Hi there love these cars, I have owned 800s since 1999 my first being a 1990 G Reg 827Si Auto fastback, that was replaced in 2003 with a 1996 N reg 827 Sterling which I still own, I currently own several 800s all fastbacks as that's my favourite body choice, I have two 827 Vitesse's 89 manual and a 1991 Auto, a 91 827Si Auto, two other Sterling's a 98 & 99 kv6 Autos and a MGZT 190+ Tourer, yeah I subscribed to your channel last night great content, I have just been watching the 827SLi test drive loved that one you said although you weren't sure the 827 puts out 163bhp they actually put out 169bhp some books say 168bhp that is the catalyst versions, if it's a pre catalytic it's 177bhp high compression engine the post have low compression engines, basically the 177bhp ones were designed to run on four star petrol, another thing you made the same mistake I made for years when playing with the heater controls the air con is on when the Econ button is not illuminated and is off when illuminated, I found this out a few years after I bought my 96 Sterling originally ice cold air con driving around all year round just basically adjusting the temperature like when it's winter not realising my air has been on all this time, I decided to have it regassed the chap got it working after a while ice cold again but it didn't last I'd obviously damaged the compressor as it's never work since, so yeah keep the videos coming there great entertainment and to Dan love your car my favourite it's the 827 engine models and followed by the 820 turbo vitesse owned two of those in the past.
@@ProjectNigel same here,had one back in 1999 /2000,light blue hatchback factory spoiler,so much leg room,seats huge and comfortable, the car was mint,always regretted selling it on
A mate of mine had one of these in 1998; a saloon on an F-plate. He blew it up, of course, but its indicated 140mph speed was, for around 20 years afterwards, the fastest I'd travelled in any car.
I do like the 827 it makes me feel happy. I love the noise from there engine's I love the comfort from the seats people always said to me that they where old man car's I guess am an old man then lol. Another great review Captain Mustard 👍
My dad had a brand new company-run Pulsar Silver 820Se Saloon, G295HTX, in 1990. It was the first of the big-bumper XX's (mk1b?) and it was a very quiet, comfortable car, good on petrol IIRC. The interior was no different to this car although it was always very clean. He only had it 2 years, and the only quality fault it had was when I closed the door at one time, the offside front indicator lens dropped off. He doesn't drive now, but he always says it was his best car.
The steering getting heavier as your speed increases is not your imagination. It was called speed regulated power steering and Rover promoted it heavily.
That V6 sounds awesome. Very growly and smooth. What a car. Travel in so much modern, boring stuff on a daily basis. Makes you remember why you love cars in the first place. Modern stuff is so tediously dull. I can't remember ever enjoying a drive in our 2010 Passat! Despite the fact it's a great car, it is completely unmemorable.. 😅
@@ProjectNigel I remember the first day my Dad got it in 2010. A new company car was very exciting usually! But this was a very sad day, marking the end of my childhood and happy times.. 😉😅 As an enthusiast, you know if you like a car in the first 20 seconds and I didn't like it! Was the first of these super-refined no road feel or engine noise cars that are everywhere now! One redeeming feature though, is that the seats are perfectly seaty! You certainly couldn't complain about that! 😉🤣
German cars really do lack that thing that make you want to drive. Stupid when BMW and Audi do so much high performance stuff. British cars manage to be fun without irresponsible behaviour.
Hi, it is idling way too low. Suggest owner checks EICV and or looks for a vacuum leak in the lines going from the manifold to the control box on bulkhead. This is also making the tick tick tick from the tappets worse as the idle is so low it is running on less oil pressure than it should be at idle. Also, check the variable intake mechanism. You can see the metal arms actuating it down under the throttle body. Should stay closest to rad at idle to 3000 then move to a middle position from 3000 to 4000 then move towards bulkhead from 4000 to limiter. The solenoids in the control box sometimes cease up and can easily be repaired with some attention. The system works on vacuum and the solenoids simply open and close to allow vacuum to the actuators.
What sort of mpg does he get on the 2.7ltr auto? I’d like to see a review of a facelift Mk2 Rover 800 Sterling. My brother sold them at a Rover dealership in the late 1990’s & I always recall the executive comfort of the leather interior.
Thank you for your kind review of my steed i think you did it justice but i really need to get the tappets sorted which is evident in the video. You barely opened it up though which was a surprise it will happily upset a few modern BMWs and boy racers who mistake it for an old slow Rover try S4 mode next time its faster than a 75 ;)
Great video, nice to see you reviewing cars now. Exhaust looks like it’s been docked lol 😂 The brakes on mine are similar, not spongy but the front dives on all 800s under heavy braking.
