Discussion
Sold my fiesta for £1050 and went out with the idea of buying a MG ZR 105 facelift with a budget of £2,000 looked at one for £1900 but it sold before I could put an offer in and today I spotted one listed on ebay for the bargain price of £1695 I decided I had to go take a look.
Saw it in the flesh and again it looked very clean interior was like new and it only had a few stonechips to the front bumper looked at history cambelt and head gasket had just been done I knew this was the car for me noticed it came with 6 months tax and 12 months mot and decided to put in a cheeky offer of £1450 which to my delight he accepted.
It is a 2005 model with 62k and for £1600 I am bloody delighted HPI clear and it seems like a bargain to me and a lot of car for the money it certainly does not look like a sub £2000 car I pick it up tomorrow
Couple of photo's from the advert
Saw it in the flesh and again it looked very clean interior was like new and it only had a few stonechips to the front bumper looked at history cambelt and head gasket had just been done I knew this was the car for me noticed it came with 6 months tax and 12 months mot and decided to put in a cheeky offer of £1450 which to my delight he accepted.
It is a 2005 model with 62k and for £1600 I am bloody delighted HPI clear and it seems like a bargain to me and a lot of car for the money it certainly does not look like a sub £2000 car I pick it up tomorrow
Couple of photo's from the advert
Edited by greggy50 on Wednesday 25th April 01:37
Enjoy it mate. I had one as my second car, a 2003 3door in Anthracite..... LOVED IT.
Few things to watch for:
> head gasket - if it goes, so what? Bang a decent upgraded one in, and get the head skimmed down
> sunroof (if it has one) they twist the frames, and leak.
> eleccy windows. The regs collapse and they drop. EUROCARPARTS and others can supply for £50 so no great issue.
> Rocker-cover oil leak. They all get them, it'll lose nothing, leave it. Mine had one for 3years (70+k miles done in that time) and never bothered with it.
> Radiator - they go over time (4years) blue residue on the outside. £50 for a pattern one will do the trick
MODIFICATIONS
> front brakes, they're poo. EBC's drilled and grooved and some green or yellow pads, will sort that nicely. Also, for £50, braided hoses help a lot.
> Rears - if it doesn't have discs already, look into a rear conversion. Made a massive difference
> Side skirts - track some 2nd hand ones down, bolt them on. Massively alters the look of the car
> Induction system - leave it be, unless you're gonna do it properly (i.e. a viper kit or BMC. Open cone will lose you power.... I had 9 different set-ups)
> exhaust - they all rot as standard due to an S bend that collects water. Under the drivers seat. 4branch manifold from janspeed, get it heat wrapped and some new gaskets. Then sports cat and stainless system. Mine reached 120bhp when all in.
> 52mm "trophy" throttle body...... up to you. It made mine crisper but no massive power gains.
Any other info you want, give me a shout.
Few things to watch for:
> head gasket - if it goes, so what? Bang a decent upgraded one in, and get the head skimmed down
> sunroof (if it has one) they twist the frames, and leak.
> eleccy windows. The regs collapse and they drop. EUROCARPARTS and others can supply for £50 so no great issue.
> Rocker-cover oil leak. They all get them, it'll lose nothing, leave it. Mine had one for 3years (70+k miles done in that time) and never bothered with it.
> Radiator - they go over time (4years) blue residue on the outside. £50 for a pattern one will do the trick
MODIFICATIONS
> front brakes, they're poo. EBC's drilled and grooved and some green or yellow pads, will sort that nicely. Also, for £50, braided hoses help a lot.
> Rears - if it doesn't have discs already, look into a rear conversion. Made a massive difference
> Side skirts - track some 2nd hand ones down, bolt them on. Massively alters the look of the car
> Induction system - leave it be, unless you're gonna do it properly (i.e. a viper kit or BMC. Open cone will lose you power.... I had 9 different set-ups)
> exhaust - they all rot as standard due to an S bend that collects water. Under the drivers seat. 4branch manifold from janspeed, get it heat wrapped and some new gaskets. Then sports cat and stainless system. Mine reached 120bhp when all in.
> 52mm "trophy" throttle body...... up to you. It made mine crisper but no massive power gains.
Any other info you want, give me a shout.
P.s. suspension..... DON'T GO CHEAP BY ANY MEANS. I went for a budget 200quid coilover kit and it shook my teeth out. 500miles a week on motorway with it was unbearable.
Standard suspension aint bad, but a bit woolly. A decent set of coilovers, strutbrace and some polybushes will transform the car.
Just before I got shut of mine, it had that lot and bigger brakes on it, running an RR figure of 121bhp at 6500rpm (yeah you had to thrash it) and down some local twistys my mate in his pug 306 gti6 couldn't keep up...... Purely because the Zed handled so well.
Standard suspension aint bad, but a bit woolly. A decent set of coilovers, strutbrace and some polybushes will transform the car.
Just before I got shut of mine, it had that lot and bigger brakes on it, running an RR figure of 121bhp at 6500rpm (yeah you had to thrash it) and down some local twistys my mate in his pug 306 gti6 couldn't keep up...... Purely because the Zed handled so well.
Thanks for the advice
I am looking at getting the side skirts when next get paid as think it will finish the car off also going to get the trophy rear lights as one of mine has a crack into it and think it will smarten up the rear. Just ordered a new front and rear badge as the lacquer was peeling a common problem on these car's on the look out for a good used cold air induction kit on the forums and also after a decent exhaust as don't like the pea shooter it has at the moment...
Overall though quite happy pick it up tonight :
I am looking at getting the side skirts when next get paid as think it will finish the car off also going to get the trophy rear lights as one of mine has a crack into it and think it will smarten up the rear. Just ordered a new front and rear badge as the lacquer was peeling a common problem on these car's on the look out for a good used cold air induction kit on the forums and also after a decent exhaust as don't like the pea shooter it has at the moment...
Overall though quite happy pick it up tonight :
Lights: Halfrauds auto-arts are the same as Mk2 ones. Cheap too.
Badges: MGOC show this weekend coming. Got mine there. Well worth a trip to silverstone that show
Sideskirts: ebay, or there's a breakers near peterborough. I got mine FOC off a mate who works for an accident repair centre. Had 1 that'd been rolled and fired, so skirts were "borrowed"
Induction kit: Pipercross viper. BMC cold air. No cones, they'll sap power and rattle your dash.
Exhaust: If you can afford it, go full stainless, sports cat (you'll need an MIL eliminator resistor from POWERTRAIN PERFORMENCE (used to be part of rover, made engines etc) and get the 4branch in MILD STEEL from JANSPEED. Stainless manifold is not needed, costs 3times as much. Heat-wrap the manifold, it gets warm and the flecking noise aint for everyone
You'll see plenty more torque that way.
Badges: MGOC show this weekend coming. Got mine there. Well worth a trip to silverstone that show
Sideskirts: ebay, or there's a breakers near peterborough. I got mine FOC off a mate who works for an accident repair centre. Had 1 that'd been rolled and fired, so skirts were "borrowed"
Induction kit: Pipercross viper. BMC cold air. No cones, they'll sap power and rattle your dash.
Exhaust: If you can afford it, go full stainless, sports cat (you'll need an MIL eliminator resistor from POWERTRAIN PERFORMENCE (used to be part of rover, made engines etc) and get the 4branch in MILD STEEL from JANSPEED. Stainless manifold is not needed, costs 3times as much. Heat-wrap the manifold, it gets warm and the flecking noise aint for everyone
You'll see plenty more torque that way.
mgmrw2003 said:
Lights: Halfrauds auto-arts are the same as Mk2 ones. Cheap too.
Badges: MGOC show this weekend coming. Got mine there. Well worth a trip to silverstone that show
Sideskirts: ebay, or there's a breakers near peterborough. I got mine FOC off a mate who works for an accident repair centre. Had 1 that'd been rolled and fired, so skirts were "borrowed"
Induction kit: Pipercross viper. BMC cold air. No cones, they'll sap power and rattle your dash.
Exhaust: If you can afford it, go full stainless, sports cat (you'll need an MIL eliminator resistor from POWERTRAIN PERFORMENCE (used to be part of rover, made engines etc) and get the 4branch in MILD STEEL from JANSPEED. Stainless manifold is not needed, costs 3times as much. Heat-wrap the manifold, it gets warm and the flecking noise aint for everyone
You'll see plenty more torque that way.
Thread hijack (sorry).Badges: MGOC show this weekend coming. Got mine there. Well worth a trip to silverstone that show
Sideskirts: ebay, or there's a breakers near peterborough. I got mine FOC off a mate who works for an accident repair centre. Had 1 that'd been rolled and fired, so skirts were "borrowed"
Induction kit: Pipercross viper. BMC cold air. No cones, they'll sap power and rattle your dash.
Exhaust: If you can afford it, go full stainless, sports cat (you'll need an MIL eliminator resistor from POWERTRAIN PERFORMENCE (used to be part of rover, made engines etc) and get the 4branch in MILD STEEL from JANSPEED. Stainless manifold is not needed, costs 3times as much. Heat-wrap the manifold, it gets warm and the flecking noise aint for everyone
You'll see plenty more torque that way.
But are you talking about the 1.4 105+? As I'm looking at one next and like the sound of 120ish bhp available with simple mods. Also, what are they like on motorways? Reasonably refined or big revs making you think it's about to blow up ?
TAHodgson said:
Thread hijack (sorry).
But are you talking about the 1.4 105+? As I'm looking at one next and like the sound of 120ish bhp available with simple mods. Also, what are they like on motorways? Reasonably refined or big revs making you think it's about to blow up ?
Not easy or cheap mine had:But are you talking about the 1.4 105+? As I'm looking at one next and like the sound of 120ish bhp available with simple mods. Also, what are they like on motorways? Reasonably refined or big revs making you think it's about to blow up ?
uprated HG and head skimmed, new valve stem seals. Viper induction kit routed to front bumper. 52MM throttle body. janspeed manifold. sports cat. stainless system (exhaustz uk)...... That saw 112bhp-ish. The rest was gained through a proper remap.
