MG ZT 190 – any good?

[willdew]

I’m currently looking for a new company car and the ZT looks great value and ticks all my boxes. I’m not particularly up on MG models and wondered what the common consensus was on the ZT. I know MG are always doing offers, but the 190 SE is now on offer (before negotiating) at £22k (there’s a no VAT promotion) with £1000 to choose off the options list and the first 3 years/45,000 miles servicing included.

Also, is the suspension upgrade worth spending my £1000 on, or should I stick to metallic and the Harmon Kardon (sp?) stereo?

Thanks,
Will.

[MGV8]

The ZTs are very good cars. If you get out and drive one you will find out what they are all about.
As they have been around for some time now problems are low.

Good points:
Driving
Reliability OK
Build quality better than you would expect.
Driving

Bad points:
Getting old
Value drops
Some Rover dealers are not to good

[markpetrie]

I have a ZT120 it's an ok car but not worth the cash. Go German mate.

[willdew]

markpetrie said:

I have a ZT120 it's an ok car but not worth the cash. Go German mate.

Really?
£22k gets me the 2.5 V6 SE with leather, climate, cruise, sat nav, TV, traffic master (tell's me about traffic jams), xenon auto leveling lights, electric & heated seats, harmon karden stereo, metallic, rain sensing wipers and the first 3 years servicing.

Is the quailty that poor that all that for so little isn't worth it? I've not driven one yet (am doing so tomorow), but if it was decent I thought I'd made my decision.

What would you have for the same sort of money?

[Buffalo]

The ZT is far better than anything German you can get for the money IMO. £22k is about poverty spec for the BMW 318 isn't it? My choice wouldn't even include that (BMWs start at 6 cylinders, before that they aren't worth looking at!)!

ZT 120 is unfortunately the most underpowered engine in the ZT range. Its a big car and even the 160 feels that it could handle more horses.

But, I have the most experience of a V6 160 and IMO its a fantastic car - the noice is just fantastic and it begs you to drive it hard!

I would suggest you check out the XPower forums this evening for specifc advice regarding your choice, but i don't think any of the v6's had much to worry about in terms of reliability. My mates 160 is now past 30k miles in two years and has absolutely no trouble at all, just regular servicing and its driven hard.

Its a very nice car - if you get it i hope it does you well

>> Edited by Buffalo on Tuesday 24th August 19:17

[markpetrie]

I agree the for value for money it is worth it but build quality is on the poor side if you ask me.

Sounds like a good deal though fella

[andyvdg]

I have owned a ZT190 for 2.5 years - bought it new over a new 330 Sport Saloon. Basically the ZT was more fun to drive, fantastic balance and handling. The quality of my car is top notch. I sat in a ZT260 at the last motorshow and it seems to me some of the dash plastics have been reduced in quality. Nothing gone wrong or squeeks and uses no oil. 23k miles.

Fantastic motor, especially good value 2nd hand!

Cheers,

Andy.

Editted to say - the suspension upgrade - on my car there was no option - you got the sports kit
If I were to buy again I would tick the box. Trying to get more money out of you I guess. Unless you like a softer ride......

>> Edited by andyvdg on Wednesday 25th August 11:19

[markpetrie]

Andy, Do you know of a uprated induction kit thats available for the ZT. Maybe pipercross or something like????

Also do you know if the 190 back box will fit on a 120

[andyvdg]

Sorry, I don't. That sounds like the kind of thing that gets talked about on the XPower forum :

www.xpower-mg.co.uk/

Cheers,

Andy.

[willdew]

Just placed my order.

Brand new, MG ZT 190 SE with metallic for £19,995 on the road. I'm feeling very pleased with myself.

Delivery 3rd October.

[tvralfagtv6]

You will not be dissapointed fantastic car and you'll be surprised what it will keep up with. Sound is fatastic. roadholding is awesome handling excellent.
go in too fast come out faster!

[andymadmak]

I've recently purchased a low mileage used ZT-T 190. (old type front end)
So far I've found it very very very impressive to drive. So much so that my poor TVR hasn't been out for a couple of weeks!!!
Only drawback is the crap Kenwood stereo. Parked it in London W1 last week and a passer by with an upmarket accent said it looked like a baby Bentley. I was well chuffed!
Andy

[squirrelz]

We bought a low mileage used MG ZT-T 190+ too, also impressed with it, again apart from the Kenwood stereo which is a bit naff.

[willdew]

The SE has the sat nav - and the steroe's built into that. I don't know what the CD/radio unit built into it is like. They choose to upgrade the speakers on the SE though, so I'd hope it's not crap. When I spoke to the slaesman in the shop we discussed the Harmon Kardon (sp?) upgrade option, but he said it probably wasn't really worth it as the standard was good.

Guess I'll find out a week on Monday.

[silverback mike]

I think they are excellent cars, they look fantastic, and are great value for money.
Just a bit too expensive for me at the moment, but when they drop a bit I will seriously think about getting one.

[spunagain]

I've had my ZTT 190+ for 18 months and 15k miles and no problems, a great mile muncher and the HK stereo upgrade is definitely worth it!

[paula&marcus]

Hi All,
I love my ZT-190 )))
Its a great car, handles very well and build quality as very good !

Cheers
Marcsu (from Germany)

[squirrelz]

Can't believe I missed this - from back in August

http://cars.msn.co.uk/carnews/CarNewsAugust32004/Default.asp

Basically a Which? report found the ZT to be one of the most reliable cars in the UK, whereas many of the German manufacturers were in the "poor" sector - Audi TT being worst of all.

[gazzab]

My family car is a 94 BMW 525iSE touring. I need a newer car. Been looking at 530I touring sports (00/01) and E Class 320CDIs. The ZT T seems very very good value. Smaller than the BM and Merc but I reckon for £12K I can get a good 2 yr old one.
Anyone recommend this car?
What about its boot size etc?
I like the shooting brake looks!

[andymadmak]

I got one in September. 3 years old, done 30k miles
Paid less than ten with a warranty. I've done 6k miles in it now and I can honestly say that it's a fabulous fantastic car. REALLY it is.
I've had BMWs, Audi, and just came out of a Volvo S60 (owned from new) but the MG is so much more characterful and fun to drive. Its also very well built and sounds great.
No problems with it whatsoever so far, and I spoke to the previous owner who also said it had been faultless for him. No squeeks or rattles.
There's lots of BMW bits under the skin (electrics, aircon, wipers, rear suspension etc) but the heart and soul are pure MG. I still get a buzz just looking at it (solar red!)
Its got to be the second hand bargain of the century. I will definately get another one (and I rarely buy the same car twice)
Don't tell too many people though, or the prices will go up!

Andy

Oh, and the boot size is pretty good. I get a very large samoyed dog in there with no problems. The optional MG dog guard (80quid) works very well too and is easy to fit. There is a large under floor storage area too.

>> Edited by andymadmak on Friday 3rd December 13:40