MG ZT-T, the 2.5 190+. Yay or nay?
Discussion
Kermit power said:
welshbikerduck said:
The damn airbag light cam on just as we got home, Grrrrr
That was almost certainly just down to the connectors under the seat. The wires are fairly short, so it's not uncommon for them to pull on the connector and trigger the light. Should be a quick, simple fiddle, although some people just cut out the connector and patch in longer wires.Either way, unless you're very unlucky and there actually is something wrong with the system, it should be a very quick, simple and cheap fix.
andymadmak said:
Nigel Worc's said:
Thejust keep a very close eye on the coolant level (for the one issue, if yours is the 1.8), .
Says in his post he's got the V6. No HGF issues with those. (eta the 2.5 190+ in the thread title should have given him a hint it was the v6)
Edited by smilerbaker on Monday 11th May 14:46
Nigel Worc's said:
I wish the owner of the estate luck.
@ MGJOHN , you don't quite get the same response from me do you ?
I too bought one of these cars, and it was everything people said it would be !
And not in a good way.
With hindsight (which is a wonderful gift), I think Rovers inability to accept something was wrong, and deal with it, was their downfall.
My 75 is still the worst car I've owned to this present day, and I've had a few with Longbridge origins.
Nigel, you never did answer me as to whether you bought your car new or second hand. With / without service history if it was used etc............ @ MGJOHN , you don't quite get the same response from me do you ?
I too bought one of these cars, and it was everything people said it would be !
And not in a good way.
With hindsight (which is a wonderful gift), I think Rovers inability to accept something was wrong, and deal with it, was their downfall.
My 75 is still the worst car I've owned to this present day, and I've had a few with Longbridge origins.
Kermit power said:
welshbikerduck said:
However i would say more likely they probably went bankrupt because of lousy marketing of their awesome cars.
As an example, how many people know MGR set the World land speed record for an estate car (228mph iirc) with a ZT-T V8 on the Bonneville salt flats?
If it had been BMW or Audi, how many people would know?
To go to all that trouble and then not even market it! Utterly, utterly dreadful.
smilerbaker said:
Kermit power said:
welshbikerduck said:
However i would say more likely they probably went bankrupt because of lousy marketing of their awesome cars.
As an example, how many people know MGR set the World land speed record for an estate car (228mph iirc) with a ZT-T V8 on the Bonneville salt flats?
If it had been BMW or Audi, how many people would know?
To go to all that trouble and then not even market it! Utterly, utterly dreadful.
Many factors involved of course not least various short sighted Governments dealing with the union problems by severing their life blood.... far from hidden agendas undermining and destroying industry.
Just my humble opinion as a student of my fellow man and woman for close on three score years and ten:~
Decades of incessant media negativity reporting just about anything UK Industry related had the drip-drip-drip subconscious brainwashing effect which endsured many of your average UK car consumers never even put the Rover/MG Showroom on their shopping list when the time came to buy a new car. Our loss.
Numerous instances of this brainwashing. Here's one. When I was completing the purchase of a new MG Metro 1300 in late 1982, a smart well spoken woman in the showroom loudly explained that those Lazy Bar....ds up at Longbridge did not deserve a job! What she was doing there and why that mindset I can only guess. I really dont know. She was not an obvious idiot and was politely asked to leave. Obviously from a priviledge background, I'd bet a nice few quid she probably had never done an honest day's work in all her life let alone worked in Longbridge..
Clueless cow ... needed her arse kicking until it bled.... Sadly, there are still far too many with that mindset for the good of this nation..... and one day it will all come home to roost ..... ring any bells?
..
andymadmak said:
Nigel Worc's said:
The just keep a very close eye on the coolant level (for the one issue, if yours is the 1.8), .
Says in his post he's got the V6. No HGF issues with those. The wise car owner and driver should check things like coolant levels regularly anyway on ANY car. As all motor manufacturers advise in their driver's handbooks that come with every car and for good reason..
Far too many folks never lift the bonnet to check things unless things go wrong .... guess what ... things can go wrong on any car.
