RE: MG ZT 260

[v8thunder]

Why can't anyone see beyond the scientific attitude to these kinds of cars. Yes, the BMW might be faster and handle better, but I know which one would sound better and be more fun to drive. I mean, how many owners of these things are going to take them on racetracks where this kind of thing matters?

[tvralfagtv6]

why why why do people miss the point. I am fortunate enough do have driven a good few and owned many on paper exotica in my day. sounding like an old fart now.
But ......................forget about what it says on paper, for get about what every one believes about supercars.

My point and lets see if people understand is.

jeremy clarkson once said the fastest car of all time accross country to the main motorway was a mondeo 2.5v6.
now i concur this is not the fastest car in the world but I almost guarantee he's right.AND THATS THE POINT Supercars and overpowered amg etc etc don't always flow as well as balanced chasis /power balance aka porche 944/968 etc suoper saloons with aprox early 200 bhp are the quickest in the real world. They give consitant performance rain or shine slippery roads or not. Most people that drive on paper fast cars tend to over acelerate(concede not possible) but definitely over brake. To re enforce my point Motorcycle news has done numerous tests where 600's have out gunned on a real world track 1000's etc. with riders making comments like I just could keep it nailed all the time.
Now cars are a lot lot slower in straightlines but the principles apply. I actually drive a Zt v6,now i am constantly amazed by what it stay with if this flows as well the v6 then you boys who have your winning paper specs for M3's Amg's etc will be coming up with you excuses. The zt is an excellent car but may be people will not realise until they have driven one.
for your m3's and 911's you'll have to find your excuses , it was wet couldn't get the power down may be it needs a service?

[sublimatica]

tvralfagtv6 said:

I actually drive a Zt v6,now i am constantly amazed by what it stay with if this flows as well the v6 then you boys who have your winning paper specs for M3's Amg's etc will be coming up with you excuses.

Can you explain what this means please? I've read it several times and I just can't work it out...

Thanks in advance.

[tvralfagtv6]

sorry had a couple of beers but basically.Had even more now so here goes

other cars may look a whole lot better on paper.the reality is,they may not be the best in the real world.
i.e the road.
cars that you tend to be able drive at 10/tenths are better i.e they flow , not point acelerate, brake, turn, acelerate. more a seamless progress where you arive at every corner just a little too hot but the chasis compensates, therby making very very rapid progress.

hope this helps

[andymadmak]

sublimatica said:

tvralfagtv6 said: I actually drive a Zt v6,now i am constantly amazed by what it stay with if this flows as well the v6 then you boys who have your winning paper specs for M3's Amg's etc will be coming up with you excuses. Can you explain what this means please? I've read it several times and I just can't work it out... Thanks in advance.

makes perfect sense to me.....
The ZT v6 drives beautifully. Because it is so balanced and flows/handles so well it can keep up with far more exotic equipment in real world driving conditions - so much so that drivers of exotica are forced to seek excuses for why their beastie didn't wipe the floor with a "humble" MG.
I think he is also inferring that if the V8 version is as good as the V6 in this respect, and perhaps even quicker then it's likely that in the real world it would be the MG driving away from the exotica on a cross country thrash..
As a recent convert to a ZT V6, I'd have to say I think he's right. The chassis is truly superb.

Andy

[Sgt^Roc]

b10 said:

Poorly written article. Cut it in half and improve the English.

Poorly constructed car, cut it in half to loose a door and lower it

[nicecupoftea]

[paula&marcus]

I liked the article very much .... no problem with the English .... ;o)
I hope that the ZT 260 or even the bigger engined one will appear also on the small German market very soon. Since then I will enjoy my ZT-180 ... great cars ! Keep up the good work !

Cheers
Marcus (from Germany)
ZT-190
MGF
MGA
Lotus Esprit V8-GT
Rover 25



>> Edited by paula&marcus on Monday 11th October 22:40

[cathalm]

ok guys, enough. How many of you who are so disparaging are those peopl that habitually slate anything they do or anything British? You just read a glowing review and still no credit. And whats all this quality nonsense. We have a 260 and the interior quality is better than the jags and bms we considered. In the end it was the great deal we got that swayed us. Its a good car, the torque is key rather than the power, but remember this isnt pitched as being an m5 beater the later 385 will do that. This is an entertaining, quick rear wheel drive saloon and they have done very well in my opinion, enoughbadge snobbery, a car is not a piece of jewellery.

[jcbzt160+]

Sgt^Roc said:

b10 said: Poorly written article. Cut it in half and improve the English. Poorly constructed car, cut it in half to loose a door and lower it

Really, well how comet he MG ZT was voted the UK's most reliable car in a recent survey?

