ATTENTION ALL ROVER 800 OWNERS!!!!

[Squaddiemodo]

As the 600 owners have their own thread, let the big barge boys in on the act.

Lets see how many of us there really are, why did you buy one, why do you like em, and what have you done to, or in them

Squaddiemodo, Vitty Sport Coupé, im in dorset no mods (YET) except decat pipe, which came on the vehicle, i have always loved Big rovers, having grown up with my dad progressing from Austin ambassadors, to SD1s right through the 800 range since they first came out.

My first 800 was a 1992 820 SLi at the age of 19, in black, but that had to be sold due to finances. after a period away i got myself a 1993 Vitesse 180, which i had no end of problems with lol, i them moved onto 'My Ling' a 1990 MK1 sterling in black with TWR body kit. I loved that car, but due to a run of bad luck in her, rachel (my wife) persuaded me to let her go. So i am now the proud owner of a 1998 Vitesse Sport Coupé. mods to follow

[chr15e]

What all of them?

[Squaddiemodo]

If you want lol

[BlueRover]

Let me, let me !!!

Oct 1991 fastback 820i in white. My Dad had this car as a company vehicle and when he had to go PAYE he bought it for himself. When he retired, he got a Hyundai SCoupe and I bought it from him. Still got it and will be back on the road sometime. Then I got an E reg 820Se 8v in white, then a 1992 Si in BRG. Had that until the joint in the fuel pipe near the rear wheelarch started leaking and I couldn't fix it. Now I have a silver 1996 800i (below poverty spec) with 268,720 miles.
They have all been fastbacks.

I want a vitty coupe eventually but would make do with an MG ZT-T 190 for now.

[benno_bro]

1996 Vitesse Sport saloon in flame red. first car i drove after passing was my dads 94' 214SEi and absolutely loved that car (he had it from new, but is a little worse for wear now) and wanted one since that. I inherited a daewoo nexia for a yr but then went looking to buy an sei. In meantime joined this forum....seen the vids of leo's 420 'dumping' then looked, and found out i could insure a tubby so it was decision time between a ti and a vitty. Didn't have the slightest clue what i was buying so bought the vit as it had low miles (44000) havn't looked back since....what a car, i know it's not as quick as the coupe etc..but the comfort fafr outweighs that for me. Only mods are a BCV and a forge DV

enough of my life sorry.......next.....................

[chr15e]

Right, where to start? I'll keep it short and sweet or I'll be here all night.

The 800's I have currently are:

1990 827 Vitesse Manual in black, only had it 3 week's. Been for it's MOT today and failed. Nothing serious being sorted tomorrow.
Lot's of plan's for this.

1991 827 Sterling Manual - Silver over grey. Been my project car but it's been replaced by the above.

1991 827 Sterling Auto - Carribean blue over grey. Had this about 6 months now. 100% original, it's my Sunday car if you like.

1992 825 Diesel - Red. My shed, not much more to be said.

1992 827 Sterling Auto - Carribean blue. Future undecided yet.

1994 827 Sterling Auto - Carribean blue. My pride and joy, had it for 4 years now. Done alsorts to it. It's got late leather and Vitesse sport wheel's on.

1994 827 Coupe Auto - Carribean blue. Was my favourite but it got run into last month whilst in my dad's care. Not too serious but I'm waiting on the insurance. It's got Vitesse sport alloy's on it, that's it really.

1994 827 Coupe Auto - Same as above, bought it as a spares car.

1994 827 Sterling Auto - Fetched it last week. Future undecided yet.

1995 827 Sterling Auto - Tahiti blue. On loan to my mate at the minute, not sure what I'll do with it when I get it back.

1995 827 Sli Auto - Charcoal. My dad's car.

So far I've had 26 800's, not sure why just happened. I plan to keep 5 or 6 for the next few years. I just keep changing my mind which they'll be.

My passion for them stems from my dad he's had 800's on and off since the early 90's and I always wanted one.

Within our household our drive has seen at least 50 800's in the last 10-15 years. I'm in too deep now to get out, makes no sense buying anything else.

[Squaddiemodo]

LOL thats mint

[benno_bro]

Chris...you are a legend

[Squaddiemodo]

He is keepin the dream alive

[chr15e]

Chris...you are a legend

Not what my Mum and Dad says.

