A nice antidote to MPG this, CO2 that...my MG ZT V8
Discussion
My Elise is a bloody awesome little thing, I love it to bits. Unfortunately, as a car, it's not that great-I struggle to actually "go anywhere" in it. Clearly, something sensible was needed, however I fancied something with a bit of fun dust still present and correct. I toyed with selling the Elise and buying an Evora (to do everything) but ploughing £40k + into a car when I'm hopefully purchasing a house in the next year or so sat a bit uncomfortably with me (and SWMBO).
I then considered a GT86, but again was uneasy with the depreciation and also wondered if it would feel special enough after the initial new car sheen and driftability wore off.
An Insignia VXR and Mondeo ST220 were contemplated but quickly dismissed as not characterful enough.
So, ladies and gents, my new sensible, four seat saloon is...V8 powered
man maths at its best, I think you'll agree.
The logic was-rear drive, ability to seat four and cruise in comfort, different (only 883 made, and 215 pre facelift models, of which this is one and in my opinion, better looking for it), handles and rides well, won't cost the earth in depreciation (fuel is another matter
) and is practical enough to use as a car, rather than a toy, should the need arise. Hopefully it won't, as I've got a scooter to commute on.
So, here goes. Purchased via the PH classifieds, the old girl is a three owner car, all of whom apparently were spectacular MG enthusiasts, and it shows. The paint and interior are unbelievably good for a 13 year old car. However, the lack of use and mileage have some downsides-the brake discs were incredibly corroded (especially the fronts) and it was overdue a service by time (fortunately not by mileage). It was also sitting on some worn, mismatched tyres (the front were the correct 225/45/18 size, the rears 225/40/18!) and by the looks of the wear on the front tyres, needed a geometry setup.
A good base car then, but some minor fettling required.
As soon as I got it home on Friday, I set about replacing the front pads & discs with new components I had awaiting the car's arrival, and refreshing the brake fluid. The rear's are booked in to be machined next Tuesday (the rear discs are specific to the car, and only available new via the owners club-however the current discs are still within tolerance for a skim), and I'll get a new set of pads to fit too.
Saturday morning was spent thoroughly servicing the car and working through searching for any niggles that need sorting. I was pleased to find only two-the front washer jets don't work, as don't the steering wheel remote controls for the radio. Carrying out basic wiring and circuit checks drew a blank, so in the absence of any wiring diagrams or T4 Testbook (MGR diagnostic equipment-I've only got a basic powertrain fault reader which displays trouble codes and live data), it's booked into a MG specialist next week for some investigation and rectification.
The service consisted of the usual major service items (the 8 spark plugs being pleasingly simple to replace) as well as gearbox oil (done, with some struggling and swearing thanks to the location of the filler plug right up against the transmission tunnel) and rear diff oil (to be done-awaiting a 29mm socket-the first time I've ever seen one needed in the wild!).
This morning saw a set of Continental SportContact 5 tyres fitted and a geometry set up-the car is now 100 times better to drive thanks to the service, tyres and geo. Amazing what a difference the simple things make. You can see the difference in circumference of the tyres...
It needs a detail to really bring it up to my OCD standards, but the previous owner Dave has done the car proud caring for it, as I'm sure you'll agree from the pictures.
As a happy little extra, the car has the XPower exhausts-the noise is pure filth
Thanks for reading-I'll update the thread as I go along with the car.
I then considered a GT86, but again was uneasy with the depreciation and also wondered if it would feel special enough after the initial new car sheen and driftability wore off.
An Insignia VXR and Mondeo ST220 were contemplated but quickly dismissed as not characterful enough.
