Hiya, ive been a long term rover lover, (only 19 but already owned 4, 214 220 623 and a 96 vitesse) and now that I am getting a company van I am looking at an SD1 since I have always really loved them but since they tend to cost quite a bit on petrol (probably and understatement) I havent really been able to consider one, now I am in the position I am actually considering getting one but wondering how difficult they are to run and maintain compare to say a vitesse (newer model) or other 90s cars as this is what has put me off slightly in the past,
Thanks very much

parts for the sd1 are reasonably easy to source rimmers in lincoln being sd1 specialists as for petrol my 2300 straight six does 20 mpg around town and about 33mpg on the run service parts are easy to source ,plugs ,leads.oil and filter are relatively cheap to get hold of and source halfords stock almost anything or your local unipart motor factors should stock most service items hope thats a help to you

really? that sounds much less scary!, I always thought they might be prone to going wrong etc but I suppose its more bodywork issues? I would be getting a 3500, what sort of service things do you have to do that would differ from a slightly more modern car (not just standard coolant watching and oil changes etc) carb tuning ? just as it will become viable for me to own one and I have always wanted one

also how much do you need to spend to get one that doesnt need any 'major' work I.E rusted through, only got around 2k to spend at the moment but obviously it will increase.

If you would really like to own an SD1 then give yourself some time to read all the essays on my website.

They will give you an insight into my trials and tribulations, starting with - my first year of ownership, then the braking system, exhausts, cruise, batteries, lots of Efi stuff, circuit diags, cooling system, fitting spoilers, dampers, the whole 9 yards, but from a purely personal perspective of 15 years of ownership of one particular car plus a number of temporary others.

Then look at the photo gallery and the classic cars photo-shoot images and I guarantee you will definitely want to own one.

Now, as to whether you want to put in the hard graft may depend upon the size of your wallet. 2K would get you a nice example of a normally aspirated car, say a series 1 3.5, or maybe a lesser capacity, but you will need at least twice that to secure a rust free Efi in good order.

However, when you finally get behind the wheel of your Twin Plenum Vitesse, on the open road, and hit the loud pedal, be prepared for the thrill of a lifetime as 200 horses kick you in the ass, make you feel like part of the upholstery and that V8 growls back in gratitude at being let off the leash.

The decision is, I'm afraid, a no brainer!

You might well want to join the other forums for additional advice - see links page on my website - particularly the SD1 Club forum where their archives contain loads more stuff and the club website even more technical material such as headlining repairs, engine overhauls, water leaks - everything you could possibly want.

You can use forum archives here and elsewhere to trawl for subjects and there are lots of wise owls who will help with problem solving on all five forums

Good luck

YOU could do all that mr alban says rich if your mechanically minded and anal about your ride but not all people endear their selves to take the car to pieces although he does make a valid point you only get what you pay for the more you spend the better your ride will be

For me its an endless money hole... But thats only because I want an SD1 which I know is almost like new

I picked mine up to be a daily-ish driver. I dont usually need a car during the week, so it only gets used medium to long distances (because i hate using public transport that doesnt go where i need it to), and usually only at weekends.

i paid £1700 for a C/'85 reg 3.5 VDP with 120something thousand miles on the clock, and it was modified before i bought it (Edelbrock carb/Intake manifold/airfilter). Body is sound-ish (Rusts beginning to come through in places, it leaks in the passenger footwell/sparewheelwell), and the engine pulls fine,. The gearbox exploded about 3 months after i bought it, and that was expensive to put right, the heater doesn't heat, and half the switches work intermittently at best. But i can keep ontop of things like plugs/brake pads/fluids/rubber.

I'm mostly mechanically dyslexic, and lack the tools and equipment needed to look after it, especially bodypanels/welding/wiring. I'm gonna get fleeced for every problem i have with this car, until i can figure out how to do things...

but when those roads straighten up, the sun comes out, and the heavy right foot comes out to play, its worth it!

anhamgrimmar i was tipping my load off in grundons ewelme right next to raf benson on monday if i had known i would have popped in 4 a cup of tea and a look at your car mate ill probably be up there next monday

"mechanically dyslexic" haha great saying , im not terrible and manage to sort most engine problems and do my own spraying etc.

Get one!
I've used my Vitesse every day for a year now, and it's only broke down once.
I have had to do lots of work, but it's all simple, and worth it just to hear the V8 howl.
I get between 20-25mpg daily, depending on how the EFI is feeling.

Just do it, you won't regret it!

GO FOR IT!which ever you choose youll enjoy.Ignore that idiot with black eyebrows and grey hair whittering on about carrier bags,fags and booze/road pricing.You only live once,have your self a nice sd1.I bought mine purely for its noise and grew to love the rest of it later on.Its now in my garage midway through a major resto.I am absolutly itching to drive it again. JJ

You see, I've always fancied a 3500 P6, but their construction complexity in comparison to the more conventionally constructed SD1 has always steered me to the SD1....

Get an SD1 mate....immediately!

My last SD1, my black 2600 VDP was a joy to own and drive, and even though it did let me down a couple of times(like any car, not just a classic), I never regretted buying it. Yes it was heavy on fuel, but that didn't matter when I was behind the wheel!
My Vitesse on the other hand, is turning out to be a bit of a money pit! Have spent the last year restoring it, throwing money at it every month. Was expecting it to be finished & on the road by now, but it's one thing after another.......

chin up chris,i know how you feel but you will get there in the end.After the hard work is done you will enjoy it even more. JJ

Yeah true, it's just a mega ball ache at the moment not having enough cash to finish it & it not running properly....
I know you get these problems with old cars that have been standing for a while & to be honest I have pretty much no idea what I'm doing with the EFI system......