MG ZT 160 with the 1.8 turbo - am I mad?
Discussion
We're wanting to replace the currect Vectra family wagon with something a bit more interesting. We want something a bit newer, with a nice interior, a bit more guts to it and frankly something a bit more suited to two petrolheads! I've looked at the usuals - 3 series, some older Audis etc all of which have led me to the big MG. It seems to be a bit of a bargain for what it is at the moment - as low as £1500 for some of them considering the 0-60 time is just over 8 seconds! I love the way it looks, too (facelift model) - like a baby muscle car in my opinion! The big draw to it is that insurance appears to be bizarrely cheap, which is a big factor - my better half only got her license recently so we're still getting raked over on insurance costs.
However - is it bonkers to consider this, bearing in mind its powerplant is not just the famous chocolate headgasket Rover 1.8 K series, but a TURBOCHARGED one?! Is it going to break down, spontaneously explode, kill the children, ruin our lives and eat the dog (we haven't got a dog)?
Stories I've read by people who actually own them seem to suggest that just keeping an eye on the water level will ensure things are OK, and we'll have it serviced and cambelt & water pump changed when we get it anyway.
I'm really liking the idea of these at the moment... especially as there's a remap available to bring it up to a very healthy 187-odd horsepower, with more torque than the big V6 has & available at a lower RPM too...!
However - is it bonkers to consider this, bearing in mind its powerplant is not just the famous chocolate headgasket Rover 1.8 K series, but a TURBOCHARGED one?! Is it going to break down, spontaneously explode, kill the children, ruin our lives and eat the dog (we haven't got a dog)?
Stories I've read by people who actually own them seem to suggest that just keeping an eye on the water level will ensure things are OK, and we'll have it serviced and cambelt & water pump changed when we get it anyway.
I'm really liking the idea of these at the moment... especially as there's a remap available to bring it up to a very healthy 187-odd horsepower, with more torque than the big V6 has & available at a lower RPM too...!
I think I would chose the V6/8 (providing running costs were not an issue) or the CDTi over the inline K-series.
It has a heavy car to lug around, so will be under more stress than in the ZR/ZS. I could be wrong, but i'm sure the weight issue was why it was so un reliable in the Freelander.
It has a heavy car to lug around, so will be under more stress than in the ZR/ZS. I could be wrong, but i'm sure the weight issue was why it was so un reliable in the Freelander.
Out of curiosity: why not the V6? Okay 190bhp is not a lot for that type of car, but it's a nice engine with a decent soundtrack and the fuel consumption is still pretty acceptable (well, it was on the ZS).
One of my neighbours has just bought a ZT190 and I can't help it'd be a great shed for the sort of money they're going for now.
One of my neighbours has just bought a ZT190 and I can't help it'd be a great shed for the sort of money they're going for now.
uprate the headgasket if it hasn't already been done, and it should be fine.
personally i would go for he 131 bhp diesel and fit a tuning box, his will take it to 160 bho, but with better torque and ecomomy, also cheaper road tax.
i have owned a 1.8, 1.8 turbo and the 4.6 260.
give anyone of them a go , you wont be disappointed
personally i would go for he 131 bhp diesel and fit a tuning box, his will take it to 160 bho, but with better torque and ecomomy, also cheaper road tax.
i have owned a 1.8, 1.8 turbo and the 4.6 260.
give anyone of them a go , you wont be disappointed
Not driven one, but been passenger when one was taken to over an indicated 1.4 leps on a private track. Quite surprised it went that high!
No clue of long term durability as it was a mate's company car with low miles on
eta the interior was an odd mix of boy racer and pipe and slippers - green lit analogue clocks and half leather sport seats
No clue of long term durability as it was a mate's company car with low miles on
eta the interior was an odd mix of boy racer and pipe and slippers - green lit analogue clocks and half leather sport seats
Edited by collateral on Saturday 18th December 18:04
This is shed money, its a zs with a v6 trophy? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-MG-ZS-180-TROPHY-BLUE-/...
FeatherZ said:
This is shed money, its a zs with a v6 trophy? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-MG-ZS-180-TROPHY-BLUE-/...
With the Honda variant of the engine 
I love the ZT-T's. Go for the V6!
This is also within 50 miles http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-53-MG-ZT-GREY-ONLY-5700... i havnt got an insurance quote for the zt 1.8 T though what group is it.
Brill car. We have a 54' ZTT 160 and it's a hoot. These later engines dont have an issue with HG failures, due to having uprated gaskets and head dowls over the earlier ones. BUT if you ever have any problems with it, the first thing a garage will try and get you for is a head skim and the like off the back of the reputation. The car does carry much less coolant than most cars, so you must keep an eye on the levels as it'll cook it's self sooner than others. Benefit of this though is that it heats up sooner in the winter.
The chinese are still keeping this engine design on the Linglong 750 or whatever they call it so you'll be fine for engine bits.
Do it, it's sale of the century on these cars - there's nothing close for the price.
The chinese are still keeping this engine design on the Linglong 750 or whatever they call it so you'll be fine for engine bits.
Do it, it's sale of the century on these cars - there's nothing close for the price.
FeatherZ said:
This is shed money, its a zs with a v6 trophy? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-MG-ZS-180-TROPHY-BLUE-/...
Trophy??That's the colour.
And what's this Honda stuff???
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