservoir bottles.

If you are lucky, and items have been looked after you may never need any of them, worth picking up any cheap in the scrappers though, (plus front abs sensors)(some cars do well on these others chomp through the things).

most other items can still be sourced relatively cheaply if you include aftermarket & second hand stuff.

The brakes may not seem up too much, but that's just the way most Rovers are. As you will not be driving it hard, it's normally not that much of a big problem. We have always replaced the front pads on our 200's/400's/800's for Green Stuff for a better feel. (cleaner and quieter too).

As to the windows, yes switch packs usually require resoldering, (I have not had an 800 that didn't), or a replacement may need fitting.
but if it's just beeping, try this fix first (and it's one you will need at some point anyway, if ever you have a flat battery or disconnect a battery) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVXvuo_h0V0

If you are doing a fair few miles in it, you should find it good on MPG .
I did not realise before I had my first Turbo that it improves fuel economy! (I just thought Turbo = faster = more fuel). I can't acheive half the MPG figure of my old Vitesse with my KV6!
You lose the ££gained, on the extra insurance though! At 22, ouch!

There was a good showing of 800's at POL last year, I don't know how many were Vitesses, even now they all look the same to me!!! especially when many fit the 17" wheels to other 800's. (guilty)!

No Oil leaks is rare find. I was under the 820 Auto yesterday, and oil is a plenty like always! Cam covers, Cams, sump, (all again!). Doesn't drink the stuff though, so never been a problem, may sort this year though.
This week wheels/tyres to swap round on it, Lower ball joint to replace (just found the source of the creak on the steering wheel). and must check the 1 wheel bearing that is still an original, as car has a little clunk once or twice recently, but all servicable stuff. Just cold out there.

Forcast is Good for sunday though. So you should be okay for cleaning.

Enjoy.

 

Thanks for the info bud, RE the brakes - I'm sure that wont be a problem. I'll get some decent Pagid pads or something for it is its bad - I've had some bad experiences with Greenstuff before so I wouldnt use them again. Nothing major, But they werent a straight fit lol.

Really good to know about the MPG! I would expect mid to high 20's and that would be sufficient for me - I think. If its better then great!

I've also been told theres no oil leaks... he's sent me a few pictures of the engine bay and it does look clean. I'm aware that the T series does leak oil though, mainly at the corner of the HG... Again I can deal with oil leaks - It doesnt bother me too much.

Insurance surprisingly isnt bad! Been driving since i turned 17. The day I was 18 I bought myself a 'warm' hatch (Fiesta Zetec-s (Never again!)) and I've just been moving up to bigger stuff since, every 6 months or so. Insured on a few cars too, with a spotless history does work in my favour i suppose

 

It seems like you will be able to cope with all these cars will throw at you. In which case you will find the Vitesse a real joy to own.

Glad you can insure it ok. In General bigger cars are cheaper to insure than smaller ones, but sometimes those insurers like big premiums for the old group 17 that the Vitesse and 220 coupe were in. I don't have any clue as to how cars are grouped nowadays. maybe it's not as dear to insure now they are older and less desirable to modern car theives.

 

I've had my Fastback Vitesse 12 months now and its been very reliable (once a few problems had been sorted) , ball joints for MOT and a new exhaust section . Had to use two bottles of Redex to clean the fuel system for an emissions pass , other than that ....... its been good .

Window switch needs a resolder or a lift ecu but being winter , dont need windows open lol .

Had all the "grandad's car" jokes at work . They soon shut up when they cant keep up with a Rover lol . They are genuinely amazed when it leaves em for dust ;-)

Shown them the spec and once again they cant believe it !! I originally wanted a Coupe but the Fastback has been brilliant , love those Recaro seats ;-)