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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - I just love my MG ZT
| There is just nothing like a ZT260. Those loud pipes just put a huge smile on my face everytime I drive the car. I love it! Only a Maserati Quattroporte comes close, or perhaps an M5 but they are ...well ...BMW. |
| Neil |
| Rather liking my lowly diesel too Neil. BTW - it's all your fault - I've brightened up the interior of our ZTT - see http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/ztt/interior/phase1_1_640x480.JPG and http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/ztt/interior/phase1_2_640x480.JPG Currently looking into how to retrofit a few toys. Like cruise control. And maybe traction control. And heated seats. And also a tuning box... Oh dear. The Darkside has struck again!!! |
| Rob Bell |
| I apologise Rob BUT that looks really good! here's mine... http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h193/engineroomoftheapocalypse/NeilWillettsRedInteriorZT260smaller.jpg and having some fun up Brooklands Test Hill... THE NOIZE http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h193/engineroomoftheapocalypse/ZTTestHill2Brooklands9thApril0-6.jpg |
| Darth Noiz |
| It seems like a good car, but prey tell me why is it only you to praising the car? |
| Observant |
| My ZT260 is still the best car I've ever owned - 2 years of excellence. I just need to get a few scratches touched up, and maybe a proper stereo fitted...someday TED |
| Shy Ted |
| Neil - I'd seen some pix before but I hadn't noticed that your centre console was also painted red? Most Monogram interiors I've seen have left the centre console in standard 'technical' finish? I have had a complete centre console sprayed up and ready to fit - well, ready once I've figured out the retro-fit tasks ;o) Ted, completely agree with you. The standard Kenwood I've got is a pile of steamy smelly stuff.... Thinking of replacing it with a double DIN unit (I don't think I'll go the sat nav route) - but need to find something suitable and good! |
| Rob Bell |
| Aye Rob! the centre bits are all red too. Nice to have a one off! The Hi Fi is totally dodgy, soundwise it's ok but it looks and operates like a totally chav device. All blingy lights like a space invaders game from the 70s that you cant turn off, totally yuk. I dont think it was cheap either, I would have preffered a cheap one actually. so long as it's loud and clear, easy to operate I can't be bothered with a million nasty little japanese gimmicks as I have said many times Longbridge is a long way from Milan! |
| Neil Doktor Noiz |
| On the stereo front, I need max output for the cd player blasting out some ac/dc or similar, plus crystal clear radio five reception - can you get in-car DAB? I should spend the money now cos I am going to run this car a few more years yet. It looks good at work, surrounded by a sea of beemers and mercs. I get some gentle ribbing from the guys, until 1) they here the motor start up and/or b) they get a ride. It's just brilliant. Only trouble would be if I changed jobs and my commute increased significantly - but that's not today's problem :-) TED |
| Shy Ted |
| Hi there As you can see I live in Spain. I read the forum for rovers here. Here is a link to a discussion about someone who has imported a V8 into Spain. The first photos are of the car with U.K. plates on outside his house. You can tell it is Spain because of the ‘no waiting’ sign for the vehicular entrance to the house. http://www.clubmg-rover.com/foro/index.php?topic=4129.0;topicseen Anyway 9 pages latter he still has not got to officially import it. It is very difficult to import a RHD car here, plus if it is the first one then you have to supply a lot of paperwork giving allsorts of information. Now that Rover is sort of dead that information can be hard to obtain. Just proves two things… one the love for these cars goes further than you can imagine and two we are not one Europe yet! As for DAB radio there are loads out there... http://www.digitalradionow.com/whatin.php http://www.radio-now.co.uk/car_dab_tuners_and_in-car_adaptors.htm |
| Cecil Kimber |
| I've got a Sony CD-Tuner sitting around doing nothing. It is very plain & understated in design and has never been used. It came out of our new TF Spark when we got trident to put in SatNav. Going free to the first person to take me for a blast in their ZT260 |
| Ade |
