2004 MG ZT260SE Saloon
Discussion
Had the car just over a year now, haven't regretted a day. Hasn't been a perfectly smooth year, but I knew there were likely to be niggles when I bought the car.
So, first a couple of photos
Spec-wise mine is standard apart from a K&N air fliter, MG7 mud guards (not in the pics) and a newer nav disc.
SE trim so there's the BMW sat nav and CD changer, cruise control, climate control, trip computer, power and heated front seats, traction control, rear parking sensors, power rear sunblind, xenon headlights and auto wipers.
As you can see from the photos mine has cream leather seats but a dark interior with a carbon wrap on the dash and the exterior window frames. As far as I know, and as far as guys from the owners' club have told me, mine is the only one like this.
The known niggly bits I've had to sort are the aforementioned air filter, the K&N doesn't need to be changed as often, meaning the bumper has to be removed less to get to it (yes the bumper has to come off to get to the air filter easily). I've also had to change the heater diverter valve, as this always fails on the V8 cars, leaving the heater stuck on full! I've also changed the handbrake cable compensator so that the handbrake actually works, which most 75s and ZTs have issue with too.
The unexpected niggle was a gearbox issue, the pin that holds the gear lever joint to the linkage was popping out and grinding on the top of the gearbox casing, which had the result of making selecting first gear nigh-on impossible, luckily this was repaired without major expense.
So why did I want one?
My previous car was an IS200 sport, I wanted to move on to something quicker but sticking with rear drive and sticking with a manual box. I was originally looking at an 346 330Ci sport, but then knew every day I drove it I'd wonder why I didn't buy an M3. The M3 search went on but I never did find the right one, and price-wise I never did find one that I'd have bought in confidence within my budget. I was also unsure of driving around in what was a very big jump in power from the IS200, and quite a flash car (in my eyes anyway).
I then remembered a car I'd hard of when it was launched, and really like the look of, the ZT260. I love sleeper cars, and the 260 is certainly one, and with a Mustang engine it fulfils a life-long dream of mine to have a V8!
An Autotrader search left me with 4 options (!) so I picked the best of the bunch and made some calls whilst googling and checking forums for things to check for.
This ended up with a 13-hour sleeper train ride up to Scotland and a 10 hour drive back to South Wales!!
I love the ride and handling, and while the car isn't neck-snappingly fast it certainly makes enough progress in a way that makes me grin on every trip. The 500 mile run home from Scotland also showed how comfortable it is on long journeys, I arrived home tired but with no aches or pains.
I don't plan on modding the car, it has a very nice balance as standard and I'd like to keep it that way. I'll never rule our uprating the throttle body or induction, but I think I'll stop short of supercharging, even if that's always what MG intended to do themselves. I also plan on leaving the exhaust alone, nice as they sound with aftermarket systems I think it takes away from the sleeper nature of the car if it burps and pops everywhere.
Oh and I average 20mpg before anyone asks, nearly 26 on a long run, and a fun blast through some twisty bits costs £15 or so if I leave it in 3rd and use the top end of the rev range.
So, first a couple of photos
Spec-wise mine is standard apart from a K&N air fliter, MG7 mud guards (not in the pics) and a newer nav disc.
SE trim so there's the BMW sat nav and CD changer, cruise control, climate control, trip computer, power and heated front seats, traction control, rear parking sensors, power rear sunblind, xenon headlights and auto wipers.
As you can see from the photos mine has cream leather seats but a dark interior with a carbon wrap on the dash and the exterior window frames. As far as I know, and as far as guys from the owners' club have told me, mine is the only one like this.
The known niggly bits I've had to sort are the aforementioned air filter, the K&N doesn't need to be changed as often, meaning the bumper has to be removed less to get to it (yes the bumper has to come off to get to the air filter easily). I've also had to change the heater diverter valve, as this always fails on the V8 cars, leaving the heater stuck on full! I've also changed the handbrake cable compensator so that the handbrake actually works, which most 75s and ZTs have issue with too.
The unexpected niggle was a gearbox issue, the pin that holds the gear lever joint to the linkage was popping out and grinding on the top of the gearbox casing, which had the result of making selecting first gear nigh-on impossible, luckily this was repaired without major expense.
So why did I want one?
My previous car was an IS200 sport, I wanted to move on to something quicker but sticking with rear drive and sticking with a manual box. I was originally looking at an 346 330Ci sport, but then knew every day I drove it I'd wonder why I didn't buy an M3. The M3 search went on but I never did find the right one, and price-wise I never did find one that I'd have bought in confidence within my budget. I was also unsure of driving around in what was a very big jump in power from the IS200, and quite a flash car (in my eyes anyway).
I then remembered a car I'd hard of when it was launched, and really like the look of, the ZT260. I love sleeper cars, and the 260 is certainly one, and with a Mustang engine it fulfils a life-long dream of mine to have a V8!
An Autotrader search left me with 4 options (!) so I picked the best of the bunch and made some calls whilst googling and checking forums for things to check for.
This ended up with a 13-hour sleeper train ride up to Scotland and a 10 hour drive back to South Wales!!
I love the ride and handling, and while the car isn't neck-snappingly fast it certainly makes enough progress in a way that makes me grin on every trip. The 500 mile run home from Scotland also showed how comfortable it is on long journeys, I arrived home tired but with no aches or pains.
I don't plan on modding the car, it has a very nice balance as standard and I'd like to keep it that way. I'll never rule our uprating the throttle body or induction, but I think I'll stop short of supercharging, even if that's always what MG intended to do themselves. I also plan on leaving the exhaust alone, nice as they sound with aftermarket systems I think it takes away from the sleeper nature of the car if it burps and pops everywhere.
Oh and I average 20mpg before anyone asks, nearly 26 on a long run, and a fun blast through some twisty bits costs £15 or so if I leave it in 3rd and use the top end of the rev range.
Edited by Scourge151 on Monday 17th December 16:24
Cheers guys!
I'll definitely keep the thread updated, sure I took some pics of the underside last time I changed the oil, I'll have a rummage.
I'll do some shots of the interior too once sun's up!
I'll definitely keep the thread updated, sure I took some pics of the underside last time I changed the oil, I'll have a rummage.
moribund said:
Not seen a cream interior on a ZT, any more pics?
Oh and where did you get the sat nav disk from if you don't mind me asking?
http://www.satnav-updates.com/ had the CDs, has software updates too but they won't work on our units. I got the one for the Mk3 system and the maps work very well, only confused by some very new roads.Oh and where did you get the sat nav disk from if you don't mind me asking?
I'll do some shots of the interior too once sun's up!
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/RJOjltPX.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/CL4h1ZLA" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/CL4h1ZLA.jpg)
pmessling said:
very understated cars. The light interior is very rare. Personally not my cup of tea, prefer the black leather
heres the one i used to own, was number 860
I'd have gone for black normally, but not having light door cards and carpets makes the colour work better for me.heres the one i used to own, was number 860
Xpowers/Zeros on your old one? Mine's #418
Chris, I'll keep that in mind, cheers!
Edited by Scourge151 on Sunday 23 December 17:03
pmessling said:
i had both, started with zero's then swapped to x powers. preferred the x powers.
Pity Xpowers are so expensive to get now, in person they do sound epic.I've got Zeros in mind for if I ever need to change the back boxes, I forget if stock ones are easy to get hold of or not, may make aftermarket ones essential.
Pipster1969 said:
Here's mine, 70000 miles, FSH, stainless steel exhaust, cambelt done and pretty much faultless. It's a 190 + tourer so has all the built in sat nav etc and It's a very solid car and surprisingly well built, all for £1500.
Bargain!! Lovely blue as well, very nearly held out for an estate myself.Riding in mine makes me sad that MG/Rover went tits up when they did, if they could put out something as good as the 75 and ZT then imagine what else they could have come up with if they'd had some decent finances and management. Let alone they managed to make the RWD V8 version for barely any budget and yet it rides and drives as well as it does. Car isn't perfect, there's bits where a few more quid could have been spent to tighten things up but still a very good starting point to improve.
Sigh.
Edited by Scourge151 on Sunday 23 December 17:22
Remagel2507 said:
Massive fan of the 75/ZT, especially the V8 ones, OP I understand its not that hard to upgrade the Sat Nav, to the widescreen one used in many BMWs.
Yes, I'm told it is pretty easy to do, not too hard to put a newer satnav computer in and have a better BMW system all around as well. Not on my agenda just yet. Did see a white 75 V8 on autotrader not long ago for about £9k, probably won't see another there for a while!Chimune said:
Very nice - id love one - 80 mile commute each day would not be nice on the wallet !
Does it have the same clutch issues as the cdti ?
Are the brakes the same ?
Clutch issue I wouldn't imagine as the whole drivetrain is different, uses a Mustang engine and box. Front brakes are the same as on the ZT V6, rears are bigger discs and have AP racing callipers.Does it have the same clutch issues as the cdti ?
Are the brakes the same ?
Edited by Scourge151 on Monday 24th December 16:11
Update would be a strong word, but I have got some bits for the car.
Got some owners' club produced handbrake cables, despite the compensator being changed and giving the drums a once-over the handbrake is still not very good. I figure my OEM cables are a bit worn out. The ones the club had made are of a stronger cable, so shouldn't stretch over time and hopefully I won't need the hand-Brick to keep the car from rolling down the drive!!
Now have my spare set of wheels in, ready for winter tyres to be put on. Didn't have a great deal of trouble in the snow, even less with snow socks on, but had enough moments to convince me a set of winter wheels and tyres would be a great idea.
Went for the same size alloys, in the other design that I like, I figure the insurance company will be less fussy if I keep the same tyre sizes on.