[shane25]

well i got a 820 si, this car was my dads for a few years til he went to trade it in and realised he would only get a few quid for it, so he gave it to me, ive had it for about 2 years now, fixed all the usual problems that these get, thanx to this forum
i haven't done many mods (even tho it looks like ive done loads) its lowered 40mm on avo springs, (with spring assistors at the rear) 18" tsw reflex alloys, customized the front grille.
and to come the windows have been tinted, they will be fitted the weekend(pix to follow)




oh yeah squaddie you wanna swap mate lol

[Squaddiemodo]

erm no

[shane25]

dont know unless you ask lol

[Squaddiemodo]

LOL

[benno_bro]

speaking of which....time to update the siggy squad'

[Squaddiemodo]

Once i get the car tomorrow, wait for the new sig

[Punx0r]

Started with my about 3 years ago when my dad bought an 827 sterling in decent nick for £725. At the time I was driving a 1.6 Mk1 mondeo LX which had cost me £750. For a laugh I did myself an insurance quote on the sterling and it cam back almost the same as the mondeo!

In addition to being a bargain in terms of purchase price and insurance I started seeing what makes Rovers good cars. So did some research and decided I wanted an 800 vitesse coupe in nightfire red. Spent about a year looking and waiting to turn 21 for insurance reasons (group 17!) before finally getting one.

I was dead chuffed and loved it until I crashed it Then spent another 6 months finding a replacement, which I got a couple of months ago. Boost gauge went in on monday, GBE valve should be here tomorrow, gearbox is Cookie built. For future mods I've got a pulsar intercooler and some new, oversize O-series pistons sitting indoors. Along with the engine from my old coupe outside to be rebuilt. Also keeping an eye out for a pulsar turbo. Got a spare ECU (from old coupe) ready for a boost cut chip.

Since my dad bought his 800 we've bought, fixed and maintained two more for my aunt and uncle, adopted one and sold it on and my dad has just bought himself a sterling coupe. If a rover turns up in the street the neighbours don't have to ask whose it is

I firmly believe there is a rover for everyone I plan on keeping my 800 for a good long while. I'm tempted by the alfa on my driveway looking for a home, but the clincher is that I can fix pretty much anything that goes wrong with the 800. Spares are cheap and plentiful in the scrappy too.

I went out with the G-tech meter last night and did three runs. The best I got was 8.2sec 0-60 and 16.3sec 1/4mile @ 93mph with the car as standard. I'll try again after fitting the GBE!

[mach1rob]

I had one once

I kind of still own a 800, I have 2 400s so there

[Vitty_Dave]

I'm on my eighth one now, the last two were vitesse's. i have always loved the 800's and always will. My Best m8's dad got one when i was 17, I was hooked then.

We will have to have an 800 meet sometime, the coupe's etc do so why don't we. Any ideas?

[AlexC1981]

I have just had the one. A Vitesse coupe 2.0 turbo. I have had it for a year and a half now. I bought it because nothing else offered the same level of performance and comfort for the price. My previous car was a metro turbo.

It has a GBE boost valve and a K&N replacement panel filter.

Since I need to replace or renovate the bumpers, I am considering colour coding them like the late spec saloons/hatchbacks.

[BrackenFox]

On my fourth Vitesse now, and I'll keep on driving them until they all disappear!

All started when I was little, and my brother (15 years older than me!) came home with a big, golden coloured car with wood, leather, electric everything, computer, and all the things that were just so cool when you're that age!

Yep, it was a nearly brand new Mk 1a Sterling, still remember sitting in it to this day! Since then, my family has had more 800's than I care to remember. My bro had six in the end, before going over to Jaguar, then back to Rover with a 45! My sisters have had a couple between them too.

Anyway, fast forward to a few years back, when I saw a BRG '93 Vitesse Fastback with a few problems (noisy gearbox, slipping clutch) going for 350 quid as spares or repairs. Didn't really take much of a decision, and the rest is history..!

There's just something special about an 800. Can't quite describe it. To me, as a driver, they just feel 'right'. I'm one of those bonkers people who, if I won the lottery, would spend a huge amount on an 800 to get it just perfect! And an Aston to drive while the work on the 800 is getting done, of course. Have to have a day to day workhorse car to take the strain off the 800.

