[SteveB]

Hi everyone, I’ve been ‘lurking’ for several years and finally got round to joining up.

I bought my first Rover back in 1997 – a ‘91 214Si 3 door with 75,000 miles on the clock. By 2011 I’d managed to get it to just over 200,000 when a stupid girl piled into the back of me in broad daylight and wrote it off. I was a bit gutted to say the least!

Fortunately, within a few weeks, I found a replacement; a ‘95 214 SEi which had only done 26,000. It’s been my daily driver ever since. The odd issue along the way, including the (apparently inevitable) head gasket, but it still drives so nicely I keep forgetting it’s 28 years old!

I hope I can make some worthwhile contributions to the forum.

Best wishes

Steve

[itcaptainslow]

Welcome! Nice to have another SEi owner to the fold.

[robkeep]

Hello

[SteveB]

Thanks guys

[GTiJohn]

and the club

I hope we'll see you and your car at some of next year's events

[Paul_1978_yorks]

Hi Steve, fellow 214 SEi owner here! Mine has 54k on the clock now and I really do like it I have to say. Be nice to see some pics either here or on the club FB group.

[SteveB]

Thanks for the welcome John, and Hi Paul. The SEi’s quite nicely equipped isn’t it. The first time I came across leather seats was back in the 70s when my dad bought a “Three Thousand Five” (i.e. an early V8 P6). They were freezing cold in winter and boiling hot in summer! The half leather’s a lot more comfortable!

I’ve just tried adding a couple of photos but can’t find the “Attachments” tab mentioned in the instructions. I know some forums won’t allow you to add images until you’ve made a certain number of posts so I’ll keep an eye on it and add photos when I’m able to.

Best wishes, Steve

[SteveB]

Photos sorted, thanks to Colonel Mustard. This is how the car looked when I first bought it in 2011, with just over 26,000 miles on it. I removed the bumpers and wings, touched up any paintwork needed and gave it a thorough dose of waxoyl. It’s lasting pretty well…

...and this is how it looked yesterday afternoon (could do with a wash! ). Being daily transport it’s now done just over 80,000, so there’s plenty of life left in it.

As you can see, I swapped the 15” alloys for 14” steel rims. Makes the ride a bit more comfortable, but the alloys did look good. Might swap them back at some point.

Obviously I’ve spent a bit of time over the years trying to keep on top of the paintwork and rustproofing etc, but the fact it’s survived so well shows how well designed and built it was in the first place. Good cars (but you don't need me to tell you that )

Best wishes

Steve

[GTiJohn]

As you can see, I swapped the 15” alloys for 14” steel rims. Makes the ride a bit more comfortable, but the alloys did look good. Might swap them back at some point.

Wheel trims for winter, alloys for summer?

Your alloys will last longer that way