They are high-revving cars..... power didnt come in until well over 5k.
So for motorway (I did 70k of it in 3years in mine) they're a mixed bag. Tickle it gently and you'll see high 30s in the mpg (i.e. sit at 65-70) but if you're an outside lane fan, and going to be heading for the magic ton, then 25-30 is more likely.
Refine they aint (mine was 2003). But as a drivers car they are f
king fantastic.Think 90s honda civic type R, but a bit less grunt, and a bit more tea and biscuits.
Mine was always warmed up and cooled down properly, rest of the time I thrashed it mercilessly..... Red-line in every gear I could. Ignore the rover haters. That 1400 will go forever as long as the HG has been replaced properly.
In my youth, mine did around 500miles a week at approaching a lepton, used no oil, no water. Just went. Even my dad who was used to a c70 turb, loved it for a weekend thrash.
Glad to hear the positive feedback a couple of mates are considering them as I don't think a lot of people realise how much of a bargain these cars are at the moment they are a whole variety of nice ones for around the 2k mark or less. Just hope the head gasket was done properly but looking at the blokes driveway I suspect it would be he had a couple of other rover's so think he was a fan of the brand as he only sold this to get the nice facelift zs 180 he had
mgmrw2003 said:
Not easy or cheap mine had:
uprated HG and head skimmed, new valve stem seals. Viper induction kit routed to front bumper. 52MM throttle body. janspeed manifold. sports cat. stainless system (exhaustz uk)...... That saw 112bhp-ish. The rest was gained through a proper remap.
They are high-revving cars..... power didnt come in until well over 5k.
So for motorway (I did 70k of it in 3years in mine) they're a mixed bag. Tickle it gently and you'll see high 30s in the mpg (i.e. sit at 65-70) but if you're an outside lane fan, and going to be heading for the magic ton, then 25-30 is more likely.
Refine they aint (mine was 2003). But as a drivers car they are fking fantastic.
Think 90s honda civic type R, but a bit less grunt, and a bit more tea and biscuits.
Mine was always warmed up and cooled down properly, rest of the time I thrashed it mercilessly..... Red-line in every gear I could. Ignore the rover haters. That 1400 will go forever as long as the HG has been replaced properly.
In my youth, mine did around 500miles a week at approaching a lepton, used no oil, no water. Just went. Even my dad who was used to a c70 turb, loved it for a weekend thrash.
Thanks again I think will look at getting the proper induction kit as heard one with a kit fitted and it sounded lovely to me. Will also probably get a decent cat back and sports cat in the future but think the manifold will be a bit pricey for me will look through the forums when I next get paid and see if I can get any bargains. Is the throttle body an easy modification to do yourself on the drive?uprated HG and head skimmed, new valve stem seals. Viper induction kit routed to front bumper. 52MM throttle body. janspeed manifold. sports cat. stainless system (exhaustz uk)...... That saw 112bhp-ish. The rest was gained through a proper remap.
They are high-revving cars..... power didnt come in until well over 5k.
So for motorway (I did 70k of it in 3years in mine) they're a mixed bag. Tickle it gently and you'll see high 30s in the mpg (i.e. sit at 65-70) but if you're an outside lane fan, and going to be heading for the magic ton, then 25-30 is more likely.
Refine they aint (mine was 2003). But as a drivers car they are f
king fantastic.Think 90s honda civic type R, but a bit less grunt, and a bit more tea and biscuits.
Mine was always warmed up and cooled down properly, rest of the time I thrashed it mercilessly..... Red-line in every gear I could. Ignore the rover haters. That 1400 will go forever as long as the HG has been replaced properly.
In my youth, mine did around 500miles a week at approaching a lepton, used no oil, no water. Just went. Even my dad who was used to a c70 turb, loved it for a weekend thrash.
greggy50 said:
Thanks again I think will look at getting the proper induction kit as heard one with a kit fitted and it sounded lovely to me. Will also probably get a decent cat back and sports cat in the future but think the manifold will be a bit pricey for me will look through the forums when I next get paid and see if I can get any bargains. Is the throttle body an easy modification to do yourself on the drive?
Manifold was £170, gaskets about £6 eachSports cat £150
Back box £120
Mid section £100
Throttle body £100. About 5minutes to fit myself on the drive. 4bolts and 1cable if memory serves.
mgmrw2003 said:
Manifold was £170, gaskets about £6 each
Sports cat £150
Back box £120
Mid section £100
Throttle body £100. About 5minutes to fit myself on the drive. 4bolts and 1cable if memory serves.
Okay thank's a lot for this very useful Sports cat £150
Back box £120
Mid section £100
Throttle body £100. About 5minutes to fit myself on the drive. 4bolts and 1cable if memory serves.
I am sure if look at used could cut a lot of money from those figures hopefully. I thought the manifold was more like £4/500...
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff