RE: MG ZS 180: Spotted
Discussion
Limpet said:
Numeric said:
Loathsome rebadged Rover 45 with interior so out of date you could cut yourself on the plastics - while the engine sounded great but was gutless so a diesel Golf could murder you unless you revved the crankshaft out of it. Also because of the ancient electrical architecture had none of the electronic features the average motorist was starting to want.
Of course the British press all said it was great - it had an MG badge and for some reason that made it BRILLIANT!!
One good thing about them though - every car thief in the UK knew how to disable the security devices so you didn't have to put up with owning one for long!
Tiff Needell said it was one of the best FWD chassis he'd experienced. But what would he know?Of course the British press all said it was great - it had an MG badge and for some reason that made it BRILLIANT!!
One good thing about them though - every car thief in the UK knew how to disable the security devices so you didn't have to put up with owning one for long!
the_hood said:
Limpet said:
Numeric said:
Loathsome rebadged Rover 45 with interior so out of date you could cut yourself on the plastics - while the engine sounded great but was gutless so a diesel Golf could murder you unless you revved the crankshaft out of it. Also because of the ancient electrical architecture had none of the electronic features the average motorist was starting to want.
Of course the British press all said it was great - it had an MG badge and for some reason that made it BRILLIANT!!
One good thing about them though - every car thief in the UK knew how to disable the security devices so you didn't have to put up with owning one for long!
Tiff Needell said it was one of the best FWD chassis he'd experienced. But what would he know?Of course the British press all said it was great - it had an MG badge and for some reason that made it BRILLIANT!!
One good thing about them though - every car thief in the UK knew how to disable the security devices so you didn't have to put up with owning one for long!
BricktopST205 said:
People want something reasonably cheap to tinker with I am surprised they are not more popular. V6, nice FWD chassis and manual gearbox.
You will probably find high road tax (same as a Focus ST 2.5), and running costs puts them off. 180bhp isn’t a lot from a V6, and reviewers say it needs revving to get the most out of it.I guess there are more modern and cheaper alternatives out there.
These are good, fun cars to drive about in. Whether this particular one is worth £4k or not is another matter. Is it surprising that they should be increasing in value? Probably not.
I have a MKII ZS180 (yes - one of the facelift, cost-cut, apparently shoddily-built ones) and have had it since it was new in March 2005. I've changed the cam-belts twice and will probably do so once more. It's been mine since new. It has been, and continues to be, a good car.
Full disclosure before harping on further - I'm a serial MG Rover licker and my opinions are just that, my opinions, but they are based on about 300000 miles driving just three different ones.....and yes, I've had (have) others, too.
My ZS had a hard early life - 35,000 miles in its first 10 months with a 130 mile daily round trip to work, six or seven days a week. It was laid up for four years after being written off (rear-ended by a green Pug 106 with L-plates - I still feel sorry for the guy having to explain to his seventeen year old daughter how he'd written off her car). Having bought it back from the insurer and paid for it to be repaired left me about £2000 up on a car that a previous employer had already paid for via mileage and vehicle allowances. It's been run on LPG for about 90,000 miles (system now stripped out) and has been back in daily use (after finally solving a running issue caused by old fuel clogging the fuel pump after its four year holiday) and is now doing a more sedate 25 miles a day in 30,40 and 50 limits for the last 20 months and 16000 miles, while taking the occasional day off to keep my Subaru 'moving'.
The engine's lost none of its acceleration nor flexibility - this thing will pull smoothly (if not too quickly) in top gear from sub-30mph. The chassis is in need of a refresh having only changed two lower arm bushes, it still drives, rides and handles better than my 2012 WRX Sti, is more comfortable over potholes than my wife's 64 plate XF (20" wheels - who's idea was that?). The steering is still sharp, the body exhibits little roll when cornering. The full leather interior, despite the abuse is still presentable with no cracks or splits. It needs no oil top-up between services and revs freely and is still on its original clutch (just not its original hydraulic system).
