A nice antidote to MPG this, CO2 that...my MG ZT V8
Discussion
My Elise is a bloody awesome little thing, I love it to bits. Unfortunately, as a car, it's not that great-I struggle to actually "go anywhere" in it. Clearly, something sensible was needed, however I fancied something with a bit of fun dust still present and correct. I toyed with selling the Elise and buying an Evora (to do everything) but ploughing £40k + into a car when I'm hopefully purchasing a house in the next year or so sat a bit uncomfortably with me (and SWMBO).
I then considered a GT86, but again was uneasy with the depreciation and also wondered if it would feel special enough after the initial new car sheen and driftability wore off.
An Insignia VXR and Mondeo ST220 were contemplated but quickly dismissed as not characterful enough.
So, ladies and gents, my new sensible, four seat saloon is...V8 powered
man maths at its best, I think you'll agree.
The logic was-rear drive, ability to seat four and cruise in comfort, different (only 883 made, and 215 pre facelift models, of which this is one and in my opinion, better looking for it), handles and rides well, won't cost the earth in depreciation (fuel is another matter
) and is practical enough to use as a car, rather than a toy, should the need arise. Hopefully it won't, as I've got a scooter to commute on.
So, here goes. Purchased via the PH classifieds, the old girl is a three owner car, all of whom apparently were spectacular MG enthusiasts, and it shows. The paint and interior are unbelievably good for a 13 year old car. However, the lack of use and mileage have some downsides-the brake discs were incredibly corroded (especially the fronts) and it was overdue a service by time (fortunately not by mileage). It was also sitting on some worn, mismatched tyres (the front were the correct 225/45/18 size, the rears 225/40/18!) and by the looks of the wear on the front tyres, needed a geometry setup.
A good base car then, but some minor fettling required.
As soon as I got it home on Friday, I set about replacing the front pads & discs with new components I had awaiting the car's arrival, and refreshing the brake fluid. The rear's are booked in to be machined next Tuesday (the rear discs are specific to the car, and only available new via the owners club-however the current discs are still within tolerance for a skim), and I'll get a new set of pads to fit too.
Saturday morning was spent thoroughly servicing the car and working through searching for any niggles that need sorting. I was pleased to find only two-the front washer jets don't work, as don't the steering wheel remote controls for the radio. Carrying out basic wiring and circuit checks drew a blank, so in the absence of any wiring diagrams or T4 Testbook (MGR diagnostic equipment-I've only got a basic powertrain fault reader which displays trouble codes and live data), it's booked into a MG specialist next week for some investigation and rectification.
The service consisted of the usual major service items (the 8 spark plugs being pleasingly simple to replace) as well as gearbox oil (done, with some struggling and swearing thanks to the location of the filler plug right up against the transmission tunnel) and rear diff oil (to be done-awaiting a 29mm socket-the first time I've ever seen one needed in the wild!).
This morning saw a set of Continental SportContact 5 tyres fitted and a geometry set up-the car is now 100 times better to drive thanks to the service, tyres and geo. Amazing what a difference the simple things make. You can see the difference in circumference of the tyres...
It needs a detail to really bring it up to my OCD standards, but the previous owner Dave has done the car proud caring for it, as I'm sure you'll agree from the pictures.
As a happy little extra, the car has the XPower exhausts-the noise is pure filth
Thanks for reading-I'll update the thread as I go along with the car.
I then considered a GT86, but again was uneasy with the depreciation and also wondered if it would feel special enough after the initial new car sheen and driftability wore off.
An Insignia VXR and Mondeo ST220 were contemplated but quickly dismissed as not characterful enough.
So, ladies and gents, my new sensible, four seat saloon is...V8 powered
man maths at its best, I think you'll agree.The logic was-rear drive, ability to seat four and cruise in comfort, different (only 883 made, and 215 pre facelift models, of which this is one and in my opinion, better looking for it), handles and rides well, won't cost the earth in depreciation (fuel is another matter
) and is practical enough to use as a car, rather than a toy, should the need arise. Hopefully it won't, as I've got a scooter to commute on.So, here goes. Purchased via the PH classifieds, the old girl is a three owner car, all of whom apparently were spectacular MG enthusiasts, and it shows. The paint and interior are unbelievably good for a 13 year old car. However, the lack of use and mileage have some downsides-the brake discs were incredibly corroded (especially the fronts) and it was overdue a service by time (fortunately not by mileage). It was also sitting on some worn, mismatched tyres (the front were the correct 225/45/18 size, the rears 225/40/18!) and by the looks of the wear on the front tyres, needed a geometry setup.
A good base car then, but some minor fettling required.
