[David W]

Hi, maybe Recarro seats cause ride problems but the Rover as standard is a good ride. I have 4 cars and the Rover is by far the most comfortable. On long motorway journeys I always use the Rover as prefered transport. The other cars I have are the new Ford Fiesta, old shape Nissan Micra & a new Nissan Micra SE. The older Rover 214 GSi at 17 years old outshines all of them in every respect! Regards, David

[E_T_V]

Lowering the car on its own won't really improve the handling.

However fitting harder springs and shocks can have a substantial effect on the cars handling, if done right then it can be for the better.

I went from a standard 214, to a lowered and stiffened 220. The 220 runs rings around the 214 in terms of handling. There is less weight transfer on cornering, less pitch and dive on acceleration and braking and manuvers like the elk test become a lot easier and more secure.

[woodsy_mv6]

Why lower the suspension when the car's suspension & ride is suitable for the best compromise of handling, acceleration etc by Rover? I just cannot see any point in lowering the suspension when the COG is already low! What will you gain in respect to cost relatively? Not a lot for your hard earnt cash eh!

How naive to think it's so such a perfect compromise for everyone out the factory

[David W]

I am far from naive as you suggest, it means "amusingly simple", & that's an insult! I am a Driving Standards Agency Driving Instructor!
I stated that the standard Rover set up is a compromise for most eventuallities, i.e. ride comfort, load carrying, normal cornering, road holding, acceleration & braking.
In my opinion lowering a standard Rover 214 looks silly & detracts from the real purpose of the vehicle! Surely if one wants that sort of vehicle one buys a "tomcat" or even worse a "corsa" & joins the brigade!
The Rover 214 was never built as a "boy racer" or was it!
Surely to keep the marque as standard and as smart as possible must be more important & to maintain this condition with great care in "after market" modifications.
Subtle changes or mods look far nicer & when the vehicle hits the "classic car" market in years to come I am sure a standard well maintained vehicle will appreciate more value than a "played around with" boy racer model!
Another point to think about is the insurance rating will creep up after disclosure to the Insurance Company of changes! Sorry but I believe the standard car looks, handles & rides very well & I would not change the ride height or ride quality for any price! David

[Jewel 25]

I agree with David here. Rover 200's in very good condition are becoming a rare sight these days , there is no need to make them unique .

I find the ride in the 214 fitted with 15 inch wheels to be fairly good. The primary ride quality is excellent , far better than my friends mk2 Mondeo V6 , however the secondary ride quality isn't so good.

[woodsy_mv6]

All very good and well, but some peoples definition or requirement of comfort for example is different, therefore changing the parameters for a "compromise" ;)



I'd like to take this opportunity to state that I actually agree your opinion on the subject, just seemed a tad closed minded, particularly as there are some on here that do modify their cars (some to distinctly to their own taste, myself not included), but to believe that a car comes out the factory perfect for everyone’s requirements is.....well....

[David W]

Of all your cars you have do you mean a Cavalier or Chevette? You call it a Chavalier! However!
No car is perfect by any means but if a certain car meets the requirements of the individual then fine.
BUT! Do we buy the Rover marque to have cheap driving, to go about like a "cat on a hot tin roof" with after market "junk" fitted to say, "look at me"! Or a comfortable inexpensive means of transport & a possible "classic" in the near future? Do we spend our hard earnt cash on "silly" mods or do we have the bodywork, underbody etc kept in "mint" condition and all mechanicals in exceptional condition? Surely a compromise of these but the car should look great in normal guise & not disguised as something it certainly is not! A boy racer! It was never meant to be, eh!
We should agree to disagree because to me a vehicle from the factory should be a compromise of all requirements of individual motorists & conditions fed into the computer to optomise all normal requrements.
If one wants a more beefy, masculine muscle car then surely a "tomcat" will suit or other well suited and adapted models! At least they will not detoriate quite as fast as the "played around with" boy racer" car!
As far as the original post is concerned I would save my cash & not lower the vehicle unless the original springs etc are kept to reinstall at a later date. What a waste of time & money & for what? Sorry, I do disagree with changing anything save subtle improvements such as larger & wider alloys & good tyres to suit! 15" alloys do make a hell of a difference from the standard 14" steels, yet subtle & smart! Regards, David

[woodsy_mv6]

Again, agree with pretty much all that!

Sorry, I do disagree with changing anything save subtle improvements such as larger & wider alloys & good tyres to suit! 15" alloys do make a hell of a difference from the standard 14" steels, yet subtle & smart! Regards, David

...But others may see that as too much. You see, there is no happy medium.

If he can't afford a coupe, perhaps this is the only way he can go about achieving the look and feel he craves out of a car he has come to enjoy due to its other great traits ;)



It's a Cavalier turbo diesel btw.
The "chav" bit being reference to the stereotypical driver. But at 60 mpg, needs must

[David W]

Maybe so we agree to disagree eh! He would be better off sorting the wheels & a good set of low profile tyres wouldn't go amiss! Regards, speak again soon no doubt! David