Is the MG ZR any good?!
Discussion
Hello folks...
I've recently been browsing thought the classifieds and came across a few ZR's that fought my attention.
I've come across a few decent ones, one in particular had just over 40,000 miles on the clock, very tidy bodywork and no history for little over £1200.
However, most of my mates tell me not to bother as just about everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.
Anyone here have any ZR experiences?
I've recently been browsing thought the classifieds and came across a few ZR's that fought my attention.
I've come across a few decent ones, one in particular had just over 40,000 miles on the clock, very tidy bodywork and no history for little over £1200.
However, most of my mates tell me not to bother as just about everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.
Anyone here have any ZR experiences?
Lewisp12 said:
Hello folks...
I've recently been browsing thought the classifieds and came across a few ZR's that fought my attention.
I've come across a few decent ones, one in particular had just over 40,000 miles on the clock, very tidy bodywork and no history for little over £1200.
However, most of my mates tell me not to bother as just about everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.
Anyone here have any ZR experiences?
Had my 105 since March, no problems yet. Car was misfiring on the drive home after purchase, took it back and they fixed it free of charge. Been running like a dream ever since. Just got to get a decent set of tyres for it now.I've recently been browsing thought the classifieds and came across a few ZR's that fought my attention.
I've come across a few decent ones, one in particular had just over 40,000 miles on the clock, very tidy bodywork and no history for little over £1200.
However, most of my mates tell me not to bother as just about everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.
Anyone here have any ZR experiences?
Biggest problem is HGF. Luckily my 105 was traded in for that exact reason. Shell has 60k on it and new engine with HGF in great condition with 40k on it. So I shouldn't have to worry about that.
It is just a stop gap though until I turn 21 and can get a decent motor.
Hi guys, I'm new on here and thought this would be a great topic to start on, I'm also thinking about getting one of these, been offered one ridiculously cheap as it's been standing for a year in a garage, was taken there due to HGF but I've priced up the job and looked at the upgraded head, oil rail etc, is there anything else to watch out for?
The good:
It drives properly. The steering is nicely weighted and feels right. I used to throw the thing around corners that I've never had the confidence for in anything since.
The K series engine is reliable, economical and likes to rev. Put £400 away for HGF. Some will tell you that if you look after the coolant and don't rev it from cold, it wont fail. Those people are lying. I drove mine like a saint and it still suffered HGF at 50k miles. £400 in 50,000 miles isn't bad in my opinion.
With side skirts and 17"s it looks nice on most days from most angles.
The bad:
It is not a grown up car.
It jars badly over potholes, speed bumps and tiny pebbles. The engine is loud. Wind and road noise is pretty appalling and it rattles.
The interior feels cheap.
It's not a car you want to drive your girlfriend around in.
It has an annoyingly large turning circle.
Do not mistake the 105 for a fast car. It will sometimes tease you into thinking it is when you take it through the rev range on a motorway slip road, but during day to day driving, when you want the power, it will invariably disappoint.
Don't drive it through a foot of flood water. The air intake is low down and you will destroy your engine.
I'd suggest getting a mk1. The mk2 isn't ageing anything like as well and will only look worse as time goes on. The mk1 is going to be a minor classic, I reckon.
I'm glad I owned it for one main reason:
It taught me how a car should feel to drive.
It drives properly. The steering is nicely weighted and feels right. I used to throw the thing around corners that I've never had the confidence for in anything since.
The K series engine is reliable, economical and likes to rev. Put £400 away for HGF. Some will tell you that if you look after the coolant and don't rev it from cold, it wont fail. Those people are lying. I drove mine like a saint and it still suffered HGF at 50k miles. £400 in 50,000 miles isn't bad in my opinion.
With side skirts and 17"s it looks nice on most days from most angles.
The bad:
It is not a grown up car.
It jars badly over potholes, speed bumps and tiny pebbles. The engine is loud. Wind and road noise is pretty appalling and it rattles.
The interior feels cheap.
It's not a car you want to drive your girlfriend around in.
It has an annoyingly large turning circle.
Do not mistake the 105 for a fast car. It will sometimes tease you into thinking it is when you take it through the rev range on a motorway slip road, but during day to day driving, when you want the power, it will invariably disappoint.
Don't drive it through a foot of flood water. The air intake is low down and you will destroy your engine.
I'd suggest getting a mk1. The mk2 isn't ageing anything like as well and will only look worse as time goes on. The mk1 is going to be a minor classic, I reckon.
I'm glad I owned it for one main reason:
It taught me how a car should feel to drive.
Check out the MG ZS 2.5 prices at the mo. It handles a lot better and is faster (and dare I say it, a little less 'aspiring-boy-racer').
I've never enjoyed driving a ZR as unless you go for the 160 they're not that quick and the build quality and interior aren't particularly good. I don't want to piss on anybody's parade but if it has to be an MG then I'd definitely go for the ZS which actually handles like a sporty car.