[sidepants]

1999 Vitesse Saloon in Midnight Blue. Absolutely standard on all fronts except for an anti-hijack system and automatic fresh air system (read dodgy central locking and window )

I kinda ended up with it, i was looking for a Ti when i was pointed in the direction of this place, where a few conversations later and some persuading by PunxOr and squaddie i got this one. i was looking for a car to buy to drive to fance in this summer and the vitesse simply has more room, comfort and toys for the journey.

relativly high mileage for the age at 117k but that was reflected in the purchase price. since then i've fixed up most of the bits n pieces that needed sorting with a little help (cheers radders!) and in total it stands me at £1500 including the insurance. can't think of a better value car at the mo.

potentially the plan is to sell it on my return from france and maybe get a Renault 5 GTT but i'm kinda getting attached to it and appreciating the power and comfort (bit of a step up from a standard r5). still feel like i need a special police escort when driving it tho, the size of it is something else and it definatly doesn't like being driven round brum.

however i can live without the petrol costs, they're just offensive!

[Scott]

I had just turned 19, just purchased a 216gti twin cam, and was still looking to pass my test soon (lol)

by chance, whilst helping a mate lay some laminate wood flooring , i logged into ebay to see what was about.

Not knowing anything of cars , or the rover range what so ever, i saw an advert for an 820 turbo 16v, 2 lines of text, 5 small pictures.

Something about the picture just made me have to buy it. I borrowed some cash from my mate, got in touch with the seller and we agreed id buy it outside of ebay (although, with no firm price in mind).

few days later , off to surrey we go, picked up the car for £550. Mot and taxed and in overall very good condition.

Never looked back since.

Joined up to RT, done lots of things to the car since, and will continue to do so.

Given its rarity and 'normalness' at the same time, its definately a keeper.

itll come back better than before.

Plans include:

slight lowering (more for looks than performance)
refurbed alloys (perhaps colour coded)
mucho increase in engine power, namely turbo and management.
full body work preservation/making good any defects.
retro fit some toys from the higher spec models (electric seat frames, climate control, memory mirrors).
and a few choice goodies like a decent alarm, incar pc etc.

[Grawolf]

Right it all started for me a long long time ago when i had a milk round at 14 my mate who i helped his dad owned the dairy

He picked me up in a gold Mk1 sterling and back in 94 it was also about the newest car i had ever been in

Right there and then i vowed i would have one no matter how long it took and thanks to Rachel nagging Chris i do

Mk1 gangster black sterling only waited 12-13 years but its here at last
have been in love with 90-95 Rovers and Hondas just love the shape of them all nearly found love with Maxine (420 Turbo in brg ) she will never be forgotten but its here my one true love the Mk1 sterling
mods to follow none dose it need any

now selling all my other cars and parts
216 sli just gone
216 coupe going
220 coupe going
R100 going
and a garage full of parts for all

when you have a sterling you dont need a bit on the side
Q. Why do i like em
A. is there another car with the long sleek lines of the Mk1 that has the same list of toys
Q. What have i done to it
A. give me chance only just got it
Q. what done in it
A. well all i can say is when the mood comes its straight in the back rather that waiting for elec seats to fold back yes it has been christened

Have lots of plans for this car keep watching

Grawolf Mk1 827 Sterling owner

[malcolm_durant]

Came to mine because I really wanted a SD1 Vitesse but couldn't afford one.

A G-reg manual 827 Vitesse was spiritually similar, no less handsome, cheaper, probably a damn sight more reliable and much more available in 1998...so that's what I got.

Have to say that despite the mega-mileage and the obvious neglect it had received it was a fantastic car...even better when I lowered it and fitted 16" alloys off a 820 Vitesse! Bargedom at it's finest!!!

That one was killed by something big (dust cart I reckon) driving down the off-side when it was parked up at the station. All the off-side panels were damaged, especially the rear wing. Rather than fix it I simply scrapped it and gave the alloys to someone on here.

