I had 3 Renault 5's within the first year of passing my test....and they were really lame cars! Then my dads workmate told him he was selling his rover so we went to have a look at it. This was in 2004, and it had 48,000 on the clock, which was amazing for a J-reg! We managed to end up paying £400 for it, but I'm sure it was worth more. I absolutely love this car! I still have it today and it benefits me so much as I am in 2 bands, and it's great for carrying gear around in. The only problems I've had with it are the distributor conking out, (got a spare from a scrapyard in Newcastle...), exhaust box falling off, and a non existant disc brake. But that's all over 4 years, and I've almost hit 100,000 miles now. However, the back drivers side door has a HUGE dent in it where I went round a corner in a multi-storey car park and caved it in on a post....adds character I say!
Power, speed, size, cruising
Doesn't hold the road that well, too much space to leave rubbish in (!)
Reviewing a 1992 model.
Bronze colour
Owned for 4 years.
Bought a 216 auto as a 'stand in' car whilst my golf was having work done on it. I paid £100 for the car. That was in 2002, I was so impressed with it that I sold the golf when I got it back - and kept the rover - with a view of 'running it into the ground'. I still have the car, I just get a cheap oil and filter done every 6000 miles or so, when I bought the car it had done 128,000 miles - it is now on 200,000 - I kid you not.. the only problem I have is that it doesnt 'fit in' on the driveway (everyone else seems to have a newer car) but I just laugh and think £100!!! - I dont care about scratches or dents - or if its going to get stolen... Cheap motoring - Bring it on!!!
always have been bad for the old head gasket but on the whole a decent ride just about to buy a 216i cab so hopefully have more luck with this head gasket because the last one i had i changed 7 times in 5 years, i know unbelievable isn't it
Bought a high millage example in early 1995. Car sold when he started to fall about around me in 1997 (with 140000 miles).
Reliability not 100% but I absoluteley love the car.
(Honda) engine fantastic - very fast for a 1600 cc but still could get over 47mpg on a long gentle run. Also sounded very sweet, even when the car was falling apart.
Handling and ride - car stuck to the road like glue. Seats were confortable and didn't sag.
Reaonable roomy - boot not masive but reasonable. Hatchback helped here.
Took car to non Rover dealers so can't comment on costs. But this car was vastly better than the 400 which eventualy replaced it.
43 and just bought my 1st car, Rover 216 GSI auto, and learning to drive it! I've been learning to drive about 20 year on and off, ended up buying a car cos it is the only way I can get enough practice without spending thousands on more lessons! Well impressed and love it to bits. Had to get automatic because I'm having trouble with my left wrist and changing gear was becoming impossible. I'd appreciate any advice on how to get the best out of it! Cheers!
Bought my GSi with 90K on the clock for £350 around a year ago. There was a noticable scraping noise from the clutch / gearbox, the man I bought it off said it was the clutch release bearing (i should have known better). Bought the car, took it to a service centre, new gearbox required! £500 later its a good car, Honda engine has proven reliable, pulls well and always starts first time, would prefer a slightly longer 5th gear ratio (3500 revs at 70 seems a bit excessive, on the plus side it does mean its responsive on the motorway). A few other minor faults have cropped up, needed a new rear wiper motor, new fuel pump relay but for a car thats 13 years old I cant complain. There is noticable wind noise around the door pillars but this is probably due to its boxy design rather than a sealing problem. Bit of a shame about the gearbox but the guy at the garage said "gearboxes break occasionally, thats why we're in business."
THE ROVER 216 GS1 OF 1990 PRODUCTION IS WITHOUT DOUBT A SUPERB CAR. YES IT MAY LOOK A LITTLE DATED NOW IN COMPARISION TO THE MORE ROUNDED FORMS OF CURRENT AND EQUIVALENT CARS OF 2003. HOWEVER THE 216 GSI HAS THE HONDA ENGINE, GEARBOX, AND INTERIOR AND BODY PARTS. THE RESULT IS SUPREME RELIABILITY BUT THIS IS DOWN TO REGULAR METICULOUS SERVICING, MEANING ENGINE AND OIL FILTER CHANGES WITHOUT FAIL TWICE ANNUALY, WHATEVER THE MILEAGE COVERED. ALSO GEARBOX OIL SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY 2 YEARS, AGAIN REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IS THE CAM BELT OR TIMING BELT RENEWAL. THIS MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 6 YEARS, OR 60,000 MILES WHICH EVER COMES FIRST, ALONG WITH ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING DRIVE BELTS, THESE DO WEAR AND CRACK AFTER 3 YEARS OR SO.
WEAK POINTS.
