Oops, I've done it again. (Rover 75).
Discussion
Just discovered this thread. Thanks for all the pics and info.
Im really drawn to one of these for a comfy everyday car. I am torn between one of these and a Volvo S60 as they both tick alot of boxes for very little money.
I think if would go down the diesel route though for economy. But your 30mpg with the V6 is impressive!
Im really drawn to one of these for a comfy everyday car. I am torn between one of these and a Volvo S60 as they both tick alot of boxes for very little money.
I think if would go down the diesel route though for economy. But your 30mpg with the V6 is impressive!
I am looking for a barge type car & keep thinking that i should get myself into a '75'. I want something comfy, simple & effortless as, coming out of a Jaguar X-Type, i want something slightly more sensible.
Have a hankering for an MG-ZT (the 2.5 V6) although cant find a decent one close to me. Did have a look at two ZT's a couple of weeks ago however i walked away due to both having swimming pools in the boot!!
Both the ZT's & the rather sorry looking '75' sat next to them, on offer for just £450...., had boots which were soaked. The dealer said it was a common fault on them which was curable with new boots seals.
Anyway if anyone knows of decent unmolested & low mileage ZT close to Gloucester please let me know.
Have a hankering for an MG-ZT (the 2.5 V6) although cant find a decent one close to me. Did have a look at two ZT's a couple of weeks ago however i walked away due to both having swimming pools in the boot!!
Both the ZT's & the rather sorry looking '75' sat next to them, on offer for just £450...., had boots which were soaked. The dealer said it was a common fault on them which was curable with new boots seals.
Anyway if anyone knows of decent unmolested & low mileage ZT close to Gloucester please let me know.
The rear light seals do give trouble. They're bonded in one place which tends to split. If it's not the light seals that are at fault, it could be the retaining clips for the rear window, or the clips which hold the chrome strips on the sides. Thankfully this one doesn't suffer with a wet boot, but I have put globs of silicone around all the clips from the inside, and replaced the rear light seals with a redesigned unit (available from one of the members on the owners' club, who manufactures them!).
These cars are not without their faults, but there are enough of them around to be a bit choosy. One of the best places to keep an eye out for good cars is on the owners club (http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=61). If you want a car looking at by someone who knows their onions (and believe me, there are some proper beards on the club - in a very much GOOD way!), generally someone local to the car will be happy to oblige.
The owners club is the friendliest I've ever been a part of - perhaps due to the more mature average age of Rover owners? I don't know... It's a goldmine of information, and if you do buy one, definitely register and have a nose around.
Also, worth a look before purchasing a vehicle is the comprehensive buying guide : http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
These cars are not without their faults, but there are enough of them around to be a bit choosy. One of the best places to keep an eye out for good cars is on the owners club (http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=61). If you want a car looking at by someone who knows their onions (and believe me, there are some proper beards on the club - in a very much GOOD way!), generally someone local to the car will be happy to oblige.
The owners club is the friendliest I've ever been a part of - perhaps due to the more mature average age of Rover owners? I don't know... It's a goldmine of information, and if you do buy one, definitely register and have a nose around.
Also, worth a look before purchasing a vehicle is the comprehensive buying guide : http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
Having had a scout around, decent ZTs do seem to be thin on the ground down your way. This was about the best I could find, but even then it's potentially 60+ miles away from Gloucestershire : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-MG-ZT-160-PLUS-SALO...
vallance5 said:
Just discovered this thread. Thanks for all the pics and info.
Im really drawn to one of these for a comfy everyday car. I am torn between one of these and a Volvo S60 as they both tick alot of boxes for very little money.
I think if would go down the diesel route though for economy. But your 30mpg with the V6 is impressive!
The diesel is a good lump. It's out of the BMW 3-series of similar vintage, however sans swirl flaps. It comes in 112bhp and 131bhp flavours which isn't great. HOWEVER... a group of owners have re-written the ECU software (with input from the company who originally wrote the ECUs for MG-Rover) which gives a reliable 160hp and a good economy gain too - available from several people on the owners club for not a lot of money Im really drawn to one of these for a comfy everyday car. I am torn between one of these and a Volvo S60 as they both tick alot of boxes for very little money.
I think if would go down the diesel route though for economy. But your 30mpg with the V6 is impressive!
SebastienClement said:
Having had a scout around, decent ZTs do seem to be thin on the ground down your way. This was about the best I could find, but even then it's potentially 60+ miles away from Gloucestershire : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-MG-ZT-160-PLUS-SALO...
I spotted this one yesterday - tempted by it for £1300. It just the distance from home that puts me off as if i get down there & its not what i want or in the flesh its not as good as it looks in the photos its a waste of my time & money.Cant find anything else that looks as good as this one though - there are others but they dont look as good.
fatboy69 said:
I spotted this one yesterday - tempted by it for £1300. It just the distance from home that puts me off as if i get down there & its not what i want or in the flesh its not as good as it looks in the photos its a waste of my time & money.
Cant find anything else that looks as good as this one though - there are others but they dont look as good.
Yeah I could only find sheddy / spares repairs cars, or under-equipped cars. Cant find anything else that looks as good as this one though - there are others but they dont look as good.
I don't know whether this is too far from you to take a look, but it's for sale on the owners club, and although has a couple of issues, they seem to be cosmetic only : http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
Again, a nice looking car here : http://www.motors.co.uk/car-33492404/srs#messageBo...
However might be a bit of a trek from you - it's top money - not a 190 - but from a dealer who should know their stuff.
However might be a bit of a trek from you - it's top money - not a 190 - but from a dealer who should know their stuff.
SebastienClement said:
Again, a nice looking car here : http://www.motors.co.uk/car-33492404/srs#messageBo...
However might be a bit of a trek from you - it's top money - not a 190 - but from a dealer who should know their stuff.
Intending to go see this one on Sunday as used to live not too far from Dudley so only 45 minute or so drive from here.However might be a bit of a trek from you - it's top money - not a 190 - but from a dealer who should know their stuff.
Not too keen on the other one as dont want to fanny about with body repairs even though its cheap. Not for me.
fatboy69 said:
Intending to go see this one on Sunday as used to live not too far from Dudley so only 45 minute or so drive from here.
Not too keen on the other one as dont want to fanny about with body repairs even though its cheap. Not for me.
Good stuff. Have a read through the buying guides, and make sure the car is spot on. For that sort of money it really should be.Not too keen on the other one as dont want to fanny about with body repairs even though its cheap. Not for me.
If I were buying it I'd want proof that the cambelts had been done (90k or 6 years), and whether the clutch had been done. Make sure the clutch feels good - most Zt / 75 clutches feel a bit woolly to me, which is normal - an overly light or heavy clutch indicates issues with the hydraulics though - slave cylinders are a known weak point.
Also make sure the V6 gets up to temperature properly, as the thermostat sticking open is common.
Had a persistent knocking from the front left/right and the middle of the car, which hasn't got any better since the MOT. MOT tester said it was probably top mounts and would quieten down. It didn't, so I had it into another place for a check over. They found that both droplinks were shot (they showed me the play while they were still on the car - lots!!!) and the exhaust had a nice big hole in one of the silencers, and wasn't secured properly.
Cost £160 to sort that out for me, which involved cutting the middle of the exhaust out (new back box had been welded on by the previous owner) and sorting the middle section, while keeping the almost new back box and realigning the whole thing - not to mention mounting it properly.
Job jobbed. Car took me 400 miles over the weekend and ran wonderfully. Still a happy chap.
Cost £160 to sort that out for me, which involved cutting the middle of the exhaust out (new back box had been welded on by the previous owner) and sorting the middle section, while keeping the almost new back box and realigning the whole thing - not to mention mounting it properly.
Job jobbed. Car took me 400 miles over the weekend and ran wonderfully. Still a happy chap.
