216 coupe advice, buying guide?

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:13 pm

Yo, new to the site, my mate just linked me to it

Anyway, Ive narrowed down the choice of my next car and the Rover Coupe 216 is on my list. I want one of the later versions, so S reg or later really, which I know is guna be hard to find but if i do get one then its all gd....

How likely is the head gasket to just go on them? I've heard it's a ticking time bomb!

Any other common faults?

Or maybe a buyers guide?

I want the later model not just because it should be in better condition but because my private plate starts in S2 and I want to put it on, so has to be S reg or newer!

The only thing putting me off now is like I said the head gasket. I've had a search but it comes up with a lot of people with the problems - not about how common it is, which aint re-assuring

So I suppose I'm asking for common faults on the later models and how often the head gasket goes if looked after well? Is it true it's just a time bomb ticking or will they be ok if looked after?

Ta!

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:20 pm

well, i been here ages, and they do tend to go, my metro gti went on me when i least expected, and that was after i looked after it...

if you wanted a coupe id pick an earlier model for the honda 1.6 (d series) which will give you far less troubles (ive owned cars with both engines).

kind of puts you between a rock and a hard place though with your plate.

220 enigne is heavier and less refined, but a bit more pokey, but then insurance is probably higher but the engine is much more substantial and wont die anywhere near as early as a K series one. not sure how late the 220's went though...

you could still buy one, and just keep a few hundred squid tucked away for when it does go...

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:23 pm

I'm 18 so insurance is a tripe n onions take lol, I can only just get it on the 216 sadly

If/when the HG does go, how much is it to repair approx? I saw on google about someone that said once his HG went his car never felt the same after, is this true or just a 1 off?

cheers

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:26 pm

swings and rounabouts. a job can be done propperly, or poorly.

doing it propperly takes time, time is money.

sadly, its hard trying to find somewhere thatll do it propperly. I couldnt give you a cost cos ive never paid for anything to be done at a garage for a fair while now.

ideally, youd pick up a haynes, a copy of rovertech.net and a halford tool kit and get your hands dirty

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:28 pm

cheers

I just think that for what they are and the price u pay, theyre equipped really well, have decent seats and are one of the best lookin coupes made imo...

is there anything else that tends to go wrong apart from the HG's?

ryan_220 · Post by **ryan_220** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:29 pm

Ry_B wrote:I'm 18 so insurance is a tripe n onions take lol, I can only just get it on the 216 sadly

If/when the HG does go, how much is it to repair approx? I saw on google about someone that said once his HG went his car never felt the same after, is this true or just a 1 off?

cheers

If the HG goes just get the head set gasket kit off Ebay for Â£58ish and one day of your time and its fixed

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:34 pm

there arent that many thing thats go wrong with the coupe, its the same car as the 200/400.

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:39 pm

sweet

so the HG going isnt really a biggy?

Sheaf · Post by **Sheaf** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:17 pm

You cant really say whether it'll be a problem or not.

It's possible it'll be a quick HG swap... however what with the heads being alloy, and the design of the k's water pathways it's quite possible that if the HG goes the head will warp, meaning it'll need to be skimmed.

TBH if I had a K, I'd probably look at how old the water pump and the HG are and get them replaced before either of them go to save any complications when they break... prevention is better than cure.
But, that's just my opinion... I just know a fair few people who have had their K HGs fail and have had to have garages send off the heads etc.

One thing to look for moreso on the coupe is damp in the boot. The vents at the side can let water in when the seals go and end up with pools of water in the boot.

Oh, and you may be suprised about an insurance quote on the 2.0 - when I got my 1.6 coupe the quote for a 220 was only about Â£30 more... I just specifically wanted a higher revving engine

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:46 pm

Hmm

Really want a coupe but the HG issues are putting me off.

zozzie_9t9 · Post by **zozzie_9t9** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:55 pm

Ry_B wrote:Hmm

Really want a coupe but the HG issues are putting me off.