I recovered a work colleague's car from Gatwick Airport ~ it's cylinder head gasket had "gone" on the way a few miles short of the AirPort. It needed a new cylinder head gasket and a new CYLINDER HEAD which had been destroyed by over heating. The car was a newish Toyota ~ they never have such things go wrong apparently.
andymadmak said:
Nigel Worc's said:
I wish the owner of the estate luck.
@ MGJOHN , you don't quite get the same response from me do you ?
I too bought one of these cars, and it was everything people said it would be !
And not in a good way.
With hindsight (which is a wonderful gift), I think Rovers inability to accept something was wrong, and deal with it, was their downfall.
My 75 is still the worst car I've owned to this present day, and I've had a few with Longbridge origins.
Nigel, you never did answer me as to whether you bought your car new or second hand. With / without service history if it was used etc............ @ MGJOHN , you don't quite get the same response from me do you ?
I too bought one of these cars, and it was everything people said it would be !
And not in a good way.
With hindsight (which is a wonderful gift), I think Rovers inability to accept something was wrong, and deal with it, was their downfall.
My 75 is still the worst car I've owned to this present day, and I've had a few with Longbridge origins.
2nd hand, 80,000 on the clock, full service history
my present E34, 2nd hand, full service history, 88,000 on the clock
By 90 something thousand the Rover had needed a full clutch, master and slave cylinders, head gasket,front springs, and spark plug leads (coil packs), and I'd had numerous small but annoying electrical issues with the mirrors and windows.( And thats just what I can remember while writing this) It had to be recovered twice. I owned it for 9 months.
The E34 is now up to 120,000, I've owned it since last July, so far its needed a rubber on the inlet manifold, ..... and the E34 is 3 years older than the Rover, hasn't needed to be recovered (in fact hasn't needed any garage attention at all).
Guess which one gets my vote ?
Both 1.8 4 pots, both about the same performance & economy, beemer better handling, Rover much more nicely trimmed, beemer much better built.
Its my third E34, although the other two were both 6 pot 2.5's.
I've also had a very good Volvo 850 estate (only had it for 7 months, as I crashed it), and an outstanding Vectra estate I bought with 44,000 on the clock, and took it to 184,000, still on the original clutch, it only needed a battery, alternator, and fuel relay in the 140,000 miles I covered.
I changed the vectra for the 75
Ok Nigel. so not new. The clutch failure does suggest some sort of earlier abuse. The clutch in my 190 is on 110k so far. HGF, plus coil packs? Again, others will know better but temperature abuse seems likely cause. Broken front springs? Hmm, you sure this thing wasn't abused before you got it?
Like I said, 110k miles on mine, no problems. Original exhaust, clutch etc. Now, my BMW? owned from new, double Vanos failure at 40k miles, numerous other failings. So for each of us the opposite experience. who's is the more relevant? You'll say yours cos HGF us a known issue on K4 pots and of course everyone knows Rovers are crap.... I'll say its mine, cos everyone knows about BMW Vanos issues, plus I've owned half a dozen Rovers, all from new, all taken to monster miles without major failure, breakdown or significant issue..
See?
Andy
PS, my Volvo S60, T5se was owned from new.
4 years, 90k miles. In that time
1, Clutch failure
2, Serious engine management issues resulting in dangerous cut outs at junctions etc
3, NS Front suspension fell off - yes fell off at 6 months old!!!!
4, So many electrical issues it drove me mad
5, windows sticking open
6, Aircon failure
7, Paint faded
8, endless bulbs blowing
9, more rattles than mothercare
10, Seat collapsed
11, much, much, much more
Oh, and lest anyone think this was an isolated incident, I'd bought two of the bloody things at the same time - one for my colleague. Yes, his suffered most of the above too..
Like I said, 110k miles on mine, no problems. Original exhaust, clutch etc. Now, my BMW? owned from new, double Vanos failure at 40k miles, numerous other failings. So for each of us the opposite experience. who's is the more relevant? You'll say yours cos HGF us a known issue on K4 pots and of course everyone knows Rovers are crap.... I'll say its mine, cos everyone knows about BMW Vanos issues, plus I've owned half a dozen Rovers, all from new, all taken to monster miles without major failure, breakdown or significant issue..
