MG ZT 1.8T - Should I?

[fatboy69]

Advice please. Looking to chop in the BMW for a newer car with four doors & stumbled across an MG ZT today.

It's a 52 plate in far blue with half leather interior, 63k miles on the clock, new head gasket & tyres, full service history with one owner from new.

Looks to be in superb condition - got test drive tomorrow morning.

What should i look out for & are they any good? The owner wants £1650 for it however I don't want to pay that much so what's it worth?

Is it a sensible purchase & is it worth getting rid of a 318is for a ZT.

[friggs]

Well the ZT is just a rover 75 underneath, has its common problems, head gasket, plenum drains etc but they are deep down OK cars,

If you want reliability the 2.0cdti mg zt is the BMW engine

[After_Shock]

The mileage is nice however its probably worth 1k tops.

Lots to check out on them im afraid.

Check in foot well behind clutch pedal see if any fluid leaking down the floor, if their is the master cylinder is probably leaking and a pig of a job to replace. Check the hangers on the exhaust if you can as they corrode repeatedly and snap off.

Check the front springs specifically the passenger side, if its not been replaced it should be or its most likely about to snap.

Then the obvious, when was the head gasket replaced and how many times has it been done? Also has the inlet manifold been replaced with the latest one?

One you cant check is the fuel pump inside the tank, has it been replaced if not again expect it to go at some point and a pain of a job to replace.

[thescamper]

friggs said:

Well the ZT is just a rover 75 underneath, has its common problems, head gasket, plenum drains etc but they are deep down OK cars,

If you want reliability the 2.0cdti mg zt is the BMW engine

plenum drains is an issue on the V6 and not the 1.8T.

[anonymous-user]

Disappointing engine in that car, not powerful enough and not refined enough. You'll be very lucky indeed if you don't have a steady drip drip drip of expenditure on the car too.

[confused_buyer]

Never found the 1.8T too bad myself. A bit noisy and not the most refined but goes OK and more usable torque than the V6.

[fat freddie]

Has the head been renewed or at least skimmed as part of the gasket change? These things go every year or so if the job hasn't been done right, and they're st cars even when they do run right.
For £500 maybe as a disposable snotter but not for £1650.

[calibrax]

thescamper said:

plenum drains is an issue on the V6 and not the 1.8T.

It's an issue on ALL 75s and ZTs. Easy no-cost fix though.

[calibrax]

dme123 said:

Disappointing engine in that car, not powerful enough and not refined enough. You'll be very lucky indeed if you don't have a steady drip drip drip of expenditure on the car too.

Agree with the power issue, it's a heavy car and needs a bigger engine. As for the steady drip of expenditure, you'll find that on any 10 year old car.

[kambites]

fat freddie said:

Has the head been renewed or at least skimmed as part of the gasket change? These things go every year or so if the job hasn't been done right, and they're st cars even when they do run right.
For £500 maybe as a disposable snotter but not for £1650.

Skimming the head often does more harm than good - in my (limited) experience. If the head is far enough gone to need skimming, it often needs throwing out and replacing.

Personally, I'd be wary of a 1.8 K-series in a car that heavy. The engine is likely to have been worked rather harder from cold than it would be in a lighter car. It's painful enough in an 800kg Elise treating the engine gently until it's warmed up, but in a car weighing twice that it would be even harder.

I'd be after a V6 if you can afford the fuel bill or a diesel if you can't, personally.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 25th October 18:57

[Bezza1969]

If you're after an MG, wouldn't the ZS 180 be a better buy? More power in a lighter car and they're almost giving them away these days!!

[After_Shock]

Bezza1969 said:

If you're after an MG, wouldn't the ZS 180 be a better buy? More power in a lighter car and they're almost giving them away these days!!

I actually had a 180 just before I got the 75 1.8T, unless you rag the engine its not that willing, also alot thirstier hence why are given away but the reason I sold it was the ride quality. Shocking, great for a track blast but I just couldnt live with it.

Somehow ended up in a 75 straight after it, must have been feeling patriotic and doing my bit for the used british motor industry, in isolation and specific areas both cars had good points. But also many many bad points.

Personally the 1.8T in the 75 was more than enough power wise, was more usuable than the 2.5 V6 in the 180 on a day to day basis.