RE: Shed Of The Week: MG ZT

RE: Shed Of The Week: MG ZT

Author
Discussion

LouD86

3,278 posts

152 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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HorneyMX5 said:
OK so not a ZT, but I love this car so much.





Belongs to a good friend of mine. 2.5 V6 too, sounds pretty funky, and really handles like its on rails!

NNH

1,515 posts

131 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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WojaWabbit said:
People mentioning the lack of pace.... iontewrested to know what you're comparing it to? A quick google places the ZT 190 in amongst contemporaries like the Mondeo ST220, Vectra GSi, Accord Type R, 525i Sport etc. in terms of straight line performance. And from what I can see, Vauxhall aside, you won't get either of the others for near £1k!
When I got a new one in 2002, I was comparing it to the IS200, X-Type 2.5 and 320i which all had similar leasing rates. It certainly felt like the quickest and most interesting of the bunch, and it was comfortably able to lead the way in a 3-car convoy with a 525i and an Elise as we all headed for the Cherbourg ferry at 130mph+ after a huge traffic delay!

I miss the looks, handling, and characterful engine of mine. I don't miss the fuel consumption or the reliability issues though!

900T-R

20,404 posts

256 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Dutch magazine Autovisie (seen as the most authoritative and impartial of car mags over here) tested eight diesel reps with sporting pretensions back in 2003/4. IIRC the top-four was 4) Saab 9-3, 3) BMW 320d, 2) Alfa 156, 1) MG ZT.

The Audi A4 came in at eighth.

No surprises for people who've actually driven the cars back in the day - but as has been mentioned before to some 'image' (is is that 'imagine'? :P) seems to be everything. The makeover from Rover 75 to MG ZT was quite comprehensive and very effective, it's a completely different, more agile and communicative car to drive.

Being rear ended twice in a year was a bit too much for my mega-mile ZT-T derv, and then I put insult to injury by remodelling the front bumper and RHS front wing. After a good, deep look into what else is available at this end of the market (3K euros in the Dutch market), I've decided to replace like for like.

Having said that, the wear and replacement cost of the 18-inch tyres and having to rummage under the passenger seat every so often to extinguish the airbag warning light are aspects I could well do without.

Edited by 900T-R on Saturday 20th December 15:59

fathead431

64 posts

146 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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I drive the aforementioned "Swagon"
Now I've had my fair share of issues with it, but none of them are issues that would be uncommon on a v6 example with as high mileage as mine.
I had a terrible gearbox failure but I later found out that fresh oil had been hiding this issue for a while and simply replaced the gearbox with the help of a friend on a 2 poster. £120 all in for a low mileage box.

When driving it standard I have to say it's by far the most pleasant car I've ever had the pleasure of driving. I loved my first car like a child but this just blew it away. Even in standard form. I've driven all sort of cars, lots of Rovers, 3 series bmws, hatchbacks, courtesy cars and various ages and engines of volvo estates and four wheel drives. The 75 is by far the nicest and I think it's an absolute hoot to drive.

Let it be noted I'm 21, and the insurance works out cheaper than a 1.3 micra for the 2.5 V6 Estate with ALL THE toys.

Now that it's lowered on big hoops in rubber bands it's still comfortable. The chassis is incredibly stiff and means that the suspension does all the work as opposed to trim rattling and the chassis flexing and wobbling the car everywhere. It's about 3/4 an inch from the floor under the subframe and it's still comfortable, more comfortable than my parents 54 plate v70 diesel which is standard on 17 inch wheels and lowish profile tyres.

That and mum likes it because it's a Rover,And also because it's got a great euro n cap safety rating.

I can see why the older population drive them, they're more experienced than us younguns and know what's hot.

TheAngryDog

12,394 posts

208 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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900T-R said:
having to rummage under the passenger seat every so often to extinguish the airbag warning light are aspects I could well do without.

Edited by 900T-R on Saturday 20th December 15:59
Cut the plugs and solder the wires together, problem solved biggrin

Blib

43,793 posts

196 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Chris71 said:
...... a real proportionality.......
wavey

Enough of that. We should arrange another "Not in North London, North London" meet. I want to show you my 964. yes



Office_Monkey

1,967 posts

208 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Just my luck, the starter motor went on mine today! Maybe it didn't like having winter boots fitted wink

miniman

24,827 posts

261 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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I liked mine, apart from the thirst.

It was impeccably reliable.


kainedog

361 posts

173 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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WojaWabbit said:
Great shed!my clk runs those tyres , only £90 a pop

A point to note is that 225/45/18s are not cheap - around £150/corner, so a full set of boots can easily cost close to the value of the car.

All other service consumables appear to be relatively low cost.

I purchased my ZT 180 (Auto) at 38k miles, in immaculate condition, for £900. It's now on 55k in 20 months and its been brilliant. Had a burst of the frighteners when, shortly after a service, it overheated. Thankfully this was down to an air lock - the KV6 are quite bad for this, the cooling system needs to be pressure filled, or else follow the Haynes method which takes an age but is do-able at home.

It easily swallows up a mountain bike, roady, snowboards etc. if you fold the seats flat and, as mentioned by many others, the steering, ride and handling are fantastic compared to many equivalent modern cars so it's decent fun and comfortable on the twisty mountain roads..... it's the perfect shed for me!

