MG ZS 180, any good?
Discussion
As the title says really. Got a MK3 MR2 that I don't want to part with but due to a change in circumstances I find myself requiring a more family orientated vehicle for use when I have my kids. The petrol head side of me will not allow me to look for some 1.3 hatchback to fill this role and the V6 ZS appears to be rather good value for money now.
Surely performance and economy is comparable to a similar era ford or vauxhall V6 offering? All appear very similar on paper. Straight line isn't the be all and end all to me, it's living with something and enjoying driving it. My MR2 hardly sets the world on fire in a straight line.
TONKA2 said:
Surely performance and economy is comparable to a similar era ford or vauxhall V6 offering? All appear very similar on paper. Straight line isn't the be all and end all to me, it's living with something and enjoying driving it. My MR2 hardly sets the world on fire in a straight line.
Probably true, but something like a mk1 Octavia VRS would be 50% more economical and no slower; just lacking the character and throttle response of the V6. As Kambites says, they are fun to drive with very good handling and make a lovely noise. They are brisk rather than quick however, and they are thirsty (though to be fair they probably aren't much worse than the older V6 Mondeos in this respect). The saloon is a great looking car as well (IMO), and even though I'm not a big fan of huge rear wings, it does seem to look right on the ZS.
Beware the timing belts, there are three of them. Replacing the belts and tensioners is an involved and time consuming job, and is therefore very pricey at garage rates. With the low cost of the cars, many owners are reluctant to spend any money so there are a lot of cars around that are way overdue a belt service. It's quite possible to do this job yourself if you are a competent and confident DIYer, but you must use the proper cam locking tools (they can be hired) and follow the correct procedure. Painting marks onto the pulleys is strictly for amateurs who don't know what they are doing as the cam timing is unlikely to be correct afterwards.
The variable inlet system (VIS) located within the inlet plenum can cause problems, if you hear a rattling from the manifold with the engine running, and/or the car feels lethargic through the RPM range then either negotiate a good discount or find another car. The VIS operating motors can usually be fixed for nothing (broken solder joints internally) but rattling often means the operating mechanism within the plenum has worn to tbe point of failure, and since the plenum is plastic welded together the scope for fixing these is minimal. New plenums are expensive, if you can find one.
If you don't do big miles then they make some sense as a low cost but fun car.
Beware the timing belts, there are three of them. Replacing the belts and tensioners is an involved and time consuming job, and is therefore very pricey at garage rates. With the low cost of the cars, many owners are reluctant to spend any money so there are a lot of cars around that are way overdue a belt service. It's quite possible to do this job yourself if you are a competent and confident DIYer, but you must use the proper cam locking tools (they can be hired) and follow the correct procedure. Painting marks onto the pulleys is strictly for amateurs who don't know what they are doing as the cam timing is unlikely to be correct afterwards.
The variable inlet system (VIS) located within the inlet plenum can cause problems, if you hear a rattling from the manifold with the engine running, and/or the car feels lethargic through the RPM range then either negotiate a good discount or find another car. The VIS operating motors can usually be fixed for nothing (broken solder joints internally) but rattling often means the operating mechanism within the plenum has worn to tbe point of failure, and since the plenum is plastic welded together the scope for fixing these is minimal. New plenums are expensive, if you can find one.
If you don't do big miles then they make some sense as a low cost but fun car.
Excellent advice, thanks. Won't be big miles and despite it being some years ago now still first and foremost consider myself to be a spanner monkey so the belts won't be an issue. Seen on a few classifieds reference to the rattling manifold having been sorted, take it that will be the plenum then?
I've owned two that were only a few years old at the time - a 2003 MK1 and 2005 MK2 and loved them.
As said before, common issues are VIS, and the original plastic bracket for the hydraulic cylinder for the clutch is made out of chocolate and regularly crack and break.
Apart from that, they are great cars for the money.
As said before, common issues are VIS, and the original plastic bracket for the hydraulic cylinder for the clutch is made out of chocolate and regularly crack and break.
Apart from that, they are great cars for the money.
350zStee said:
As said before, common issues are VIS, and the original plastic bracket for the hydraulic cylinder for the clutch is made out of chocolate and regularly crack and break.
Good point, I forgot to mention the clutch slave! This is a fault shared by the Freelander which uses a very similar bracket and slave cylinder. Have a good look at the clutch slave whilst someone operates the clutch (bring a torch). A little movement is inevitable, but if the slave is moving significantly then chances are the bracket has cracked and failure is imminent. The bracket can be welded up and strengthened easily enough, though I fitted a Honda Civic master and slave cylinder to mine, linked with some aeroquip hose. It's not quite a straight fit, but if you are happy doing the timing belts it's a walk in the park.Failure can be caused by the clutch actuating shaft becoming seized in the bellhousing, so if you do ever remove the slave then check that the operating arm moves freely.