| That car I posted about here in Spain…it is now for sale. But he wants 20000 euros for it. It seems he can't import it because he can't get the correct paperwork. I don’t want it, as it is RHD. Sad ending for a grand car! http://www.clubmg-rover.com/foro/index.php?topic=4430.0 |
| Cecil Kimber |
| Ade You are ON! how do you like your V8s? Loud or LOUD!!! Be warned though, I took SF for a burn and had to buy one afterwards, unfortunately he didnt get the nicest example it being an early ex MGR test car. But it's a V8 and it makes that music! |
| Neil |
| Cecil - really sorry to hear your friend's predicament :o( 20k euros seems like a reasonable price, but I would think that it will be hard to sell due to location! Surely there must be some way round the regulations so he can enjoy this magnificant motor car? |
| Rob Bell |
| Cecil that car you have mentioned is 007, a development car. Would be a good buy for someone who is in need of buying history. Look at the reg, bit of a give-away 260 on a 52 plate. The inside of the car is black half leather with yellow inserts and the dash is off a 190. The 260 is the best car I have owned. I love the sound, smell,.....sod it. I love everything about it. |
| Tim Hayton |
| Just read some of the Spainish postings which confirms the 007vin. Pity about the papers would have thought it was not a major problem. Ho-hum. |
| Tim Hayton |
| Cecil. I think that he should just NOT BOTHER registering it in Spain. OK this will mean that a trip to uk is needed for MOTs and the like. But it keeps the car and avoids unecessary headaches. Hey we are in the Common Market arent we. My Volvo has been in Sweden for best part of a year and is on UK plates. It comes back in Aug mainly as the MOT expires soon afterwards. I have so far had no problem with the Swedes, they also tend to leave you alone as they know the paperwork involved if they try anything on. Could be very handy in Spain! Ade, I am up for your offer email me and we will set up a blast. Understatement is my thing |
| Neil |
| Tim...I'm with you, I've hardly run the F this year because of the ZT. A Mustang that handles, and has cred, and is rare and is minimal ( apart from that horrible blinging blasted HiFi thing) and sounds like a Drag Car, and is RED and has a monogram unique interior, it even does 24mpg ... it's love mate! |
| Neil |
| The Gardia Civil, the police force outside the cities, are claming down on illegal foreign cars. It is all down the Brits, mainly, who live on the costas, running their cars without any sort of paperwork! Nice to see that it a car with some history, I did not know that. Being a development hack means that the homologation certificate is harder to obtain. Any RHD car is hard to sell here. Sometimes you might be lucky to sell a classic that is RHD and was never officially imported here. One question. Does any body here know how he could get some papers for the car? a long shot I know. Either you could write on the forum or I could. Someone will translate there if your Spanish, like mine, is not up to it. We are not the single market that is talked about back in the U.K. life here is very different. |
| Cecil Kimber |
| Try the various clubs Cecil. The MGCC V8 register deals with the ZT260s. And then there is the two-sixties forum (a former homologation engineer, Nic, resides there and could be a valuable point of contact in terms of locating paperwork). And then there is the MGOC - where Roger Parker, long term V8 fan, and owner of a very nice ZT V8, is the technical guy and again, could be well placed to help your friend out! Don't give up yet!!! :o) |
| Rob Bell |
| LOL!! Neil I drop you an email about the deal. I know you're going to take the micky out of the Jag but MG didn't have a black ZT260 with an auto box and "black oak" dash. If they did I would be driving it now. |
| Ade |
| >> I know you're going to take the micky out of the Jag but MG didn't have a black ZT260 with an auto box and "black oak" dash. If they did I would be driving it now. << Maybe not on the price list, but it would be sooo easy to make one. Take the R75 V8 transmission, and take the interior from a 'Contemporary' specification R75, and Bob's your mother's brother. As I've found recently, the dashboard on these cars is an easy swap. I was looking for a black oak as an alternative to going for body colour, but I decided to keep to plan 'A' and am delighted with the results :o) So Ade, sell that Jag, and buy and build something unique! With prices so low at the moment, it is so easy to justify doing! ;o) |
