Shed Of The Week: MG ZT

A fine example of arguably MG's best Z-car catches Shed's eye this week

Here's a funny thing about the British mainstream auto industry. It seems that as long as we allow a suitably long period of time to elapse after the release of a British car, it doesn't matter how minging it was when it came out, we're more than happy to forgive it all its sins in later life.

Classic car and bike sites are bulging with Albion-crafted machinery that Shed distinctly remembers being on the pants side of average when new but that are now being hailed as golden mementoes of a finer time, their manifold faults buffed and burnished into invisibility by the passage of time - and, dare it be said, by the classic trade's interest in cranking up values.

Ah super, it's a manual too

Which makes Shed wonder if, or perhaps more pertinently when, a car like this handsomely sporting MG ZT 190 might come into its own.

Many 'classics' are of course true duds that no amount of selective forgetfulness can make good, but the Rover 75-derived MG ZT should not be daubed with this particular tarry stick. The first MG ZTs came out in 2001, two years after the first Rover 75 deliveries and less than a year after the split between MG Rover and BMW. Rumour has it that ZT development started secretly during BMW's stewardship, the sneaky Brummies once again getting the better of the Germans. Four years later, both models were history as the MGR group went bust, which was a damn shame as the 75/ZT was at heart a fine machine that combined good handling and performance with a smashing ride and a 'mini-Bentley' interior. It was also a very strong car, scoring four stars in the same crash tests that we're using today. Here's one standing up manfully against various NCAP instruments of torture.

Unlike the four-pot 1.8 K-Series motor that also appeared in the 75/ZT, the 2.5-litre KV6 under that shapely lid will have no head gasket issues as long as it's been reasonably maintained. 188hp means suitably invigorating seven-second 0-60 passes and a not entirely theoretical 140mph - and that would be something to behold.

Good spec, decent ad and a V6 - result!

What else can you expect from a ZT, apart from the opprobrium of those who scorn anything recently British? Well, with these cars it's all about how well it's been looked after. Parts availability from suppliers like Rimmers is excellent now, but in the first few years after MGR's folding it was patchy. This led to skimping on maintenance back in the day which can bite hard further down the line.

The upper inlet manifold is a poor design that is known for failing, so it's good news that this has been replaced on our Shed. There's nothing about service history or cambelt replacement in the ad. That's not necessarily a stumbling block for a nervous owner. The handbook will tell you 90K/six years for the belts, and there are three main ones to swap, plus an aux, new water pump and pulleys, but more than one Rover/MG beard will tell you they've never heard of snapped belts on this engine. Given the value of the car and the £500+ cost of the work, you might decide that the best course of action is inaction. Tyres can wear unevenly, though this problem is usually restricted to early cars that exited the factory with misaligned suspension (hmm). Fuel economy isn't a KV6 strong point, and tax will be hefty at £285 a year. The KV6 head may be leak-free, but the ZT can suffer from other liquid-related problems. The plenum chamber behind the engine firewall can waterlog, flooding the ECU. Check the drains for this, the sunroof and the boot, which moistens up in the spare wheel well. A smelly cabin probably means a soggy pollen filter.

No mention of belt replacement so have a check!

The airbag light might well come on, but more often than not that's just one of the underseat connectors working loose. A T4 diagnostic will tell you if it's that or the one in 10 chance of a control module or side impact sensor failure. Boot lid lock motors play up, bonnet cables snap, reversing lights go dark and handbrakes stop holding: all these are ridiculously easy to prevent and/or permanently cure. There is no shortage of good quality website advice on these cars.

The mileometer is about to tip over into six figures but, like age, 100 is just a number. The vendor may regret his offer to sort the air-con with a regas: squirting more refrigerant in might work as long as there are no leaks in the system, but if it's not working now you do have to wonder why that is, and whether it really 'just needs a regas' - one of the most abused phrases in sheddery. Again, the true Shedman can easily survive without AC.

Leave your prejudices by the door and be positive. This is a comfortable and well equipped sports exec with a half-leather cabin and a very classy X Power grey paintjob. To quote another oft-abused phrase, it's a lot of car for the money. It's just a question of whose money.

Here's the ad.

2003 MG ZT+ 190 in X Power Grey.
Half leather black Monaco leather interior, dual digital climate control, rain sensing wipers, drivers intelligence pack, rear parking sensors, electric sunroof, projector headlights, 18" alloy wheels.
Very nice condition throughout, has a few minor age related marks but nothing that detracts from the overall appearance of the car, the alloys have a few kerb marks but nothing major. Drivers seat bolster has some wear.
Drives extremely well and sounds great, has recently had a replacement inlet manifold and new rear exhaust box.
Brand new mot from last week.
Everything works as it should, the aircon needs a re-gas, but I will get that sorted before the car sells.
Overall a very nice example in the best colour.
THE CAR IS LOCATED IN LEICESTERSHIRE.