Its problems are few - in addition to the clutch hydraulics it looses a little coolant and does so very slowly (not even 100ml in a month), it rattles a bit, a/c doesn't work (nope - not just in need of re-gas), it's got a bit of surface rust underneath and in the location of a few stone chips. I've changed a door handle after the MOT-tester broke it last year (they all do that sir). The BCU's been swapped for a re-programmed second hand item after it had been laid up for for four years and the heater resistor had to be repaired at the same time - things it would not have needed if it had been kept in continuous use. I bought a new variable inlet manifold and motors as a precaution - didn't improve anything, but at least I have a spare now!
If I'm honest, the OE spec stainless exhaust system (manifolds included - bit of a challenge to fit for my clumsy hands) with its laser engraved 'X-Power' tailpiece is somewhat anti-social but remains entertaining (I'm well into my forties and this novelty should have worn off long before now). From a distance, it still looks good, the MGR paint finish was excellent and is holding up reasonably well despite the neglect, and the small-saloon proportions are still 'right' to my eyes.
It doesn't have massive wheels, or infotainment or soft-touch finishes, but all the switches and motors (bar the a/c) still work. It's an old car. It's fun to drive. I still look back at my shoddy old example and smile. Shiny pearl black with silver wheels - it looks 'right'.
Beyond the excitement of changing the three timing belts (water pump, thermostat, auxiliary belts etc.), it's needed little more than basic servicing - fluids and filters - all done by me (no warranty to uphold, so figured 'why not?')
These were good, solid cars, just not class-leading. My particular one remains a perfectly comfortable, usable, quick-ish daily driver. It averages 29mpg on the short runs it now gets and starts first time, every time.
These MG-Rover era cars deserve to be cherished in small numbers as a reminder of how much a cash-strapped MGR group managed to achieve with so little money to invest. Chassis engineering was top notch - it's all passive systems and manages a great compromise between sporty and comfy - no need for 'modes'. These will never hold great value because of the badge on the nose, but they are at least as good to drive and enjoy as the offerings of other manufacturers of the time.
Venting on PH is cheaper than therapy - thanks all.
Gary
I have a MKII ZS180 (yes - one of the facelift, cost-cut, apparently shoddily-built ones) and have had it since it was new in March 2005. I've changed the cam-belts twice and will probably do so once more. It's been mine since new. It has been, and continues to be, a good car.
Full disclosure before harping on further - I'm a serial MG Rover licker and my opinions are just that, my opinions, but they are based on about 300000 miles driving just three different ones.....and yes, I've had (have) others, too.
My ZS had a hard early life - 35,000 miles in its first 10 months with a 130 mile daily round trip to work, six or seven days a week. It was laid up for four years after being written off (rear-ended by a green Pug 106 with L-plates - I still feel sorry for the guy having to explain to his seventeen year old daughter how he'd written off her car). Having bought it back from the insurer and paid for it to be repaired left me about £2000 up on a car that a previous employer had already paid for via mileage and vehicle allowances. It's been run on LPG for about 90,000 miles (system now stripped out) and has been back in daily use (after finally solving a running issue caused by old fuel clogging the fuel pump after its four year holiday) and is now doing a more sedate 25 miles a day in 30,40 and 50 limits for the last 20 months and 16000 miles, while taking the occasional day off to keep my Subaru 'moving'.
The engine's lost none of its acceleration nor flexibility - this thing will pull smoothly (if not too quickly) in top gear from sub-30mph. The chassis is in need of a refresh having only changed two lower arm bushes, it still drives, rides and handles better than my 2012 WRX Sti, is more comfortable over potholes than my wife's 64 plate XF (20" wheels - who's idea was that?). The steering is still sharp, the body exhibits little roll when cornering. The full leather interior, despite the abuse is still presentable with no cracks or splits. It needs no oil top-up between services and revs freely and is still on its original clutch (just not its original hydraulic system).
Its problems are few - in addition to the clutch hydraulics it looses a little coolant and does so very slowly (not even 100ml in a month), it rattles a bit, a/c doesn't work (nope - not just in need of re-gas), it's got a bit of surface rust underneath and in the location of a few stone chips. I've changed a door handle after the MOT-tester broke it last year (they all do that sir). The BCU's been swapped for a re-programmed second hand item after it had been laid up for for four years and the heater resistor had to be repaired at the same time - things it would not have needed if it had been kept in continuous use. I bought a new variable inlet manifold and motors as a precaution - didn't improve anything, but at least I have a spare now!