See?
Andy
PS, my Volvo S60, T5se was owned from new.
4 years, 90k miles. In that time
1, Clutch failure
2, Serious engine management issues resulting in dangerous cut outs at junctions etc
3, NS Front suspension fell off - yes fell off at 6 months old!!!!
4, So many electrical issues it drove me mad
5, windows sticking open
6, Aircon failure
7, Paint faded
8, endless bulbs blowing
9, more rattles than mothercare
10, Seat collapsed
11, much, much, much more
Oh, and lest anyone think this was an isolated incident, I'd bought two of the bloody things at the same time - one for my colleague. Yes, his suffered most of the above too..
Edited by andymadmak on Monday 11th May 21:56
Nigel Worc's said:
Andy
2nd hand, 80,000 on the clock, full service history
my present E34, 2nd hand, full service history, 88,000 on the clock
By 90 something thousand the Rover had needed a full clutch, master and slave cylinders, head gasket,front springs, and spark plug leads (coil packs), and I'd had numerous small but annoying electrical issues with the mirrors and windows.( And thats just what I can remember while writing this) It had to be recovered twice. I owned it for 9 months.
The E34 is now up to 120,000, I've owned it since last July, so far its needed a rubber on the inlet manifold, ..... and the E34 is 3 years older than the Rover, hasn't needed to be recovered (in fact hasn't needed any garage attention at all).
Guess which one gets my vote ?
Both 1.8 4 pots, both about the same performance & economy, beemer better handling, Rover much more nicely trimmed, beemer much better built.
Its my third E34, although the other two were both 6 pot 2.5's.
I've also had a very good Volvo 850 estate (only had it for 7 months, as I crashed it), and an outstanding Vectra estate I bought with 44,000 on the clock, and took it to 184,000, still on the original clutch, it only needed a battery, alternator, and fuel relay in the 140,000 miles I covered.
I changed the vectra for the 75
LOL LOL LOL LOL sorry, are you for real????? 80k on the clock and your moaning that things started failing??? did you actually check the service history?2nd hand, 80,000 on the clock, full service history
my present E34, 2nd hand, full service history, 88,000 on the clock
By 90 something thousand the Rover had needed a full clutch, master and slave cylinders, head gasket,front springs, and spark plug leads (coil packs), and I'd had numerous small but annoying electrical issues with the mirrors and windows.( And thats just what I can remember while writing this) It had to be recovered twice. I owned it for 9 months.
The E34 is now up to 120,000, I've owned it since last July, so far its needed a rubber on the inlet manifold, ..... and the E34 is 3 years older than the Rover, hasn't needed to be recovered (in fact hasn't needed any garage attention at all).
Guess which one gets my vote ?
Both 1.8 4 pots, both about the same performance & economy, beemer better handling, Rover much more nicely trimmed, beemer much better built.
Its my third E34, although the other two were both 6 pot 2.5's.
I've also had a very good Volvo 850 estate (only had it for 7 months, as I crashed it), and an outstanding Vectra estate I bought with 44,000 on the clock, and took it to 184,000, still on the original clutch, it only needed a battery, alternator, and fuel relay in the 140,000 miles I covered.
I changed the vectra for the 75
Who'd have thought things wear out after 80k miles eh?
If your volvo etc where also 2nd hand then how the hell do you know its on its original clutch???
Sorry but you come across as a typical trolling MG/Rover hater spouting the same old tired BS.
ETA a list of faults on my car history
Renault Spider (brand new) - failed cat, speedo burnt out twice (£350 to replace each time) all within the first year
Clio 172 (brand new) - new brakes all round (calipers), all new belts £1800+ on its major first service (at 18 months iirc)
Nissan Primera - Timming chain snapped at 70k miles, car written off
MGF (brand new) - Alarm kept going off, replaced under warantee, no problem
Various other rovers - no breakdowns, just normal servicing, no big bills, all doing sky high milage
and for a bit of balance
ZS180 (brand new) - air vent broke, bumper needed re-aligning all done under warantee
zs180 (2nd hand) 70k miles - Inlet manifold worn, abs rings broken, clutch slave cylinder, 400 for manifold, 15 for rings, 100 for the excellent sheddist clutch kit. Which I don't think is that bad considering its done a few trips to and round the ring, seats 4 in comfort, pulls like a train, and most importantly they can be picked up for £1500 almost mint.
