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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - MGZS security is failing YOU MUST READ

MG ZS Owners,

You may or may not be aware that for all of you who own an MGZS registered before Sept 2002 (like me) there is a serious issue with the security on the cars. Thatcham have deemed the security not adequate and most insurers WILL NOT insure the cars now without tracking devices. MG Rover are denying the issue and are refusing to help any customers advising its not their responsibility. Brand new MGZS's now have upgraded security DEMAND that yours is upgraded or contact me I am trying to raise awareness of this and have the DTI helping me research this problem that will effect ALL MG ZS owners!!!
Kate Hamilton

Kate,

Maybe a reflection of the desirability of the cars - well done MGR!

Tell me, why do you espect MG to pay for an upgrade? You knew what you bought!

Regards

James
James Glover

There is no need to 'demand' an upgrade, I enquired about it after hearing of it, and my 'friendly' local dealer (Crown Garage, Soham) was willing able to it. It was done today in fact!
It took the workshop less than 20 minutes to do the job, my complimenty coffee was still hot. I won't go into what they do, as you know what car(e)less talk could lead to!

Kelvin
Kelvin

She works for an insurance company and SHE KNOWS HER RIGHTS does our Kate. She also KNOWS HOW TO SHOUT on the bbs with the USE OF CAPITALS.
David Beckham

Is this the same problem that was discussed on the F/TF forum regarding the alarm system problem with the TF about a month ago? If so then the problem is fixed by connecting the ECU up to Testbook. Anyone that has had their car serviced since Rover sent out the upgrade to Testbook may already have had the problem fixed. Hower it is worth checking that it has been done.

Ralph
Ralph

My dealer gave me this response today:

I was told that a kit could be added to the car to improve the security of the car. Up to Thatchcam level 1.

But, if my car was sold before Sept 2002 there is going to be a charge for this.

When asking about testbook the dealer told me this cannot be done.

Can anyone give me some advice, maybe even a contact number for their local dealer who has upgraded their alarm?

Regards

Richard
Richard

Dont pay a penny, I did'nt...
Dealers were sent a memo, and issued with instructions on the fix, and an updated CD ROM... As I've posted here it took the technican around 20 minutes to do my ZS..

Its my guess any car coming in for first service will have it done as matter of course , if its not already new spec.

Its not a good idea to discuss the problem or the fix. Just ring your dealer if in doubt, the service manager should be aware of the issue!

My dealer in Cambridgeshire is:
Crown Garage, Soham.

Kelvin

I've just phoned my dealer and they are collecting my car from work on Wednesday to apply the fix. Interesting that I have recieved no communication from the dealer I purchased the car from advising me that I should bring it in? Come on guys get yor act together and send a letter out. Small price to pay for customer satisfaction.
Climber

Well there seems to be some confusion here as my current dealer called me back and advised me that the patch was only for certain ZS's between certain dates and that my original dealer would have been supplied with the information and the necessary for my car. So I called the dealer who sold me the car and they denied all knowledge of a security patch for ZS's. Apparently there are only patches for ZR's. The field service engineer was at the dealer at the time and advised that no information had been supplied to dealers on ZS security upgrades. Guess next stop is MG customer services
Climber

If the Service manager is
unaware of the subject tell him to read Dealer Communication 036/02 !!!!!

My dealer knew about it!!

kelvin
Kelvin

Not again! How many times do people need to be told to talk to their dealers about this. If they don't know about it find a dealer that does (read the tech bulletins; if they don't know about this what else don't they know about?). It is a simple, quick, free of charge proceedure and aplies to F, TF's and ZED's. Kelin is spot on!

Proceedure does not in itself raise the Thatcham class from II to I.

Richard,

"But, if my car was sold before Sept 2002 there is going to be a charge for this." rubbish

"When asking about testbook the dealer told me this cannot be done." rubbish

verdict - find another dealer.
Ian Walker

Oh, I know of two TF160's (one mine) and two ZR's (a 120 and a 160) that have been done at my dealer.
Ian Walker

Kate, we have only just looked at this thread and will contact our dealer on Monday morning. The worrying thing we feel is that 'they' should have contacted all of us if they have aknowledged the problem. What can you organise about our ZS bootlids, MGR are just ignoreing me.
Nik & Anita

N & A, as was discussed on the F section, the conclusion is that MGR did not broadcast this problem as that may well have resulted in many more cars going walkies...
David

I think there are two aspects here in respect of the Z range. I am not yet up to speed on the TF. There is a patch and there is a modification. In some cases above the patch is a software issue only and in the Post 2002 specs there are hardware changes too.

I have not eyt got to the bottom of the full details of what is involved with the hardware update, but it is quite comprehensive.

Rog
Roger Parker

Well the plot thickens! Adams and Webb (my current dealer) not Priests who were my original dealer, called me today in response to my enquiry from MG Rover customer services. They stated that there were a limited number of 'kits' sent out to dealers for cars within a certain chassis number range to bring them up to Thatcham 1 standard. It was not clear from our conversation if my car was on of these (I have asked them to find out) It is also not clear at what date the Z range became Thatcham 1 approved. As I understand it there is a cut off date prier to which Z cars are still not Thatcham 1 standard and no kits available. All very confusing. Roger can you help us out here? It would seem to me that dealers are not reading the communications or not understanding them well enough to communicate to the customer.
Climber

Hi Kate,

I'm Gavin. Do you want to be a friend? I am bullied at work, they tease me and call me a virgin and a weirdo. This makes me sad and I cry sometimes at home. I am very nervous when I am near women. All my words come out all funny and I must look awfully like a lunatic. I sometimes just squeak instead of talk when girls come near me.

Perhaps if we could start talking on the internet we might become friend and you can help me talk to girls.
Gavin Armstrong

This thread was discussed between 29/10/2002 and 05/11/2002

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