That was replaced by the current Vit Sport...still standard due to young off-spring eating my cash but needs a new wing, alloys refurbed, lowering and the GBE in the glove-box fitted. Probably more urgently I need to change the drivers's door hinges, get a clutch that doesn't slip and sort the blowing back-box (only 24 months old and genuine Unipart )

Personally think 800's are really underrated cars and excellent value. I'd have another tomorrow (if I had a drive as big as Chr15e's )

Malcolm

[chr15e]

Personally think 800's are really underrated cars and excellent value. I'd have another tomorrow (if I had a drive as big as Chr15e's )

You should see it when it's empty, it look's huge. Never empty though always full of cars.

[malcolm_durant]

Few quickies:

Shane - if you don't mind me asking, how much did your wheels cost (and how much are the 18" tyres)?

Punx0r - when you do your FMIC can you post up some pic's...want to see how you attach it and route the pipework y'see

Cheers!

Malcolm

[naefeart]

I've got a 1999 Vitesse saloon in nightfire red. Only 46K on the clock and in very very good condition. Dad still has an older sport model (he's rOver mad and always has been since his SD1) and I've always like the look of it.

Its very different to my previous cars (BM M3, 330, Evo8), but its so nice to dirve and silly value for money as long as you get a good 'un.

Previous owner had left the car sitting in his garage for a while, so had to spend a couple of pounds on her. Sorted a couple of small oil leaks, changed the cam belt and that was it.

Mods: not much really. New brakes and discs all round, koni suspension kit and motobuild springs. Infact just wating for it to come back from my mechanic to see how it handles.

After that I fancy a new exhaust and some nice new alloys. If the car proves to be reliable, I might sell my current ride and just use the 800.

[The Flying Dutchman]

It started with a V8-S SD1, then to a P5B Saloon which is still in my posession.
Then after looking for a 600 as a daily driver I found out that the 800 was far more cheaper than the 600 and for almost the same driving costs. So I bought my first '95 Nightfire red 820Si. This served me well for two years and then I stumbled over the 2 year younger Charcoal black 820Si that served me also very well for one year now. Still don't regret that the 600's were too expensive at the time.

What have I doen to it? The same colourcoded and stainless steel meshed (Bentley Mulsanne mesh) grill as on Nightfire. Sebring endbox. K&N open filter. Catreplacer.
Clear siderepeaters and soon the 17" VitSport wheels which are now at the powdercoater.

After this? VitSport turbocoupe from Italy.

[Punx0r]

Punx0r - when you do your FMIC can you post up some pic's...want to see how you attach it and route the pipework y'see

Sure thing, probably going to be quite some time though! I've already test fitted it to my old 800. For a big engine bay there is surprisingly little room in front of the rad thanks to the bloody great front crash bar. The only way I could fit it without moving the rad back was to put it in lengthwise (end tanks top and bottom), then it just fits in the gap. Bonus is that more of the core is exposed with the standard bumper. Pipework is a bit lengthy though. Doesn't need the end tanks turning round though. The bonnet catch is retained, but needs sections that curve inwards replacing with a straight section (easy job).

Forgot to say that my car has 285mm brakes. I've not gotten any in it Closest thing was when I slept on the back seats with my quilt after a house party when I was drunk.

The car does get me admiring looks, but mostly from middle-aged men!

[symonh2000]

I have had 5 of them both the rover engined ones were trouble, the honda ones were ok. I won't have another...

[BlueRover]

Closest thing was when I slept on the back seats with my quilt after a house party when I was drunk.

You've raised a point I have often thought about. If you sleep in a car while you are drunk, isn't that classed as being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the limit? I have seen a tv prog where a drunk person was seen to unlock a car to gain access but made no attempt to sit in or indeed start it up and they were arrested for the above offence.

[BrackenFox]

You've raised a point I have often thought about. If you sleep in a car while you are drunk, isn't that classed as being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the limit? I have seen a tv prog where a drunk person was seen to unlock a car to gain access but made no attempt to sit in or indeed start it up and they were arrested for the above offence.

From what I remember, if you have the keys either in the ignition, or in your hand, then they can charge you with being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.

If the keys are stowed in the glove box and you're asleep after a night out, then that's normally okay, although they might tap on the window and scare the living hell out of you.

Um, anyway, back on topic. Rovers! 800s! Raaaawr!

[Punx0r]

Yes, I later realised that I could have been nicked for being drunk in charge as the car was parked on the road. You only need to have access to the keys and be in the vicinity to be guilty. The law is an donkey boy

Sorry to go off topic!