MG ZS 120+ - aka "The Learning Experience"
Discussion
The best luck of all would have been walking round to the other side of the car and finding the stream of liquid was coming from the van next to me. My luck wasn't that good.
However, it was pretty good. Turns out it was coming from a split in the heater hose just a few cm from the end, so instead of paying someone £50 for an odd shaped hose, I used my toolbox scissors/an angry badger (you look, then decide) to chew the offending bit off, then re-clamped it, topped up the coolant and ran it up to see what was what.
What was what was where water was whooshing, water wasn't whooshing, weeing, or weakly welling at all. (W)yay. TLDR: Fixed.
Flushed with success, I then had a go at the still sticky throttle pedal with spray grease and WD40, then adjusted all the slack out of it. Too much as it turns out, since the idle is now about 1500rpm. Ooops. Will wind that back a bit...
Finally, to rectify the broken door handle, I used some Sikaflex I had lying about. It was last used to attach cycle wings to a Caterham, so it's definitely up to the job and I'm pleased to say a tentative test this morning suggests we're back in action as a four door vehicle, instead of repeated comedy moments of pulling a handle and getting the handle, but nothing else.
Annoyingly, I can't find the old bit of heatshield. I do have a new bit, but Im sort of saving that for something. Dunno what, but it seems a waste to use it on a s
tter when I know I've got a roadkill bit floating round somewhere.
Also, I make no apology for the socks.
However, it was pretty good. Turns out it was coming from a split in the heater hose just a few cm from the end, so instead of paying someone £50 for an odd shaped hose, I used my toolbox scissors/an angry badger (you look, then decide) to chew the offending bit off, then re-clamped it, topped up the coolant and ran it up to see what was what.
What was what was where water was whooshing, water wasn't whooshing, weeing, or weakly welling at all. (W)yay. TLDR: Fixed.
Flushed with success, I then had a go at the still sticky throttle pedal with spray grease and WD40, then adjusted all the slack out of it. Too much as it turns out, since the idle is now about 1500rpm. Ooops. Will wind that back a bit...
Finally, to rectify the broken door handle, I used some Sikaflex I had lying about. It was last used to attach cycle wings to a Caterham, so it's definitely up to the job and I'm pleased to say a tentative test this morning suggests we're back in action as a four door vehicle, instead of repeated comedy moments of pulling a handle and getting the handle, but nothing else.
Annoyingly, I can't find the old bit of heatshield. I do have a new bit, but Im sort of saving that for something. Dunno what, but it seems a waste to use it on a s
tter when I know I've got a roadkill bit floating round somewhere.Also, I make no apology for the socks.
Smitters said:
I swear, there should be some sort of reverse cut drill bit, so you can put your drill in reverse, drill into your stuck bolt and then after 10-15mm, have some sort of bite where the bit stops rotating easily and it just torques the broken section out.
A screw extractor kit is exactly what you describe! Though I don't think they're as easy to use as you make it sound. 
Smitters said:
Sadly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, I may be closing the book on this RC thread as HV04TNN is gonna be stuck up a gum tree. We'll see, we'll see.
This is sad news. You got your need from it I suspect though, you did some learning and will be more confident in future. What's caused this decision?RazerSauber said:
Smitters said:
Sadly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, I may be closing the book on this RC thread as HV04TNN is gonna be stuck up a gum tree. We'll see, we'll see.
This is sad news. You got your need from it I suspect though, you did some learning and will be more confident in future. What's caused this decision?So, quite a lot to update this weekend...
First up on Friday was a trackday with MSE at Abingdon. The weather had looked wet again in the run up, which didn't really bother me since I don't mind going slower and learning about handling, plus it's a bit easier on the car. However, the day really came together, with the most thorough briefing ever, followed by a mostly dry day with the occasional sprinkle to keep things interesting.
As is typical for me just after deciding to sell a car, there were some adventures. First, there was a light nudge of a tall cone with the front left. Know what a tall cone does when you nudge it? Tips away from you, then tips back with a vengeance to catch the rear left...
That'll buff out (no seriously, it will - it's all plastic smears)
Although, unusually for MSE, there was a small amount of dodgy driving it was all resolved quickly and amicably and the eclectic mix of cars worked well.
