MG ZS 180 (V6) What to look out for

[caelite]

Hey guys

Im going to see a facelifted 04 plate MG ZS 180 with only 79k on the clock on Friday (for all of £1200 asking price), wondering if anyone could give me some advice as to what to look out for other than the usual stuff (rust, dodgy servicing etc etc). I want to get me some that V6 roar after a year of clattery diesel xD. I know rovers of that era have head gasket issues, does this occur with the V6 aswell? If so should I expect it to have been replaced at some point. Also a glance at Euro car parts it seems like there is no issue with getting bits and pieces, is this really the case with the company being bust for so long?

Thanks
Cae

[onyx39]

caelite said:

glance at Euro car parts it seems like there is no issue with getting bits and pieces, is this really the case with the company being bust for so long?

Thanks
Cae

Pretty much yes, however there are many scrap yards with parts available, and the MG Community will almost be able to help you.

www.mg-rover.org

[caelite]

Haha well the 54 plate was fked, xD. FSH to some people aparently means serviced religeosly till 50k then neglected for the next 30k miles. Engine also had the tell tale idle rattle of a screwed variator system & rear suspension sounded like it need both rear bushes done, owner accused me of being a timewaster when I mentioned this during a test drive so I walked. Off to see a mk1 53 plate today that sounds to be much better nick. & from a dealer.

[caelite]

st. I bought the 53 plate. It looked fantastic, drove well and had been serviced religeously every 5-10k miles. Picked it up for a bargain, was a dream for the first ~2 hours / 100miles of my journey home. Right up to the point it lost power on the M74. Managed to crawl along the shoulder for a mile to the next exit where I could park it.

It sounds like either a valve tappet is fked or they are being starved of oil, it was giving off a horrible overheated smell. AA bloke said oil pump is possibly siezed but the engine still starts so he thinks I saved it. Car has enough oil and the temp guage held constant with no dash warning lights, mightve bought a lemon.

And ofcourse I check the small print on one half of the dealer receipt stating the vehicle was sold as "spares or repair".

[Mr2Mike]

caelite said:

Haha well the 54 plate was fked, xD. FSH to some people aparently means serviced religeosly till 50k then neglected for the next 30k miles. Engine also had the tell tale idle rattle of a screwed variator system

There are no variators in the KV6. The rattle will almost certainly be caused by a worn/broken variable induction system within the inlet manifold which is a very common problem.

[caelite]

Mr2Mike said:

There are no variators in the KV6. The rattle will almost certainly be caused by a worn/broken variable induction system within the inlet manifold which is a very common problem.

Aye could be, sounded like a plastic on plastic rattle on the top of the engine, The car I bought developed the same rattle after I pulled up due to it loosing power on the motorway

[Mr2Mike]

caelite said:

Aye could be, sounded like a plastic on plastic rattle on the top of the engine, The car I bought developed the same rattle after I pulled up due to it loosing power on the motorway

The VIS system doesn't tend to cause a sudden and significant power loss, it just makes the engine feel a bit flat compared to when it's working. I would definitely be taking a close look at the timing belts (three of them!) and the tensioners; a rattle and power loss could be a failed tensioner and the belt jumping a tooth or two.

[AndyG-ZTT]

caelite said:

............And of course I check the small print on one half of the dealer receipt stating the vehicle was sold as "spares or repair".

Was it advertised as "spares or Repair" or did you find that out after you had bought the car and left ??