Following the death of my ZX, I've found a couple of potential replacements this weekend. One is a Rover 420 SDI, and the other the 306 XRD which I have a couple of questions about.
1) It's normally aspirated diesel. How many MPG should I expect (90% of use is m-way).
2) Any HGF issues with the 306 engine in normally aspirated form? (This is what killed the ZX at 120k)
3) Given the choice, would you buy a 306 or a Rover 420 SDI?
4) Is 120k a big mileage for the NA diesel?
The car is up for a grand. It's called the 'Select' limited edition, which is a dark metallic red 4 door, has the D-Turbo alloys, colour coded bumpers and a velour interior. Exterior condition is very good, interior good too. The car has done 120k and has a load of history. There's a similar one on ebay buy-it-now at £950, and a couple in the trader at £1500 and £1999 with similar mileages. How does the car sound?
Thanks for your help,
Phil.
306 XRD - Should I buy it?
Moderator: RichardW
-
- Posts: 803
- Joined: 31 Oct 2001, 02:36
- Location: South Bucks
- My Cars:
I'm not sure about price but I would much sooner have the Pug over the Rover just for the ride/handling.
I would imagine that MPG wise you could expect 50+ if you don't exceed 70 MPH.
I understand that head gaskets are not much of an issue on non turbos, and at 120K miles, provided it has been serviced correctly, it has just been run in. I would expect at least 250K miles out of that engine.
I would imagine that MPG wise you could expect 50+ if you don't exceed 70 MPH.
I understand that head gaskets are not much of an issue on non turbos, and at 120K miles, provided it has been serviced correctly, it has just been run in. I would expect at least 250K miles out of that engine.
-
- Posts: 78
- Joined: 22 May 2004, 23:42
- Location:
- My Cars:
Basically it's the same car as the NA ZX with the same problems and the same good points. Having driven both, the ZX is a bit faster (I think it's a bit lighter). MPG never drops below 43 when mercilessly thrashed, best ever was 63mpg at 60-70.
Heater matrix, head gaskets and front calipers can give problems, but get a good one, keep changing the oil and filters, do the coolant changes and you'll have an excellent car.
You *will* hate it though, after having the TD, but they do respond well to an Italian tunp-up.
Heater matrix, head gaskets and front calipers can give problems, but get a good one, keep changing the oil and filters, do the coolant changes and you'll have an excellent car.
You *will* hate it though, after having the TD, but they do respond well to an Italian tunp-up.
I agree with the above - definitely the 306! In terms of performance, although the N/A diesel hasn't got the power of the blown variety, what power there is comes in very smoothly with less peakyness and can make for a more relaxing motorway machine. I'll be very surprised if you get less than 50 mpg however you drive it.
Ron
Ron
-
- Posts: 78
- Joined: 22 May 2004, 23:42
- Location:
- My Cars:
- Kowalski
- Posts: 2557
- Joined: 15 Oct 2003, 17:41
- Location: North East, United Kingdom
- My Cars: Ex 05 C5 2.0 HDI Exclusive 145k
Ex 97 Xantia 1.9TD SX 144k
Ex 94 Xantia Dimension 1.9TD 199k
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by rotodiesel</i>
Make a very careful check on the engine code - some XUD engines were prone to breaking con rods at highish mileages, but only some build codes were affected.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
The XUDs which suffered from breaking con rods were turbo diesels which were fitted with non-turbo con rods, the non-turbo con rods aren't as strong / heavy as the turbo ones.
Make a very careful check on the engine code - some XUD engines were prone to breaking con rods at highish mileages, but only some build codes were affected.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
The XUDs which suffered from breaking con rods were turbo diesels which were fitted with non-turbo con rods, the non-turbo con rods aren't as strong / heavy as the turbo ones.
Well I didn't buy it. Saw it late Saturday and decided to sleep on it (and ask questions here) and go back and have a proper look in deecent daylight Sunday morning. I got there and gave it a proper once over. The oil was at minimum on the stick and the header tank was totally empty. I decided that was enough to show that it had been neglected so I'd move on and look for something else. I did take it for a quick spin though. It was woefully slow [xx(] I think it's got to be a turbo.
Phil.
Phil.
Turbo anyday!I had a brand new Rover 200 in 1999,with the 2.0 td engine.105 bhp(some had 86bhp,but not the 400 i think).I liked the car very much.Plenty of power,done 50mpg+,no problems at all in 2 yrs of ownership.The engine was more noisey than my current Xantia,but performance was great.
Depends on your own prefference`s.
Depends on your own prefference`s.
Personally, I'd go for the Rover...
The Rover 400 is basically a Honda Civic, and the L-Series Diesel engine is bullit proof..... It's better than the older 1.9D engines, but if you can stretch to the HDi... then the Pug gets my vote....
If you want any info at all on Rovers / Mg's let me know, and I can answer anything you need......
Regards
Stuart
The Rover 400 is basically a Honda Civic, and the L-Series Diesel engine is bullit proof..... It's better than the older 1.9D engines, but if you can stretch to the HDi... then the Pug gets my vote....
If you want any info at all on Rovers / Mg's let me know, and I can answer anything you need......
Regards
Stuart