Better on the grass than off?
Yes, a McLaren. Being used well too.
I had a fairly scrappy day to be honest, and struggled as a misfire that was previously very occasional got a lot less occasional. So, I've got some investigations to do on cylinder 4. Will I be lucky enough to find a knackered spark plug? Watch this space for expletives...
I did enjoy the challenge of driving in a manner that controlled the car's temps well though - I found by going up a gear in places and short-shifting in others I was able to manage tyres and water temps to extend the stints for very little speed loss. Why? Because by stringing 10 or so laps together I got more free space and got a better rhythm. Plus you can pretend you're in LM24 and having to manage a car. Yes, I'm a sad, sad man.
But, even though I drove home questioning whether I should even look at the car I was planning to this weekend, the temptation was too great. Sunday afternoon therefore, in biblical rain, saw my long-suffering Dad/taxi-driver and I schlepping to Redditch and then a convoy home. For what?
This.
So, some spannering to do on the MG, though it's sporting a For Sale sign in the window already. I'm not expecting much for it to be honest. We all know that modifications and servicing rarely pays you back, so in this case my profit is all in the learning experience.
And as a postscript... kids kicked the MGs wing mirrors off for drunken fun. FML.
First up on Friday was a trackday with MSE at Abingdon. The weather had looked wet again in the run up, which didn't really bother me since I don't mind going slower and learning about handling, plus it's a bit easier on the car. However, the day really came together, with the most thorough briefing ever, followed by a mostly dry day with the occasional sprinkle to keep things interesting.
As is typical for me just after deciding to sell a car, there were some adventures. First, there was a light nudge of a tall cone with the front left. Know what a tall cone does when you nudge it? Tips away from you, then tips back with a vengeance to catch the rear left...
That'll buff out (no seriously, it will - it's all plastic smears)
Although, unusually for MSE, there was a small amount of dodgy driving it was all resolved quickly and amicably and the eclectic mix of cars worked well.
Better on the grass than off?
Yes, a McLaren. Being used well too.
I had a fairly scrappy day to be honest, and struggled as a misfire that was previously very occasional got a lot less occasional. So, I've got some investigations to do on cylinder 4. Will I be lucky enough to find a knackered spark plug? Watch this space for expletives...
I did enjoy the challenge of driving in a manner that controlled the car's temps well though - I found by going up a gear in places and short-shifting in others I was able to manage tyres and water temps to extend the stints for very little speed loss. Why? Because by stringing 10 or so laps together I got more free space and got a better rhythm. Plus you can pretend you're in LM24 and having to manage a car. Yes, I'm a sad, sad man.
But, even though I drove home questioning whether I should even look at the car I was planning to this weekend, the temptation was too great. Sunday afternoon therefore, in biblical rain, saw my long-suffering Dad/taxi-driver and I schlepping to Redditch and then a convoy home. For what?
This.
So, some spannering to do on the MG, though it's sporting a For Sale sign in the window already. I'm not expecting much for it to be honest. We all know that modifications and servicing rarely pays you back, so in this case my profit is all in the learning experience.
And as a postscript... kids kicked the MGs wing mirrors off for drunken fun. FML.
It's been a couple of weeks, so minor updates required.
Firstly, the car is indeed going. It simply has to. I offered it to a friend for a discount, but he (his missus) said no, so I'll be braving FB Marketplace etc.
However, that doesn't mean I want to stop tinkering. Some of it enforced, some of it just overdue.
So, first was to sort the pesky misfire. I was feeling all woe-is-me, so asked if I could borrow a compression testing kit, but in fact the car kindly threw me a hint on the EML, showing a cylinder 4 misfire. I popped the plug lead and what would you know?
One new plug and hey presto, it's sorted. Now that's the sort of problem solving I can get behind.
As per the post above, there was a minor cone-related incident at Abingdon. All I can say is the underseal and chassis protection department could have learnt a lot from the paint shop at MGRover...
Before:
After:
Finally, those pesky youths with their ninja kicks saw me resort to some Duck tape action and then some eBay action.
£15 and 20 minutes with the book of lies saw this:
Become this:
And finally this:
All sorted - still adjusts electrically (and has the wiring for heating too - maybe I simply lack an in-car switch?)