If I'm honest, the OE spec stainless exhaust system (manifolds included - bit of a challenge to fit for my clumsy hands) with its laser engraved 'X-Power' tailpiece is somewhat anti-social but remains entertaining (I'm well into my forties and this novelty should have worn off long before now). From a distance, it still looks good, the MGR paint finish was excellent and is holding up reasonably well despite the neglect, and the small-saloon proportions are still 'right' to my eyes.
It doesn't have massive wheels, or infotainment or soft-touch finishes, but all the switches and motors (bar the a/c) still work. It's an old car. It's fun to drive. I still look back at my shoddy old example and smile. Shiny pearl black with silver wheels - it looks 'right'.
Beyond the excitement of changing the three timing belts (water pump, thermostat, auxiliary belts etc.), it's needed little more than basic servicing - fluids and filters - all done by me (no warranty to uphold, so figured 'why not?')
These were good, solid cars, just not class-leading. My particular one remains a perfectly comfortable, usable, quick-ish daily driver. It averages 29mpg on the short runs it now gets and starts first time, every time.
These MG-Rover era cars deserve to be cherished in small numbers as a reminder of how much a cash-strapped MGR group managed to achieve with so little money to invest. Chassis engineering was top notch - it's all passive systems and manages a great compromise between sporty and comfy - no need for 'modes'. These will never hold great value because of the badge on the nose, but they are at least as good to drive and enjoy as the offerings of other manufacturers of the time.
Venting on PH is cheaper than therapy - thanks all.
Gary
garythesnail said:
These are good, fun cars to drive about in. Whether this particular one is worth £4k or not is another matter. Is it surprising that they should be increasing in value? Probably not.
I have a MKII ZS180 (yes - one of the facelift, cost-cut, apparently shoddily-built ones) and have had it since it was new in March 2005. I've changed the cam-belts twice and will probably do so once more. It's been mine since new. It has been, and continues to be, a good car.
Full disclosure before harping on further - I'm a serial MG Rover licker and my opinions are just that, my opinions, but they are based on about 300000 miles driving just three different ones.....and yes, I've had (have) others, too.
Venting on PH is cheaper than therapy - thanks all.
Gary
Great post GaryI have a MKII ZS180 (yes - one of the facelift, cost-cut, apparently shoddily-built ones) and have had it since it was new in March 2005. I've changed the cam-belts twice and will probably do so once more. It's been mine since new. It has been, and continues to be, a good car.
Full disclosure before harping on further - I'm a serial MG Rover licker and my opinions are just that, my opinions, but they are based on about 300000 miles driving just three different ones.....and yes, I've had (have) others, too.
Venting on PH is cheaper than therapy - thanks all.
Gary
Nice to read something from a car enthusiast on here
I remember the Austin Alegro owners club turning up at Longbridge - I trundled out of my office and surveyed a sea of - well frankly poo coloured cars (some Marina and princess people had turned up as well) and all I could hear were the chants of how great these things were. OK, in desert warfare they'd have been hard to spot but otherwise... And I feel the same about the ZS.
The ZS to me epitomised the expression 'you can't polish a t**d but you can cover it in glitter'!
I always felt it was the weakest of the ZR/ZS/ZT trio -
ZR - a strange charisma for what was an inexpensive (if slightly rubbish) car and the 160 made me smile with innocent charm
ZT - best of the bunch but with lousy spring settings, oddly the press seemed to ignore that - they were so stiff that they caused bump steer - these were dumped for softer ones in I think 2002 and the ZT became after that the best of the MGR cars, the 75 was best before that.
ZS - outdated in every way. Yes on the right road a reasonable punt, but the pricing was mad and the enthusiasm of the press was way disproportionate to the cars basic architecture and capability, which caused a problem as top brass at MGR really did think this thing was at least as good as a Golf.
