Model codes:
R40 (saloon and tourer)
Model variants:
Saloon and Tourer (estate), Classic, Club, Connoisseur, Contemporary SE trims
Production years covered:
1999 - 2005
Related models:
MG ZT / ZT-T (shared platform)
Platform:
R40 project, developed under BMW ownership
Segment:
Executive / upper-medium saloon
Target audience:
Buyers seeking traditional British luxury in a mid-size executive car
Market position:
Rover's flagship model, positioned against mainstream premium rivals
Replacement for:
Rover 600 and Rover 800
Interior quality:
Class-leading cabin materials, wood and leather trim, distinctive period styling
Ride and handling:
Comfort-focused tuning with well-controlled ride quality
Chassis development:
BMW-influenced engineering during the R40 programme
Engines:
1.8 K-Series petrol, 2.0 and 2.5 KV6 petrol, 2.0 CDTi turbodiesel
Body styles:
4-door saloon and 5-door Tourer estate
Notable equipment:
Climate control, leather upholstery, ABS, front and side airbags
Manual type:
Complete factory-level service and repair workshop manual
Coverage:
Every single detail, all systems and components
Level of detail:
Step-by-step procedures for technicians and DIY owners
Delivery method:
Instant digital download, no shipping, no waiting
Usage:
Unlimited access, use as many times as you need
Binding:
Digital (PDF document)
Engine - petrol:
1.8 K-Series and KV6 V6 petrol engines: overhaul, timing, cooling, fuel and ignition systems
Engine - diesel:
2.0 CDTi turbodiesel: injection system, turbocharger, overhaul procedures
Transmission:
Manual and automatic gearbox service, clutch, driveshafts
Suspension and steering:
Front and rear suspension, power steering system
Brakes:
Disc and drum brakes, ABS, handbrake adjustment
Electrical system:
Wiring, lighting, instruments, battery and charging system
Body and fittings:
Panels, doors, bumpers, interior trim, seals
Heating and ventilation:
Heater, air conditioning system service
Restraint systems:
Seat belts and airbag (SRS) information
Routine maintenance:
Full service schedules, fluid changes, adjustments
Diagnostics:
Fault finding charts, fault codes, troubleshooting procedures
Repair procedures:
Step-by-step removal, refit and overhaul instructions
Torque specifications:
Fastener torque data throughout
Wiring diagrams:
Complete electrical schematics
Exploded diagrams:
Component illustrations and parts identification
Special tools:
Required tools and workshop techniques
Technical Depth and Parts
Depth:
Complete teardown and rebuild level, factory workshop standard
Parts information:
Part numbers, specifications, wear limits and fitting data
Fluid capacities:
Engine oil, coolant, gearbox and brake fluid specifications
Audience:
Professional technicians and competent DIY owners
File Format:
PDF (searchable, bookmarked, zoomable)
Compatibility:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — any device with a PDF reader
Requirements:
A PDF reader application (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, free)
Searchability:
Fully text searchable for fast lookup of any topic
Print Quality:
High-resolution digital pages, printable at full clarity
Binding Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical binding
Paper Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical paper
Primary petrol engines:
1.8-litre K-Series 4-cylinder turbo and 2.5-litre KV6 V6
Diesel option:
2.0-litre CDTi turbodiesel (BMW M47-derived)
1.8T output:
Approximately 150 - 160 PS depending on version
2.5 V6 output:
Approximately 175 - 177 PS
2.0 CDTi output:
Approximately 115 - 131 PS depending on version
2.0 V6 (early):
Approximately 150 PS
Petrol injection:
Multi-point sequential fuel injection, electronic engine management
Diesel injection:
Common-rail direct injection with turbocharger and intercooler
Fuel requirement:
Premium unleaded recommended for V6 models
Standard transmission:
5-speed manual gearbox
Optional transmission:
5-speed automatic transmission (with V6 and CDTi models)
Drive layout:
Front-wheel drive
Clutch:
Hydraulically operated single dry plate
Final drive:
Integrated transaxle with front differential
Service:
Fluid change intervals and adjustment procedures covered in the manual
Euro NCAP rating:
Tested in the early 2000s; consult official Euro NCAP archives for the exact score
Crash test information:
N/A - not specified in this manual
ABS:
Anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution
Traction control:
Available on higher specification models
Braking:
Servo-assisted disc brakes front and rear
Airbags:
Driver, front passenger, side and curtain airbags depending on model year
Seat belts:
Three-point belts with pretensioners and load limiters
Body structure:
Reinforced passenger safety cell with crumple zones
Audio system:
Rover premium CD/radio head unit with multi-speaker setup
Navigation:
Factory navigation available on top-spec Connoisseur models
Instruments:
Full instrument cluster with digital trip information
Cruise control:
Available on higher trims
Parking sensors:
Rear parking distance sensors on later models
Climate control:
Electronic dual-zone automatic climate control on Connoisseur models
Petrol engines:
Oil and filter change approximately every 10,000 miles / 12 months
Diesel engines:
Oil service approximately every 10,000 miles / 12 months
Cambelt:
K-Series 1.8 timing belt requires periodic replacement, critical interval
Coolant:
Replace per schedule, check anti-freeze strength annually
Engine oil:
Viscosity and specification per engine type, listed in manual
Coolant:
Ethylene glycol anti-freeze mix with corrosion inhibitors
Transmission fluid:
Manual gearbox oil and automatic transmission fluid per schedule
Known Issues / Common Wear
K-Series head gasket:
1.8 engine head gasket failure is a known weak point; monitor coolant condition
KV6 items:
Ignition leads, coil packs and thermostat housing wear on V6 engines
Suspension:
Front bushings and ball joints are routine wear items
Electrics:
Check window regulators and central locking actuators on higher-mileage cars
Manufacturer:
Rover Group / MG Rover, Longbridge, United Kingdom
Development:
R40 programme developed under BMW ownership, launched 1999
Position:
Flagship executive model carrying Rover's traditional British design language
1999:
Launch with 1.8, 2.0 V6 and 2.5 V6 petrol engines
2001:
Tourer estate introduced; 2.0 CDTi turbodiesel joins the range
2002:
MG ZT performance derivatives launched on the same platform
2004:
Facelift with revised interior and exterior detailing
2005:
Production ends with the collapse of MG Rover
Assembly plant:
Cowley, Oxford, United Kingdom
Production run:
1999 - 2005