My 75 was featured as car of the month in December 2013 by the Rover 75 & ZT Owners Club, article reproduced below and original link here :
Car of The Month
December 2013
'Black Beauty' by Trebor
December 2013
'Black Beauty' by Trebor
My love affair with the Rover 75 started about 8 years ago when I bought a Rover 75 Connoisseur CDT in British Racing Green. Every time I sat in it I knew it was the marque for me, retro style, walnut dash, very comfortable leather seats, a lot of the bells and whistles, economical for such a large car and I had the urge to look back at it every time I parked it.
After a few years of pleasurable ownership I replaced it during 2007 with a facelift CDTi finished in Pearl Black. It was purchased from Souls of Olney near Milton Keynes, the original supplying MG Rover dealers it had taken as part exchange against another vehicle. When I bought the car, at a cost of £9000, it was 2 years old and had travelled 39k.
I had the front grille chromed plus fitted chrome aftermarket wheels and the car was then featured in the 2009 club calendar for the month of April with this picture
After a few years of pleasurable ownership I replaced it during 2007 with a facelift CDTi finished in Pearl Black. It was purchased from Souls of Olney near Milton Keynes, the original supplying MG Rover dealers it had taken as part exchange against another vehicle. When I bought the car, at a cost of £9000, it was 2 years old and had travelled 39k.
I had the front grille chromed plus fitted chrome aftermarket wheels and the car was then featured in the 2009 club calendar for the month of April with this picture
Black is such an unforgiving colour, it takes a great deal of effort to keep clean, as I hate dirty cars I just have to keep cleaning, enrolling in two car detailing courses and buying a pro polisher to keep the car looking good.
As a Connoisseur SE the car already had some nice features but I just couldn’t resist continuing to add and modify and a couple of years ago I changed the bumper to a premium style with MG 7 grille and changed the wheels to 19 inch aftermarket alloys.
I probably spend far too much of my time on Rover forums and have made many good friends along the way, I am one of the founders of the Midland “Nano” Meets, which are a great experience; you will normally find me there.
I like a challenge and it was nice to see the replacement motor gears for bullet power fold door mirrors come to fruition in 2013 after 3/4 years of trying.
I am semi-retired, only working 3 days a week Monday to Wednesday, I’d love to spend all my time in MG Rover land but, as with other owners, I have to squeeze in some paid work now and again to settle the bills!
The 75 is my daily drive to work 3 days a week for the 50 mile round trip, it never misses a beat and gets a few good looks and nice comments.
My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi Factory Build Data:
• VIN: RJZLHC5D336653
• Factory: Longbridge
• Off assembly date : 2004-07-14
• Off assembly time: 10:22:30
• Registered : 2005-1-24
• Brochure model code: RJZLH
• Brochure model desc: R75 C3 Saloon 2.0 M47 Diesel (116)
• Sales model derivative: RJZAD
• Sales model derivative desc: Rover 75 2.0 CDT (131Ps) Conn SE
• Model year: 2005
• Home export: HOME
• Country: GREAT BRITAIN
• Exterior paint: Pearl Black
• Interior trim: Sandstone Leather (Black Piping)
• Engine: 2000 Diesel 135Bhp
• Trim level: Connoisseur SE
• Bodytype: 4DR
• Manual auto: M
• Hand of drive: RHD
• On Road Price: £21,995
My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi Standard SE Specification:
• Leather upholstery in Sandstone Beige
• Electric windows (all round) inc driver’s side one shot up & anti trap
• ATC Automatic Temperature Control (climate control)
• Front passenger seat lumbar adjustment
• Electric front seats
• Heated front seats
• Rear map pockets in front seat backs
• Rear cup holders
• Front fog lamps
• Tilting front headrests
• Twin illuminated covered vanity mirrors
• Chrome coloured wing mirrors
• Space saver spare wheel
• 16 inch Forked Alloy Wheels
• Cruise Control
• Driver’s seat position memory
• Powered rear sunblind
• One piece folding rear seat with through loading facility
My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi SE Modifications added by me:
The modifications I have done since purchase are many and will be a good test of my memory so here goes:
Light Oak dash replaced with real walnut
Sandstone & Walnut steering wheel
Walnut handbrake handle
Walnut Gear knob
Sandstone gearstick and handbrake gaiters
Additional walnut trim on door, light and seat switches
Ambient orange lighting inside centre interior light module.