Piersman2 said:
I've just this evening passed on my MG ZT to another PH'er for what I'd been offered as a trade-in... £600.Other than that, is a fantastic car for the money
SebastienClement said:
Had a persistent knocking from the front left/right and the middle of the car, which hasn't got any better since the MOT. MOT tester said it was probably top mounts and would quieten down. It didn't, so I had it into another place for a check over. They found that both droplinks were shot (they showed me the play while they were still on the car - lots!!!) and the exhaust had a nice big hole in one of the silencers, and wasn't secured properly.
Cost £160 to sort that out for me, which involved cutting the middle of the exhaust out (new back box had been welded on by the previous owner) and sorting the middle section, while keeping the almost new back box and realigning the whole thing - not to mention mounting it properly.
Job jobbed. Car took me 400 miles over the weekend and ran wonderfully. Still a happy chap.
Had front lower bushes done last week on mine by Jules for smilar symptoms, but as per above didn't cure it. Having droplinks done tomorrow so should be sorted,and magic ride comfort will be returned!Cost £160 to sort that out for me, which involved cutting the middle of the exhaust out (new back box had been welded on by the previous owner) and sorting the middle section, while keeping the almost new back box and realigning the whole thing - not to mention mounting it properly.
Job jobbed. Car took me 400 miles over the weekend and ran wonderfully. Still a happy chap.
sjc said:
Had front lower bushes done last week on mine by Jules for smilar symptoms, but as per above didn't cure it. Having droplinks done tomorrow so should be sorted,and magic ride comfort will be returned!
Good stuff 
The ride is wonderful on these. The only problem is you get used to it, and then find other cars insufferable!
Just found this great thread. These really are superb value and I think will start to go up in value in a few years. And yours, OP, looks amazing inside now you've cleaned it up!
Does the 75 have much of a link to the 600? I had a 620si on an R plate for 3 years and about 100k, as a company car, and it was a great beast. Very comfortable, well equipped and brilliant for long haul driving.
Does the 75 have much of a link to the 600? I had a 620si on an R plate for 3 years and about 100k, as a company car, and it was a great beast. Very comfortable, well equipped and brilliant for long haul driving.
M3DGE said:
Just found this great thread. These really are superb value and I think will start to go up in value in a few years. And yours, OP, looks amazing inside now you've cleaned it up!
Does the 75 have much of a link to the 600? I had a 620si on an R plate for 3 years and about 100k, as a company car, and it was a great beast. Very comfortable, well equipped and brilliant for long haul driving.
Thanks very much Does the 75 have much of a link to the 600? I had a 620si on an R plate for 3 years and about 100k, as a company car, and it was a great beast. Very comfortable, well equipped and brilliant for long haul driving.
The 600 was a lovely car. I remember my Dad having a nearly new 600 courtesy car when his 820 was in for a service.
There isn't anything of a link between the 75 and 600, really, other than some areas of styling. The 75 really was a new car from the ground up, where as the 600 was based heavily on the Honda Accord platform.
Been mucking about again - because I can. Had a set of chrome door mirrors from a Connoisseur spec car knocking around, so fitted them to this one. And today I've faffed around fitting some nice genuine leather gearstick and handbrake gaitors. A nice upgrade over the 'fake leather' original items.
Also, in a bit to reduce what little wind noise there is at speed, I've had all the windscreen trims off, and replaced with good second hand parts and replaced all the clips.
Also, in a bit to reduce what little wind noise there is at speed, I've had all the windscreen trims off, and replaced with good second hand parts and replaced all the clips.
Edited by SebastienClement on Friday 7th March 20:19
Not much to report really. The car is running very nicely indeed, and I enjoyed a good 100 mile run across country this morning
I had a voucher for an oil change with National Tyres, which meant I got an oil & filter change for £29.00. Got it done, although not really due. Encouraging that the colour of the old oil was still a lovely colour - in fact the fitter commented on how nicely the old V6 runs.
I had a voucher for an oil change with National Tyres, which meant I got an oil & filter change for £29.00. Got it done, although not really due. Encouraging that the colour of the old oil was still a lovely colour - in fact the fitter commented on how nicely the old V6 runs.
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