Edited by smilerbaker on Tuesday 12th May 07:44
Edited by smilerbaker on Tuesday 12th May 07:52
smilerbaker said:
just as a side note Nigel Worc's, you do realise a fair bit of kit on the ZT is BMW? and it was desgined and built while BMW owned MG/Rover, right?
Not quite, all those MG Zeds were produced AFTER the Bavarian outfit cut and run in 2000. The basis of the ZT was of course produced whilst Rover was owned by BMW, but, not the smaller Zeds which were of different origin.Post BMW, considering the MG-Rover guys had an unlimited budget well in excess of two quid to develope all those Zeds, they made a fair job of it from this observer's viewpoint. Considering also they are after all production cars, all the MG Zeds are nice cars to drive and live with day to day. My wife adores driving the ZS and she is a non~enthusiast ~ that says a lot as few cars impress her.
My May 2003 MGZS has a BMW logo on some of the electrical items. Must be parts bin bits from earlier contracts.
smilerbaker said:
MUCH SNIPPED>>>>
did you actually check the service history?
Good question....did you actually check the service history?
"FSH" is simply a sales tool for selling things at over inflated prices. Often meaningless and bulls
t. Above all, it is NOT a guarantee that the car has been serviced well! Far from it in my experience. So much so that the last three new cars I've bought, I've only serviced myself and never enthrusted them to professionals except come MoT time. My reasons are numerous but I will not repeat them yet again except to say I've lost count of the occasions when professionals have 'failed', not the car!One car eventually started to fall to bits ... after fifteen years of hard use and huge mileage.... and I do mean hard, but, a good maintenance programme. The fine engine lived on in another car. My Montego would have passed its next MoT but, after thirteen years and 130,000 miles, cosmetically it was well past it's prime. With one day left on the MoT, I drove it to the local car breakers and it was still running strong. Likewise my MGZS which is now six years old this month and I fully expect it to serve the family well for another six years, maybe longer as they are much better made regarding corrosion than in the past. Cosmetically, I do not pamper my cars ~ rarely polish them ~ car wash mostly although my son likes to wash the alloys thoroughly to remove the brake dust... those multispokes look nice but, too much like hard work to keep clean. Prefer those 5-Spoke VVC alloys ~ cosmetically and ease of keeping clean...
Mind you, the engine compartments I do keep clean.... Here's the L-series in my aged 620 Diesel....
Not bad for fourteen years and 122,000 miles...
....
@ smilerbaker, yes I am for real, yes 80,000 miles on the clock and I do not expect those issues.
The clutch faliure was that stupidly mounted slave cylinder, the plate was worn but still working, I replaced it with the updated one (the old one was only just above the rivets, and I'd guess original, as it was the "solid" one).
I buy all my cars like this, only the Rover has let me down.
I cannot be absolutely sure of the cars history, the coil pack change was due to perishing rubber allowing the spark to jump down the outside of the plug, it wasn't possible at that time to buy the rubber boots (it may be now, I've no idea)
I know the clutch on the Vectra was original, as I was owner number two, and I knew owner number one.
I was owner four on the Volvo, and I knew owners two & three.
The beemers god bless em, most reliable of the lot, were unkown previous owners.
I paid more than the norm for my present one, because it was just so good, only two owners from new, full beemer service history, amazing condition, and still on its original metric wheels (which it isn't now, the chap who sold it to me changed them for imperial, and replaced the front disks and pads).
I paid £1,750 for it, and I expect to get two years out of it without major hassle........and I probably will.
I'd always admired those 75's, the styling was just right for me, but compared to the reliabilty I expect from modern cars, it just didn't make the mark, in the past I've had a montego as a company car, and that was ok, although not quite finished as well as collegues non Rover cars.