A good review on a nice car. I nearly bought a MK2 Coupe some time ago, but bought a Peugeot 406 instead 😔 But have to disagree on the rear legroom comment. There's lots more room in the back of my 75 😆
I remember rover interior on the 800 was piped leather depending on what colour. Everything was electrical luxurious compared to a range rover. Problem with rover was the electrics and k series engine such a shame I would still buy one...,
We had an awful lot of these cars in the Metropolitan police in the late 80's early 90's (unlike the provincial forces the Met wasn't allowed the choice of the rather awesome Vauxhall Senator 3.0 24v). I have very mixed feelings about them, there where some good bits and some not so good bits. They were let down by Austin Rovers perennially poor build quality particularly on the early 825 cars, the early onset of corrosion and their unreliable Lucas prince of darkness electronics. A real shame because it was very nearly a very good car with an awful lot to like. The Sterling USA export model got off to a great start until the aforementioned issued rather quickly came to light causing a sales crash and market failure. The Americans couldn't understand how a car that was perfectly reliable as a Honda Legend had become such a dog with a Sterling badge on it. A real shame that just like the TR7 they shot themselves in both feet. They had great comfy interiors, where lovely and smooth and could just about hit 140mph. Although I wouldn't want to own one (the running costs and workshop time were very high) I do have some fond memories of them. Happy days. A great review.
Hi there love these cars, I have owned 800s since 1999 my first being a 1990 G Reg 827Si Auto fastback, that was replaced in 2003 with a 1996 N reg 827 Sterling which I still own, I currently own several 800s all fastbacks as that's my favourite body choice, I have two 827 Vitesse's 89 manual and a 1991 Auto, a 91 827Si Auto, two other Sterling's a 98 & 99 kv6 Autos and a MGZT 190+ Tourer, yeah I subscribed to your channel last night great content, I have just been watching the 827SLi test drive loved that one you said although you weren't sure the 827 puts out 163bhp they actually put out 169bhp some books say 168bhp that is the catalyst versions, if it's a pre catalytic it's 177bhp high compression engine the post have low compression engines, basically the 177bhp ones were designed to run on four star petrol, another thing you made the same mistake I made for years when playing with the heater controls the air con is on when the Econ button is not illuminated and is off when illuminated, I found this out a few years after I bought my 96 Sterling originally ice cold air con driving around all year round just basically adjusting the temperature like when it's winter not realising my air has been on all this time, I decided to have it regassed the chap got it working after a while ice cold again but it didn't last I'd obviously damaged the compressor as it's never work since, so yeah keep the videos coming there great entertainment and to Dan love your car my favourite it's the 827 engine models and followed by the 820 turbo vitesse owned two of those in the past.
Thank you 🙂
Dream car right there although red would be good not seen a black one in years.
I like red too. Actually I miss my coupe now. 😅
Ive got a red one aswell the black one is ex met police protection ;)
Great review/video, very nice car,love the 800,great road presence
Yes, I would love to actually have one again 😊
@@ProjectNigel same here,had one back in 1999 /2000,light blue hatchback factory spoiler,so much leg room,seats huge and comfortable, the car was mint,always regretted selling it on
A mate of mine had one of these in 1998; a saloon on an F-plate. He blew it up, of course, but its indicated 140mph speed was, for around 20 years afterwards, the fastest I'd travelled in any car.
Used to work on the 800 line at cowley Oxford until 91 fitting the wheels so this one may of been past me. Great car
I do like the 827 it makes me feel happy. I love the noise from there engine's I love the comfort from the seats people always said to me that they where old man car's I guess am an old man then lol. Another great review Captain Mustard 👍
It made me want one actually 🙂😁
My dad had a brand new company-run Pulsar Silver 820Se Saloon, G295HTX, in 1990. It was the first of the big-bumper XX's (mk1b?) and it was a very quiet, comfortable car, good on petrol IIRC. The interior was no different to this car although it was always very clean. He only had it 2 years, and the only quality fault it had was when I closed the door at one time, the offside front indicator lens dropped off. He doesn't drive now, but he always says it was his best car.
Steering rack is adaptive, so light at low speed, weights up with speed.
I used to own one. Some of that tappet noise can be solved by using a 0w/20 or 30 grade engine oil
I had an S reg 825SLi...loved it
They're proper cars ☺
Go Honda 😜 sounds knackered
Super video 👍👍👍
Had a K reg 827SLi, loved it
The steering getting heavier as your speed increases is not your imagination.
It was called speed regulated power steering and Rover promoted it heavily.
That V6 sounds awesome. Very growly and smooth. What a car. Travel in so much modern, boring stuff on a daily basis. Makes you remember why you love cars in the first place. Modern stuff is so tediously dull. I can't remember ever enjoying a drive in our 2010 Passat! Despite the fact it's a great car, it is completely unmemorable.. 😅
You're spot-on. So many cars aren't bad but they are so uninvolved that you can't even remember driving them
@@ProjectNigel I remember the first day my Dad got it in 2010. A new company car was very exciting usually! But this was a very sad day, marking the end of my childhood and happy times.. 😉😅 As an enthusiast, you know if you like a car in the first 20 seconds and I didn't like it! Was the first of these super-refined no road feel or engine noise cars that are everywhere now! One redeeming feature though, is that the seats are perfectly seaty! You certainly couldn't complain about that! 😉🤣
German cars really do lack that thing that make you want to drive. Stupid when BMW and Audi do so much high performance stuff. British cars manage to be fun without irresponsible behaviour.