The only car I'd change it for would be a shed XJR at c£2-3k biggrin

Hugh stinquer

13 posts

157 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
quotequote all
I own two 190's
One good ZT(very good nick, one owner 30,000 mls)
The other ZT great spec/colour (same as shed) but with high miles and a knackered concentric slave cylinder, now a breaker
There was a time when it did run well which made me search for a better example.
Great chassis with a nippy, rather than fast engine. Low gearing ideal for A roads but needs a sixth gear to compete with the autobahn munchers.
Think of the ZT as a big mini cooper (the suspension layout and design/Z axle etc and interior styling cues are of the BMW era)
Incidentally McLaren F1 designer Peter Stevens was tasked with the job of restyling the 75 into the ZT.

daveofedinburgh

556 posts

118 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
quotequote all
fathead431 said:
I drive the aforementioned "Swagon"
Now I've had my fair share of issues with it, but none of them are issues that would be uncommon on a v6 example with as high mileage as mine.
I had a terrible gearbox failure but I later found out that fresh oil had been hiding this issue for a while and simply replaced the gearbox with the help of a friend on a 2 poster. £120 all in for a low mileage box.

When driving it standard I have to say it's by far the most pleasant car I've ever had the pleasure of driving. I loved my first car like a child but this just blew it away. Even in standard form. I've driven all sort of cars, lots of Rovers, 3 series bmws, hatchbacks, courtesy cars and various ages and engines of volvo estates and four wheel drives. The 75 is by far the nicest and I think it's an absolute hoot to drive.

Let it be noted I'm 21, and the insurance works out cheaper than a 1.3 micra for the 2.5 V6 Estate with ALL THE toys.

Now that it's lowered on big hoops in rubber bands it's still comfortable. The chassis is incredibly stiff and means that the suspension does all the work as opposed to trim rattling and the chassis flexing and wobbling the car everywhere. It's about 3/4 an inch from the floor under the subframe and it's still comfortable, more comfortable than my parents 54 plate v70 diesel which is standard on 17 inch wheels and lowish profile tyres.

That and mum likes it because it's a Rover,And also because it's got a great euro n cap safety rating.

I can see why the older population drive them, they're more experienced than us younguns and know what's hot.
It's a bit to 'dubber' for me at the ripe old age of 32, but I really like that.

Would've loved something like that at 21, good work young man.

Personally think its been done right. No silly stickerbombs or similar nonsense. Stock body covered in chrome ties in nicely with the chrome wheels, and its well stanced.

Great shed too. Was always under the impression that they all devoured head gaskets (bar the V8 ofcourse) but it seems that's not the case.

I suspect Joe Public has no idea these are shed money, if such things matter to you.

I'd obviously go for a far older Lexus LS, but this is a nice left field choice.

Numeric

1,393 posts

150 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
quotequote all
soad said:
-crookedtail- said:
Geoffcapes said:
Have always liked these. Not sure why.
Maybe it's because they were in GTA London?
The Getaway, what a game hehe
Thought it was a 1999 Rover 75? nerd







"MG Rover's top of the range car. This is sometimes mistaken for a Jaguar, by the less informed. It's a long car, looks sophisticated but despite having a large engine, it offers only a few thrills. The acceleration and top speed are as you'd expect - quite good, but you can usually half-inch a better motor than this."

There was a 'Raver' in Grand Theft Auto: London. Based on the Rover P4...
Oddly I drove an identical looking car complete with Rover badging and base wheel trims, with the mustang engine in it - must have surprised the odd BMW/Audi round Longbridge back in the day!

Dollyman1850

6,316 posts

249 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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I feel very sorry for people who seem to be so easily led by the media these days…

Rovers built some very well engineered and reliable cars toward the end..Ok not as well made as a VAG product, but certainly on a par…

The 75 was a very very nice car in its day in terms of cost / enjoyment
The Rover 200 / 25 again maligned by some was similarly a fantastic car especially in diesel form…

Alt the non engineering types slagged off the cam belt issue of the 200 / 25 but it was a cheap as chips fix and still a fantastic engine for its day..

Its perhaps telling that plenty of 200 / 25's and 75's are still ploughing around giving sterling service…

I pity the badge snobs.

N.

irocfan

40,153 posts

189 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Gandahar said:
unreadable clocks.
seriously??? I thought the clocks were great, looked brilliant and no problem reading them at all.


I had one about 3 years ago and loved it around town and the the countryside, however the love faded with motorway driving - it really NEEDED an extra gear. I'd had (and still do have) low revving torquey Yanks for quite a while at the point I had my 53 plate beater and having to suffer 3500(ish) rpm up the various M-ways or A12 was just torture. Would I have another one? Possibly - I still have fond memories from my shed

shoestring7

6,138 posts

245 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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LouD86 said:
[ and really handles like its on rails!
How does that work then?

SS7

sef535

60 posts

186 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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JamesHayward said:
Nick then sold this car on to a mutual friend who ran it as his first car. I drove it a fair amount and I agree with everything said here. Would be very difficult to find something better for the money.
Couldnt agree more we have same year and spec and colour in our house yes its the CDTI but 100% reliable fantastic pressence and handling brakes would defo have another one A Fantastic Car !!!

sjc

13,883 posts

269 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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RKDE

569 posts

209 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Although I have the ZTT it is a great car, 105k now and all I have done is tires, brakes, thermostat, fan resistor, cam belt + water pump and services. The car has been a dream to own

The v6 has proven to be very reliable and the auto gearbox has hauled vehicles on trailers with ease

Great car and great video link there too

X5TUU

11,908 posts

186 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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I had a ZTT in red as a company car at the time and it was definitely not a 'user chooser' scheme, it was forced upon me and I hated every second it and couldn't wait to get the 18mths done with so I could get a Golf diesel (believe it or not)

it was just awful and left me stuck on a handful of occasions, I did however get decent usage out of the AA Recovery people in that time.


900T-R

20,404 posts

256 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
quotequote all
So you prefer understeer, soggy handling, rattly diesels and being er, common from a taut, balanced chassis, a smooth diesel and being a bit outside the norm? confused

This is 'Pistonheads', right? confused