And before someone mentions touring cars - technically those were Rover 45 2.0 V6 autos as far as homologation went if memory serves... happy days!
The ZS to me epitomised the expression 'you can't polish a t**d but you can cover it in glitter'!
I always felt it was the weakest of the ZR/ZS/ZT trio -
ZR - a strange charisma for what was an inexpensive (if slightly rubbish) car and the 160 made me smile with innocent charm
ZT - best of the bunch but with lousy spring settings, oddly the press seemed to ignore that - they were so stiff that they caused bump steer - these were dumped for softer ones in I think 2002 and the ZT became after that the best of the MGR cars, the 75 was best before that.
ZS - outdated in every way. Yes on the right road a reasonable punt, but the pricing was mad and the enthusiasm of the press was way disproportionate to the cars basic architecture and capability, which caused a problem as top brass at MGR really did think this thing was at least as good as a Golf.
And before someone mentions touring cars - technically those were Rover 45 2.0 V6 autos as far as homologation went if memory serves... happy days!
Limpet said:
Numeric said:
Loathsome rebadged Rover 45 with interior so out of date you could cut yourself on the plastics - while the engine sounded great but was gutless so a diesel Golf could murder you unless you revved the crankshaft out of it. Also because of the ancient electrical architecture had none of the electronic features the average motorist was starting to want.
Of course the British press all said it was great - it had an MG badge and for some reason that made it BRILLIANT!!
One good thing about them though - every car thief in the UK knew how to disable the security devices so you didn't have to put up with owning one for long!
Tiff Needell said it was one of the best FWD chassis he'd experienced. But what would he know?Of course the British press all said it was great - it had an MG badge and for some reason that made it BRILLIANT!!
One good thing about them though - every car thief in the UK knew how to disable the security devices so you didn't have to put up with owning one for long!
I've driven most of the best quick hot hatches from the past 30 years and having never driven one of these ZS180's I bought one following a SOTW about them and was surprised it really was a great hot hatch with excellent handling.
My one was a mk1 04 V6 hatch, 120k miles, FSH, paid £300 for it and was shocked how much fun it was to thrash down a good B road. The rear suspension was way too stiff for a daily driver but the handling, grip and grunt made it a very fun steer. My £300 banger was fine for 18 months, a/c worked, body was clean, always started, everything worked ok.
Sorry to say it got scrapped when I left it lying around too long with no use due to clutch failure and it then needed too much spending to pass the next MOT. If anyone wants some bits have kept hold of the K&N kit, 6 x 17" alloys with good tyres, upgraded clutch master cylinder kit, good inlet mani/VIS motors, and towbar.
I had an almost indentical car to this except mine was a saloon (larger boot, looked better, cost more!) and in the later silver. Cost me the princely sum of circa £13,750 as a pre-reg deal with metallic, rear headrests, CD player and the smaller rear spoiler option - I thought the larger spoiler on the pre-facelift cars looked a bit ridiculous.
The best bits were the characterful engine, the handling and the seats. I also liked the look of it. The ride was a bit firm TBH but not as bad as a 3 MPS or my wife's Fiesta ST 150. The worst bits were the Honda designed stuff that the old design relied on - the dash really was poor compared with the 75/ZT as was the solidity of the body - the doors felt really light and tinny but then so to did the same shape Honda civics - they also had the same crappy dash and I have driven a few of those in my time in the trade. I have said it before but I think the chassis set up felt stiffer than the body - a car that really would have benefitted from some structural bracing. Having had a Cowley built 75 in the family for 18 years before we sold it, the difference in build/strength/solidity and finish between two different cars from the same company was staggering.
Having said that, the only fault that mine had in 6 years/65k of driving was a corroded ABS reluctor ring giving problems with the ABS. However, within a few months of buying it I put it in one of the sheds on my wife's parent's farm and some creature chewed through the wiring to the fans. This was repaired but 6 years later, driving in some very heavy rain, the wiring caught alight in the same area and a small fire ensued. My insurer wrote it off but someone put it back on the road and did another 50-odd thousand miles in it before no more MOTs were recorded.