So, I need to fit the last of the boot trim, fix the stereo aerial wiring, add a sunstrip, give it a good wash and hoover and it'll be on someone else's drive fairly soon, or I'll be in real trouble...
Firstly, the car is indeed going. It simply has to. I offered it to a friend for a discount, but he (his missus) said no, so I'll be braving FB Marketplace etc.
However, that doesn't mean I want to stop tinkering. Some of it enforced, some of it just overdue.
So, first was to sort the pesky misfire. I was feeling all woe-is-me, so asked if I could borrow a compression testing kit, but in fact the car kindly threw me a hint on the EML, showing a cylinder 4 misfire. I popped the plug lead and what would you know?
One new plug and hey presto, it's sorted. Now that's the sort of problem solving I can get behind.
As per the post above, there was a minor cone-related incident at Abingdon. All I can say is the underseal and chassis protection department could have learnt a lot from the paint shop at MGRover...
Before:
After:
Finally, those pesky youths with their ninja kicks saw me resort to some Duck tape action and then some eBay action.
£15 and 20 minutes with the book of lies saw this:
Become this:
And finally this:
All sorted - still adjusts electrically (and has the wiring for heating too - maybe I simply lack an in-car switch?)
So, I need to fit the last of the boot trim, fix the stereo aerial wiring, add a sunstrip, give it a good wash and hoover and it'll be on someone else's drive fairly soon, or I'll be in real trouble...
Smitters said:
So, I need to fit the last of the boot trim, fix the stereo aerial wiring, add a sunstrip, give it a good wash and hoover and it'll be on someone else's drive fairly soon, or I'll be in real trouble...
Yeah. About that. It's still here...In the mean time, we've become adept at shuffling cars in and out, annoying all our neighbours every time I have to start the Megane (thread coming soon) because it's bloody loud.
I had thought, perhaps foolishly, a car that had been comprehensively serviced would somehow be more attractive than the usual two month MOT and no paperwork s
t that's about for under a grand, but it seems most people simply look at the mileage and assume it'll break down before the end of the road.So far, I've advertised it on the street, at a trackday, had the car on Gumtree, eBay auction with sensible reserve (paid for), Autotrader (free), Facebook MG groups, Trackday groups and local selling groups and while I've had some interest, it's generally been swaps, contingent on selling an existing vehicle, offers of paying off the price in stages (but taking the car on the day!) and one enterprising European gent who thought he'd leverage the poor Euro/Pound. However, a deposit wasn't forthcoming and when I said he'd need to change the Euros to GBP before I'd accept then he went suspiciously quiet. So, le monopoly money then.
Without wishing to curse myself, it should go on Sunday. A keen buyer, who offered a deposit, is coming. In my view, it's a massive bargain, but it's tricky to put a price on what I've learned and how much I've enjoyed working on it. A last little touch, just to smarten up the screen, was a sunstrip. The crack isn't an MOT fail, but is a bit unsightly, so this offsets that too. The crack's in the ad, so this isn't an attempt to hide anything either.
Tint-life innit.
Fingers crossed for Sunday.
SloppyClock said:
Smitters honestly if you're selling, and the buyer on sunday falls through, let me know, be interested myself, always wanted a 120.
Cheers - sadly it went. Gutted really - I'd much rather it went to a PHer. It went to Brighton and to a mechanic, so I have hopes it'll live on for a while.Cambs_Stuart said:
Good luck with the sale. I've really enjoyed the thread and it even helped inspire me to buy a clio 172 and blow the dust off my spanners.
Now i've wrecked my back and taught my children some new swear words by changing the engine mounts, but its all experience.
Thanks. Glad it got some spanners twirling. I have some new callouses and a first name basis relationship with a physio now. Probably worth it. My boy, who's four, now knows the difference between a wheel, a brake disc and a brake caliper. This is good news.Now i've wrecked my back and taught my children some new swear words by changing the engine mounts, but its all experience.
Well, time for an end of term report sort of thing as the sun sets on MG ZS ownership. I think the first thing to say is that the MGs of this era, especially with the 1.8K are an absolute bargain. If you wanted a very cheap track hack and found one without rust, I would heartily recommend it. Cheap to work on, run (more on this in a sec) and insure, they are the epitome of bargain motoring in a package that not only looks decent, but actually drives well.
