Mk.1 vs. Mk.2 Rover 45 - which is best?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Another direct comparison between two similar cars. You would expect the mk.2 to be better but is it?
Support the channel to keep these videos coming!
Donations via PayPal always welcome: prsaywood@gmail.com
Facebook: / nogin.saywood
My British car Facebook group: www.facebook.c...
I only prefer the MK2 ZR and ZS as they suit the facelift much better than the Rovers do and the more modern dash looks much nicer (just don’t touch it 😅).
But our old MK1 ZS180 was definitely much better built than my MK2 ZR but I’m working my way through upgrading the ZR interior to be a much nicer place to be and the best of both worlds with the better looks and nicer quality.
It's the kind thing many are already doing. Me included.
I agree, the revised front end wasnt right and looked cheap .
The new modern 45 was made to appeal to a younger audience since the previous model was associated with old washed out cars made for people in their 60s who want a cheap car that looks "executive".
if you want one of these ALLWAYS go for the higher quality 400 models over the 45's (BMW wanted to cut the cost of the 400 hence the 45) the MK1 45s are ok the MK2 45s are to be avoided poor quality materials bad paint work crap electrics and alarms shame as they dont look to bad but shite realy, stick to the 400s
I just hate everything about Rover 45 face-lift , it's just screams cheap and nasty 😫
That's pretty blunt 😅
Mk1 is the best, the mk2 was a product of project drive and everything that went missing that made them look and feel cheap
The early 45s are absolutely incredible, especially the first off the line, but god it went downhill with project drive. Been lucky to have several of both, but a good example of either are a pleasure to own.
Exactly, my car and the 400 feel quire special
I've got a 2002 model. Saloon 1.8 connoisseur
Project Drive down the cost so the cars fall apart. I know money was tight at MG Rover but they cheapened the cars and then hoped to attract buyers instead of remaining high quality and affordable luxury.
Exactly
Who’s back here in April 23? 😂
You are 😄
I must admit I'm a big fan of both, to me it's such a shame the Mk2 wasn't up to the same level of quality. While I dont prefer the facelift I do think they did a good job with it.
The Mk1s level of quality never was matched though, it feels like a sister car to the e46 compact. An early Connoisseur saloon feels more like a rival to the X-Type.
The Mk2 is still dramatically better built than the equivalent Ford/Vauxhall, but it's not the same. It just doesn't feel like a premium car.
What I will say is that I think a post project drive Mk1 (Mk1.5?) is worse than a Mk2. The exterior is fine but the cheaper plastics with the old style interior is awful. The "wood" doesn't come from the finest plastic wood trees. It looks like what you'd find on a 1970s Atari. And the center console being beige regardless of the seat colour looks very odd.
I need another 45, it's been too long! I'm just hooked on MG Fs at the moment! Just aquired a purple Mk1 VVC, I'm very exited about collecting that!
I have certainly noticed that, but the mk2 dash it basically a wheely bin
@@ProjectNigel Agreed, it would be a fine divider in a Cadbury Box of Milk. Not so good as a dashboard. Aesthetically though it's an upgrade over the Mk1.5, just not even close to as nice as the Mk1.
Welcome to the Great British Car Design Off. The show in which two teams are given the same car with all the plastic and baubley stuff removed and given a plastic making machine and some pens and paper and compete to design the best looking car. Today our teams will be working on the Rover 45, both will have the basic metal structure but will be able to design and fit their own bumpers, lights, interior, badges and trims and stuff. Let's meet the teams. With the blue car we have a team of educated, trained designers, people who have studied not just car design, but design in all its forms. They have studied and worked in Turin, LA, France and the UK and have a back catalogue of well proportioned, understated and elegant cars to draw from. And facing off against them with the grey car we have Kev, a man who left a business studies foundation course at Lincoln Poly half way through because he got his girlfriend pregnant and who's back catalogue includes a Citroen Saxo project where he blew all the Halfords vouchers his nan gave him for his birthday on universal stick on styling enhancements and a bathroom reverb that cost thousands when he needed to get a professional to put everything back as it was. Kev has prepared for today's challenge by getting more Halfords vouchers and having 10 pints and a curry last night. They have two days to design the perfect Rover 45.
😁
🤣🤣
I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like Project Drive did for Rovers generally. The whole range was made cheap and tacky, but then I feel like Phoenix Group was an exercise in asset stripping more than anything else, so it shouldn't be a surprise, I suppose.
Exactly
When I worked at in production planning Rover my mate thought he had upgraded his early HHR to a project 45 drive one. He kept his HHR for his wife. He was well disappointed with the 45 drive one and moaned about the same stuff to me whilst sat in it in the works car park. The one I couldn’t get over was the glove box, his old one was plush and dampened beautifully, the new one was a joke, so cheap and poor quality. It was very sad to witness all these cost cuttings.
Ah yes what a disappointment
A very handsome pair of cars those 45's. Happy Chrismas to you and your family.
Thank you
I, erm, kinda prefer the rear of the face-lift ones.
I don't understand how that's possible 😅
Mark 1 was a far better built car mark 2 was rubbish pure rubbish
Well it was behind the competition rather than in front.
@@ProjectNigel id a 2000 45 and a 2002 zs and a very late 2005 45 even the seats felt cheap she was a 1.4 it lost powet when u went to take over and the dealer was no good the old 400 felt more in time in the mid 90s the should have kept honda engines even to be a generation behind in tech people would have bought them still in nos to they be reliable the head gasket joke killed rover as a go to car
lol cheap and nasty.
😄
Better than a Hyundai
Maybe...
Hi Nigel! Thanks for your video. I have found here in Greece a 110k km 1.6 Rover 45 2005. What should i worry? The problem with the head gasket?
You forgot to mention the rubbish electrics and nightmare key fobs on the facelift cars
Absolutely the earlier Lucas electric’s better quality and reliability.
Yes I should have talked about as well.
wasn't that introduced before the MK2 in 2003? They are a complete nightmare, if the relays were reliable then it would be a much better system being a much higher Thatcham rating than the old Lucas system.
@Usually Fixing & Tinkering on some 25/ zr cars
My mk1 Rover 45 diesel may 2004 runs a lucas system.
@@chrisdawson9537 ah I've learnt something new!
Watched again because Mustard told us too :)
Thank you 😄
Love both of my mk2 45's although the HG went in the grey gsi the other day and the BCU needs fixing so it's goong to be a parts car for the firefrost red one I bought for £50 at the start of the month. Both 1.6's but the red one has 135 cams, vvc inlet manifold, ported inlet side of the head to match the vvc inlet, kmaps ECU, strut brace, lowering springs and shocks, a stainless exhaust and a few other bits to go with it. If they had kept the quality of the PPD MK1 and the pre face bootlids they would've been onto a winner. Although I will say, the bootlid doesn't look quite as bad on a hatch.
Agree entirely! Mk 1 booted and hatchback looked timeless and elegant - still look good.
Only the upholstery let it down.
No doubt the earlier range of models were better built but also consider the mindset of the workforce, the enthusiasm and excitement of the earlier teams in building the range and wanting the Rover product’s to be successful and have a bright future. When “Project Drive” came you can imagine the uncertainty and apprehension of the guys screwing them together this makes a difference to the finished product it filter’s through just look at the later quality of Leyland cars compared to earlier Austin,Morris,Triumph etc.
That's a very good point.
This is crazy when you think about it.
Rather than just get on with your job doing it as you should (and had been doing), you carry the weight of the company on your shoulders and screw a half-ass product which isn't a patch on the competitors and gives the company an even worse name. 🤣
What a downward spiral.
I guess the phrase/mantra "keep calm and carry on" hadn't been invented yet.
Very sad, as this attitude killed the whole British motor industry, not just Rover.
The mindset and enthusiasm of the workforce hmmm
I personally prefer the mk 2 that's why I have one
I know some prefer the looks
@@ProjectNigel have you ever had a metallic sprit s 45
The last version of the 45 was rubbish , thank you for clearing this out. Always wondered how was the interior quality, looks miserable. Suppose you have different rattling noises on the last version too.
Am I alone liking the facelift 45 and badge 🙈 interior isn't as nice though I admit
Yes you might be alone with that 😅
@@ProjectNigel 🙈😆
I’m in France and I just checked, there are quite a few mark one’s on sale for around 1000 euros or less. All with dodgy somethings or others.
