2003 Rover 45 V6 Connoisseur Goes for a Drive 

I wish cars were still like this. Sleek saloon body work, glorious v6 sound tracks and no massive colour screens. Damn the 90s and 00s were great.

A Rover connoisseur in a Rover Connoisseur. Now that’s meta.

Such a shame that rover went out of buisness

Rover 45 was pretty old when it was launched but at least it had more class over the Golf/Astra/Focus/Escort. That bent 6 set it apart from the crowd.

You see back in the day I thought these were not too great looking but now I think it looks better with age! Another great review, keep ‘em coming!

I think Rover should have stuck with Honda. Rover’s heritage with Honda’s reliability is a win win.

What a cracking car! Always liked Rover, but in Denmark they were quite rare, back in the days (they clearly still are 😉) 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 GREAT review, as always !

Now *that’s* what I call some Furious Driving! 😁 Nice one Matt. I had a 54-plate facelift Club SE, nice car to drive but by that time the quality was dreadful. The post-facelift dash didn’t even marry up to the door cards, and you could fit a biro in the panel gaps. Still, it cost £3,000 and lasted me 7 years! Nice review, that V6 soundtrack is amazing. And I recognise those alloys...!

I have the ZS v6. Very underated car. Would be interesting to experience the difference between the 2 cars. Any interest in reviewing a ZS?

V6 redline sounds.. now that is what I am talking about 😉

Every day I find myself getting a step closer to just calling it a day and going out and buying a rover!

Great review Matt, thanks. I think the Rover 45 was unjustly maligned in its day; the model was attractive and not really behind the competition in my view. Such a shame Rover failed a few years later. I encourage you to drive my 2002 Jaguar X-Type 2.1 V6 SE Manual, a booted mid size saloon which as a British built front wheel drive only model, is a very close rival to the 45 V6. Happy to provide my example any time, if you’d like to compare it!

The early KV6 engines fitted to late model 800 Series cars were very problematic due to being essentially hand cast and hand assembled. Once in mass production as fitted to the 45 & 75, it was a pretty decent and reliable power plant. Problems occurred later on due to botched maintenance. The rear spark plugs were a bugger to change, as were the belts, which were also quite expensive. People would take the car to an independent who solved these issues by ignoring them and merely charging the customer as if the work had been done. When the car inevitably broke down because of neglect, it was blamed on bad old Rover. A V6 Rover 45 isn't really a grocery getter like a K series powered car, it needs to be thought of as a sort of thoroughbred or specialist car and looked after accordingly. With proper maintenance, they give very good and long service. Just don't expect to run one on the same sort of budget as a 414 or 416 Si.

There’s just something so nostalgic about cars from the 90s and the first half of the 00s. Very special times

Good to see the suspension working in the Go Pro view there, sir! Also got some nice KV6 noise during the test drive as well...

The 45 V6 was not a project drive car. It was made from 2000 with all the PPD nice touches like high gloss walnut instead of the dull matt finish wood in this car. The early cars had lovely thick leather seats not unlike the 75 seats.

My dad had 1 of these on a 51 plate in metallic light blue... I just remember the engine making a really nice rumble...👍👍

The funny thing was that the plastic door trim was so indented that gave no protection at all. We had the 1996 Honda Civic with the same door trim and it was quite annoying.

I had a 98 R plate 5 door civic about 10 years ago, this rover reminds me of it! The door handles(not chrome though), the switch gear, like the wiper arms, window buttons etc. If the interior was anything like my civic, it was brilliant, everything worked, even when I sold it👍🏻

Reminds me of the Suzuki Kizashi (2.4 V6 Auto) from a few years back, now that would make a good video. The 45 V6 was a very curious blend an exercise in customer retention? Can only think it was aimed squarely at existing loyal older Rover owners who kept downsizing as they got older but still wanted to retain some essential elements of their previous cars. Similar to what happened with the Jaguar X-Type, really that was it's nearest like for like competitor as it was smaller than the 75.

Nice find. Had a 2.0 V6 in my old 75. No ball of fire but unbelievably smooth. Got a 2.5 now and it goes like the clappers but it's not as creamy smooth as the little 2.0.

I'm starting to really, really want a ZS V6...

I've had a Rover 800 fastback, an 827 sterling and a 600.....i loved them all. Fantastic cars in my opinion.

Nice car!! Any chance of a review of a 800 coupe always liked them

Rare indeed. I haven't seen it before. Thanks 4 the educational video

I can only vaguely remember the 45. I always thought why... May as well buy a 75 then Rover of its last 20 years catered very well for a unique small car luxury market . I guess Richard Bucket could have got away with this one if he avoided the kick down with Hyacinth in the car.

