MG ZS 180 - What MPG from steady driving?
Discussion
Hi All,
Seriously tempted to scratch the ZS 180 itch. Currently own a ZT 120 which I love but its too underpowered, does around 26mpg around town and 38 - 40mpg on a steady run (60mph - 70mph).
Will the ZS 180 do around the same sort of economy seeing as its a lighter car, power to weight ratio and all that? Seems like I have to give the ZT some beans to get it to go up hills as the 1800 non turbo engine is to underpowered for the size of the car. Plus it would also be nice to have a car with a bit of ooomph...last one I had with such power was a Renault 21 Turbo donkeys years ago...that was fast but being French was often broken!!
Owners views on the ZS 180? I have seen a few and I'm going to look at one this weekend. Cheers!
Seriously tempted to scratch the ZS 180 itch. Currently own a ZT 120 which I love but its too underpowered, does around 26mpg around town and 38 - 40mpg on a steady run (60mph - 70mph).
Will the ZS 180 do around the same sort of economy seeing as its a lighter car, power to weight ratio and all that? Seems like I have to give the ZT some beans to get it to go up hills as the 1800 non turbo engine is to underpowered for the size of the car. Plus it would also be nice to have a car with a bit of ooomph...last one I had with such power was a Renault 21 Turbo donkeys years ago...that was fast but being French was often broken!!
Owners views on the ZS 180? I have seen a few and I'm going to look at one this weekend. Cheers!
I found it impossible to get any more than 30mpg on a run, even taking it really steady (and this was fully serviced with new spark plugs, timing belts and VIS motors all working). My daily commute saw about 26-27mpg and was one of the main reasons I parted with it - my Fiat Coupe 20VT was a much quicker car and returned better economy.
That said others have claimed to get mid 30's from the 180, so perhaps my driving style simply didn't suit it.
It did sound lovely however, and the handling was enough to make up for the power deficit.
That said others have claimed to get mid 30's from the 180, so perhaps my driving style simply didn't suit it.
It did sound lovely however, and the handling was enough to make up for the power deficit.
I own a mk2 saloon with full bodykit and I really like it,
For the money you pay I cant think of much better, A decent amount of power mixed in with a good slug of torque makes it the quickest modern mg in the real world save for the SV and V8 ZT's (I have driven them all so this isnt a guess)
The handling is great too, sure the interior isnt great and it isnt loaded with kit, but hey what do you want all mod cons or an involving drive?? especially when you consider you'll only pay around £2k for one of the latest ones
Economy isnt great tbh, I have quite a heavy right foot and average around 22 - 25mpg on my commute, a 50 mile return journey with a mix of town, B road, A road and motorway driving.
I dare say you'll get more if you're careful but what would be the point? apart from the noise just buy a ZS derv get much better mpg and go just as quickly on part throttle
For the money you pay I cant think of much better, A decent amount of power mixed in with a good slug of torque makes it the quickest modern mg in the real world save for the SV and V8 ZT's (I have driven them all so this isnt a guess)
The handling is great too, sure the interior isnt great and it isnt loaded with kit, but hey what do you want all mod cons or an involving drive?? especially when you consider you'll only pay around £2k for one of the latest ones
Economy isnt great tbh, I have quite a heavy right foot and average around 22 - 25mpg on my commute, a 50 mile return journey with a mix of town, B road, A road and motorway driving.
I dare say you'll get more if you're careful but what would be the point? apart from the noise just buy a ZS derv get much better mpg and go just as quickly on part throttle
I averaged 33mpg over the year that I had mine(around 12k miles- nearly all commuting along quietish A/B roads).
Best was 38mpg on a 200 mile 60mph round trip. Worst was 28mpg over a tank including a few laps of Bedford Autodrome.
The only mod I had on mine was a Cold Air Induction kit- this gave me a few HP and freed a few ponies too.
Best was 38mpg on a 200 mile 60mph round trip. Worst was 28mpg over a tank including a few laps of Bedford Autodrome.
The only mod I had on mine was a Cold Air Induction kit- this gave me a few HP and freed a few ponies too.
shaun442k said:
I averaged 33mpg over the year that I had mine(around 12k miles- nearly all commuting along quietish A/B roads).