As soon as I got it home on Friday, I set about replacing the front pads & discs with new components I had awaiting the car's arrival, and refreshing the brake fluid. The rear's are booked in to be machined next Tuesday (the rear discs are specific to the car, and only available new via the owners club-however the current discs are still within tolerance for a skim), and I'll get a new set of pads to fit too.
Saturday morning was spent thoroughly servicing the car and working through searching for any niggles that need sorting. I was pleased to find only two-the front washer jets don't work, as don't the steering wheel remote controls for the radio. Carrying out basic wiring and circuit checks drew a blank, so in the absence of any wiring diagrams or T4 Testbook (MGR diagnostic equipment-I've only got a basic powertrain fault reader which displays trouble codes and live data), it's booked into a MG specialist next week for some investigation and rectification.
The service consisted of the usual major service items (the 8 spark plugs being pleasingly simple to replace) as well as gearbox oil (done, with some struggling and swearing thanks to the location of the filler plug right up against the transmission tunnel) and rear diff oil (to be done-awaiting a 29mm socket-the first time I've ever seen one needed in the wild!).
This morning saw a set of Continental SportContact 5 tyres fitted and a geometry set up-the car is now 100 times better to drive thanks to the service, tyres and geo. Amazing what a difference the simple things make. You can see the difference in circumference of the tyres...
It needs a detail to really bring it up to my OCD standards, but the previous owner Dave has done the car proud caring for it, as I'm sure you'll agree from the pictures.
As a happy little extra, the car has the XPower exhausts-the noise is pure filth
Thanks for reading-I'll update the thread as I go along with the car.
Edited by itcaptainslow on Tuesday 14th July 20:57
Should add it's a bit of a "dream" car for me too, being a MG Rover nut growing up (the Zed cars were launched when I was about 14) and previously owned several including a mint ZS180. So it ticks most of the boxes, apart from the one marked "Economical"...however I'm not planning to do lots of miles in it (under 5k a year I would think), so it's no biggie, especially as my ZS used to average 24mpg...
A supercharger is definitely on the cards subject to house funds. I've somehow managed to get a pass for the car off the good lady, I'm not sure how forced induction would go down...
To the chap who asked about my Elise-it's silver rather than blue, I'll link into the thread about it once I find it (or post some pictures with the pair together!). It's tucked away in the garage at the moment-poor ZT is living on the drive
my plan is to find a place with either garage space for two cars or leave the Elise at my parents' house when hopefully I do eventually move out. In the meantime, it'll be professionally under sealed and a good outdoor car cover purchased before winter.
Commuted to the station on the scooter this morning-must admit it felt liberating to be doing 110mpg and not 20, but the roads were absolutely dead at 4.30am...perfect for the ZT!
It's hopefully off to MG Saloon Day this Sunday to meet a few of its brothers. Hopefully I'll have time on Saturday to give it a dose of machine polishing, (more) wax and further tinkering. Once the initial outlays are done (I hope!) I'm planning to look at getting an Accufab throttle body from the States, apparently they're worth 10-15bhp alone with improved throttle response.
To the chap who asked about my Elise-it's silver rather than blue, I'll link into the thread about it once I find it (or post some pictures with the pair together!). It's tucked away in the garage at the moment-poor ZT is living on the drive
my plan is to find a place with either garage space for two cars or leave the Elise at my parents' house when hopefully I do eventually move out. In the meantime, it'll be professionally under sealed and a good outdoor car cover purchased before winter.Commuted to the station on the scooter this morning-must admit it felt liberating to be doing 110mpg and not 20, but the roads were absolutely dead at 4.30am...perfect for the ZT!
It's hopefully off to MG Saloon Day this Sunday to meet a few of its brothers. Hopefully I'll have time on Saturday to give it a dose of machine polishing, (more) wax and further tinkering. Once the initial outlays are done (I hope!) I'm planning to look at getting an Accufab throttle body from the States, apparently they're worth 10-15bhp alone with improved throttle response.
Rensko said:
Very niceeeeee!
In AU - they did a supercharged version of the KV6. Very rare, but they come up for sale every now and then! That said, it would have nothing on the V8...
Amazing how much rework they did on the floorplan for a niche vehicle!
I did look at supercharging my ZS, but the reputation of a blown KV6 is not a great one in reliability terms. Apparently they only gain around 30bhp too, which isn't much (I don't think) for the trouble and expense. Plus, it was a nice one to keep original.In AU - they did a supercharged version of the KV6. Very rare, but they come up for sale every now and then! That said, it would have nothing on the V8...
Amazing how much rework they did on the floorplan for a niche vehicle!
Edited by itcaptainslow on Wednesday 15th July 05:22
Fartgalen said:
Tickle said:
Good choice and what a great colour. You are well and truly flying the flag for British built cars Iain! Complete polar opposites I bet to the 111s too.
