Friday 15th January 2016

Shed of the Week: MG ZS 180

Just £795 for the underrated gem in the MG Z-car range, with plenty of scope for making it even better too

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With the price of oil about to fall to 18p a barrel by sometime next week, we could well be approaching a glorious new pre-extinction era of who-gives-a-dang motoring.

On top of a massive growth in the numbers of petrol-swilling V8s we can expect to see rampaging o'er hill and dale, we can also look forward to a growth in manufacturer personalisation.

Hatch rather than saloon but there's still potential

That's not new: the elite brands have been offering diamond-encrusted gearknobs and whale-foreskinned upholstery for many a year.

What is new though is the adoption of exclusive en-glitzing by more mainstream marques like Volvo. Its £68K XC90 First Edition recently sold out within 48 hours.

Now, the rich and glamorous world of 'bespoke' has moved even further downwind to the murky badlands of Shedalonia, as evinced here in the Capt Mainwaring shape of an MG ZS 180.

Currently the property of Fast Eddy's Performance Car Services, an establishment that surely deserves strong PH patronage for its name alone, this unassuming little number can be yours either as it stands or after Eddy's magic wand has been waved over it, with a view to getting you onto the racing circuits of Merry Olde Englande.

Sweet V6 a real gem

Don't underestimate this MG's potential to provide thrills a-plenty. Underneath that pipe and slippers persona there's a frustrated teenager itching to get out.

As Mr Eddy correctly points out, there's a small but significant swell of interest in these V6-engined Clark Kent-mobiles, and when you weigh up the package it's not that hard to see why. Even as standard you get a nimble chassis and a very sweet engine, both of which will respond nicely to judicious tuning.

On the engine side, breathing mods are easy to do and generous in what they return. Derestricting the airflow should be your first port of call. Whether your choice is to race or ramble, you'll get a flying start on this car thanks to the already present induction kit and open pipe.

Rover 400 origins plain to see inside...

Remapping would be the next box to tick. Sadly, the standard Rover chip can't be tweaked, so you'll need an upgrade or an aftermarket ECU followed by a decent clutch.

You might even consider swapping the motor for an early 2.0 Tomcat turbo or a supercharged 1.8 VVC, but then you'd lose the frolicsome fruitiliciousness of the normally aspirated six, and surely only an arrant fool with the fine sensibilities of a safari park monkey would want to do that.

Chassis-wise it's the usual recipe of polybushes and a set of adjustable coilovers. Do that lot and suddenly you've got yourself a very wieldy and enjoyable track tool.

At this price, what could go wrong?

Well, timing belts are a bit of a faff to replace, thermostats leak, rear brake calipers seize, inlet manifolds break and the standard clutch hydraulics aren't the best, being made of plastic rather than your actual metal. The power and balance valves and the actuating motors in the VIS (Variable Intake System) are all known to fail but they're not that expensive to replace at around £150 the pair. The VIS butterfly linkages will wear if you don't keep the oil clean.

The good news though is that the V6 isn't anywhere near as susceptible to head gasket failure as the K Series four-cylinder, and the general build quality on the ZS is remarkably good.

Set aside your anti-Rover prejudice for a minute and examine the proposition rationally. Shed is very much into this idea of low-cost track revitalisation, and the ZS 180 is a smart left-field choice. He is thinking of taking Fast Eddy up on his offer and presenting the result to Mrs Shed for her birthday. She's never raced before, so to help her on her first track day Shed would stick a map of the circuit onto the steering wheel along with some suggested (if surprisingly high) corner speeds.

Here's the ad.

We have a MGZS 180 which are getting quite sought after now.
These were the base for the touring car having the Honda independent rear suspension layout making them one of the best handling front drive cars ever. That and the lovely 2.5 V6 engine with ample power and torque makes them a very credible performance road or track car.
This one has low mileage, great bodywork for year and runs nicely. Usual wear on drivers seat bolster
It has the addition of a Pipercross induction kit and a free flowing backbox so sounds and goes better than a standard one.
Mot till July
We can supply this as it is or specced up as a track car with uprated brakes, tyres, harnesses etc. Please enquire re this and we can quote for an agreed spec

[Dafuq]

Hmmm, bit dull for me tbh, I know it has the V6 and all that but it still just reminds me of all those middle lane hogging hateful Rovers that were driven by grave dodgers. Just can't shake that 'keeping up appearances' image. Give us something Onslow would drive!

[Dafuq]

daemon said:

jl34 said:

Always thought the Mk2 saloon was a cracking car

Thats beautiful looking. I'd be quite happy with one of those tucked up in my garage.

Agreed, can't beat wing vents.

Much more handsome machine, looks like it means business. Unlike the vicar's chariot shape of the one featured.