I'm hoping my next car will be an "X" type jag, the diesel one, 50ish mpg, similar performance to the present beemer and the 75, they are amazing value at the moment, although I'm looking into the reliability side, as I don't want to get caught driving the "British" dream again, like the Rover, I like the styling and interior of the Jag.
I doubt my next car will be a beemer because they stopped doing small engines in the 5 series ( I don't like the three series, you may as well have an astra!), I don't really like the E39 5 series (the krauts couldn't even be bothered to make the wipers right handed), and the E60 which I do like, is out of my price range.
The Beemer 2.0 diesel has issues, although they do seem to be being sorted, and beemer diesel economy above the 2.0 litre isnt to my liking.
The quality also dropped somewhat in favour of more production after the E34, and I'll be struggling to find another E34 without nasa mileage (I was very surprised to find this one, its redgistered very late, the E39 had been out for 12 months).
My next car will not be a 75, no matter how cheap they are, I need to be able to rely on it.
The clutch faliure was that stupidly mounted slave cylinder, the plate was worn but still working, I replaced it with the updated one (the old one was only just above the rivets, and I'd guess original, as it was the "solid" one).
I buy all my cars like this, only the Rover has let me down.
I cannot be absolutely sure of the cars history, the coil pack change was due to perishing rubber allowing the spark to jump down the outside of the plug, it wasn't possible at that time to buy the rubber boots (it may be now, I've no idea)
I know the clutch on the Vectra was original, as I was owner number two, and I knew owner number one.
I was owner four on the Volvo, and I knew owners two & three.
The beemers god bless em, most reliable of the lot, were unkown previous owners.
I paid more than the norm for my present one, because it was just so good, only two owners from new, full beemer service history, amazing condition, and still on its original metric wheels (which it isn't now, the chap who sold it to me changed them for imperial, and replaced the front disks and pads).
I paid £1,750 for it, and I expect to get two years out of it without major hassle........and I probably will.
I'd always admired those 75's, the styling was just right for me, but compared to the reliabilty I expect from modern cars, it just didn't make the mark, in the past I've had a montego as a company car, and that was ok, although not quite finished as well as collegues non Rover cars.
I'm hoping my next car will be an "X" type jag, the diesel one, 50ish mpg, similar performance to the present beemer and the 75, they are amazing value at the moment, although I'm looking into the reliability side, as I don't want to get caught driving the "British" dream again, like the Rover, I like the styling and interior of the Jag.
I doubt my next car will be a beemer because they stopped doing small engines in the 5 series ( I don't like the three series, you may as well have an astra!), I don't really like the E39 5 series (the krauts couldn't even be bothered to make the wipers right handed), and the E60 which I do like, is out of my price range.
The Beemer 2.0 diesel has issues, although they do seem to be being sorted, and beemer diesel economy above the 2.0 litre isnt to my liking.
The quality also dropped somewhat in favour of more production after the E34, and I'll be struggling to find another E34 without nasa mileage (I was very surprised to find this one, its redgistered very late, the E39 had been out for 12 months).
My next car will not be a 75, no matter how cheap they are, I need to be able to rely on it.
Nigel Worc's said:
I'm hoping my next car will be an "X" type jag.........
......I don't like the three series, you may as well have an astra!)
Have you actually been in an X type Jag?......I don't like the three series, you may as well have an astra!)
My experience of both the X type and the 3 series is limited to having had both as hire cars, and I have no aversion to either company, but the X type was without a shadow of doubt the biggest automotive letdown I've ever experienced.
If you think you might as well have an Astra as a 3 Series, then you could trade the X type in for a Ka. I have never known any other car to come even remotely close to being so much smaller on the inside than it looks from the outside. I wouldn't mind an S type, and I would definitely be happy with an XJR, but the X type is a pokey, miserly little thing for badge snobs.