I wouldn't worry too much about that, listen to the advice on hear and go for it... or just get yourself a 620ti

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:15 pm

yea but if it goes then its guna cost a fair bit to put right either way

hmm decisions decisions

Ad^ · Post by **Ad^** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:55 am

its group 14 buddy so will cost the extra. I was also 18 when I bought my Coupe and it was Â£1150 TTFT with RAC with one years no claims!

I personally have a T/reg and anything above an S/reg is a rareity... good luck.

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:30 pm

insurance aint a problem, well it is, but not too much of a problem, mums come in handy

Anyway whats the worst case scenario if the HG does go? what can it take with it? approx price?

ryan_220 · Post by **ryan_220** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:31 pm

http://www.rt2468abcd.r8technology.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=60720

dave_d · Post by **dave_d** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:41 pm

I was given a 214 with a failed HG as the guy was getting charged around Â£550 upwards to sort it and he didnt wanna pay it, I sorted it, MOT'd it and Taxed it for under Â£450!!!

And it was fine after that....The main reason a HG goes is when its allowed to overheat mainly, although other times it can go of its own accord, it happens....But it can also happen to ANY car!

I personlly wouldnt allow it to put you off, as you could buy a different car and the engine blows up! Only time will tell

Best thing to do is buy one, rip the head off, replace gasket, and fit it together again while driving a sh*tter around to tide you over, then that way you dont have to worry about head skimming, or any other possible damages that could of been done

then once its done oyu got yourself a sweet motor!

Post by **Punx0r** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:11 pm

I wouldn't rip a perfectly good engine apart just in case

If it ain't broke...

dave_d · Post by **dave_d** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:52 pm

Yeah but if its not needed at that time then why not

Saves it going on you when you least want it too, sometimes certain bolts and stuff wont undo so it ends up taking you longer to do it, so your car is off the road longer, plus you need to skim the head so you gotta take the head apart

if its not gone on you then all you need to do is change it to the uprated one and its all good

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:22 pm

Where can i find details on the uprated one? And price?

cHeers

dave_d · Post by **dave_d** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:50 pm

Your local motorfactors should have one

I bought the head set for my 214 and it cost me something like Â£90 or so and it came with head bolts, inlet manifold gasket, head gasket, and manifold gasket

They should already be the decent one, mine had land rover company written on it and it was completely different from the original one, but it was for that car as it was the revised and better version

should last longer than the original ones did....I think the main reason these go is the K series engines, and other types of rover engines, run very warm compaired to other engines I have played with

But they are very good engines and are quick for what they are!

Post by **MarkCoupe** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:15 pm

Buy a low mileage one, first thing you do is change the water pump and coolant, look after it and keep an eye on the coolant and you should be ok.

Post by **Punx0r** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 5:13 pm

Does the updated headgasket require the updated crank ladder/oil rail, or is that just something that can be additionally?

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:18 pm

When you say "look after it" what do you mean? Just regular maintenance?

Can the engines actually take a ragging? (Once warmed up obviously) or is that why the head gasket goes?

zozzie_9t9 · Post by **zozzie_9t9** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:16 pm

Ry_B wrote:When you say "look after it" what do you mean? Just regular maintenance?

I'd say that means not ragging it from cold, checking all levels and just generally taking care of it.

HGF does happen with other manufacturer's cars too if they're not looked after!

southside · Post by **southside** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:18 pm

Main thing to do is check the cars history. If its had the headgasket done in the last few thousand miles and its still running ok chances are its been done properly and will last its lifetime. If its been done only a few miles ago be weary. This mite mean the owner has had it done and it "doesnt feel the same" so they're selling up, Or on the other hand if theres no evidence of it being done either stay clear or check the left hand side of the engine block (if your standing from the front of the car) and look if theres oil dripping dwon by the cam cover. Also check to see if theres any signs of dried up coolant down the front of the block (rusty coloured marks) If so they're two tell tail signs the headgasket could be on its way out. Other than Hg issues only other thing to listen out for is noisy gearbox/s in higer mileage cars

Ry_B · Post by **Ry_B** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 11:20 am

Cheers