Cracking cars, had mine 2 years now & absolutely love it. As for economy mine averages 38mpg steady motorway driving 60-70mph. Round town its about 27mpg.
The saloons are better than the hatchback and the boot is huge!
For the money you really cant go wrong. Mine is near immaculate and you could eat your dinner off the engine bay and I reckon I would struggle to get £800 for it on a 51 plate. They really are as cheap as chips!
Check vis motors work, the inlet manifold doesn't rattle & that the belts have been done.
The saloons are better than the hatchback and the boot is huge!
For the money you really cant go wrong. Mine is near immaculate and you could eat your dinner off the engine bay and I reckon I would struggle to get £800 for it on a 51 plate. They really are as cheap as chips!
Check vis motors work, the inlet manifold doesn't rattle & that the belts have been done.
Mr2Mike said:
snip
Beware the timing belts, there are three of them. Replacing the belts and tensioners is an involved and time consuming job, and is therefore very pricey at garage rates. With the low cost of the cars, many owners are reluctant to spend any money so there are a lot of cars around that are way overdue a belt service.
snip
Echo the above, if you do get one and need to do the belts take it to a specialist. For refernece I had a KV6 ZT and the garage in London quoted £900 just to do the belts, took it to specialist well known to the forums (they like biscuits) and got belts, water pump (might aswell while engine is in bits), inspection, full service, and a couple of other bits for £750! Beware the timing belts, there are three of them. Replacing the belts and tensioners is an involved and time consuming job, and is therefore very pricey at garage rates. With the low cost of the cars, many owners are reluctant to spend any money so there are a lot of cars around that are way overdue a belt service.
snip
Can only sing it's praises in terms of driving, thing is with the ZT is they have the same issues as the ZS (so thermo & VIS) but the clutch is much weaker on the bigger car 
Epic value for money though...
MGgeordie said:
Cracking cars, had mine 2 years now & absolutely love it. As for economy mine averages 38mpg steady motorway driving 60-70mph. Round town its about 27mpg.
I've seen a few people claim this but mine was nowhere near that good, no matter how slowly I drove. It returned 25-26mpg on my daily commute with a best ever of 29mpg.For reference my Civic Type R gets about 33mpg (best 40mpg) and my Fiat Coupe 20VT returned about 28-29mpg (best 34mpg). I do about 60 miles a day so it was costing me a fair bit extra, which was the only reason I got rid of it. Fuelly suggests my experiences were pretty typical.
I really enjoy mine, had it for 3 years now and the only things I have had to do are is the thermistat pipe (these split and drip coolant between the V) and a very annoying water leak that is letting water in the passenger side
I paid £1,500 for our Mk1 (it was one of the last) it had 38k miles and was on its 2nd owner, it has a bit of poke but it's the handling where it excels for a saloon sized car it goes round bends very well. In fact I do remember Tiff saying it was one of the best handling FWD cars of its time.
As said make sure the belts have been done or factor that in with haggling it cost me £700 to get the belts, water pump changed although you can get it cheaper as I later found out!
Fuel wise I don't find it too bad for a 2.5 v6, I average around the low 30's.
I paid £1,500 for our Mk1 (it was one of the last) it had 38k miles and was on its 2nd owner, it has a bit of poke but it's the handling where it excels for a saloon sized car it goes round bends very well. In fact I do remember Tiff saying it was one of the best handling FWD cars of its time.
As said make sure the belts have been done or factor that in with haggling it cost me £700 to get the belts, water pump changed although you can get it cheaper as I later found out!
Fuel wise I don't find it too bad for a 2.5 v6, I average around the low 30's.
Mr2Mike said:
MGgeordie said:
Cracking cars, had mine 2 years now & absolutely love it. As for economy mine averages 38mpg steady motorway driving 60-70mph. Round town its about 27mpg.
I've seen a few people claim this but mine was nowhere near that good, no matter how slowly I drove. It returned 25-26mpg on my daily commute with a best ever of 29mpg.For reference my Civic Type R gets about 33mpg (best 40mpg) and my Fiat Coupe 20VT returned about 28-29mpg (best 34mpg). I do about 60 miles a day so it was costing me a fair bit extra, which was the only reason I got rid of it. Fuelly suggests my experiences were pretty typical.
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