From my experience of the Z cars (my wife had a ZR 105 and a friend had a ZT 190) I would say:
The ZR was great fun and handled better than the Fiesta ST 150 that replaced it - however the build was not great (though nothing really went wrong) and, strangely, it was a much less refined car than the 200 BRM that my brother had at the same time. As a fun car it was great.
The ZS was a great drive and very roomy but dated and unrefined for a car of its class (though better than the ZR). I liked my 180 but as the USP was the V6, I would not have bought a ZS with any other engine. A great track day car that can be made even better, but not sure about one as a 'classic'.
The ZT was a much better product overall and a genuine competitor against many sports saloons at the time. Yes it was not quite as quick (in 190 form) as the ZS 180 and probably less good on track due to the much greater weight, but as an every day car it was a much nicer proposition, though not much more roomy. My friend's was an 03 plate 190 with the later suspension setup - a really good balance and I even preferred the sound of the V6 in the ZT over the ZS. If I were to buy an MG as a modern classic, the ZT, in 190 or 260, form would be the one - a great car in my opinion.
The best bits were the characterful engine, the handling and the seats. I also liked the look of it. The ride was a bit firm TBH but not as bad as a 3 MPS or my wife's Fiesta ST 150. The worst bits were the Honda designed stuff that the old design relied on - the dash really was poor compared with the 75/ZT as was the solidity of the body - the doors felt really light and tinny but then so to did the same shape Honda civics - they also had the same crappy dash and I have driven a few of those in my time in the trade. I have said it before but I think the chassis set up felt stiffer than the body - a car that really would have benefitted from some structural bracing. Having had a Cowley built 75 in the family for 18 years before we sold it, the difference in build/strength/solidity and finish between two different cars from the same company was staggering.
Having said that, the only fault that mine had in 6 years/65k of driving was a corroded ABS reluctor ring giving problems with the ABS. However, within a few months of buying it I put it in one of the sheds on my wife's parent's farm and some creature chewed through the wiring to the fans. This was repaired but 6 years later, driving in some very heavy rain, the wiring caught alight in the same area and a small fire ensued. My insurer wrote it off but someone put it back on the road and did another 50-odd thousand miles in it before no more MOTs were recorded.
From my experience of the Z cars (my wife had a ZR 105 and a friend had a ZT 190) I would say:
The ZR was great fun and handled better than the Fiesta ST 150 that replaced it - however the build was not great (though nothing really went wrong) and, strangely, it was a much less refined car than the 200 BRM that my brother had at the same time. As a fun car it was great.
The ZS was a great drive and very roomy but dated and unrefined for a car of its class (though better than the ZR). I liked my 180 but as the USP was the V6, I would not have bought a ZS with any other engine. A great track day car that can be made even better, but not sure about one as a 'classic'.
The ZT was a much better product overall and a genuine competitor against many sports saloons at the time. Yes it was not quite as quick (in 190 form) as the ZS 180 and probably less good on track due to the much greater weight, but as an every day car it was a much nicer proposition, though not much more roomy. My friend's was an 03 plate 190 with the later suspension setup - a really good balance and I even preferred the sound of the V6 in the ZT over the ZS. If I were to buy an MG as a modern classic, the ZT, in 190 or 260, form would be the one - a great car in my opinion.
Edited by Alex P on Saturday 19th January 22:50
garythesnail said:
These are good, fun cars to drive about in. Whether this particular one is worth £4k or not is another matter. Is it surprising that they should be increasing in value? Probably not.
I have a MKII ZS180 (yes - one of the facelift, cost-cut, apparently shoddily-built ones) and have had it since it was new in March 2005. I've changed the cam-belts twice and will probably do so once more. It's been mine since new. It has been, and continues to be, a good car.
Full disclosure before harping on further - I'm a serial MG Rover licker and my opinions are just that, my opinions, but they are based on about 300000 miles driving just three different ones.....and yes, I've had (have) others, too.
My ZS had a hard early life - 35,000 miles in its first 10 months with a 130 mile daily round trip to work, six or seven days a week. It was laid up for four years after being written off (rear-ended by a green Pug 106 with L-plates - I still feel sorry for the guy having to explain to his seventeen year old daughter how he'd written off her car). Having bought it back from the insurer and paid for it to be repaired left me about £2000 up on a car that a previous employer had already paid for via mileage and vehicle allowances. It's been run on LPG for about 90,000 miles (system now stripped out) and has been back in daily use (after finally solving a running issue caused by old fuel clogging the fuel pump after its four year holiday) and is now doing a more sedate 25 miles a day in 30,40 and 50 limits for the last 20 months and 16000 miles, while taking the occasional day off to keep my Subaru 'moving'.
The engine's lost none of its acceleration nor flexibility - this thing will pull smoothly (if not too quickly) in top gear from sub-30mph. The chassis is in need of a refresh having only changed two lower arm bushes, it still drives, rides and handles better than my 2012 WRX Sti, is more comfortable over potholes than my wife's 64 plate XF (20" wheels - who's idea was that?). The steering is still sharp, the body exhibits little roll when cornering. The full leather interior, despite the abuse is still presentable with no cracks or splits. It needs no oil top-up between services and revs freely and is still on its original clutch (just not its original hydraulic system).
Its problems are few - in addition to the clutch hydraulics it looses a little coolant and does so very slowly (not even 100ml in a month), it rattles a bit, a/c doesn't work (nope - not just in need of re-gas), it's got a bit of surface rust underneath and in the location of a few stone chips. I've changed a door handle after the MOT-tester broke it last year (they all do that sir). The BCU's been swapped for a re-programmed second hand item after it had been laid up for for four years and the heater resistor had to be repaired at the same time - things it would not have needed if it had been kept in continuous use. I bought a new variable inlet manifold and motors as a precaution - didn't improve anything, but at least I have a spare now!
If I'm honest, the OE spec stainless exhaust system (manifolds included - bit of a challenge to fit for my clumsy hands) with its laser engraved 'X-Power' tailpiece is somewhat anti-social but remains entertaining (I'm well into my forties and this novelty should have worn off long before now). From a distance, it still looks good, the MGR paint finish was excellent and is holding up reasonably well despite the neglect, and the small-saloon proportions are still 'right' to my eyes.
It doesn't have massive wheels, or infotainment or soft-touch finishes, but all the switches and motors (bar the a/c) still work. It's an old car. It's fun to drive. I still look back at my shoddy old example and smile. Shiny pearl black with silver wheels - it looks 'right'.
Beyond the excitement of changing the three timing belts (water pump, thermostat, auxiliary belts etc.), it's needed little more than basic servicing - fluids and filters - all done by me (no warranty to uphold, so figured 'why not?')
These were good, solid cars, just not class-leading. My particular one remains a perfectly comfortable, usable, quick-ish daily driver. It averages 29mpg on the short runs it now gets and starts first time, every time.
These MG-Rover era cars deserve to be cherished in small numbers as a reminder of how much a cash-strapped MGR group managed to achieve with so little money to invest. Chassis engineering was top notch - it's all passive systems and manages a great compromise between sporty and comfy - no need for 'modes'. These will never hold great value because of the badge on the nose, but they are at least as good to drive and enjoy as the offerings of other manufacturers of the time.
Venting on PH is cheaper than therapy - thanks all.
Gary
Great read, makes a change from the angry "car enthusiasts" poking fun at other people's cars. Is it you that has a yellow one? I remember someone posting a few pics of theirs a while ago on here. I have a MKII ZS180 (yes - one of the facelift, cost-cut, apparently shoddily-built ones) and have had it since it was new in March 2005. I've changed the cam-belts twice and will probably do so once more. It's been mine since new. It has been, and continues to be, a good car.
Full disclosure before harping on further - I'm a serial MG Rover licker and my opinions are just that, my opinions, but they are based on about 300000 miles driving just three different ones.....and yes, I've had (have) others, too.