Nigel Worc's, so you bought a zt with high milage, for peanuts, that had most of the common (easy to fix and cheaply) faults. Did you not think to do a little research before hand to check what to look for?? Or even check afterwards?? A quick pop along to one of the many MG forums would tell you what to look for, and where to get the uprated bits from, eg on the ZS the abs rings, rover make you buy a whole new hub for big ££££ whereas you can just buy the rings for £15 the pair, 15 minutes later your abs is as good as new. The manifold, fit an oil catch tank etc etc
To blacklist and constantly slag off a brand because you bought a lemon isn't really on imho.
maybe I should logon to skyline forums and slag off nissans because my get to work shed primera let me down.
To blacklist and constantly slag off a brand because you bought a lemon isn't really on imho.
maybe I should logon to skyline forums and slag off nissans because my get to work shed primera let me down.
Nigel Worc's said:
Get a beemer,merc, volvo, they work.
Yeah, like the 2001-05 E-Class that had too many electronic problems to count. BMW? Um, the 75 platform is engineered to Beemer standards. Volvo - well T5s aren't exactly trouble free either and unlike other manufacturers I could name they never quite found out how to channel 200+ bhp and a bit of torque through the front wheels - the rest of the range I may be reviewing after I've turned 70 or so. Oh, and unlike Mercs of the era I've yet to see a rusty 75/ZT...
Edited by 900T-R on Wednesday 13th May 08:17
Kermit power said:
Nigel Worc's said:
I'm hoping my next car will be an "X" type jag.........
......I don't like the three series, you may as well have an astra!)
Have you actually been in an X type Jag?......I don't like the three series, you may as well have an astra!)
My experience of both the X type and the 3 series is limited to having had both as hire cars, and I have no aversion to either company, but the X type was without a shadow of doubt the biggest automotive letdown I've ever experienced.
If you think you might as well have an Astra as a 3 Series, then you could trade the X type in for a Ka. I have never known any other car to come even remotely close to being so much smaller on the inside than it looks from the outside. I wouldn't mind an S type, and I would definitely be happy with an XJR, but the X type is a pokey, miserly little thing for badge snobs.
Thanks for your experiences, I haven't enjoyed the drives in the 3 series beemer cars I've tried (and that includes the latest M3, I hated it)
My 5 series actually feels "pokey" compared to the Volvo, although I soon got used to it again.
I will try an "X" type sometime soon, and let you know what I think, and I guess I must be a badge snob (or someone who would just like to own a Jaguar), I was actually quite taken with the Rover badge too, I grew up just a few miles from the factory, and many members of my family worked there over the years.
Nigel Worc's said:
@ smilerbaker, yes I am for real, yes 80,000 miles on the clock and I do not expect those issues.
The clutch faliure was that stupidly mounted slave cylinder, the plate was worn but still working, I replaced it with the updated one (the old one was only just above the rivets, and I'd guess original, as it was the "solid" one).
I buy all my cars like this, only the Rover has let me down.
I cannot be absolutely sure of the cars history, the coil pack change was due to perishing rubber allowing the spark to jump down the outside of the plug, it wasn't possible at that time to buy the rubber boots (it may be now, I've no idea)
I know the clutch on the Vectra was original, as I was owner number two, and I knew owner number one.
I was owner four on the Volvo, and I knew owners two & three.
The beemers god bless em, most reliable of the lot, were unkown previous owners.
I paid more than the norm for my present one, because it was just so good, only two owners from new, full beemer service history, amazing condition, and still on its original metric wheels (which it isn't now, the chap who sold it to me changed them for imperial, and replaced the front disks and pads).
I paid £1,750 for it, and I expect to get two years out of it without major hassle........and I probably will.
I'd always admired those 75's, the styling was just right for me, but compared to the reliabilty I expect from modern cars, it just didn't make the mark, in the past I've had a montego as a company car, and that was ok, although not quite finished as well as collegues non Rover cars.
I'm hoping my next car will be an "X" type jag, the diesel one, 50ish mpg, similar performance to the present beemer and the 75, they are amazing value at the moment, although I'm looking into the reliability side, as I don't want to get caught driving the "British" dream again, like the Rover, I like the styling and interior of the Jag.