So, first, the nasty bit. Money.
The car set me back £600. This was probably £100-200 too much, but there you go. Plus this one had green LEDs and was a Brands Hatch Edition. This "special edition" status caused quite a lot of hate from the MG aficionados who refused to accept it, despite the very prominent badge. Many failed to see the tongue in cheek-ness. I also bought it a week before my second son was born. My missus is a saint. Plus, at that stage, I could outrun her.
So cool:
So unique:
£600 - a car
£200 - insurance
£100 - tax - car was SORNed a fair bit
I took a road legal race car policy with REIS, which meant I could modify it in any way I liked without issue, but critically, I had no windscreen cover. This meant I was pretty annoyed when a week into ownership I pulled the gearknob off, but the momentum smashed my head into the rear-view mirror and cracked the screen. Quotes from local glass-fitters ranged from £120 up to silly, so not that far off an excess payment anyway. Since it wasn't an MOT fail though, I left it.
Sub-total so far, £900.
I had established an order of work, consisting of:
1) Check for rust. If all's well, sort the basics and move to;
2) Replace the headgasket, belts and associated bits to make it mechanically sound. If all starts without a bang, move to;
3) Consumables like tyres, brakes etc.
4) Rag it on track.
I was willing to bin it at any stage, if either I'd found some terminal rust that was hidden from my appallingly brief pre-purchase inspection, or done something dumb and grenaded the engine. Only once I had to running did I commit to things like tyres and so on.
So, I bought:
Many Bilt Hamber and Hammerite products and several wire wheels of death for the drill.
Many parts from Mat at MGRDS - MG Rover Discount Spares - well recommended
And then did stuff like this...
and then this.
I spoke about there being a sweet spot of power and speed, well below the likes of today's hot hatches. I still stand by that, but a cheap head came up with 135 cams on it, so scope-creep commenced.
Some spannering got an engine partially stripped, inspected, buggered about with and reassembled...
There were some nerves... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krOKi6y4LPU
Success! BlackCircles, Eurocarparts and RimmerBros got some more money, then it was a case of sorting some basics, finding some unexpected issues and resolving those (imperial bolt ratllegunned into a brake part anyone?) and going out for some fun...
I went here:
And did this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsH_kHXYkpE
And then I went to Abingdon twice too.
All in, I bought £1200 of parts. Big ticket items were:
£300 - Tyres
£120 - Head
£95 - Goodridge Hoses
But in reality, it was death by a thousand cuts, discs, pads, fluids, filters, the head gasket kit and belts, a few tools, about a gallon of WD40 for releasing stuck bolts. That sort of thing. Buying things from EuroCarParts on bank holidays makes a big difference. If you're not getting stuff at least half price, it's worth waiting about 48 hours for the next spurious reason for a big sale.
All in, I reckon I was into it for £2,120 (and then another £10 for advertising). Only about £200 of this was unexpected costs. There were a few running issues, but I enjoyed the process of diagnosis and repair as much as the rebuild.
But, as is often the case once a project ends, she had to go. I had for some reason decided a turbocharged French hot hatch was a brilliant plan, so space and £££ were required. But, mainly space, since you can't buy a hot hatch like that for under a grand. In reality, there was nothing stopping me running around doing cheap trackdays for another year or two, but it would have needed bushes, then some coilovers, then some stickier tyres and then I'd be in it for £4k, and I'd still sold it for less than £1000, so the only sensible thing was to buy a Megane. Obviously.
I polished the old turd up, wrote a comprehensive ad, sat back and waited for a knowledgeable petrolhead to spot the value and take my hand off. And about six weeks later and upteen different adverts (Autotrader Free, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Sales groups locally and an MG Buy/Sell/Swap group) plus a window ad while it was parked on the road all I had to show for it was a smashed wing mirror and a line of footprints over the car where some local scrotes had decided to have some fun. The police were disinterested, so a £15 eBay mirror and another wash to remove the evidence (Nike size 9's...) and it was ready for the first committed buyer after a string of vaguely interested chancers.
It comes up really well with some polish and wax.