Loved my Rover, I had the previous 416 sli automatic saloon, reliable & classy. It was as good a my previous car a 3 series BMW.

Such a shame that none of the later Rover engines were anywhere near as good as the T-series. They were making 200bhp and 190lbft back in the early 90's. Neither of the KV6 variants (2.0 or 2.5) came close, and the 1.8 VVC had to be modified to extreme lengths (VHPD version) to get close... which made it unsuitable for a road car.

Beautiful looking car, compared to modern cars of today

Lexus is had 2L and even 3L sixes. Pretty much the same with all Germans. You gotta equip if you gotta fight

With the benefit of hindsight Rovers of this era were handsome motors

Becker Traffic Pro is really the best radio ever producied !!! :)

Never realised these were essentially an R8, albeit massively tweaked. Really didn't like the look of the saloon when it first appeared but it quickly grew on me. A nicer design than the later facelifted models. Shame it was never pitched to the right market until it was too late.

Wow rover 45 cool only in wall!!!!

ROVER 45 SEDAN V6 ROOF LATHER SEATS GOOD

Lovely Jubbly, how can anyone give this video a thumbs down?

16:50 | Funnily enough, the MGR engine technical data for the 75 / ZT says that the 2.0 KV6 has a maximum engine speed of 6,750 rpm (continuous) / 7,000 rpm (intermittent). 2.5 KV6 - 6,500 rpm (continuous) / 6,750 rpm (intermittent).

Have to say this is a nice example of a Rover 45 and being the 45 V6 Connosieur is a big plus, lovely well kept interior, headlining intact as well, credit due to its current owner and previous owners. Thanks for this review Matt.👍

Isn't this a Honda underneath? One hundred forty-seven horsepower -- pretty anemic for a V6. Sluggish automatic transmission. A tight rear seat in a car that is not small. Bland styling. The Lancer Evo he encountered during the road portion totally embarrassed this car. The reviewer's praise for this anonymous sedan is puzzling. When I was a teen my Dad had a 1968 Rover 2000TC. Now THAT was a Rover! Brilliant engineering. Original styling. Brilliant packaging: plenty of room for four adults in a form factor smaller than this car. With the five-speed manual, excellent brakes, and an extraordinary suspension featuring de Dion tube at the rear, it was a supremely engaging driving experience. The best compact sports sedan of its era. British Leyland ruined this lovely car via shoddy assembly, which led to poor reliability.

7000rpm!! I think Mr Lloyd may have just fainted 😁 Did he get his alloys back? I once borrowed the Finance Director’s Vauxhall Omega 2L auto. Popped it into sport out of a roundabout and floored it. It refused to change up. It was well into the redline when I lifted off thinking the engine may blow. Blowing up the FD’s car, not a good career move.

What a sound that is! It makes me laugh people think of Rover's as Grandads cars yet they are more dynamic and fun to drive than most of the competition! The k series absolutely loves to be driven hard and is very pleasing to do so, I've got a Rover 45 1.6 and its a hoot to drive - no Vauxhall, Ford or VW comes close, its such a sweet engine. The 2.0 T series just grunts and sounds like no other engine, and the KV6 sounds glorious and even as a v6 auto revs to 7k rpm! People bang on about Honda engines and how they like to rev and scream, well Iv'e got a twin cam Honda engined 216GTi and to be honest it sounds quite tame, bland and un-dramatic compared to a K series Rover. It is odd though really poorly timed. Rover stopped their very decent 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder and bought out a V6 in place, just when the rest of the industry were stopping V6's in favour of 1.8/2.0 Turbo's! The 75 would have been a much better car with the solid 2.0 T series instead of the 1.8 K. As much as I love the K series, it really wasn't suited to the 75.

That does sound amazing. I love the way Rover kept some quirky models, like this, in the 45 line up to bring a compact exec type vibe to the proceedings. I wonder if it was also there to provide a downsizing option for those who for years had bought the bigger, powerful Rovers for years. I thought this one was Mr Lloyd's. He certainly seems to look after it well and enjoy it.

You are mistaken. The 45 V6 was developed during the BMW era and not by the phoenix management. It was launched when the 45 was launched in 1999.

Hi Matt, I actually do have a Rover 45 1.8 connissiuer in BRG With Catkin green interior.A 2000 X reg in decent condition.Its 21yrs old and drives well.Love ya videos, take care..

