Discussion
Suppose it was about time I should upload some pictures of my latest purchase!
Its a late 2002 ZR 1.4, Trophy Yellow 3 door, pretty good condition for its age and has currently just passed 108k miles! Plus I'm only the 3rd owner which is nice, but came with no service history which is a downer.
Here's some pics. Please excuse the quality as they were taken on an iPhone, hence not superb quality...
I will get some more better quality pics up soon!
Comments and criticisms welcome!
Rik
Its a late 2002 ZR 1.4, Trophy Yellow 3 door, pretty good condition for its age and has currently just passed 108k miles! Plus I'm only the 3rd owner which is nice, but came with no service history which is a downer.
Here's some pics. Please excuse the quality as they were taken on an iPhone, hence not superb quality...
I will get some more better quality pics up soon!
Comments and criticisms welcome!
Rik
Nice, love the colour! Needs the side skirts though and 'straights' though.
Great cars if you can get past the "has the head gasket gone yet" comments! I had a Rover 25 with the same engine when I was 19, great car and was certainly a little different to all the other 19yo's driving round in Fiesta's and Clio's.
Swapped it for a 1.8 ZR when I was 21, brand new, 13k.......lesson learnt although again that was another great car!
Great cars if you can get past the "has the head gasket gone yet" comments! I had a Rover 25 with the same engine when I was 19, great car and was certainly a little different to all the other 19yo's driving round in Fiesta's and Clio's.
Swapped it for a 1.8 ZR when I was 21, brand new, 13k.......lesson learnt although again that was another great car!
Yeah the colour is great isn't it? Lol. I was supposed to be buying a blue one, but there was so many things wrong with it that I ended up buying the yellow one for a lot less! Car had been standing around for a good 2 months before I brought it so it has taken a very good clean, polish, wax and detail to get it as it is today! A few marks here and there but the paint was in great condition for what it is!
And yes I know what you mean, it does need the side skirts and 17inch straights! Also looking at a nice back box to help fill the gap a bit more and I may lower in the future, but tbh I don't want to do too much to it as its a good example and don't want to ruin it! Lol!
And yep, many a person has asked whether the HG has gone yet! With my simple reply of nope, but the MLS updated one is ready and waiting for when it does! Apart form that it's a cracking little car! That little 1.4 k series is just so dam revvy! Loves been taken above 4500 wher it sort of comes alive as it were!
Rik
And yes I know what you mean, it does need the side skirts and 17inch straights! Also looking at a nice back box to help fill the gap a bit more and I may lower in the future, but tbh I don't want to do too much to it as its a good example and don't want to ruin it! Lol!
And yep, many a person has asked whether the HG has gone yet! With my simple reply of nope, but the MLS updated one is ready and waiting for when it does! Apart form that it's a cracking little car! That little 1.4 k series is just so dam revvy! Loves been taken above 4500 wher it sort of comes alive as it were!
Rik
Edited by RikkiGTI on Wednesday 23 May 12:33
Few recent pics! Have cleaned and polished / waxxed and detailed a few times. Paint is only just starting to feel smooth now. Was pretty rough when I first got it - felt like it hasn't seen polish in a good couple of years! But here ya go!
Few arty shots - please excuse the MG badge inserts close up :/
Also got my Janspeed X power backbox fitted
That's some pics for now anyway, the car is slowly starting to get there and I'm still loving it for what it is ; Mainly the handling as it hasnt got too much shove, but the engine is fairly good for what it is!
The HG has started to go slightly too as there's a gradual coolant loss and slight mayo on cam cover underside, but no oil / coolant mix in the header tank just yet. So a stitch in time saves nine and getting one of the mobile mechanics from mg.rover.org to come and fit the upraised MLS gasket, cambelt, waterpump etc all for £320 which is a real bargain!
So apart from that she's been a great car so far, just gotta keep an eye on coolant levels or the next week or so and after the HG op will hopefully be problem free
Thanks for looking!
Few arty shots - please excuse the MG badge inserts close up :/
Also got my Janspeed X power backbox fitted
That's some pics for now anyway, the car is slowly starting to get there and I'm still loving it for what it is ; Mainly the handling as it hasnt got too much shove, but the engine is fairly good for what it is!
The HG has started to go slightly too as there's a gradual coolant loss and slight mayo on cam cover underside, but no oil / coolant mix in the header tank just yet. So a stitch in time saves nine and getting one of the mobile mechanics from mg.rover.org to come and fit the upraised MLS gasket, cambelt, waterpump etc all for £320 which is a real bargain!
So apart from that she's been a great car so far, just gotta keep an eye on coolant levels or the next week or so and after the HG op will hopefully be problem free
Thanks for looking!
rmsbs said:
I was thinking about one of these as they are fairly cheap for the age but the potential reliability issues have put me off. I went for an older civic vti. Glad I did the engine is a peach. ZR does look purposeful though I hope it goes well for you!!!
Cheers mate, yeah I had to do a fair bit of shopping around to find this one to be fair, and strangely this one with the most miles was the best condition I saw! So ended up buying this one, plus it had been very well looked after! Just had a full service including MLS updated headgasket, cambelt, waterpump, inlet & mani gaskets, oils, fluids and filter and aux and PAS belts done for £340 from one of mg.rover.orgs mobile mechanics- guaranteeing the next couple of years are going to be pretty hassle free hopefully!
And yeah it does look quite nice! Thanks
Looks nice in yellow The straights do improve the look of these quite a lot. My mum has had her 1.4 in blue with straights for 9 years now and it's been very reliable with no major issues that you always hear of with these cars (saying that i've probably jinxed it now 
).
I tried to convince her into getting an x-power rear box when the standard one started blowing, but she was having none of it
The straights do improve the look of these quite a lot. My mum has had her 1.4 in blue with straights for 9 years now and it's been very reliable with no major issues that you always hear of with these cars (saying that i've probably jinxed it now ).I tried to convince her into getting an x-power rear box when the standard one started blowing, but she was having none of it
RikZR said:
rmsbs said:
I was thinking about one of these as they are fairly cheap for the age but the potential reliability issues have put me off. I went for an older civic vti. Glad I did the engine is a peach. ZR does look purposeful though I hope it goes well for you!!!
Cheers mate, yeah I had to do a fair bit of shopping around to find this one to be fair, and strangely this one with the most miles was the best condition I saw! So ended up buying this one, plus it had been very well looked after! Just had a full service including MLS updated headgasket, cambelt, waterpump, inlet & mani gaskets, oils, fluids and filter and aux and PAS belts done for £340 from one of mg.rover.orgs mobile mechanics- guaranteeing the next couple of years are going to be pretty hassle free hopefully!
And yeah it does look quite nice! Thanks
AlexRS2782 said:
Looks nice in yellow The straights do improve the look of these quite a lot. My mum has had her 1.4 in blue with straights for 9 years now and it's been very reliable with no major issues that you always hear of with these cars (saying that i've probably jinxed it now ).
I tried to convince her into getting an x-power rear box when the standard one started blowing, but she was having none of it
Thanks, yeah I'm loving the straights! Gonna respray them in anthracite I'm thinking! Should look nice set against the yellow! The straights do improve the look of these quite a lot. My mum has had her 1.4 in blue with straights for 9 years now and it's been very reliable with no major issues that you always hear of with these cars (saying that i've probably jinxed it now ).I tried to convince her into getting an x-power rear box when the standard one started blowing, but she was having none of it
I totally reccomend the x power rear box like mine too, it's actually no louder than standard tbh! Just a tad bassier and has a nice tone to it!
Update Time!
Not a lot has actually happened visually with the car to be fair, just keeping her looking nice and clean and just enjoying it for what it is! Although I will admit I did buy this....
Sportex Race Tube, this basically removes the mid section silencer in essence and just makes the exhaust a bit more vocal, but apart from that the car is still pretty quiet when pooling round, just loud when opening the taps up a little!
And fitted!
Also have just finished giving her a bloody good clean, got the full body compounded, polished, waxed and then detailed by my very own fair hands! Lookng gleaming from it!
Bonnet sheen!
Interior pic
So yeah it's just starting to look nice really, got a set of OEM side skirts coming this week I'm hoping just to help finish the look off, but apart from that I'm not going to go too mad on the old girl, keep her looking nice and factory and enjoy it
Great little car
What you guys think? cheers, Rik
Not a lot has actually happened visually with the car to be fair, just keeping her looking nice and clean and just enjoying it for what it is! Although I will admit I did buy this....
Sportex Race Tube, this basically removes the mid section silencer in essence and just makes the exhaust a bit more vocal, but apart from that the car is still pretty quiet when pooling round, just loud when opening the taps up a little!
And fitted!
Also have just finished giving her a bloody good clean, got the full body compounded, polished, waxed and then detailed by my very own fair hands! Lookng gleaming from it!
Bonnet sheen!
Interior pic
So yeah it's just starting to look nice really, got a set of OEM side skirts coming this week I'm hoping just to help finish the look off, but apart from that I'm not going to go too mad on the old girl, keep her looking nice and factory and enjoy it
Great little car
What you guys think?
cheers, RikGod how I miss mine.
The air box is restrictive on these, so either a decent induction kit or make new one yourself using silicone hosing will really bring it alive.
Coilovers - just do it. Trust me. Was soooooo grippy it was laughable.
Personally I'd have stayed with 16s as handles better.
Brakes: EBC and update to the 160 setup or those of a 620turbo or Honda accord.
Sports cat, 4branch, SS exhaust.
Lastly, track down some NEw Old Stock injectors... By 77k mine were failing to maintain strong power, at 108k id wager some new ones would help.
Great cars, enjoy it
The air box is restrictive on these, so either a decent induction kit or make new one yourself using silicone hosing will really bring it alive.
Coilovers - just do it. Trust me. Was soooooo grippy it was laughable.
Personally I'd have stayed with 16s as handles better.
Brakes: EBC and update to the 160 setup or those of a 620turbo or Honda accord.
Sports cat, 4branch, SS exhaust.
Lastly, track down some NEw Old Stock injectors... By 77k mine were failing to maintain strong power, at 108k id wager some new ones would help.
Great cars, enjoy it
NotDave said:
God how I miss mine.
The air box is restrictive on these, so either a decent induction kit or make new one yourself using silicone hosing will really bring it alive.
Coilovers - just do it. Trust me. Was soooooo grippy it was laughable.
Personally I'd have stayed with 16s as handles better.
Brakes: EBC and update to the 160 setup or those of a 620turbo or Honda accord.
Sports cat, 4branch, SS exhaust.
Lastly, track down some NEw Old Stock injectors... By 77k mine were failing to maintain strong power, at 108k id wager some new ones would help.
Great cars, enjoy it
Cheers mate! The air box is restrictive on these, so either a decent induction kit or make new one yourself using silicone hosing will really bring it alive.
Coilovers - just do it. Trust me. Was soooooo grippy it was laughable.
Personally I'd have stayed with 16s as handles better.
Brakes: EBC and update to the 160 setup or those of a 620turbo or Honda accord.
Sports cat, 4branch, SS exhaust.
Lastly, track down some NEw Old Stock injectors... By 77k mine were failing to maintain strong power, at 108k id wager some new ones would help.
Great cars, enjoy it
Yeah I do have an induction kit fitted, it's only the K&N 57i and I know everyone on the mg-rover.org forums normally advise against it but it sounds soo good, especially when nearing 5k to the redline! Such an addictive sound!
Was looking at coilovers too, but I had a set on my previous Vw golf mk2 and they were as choppy as hell and to be totally honest, the MG feels pretty well set up from the factory, very good with little body roll. I might upgrade to Xpower or AVO lowering springs soon but not sure if I fancy coilovers again after the bad experience in the Golf! Lol! But time will tell!
Exhaust I will probably keep as is now, got the Janspeed Xpower and Sportex Centre section so don't want to add my insurance up too much as I'm only 20! But they will definately be considered if I decide to keep the car for another year or so!
But thanks for your comment mate! Mucho appreciated!
No worries, I had mine 3 & 1/2 years, 87k miles.... Mechanically it was spoilt rotten by me, but once warm I treated it like a track w
e.
Despite doing 25,000-30,000 miles a year I stuck mine on SPAX coilovers. £180 at the time through a mate in the trade... fk me they were hard, but god did it handle.
Air filter wise, I had a dozen different set-ups. Open cone was losing me power so I played about.
Standard box with k&n panel in it, then dancing hoses to the grille instead of the 2nd box in front of the arch, worked a treat.
Pipercross viper was another good buy.
The corrugated 90 hose to the TB I swapped for a samco & put 160 trophy TB on. Really sharpened it up.
125bhp at 6700rpm was my final result.... Not bad from a (then) 6 year old 90,000+ mile car with a 1400cc engine.
The chassis, steering & brakes plus abuse living engine meant that mine would wiggle its arse at a mates 306 gti6 and another mates 318ti BMW at the time.
It only ever let go grip wise once, and I was being obscenely brutal with it at circa 85mph through an LH bend of about 90 degrees. Opposite lock, squealing and smoke, before wiggling and carrying on.
Tyres make a HUGE difference too I found. Michellins are best all rounders, with GOODYEAR eagle f1s with asymmetric pattern being epic for grip, but dying in 4,000 miles.
HTH!
If you need anything just shout, I learnt to spanner on mine as an 18 year old student
e.Despite doing 25,000-30,000 miles a year I stuck mine on SPAX coilovers. £180 at the time through a mate in the trade... f
k me they were hard, but god did it handle.Air filter wise, I had a dozen different set-ups. Open cone was losing me power so I played about.
Standard box with k&n panel in it, then dancing hoses to the grille instead of the 2nd box in front of the arch, worked a treat.
Pipercross viper was another good buy.
The corrugated 90 hose to the TB I swapped for a samco & put 160 trophy TB on. Really sharpened it up.
125bhp at 6700rpm was my final result.... Not bad from a (then) 6 year old 90,000+ mile car with a 1400cc engine.
The chassis, steering & brakes plus abuse living engine meant that mine would wiggle its arse at a mates 306 gti6 and another mates 318ti BMW at the time.
It only ever let go grip wise once, and I was being obscenely brutal with it at circa 85mph through an LH bend of about 90 degrees. Opposite lock, squealing and smoke, before wiggling and carrying on.
Tyres make a HUGE difference too I found. Michellins are best all rounders, with GOODYEAR eagle f1s with asymmetric pattern being epic for grip, but dying in 4,000 miles.
HTH!
If you need anything just shout, I learnt to spanner on mine as an 18 year old student
As said before, lovely little 1.4 with a quick engine, I'd be looking at putting some side skirts on her or losing the front and rear skirts and dropping the suspension a little.
Really cool car and looks good in yellow. I'm sad so I have a passion for MG's
btw did you have the locating dowells replaced for the aluminium ones?
(wheels are very nice)
Really cool car and looks good in yellow. I'm sad so I have a passion for MG's
btw did you have the locating dowells replaced for the aluminium ones?
(wheels are very nice)
Lovely Car
People moan about the headgasket with the belts etc.. but at under £300 its less than a service on a lot of cars and may need doing every 60k so don't see the problem. I replaced mine with a Clio 172 and to be honest I still miss my ZR it was that good...
I could see me picking up a mint last of the line 160 one day to be honest
People moan about the headgasket with the belts etc.. but at under £300 its less than a service on a lot of cars and may need doing every 60k so don't see the problem. I replaced mine with a Clio 172 and to be honest I still miss my ZR it was that good...
I could see me picking up a mint last of the line 160 one day to be honest
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