My ZS had a hard early life - 35,000 miles in its first 10 months with a 130 mile daily round trip to work, six or seven days a week. It was laid up for four years after being written off (rear-ended by a green Pug 106 with L-plates - I still feel sorry for the guy having to explain to his seventeen year old daughter how he'd written off her car). Having bought it back from the insurer and paid for it to be repaired left me about £2000 up on a car that a previous employer had already paid for via mileage and vehicle allowances. It's been run on LPG for about 90,000 miles (system now stripped out) and has been back in daily use (after finally solving a running issue caused by old fuel clogging the fuel pump after its four year holiday) and is now doing a more sedate 25 miles a day in 30,40 and 50 limits for the last 20 months and 16000 miles, while taking the occasional day off to keep my Subaru 'moving'.
The engine's lost none of its acceleration nor flexibility - this thing will pull smoothly (if not too quickly) in top gear from sub-30mph. The chassis is in need of a refresh having only changed two lower arm bushes, it still drives, rides and handles better than my 2012 WRX Sti, is more comfortable over potholes than my wife's 64 plate XF (20" wheels - who's idea was that?). The steering is still sharp, the body exhibits little roll when cornering. The full leather interior, despite the abuse is still presentable with no cracks or splits. It needs no oil top-up between services and revs freely and is still on its original clutch (just not its original hydraulic system).
Its problems are few - in addition to the clutch hydraulics it looses a little coolant and does so very slowly (not even 100ml in a month), it rattles a bit, a/c doesn't work (nope - not just in need of re-gas), it's got a bit of surface rust underneath and in the location of a few stone chips. I've changed a door handle after the MOT-tester broke it last year (they all do that sir). The BCU's been swapped for a re-programmed second hand item after it had been laid up for for four years and the heater resistor had to be repaired at the same time - things it would not have needed if it had been kept in continuous use. I bought a new variable inlet manifold and motors as a precaution - didn't improve anything, but at least I have a spare now!
If I'm honest, the OE spec stainless exhaust system (manifolds included - bit of a challenge to fit for my clumsy hands) with its laser engraved 'X-Power' tailpiece is somewhat anti-social but remains entertaining (I'm well into my forties and this novelty should have worn off long before now). From a distance, it still looks good, the MGR paint finish was excellent and is holding up reasonably well despite the neglect, and the small-saloon proportions are still 'right' to my eyes.
It doesn't have massive wheels, or infotainment or soft-touch finishes, but all the switches and motors (bar the a/c) still work. It's an old car. It's fun to drive. I still look back at my shoddy old example and smile. Shiny pearl black with silver wheels - it looks 'right'.
Beyond the excitement of changing the three timing belts (water pump, thermostat, auxiliary belts etc.), it's needed little more than basic servicing - fluids and filters - all done by me (no warranty to uphold, so figured 'why not?')
These were good, solid cars, just not class-leading. My particular one remains a perfectly comfortable, usable, quick-ish daily driver. It averages 29mpg on the short runs it now gets and starts first time, every time.
These MG-Rover era cars deserve to be cherished in small numbers as a reminder of how much a cash-strapped MGR group managed to achieve with so little money to invest. Chassis engineering was top notch - it's all passive systems and manages a great compromise between sporty and comfy - no need for 'modes'. These will never hold great value because of the badge on the nose, but they are at least as good to drive and enjoy as the offerings of other manufacturers of the time.
Venting on PH is cheaper than therapy - thanks all.
Gary
I bought mine (mk1 zs180) in March/April 2018 for a charity rally. Paid £480 for it - cat C (although no garage I’ve been to has been able to identify any major repair) with no service history, more fag buts and mould than you’ve ever seen, a swimming pool in the boot (the boot seals definitely don’t work) and 3 seized brake callipers.
Was going to do the cam belt (having no idea if/when it was last done) but having realised it needed new callipers/disks/pads all round I figured I’d just chance it and see how it got on driving from Brighton to John o Groats and back.
I expected it to blow up on the first day. It did nearly 2000 miles in a week, driven hard and was absolutely incredible. Had to change the spark plugs after 5 days (outside Middlesbrough) in the car park of Europarts as it was misfiring and it’s still running beautifully nearly a year later.
Still hasn’t had the belts changed. Keep expecting it to blow up, it keeps working beautifully.
The electric windows work (nothing else electrical does), it has no door card/handle on the passenger side and I can’t find a replacement anywhere, needs breather pipes replacing (but seems to run fine regardless) and sounds absolutely ridiculous with a straight through custom cat back.
I LOVE it and it is a truly fantastic chassis. I would love to have the funds to do a a suspension refresh, get the belts done, put some decent rubber on it etc, but just seems crazy on a cat c with no history.
If it doesn’t blow up soon, I’ll probably bite the bullet and do the belts.
I can’t recommed them highly enough though. I had a Clio Trophy when they came out (remains the best front driver I’ve ever driven) and I’ve had nearly as much fun in the ZS. Yeah it’s naff, falling apart and annoys my wife more than any car I’ve ever owned - she makes me park it down the street - but I adore it.
It also helped raise £7500 for charity and provided some of the best fun I’ve ever had in a car on the north 500 and various cracking roads across the UK. It’s now playing the role of a station car and nothing makes me smile more in the evening than getting into it wearing a suit.
aaron_2000 said:
Is it you that has a yellow one? I remember someone posting a few pics of theirs a while ago on here.
Not me. Hesitated when a sunspot mk2 saloon came up for sale some years ago. Muppet.Here's mine. Still scrubs up ok for a 125k mile cat c write off - just don't look too close :-)
Edited by garythesnail on Saturday 19th January 22:49
I used to track a zs180 mk1 about 7-8 years ago, I picked it up for a grand (63k miles) and then my uncle and I changed the belts, air intake and gave it a full service. All for relative pennies, but lord getting that engine out to change the belts took a good three days (tea and biscuits speed obviously).
Notable memories include the impeller lunching itself midway through castle combe, slave cylinder melting on a driver training day and the accelerator wire detaching from the engine.
Despite all this budget and hassle we stuck with it because it really was a peach in the corners and that V6 when you wrung it for all it's worth was so rewarding.
I'm genuinely happy I got to spend a couple of years with it and know mg before they departed. It is a smile inducing underdog, and it really is a great b road car, especially at the crazy low prices you used to have.
An absolute pleasure of a car.
Notable memories include the impeller lunching itself midway through castle combe, slave cylinder melting on a driver training day and the accelerator wire detaching from the engine.
Despite all this budget and hassle we stuck with it because it really was a peach in the corners and that V6 when you wrung it for all it's worth was so rewarding.
I'm genuinely happy I got to spend a couple of years with it and know mg before they departed. It is a smile inducing underdog, and it really is a great b road car, especially at the crazy low prices you used to have.
An absolute pleasure of a car.
Bought an MG ZT 190 for £500 last summer for 'Monte Carlo or Bust', genuinely brilliant car and it only lost it's water once! There's a great community around the ZT/75, they aren't just 'good for an MG' but actually great handling cars, planning on keeping mine a long long time. Also the V6 makes an absolutely gorgeous sound.
Edited by Valgar on Saturday 19th January 23:11
ToothbrushMan said:
i seem to remember old airfields cram packed with new rovers of this era all unsold - what on earth happened to all of them or are they still rotting away?
They kept dealers going for a good year or two after the collapse (iirc the majority were owned by Capital Bank). The dealer group I worked for bought a batch of LHD cars in amongst the many other cars, They were purchased mega cheap and I had a whale of a time knocking them out to buyers wanting a cheap car to leave at their holiday home.garythesnail said:
Not me. Hesitated when a sunspot mk2 saloon came up for sale some years ago. Muppet.
Here's mine. Still scrubs up ok for a 125k mile cat c write off - just don't look too close :-)
I had a MK2 about 10+ years ago after a run of 5 ZRs! I think it was a great looking car and even today still has some presence - as your photo shows.Here's mine. Still scrubs up ok for a 125k mile cat c write off - just don't look too close :-)
Edited by garythesnail on Saturday 19th January 22:49
Good memories of the ZR/ZS range, some bad memories too ha!, but always good to see one on the road.
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