Interesting what you say re the updated styling post 2004 on the 45. I think the synthesis of this restyle was expressed in the 2004-2005, 180 ZS, with its pronounced wheel arches, gills on the front wings, updated alloy wheels, front air dam etc etc. It gave the car a lot more presence over the dare I say 'bland' 'Series 1' 2.5 180s, which look little different to the 45 sister aside from the wheels. The later cars had the looks to match the handling. I speak as the owner of a 2004 2.5 180 here in Oz - a very very rare car here as few were imported, so much so I get a lot of looks for an 18 year old car.

I always reckoned that had these sort of Rover designs been marketed by anyone else (are you listening BMW?) they would have been lauded and praised. Sadly the Rover name carried old BMC / BL baggage. Want proof? the 'new' Mini was Rover Gaydon designed and developed and they even had to take BMW fixed ideas like the Z axle. Had BMW marketed Rover designed cars like the 45 and even the 75 between the Mini and the 3 series in a clear price range) rather than treat it like some unwelcome cousin things may well have gone better.

2.0L KV6!!! I had no idea they made a V6 so small (of course the mazda 1.8 V6). I thought I knew everything.....

It was the 25/200 that was a re-developed R8 (with Maestro rear underpinnings). The 45/400 started life as the Honda Domani in 1992.

As HubNut said about his 45 V6. That engine is more of a Noise maker than a Power generator.

Just needs a manual gearbox, the automatic sounds strained, the R75 V6 is fine for an Automatic. Might as well have a 2L 4 pot, I can’t imagine the mpg isn’t great as the heavier V6 lump and gearbox kills any chance of decent performance. I wonder if anyone has dropped a manual box in one.

It's reminiscent of the six cylinder engines the Australians shoehorned into 'umble Morris Marinas ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kpBCJJ3TFbc.html and Ford Cortinas ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6KgIJmrCpq0.html but accomplished with Rover's panache and finesse.

Fun fact: this was the homologation model for BTCC entry (2.0 V6 running at 200 kW (272 PS)).

Rover needed a car with a 2.0 petrol engine, the k wouldn’t stretch, the T wouldn’t meet new emission rules. Kv6 was the only choice, no money for a new engine.

Crikey, the sound is really bad on this video. Tinnie and crackly. A shame we couldn't get to here the baritone sounds of the V6 properly. Those V6s are being taxed and banned (in some cities) out of existence.

V6's are rare for this size of motors but don't forget the Mazda 323f GLX/ZXi was around for 5 years in the 90's and so was the Golf VR6 which was often put against each other in tests. I've got a ZXi and it's a dream to use, different to the 45 as it's definitely more sport orientated and handles really well but I wouldn't be so confident on the ride compared to the 45 or the inside to be honest but it's oh so good to look at on the outside. Anyway, great vid and thanks for putting up so many different ones, this is my 1st comment on the channel, got me hooked now!

there was something about the car's shape that seemed eerily familiar, and sure enough, my parents had this generation of Honda Civic EX (us version)! this is like the highest possible specification of that civic you could get, with an engine that civic never got. Odd to think of it as a premium car. In canada they sold an Acura EL, which was their take on a luxury Honda Civic, but it did not have a v6 like this one.

Nicer than HubNut's ol' 45! Quality of interior superior? Do you mean real quality or just felt quality? I agree this one seems nice, except the passenger airbag that looks like an afterthought!

I had a 2001 model years back with 2 litre v6 auto and was lovely car, but needed something more practical so it had to go.

I can't believe you took that sublime motor car off tarmac onto that horrid gravelly puddle filled filthy layby. What were you thinking of???!!

The Rovers always liked me, they look so elegant and english elegance, specially me loved this 45 and 75 and her sportive MG versions too. Me i am Spanish and here in Spain people not like very much Rover's, but it happens because here are a lot of stupid and poor automobile culture!!

A similar concept to the BMW 320 6 cylinder circa 1980’s.Smaller than a 5 series but smooth 6 pot motor.?

Hi great video ! ;-) Just one thing: You don't say "Connoisseur", but "Connaisseur", d'accord?

I gather that Hub Nut's old 45 V6 has gone to the great car park in the sky if I am reading the runes right on his most recent You Tube offering. They are quite nice cars really and deserved to do better. It fell between niches didn't it.