Full luxury garage reveal. Also, it was going to piss down between washing it and selling it and I was fked if I was losing about four hours of work.
A deposit was paid, a price pre-agreed, a trip was made, some horses escaped on the M23 which made it a very long trip for him indeed, and the shiny blue stter was gone. It sold for £700. In my eyes, and quite possibly the new owner's too, a bargain, but there simply isn't the market for a higher miles MG ZS at over a grand, unless you find a real enthusiast and for some reason, they all want the 180. When you can pick up a ten year old Focus for the same money, you're not selling it to someone as a runaround either, so however I feel, I reckon it was about market value. Though interestingly, I auctioned it on eBay with a £600 reserve and it only got to £410. Cheapskates.
Over the 12 months, I spent £1,430 and I did 1000 miles. So £1.43 a mile then. Or, to put it another way, around here, a decent garage costs £60/hour. So if I can save 24 hours of work in the next few years by doing my own basics - oil, filters etc. and just use garages for complex jobs and MOTs, the skills I've learnt will pay me back. We've got four cars in the house, so that's really just couple of services each.
I have absolutely loved, and at times hated, the thing, but the feeling of lapping Silverstone in a car I took apart and rebuilt myself is one that will live with me a long time. I'm over the moon that there were no major issues I caused, meaning I did things mostly right and I've learned so much, not just about that car specifically, but also about how to approach jobs. Reading the Haynes Book of Lies is all well and good, but often they suggest (re)moving parts that you just don't need to. A bit of thinking, a cup of tea (in a Bad Obsession Motorsport mug, obvs) and a measured approach will see you right nine times out of ten. I only had to buy a few specialist tools - a camwheel locker, a big socket for the crankbolt and some female torx sockets. Otherwise, assuming you've got a torque wrench (mine's from Lidl, other high end tool suppliers are available), you're away.
I have definitely been inspired by the Reader's Cars section, plus watching Mighty Car Mods, The Skid Factory and of course Project Binky. The realisation it's just nuts and bolts, not witchcraft (except electrics - that's complete witchcraft) has been enough to give me the confidence to crack on. Try it. You might like it. Cheers for reading.
The next chapter... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
So, first, the nasty bit. Money.
The car set me back £600. This was probably £100-200 too much, but there you go. Plus this one had green LEDs and was a Brands Hatch Edition. This "special edition" status caused quite a lot of hate from the MG aficionados who refused to accept it, despite the very prominent badge. Many failed to see the tongue in cheek-ness. I also bought it a week before my second son was born. My missus is a saint. Plus, at that stage, I could outrun her.
So cool:
So unique:
£600 - a car
£200 - insurance
£100 - tax - car was SORNed a fair bit
I took a road legal race car policy with REIS, which meant I could modify it in any way I liked without issue, but critically, I had no windscreen cover. This meant I was pretty annoyed when a week into ownership I pulled the gearknob off, but the momentum smashed my head into the rear-view mirror and cracked the screen. Quotes from local glass-fitters ranged from £120 up to silly, so not that far off an excess payment anyway. Since it wasn't an MOT fail though, I left it.
Sub-total so far, £900.
I had established an order of work, consisting of:
1) Check for rust. If all's well, sort the basics and move to;
2) Replace the headgasket, belts and associated bits to make it mechanically sound. If all starts without a bang, move to;
3) Consumables like tyres, brakes etc.
4) Rag it on track.
I was willing to bin it at any stage, if either I'd found some terminal rust that was hidden from my appallingly brief pre-purchase inspection, or done something dumb and grenaded the engine. Only once I had to running did I commit to things like tyres and so on.
So, I bought:
Many Bilt Hamber and Hammerite products and several wire wheels of death for the drill.
Many parts from Mat at MGRDS - MG Rover Discount Spares - well recommended
And then did stuff like this...
and then this.
I spoke about there being a sweet spot of power and speed, well below the likes of today's hot hatches. I still stand by that, but a cheap head came up with 135 cams on it, so scope-creep commenced.
Some spannering got an engine partially stripped, inspected, buggered about with and reassembled...