Warning lights on door vertical edges
Puddle lights on door horizontal bottom edges
Drivers grab handle
Drivers Cup Holder
Boot Cargo Nets
Heated Washer Jets
Embossed Front headrests
Rover Torch in centre console
Power Socket in centre console
First Aid Kit in rear armrest
Uprated Heated seat stats
Illuminated warning triangle in boot
Additional twin power socket in boot
Carbon wrapped Engine and Battery Box Lid covers
Serpent Alloy Wheels
Premium Bumper with MG7 Grille and bespoke Rover 75 badge
Chrome Bullet Powerfold Mirrors
Chrome Door Finishers
Ultimate Remote Mod
Plenum Spyhole Mod
Bonnet Release Mod
Sunroof Drain Mod
Handbrake Compensator Mod
Replaced bottom engine mount
160 BHP remap
Specialist Components in line thermostat housing with 92 degree stat
Fuel Burning Heater with exhaust silencer
Fuel Burning Heater GSM allowing operation via text message from mobile phone and windscreen warning LED when on
SmartNav screen version with background screen colour changed from blue to orange
Front & Rear DVR cameras
Traction Control
Interior door orange ambient lighting
Orange interior footwell lighting
IPK dial illumination changed from white to orange
Navall media unit with GPS, reversing camera
Additional alarm LEDs at top of windscreen
Under Bonnett white LED lights illumination
Boot white LEDs illumination
Headlight Washers
Angel Eye " Halo " daytime running lights
Gear surround illumination
Mods under consideration
Aftermarket heated seats
Article written by member Trebor
I am semi-retired, only working 3 days a week Monday to Wednesday, I’d love to spend all my time in MG Rover land but, as with other owners, I have to squeeze in some paid work now and again to settle the bills!
The 75 is my daily drive to work 3 days a week for the 50 mile round trip, it never misses a beat and gets a few good looks and nice comments.
My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi Factory Build Data:
• VIN: RJZLHC5D336653
• Factory: Longbridge
• Off assembly date : 2004-07-14
• Off assembly time: 10:22:30
• Registered : 2005-1-24
• Brochure model code: RJZLH
• Brochure model desc: R75 C3 Saloon 2.0 M47 Diesel (116)
• Sales model derivative: RJZAD
• Sales model derivative desc: Rover 75 2.0 CDT (131Ps) Conn SE
• Model year: 2005
• Home export: HOME
• Country: GREAT BRITAIN
• Exterior paint: Pearl Black
• Interior trim: Sandstone Leather (Black Piping)
• Engine: 2000 Diesel 135Bhp
• Trim level: Connoisseur SE
• Bodytype: 4DR
• Manual auto: M
• Hand of drive: RHD
• On Road Price: £21,995
My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi Standard SE Specification:
• Leather upholstery in Sandstone Beige
• Electric windows (all round) inc driver’s side one shot up & anti trap
• ATC Automatic Temperature Control (climate control)
• Front passenger seat lumbar adjustment
• Electric front seats
• Heated front seats
• Rear map pockets in front seat backs
• Rear cup holders
• Front fog lamps
• Tilting front headrests
• Twin illuminated covered vanity mirrors
• Chrome coloured wing mirrors
• Space saver spare wheel
• 16 inch Forked Alloy Wheels
• Cruise Control
• Driver’s seat position memory
• Powered rear sunblind
• One piece folding rear seat with through loading facility
My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi SE Modifications added by me:
The modifications I have done since purchase are many and will be a good test of my memory so here goes:
Light Oak dash replaced with real walnut
Sandstone & Walnut steering wheel
Walnut handbrake handle
Walnut Gear knob
Sandstone gearstick and handbrake gaiters
Additional walnut trim on door, light and seat switches
Ambient orange lighting inside centre interior light module.
Warning lights on door vertical edges
Puddle lights on door horizontal bottom edges
Drivers grab handle
Drivers Cup Holder
Boot Cargo Nets
Heated Washer Jets
Embossed Front headrests
Rover Torch in centre console
Power Socket in centre console
First Aid Kit in rear armrest
Uprated Heated seat stats
Illuminated warning triangle in boot
Additional twin power socket in boot
Carbon wrapped Engine and Battery Box Lid covers
Serpent Alloy Wheels
Premium Bumper with MG7 Grille and bespoke Rover 75 badge
Chrome Bullet Powerfold Mirrors
Chrome Door Finishers
Ultimate Remote Mod
Plenum Spyhole Mod
Bonnet Release Mod
Sunroof Drain Mod
Handbrake Compensator Mod
Replaced bottom engine mount
160 BHP remap
Specialist Components in line thermostat housing with 92 degree stat
Fuel Burning Heater with exhaust silencer
Fuel Burning Heater GSM allowing operation via text message from mobile phone and windscreen warning LED when on
SmartNav screen version with background screen colour changed from blue to orange
Front & Rear DVR cameras
Traction Control
Interior door orange ambient lighting
Orange interior footwell lighting
IPK dial illumination changed from white to orange
Navall media unit with GPS, reversing camera
Additional alarm LEDs at top of windscreen
Under Bonnett white LED lights illumination
Boot white LEDs illumination
Headlight Washers
Angel Eye " Halo " daytime running lights
Gear surround illumination
Mods under consideration
Aftermarket heated seats
Article written by member Trebor
My CDTi was also featured in the Rover 75 & ZT Owners Club Calendar as " Miss April
2009 " and before the latest Premium Bumper Mod with the following picture
2009 " and before the latest Premium Bumper Mod with the following picture
Extract from 2009 Calendar
My MG ZT 190 was also featured in the Rover 75 & ZT Owners Club Calendar for 2014 as " Miss March " with the following picture
Extract from 2014 Calendar
My MG ZT 190 was featured as car of the month in December 2015 by the Rover 75 & ZT Owners Club, article reproduced below and original link here :
Car Of The Month :
December 2015
'Solar Flare' by Trebor
December 2015
'Solar Flare' by Trebor
I bought my Solar Red ZT 190 on 15 October 2011 from an eBay dealer, the inlet manifold was rattling so that was my first job and since then I have done a few other modifications as listed below, the biggest of which was an LPG conversion courtesy of another member Bernard LPG. When running on petrol the car was getting approx 25mpg but following the conversion the car now does an equivalent 45mpg, so I can still hear the throaty roar of the 2.5 V6 engine without it now costing too much !