I’m no mechanic but it’d be nice to save one of them, or even convert to electric.
Mark one was so much better, i had the 2.0 litre auto which i would have another tomorrow if i could find a low mileage one.
The biggest issue and reason it didnt sell is the fact that its a old honda civic from many years ago. The 45 should of been a brand new car, new platform etc but it had to make do with an aging civic.
04 must have been the changeover year, because I have the last of the series 1 on an 04 plate.
The styling changes were to make the Mk2 ZS 180 look like a 4 door MG SV ( if you squint). The Rover 45 was the victim not the beneficiary. I like my Mk2 ZS but the Mk1 is the better 45.
Very interesting point
The mk1 looks better, the project drive looks as ugly as sin
Regarding the 45 for me the ideal car would be a MK2 exterior and a MK1 interior with MK1 ZS half leather seats. 🚗
Interesting thought
I'd agree, parking sensors/cameras do change how you park, never mind these self parking gadgets... 🤣
Happy Christmas to you all
I am happy without them
In the latter years what sold the best, 45 saloon or hatch, MG zs saloon or hatch?
I have to agree, the early 45 is a better looking car. I do think the facelift ZS works better than the earlier car though.
Even the boot?
I agree with you am big fan of the early rover 45. I had the 4 of them newest one I had was a 53 plate. My L series had parking sensors lol. It was a 2001
Special order parking sensors I guess
When the later 45 rear end was revealed I was horrified. I think I still am.
Me too!
Paul you said what i was thinking ‘max power’
Yep 😄
I have to agree with you that the early 45 is better than the last 45.
I do like ultrasonic parking assist as most have terrible rear visibility and they help when backing up. I'm now of an age that I hate turning my head, I rely on outside mirrors too much, and do like modern safety features.
That being said, I do like a good classic and Rover is one of them!
Maybe I was a bit mean on parking skills then 😄
@@ProjectNigel Nah, you were telling a bit of the truth! I would rather you remain unfiltered; meaning, being quite blunt.
Very nice comparison Nigel !
I had the old one like yours & I'm so glad I managed to purchase it.. It has an excellent quality of materials & feeling..
Certainly it's a better car than the new one..
My money 🤑💰 is on the 2000 Car. The '04 Car IS OBVIOUSLY CHEEP. "Like a Sperm Whale 🐳🐋 eating a Sandwich 🥪😋." Lol 😆. 🚗🚗🚗🚗🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Yeah, that is an unusual observation 😁
Mk1 always looked nicer imo
The back end of that newer one....... What were they thinking? The advert might have been, "Shakin' that Arse!" I totally agree with your opinions, the older car has class.
Someone must like it! 🤣
Nice! I like the front of the Mk2, but that slabby boot lid pressing really puts me off the re-style.
So you can only half like it 😄
Great review, very interesting comparison, Nice colour face-lift 45. Your neighbours cockerel has gone quiet for christmas
Yes it suits grey. I haven't heard cocky for a few days actually
Perhaps the shops have sold out of Turkeys!
@@ProjectNigel we had a cockerel dumped in our garden, we called him Russel, happy little chap, unfortunately the Fox eventually got him
I think Rhonda should donate it's ZS panels to the grey 45, at least they'd match on that one! 😁
I know! 🤣
@@ProjectNigel Just saying in case anyone is interested, you know...
I'd have either Captain. :)
As long ad it's not both
I’m
Glad you did the glove box test.
When I went to the show room to look at a 45 new I nearly tore it out of the dash it was so flimsy. Yogurt pot grade.
Yogurt pot grade. Now that is mean! 😄
Great video. Totally agree with everything you pointed out. The one thing that really does do my head in is the removal of the boot lock. I'd love a well-sorted 45 or 75 saloon (or preferably both) but refuse to consider a Project Drive car for that very reason.
Another thing I forgot to mention was the boot release, but it's not so much of a problem with the saloon as it pops up whereas the doesn't.