Hi, it is idling way too low. Suggest owner checks EICV and or looks for a vacuum leak in the lines going from the manifold to the control box on bulkhead. This is also making the tick tick tick from the tappets worse as the idle is so low it is running on less oil pressure than it should be at idle.
Also, check the variable intake mechanism. You can see the metal arms actuating it down under the throttle body. Should stay closest to rad at idle to 3000 then move to a middle position from 3000 to 4000 then move towards bulkhead from 4000 to limiter. The solenoids in the control box sometimes cease up and can easily be repaired with some attention. The system works on vacuum and the solenoids simply open and close to allow vacuum to the actuators.
What sort of mpg does he get on the 2.7ltr auto? I’d like to see a review of a facelift Mk2 Rover 800 Sterling. My brother sold them at a Rover dealership in the late 1990’s & I always recall the executive comfort of the leather interior.
About 34mpg on a run I believe.
Thank you for your kind review of my steed i think you did it justice but i really need to get the tappets sorted which is evident in the video. You barely opened it up though which was a surprise it will happily upset a few modern BMWs and boy racers who mistake it for an old slow Rover try S4 mode next time its faster than a 75 ;)
I will happily drive it again, buddy 🙂
They were pretty quick. Ive seen police cam footage from one of these tailing someone down the M6 at 145mph.
@@johnj3577 Yup ive had it to 140 a few times abroad.
Had 820 e & 825 sterling 😊
You must have been loaded. My dad just had a 213 F reg.
Great video, nice to see you reviewing cars now. Exhaust looks like it’s been docked lol 😂
The brakes on mine are similar, not spongy but the front dives on all 800s under heavy braking.
Reviews are the way forward I think
Honda and Rover worked together....so why this Motor is great because it is a Hondaengine....and Quality aproved also at that Time.
Surprised you didn't review Dans Vitesse it was much better in my eyes as its got a leather interior and a CD player
I didn't even see it I don't think
ive got a Human League Cassette too lol, must be a rover thing nice video paul :)
I bet you wished to have grown up in the '80s
@@ProjectNigel i bloody do lol, i was born in 2000 sadly. i dont like the majority of my generation haha
I knew it!-🤣
You'd be as old as me then though, and you'd start to regret it 😁
@@ProjectNigel ill be saying the same 20 years on lol
Is it an easy job to change the rear springs on a R75. I found out why I had a creak from the OSR today 😒
I’m glad all my rear suspension stuff was done before I got my car
Springs aren't as big an issue as the rear arms
A good review on a nice car. I nearly bought a MK2 Coupe some time ago, but bought a Peugeot 406 instead 😔 But have to disagree on the rear legroom comment. There's lots more room in the back of my 75 😆
I will certainly be making a big point of that 😁
Plenty of space for your Tony Blackburn boots 😆
I wouldn't leave them on 🤣
@@ProjectNigel hope you've not cleaned him off 😆
I remember rover interior on the 800 was piped leather depending on what colour. Everything was electrical luxurious compared to a range rover. Problem with rover was the electrics and k series engine such a shame I would still buy one...,
Engine sounds nice ...
Veloooor seaty seats 😂
I thought you'd like the vegetarian seats thing best 😁
Sounds abit like a diesel.
Its always tappety from cold i really need to sort that out. Thanks for reminding me :)
Lol thought it was a VM 825 ....still a nice car through credit to you Dan
It didn't sound bad while filming it. My phone picks up the wrong sounds. That wall didn't help though.
@@chrisdawson9537 Thank you :)
I like the Coupé. M.
We had an awful lot of these cars in the Metropolitan police in the late 80's early 90's (unlike the provincial forces the Met wasn't allowed the choice of the rather awesome Vauxhall Senator 3.0 24v). I have very mixed feelings about them, there where some good bits and some not so good bits. They were let down by Austin Rovers perennially poor build quality particularly on the early 825 cars, the early onset of corrosion and their unreliable Lucas prince of darkness electronics. A real shame because it was very nearly a very good car with an awful lot to like. The Sterling USA export model got off to a great start until the aforementioned issued rather quickly came to light causing a sales crash and market failure. The Americans couldn't understand how a car that was perfectly reliable as a Honda Legend had become such a dog with a Sterling badge on it. A real shame that just like the TR7 they shot themselves in both feet. They had great comfy interiors, where lovely and smooth and could just about hit 140mph. Although I wouldn't want to own one (the running costs and workshop time were very high) I do have some fond memories of them. Happy days. A great review.
Indeed the sound when the car kicks down reminds me of a lot of Met police footage from the early 90s 827s were the SD1 replacements.
That cars up for sale on car and classic. £2,500. Bargain