I doubt my next car will be a beemer because they stopped doing small engines in the 5 series ( I don't like the three series, you may as well have an astra!), I don't really like the E39 5 series (the krauts couldn't even be bothered to make the wipers right handed), and the E60 which I do like, is out of my price range.
The Beemer 2.0 diesel has issues, although they do seem to be being sorted, and beemer diesel economy above the 2.0 litre isnt to my liking.
The quality also dropped somewhat in favour of more production after the E34, and I'll be struggling to find another E34 without nasa mileage (I was very surprised to find this one, its redgistered very late, the E39 had been out for 12 months).
My next car will not be a 75, no matter how cheap they are, I need to be able to rely on it.
Nigel hate to say it but I think you just bought a sxxt car! Nothing to do with being a Rover, just a bad un! The clutch faliure was that stupidly mounted slave cylinder, the plate was worn but still working, I replaced it with the updated one (the old one was only just above the rivets, and I'd guess original, as it was the "solid" one).
I buy all my cars like this, only the Rover has let me down.
I cannot be absolutely sure of the cars history, the coil pack change was due to perishing rubber allowing the spark to jump down the outside of the plug, it wasn't possible at that time to buy the rubber boots (it may be now, I've no idea)
I know the clutch on the Vectra was original, as I was owner number two, and I knew owner number one.
I was owner four on the Volvo, and I knew owners two & three.
The beemers god bless em, most reliable of the lot, were unkown previous owners.
I paid more than the norm for my present one, because it was just so good, only two owners from new, full beemer service history, amazing condition, and still on its original metric wheels (which it isn't now, the chap who sold it to me changed them for imperial, and replaced the front disks and pads).
I paid £1,750 for it, and I expect to get two years out of it without major hassle........and I probably will.
I'd always admired those 75's, the styling was just right for me, but compared to the reliabilty I expect from modern cars, it just didn't make the mark, in the past I've had a montego as a company car, and that was ok, although not quite finished as well as collegues non Rover cars.
I'm hoping my next car will be an "X" type jag, the diesel one, 50ish mpg, similar performance to the present beemer and the 75, they are amazing value at the moment, although I'm looking into the reliability side, as I don't want to get caught driving the "British" dream again, like the Rover, I like the styling and interior of the Jag.
I doubt my next car will be a beemer because they stopped doing small engines in the 5 series ( I don't like the three series, you may as well have an astra!), I don't really like the E39 5 series (the krauts couldn't even be bothered to make the wipers right handed), and the E60 which I do like, is out of my price range.
The Beemer 2.0 diesel has issues, although they do seem to be being sorted, and beemer diesel economy above the 2.0 litre isnt to my liking.
The quality also dropped somewhat in favour of more production after the E34, and I'll be struggling to find another E34 without nasa mileage (I was very surprised to find this one, its redgistered very late, the E39 had been out for 12 months).
My next car will not be a 75, no matter how cheap they are, I need to be able to rely on it.
Do a search to find all the "I've just bought a car and it's broken can I sue the dealer threads" and you will see you're not alone and they are not al Rovers! !!
I had a ZT estate work pool car for a month, with the BMW dieselcdti. Very nice to, lovely interior and I loved the beefy british looks on big alloys. Would I buy one, yes. Did I buy one, no, I got a mondeo estate ghia x instead. Reason..the chassis on the mondeo for a big car is faultless so comfy, and you can hustle it like it should not be hustled, plus (the clincher) it is mahoosive inside! The ZT is a fine car in estate form, one of the best and great value, but I think the mondeo is a better car and a true bargain too. Both beat the Germans for value by a massive margin!
Nigel Worc's said:
I will try an "X" type sometime soon, and let you know what I think, and I guess I must be a badge snob (or someone who would just like to own a Jaguar)
It's a long-standing debate, I suppose, but you have to ask yourself whether owning an X type is the same as owning a Jaguar.If you try an X type and actually like it, fair enough. If you try an X type, decide its Mondeo cousin is more dynamically competent and much better equipped for the price but you still buy the X type, then I'd have to say it's badge snobbery.
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