I've never enjoyed driving a ZR as unless you go for the 160 they're not that quick and the build quality and interior aren't particularly good. I don't want to piss on anybody's parade but if it has to be an MG then I'd definitely go for the ZS which actually handles like a sporty car.
My mum loves her ZR105 & she's had it nearly 10 years now with no faults - even the headgasket (touch wood) has done fine too 
Only thing she dislikes, but also finds slightly amusing, is the amount of young drivers that attempt to race her off at the lights, as when they first see the car they expect a young lad to be driving it
Only thing she dislikes, but also finds slightly amusing, is the amount of young drivers that attempt to race her off at the lights, as when they first see the car they expect a young lad to be driving it
JDMDrifter said:
Seriously considered the 1.4 a few weeks back , but got put off by the HGF stories. They seem to be nice little cars but the engine leaves me with a sense of dread.
The engine is one of the better aspects of the car. I wouldn't own another one but not because I'd be worried about the engine.JDMDrifter said:
Seriously considered the 1.4 a few weeks back , but got put off by the HGF stories. They seem to be nice little cars but the engine leaves me with a sense of dread.
When I take the TF in for servicing at the MGOC they supply a 105 as a loan car. For FWD the handling is great, you just turn in at silly speeds and it goes. Shame about the ride and interior fittings.People go on about the head gaskets and I've had to have mine replaced but compared with the issues friends have on German cars it seems pretty minor. Like a 35,000 mile MK2 TT V6 which needed a complete new engine - fortunately Audi contributed to that one or the four failed cylinder heads (not gaskets) on my VW camper. That's before you get into BMW swirl flaps (or head gaskets located by plastic dowels for that matter).
Bookatrack recently sold one of their rental Caterhams - a 1.6 K series with 156,000 miles. All track. It was on it's original engine, gearbox and diff...
They are cheap for a reason.
If they were good, and trouble free they would cost a fair bit more.... a bit like a Mazda RX8...Though not nearly at those levels
Are you a gambling man?
My last 2 attempts at a Rover didn't go well. I never had head gasket problems, it was a coil, alternator and other annoying electrical problems.
The time before was an engine failure on a 220GTI, and the rear chassis snapped after I repaired it. Rover told me there was a faulty "batch" manufactured, and wouldn't pay as it was 4 years old and out of the warranty.
If they were good, and trouble free they would cost a fair bit more.... a bit like a Mazda RX8...Though not nearly at those levels
Are you a gambling man?
My last 2 attempts at a Rover didn't go well. I never had head gasket problems, it was a coil, alternator and other annoying electrical problems.
The time before was an engine failure on a 220GTI, and the rear chassis snapped after I repaired it. Rover told me there was a faulty "batch" manufactured, and wouldn't pay as it was 4 years old and out of the warranty.
Edited by nottyash on Saturday 29th June 19:21
My wife has a 1.8, we bought it cheap on 60k as the head gasket was 'about to go'. I top the coolant up weekly and 18k later it's still on the same head gasket and has never overheated.
It's only worth about £400 as its an 02 plate, but she'll just run it into the ground. Nice cars for the money, just a shame it has the turning circle of a cruise liner!!
It's only worth about £400 as its an 02 plate, but she'll just run it into the ground. Nice cars for the money, just a shame it has the turning circle of a cruise liner!!
I love the k series engine. I think it's great. HGF? Upgraded Landrover HG can be fitted for less than £500. Find one with it already done (many will have) and problem solved!
Personally I'd go for the MG TF 160 over the ZR - It's a quick car and handles well and can be had for less than £2k.
Personally I'd go for the MG TF 160 over the ZR - It's a quick car and handles well and can be had for less than £2k.
Get an MX5 and worry about the big ends going instead...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A little perspective, it's amazing how people worry so much about a £400 HG job when these 'Uber' reliable cars throw up a £1500-£2000 job and its hardly mentioned.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A little perspective, it's amazing how people worry so much about a £400 HG job when these 'Uber' reliable cars throw up a £1500-£2000 job and its hardly mentioned.
JDMDrifter said:
Seriously considered the 1.4 a few weeks back , but got put off by the HGF stories. They seem to be nice little cars but the engine leaves me with a sense of dread.
I have had 4 of these and would definitely have another. The build quality isn't that bad and all of mine were well screwed together. The 105 is a lovely little revvy engine and about 4 thousand revs seems to pull a little harder. The 160 is a quick little beauty and look at a 3door trophy blue with straight alloys and side skirts. They handle well and are very chuckable. I put a tf steering wheel on and also the mg tf rear view mirror. Great cars for cheap prices. People that moan about these cars have probably never had one or had a bad one. You have to think these cars are at least 8 years old and have probably been through a fair few owners. Good luck
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