THE REAR SILENCER BOX ONLY LAST 2/3 YEARS, SO A GOOD QUALITY ONE WITH A WARRANTY IS ESSENTIAL. REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS SEEM TO LAST ONLY 3/4 MONTHS.THE DRIVE SHAFTS AND GAITERS ARE BRITISH MADE, AND OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE IS CHECKING REGULARLY THE CONDITION OF THE OUTER GAITERS. I HAVE REPLACED MINE THREE TIMES IN 14 YEARS, AND ALSO 2 OUTER CV JOINTS. HAVING OWNED MY 216 GSI FROM NEW SINCE APRIL 1990, IT HAS SUFFERED ONLY 1 FAILURE, THE IGNITION IGNITER MODULE,AFTER 5 YEARS SERVICE. IT IS EASILY PURCHASED FOR £25 FROM A HONDA DEALERSHIP, AND SIMPLE TO FIT YOURSELF. ROVER WILL ONLY SUPPLY A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT DISTRIBUTOR UNIT FOR £300 PLUS! HAVING COVERED 113,000 MILES TO DATE THE REAR SPOILER HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT DAMAGE, AND THE FRONT PLASTIC GRILL ASSEMBLEY AND PLASTIC FINISHING STRIPS BENEATH BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE HAD THE TOP COAT LACQUER BUBBLE. THE REAR BOTTOM OF THE REAR WHEEL ARCHES, WHERE THEY JOIN THE SILL SECTION ARE PRONE TO LIGHT CORROSION, PEEL AWAY THE PLASTIC FINISHING/PROTECTION STRIP AND INSPECT. A GOOD DOSE OF DINITROL/ FINIGANS ANTI RUST WAX IN ALL DOOR SILLS, 'A' PILLARS, BONNET FLANGES, ETC REALLY DOES WORK. FINALLY THE SUNROOF RUBBERS CAN CAUSE STICKING, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE WHOLE GLASS ASSEMBLEY IS THE ONLY OPTION HERE, THEY ARE NOT SOLD SEPERATELY.
THIS IS A CAR THAT WILL COVER IN EXCESS OF 300,OOO MILES IF SERVICED REGULARLY, AND DRIVEN WITH CARE. A GREAT PRODUCT FROM ROVER/HONDA. HONDA ENGINES ARE RENOWNED FOR OUTSTANDING QUALITY, AND PERFORMANCE.
POINTS OF INTEREST.
MY 216 GSI RETURNS A CONSISTENT 45MPG PLUS, CONSUMES NO OIL AT ALL BETWEEN CHANGES, AND HAS HAD 1 CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. BOSCH MULTI ELECTRODES SPARK PLUGS WORK WELL, AS DOES A DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR ARM CHANGE EVERY 5 YEARS. THE FUEL MIXTURE SETTINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN TOUCHED OR ADJUSTED SINCE 1990, AND THE CAR PASSES IT'S MOT EVERY TIME. ONLY 1 SET OF DISC PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SINCE PURCHASE.
I have owned my Rover 216 GSI for three years never serviced it have booted fuck out of it its done 135000+ miles. I use it to go from central scotland to wales and folkstone regular and it has never let me down.I only paid 500 pounds and it has more than paid for its self. it has never failed an mot or broke down.Honda engines are simply the best
Owned for 3 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2004.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
I own a Rover 216GSI.. paid £100 4 years ago..The timing belt tensioner collapsed before i brought it and i replaced the head from an engine of equal milage.. it has now done 169000 and it dont burn oil ore use water...in fact i have never had to top it up between oil changes. It is still a very clean looking car and the back box gained a hole yesterday. It has a crack in the windscreen now but it still lives on. ive never been 1 to look after cars to any great degree so the fact ive never had to spend a penny on it except wear an tear kinda things.. And to top it all off i recon its the best car ive ever had..and ive had some good cars let me tell ya. Buy 1 people...they are good fun cars..and very very fast. Be good people
Never owned
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed November 2003.
Performance
Reliability
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Overall Value for Money
i owned one about 6 years ago,the pull away is fantastic!The cruise is fantastic!Overall,Its fantastic!I did lower mine though,new exhaust,new plugs(bosh super 4`s)and as i was working at a tyre center,the best in camber ajustment.It was a "FAT"GSI
I have recently bought my rover gsi for £400,being a '91 model Was quite pleased with my purchase but after a few hundred miles the engine started missing on various cylinders,was quite anoyed when was told by the mechanic who had serviced it from new that it was probably an electrical problem most likely down to the fuel management system and should put it on the computer to find out the problem before he would do any work on it,at a cost of £60 before any work was done I may add I took it upon myself to replace the spark plugs which to be frank were in such a condition that im suprised the car ran at all.Now the car is runing very smooth have managed 120+ out of it and have have an extra third mpg,don't trust mechanics trust how you feel the the car is running or your'l regret it financially!
Owned for 3 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed September 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
GREAT CAR. honda engine only sips fuel
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed September 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
Sir,
you can always align the damn tires. That is why they wear in the inside, the only reason. Rover 216 is great car
D
Never owned
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
I have a 216 gsi 1990& I have never seen a wierd car like this one!The rear tyres keep on wearing badly on the inside only,Does any one know the remedy?&As for fuel consumption it is a slut!
Owned for 1 year.
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