| Rob Bell |
| Thanks for the pointers. I have written a PM to the guy I hope he will respond. If he does not manage to get a registration here in Spain the car could end up getting scrapped. I wish I had some money for it. However I don’t know if I would like to drive a RHD car all the time over here. Holidays a fine but no longer! |
| Cecil Kimber |
| Driving on the wrong side of the car becomes second nature very quickly - plenty of Brits do this all the time with imports from Europe and the USA. Most say it is of no hinderence; you get used to it. The trickiest bit are toll gates, which inconveniently the toll booths are placed on the passenger side... ;o) |
| Rob Bell |
| Rob, what you say makes sense. I could get a black or X-Power ZT260SE and swap the transmission and the dash. However, first of all need to complete on the house move, then re-furb the house, then find somehing else to drive in the meantime... Not a project for this weekend. Plus... and I know I'll get flamed for this... I'm concerned about the reliability. The latest surveys (JD Power I think) are now placing Jaguar near the top of the reliability & customer service ratings. I have to say they are correct. |
| Ade |
| Ade, I am not going to argue with Jaguar - they've done an absolutely terrific job! Given that the ZT likely to be built in China rather than Longbridge in the short term, I suspect that our ZTT may get replaced by an X-Type. There again, I might just keep hold of our ZTT for rather longer... Loft conversion and house refurbishment and young family all conspiring to make the latter option all the more likely a prospect! |
| Rob Bell |
| Ade pls try again not seen your email Your ZT260 dream car is fairly easy to find you know |
| Neil |
| Chaps - I'm impressed with your enthusiasm for the model (the 260) and enjoy reading your threads. I am planning to try to buy a ZT in Australia in the near future. I doubt that I could come at the 260, if only for the fuel bill, and will probably end up with a 190. But I'd be interested to hear what sort of mpg you are all getting - you might be able to change my mind. There are apparently twelve 260s in Australia, brought in just before the collapse, with two or three for sale at the moment. Malcolm |
| Malcolm Robertson |
| I get about 21 to 24 mpg which isnt much worse than the 190! but dont expect much beer than that ever. I once managed 25mpg in full vicar mode. This soon became very boring The 260 is a very different car from the fwd 190 |
| Neil |
| Ade? come on boy, the big bad car is sitting outside all ready to rock! |
| Neil |
| Malcolm Similar mpg to Neil for me - sub 20mpg around town, but a corking 25mpg cruising on motorways, 70mph or 80mph, makes no difference. If you don't reckon on regular long commutes go for a 260. Drove along almost deserted A32 and A31 this afternoon from south to north Hampshire. Hot day, thunderstorms in distance, twisting roads, no tractors/caravans/HGVs...I may have experienced motoring nirvana!! TED |
| Shy Ted |
| Also if you are into heavy metal this is the car for you. With Xpower rear boxes there isnt much on the road that comes close soundwise. This is rock and roll! Mind you if you do buy a V8 of any description a nice pair of straight through boxes should do a good job! Imagine a Volvo sounding like this? hmmmmm |
| Neil |
| Thanks chaps - I'll let you know what eventuates... Malcolm |
| Malcolm Robertson |
| Hi Malcolm, I've got a ZT-T 190 here in NZ, and unfortunately around town I can't do better than between 21 to 25 mpg, but if I'm docile on the open road, I can stretch to 35 - 38 mpg. Thirsty, but I love the car anyway, it's just such a joy to drive, handles brilliantly, it's very well put together, and it's very unique (in NZ anyway). |
| KEW |
| Thanks Kew - how do you go with servicing, now that the dealer network is somewhat compromised? How much do you do yourself, and what happens if you need to access the engine management system's log and codes? Cheers.... |
| Malcolm Robertson |
| Dont discount the 160. I have a 160 1.8 turbo and it seems faster than the 190s I test drove before buying mine and around town I'm getting 35 - 40 mpg. The 4 cylinder engine is lighter and cheaper to service than the KV6 ( I know a ZS 180 owner who has just had a sevice and 3 belt change costing £900 !) Also as the V6 160 and 190 both have the 2.5 litre engine is the difference purely down to engine management? Whatever model you go for you'll have fun although I would avoid the under powered 120 still a nice car but the engine does struggle with the weight of the car when fully laden. |