[FuManchu]

Poorly written article! What total gibberish. A little bit long but tells the story, not slick, glib and totally bereft of any real information, like Clarkson.
The 260 is a good car, far better value than a BMW. The 75 range has won awards for engineering IN GERMANY, reliability IN JAPAN and styling IN ITALY. I do not like BMWs, or rather the types who drive them. The only thing you get foc with BMW is total ownership of all outside road lanes and any parking space, wherever it is.
The Mader tuned BMW in the Morgan Aero 8 has given lots of trouble, maybe not in the road version admittedly but I still refuse to buy it because of its BMW connection.
I am a Professional Mechanical Engineer specialising in maintenance and reliability and I have seen much German engineering and equipment: IT IS NOT ANY BETTER THAN BRITISH KIT indeed, it is often very poor. AEG; 'Advanced Engineering from Germany'; my eye! Advanced? No! From Germany? Perhaps, if it's not actually from Taiwan or Korea.
Go away! All the MGs are good if not great cars and the 385 will wipe out the M5. Apart from the people who are raping Rover Company funds, I otherwise wish the company all the best.

[grahamw48]

Excellent article.

Sounds an impressive motor.

Good luck to MG !

I bet most of the knockers haven't paid for their current cars yet, let alone have owned anything as good as a NEW MG.

Dream on tyre kickers, and support your home team !

[Alicatt]

v8thunder said:

Why can't anyone see beyond the scientific attitude to these kinds of cars. Yes, the BMW might be faster and handle better, but I know which one would sound better and be more fun to drive. I mean, how many owners of these things are going to take them on racetracks where this kind of thing matters?

Well we should be seeing Dreadnought's ZT520 out on the track soon.
I'll let Tony speak about his day out with his ZT260

TonyC said:

Wow! I took the Zt to Bedford Autodrome this weekend for a trackday. The ZT is a fabulous car on track. Except the brakes that are rubbish. They were mushy after about 1lap (3mile lap however), lasted all day - the fluid was over heated, pads to soft. But brakes-schmakes. The chassis is where it is at. This car will do simply ludicrous slides. What an utter joy. It does not feel 1700kg, it is very biddable and agile - to a point. tight stuff upset it, but nothing the throttle can't deal with.... Down the straights it held it's own as well. Despite coming out of the corner with the rear tyres smoking it still gave no ground to say a: 964 carrera 2 or Honda s2000 in front - all the way up to the braking point at about 120mph. After the high speed chicane they obviously had to let me pass gave a few passenger rides and they universally loved it. Everyone was amazed by how well you direct the car with the throttle, and how well it responded. The evil face of this first gen car always scared a few smaller cars off the road! They simply took to the grass to getout of my way! (Note - not due to any aggresive driving from me - marshalls loved - some waving blue flags at the car in front when I was still some 700 yards away) I shoudl have some internal and external video in a week or so I hope - should be good for a laugh. Bedford was a good track for this malarky.I want to go again maybe in spring or summer - if anyone here fancies it let me know.

[havanatopia]

Interesting reading the generally very positive comments on the 260. I jumped in and bought one last December - getting 8k off list from Exeter Motor Group - best garage I have dealt with - The car is, granted, a tad underpowered but it rarely bothers me as I am not really interested in track days, at least yet! Life is too short to worry about depreciation and i reckon my discount has covered a lot of the first 6 months anyway. Generally, I am absolutely delighted with it. I did test drive the obvious oposition but kept coming back to the MG - it just felt better in every way - looks [virtually none on the road - in fact I have yet to see another], build quality is as good as the boys from Germany and it sounds and drives superbly. I opted for the ZT-T as needed the extra space and it looks better in my view. Best colour - X Power Grey. I will happily trade up but meanwhile, i am sublimely alone while I watch the masses drive the foreign built and overrated german offerings. Anybody else out there who bought one and has a view would be interesting reading.

[Alicatt]

TonyC has just posted up this video with some shots of the ZT260 taken from a M3 CSL

www.justgofaster.com/gallery/gallery/justgofaster/Bedford050325.wmv Right click and save as.

Cheers Tony
Edit: just to link a couple more videos of 260 action
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/alistair.paul1/videos/Callander2.wmv
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/alistair.paul1/videos/260se.wmv
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/alistair.paul1/videos/rov-zt260-V8.wmv

>> Edited by Alicatt on Monday 28th March 11:24

[havanatopia]

thanks for that alicatt. good viewing.

inspiring me to get my tourer 260 on the track soon. seemed like it was pulling away from the M3 CSL which my bro has just bought - not my cup of tea at all.

[oldfart]

just read the review on the zt260se and noticed the car you reviewed is the actual car i have just bought! is this a good thing or bad? too late now.

[jamoor]

v8thunder said:

I really have positive feeling for MG at the moment. Sometimes, a manufacturer provides a hint of premium experience on a budget - any number of Alfa Romeos recall Ferrari in their driving experience, looks and so on. I like to think MG do the same for Bentley.