So, ladies and gents, my new sensible, four seat saloon is...V8 powered
man maths at its best, I think you'll agree.The logic was-rear drive, ability to seat four and cruise in comfort, different (only 883 made, and 215 pre facelift models, of which this is one and in my opinion, better looking for it), handles and rides well, won't cost the earth in depreciation (fuel is another matter
) and is practical enough to use as a car, rather than a toy, should the need arise. Hopefully it won't, as I've got a scooter to commute on.So, here goes. Purchased via the PH classifieds, the old girl is a three owner car, all of whom apparently were spectacular MG enthusiasts, and it shows. The paint and interior are unbelievably good for a 13 year old car. However, the lack of use and mileage have some downsides-the brake discs were incredibly corroded (especially the fronts) and it was overdue a service by time (fortunately not by mileage). It was also sitting on some worn, mismatched tyres (the front were the correct 225/45/18 size, the rears 225/40/18!) and by the looks of the wear on the front tyres, needed a geometry setup.
A good base car then, but some minor fettling required.
As soon as I got it home on Friday, I set about replacing the front pads & discs with new components I had awaiting the car's arrival, and refreshing the brake fluid. The rear's are booked in to be machined next Tuesday (the rear discs are specific to the car, and only available new via the owners club-however the current discs are still within tolerance for a skim), and I'll get a new set of pads to fit too.
Saturday morning was spent thoroughly servicing the car and working through searching for any niggles that need sorting. I was pleased to find only two-the front washer jets don't work, as don't the steering wheel remote controls for the radio. Carrying out basic wiring and circuit checks drew a blank, so in the absence of any wiring diagrams or T4 Testbook (MGR diagnostic equipment-I've only got a basic powertrain fault reader which displays trouble codes and live data), it's booked into a MG specialist next week for some investigation and rectification.
The service consisted of the usual major service items (the 8 spark plugs being pleasingly simple to replace) as well as gearbox oil (done, with some struggling and swearing thanks to the location of the filler plug right up against the transmission tunnel) and rear diff oil (to be done-awaiting a 29mm socket-the first time I've ever seen one needed in the wild!).
This morning saw a set of Continental SportContact 5 tyres fitted and a geometry set up-the car is now 100 times better to drive thanks to the service, tyres and geo. Amazing what a difference the simple things make. You can see the difference in circumference of the tyres...
It needs a detail to really bring it up to my OCD standards, but the previous owner Dave has done the car proud caring for it, as I'm sure you'll agree from the pictures.
As a happy little extra, the car has the XPower exhausts-the noise is pure filth
Thanks for reading-I'll update the thread as I go along with the car.
Edited by itcaptainslow on Tuesday 14th July 20:57
Should add it's a bit of a "dream" car for me too, being a MG Rover nut growing up (the Zed cars were launched when I was about 14) and previously owned several including a mint ZS180. So it ticks most of the boxes, apart from the one marked "Economical"...however I'm not planning to do lots of miles in it (under 5k a year I would think), so it's no biggie, especially as my ZS used to average 24mpg...
Good choice I have been running the less handsome face lift (I have to agree with you on that one) for over seven years. The noise with the Xpowers is a big plus. Simple and cheap for a V8 tick in the box bar the fuel and tax on the post 2006 cars. Not the fastest but but big on smiles.
I am not allowed to sell according to my twenty year old son, he drives a 2006 335i. The 335 feels sterile to drive compared to the dirty V8!
I am not allowed to sell according to my twenty year old son, he drives a 2006 335i. The 335 feels sterile to drive compared to the dirty V8!
Do I have a younger brother I didn't know about?
A green ZT V8 and an S1 Elise on the drive together? I was in the same position up until a year ago, and for a moment I thought you'd bought my old car. Here's mine:
http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=30&...
Is your Elise blue as well??
http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Your ZT looks bloody lovely and I'm eternally jealous of the X-Powers, the one thing mine missed was a bit of noise.
Keep us all updated on progress...
A green ZT V8 and an S1 Elise on the drive together? I was in the same position up until a year ago, and for a moment I thought you'd bought my old car. Here's mine:
http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=30&...
Is your Elise blue as well??
http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Your ZT looks bloody lovely and I'm eternally jealous of the X-Powers, the one thing mine missed was a bit of noise.
