Just to inform the discussion, here is some more information about the car.
Model: 2002 75 2.5 KV6 Connoisseur SE
Reg: HS02 SVG
Colour: White Gold
Mileage: 94,000 miles
MOT: 1 year from yesterday (14th July 2025)
Bodywork condition: almost mint, with no significant corrosion anywhere, including the rear sills.
Interior condition: almost mint, except some of the cloth covering on the door cards has come unstuck. Minor wear marks to the leather. The driver's door kick plate is loose, but I'll fix that.
Recent works: two new front springs; one new inner drive shaft CV joint; one new front suspension arm; a new windscreen; a replacement (second-hand) radiator fan; a new condenser and drier; bonnet release catches dismantled, cleaned, lubricated, and new cables fitted. Cable ties fitted to the cable splitter. New VIS
(Variable Intake System) motors fitted and the balance flap freed up. New exhaust backbox (Rimmers "original equipment quality") fitted. The joints were bodged with too much paste, although they don't leak. Ideally they would be remade with proper adapter collars. Or ignore it because it still works fine.
Mechanical condition and concerns:
a/
It is overdue for a new cambelt (in years, but not in miles)
b/ There is some sort of rattly buzz at certain engine speeds - I think it might be from the exhaust, but also possibility from the flaps inside the inlet manifold?
c/ The aircon works but there is sometimes a pause of a few minutes before it kicks in after switching it on. Some kind of sensor?
d/ The aircon pump is one of the "droners". The drone varies in pitch with engine speed and appears to come from the evaporator behind the console. These pumps were also used on the BMW 3-series from the same era, and BMW issued an advisory note about it, asking BMW garages not to fit a new pump as it won't cure the drone. Rather, BMW produced a metal collar which fitted round one of the pipes and was supposed to dampen the vibrations which were travelling along the pipe to the evaporator. The collar is no longer in stock. Rover never issued a similar advisory or a fix. It's not a big deal, but you can definitely hear it.
e/ Someone has commented that the steering feels rather heavy, although I hadn't noticed it myself. The power steering definitely works, but perhaps there is a valve or something that determines the degree of assistance?
f/ There is the all-too-common seepage from the thermostat housing, which is slight but definitely there.
Before I had my life-changing news I had a plan to prepare a replacement plastic intake manifold section by opening one up, removing the six power flaps and rods, and sealing it up again. The balance flap would remain, because it is easy to maintain. The idea is to get rid of the rattle associated with the valves when the actuator joints have worn.
To that end two forum members kindly sent me a couple of the plastic manifold sections for experimentation. I don't want to proceed with that now, so they will be included with the car. I hope they will be kept - once thrown away they are gone forever.
That's it! Obviously happy to answer any questions, and especially would appreciate advice on how to keep this car alive and in use.