Hmm, yeah, with an American motor ! 
I'd actually like to get hold of one of these. Would be a cool daily driver.However, the Elise is like nothing else for a focused, hard, attack minded drive on a sunny Sunday morning. The ZT is a hammer, the Elise a scalpel. Both are utterly wonderful, yet flawed, in their own ways. It's just one's flaws are the other's strengths.
Edited by itcaptainslow on Wednesday 15th July 22:04
Couple more bits done on the ZT today. The rear discs have had a skim at a local garage with the equipment to do so (£80 + VAT for both rear discs which I didn't think was too bad, especially compared to the price of new discs and the performance of sourcing them) and some new rear pads will arrive tomorrow.
Already even with the skimmed discs and the old pads (which are a little cut up after the corroded surfaces pre-machining) braking is a hell of a lot smoother still and now silent, as opposed to the previous grinding/clicking I heard from the rear. The braking performance is night and day compared to when I first picked it up on shagged discs, pads that were falling apart and old brake fluid.
I've also cured the non-functioning screen washers-I initially thought I was in for a world of wiring pain when basic wiring checks proved fruitless-I wasn't getting a feed down to the washer pump when the stalk was activated. However-it turns out I was testing at the headlamp washer plug-without the headlamps on! No wonder I wasn't getting any power.
Further checks confirmed the windscreen wash pump had seized-£13 on eBay later for a brand new pump, a reservoir flush through and the washers are restored to full vigour complete with headlamp washing. Result!
It's booked in for a full anti-corrosion treatment in August at Rustmaster in Hatfield-I'm planning to use it sparingly throughout the winter and I'll try and find it a garage to live in (if not, it'll be treated to a proper outdoor cover). However, the rustproofing treatment looks rather smart underneath when applied neatly and should safeguard the car. Rear subframes have a habit of corroding on these, and they're of course bespoke ZT260 items-they're available reconditioned but I'd rather avoid the hassle in the first place and protect the (very good) rear subframe on the car already.
Hopefully I'll get the new pads on the rear tomorrow and get cracking with machine polishing-more pics to follow then, naturally.
I'm making it sound like there was loads to do (there isn't!) to get this car sorted; unfortunately I just have car OCD and things have to be just so. The feeling when they are though is
Already even with the skimmed discs and the old pads (which are a little cut up after the corroded surfaces pre-machining) braking is a hell of a lot smoother still and now silent, as opposed to the previous grinding/clicking I heard from the rear. The braking performance is night and day compared to when I first picked it up on shagged discs, pads that were falling apart and old brake fluid.
I've also cured the non-functioning screen washers-I initially thought I was in for a world of wiring pain when basic wiring checks proved fruitless-I wasn't getting a feed down to the washer pump when the stalk was activated. However-it turns out I was testing at the headlamp washer plug-without the headlamps on! No wonder I wasn't getting any power.
Further checks confirmed the windscreen wash pump had seized-£13 on eBay later for a brand new pump, a reservoir flush through and the washers are restored to full vigour complete with headlamp washing. Result!
It's booked in for a full anti-corrosion treatment in August at Rustmaster in Hatfield-I'm planning to use it sparingly throughout the winter and I'll try and find it a garage to live in (if not, it'll be treated to a proper outdoor cover). However, the rustproofing treatment looks rather smart underneath when applied neatly and should safeguard the car. Rear subframes have a habit of corroding on these, and they're of course bespoke ZT260 items-they're available reconditioned but I'd rather avoid the hassle in the first place and protect the (very good) rear subframe on the car already.
Hopefully I'll get the new pads on the rear tomorrow and get cracking with machine polishing-more pics to follow then, naturally.
I'm making it sound like there was loads to do (there isn't!) to get this car sorted; unfortunately I just have car OCD and things have to be just so. The feeling when they are though is
The ZT presented a bit of a bill today-£251 to have a new rotary coupler fitted to the steering column, to cure the steering wheel audio controls not working. Stuff not working bugs the hell out of me so it was a bit of a cost to swallow, but sod it, the car is worth it
Rikki with the Volvo S60 R also featured in Reader's Cars & I are planning a little "super saloon" photoshoot in London on the south bank of the Thames in a couple of weeks if anyone fancies bringing their means of reaching the golf club rather swiftly along
Rikki with the Volvo S60 R also featured in Reader's Cars & I are planning a little "super saloon" photoshoot in London on the south bank of the Thames in a couple of weeks if anyone fancies bringing their means of reaching the golf club rather swiftly along
Edited by itcaptainslow on Thursday 23 July 00:00
It's "brisk"-today's uber hatches like a Golf R for instance will be quicker, but the sense of occasion and theatrics of the ZT will be absent. Don't get me wrong-the car certainly gets down the road well, and is quicker than it feels thanks to the linear torque curve. I'm hoping to organise a road trip to the 'Ring before the year is out so I can really exercise the V8 
A supercharger however is a possible future addition-just don't tell SWMBO...