I've learnt so much because of this channel and from my own channel project (a 54 plate Connosieur 1.8 CVT) and I don't think anyone would argue that the MK1 is the better car in terms of quality, in terms of its looks it was classy but very dated by 2004 and seriously needed a rethink. Rover could have done a classy modern uplift but they had pennies to do so and because Honda wasn't making the dashboards anymore, another headache! In my opinion what they did was actually pretty clever at the front, the headlight design is very much of its time (look at BMW models from mid 2000's) and getting rid of the chrome strips made the car look a little less busy and a little less your grandpa pipes and slippers motor. At the rear I agree, they went too far and the layout looks plain and unidentifiable as a Rover (until you can read the huge letters). My real gripe with the exterior (aside from door handles made of cheese) is the badges, stickers which loose their colour!
The interior quality is appalling as I've been finding out, the door cards are more saggy than a balloon, the vents are made of paper, the passenger dash air bag goes all wavy, the carpet is something I'd expect in a Ford and the centre console never lines up against the dashboard properly before and after removal. The dash is actually a nice redesign (given the short time they had to come up with the new one) but the plastic is so poor it kicks any positivity into touch. The leather seats are more comfortable than most cars I've sat in, makes me think the earlier seats must have been extremely comfortable!
Suspension wise they deleted the rear anti-roll bar...why?!
The hatch Connosieur lacks heated seats, headlamp washers and front fog lights. You got these on the Saloon. Was this the only way they could convince customers to have the Saloon - a few blanking buttons!
I agree with the ultrasonic parking sensors and low coolant level warning (came far too late!).
Paul I thought the drivers engine mount was fitted to MK1's as well but only the 1.8 models?
An awful lot of good points there. I didn't know they removed the ARB though, I thought that was just on the 75
@@ProjectNigel Well I was wire brushing the rear suspension recently and I thought this is a real simple set-up and then I thought where's the ARB? Then I looked at photos of earlier 45s and they have them! Then I looked at an old project drive forum, ARB deletion on 45 and 75 from around 2003/2004.
I'm at the point of installing the head after many jobs cropping up. All the common ones including a suspect Pektron unit! I can't wait to drive the thing, despite its shortcomings it just makes me more determined for the car. I think this video highlights that I am giving love to the poor relation, the one who people try not to spend too much time with. I've caught the bug thanks to this channel :D
Mgrover did try to keep the cars current. They did add some modern tech. Which maybe brings its own quality issues.
The styling especially on the MK2 zs was excellent.
Rear end never looked right on the MK2.
The project drive and MK2 quality drop was unforgivable. Late cars seem to have less corrosion protection.
2003 onwards benefited from sharper steering and stiffer suspension. Much better to drive. Also the MK2 diesel has a noticeable power hike.
I drive a 1999 420!
Agree if rovers had all been off the MK2 quality I probably wouldn't have got into them.
Wonderful channel. Only recently discovered it. Great work.
'Gormless!' Yes, that's the precise word for the later 45 rear end! 😀 I wonder if that word was used in the design brief - if indeed one existed! Especially in grey, the impression of 'whale' is also pertinent! 🐋
No doubt the classy Rover parcel-shelf hat would have also been replaced by a baseball cap 😄
You're properly intune to how I think 😆
Well done
I remember being at the NEC in '04 when the facelift cars were launched. I really liked the front end changes on the 45 & ZS, but the rear (5Dr especially) just looked cheap & Korean (of that era, not now).
I had a V reg 416iE bought at auction 4 years old for £1000. No kidding. Really nice car. Used it as a mini cab for six months and sold it for £1500. Those were the days.
fully Agree
You already know my thoughts!
I do actually 😄
would the mk1 bumper and boot fit on the mk2 that would improve that wide nothingness space
i had a 45 ixs "W" reg,same colour which also had the boot spoiler and leather interior!lovely car which i traded in a 214 sli for.Loved both but got the usual "old man cars" comments from mates.Ended up trading the 45 in for a KA of all things for my mrs! I'm with you the mk1 far superior for me!good vid.
Mk1 biutiful mi 2 mk1❤
Ja mam 620 sdi fv 1996
merry xmas .
😄
Have a 2001 45 hatch and it's lovely.
Different engine mount probably down to move to IB5 rather than R65. The IB5 drivetrain sits further forward in the engine bay.
Good point
Both engine mounts are identical to the ones fitted on my 1.8 CVT, so assuming on these that the engine sits further forward hence the standardisation for both drivetrains