New wheels: MG ZT 190+, with review!

I was tempted to get one of these a couple of years ago. Nice cars for the money and the engine is good too.

My dad drives the 75 CDTi version of this though and I have to say I hate driving it :(. It's like navigating a boat. I expect the MG version is a bit firmer.

I still want one of the V8s though, although would probably have to supercharge it :p.
 
mattyprice4004 said:
Cheers all. :D

Been out tinkering, and have made a totally definitive list of faults that are annoying me already. This one will be perfect and for minimal cost, too.

- Clutch pedal rattled and squeaked, turns out the mounting bolts on the master cylinder were loose. Quality clutch replacement in January, then. :p
- Rear passenger door didn't open with central locking - new actuator fitted, which was given to me with the car.
- Front passenger door sometimes doesn't open with central locking, currently fitting this but came in for a brew.
- Could do with an oil change, although it was done recently it's done a good few miles since then.
- Clutch pedal was soft at the top, system bled and it now feels much better.
- Radiator mounting bracket was fractured, new one fabricated this afternoon.
- The lower coolant rail is corroded to ****, so I've made a new one from copper. The Rover one is made of steel, and costs £35 and they're hard to find to boot. Will get pictures of the replacement up soon, need to fit this also.

All minor things, but they've been annoying me somewhat. Not bad for a £995 car though, everything else works 100%. :cool:

We also test fitted a cheap 'cone' type induction kit, and wow... what a noise. Think I nearly wet myself when it got above 5k, amazing!
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for what its worth the induction system on a zt was very good and infact you could lose performance with a kit.

the 180 zs had terrible airfilter setup, a cone in the wing gave a good 8 bhp ish, if you put a cone on the throttle body it lost around 12-15bhp. tested at rolling road

nice buy btw
 
agw_01 said:
So you got a bit of metal and using some precision tools (a hammer) bent it into the right shape?



Few offcuts of copper, connected together using rubber hose right?

Sorry Mat, it's only meant in a light hearted manner but unless you've learnt to weld or have access to pipe bending/metal working machines, you don't half make some stuff sound much more extravagant than it actually is :D
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I fabricated my own precision tool a couple of days ago! I also restored the underside of the body using a special technique applying several layers of highly toxic chemicals! Whilst I was there I implemented some vital weight saving modifications and therefore improved efficiency and performance!
 
Some pictures as promised!

Making the coolant rail:

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Engine bay all nice and clean:
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We then set about fixing the front passenger door lock. In the end we gave up and ordered a new motor, couldn't get the broken one apart. :p

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Access is a bit tight! (not my face. :p )
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Finally, a night shot of the clocks. I love them even though I do prefer illuminated numbers and dark surround, not the other way round.

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Looks Cracking, Got to love the cam/VIS changeover on these - the sound is sublime! Enjoy!

Just on an enormously pendantic note, the 5 Speed manual is a Getrag not a Jatco.

Makes me miss my old 2.0 V6 75... That was barganalicious at £800 with recent belts and connoisseur spec (sadly not SE!)

Note the flat cap in the door!

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mattyprice4004 said:
If you can find a good one, go for it. I've driven many similar-class motors, and I've got to say although this has the potential to generate some quite chunky bills, it's all worth it.
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Well, I ended up going for a different car which has thrown up a few chunky bills, but nothing bank-breaking for me at least. If I wanted a cheap second car though and didn't ever leave the tarmac, I'd go for one of those for sure.
 
Fair enough, sounds good. What did you get instead?

And nice 75, I do like them but just cannot get along with the interior. :(

Found some more broken things this evening of a more mechanical nature. Oh dear. :D
 
mattyprice4004 said:
Fair enough, sounds good. What did you get instead?
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I got an '05 subaru forester 2.5 turbo. A little quicker than the MG, but not as nice a place to be and not as nice to look at. Still, I couldn't have asked for a car better suited to me - does everything I ask of it. Then again, if I'd got the MG I'd have had the perfect excuse to get myself a proper off-road land rover defender or something as a second car :p
 
Is this why it was cheap?

The owner admited it needed work doing to it, plus extra stuff he didn't tell you about?! :o
 
98% drivers would know what a damper was nevermind whether it needed replacing, but it doesnt sound like hes having to rebuild it though
 
and damper can be worn/well past its best without fluid coming out everywhere and gas dampers dont have any fluid in there to start with
 
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