MG ZR 160: PH Carpool
After a seven-year gap, this PHer's track car quota has been filled once more!
Car: MG ZR 160
Owned since: October 2016
Previously owned: BMW M135i, Alpina B3 3.3, BMW Z4 M Coupe, Porsche 944 S2, BMW 330i Sport, Mazda MX-5 Mk2.5, Mazda MX-5 Mk1, Honda Civic Type R and a few before that.
Why I bought it:
"I've always wanted a yellow car and after a seven-year gap, I wanted an inexpensive way to get back to doing track days, for which I had previously used my 944. I did track my Z4 M Coupe once but the risk of binning it was always on my mind. So I considered both Clio 182s and 106 GTIs but neither are common in yellow and command a premium when they do turn up, whereas MGs seem to be much more attainable. This one was local, the owner was a decent sort and when he offered to deliver it home for me, I was sold."
Bought as a track car, and James is doing just that!
"You can't mention this era of MG without somebody referencing head gasket failure, but it's often overstated and easily solved if caught in time. Thankfully my car had a replacement fitted two years ago and is spot on. I wish I'd known about some of the electrical issues, however. My car has the later and more troublesome Pektron alarm/immobiliser system and so it's a case of when it will fail, not if. Thankfully there are people out there who can fix it, but no doubt it won't happen when parked at home. In anticipation, I am now a member of the AA."
Things I love:
"I love how robust the engine feels despite having had 10 previous owners and 95,000 miles under its belt. It loves to rev, which is good as 70mph is an indicated 3,500rpm making cruising a busy affair. I haven't had a front-wheel-drive car since my Civic Type R in 2003, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how much fun it is to drive. It has far nicer steering than the Civic and generally feels much more fluid down a road, despite being 40hp down."
Things I hate:
"Ironically I hate that they are so cheap, to the point now that good solid cars are being broken for parts, because a typical head gasket bill (£400) doesn't make repair financially viable. As a result, a lot of cars seem to be run on a shoestring budget, which made finding a nice tidy one a real challenge. Also, I hate that people don't like the colour since I think it really suits it."
Lack of parts has forced James to the aftermarket
"Insurance is cheap because I'm 41 and running it as a second car on a limited mileage policy. Secondhand parts are plentiful, but some ZR specific items are no longer available which forces you toward aftermarket. An example being with the dampers - instead of replacing them you are effectively forced to upgrade to coilovers."
Where I've been:
"Five months in I've used it on the commute when I fancied a change from the daily driver, numerous trips to the tip (hatchback practicality) and two track days. The first was at Brands Hatch shortly after buying it for which preparation involved topping up the oil and checking the condition of the brakes. It ran all day without complaint and was great fun bar a little understeer due to the previous owner's choice of Chinese tyres. More recently at Goodwood things were much improved due to some proper track tyres, a change of pads and fluid and some light poly bushing."
What next?
"More track days really. Thruxton next month and Pembrey in June are both booked and then I should be able to do two more in the year before deciding whether to keep it and make it more track optimised or sell up and buy something already done. Either way, I'm definitely going to be carrying on with track days."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
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It is indeed cheap, as it cost me just £575 and other than buying some new wipers all other spend has been about making it better on track.
Contrast it to a Honda Civic Jordan currently on the market (also yellow, so was in my consideration set) that is almost 3 times the price at £1500 and has twice the mileage at 190k but puts out a very similar amount of power. Whether they are vastly better to drive or whether that's just a "scene" tax I am not sure but I remain surprised that old Hondas are as expensive as they are.
I had a 2000 Rover 25 as my first car, 100bhp 1.4, was a decent motor, pretty well built. GF has a Rover 200 AND that was a good car, she sold it for a last of the line Rover 25's and my god that was perhaps the worst built car I've ever seen. Totally ruined by Project Drive.
The earlier built the better. Or at the very least not the face lifted cars.
Always happy to champion them, as they're one of the best handling FWD cars I've ever driven.
Have been tempted to buy another as a cheap knock around, but as has been highlighted, trying to find a relatively clean one is hard going.
Wholly recommend GAZ dampers if the OP wants to take the track spending further. It's what I had on mine, and they were fantastic.
Had a blue one previously and can confirm they're tough little blighters, even when you abuse them!
I was able to drive it away from the incident although it was a shade breezy in there!
I remember enjoying the test drive! I loved the VVC engine and the steering and the general handling, everything else was a let down (even after a Clio!) but I'd love one for a track car!
Yellow is a great choice, loved my yellow Ibiza Cupra!
Enjoy it!
Here's a thread you guys might like:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I ran an earlier 8V 1.4 200 as a clunker until I crashed it head on in France on a narrow twisty road. It was a seriously good fun drive, but few believe this claim. Their loss, IMO.
The best thing about it was the steering feel.
The worst thing about it was the extremely crashy ride.
I'd like to drive a ZR again for old times' sake but if I were to be looking to buy something around that price and format now, it would be a focus st150/70.
I've just put a set on my Caterham and they're doing pretty well so far!
Here's a thread you guys might like:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
On holiday this week doing a few more jobs, including replacing a leaky rocker cover gasket and then Thruxton on Thursday. Another "power" circuit like Goodwood I understand but I've always wanted to drive it since watching BTCC there in the mid 90s. I just hope there are some other similar powered cars there so I can have somebody to run with.
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