A supercharger however is a possible future addition-just don't tell SWMBO...
Went for a "bond with my car" drive tonight, and returned in love. A 3am, making progress, peeling away the layers, figuring out how to work the chassis (in this case-smooth inputs, allowing the weight to settle, using the throttle to balance the car and making use of the rather good damping) can be either the make or break of a relationship with a set of wheels. Fortunately our marriage, after some initial doubts, is going strong.
I also think I was a bit harsh on it-it is rather quicker than first thought! Drive the torque curve and it really does shift rather better than 260bhp and the weight really ought to. Coupled with that rich, baritone howling soundtrack, it's damn good fun and made me grin like a loon. Can't wait to get an Accufab throttle body and hopefully a remap for it. A supercharger would be nice but I bought this in a rare moment of being sensible (hard to believe I appreciate, but man maths has once again proven its worth)-I don't think I could justify five grand on forced induction when that is 1/3 of a house deposit.
A couple of arty farty iPhone pictures.
I also think I was a bit harsh on it-it is rather quicker than first thought! Drive the torque curve and it really does shift rather better than 260bhp and the weight really ought to. Coupled with that rich, baritone howling soundtrack, it's damn good fun and made me grin like a loon. Can't wait to get an Accufab throttle body and hopefully a remap for it. A supercharger would be nice but I bought this in a rare moment of being sensible (hard to believe I appreciate, but man maths has once again proven its worth)-I don't think I could justify five grand on forced induction when that is 1/3 of a house deposit.
A couple of arty farty iPhone pictures.
John_S4x4 said:
Thanks for the update. How did you get on with the rust treatment ?
Very well-I'll dive underneath at the weekend and grab some pictures. It's handy as it comes up like new with a quick jet wash, means I don't fret about being caught out in the rain and as a bonus, the car has gained the mysterious Rover smell I used to love as a kid-Waxoyl/Ditrinol overlaid with leather. Omnomnom...Edited by itcaptainslow on Tuesday 1st September 19:52
Not especially. Booked in for a remap next weekend which I'm looking forward to! Took it to Wales for a long weekend a couple of weeks ago, the Welsh roads are fantastic and just the ticket for stretching the legs of the ZT. The punch is very useful for safe overtaking and the handling reassuring.
When the weather improves I'll take and post some more pictures.
When the weather improves I'll take and post some more pictures.
5ohmustang said:
What is the deal with the rear brakes?
As above-AP caliper which is the same as the front on the Elise. Pads are easily available.Discs are bespoke to the 260-however they're available through the owners club and will take a skim or two, no problem.
Mine were pretty corroded but a professional skim and £30 worth of APEC pads have restored as new operation.
Fuel...yeah, 22mpg on a good day. But as a bonus-it hasn't dipped below 17mpg no matter how hard I drive it
You don't buy it for the economy or to use everyday-you buy it for the utter sense of occasion whenever you drive it, and the HUGE grin you get when opening the taps and pushing on. It has made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions!
Vroom101 said:
I have fond memories of my V6 ZT, so to have a V8 under the bonnet must be fabulous. Did the photoshoot with the Volvo ever happen?
It did, sort of, but we didn't have much of a chance to get some together as the location we chose (on the south bank of the Thames with the city in the background) was rather busy 
Shame about the V6 above-nice one's are disappearing rapidly. For some reason an un-abused V6 without loads of miles is the rarest ZT of the lot! The engine lacks a little low down muscle for the car I thought but they rev beautifully and make a lovely noise (I should know-I had a ZS180 for four years!).
Now been remapped by Kmaps of K-Series tweaking fame. The plan is for them to dial in a few more pops on the overrun but straight away the map has improved things dramatically-the low speed throttle response is wonderful, mid-range torque improved and the top end better-it no longer feels breathless above 5000rpm. Definitely an improvement I can recommend.
With regards to the videos-I'm awaiting a clear, dry, quiet night so I can pop out and grab some recordings for your aural amusement.
With regards to the videos-I'm awaiting a clear, dry, quiet night so I can pop out and grab some recordings for your aural amusement.
John_S4x4 said:
Did you ever get the car rolling road tested after the remap ? Sounds epic with the X-Powers and Kmap
No-I ended up selling it to a friend of mine so I could buy a brand new Elise. Must admit I do miss it-seeing him driving it is like him sleeping with an old girlfriend...Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff