As Deviance kindly pointed out to me, the Mass Air Flow sensor on Rover diesels are often... shortlived.

My 45 was a little (ok, a LOT) slow off boost, and didnt rev over 4k so I suspected the MAF was FUBAR and unplugged, instantly giving it a new lease of life below 3K... It wouldnt rev over 4K still but that often happens with the MAF unplugged.

I considered buying a MAFAM (device to boost the signal from an ailing MAF) to get the system running a bit more like normal again, but instead found a brand new genuine Bosch MAF on ebay for only £50

The MAF arrived today and whilst fitting it I happened to catch a glimpse of the turbo and saw this:



No wonder it didnt rev over 4k; the wastegate had been stuck open since I bought it - and probably a good deal of time before then too

After a good deal of effort and a pulled muscle (im a weakling) i finally managed to get the linkage back together, and as I didnt happen to have a circlip handy I twisted a paperclip over the groove until I can get my ass to halfrauds.

Took it for a spin and, my god, its a different animal.  Off boost it drives lovely (a little slower maybe, than with the MAF unplugged as it was overfuelling with it off) and on boost its great

nice one mate, its a great engine imo. a little loud but nice to drive.

i could do with a new maf, ill have to keep my eye on ebay.

it wouldnt have been reaching full boost with the waste gate like that so im not surprised it feels better.

Im not suprised the previous owner sold it; with the FUBAR old maf it sucked off boost, and with the linkage disconnected it blew on boost too (excuse the pun).

For the price of £50, five minutes and some dirty hands Ive turned it back into the car Rover wanted me to drive.

Im even more impressed with the engine now its running tickedy boo; it was willing and economical with the wastegate open, now its even more willing and Im a very happy chappy.

For the money I paid I think its hard to find a better diesel engine with a similar low mileage.

Despite the Rover badge that Chassis is actually a very nice drive.  Im on the Civic that Rover Licenced off.  

Yeah my mate used to have the civic, always found it a nice car...  Even though its an old design by todays standards Im very pleased with it; it has exceeded my expectations dramatically.

independant double wishbone front suspension and independant multi link rear suspension is why the ride and handling is so nice.

Id like to see you devise a double wishbone system that wasnt independant

My work mate has one of those rover dervs - pretty nice ride.

But not as nice a ride/handling as the 306 derv
Superb car through the twisties!