Not really because those stupid seat belt pads made it really funny but with the car it just added to the amusement. It was obviously their grandsons car or something like that or they were rather sporty grannies.
MG ZS 180 - Bargain or Bucket
- Thread starter Janesy B
- Start date
Not really because those stupid seat belt pads made it really funny but with the car it just added to the amusement. It was obviously their grandsons car or something like that or they were rather sporty grannies.
Soldato
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- Bangor, Northern Ireland
BUCKET!
Or maybe he doesn't want anything better? Maybe he's owned Rover/MG cars for the past 20 years and doesn't want to move marquee?
I have a facelift ZS 180. Great value for money if you ask me. The 2.5 v6 is a nice engine and the car's handling is excellent. Has double wishbone suspension front and rear. It doesn't have many toys, only climate control (pre facelift had air con), ABS and EBS. If you want something with toys the 75 or ZT have much more.
The KV6 engine is pretty reliable by all accounts. A common fault are the 2 VIS valves. They cost £55 each to replace if they break, or they can be repaired. They change the engine confirguration between high torque at low revs to high bhp at high revs to maximise performance. Not a major worry since they're so cheap to replace.
I've had my 180 for 2 years now and have enjoyed owning it. It is relatively quick, handles great and looks like a much more expensive car than it is. It is a bit boy racery though if you have the big wing on it.
£2,500 seems like a lot for a Y reg though if I've picked you up right. You should be able to get a newer model for that kind of money. Had a quick look at Autotrader and there are 2002 models with 30,000 miles for that price.
The KV6 engine is pretty reliable by all accounts. A common fault are the 2 VIS valves. They cost £55 each to replace if they break, or they can be repaired. They change the engine confirguration between high torque at low revs to high bhp at high revs to maximise performance. Not a major worry since they're so cheap to replace.
I've had my 180 for 2 years now and have enjoyed owning it. It is relatively quick, handles great and looks like a much more expensive car than it is. It is a bit boy racery though if you have the big wing on it.
£2,500 seems like a lot for a Y reg though if I've picked you up right. You should be able to get a newer model for that kind of money. Had a quick look at Autotrader and there are 2002 models with 30,000 miles for that price.
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Soldato
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Bargain
I've always liked them, the V6 sounds great and they got a great write up from Evo
I've always liked them, the V6 sounds great and they got a great write up from Evo
Soldato
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lol 
Did somebody say MG? 
Right, first...the bad.
Common issues with these are (as already said) - VIS valves, £55 each to replace, the inlet plenum tends to go at around 60k - £450 to replace. That's about it...the KV6 engine in general is solid. Mine does see the redline a lot and I'm currently in Manchester and the car didnt miss a beat all the way up here.
The seats are very comfy, I think all the pre-facelift ones come with half leather seats to match the outside of the car.
Also the rear bumper on all of these does 'sag' - this is due to the fact they are not fitted properly. A simple fix brings it back into alignment
If you are looking for comfort features then look elsewhere. It has aircon and front electric windows.....the list pretty much ends there. The short shift gearbox is awesome, the car is relatively quick. Oh, at 60k it needs a cambelt change, budget £500 - £700 to do this. Me and a friend are currently looking into it ourselves to save an absolute packet.
The handling on these is fantastic, very similar setup (if not the same) as the Integra. Make sure you treat it with decent rubber and the car will look after you.
Most parts bar body panels are readily available. Most are written off if so much as a moth hits the wing mirror because you can't get hold of them.
Oh, you'll be pleased to know they have started making the KV6 engine again so soon parts won't be a rip off
Go and test drive one, they are a lot of fun and I think you willbe surprised
by how likeable they are. I wouldnt say it was a car for a 50yo though.
I paid £2.5k with 60k on the clock and FSH, and mines an 02 plate. There was a Trophy Blue (best colour ofcourse
) 04 plate with 30k on the clock sold for 3k the other day...so there are bargains to be found!
And Alan, its not going anywhere
Right, first...the bad.
Common issues with these are (as already said) - VIS valves, £55 each to replace, the inlet plenum tends to go at around 60k - £450 to replace. That's about it...the KV6 engine in general is solid. Mine does see the redline a lot and I'm currently in Manchester and the car didnt miss a beat all the way up here.
The seats are very comfy, I think all the pre-facelift ones come with half leather seats to match the outside of the car.
Also the rear bumper on all of these does 'sag' - this is due to the fact they are not fitted properly. A simple fix brings it back into alignment
If you are looking for comfort features then look elsewhere. It has aircon and front electric windows.....the list pretty much ends there. The short shift gearbox is awesome, the car is relatively quick. Oh, at 60k it needs a cambelt change, budget £500 - £700 to do this. Me and a friend are currently looking into it ourselves to save an absolute packet.
The handling on these is fantastic, very similar setup (if not the same) as the Integra. Make sure you treat it with decent rubber and the car will look after you.
Most parts bar body panels are readily available. Most are written off if so much as a moth hits the wing mirror because you can't get hold of them.
Oh, you'll be pleased to know they have started making the KV6 engine again so soon parts won't be a rip off
Go and test drive one, they are a lot of fun and I think you willbe surprised
by how likeable they are. I wouldnt say it was a car for a 50yo though.
I paid £2.5k with 60k on the clock and FSH, and mines an 02 plate. There was a Trophy Blue (best colour ofcourse
) 04 plate with 30k on the clock sold for 3k the other day...so there are bargains to be found!And Alan, its not going anywhere
That should clear up most of the issues there
However, Integra and MG in the same sentance!?
I can't remember who looked it up on wiki but in my original thread when I got it was found to have the same double wishbone setup as the Integra.
Mainly because I came on parading about how good the handling is and people were saying "yeah...good handling from a Rover?"
Then someone found the link about how the design is very similar to the teg and everyone either shutup or said "Fair play"
Have you ever been in one? Lots of fun to be had! Ask InvaderGTR - I tool him out at the last RR
Then someone found the link about how the design is very similar to the teg and everyone either shutup or said "Fair play"
Yea but then you could say that about any honda civic, basic spec integra or rover 4 door.
They all have the same design (and as such parts are interchangeable) but that does not mean it will handle the same.
Hell i have front and rear arms with the whole braking setup from an integra, doesn't make my car handle on par with a type r though.
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By coincidence, "Performance car" magazine have a small write up on the ZS in their "Blast from the past" section. Some typical journalistic horse-poo in there though, how many European cars in the last 30 years haven't had independent suspension?
Performance Car said:
The ZS 180 had revised suspension geometry, damper/spring rates and a faster rack than the older 400/45.
my dad's had MG's for the last 20 years, proper ones like the MGB, not a rebadged rover. Its nothing to do with marque loyalty, he's a ford man through and through.
maybe independant on the front but not always rear