The Rover V6 didn't really create much power. I wouldn't be surprised if a 618i beat it

Nice looking rover , especially with those wheels great content matt STAY SAFE😃😃😃😃😃☕☕☕☕☕🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

How can you find a rover specialist today & all other garages are mostly fitters not machanics @ your expense till they find the real Problem or should i say True Problem x3 Timming belts This is the problem under age Thinkers today amaginative engineering @ its Worst Plastics Electronics Engine management systems as wet as the young engineers brains

That noise. Simple reason to own one. And it’s different and I’d have it over the 2.0 Turbo in a heart beat. To be fair automatics are a lot better with torquey engines so this is ideal. What an appealing car - I always loved the rear of the 45 especially, very handsome. Great review Matt!

Mini 75 ! I really like the small V6, reminds me of the Mazda MX-3 1.8 V6, smallest V6 ever produced. Hope you review one of those in the future. Thanks for the great video, enjoyed it Matt.

Why didn't they put that manual mode shifter in the 75?

I used to work on weekends for a well known US based car rental firm in the early 00's delivering and collecting cars from all over the south east and remember these cars very well. Overall the were reasonably well build and reliable, but my lasting memory of them is the very high revs and wafty steering.

The day Rover shrunk it's 200 and 400 series in size and charged more for this size decrease was the start of the rot set in. The previous bigger sized R8 generation 200 / 400 was better than this.

I had a 2l V6 mazda Astina (323f) in 1994. Smooth but.gutless

I agree the front light set up was great especially on the rover 25s particularly in platinum silver the rover ruined them with a single unit. Not a good look

I really liked the facelift with the aggressive styling options you could get, including a really "practical" wing/spoiler

Beautiful car, much preferred to the 2004 facelift. Love the MG style chrome mesh lower grille that they put on the V6. I fear that Mr Lloyds average mpg may have taken a hit!

That's got everything I want in a car nice little leather interior electric sunroof butefall condition nice V6 engine lovely original 45 front end atermatic that is a brilliant little car

An enjoyable review Matt.I hope you returned it with a full tank of fuel ha ha.

There’s other cars out there besides Rovers.... 😂

Rover without teashelf I am shocked!!! Going to have to lie down.... Cracking review as usual I really thought you were going to have a traffic light grand Prix with the Evo. Makes a lovely noise, lovely car and a credit to @lloydvehicleconsulting

This one actually seems quite nice. I drove a beaten up 1.6 rover 45 a couple months ago as a free loaner, the thing was an absolute death trap!

thats a bizzarre cruise control button

HubNut enjoyed his Rover 45 V6 too!!

Same body as MB series Honda Civic. I use these Rovers as a parts source.

Prefer it's bigger brother the 75 but can't deny it's a handsome car.

For someone who wanted a 75 but smaller and an older design - that's a niche market!

I wish I could find a 2003 45 conaser in that condition and artermatic

147 bhp from a V6, rovers always had weak bhp from their large engines. 155 bhp from the 3.5 V8 and only 190 from the 3.9 twin plenum

Re watching this video for some research for the weekend.

I'd have thought the development costs went into designing the MG ZS, which sold pretty well with the V6, and this was a low-cost bonus to develop? Similar to the Rover 75 V8.

I own a Rover 45 V6 2ltr automatic 2001 model left hand drive. Apart from the fuel consumption 28Mpg I love this car.

Don’t bother gutless, buy a zs180 instead. 177 bhp 180 ibft 0-60 in 7.3 seconds and 139 flat out with a manual box. Also much better to look at.

I take it you like rovers

this is a great review as always. but why connoisseur? i would cringe all the time driving something labeling itself connoisseur unironically without being french

Found one www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1027058 Alot of car for the money

You beauty 😍

Why did they even try to compete in this category? Think of Rover and you think of James May and a Rover 75. A Drawing Room on wheels.

Very nice storytelling. Man, I love your channel !

Slow down m8 can't understand what you are say , there's no rush lol

I had a rover 45 1.8 which was a lovely comfortable car, but sadly dies due to HGF

Crikey. I had no idea how bad the interiors got on the Mk1 45s after project drive. I don't think that "wood" isn't fooling anyone and those seats are straight from Honda! I believe they also have a different suspension setup that was shared with with the ZS. I can certainty say my early 45 feels totally different to my cousins facelifted Mk2. Its not as good in the corners but it definitely rides better. Shame they never offered the 45 V6 with a manual, its part of why I went for a 1.8 instead. The dream 45 for me would be taking an MG ZS 2.5 and converting it into a Rover. That car looks to be in exceptional condition and its nice to see people are taking care of 45s. They're disappearing quicker than the 75s and I think people are beginning to realise that if they're not cared for they'll disappear very quickly.