As for the original fit Apex alloys, they are badly in need of a refurb. They were a bit scruffy in places when I bought the car, and managed to catch them in the snow too. The car's hardly a show-pony with an immaculate exterior, but I'd like the wheels done, not least because they are very hard to come by now.
Hopefully can get them done on my next 10-day rest period from work.
All else is well though, actually very pleasantly surprised at how well the tyres are lasting. My fronts were new on the car when I bought it, and are still legal now 16 months later. Pity they're not much cop, especially in the wet! They're close enough now that a pair of Kumhos are on the way, to match the pair on the back.
Got some owners' club produced handbrake cables, despite the compensator being changed and giving the drums a once-over the handbrake is still not very good. I figure my OEM cables are a bit worn out. The ones the club had made are of a stronger cable, so shouldn't stretch over time and hopefully I won't need the hand-Brick to keep the car from rolling down the drive!!
Now have my spare set of wheels in, ready for winter tyres to be put on. Didn't have a great deal of trouble in the snow, even less with snow socks on, but had enough moments to convince me a set of winter wheels and tyres would be a great idea.
Went for the same size alloys, in the other design that I like, I figure the insurance company will be less fussy if I keep the same tyre sizes on.
As for the original fit Apex alloys, they are badly in need of a refurb. They were a bit scruffy in places when I bought the car, and managed to catch them in the snow too. The car's hardly a show-pony with an immaculate exterior, but I'd like the wheels done, not least because they are very hard to come by now.
Hopefully can get them done on my next 10-day rest period from work.
All else is well though, actually very pleasantly surprised at how well the tyres are lasting. My fronts were new on the car when I bought it, and are still legal now 16 months later. Pity they're not much cop, especially in the wet! They're close enough now that a pair of Kumhos are on the way, to match the pair on the back.
pmessling said:
Get them wheels off asap, they where never approved for the 260 because of not being strong enough for the torque. Whilst i guess ok for very easy driving not for anything else.
Bought them for winter tyres not hooning so I doubt they'll be seeing much torque, but definitely something I'll look into and rectify if needed, thanks for the heads-up!Jakg said:
Update to add - although Hairpsins aren't type approved for the V8, I've yet to find a good reason why they can't be used. I'd geuss that it's simply a bureaucracy thing because they were never standard V8 fit. Unless anyone can show me any evidance as to why you can't use them?
My CDTi (on Hairpins) has pretty much the same amouunt of torque the V8 (less than 10ft/lb in it), and the same front braking system (in fact mines a little upgraded over the standard V8 setup) and my Hairpins have yet to explode...
EDIT - The FWD ZT's could come with any of the ZT wheels, although on MK1's Hairpins were usually fitted to the "lower" models (115, 135, 160, 180), with the lowest (120) getting the Mirage wheels nad the most expensive (190) getting the Straights wheels. When the V8 came along, it got Straights as standard on the MK1.
Could be the wet mass, dare say the V8 is heavier than other ZTs so maybe the wheels are a bit spindly to cope?My CDTi (on Hairpins) has pretty much the same amouunt of torque the V8 (less than 10ft/lb in it), and the same front braking system (in fact mines a little upgraded over the standard V8 setup) and my Hairpins have yet to explode...
EDIT - The FWD ZT's could come with any of the ZT wheels, although on MK1's Hairpins were usually fitted to the "lower" models (115, 135, 160, 180), with the lowest (120) getting the Mirage wheels nad the most expensive (190) getting the Straights wheels. When the V8 came along, it got Straights as standard on the MK1.
Edited by Jakg on Thursday 18th April 20:02
Benbay001 said:
There is an MG parked near my nan and grandads house. They always comment on how the owner is always washing/polishing/working on it.
I think it may be a ZT260. How do i tell? I dont intend to wait around for the guy to start it up.
Most obvious is quad exhausts, may have been de-badged but due to expense I doubt anyone would hunt down a 260 bumper just to tart up their regular ZTI think it may be a ZT260. How do i tell? I dont intend to wait around for the guy to start it up.
SebastienClement said:
Yuss. Not all V8s have it at all!
Well, well, well. Learn something new every day!Checked on the two-sixties forum, you were quite right about the wheels, never approved by MG-Rover for the V8s due to the torque.
Stuck with them for another day or two until my Apex's are refurbed so I have been driving as little as possible and keeping it away from peak torque until then, allowing myself a max of 2000 revs.
Plenty for going about legally, and doing wonders for my mpg!
Minor update!
After going to Silverstone and back for the MotoGP I've just had the 80,000 mile service done. Nothing awry, also have another set of spare wheels that I can actually use for winter tyres.
Still need to get shot of the Hairpins, but that's mostly down to me not putting them on eBay yet.
After going to Silverstone and back for the MotoGP I've just had the 80,000 mile service done. Nothing awry, also have another set of spare wheels that I can actually use for winter tyres.
Still need to get shot of the Hairpins, but that's mostly down to me not putting them on eBay yet.
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