Best was 38mpg on a 200 mile 60mph round trip. Worst was 28mpg over a tank including a few laps of Bedford Autodrome.
The only mod I had on mine was a Cold Air Induction kit- this gave me a few HP and freed a few ponies too.
I really don't understand how I find it difficult to reach your "worst" mileage value just on my daily 60 mile (round trip) commute on a mixture of Dual Carriageway and B roads. I can get 36 mpg from my current Civic Type R on the same trip.Best was 38mpg on a 200 mile 60mph round trip. Worst was 28mpg over a tank including a few laps of Bedford Autodrome.
The only mod I had on mine was a Cold Air Induction kit- this gave me a few HP and freed a few ponies too.
Mr2Mike said:
shaun442k said:
I averaged 33mpg over the year that I had mine(around 12k miles- nearly all commuting along quietish A/B roads).
Best was 38mpg on a 200 mile 60mph round trip. Worst was 28mpg over a tank including a few laps of Bedford Autodrome.
The only mod I had on mine was a Cold Air Induction kit- this gave me a few HP and freed a few ponies too.
I really don't understand how I find it difficult to reach your "worst" mileage value just on my daily 60 mile (round trip) commute on a mixture of Dual Carriageway and B roads. I can get 36 mpg from my current Civic Type R on the same trip.Best was 38mpg on a 200 mile 60mph round trip. Worst was 28mpg over a tank including a few laps of Bedford Autodrome.
The only mod I had on mine was a Cold Air Induction kit- this gave me a few HP and freed a few ponies too.
Might be worth considering?
(nb, having just checked, my worst tank was 27mpg.)
Trouble is it is a nice experience to use the V6 in the ZS180 and that uses more fuel.
If economy is highest on your list of must haves, then the V6 is not an ideal choice.
As others suggest, if you want MG ZS handling ( main attraction for me with this otherwise ordinary production car ) PLUS economy, then consider the Diesel MG ZS where 50mpg is not difficult to obtain. Don't like diesels then go for the 4 cylinder MG ZS120 which are also incredibly good value and even lead foot me gets mid 30s mpg in our two MG ZS120s in the family. My other half closer to 40 mpg.
Driving style plays a large part here. If you're one of the many who must rush up to every T-Junction leaving braking to the last second, that uses more fuel. Simple adjustments to that kind of driving style can make a big difference.
My son has a 190,000 mile Rover 620ti which he uses mainly for his work. He frequently gets 100 more miles between tank fill ups than I do with my identical car showing only 84,000 miles. Why is that? I like to use that boost ... a lot. Now retired, if as I once did still covered large mileages for my work, I would drive the car differently.
My point to point journey times in the MG ZS 120 are not much different to that in the more powerful Rover 620ti. I doubt if I had a ZS 180 the situation would be much different if at all. Driving at legal speeds, Road conditions and Traffic Density 24/7 on UK roads now always have the final say in these things.
I'm old enough to know that it did not used to be like that.
If economy is highest on your list of must haves, then the V6 is not an ideal choice.
As others suggest, if you want MG ZS handling ( main attraction for me with this otherwise ordinary production car ) PLUS economy, then consider the Diesel MG ZS where 50mpg is not difficult to obtain. Don't like diesels then go for the 4 cylinder MG ZS120 which are also incredibly good value and even lead foot me gets mid 30s mpg in our two MG ZS120s in the family. My other half closer to 40 mpg.
Driving style plays a large part here. If you're one of the many who must rush up to every T-Junction leaving braking to the last second, that uses more fuel. Simple adjustments to that kind of driving style can make a big difference.
My son has a 190,000 mile Rover 620ti which he uses mainly for his work. He frequently gets 100 more miles between tank fill ups than I do with my identical car showing only 84,000 miles. Why is that? I like to use that boost ... a lot. Now retired, if as I once did still covered large mileages for my work, I would drive the car differently.
My point to point journey times in the MG ZS 120 are not much different to that in the more powerful Rover 620ti. I doubt if I had a ZS 180 the situation would be much different if at all. Driving at legal speeds, Road conditions and Traffic Density 24/7 on UK roads now always have the final say in these things.
I'm old enough to know that it did not used to be like that.
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