The car has only covered 72,000 miles which for its age is an average of about 5,000 per year and a lot of its service history has been done by MG Rover, there is even a service stamp from the factory at Longbridge shown as "Phoenix Venture Motors Ltd" when it had done 15,000 miles.
I also have a Pearl Black 75 CDTi which is my daily runner to and from work leaving my wife to have the pleasure of driving the ZT. I also organise the "hand’s on" Midlands Nano Meets where all 75/ZT owners are most welcome. The car featured in the 2014 club calendar as "Miss March" with the picture below taken at Black Rock Sands, Porthmadog, North Wales
My MG ZT 190+ Factory Build Data:
14 Digit VIN: RJXLFF2D252508
Factory: Longbridge
Off assembly date: 2002-03-27
Off assembly time: 07:47:41
Registered : 2002-4-8
Brochure model code: RJXLF
Brochure model desc: ZT M2 Saloon 2.5 KV6 (190)
Sales model derivative: RNZLF
Sales model derivative desc: MG ZT + 190
Model year: 2002
Home export: HOME
Country: GREAT BRITAIN
Exterior paint: Solar Red
Interior trim: Ash / Red / Green - Red Insert
Engine: 2500 NA 190Bhp
Trim level: TL 7.1 (M2)
Bodytype: ZT
Manual auto: M
Hand of drive: RHD
14 Digit VIN: RJXLFF2D252508
Factory: Longbridge
Off assembly date: 2002-03-27
Off assembly time: 07:47:41
Registered : 2002-4-8
Brochure model code: RJXLF
Brochure model desc: ZT M2 Saloon 2.5 KV6 (190)
Sales model derivative: RNZLF
Sales model derivative desc: MG ZT + 190
Model year: 2002
Home export: HOME
Country: GREAT BRITAIN
Exterior paint: Solar Red
Interior trim: Ash / Red / Green - Red Insert
Engine: 2500 NA 190Bhp
Trim level: TL 7.1 (M2)
Bodytype: ZT
Manual auto: M
Hand of drive: RHD
My MG ZT 190+ Standard Specification:
• Philips ‘Harmony’ double din Radio/ Cassette/ CD
• Up & down only front headrests
• Space saver spare wheel
• Front Fog Lamps
• Black ZT Rear Badge
• Folding Rear Seat With Through Load Space Flap (Saloon)
• Message centre highline instrument pack including trip computer
• Auto-dimming rear view mirror
• Rear parking aid
• Rain sensing wipers
• Electric Rear Windows
• Sports Suspension
• ITS- Side head impact airbags
• Electric Sunroof
• Boot Mounted “Wing” Spoiler
• 18” Straights Alloy Wheels
• Uprated Chassis & Ventilated Rear Disc Brakes
• ATC Dual Zone Climate Control (including rear passenger Vents)
• Electric Rear Windows
• 6 CD Multi Changer
• On road price : £22,095
• Philips ‘Harmony’ double din Radio/ Cassette/ CD
• Up & down only front headrests
• Space saver spare wheel
• Front Fog Lamps
• Black ZT Rear Badge
• Folding Rear Seat With Through Load Space Flap (Saloon)
• Message centre highline instrument pack including trip computer
• Auto-dimming rear view mirror
• Rear parking aid
• Rain sensing wipers
• Electric Rear Windows
• Sports Suspension
• ITS- Side head impact airbags
• Electric Sunroof
• Boot Mounted “Wing” Spoiler
• 18” Straights Alloy Wheels
• Uprated Chassis & Ventilated Rear Disc Brakes
• ATC Dual Zone Climate Control (including rear passenger Vents)
• Electric Rear Windows
• 6 CD Multi Changer
• On road price : £22,095
My MG ZT 190+ Modifications added by me:
• Replaced inlet manifold
• Plenum Spyhole Mod
• Bonnet Release Mod
• Sunroof Drain Mod
• New Red Monaco Front Seat Covers
• First Aid Kit in rear armrest
• Illuminated warning triangle in boot
• Handbrake Compensator Mod
• Painted Engine Cover
• Aftermarket heated seats
• LPG conversion
• Electric Rear Sunblind
• Replaced inlet manifold
• Plenum Spyhole Mod
• Bonnet Release Mod
• Sunroof Drain Mod
• New Red Monaco Front Seat Covers
• First Aid Kit in rear armrest
• Illuminated warning triangle in boot
• Handbrake Compensator Mod
• Painted Engine Cover
• Aftermarket heated seats
• LPG conversion
• Electric Rear Sunblind
Article written by member Trebor