MG ZS 180 as a trackday car

[theboyfold]

What are the thoughts about a MG ZS 180 as a trackday car. I'm looking into it with a mate and it seems to tick a few boxes, cheap enough without being too old. V6, so should have some straight line speed. Lots of weight to shed. Had some good write ups when it was released.

Just worried about getting performance parts for it. Does any have any experience of them or links etc?

[sniff petrol]

Check out the cost of getting some uprated suspension and brakes and maybe a cage then if all seems well then I don't see why this couldn't be a competitive budget track car.

[mark69sheer]

Sadly I have to warn you . . I have't driven a ZS on track but I did drive the 200 shape ZR 160 on track in a scholarship and it was a poor track car. Not quick , very soft and not exciting..

[theboyfold]

mark69sheer said:

Sadly I have to warn you . . I have't driven a ZS on track but I did drive the 200 shape ZR 160 on track in a scholarship and it was a poor track car. Not quick , very soft and not exciting..

Doesn't seem to stack up that well against the 172 http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/1990...

but the XS 180 gets a nice write up: http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/4879...

[hardboiledPhil]

Check out the cars in the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup series this year and you will see that properly prepared MG's are almost as quick on track as a 172. I think at Brands the MG was 0.2 seconds slower in qualifying.

I don't believe a road test comparison is of much use because a decent track car would be most unlike the road car anyway.

[jon-]

Full double wishbone setup on the ZS, lots of room for improvement and playing.

Great chassis, as you say lots of scope for playing and improving. What's the point in buying a car that's already perfect

[EDLT]

You could try a Rover 25 BRM, the K-series has loads of performance bits and it comes with a LSD.

[Retset]

Thruxton used to have a fleet of them for their track experiences. They rated them very highly. I tried one but couldn't get a decent seating position and so was frustrated.

I really enjoyed the Porkers and Formula Renault though

[ginettajoe]

The MG ZS 180 is an excellent all round car, and makes a good quick & reliable trackday car straight out of the box! Like any other road designed car, improvements can be made, but if it is dual purpose, it will handle trackdays very competently. The obvious basic modifications would help the track driving side, ...... tyres and brake pad upgrade, but other than that, it is a very sensible purchase.

I worked on various "manufacturer trackdays" for MG around 2002/03 where the general public, together with some very experienced drivers, sampled the full range of MG's ....the ZR, ZS, ZT & ZT-T around Brands Hatch, Rockingham etc, and the car everyone praised without exception, was the ZS 180!

Remember a large part of the general design was when Honda were involved!!!!