MG ZT - what are they like

[samuelellis]

Im looking for an estate and ive bene offered good money for my mundane against a 2.5v6 MG ZT estate - the MG ZT is the one based on the rover75.

From what i have found so far it does not look like they have many issues - just the usual omfg k series epic fail!!!!!111111oneoneone, but that can be avoided by going for the v6 (that will cost me a fortune in just listening to the exhaust burble though)

From what i have found on my net searching they dont seem to have too many issues as long as you stay ontop of the servicing - anyone know of any known issues with these cars? (apart from the fact i will need to get my government issue pipe and slippers)

[skyslimit]

Anything that knocks the S2000 of the top of the tree for winner in the sports car class can't be all bad.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/driver_pow...

They are one of the best kept secrets in motoring right now I think. We have a few ZTs in the family, great cars, not just for the money, but actually great cars. They reguarly tromp all over Europe going to holiday homes and such without an issue.

If you get one, just make sure and clean out the drains under the ECU, as it can get blocked, top up with water and the ECU damage can write the car off.

[300bhp/ton]

Very good cars, nothing wrong with them at all

[hornetrider]

Stab in the dark - which MG is it that the cambelt change is mind-numbingly expensive?

[300bhp/ton]

hornetrider said:

Stab in the dark - which MG is it that the cambelt change is mind-numbingly expensive?

What you mean the one that costs about the same as any other V6 engine of DHOC guise and produced in the last 15-20 years using a rubber cam belt.......

FFS some people never give in do they!

[skyslimit]

hornetrider said:

Stab in the dark - which MG is it that the cambelt change is mind-numbingly expensive?

Anything with a V6 engine in it. Think £500 or thereabouts at an independant.

But then, they are good for 130,000 before a change, it was just Rover being ultra conservative on the intervals, so it's your choice.

If it was me, I'd get a diesel ZT. My cousins has a fuel burning heater on it, and it was mighty handy during all the -20°C malarky over Christmas there.

[hornetrider]

300bhp/ton said:

hornetrider said:

Stab in the dark - which MG is it that the cambelt change is mind-numbingly expensive?

What you mean the one that costs about the same as any other V6 engine of DHOC guise and produced in the last 15-20 years using a rubber cam belt.......

FFS some people never give in do they!

No you fking cock-end. I'm no expert on these cars however I seem to recall written on here that on one of these engines it's an absolute pig of a job. Whether it's the V6 or another one I don't know, hence the question. Wind your fking neck in

[bazking69]

hornetrider is indeed correct. The cambelt is a pig of a job, even if cambelts snapping on a KV6 is virtually unheard of even into mega miles.

Watch out for iffy fuel pumps and senders, water ingress killing the ECU, door locking actuators, cooling fans, water ingress through the rear light gaskets and coolant leaks in the V of the engine, most of which are expensive or a pig to sort.

Apart from that, one of the best cars they ever made. Comfortable, solid, equipped, good looking, great VFM and generally quite reliable. Not a bad drive either.

[10 Pence Short]

Roy Walker said:

Say what you see.

hornetrider said:

No you fking cock-end.

[off_again]

Bad bits:

o Parts supply - hough I understand that Rimmer Bros do the parts these day - am I wrong?
o V6 is actually a bit thirsty - pressing on and it will drink, and its not got a leggy gearbox
o Electrics are generally very good - but they use BMW bits so can be costly to fix, though no more than a modern car
o People constantly call it a Rover - which it isnt, though you do need to explain its an MG...
o That tacky silver thing on the rear valance above the exhaust - a bit Max Power that one!

Good bits:

o The v6 is actually quite good - good rev range and a bit snarly, not very fast though, its only 190BHP
o Generally very reliable car - used lots of bits and engineering from the E39 BMW, which is good
o Doesnt seem to have any major issues to deal with - no rush, head gasket or such issues
o Cheap to buy and plenty of supply - good spec too, and you can shop around

What is not to like? Fast(ish), good handling and a bit different. Overlooked and quite good. I knew someone who had one at the run out as a company car. Loved it. Never went wrong and drove it like he stole it. Wanted another when it came up for renewal but couldnt because the company was gone. Shame, because he's a BMW man now.

[hornetrider]

bazking69 said:

hornetrider is indeed correct.

10 Pence Short said:

Roy Walker said:

Say what you see.

hornetrider said:

No you fking cock-end.

[300bhp/ton]

hornetrider said:

300bhp/ton said:

hornetrider said:

Stab in the dark - which MG is it that the cambelt change is mind-numbingly expensive?

What you mean the one that costs about the same as any other V6 engine of DHOC guise and produced in the last 15-20 years using a rubber cam belt.......

FFS some people never give in do they!

No you fking cock-end. I'm no expert on these cars however I seem to recall written on here that on one of these engines it's an absolute pig of a job. Whether it's the V6 or another one I don't know, hence the question. Wind your fking neck in

There is always stuff written on here that complains of some sort.

I was more trying to point out that if the OP decided to look at a V6 Mondeo, V6 Vectra, V6 406, basically a V6 anything, then it'd be about the same. Yes a cam belt on this type of engine in most modern cars is a PITA, but it's the same PITA regardless of make of car, so it really becomes a "non issue".

Apologies if it came across as a personal dig at you, it was meant in a more generalised manner.

[marcosgt]

Like a sporty Rover 75.

I had one for a day once and my elderly neighbour looked at it as if I'd bought home a disreputable hooker! I don't think he liked the noise

Nice car - I keep trying to persuade the wife to get one.

M.

[samuelellis]

what are they like with the 1.8 turbo unit - I assume that the 1.8 is a K series so keep an eye on the cooling system but what are they like for pulling the car as ive seen a 1.8T with 160bhp that looks a bit nicer to the wallet.

In regards to its day to say use, its going to have a lot of weight in it as i like my big stereo installs, i really like the interior in these things - the seats really hold you in

Edit: unfortunately the diesels are out of the question as i only found one diesel MG for sale in 30 miles of me - if i was going to get a diesel it would be the rover version not MG

Edited by samuelellis on Wednesday 19th May 15:36

[CarbonBlackM5]

I had a CDTI tourer. Great handling, very comfy but heavy and slow and never saw more that 35mpg. Didnt go wrong thoughin over 3years until the fuels pumps went (Part Ex it like that too )

[poo at Paul's]

samuelellis said:

what are they like with the 1.8 turbo unit - I assume that the 1.8 is a K series so keep an eye on the cooling system but what are they like for pulling the car as ive seen a 1.8T with 160bhp that looks a bit nicer to the wallet.

In regards to its day to say use, its going to have a lot of weight in it as i like my big stereo installs, i really like the interior in these things - the seats really hold you in

Edit: unfortunately the diesels are out of the question as i only found one diesel MG for sale in 30 miles of me - if i was going to get a diesel it would be the rover version not MG

Edited by samuelellis on Wednesday 19th May 15:36

Is it a turbo'd K series or is it the T series from the old Tomcats? Or were they all 2.litres, the T series I mean?

I'd say a Mk3 Mondeo is a safer bet, but like the idea of the ZT in estate guise.

[Jakg]

The 1.8T is a Turbo'ed K-Series.

HGF is the only real failing... but even then a new MLS gasket and your sorted.

Petrols don't go for much, though, thanks to tax / MPG, and those with few options again are worth little.

Edited by Jakg on Wednesday 19th May 15:49

[skyslimit]

It's a turbo'd K, sadly.

Saying that, if you do the gasket swop from the ghey factory one to a MLS gasket, they never go wrong again, even with the boost. Even budgeting for £250 into the price for getting that done, it's still a lot of motor for the money.

[samuelellis]

poo at Paul's said:

samuelellis said:

what are they like with the 1.8 turbo unit - I assume that the 1.8 is a K series so keep an eye on the cooling system but what are they like for pulling the car as ive seen a 1.8T with 160bhp that looks a bit nicer to the wallet.

In regards to its day to say use, its going to have a lot of weight in it as i like my big stereo installs, i really like the interior in these things - the seats really hold you in

Edit: unfortunately the diesels are out of the question as i only found one diesel MG for sale in 30 miles of me - if i was going to get a diesel it would be the rover version not MG

Edited by samuelellis on Wednesday 19th May 15:36

Is it a turbo'd K series or is it the T series from the old Tomcats? Or were they all 2.litres, the T series I mean?

I'd say a Mk3 Mondeo is a safer bet, but like the idea of the ZT in estate guise.

i already own a mk3 mondeo, its a good car but they do have faults (Like the chocolate diff that goes at 130ish thousand miles, swirl flaps in the intake that can fail and get sucked into the engine adn tbh its not the best for tax either. Plus the bleeding alternator is under control of the ECU so you can only use calcium batterys and if something goes wrong it could be lots to fix and i cant find many mondeo estates with the same milage as the MG's hence why I am looking at them

[sjc]

Plenty to read here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...

Parts supply is fine, pop onto here for advice www.the75andztclub.co.uk