Wolfie's Fastback

[schuwolf]

Well, I've had the 820Si Fastback for just over a year now. The original post and oics are here: http://www.rover800.info/forum/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

It's done about 4600 miles since it came into my ownership, and now stands at about 39700 miles. My impressions of the 800 are that I really like the beast. Perhaps not quite as refined as the Jags I've had, but still a very nice, relaxed and comfortable drive. I'm quite happy, to say the least, with an auto, can't really stand the fluffing about with changing gear in London traffic. People seem to relax into the seats when I carry passengers, the same as with the Jags.

Must say, If I hadn't have bought it I would have regretted it and I would not have had the pleasure of being a member of this forum, with it's splendid bunch of helpful and jolly fine geezers.

Done to date: New battery (prob not neccessary)
New alty
New cam belt and auxillary belt
2 new front tyres
3 new wipers blades
2 new rear indicators bulbs

To do: Repair rear exhaust box and decide on poss new cat and cat back in SS
Respray back bumper (2 tiny spots on it, which I thought would be a touch up, have turned into peeling lacquer. Perhaps a bad repair in the past).
Renew chrome strips in side rubbing strips
Respray back 1/4 panels in satin black
Resolder fuse board
Service
New rear pads (at least 2000 left)
Strip over rear screen needs attention. Cut off ragged edge, seal with black mastic and paint satin black.
Touch up a few minor scratches, clay, polish & wax ready for Bromley Pageant of Motoring, Oh and and valet seats.

All in all, a nice year of motoring and I cannot see meself getting rid of the green meaney in the foreseeable future. It is a shame I don't have the storage room, 'cos I love a couple more, especially a Mk1 Sterlling.

Thanks to all who helped in the past, thanks to the forum for putting up with me, and long live Rover 800 Info

btw, Phil, ring me mate about BPM

[CHR15E]

Must say, If I hadn't have bought it I would have regretted it and I would not have had the pleasure of being a member of this forum, with it's splendid bunch of helpful and jolly fine geezers.

You say all the right things.

Definitely go for a stainless system if you're planning to keep the car a while.

Makes a huge amount of sense long term. You can choose one to suit you as well if you're not after noise.

[Nuts4my827]

Considering a Stainless for mine too.

Not a bad year. Call ya the morrow sire

[schuwolf]

Well, I got fed up with the rattling cat, so I bit the bullet and took it in for a new cat and cat back in stainless:

Sorry about the pics, didn't have a camera when it was up on the ramps







Seems to be a little smoother, and bit more respnsive, but that is probably the new cat.

Lifetime guarantee on the SS exhaust, cost £480.00 all in, bit more than I was expecting, but maybe worthwhile.

[Richard C]

Cracking job Brian, you will not regret buying that, It's a big outlay to begin with but you'll find you get better MPG so it will pay for itself.

[Nuts4my827]

Really nice Branust gt one for mine. Was that from RSR off Roman Way??

Oh, and beers soon PROMISE!!!

[schuwolf]

@ RIchard: hope so lol, it is a nice job

@ Phil: yep, RSR in Factory Lane. Put it on the ramps to show me what was done. He seemed very proud of his work. Beer, defo, am bloody thirsty

[CHR15E]

They are dear unfortunately.

Mine was £415 ish for cat back. That was just supllied though. Fitted it myself. Been on several cars now since purchase.

[BlueRover]

I had a cat back system on the Mk2 I had and that was £250 and completely custom built including the guy making up the silencer boxes from scratch. It's a 2.5" system with a 4" tail pipe. I removed it before the car was towed away and I'm considering fitting it to the Tickford. I know the Tickford is a larger bore but these silencers are more free flowing (you can tell by the noise !).

[CHR15E]

What grade of stainless is it made from?

The only worry will be matching it to the cat on the Tickford. Unlikely it'll fit straight off IMO. You may need to have the mid section altered.

[dead827]

I have a ss system on my latest sterling, it makes a real boy racer noise, Ill load some pic's later.

[schuwolf]

Been a bit of an 'OUCH' week for me.

Main fuse board re-soldered, so now the windows and dash lights work when I want them to.
Had an Auto Electrician test my fob and he said it is working normally, so perhaps the eating of batteries MAY have had something to do with the fuseboard. We shall see.
ABS light started to stay on intermittently, then all the time. I brushed and sprayed the wheel sensors and rings to no avail, so onto a diagnostic test at the Auto Elec's. Fault was duff front off side sensor.
Along to SRS, at Factory Lane for MOT and replacement sensor and full service.
That done they hit me with the bad news. New rear discs, calipers and pads needed. *Groan*
I picked it up this morning, could have got it last night but I was already well into a LARGE brandy & coke!

Costs: to Auto Electric: £144.00
to Garage: £733.13

I guess I could have done most of it myself, but lack of facilities nowadays is a real problem. My total lack of soldering skills renders the fuseboard an highly unlikely job for me.

Was it worth it? Well, to me yes. She has only done 43K, and is in good shape. In fact the garage is always impressed and complimentary about her. And, I like her. Buying anything else could land me with someone else's grief.

I now need to re-furbish the wheels (air leaking a tad on 3).
Couple of minor body bits to attend to, then I'll attack her with a buffer and compound all over, before polish and wax. Sorry, should have said, I'll detail her.

Bromley is approaching, so I need her to shine for that

[mjc9967]

Can point you in a good direction for the wheel refurb, if you want.

What your spending, just look at it as the cost of motoring. You are always going to spend that sort of money, in whatever form. Not a huge outlay in the long run.

[schuwolf]

Thanks Mark, that could be useful. I'll be investigating one I know of, but a good recomend would be good

[mjc9967]

Their website is http://www.wheelrefurbishing.com, the company is called BJV engineering. Comes as cheap as 130quid for all four wheels if off car and without tyres. Worth mentioning to them to seal the wheels well as you already have a leaky one. If they do not seal them well you will end up having beadseal afterwards, which is OK until you come to have new tyres fitted.