There were some nerves... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krOKi6y4LPU
Success! BlackCircles, Eurocarparts and RimmerBros got some more money, then it was a case of sorting some basics, finding some unexpected issues and resolving those (imperial bolt ratllegunned into a brake part anyone?) and going out for some fun...
I went here:
And did this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsH_kHXYkpE
And then I went to Abingdon twice too.
All in, I bought £1200 of parts. Big ticket items were:
£300 - Tyres
£120 - Head
£95 - Goodridge Hoses
But in reality, it was death by a thousand cuts, discs, pads, fluids, filters, the head gasket kit and belts, a few tools, about a gallon of WD40 for releasing stuck bolts. That sort of thing. Buying things from EuroCarParts on bank holidays makes a big difference. If you're not getting stuff at least half price, it's worth waiting about 48 hours for the next spurious reason for a big sale.
All in, I reckon I was into it for £2,120 (and then another £10 for advertising). Only about £200 of this was unexpected costs. There were a few running issues, but I enjoyed the process of diagnosis and repair as much as the rebuild.
But, as is often the case once a project ends, she had to go. I had for some reason decided a turbocharged French hot hatch was a brilliant plan, so space and £££ were required. But, mainly space, since you can't buy a hot hatch like that for under a grand. In reality, there was nothing stopping me running around doing cheap trackdays for another year or two, but it would have needed bushes, then some coilovers, then some stickier tyres and then I'd be in it for £4k, and I'd still sold it for less than £1000, so the only sensible thing was to buy a Megane. Obviously.
I polished the old turd up, wrote a comprehensive ad, sat back and waited for a knowledgeable petrolhead to spot the value and take my hand off. And about six weeks later and upteen different adverts (Autotrader Free, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Sales groups locally and an MG Buy/Sell/Swap group) plus a window ad while it was parked on the road all I had to show for it was a smashed wing mirror and a line of footprints over the car where some local scrotes had decided to have some fun. The police were disinterested, so a £15 eBay mirror and another wash to remove the evidence (Nike size 9's...) and it was ready for the first committed buyer after a string of vaguely interested chancers.
It comes up really well with some polish and wax.
Full luxury garage reveal. Also, it was going to piss down between washing it and selling it and I was f
ked if I was losing about four hours of work.A deposit was paid, a price pre-agreed, a trip was made, some horses escaped on the M23 which made it a very long trip for him indeed, and the shiny blue s
tter was gone. It sold for £700. In my eyes, and quite possibly the new owner's too, a bargain, but there simply isn't the market for a higher miles MG ZS at over a grand, unless you find a real enthusiast and for some reason, they all want the 180. When you can pick up a ten year old Focus for the same money, you're not selling it to someone as a runaround either, so however I feel, I reckon it was about market value. Though interestingly, I auctioned it on eBay with a £600 reserve and it only got to £410. Cheapskates.Over the 12 months, I spent £1,430 and I did 1000 miles. So £1.43 a mile then. Or, to put it another way, around here, a decent garage costs £60/hour. So if I can save 24 hours of work in the next few years by doing my own basics - oil, filters etc. and just use garages for complex jobs and MOTs, the skills I've learnt will pay me back. We've got four cars in the house, so that's really just couple of services each.
I have absolutely loved, and at times hated, the thing, but the feeling of lapping Silverstone in a car I took apart and rebuilt myself is one that will live with me a long time. I'm over the moon that there were no major issues I caused, meaning I did things mostly right and I've learned so much, not just about that car specifically, but also about how to approach jobs. Reading the Haynes Book of Lies is all well and good, but often they suggest (re)moving parts that you just don't need to. A bit of thinking, a cup of tea (in a Bad Obsession Motorsport mug, obvs) and a measured approach will see you right nine times out of ten. I only had to buy a few specialist tools - a camwheel locker, a big socket for the crankbolt and some female torx sockets. Otherwise, assuming you've got a torque wrench (mine's from Lidl, other high end tool suppliers are available), you're away.
I have definitely been inspired by the Reader's Cars section, plus watching Mighty Car Mods, The Skid Factory and of course Project Binky. The realisation it's just nuts and bolts, not witchcraft (except electrics - that's complete witchcraft) has been enough to give me the confidence to crack on. Try it. You might like it. Cheers for reading.
The next chapter... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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