| william |
| OK chaps, latest report. Just back from short break in t'North Yorkshire Moors, where the ZTt graced many a small hamlet and badly frightened the sheep. As anyone who has been to this part of the world knows you can enjoy going up and down the valleys (banks) where the road gradient is 33%. At the top you are rewarded with empty roads and stunning views - great ZT260 country. Wouldn't live there tho. Southern Ted |
| Shy Ted |
| I agree with William about the 1.8 turbo. I went to one of the Bank of Scotland sales at British Car Auctions with the aim of buying a 2.5L 190 and came away with a 1.8L turbo 160. It is a great car. |
| David Witham |
| Unfortunately, only the 190 manual or the 180 auto versions of the ZT came into Australia (plus the 12 or so 260s). Malcolm |
| Malcolm Robertson |
| Malcolm they're all great. A friend of mine has a ZT160. It goes really well as according to Rog it's about 175bhp the 160 name being simply a marketing thing! Less said about the marketing. |
| Neil FCIM |
| Love my zt190 - well built , good looking, handles brilliuantly. Want a bit more power and rear wheel drive though so am going to buy a V8. I prefer the look of the mk1 but do I need traction control? |
| marc h |
| Marc go for it, it is the top model. Then get Rog Parker to source some special exhausts for it. They are not so damn loud as the X Power ones and have 4 outlets still. SMC in slough seem to have a lot of them, give it a go mate |
| Neil |
| Malcolm, The servicing situation in New Zealand is OK, and is fine here in Auckland, with the previous MG Rover dealers still servicing all MG Rover cars, and with an independent or two, with Test Book, doing the same. There are loads of Rover 75s here now (imported from Singapore and Japan I think), and so things are pretty good as some of the mechanicals are of course shared with the ZT. So, no problems with parts or service. Karl |
| KEW |
| Have been on to SMC and they never seem to have the cars on autotrader when you ring up. They have said they can get me a new unregistered mk 1 for 16k. Begs the question what its been up to for 3 years. Its a non SE so I think a bit overpriced. Do the cars need running in? |
| marc h |
| just been away for a few days towing a 5 berth caravan and still averaged 27 mpg great car the 1.8 turbo |
| william |
| Chaps - just to close the loop, we are now the owners of one of the handful of BRG ZT-T 180s brought into Australia. The first owner has covered some 80,000 kms in the last four years but the car looks and smells like new. My hat goes off to him. Pick up will be later this month, so you can expect more silly questions (sorry Martyn!) from me, or the occasional report in MG Enthusiast magazine. Thanks to you all for the encouraging comments. Malcolm |
| Malcolm Robertson |
| I have had my RV8 in spain for the last 3 years and did make some attempt to register my car in spain, i think i could have got away with it if i called it a MGB but wanted to keep its name and character. The Rover 75 is plentifull so he could probably register it as a Rover 75 but again would lose its individuality. Have not used the RV8 on spanish roads for a couple of years since my MOT ran out because i didnt want to take the chance of being caught. I will bring it back to the UK once our winter is over. MG ZR and ZS are plentifull in Denia but the ZT is very unusual and ive never seen a V8, at 20000 euros its worth buying and bringing it back. Bill |
| Bill Cole |
| Hi Malcolm, Well done! I've not driven the 180 Auto (only my 190 manual), but I'm sure they're much the same. I bought my car at about 75,000 km, and much like yours, it still smelt and looked like new. I'm extremely happy with it, and can't see myself selling it for a very long time. Find a twisty road, push the car harder than you might otherwise do, and you'll be amazed at the handling. If you have any queries or just want to compare notes, don't hesitate to email me directly. Karl |
| KEW |
| Thanks Karl - I'll do just that (once I've got the car insured!). And I'll contact you on your email when I have the car home. Malcolm |
| Malcolm Robertson |
This thread was discussed between 11/07/2006 and 28/09/2006
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