Keep us all updated on progress...
Edited by moribund on Tuesday 14th July 23:11
Yes, yes, yes! So many good things about these cars, well done on you for getting one - many wouldn't have the balls. As a former Rover nut (like one of the other repliers) I really appreciate a fast Rover (or modern MG) especially the Q-car / sleeper element. Nobody ever expected my 400 to do what it did, and nobody expects your grandad sofa on wheels to have a walloping V8 
Man... why did I sell her... a love affair that lasted 5 years... I washed it more than I drove it, but when I did drive it, what a car... I had all the Zeds and TF's... the ZS180 very 'chuckable and quick' and TF160 great fun... but this was just pure theatre with real torque power... gone to the best possible owner it could have dreamed of... take care of her Iain... will catch up with you at some show or other in the future no doubt... hopefully I'll be in an S1 Elise 111s like yours or perhaps even a TVR Cerbera/Griff if I feel brave enough (as I think the one of the things I will miss most about the 260 is the sound of those X-Powers - only thing near would be a TVR)... I'll more likely be in a Land Rover Disco 3 that the Mrs. would prefer me to be in!... hopefully I'll end up with both ;-)... Dave
A supercharger is definitely on the cards subject to house funds. I've somehow managed to get a pass for the car off the good lady, I'm not sure how forced induction would go down...
To the chap who asked about my Elise-it's silver rather than blue, I'll link into the thread about it once I find it (or post some pictures with the pair together!). It's tucked away in the garage at the moment-poor ZT is living on the drive
my plan is to find a place with either garage space for two cars or leave the Elise at my parents' house when hopefully I do eventually move out. In the meantime, it'll be professionally under sealed and a good outdoor car cover purchased before winter.
Commuted to the station on the scooter this morning-must admit it felt liberating to be doing 110mpg and not 20, but the roads were absolutely dead at 4.30am...perfect for the ZT!
It's hopefully off to MG Saloon Day this Sunday to meet a few of its brothers. Hopefully I'll have time on Saturday to give it a dose of machine polishing, (more) wax and further tinkering. Once the initial outlays are done (I hope!) I'm planning to look at getting an Accufab throttle body from the States, apparently they're worth 10-15bhp alone with improved throttle response.
To the chap who asked about my Elise-it's silver rather than blue, I'll link into the thread about it once I find it (or post some pictures with the pair together!). It's tucked away in the garage at the moment-poor ZT is living on the drive
my plan is to find a place with either garage space for two cars or leave the Elise at my parents' house when hopefully I do eventually move out. In the meantime, it'll be professionally under sealed and a good outdoor car cover purchased before winter.Commuted to the station on the scooter this morning-must admit it felt liberating to be doing 110mpg and not 20, but the roads were absolutely dead at 4.30am...perfect for the ZT!
It's hopefully off to MG Saloon Day this Sunday to meet a few of its brothers. Hopefully I'll have time on Saturday to give it a dose of machine polishing, (more) wax and further tinkering. Once the initial outlays are done (I hope!) I'm planning to look at getting an Accufab throttle body from the States, apparently they're worth 10-15bhp alone with improved throttle response.
Rensko said:
Very niceeeeee!
In AU - they did a supercharged version of the KV6. Very rare, but they come up for sale every now and then! That said, it would have nothing on the V8...
Amazing how much rework they did on the floorplan for a niche vehicle!
I did look at supercharging my ZS, but the reputation of a blown KV6 is not a great one in reliability terms. Apparently they only gain around 30bhp too, which isn't much (I don't think) for the trouble and expense. Plus, it was a nice one to keep original.In AU - they did a supercharged version of the KV6. Very rare, but they come up for sale every now and then! That said, it would have nothing on the V8...
Amazing how much rework they did on the floorplan for a niche vehicle!
Edited by itcaptainslow on Wednesday 15th July 05:22
I'd actually like to get hold of one of these. Would be a cool daily driver.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff