May I present... my latest acquisition! :)

mattyprice4004

mattyprice4004

mattyprice4004

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Joined
24 Apr 2007
Posts
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Southport
As I had so many issues with running the 620ti, I figured it would be a good idea to get something more reliable before I have to declare myself bankrupt. :D

Took a few trips to stealerships local to me, nothing at all caught my eye. After some AutoTrader hunting I found this!

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It's a Mk1 2003 MG ZS+ TD 115, and cost me the princely sum of £1800.

I was unsure as to how "Rover 45-ey" it would be, however I'm pleased to say it isn't too similar at all. Handles like it's on rails :D

It's not top spec, it has everything bar heated seats and fog lights.

Not anything special, but feels like a good compromise for economy and handling. :)
 
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Firestar_3x said:
Indeed but I've sat and been driven in one though, other than how it drives (which i've already said i don't know), i still feel i can comment on everyother aspect of the car, (how its built, ride quality, comfort, equipment levels, looks, reliability etc) :)

The only thing i've said ref the handling is the MG in TDI form can only offer a slight difference over the mondeo, i come to this conclusion because the mondeo is a very accomplished car to drive (within this sector), and i'd be very shocked if an MG with a boat anchor in the front will feel a million times better to chuck around.
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Fair enough, good points. Didn't know Mondys were so cheap these days, madness! The one in the link looks good for the cash :)
 
msm722 said:
I had an l series for over 2 years and had not 1 problem. Can be tuned to 150bhp/250ftlb for about £500 as well.
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At the last OcUK RR day I took my old 400 diesel with the L series, it made 130bhp / 193ftlb and cost 50 quid to get it there from 103bhp standard. Score :)

Thinking it needs a new MAF as over 3000rpm it drops off power, but no biggie. First proper drive last night, and it's fantastic.

Cheers for the comments, I know it's basically a 400 diesel but damnit, it drives goooood.
 
They're quite rare, and bar the fogs it has everything the ZS came fitted with... even the cupholders! :p

When I was hunting and got the Ti, I drove a couple of Astras, a Mondeo 1.8 (the newer one, was up for £1650), a Saab 9000, Focus 1.6 and some other fairly ordinary stuff, nothing exciting but still think the ZS is a nicer drive.

Anyway, I didn't buy it to please other people, or I would have got a Mondeo 1.8 with 'all the toys'. I got a car I liked, for a decent price. :)

Edit: I used to think the same of the Zeds compared to the Rover versions, however it is totally different in drive and handling to my 400.
 
I'm invading my mates house with the missus at the moment, he's away for 3 weeks so not been home with the car yet to clean it properly.

The car park is surrounded by trees... getting up the hill out of it, in the wet with a mushy ground covering of leaves is fun! :D

It does actually feel pretty perky for a derv, sure it's had a decat as I can hear turbo whistle from the exhaust. Off for a remap in a couple of weeks to 140bhp / 240lbft to liven it up a bit!
 
Update, been busy with this!

Went to Powerflow as the OEM exhaust fell off in a shower of sparks in the middle of Liverpool, and got a quiet-ish but freeflowing Catback system.

This weekend, I've kept myself busy fitting these... ;)

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SDi injectors - the ones used on the older Rover 200/400/600. These have a lower break pressure of 200bar so reduce pump wear and also increase power.

Little bit smokier now, but has made a difference to acceleration :)
 
twoblacklines said:
Known as a "mufflerectomy" does quite well for performance on VAG PD diesels. Not sure about Rovers.

Can I ask the OP a question ?

If you own a rover and you find it terribly unreliable, why do you then go out and buy not only another rover, but a diesel one ? MG arent known (as far as i know) for making great diesel engines.
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Quite the opposite - I got rid of the Rover as it was a little too much in terms of parts - it liked to eat gearboxes for fun, things were dropping off, and although immensely fun in a straight line the handling wasn't ever 100%. It wasn't ever ridiculously unreliable, but I need something 100% to get me to work every day.

The L series diesel as used in the 200/400/600 and the 25/45/ZR/ZS (Although 2 different versions, but essentially the same) are incredibly reliable units, and can easily be tweaked for more power.

The only known issue with them that reoccurs at a noticeable rate is fuel pump failure, but that's because it uses the Bosch VP37 (older engines) or VP30 (newer engines, essentially a more electronic version of the VP37) pump, and both aren't exactly unreliable, but as the miles mount up solenoids can fail.

No headgasket failures have ever been reported on a well maintained, less than 170bhp engine, and the record for miles on the L series currently stands at 1,400,000km on a 600SLDi taxi in Estonia (I think?)

Very unreliable ;)

Edit: In what way did you mean 'not great'? They aren't exactly advanced - direct injection with drive by wire, but this is probably the reason they last so long. Commonrail for the lose! :p
 
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Update!

Shockingly, the car has been running excellent, taking my high miles into it's stride.

Now well into 6 figures on the clock, no creaks, rattles or bits falling off... yet!

This weekends job: Change some corroded oil cooler feed pipes. Had no issues finding a set at a stealership, just got to hope the weather is good enough :)
 
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