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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - What to choose

Ok everyone, it's decision time.

What do I replace my ageing Alfa 155 with.

A Brand new ZS 180 or a 6mth old Alfa 156 selespeed.

Any advice or tips would be welcome (or any other alternatives I haven't thought of.)

I'll be asking the same question fo Alfa owners as soon as I can find somewhere to ask it.

Tony

Ps Mega... don't suggest any Fords, Vauxhalls or VW's, I just don't like them, no particular reason, I just don't.
Tony

Don't think there's any question.
I would take the ZS every time.
JLD

Showing no bias whatsover ZS180 :-)

Kelvin
Kelvin

ST 170 or Vauxhall Astra Turbo (Here soon).
Mega

Hi Mega,

just forget Ford and Vauxhall.

Two boring brands with no personality at all.


Marco
Marco Harzenmoser

Tony,

When you've narrowed your choice down to a short list, drive them all. Explain to the sales people exactly what you're doing and need a good test to help decide. A spin round the block is simply not enough. Go for a good drive to really get the feel of the thing. Also, do some shopping and load the boot up at the supermarket ... the lot. Only then can you be in a position to make a happy choice. Also put the ZT on your list too (good offers available) - particularly if you have a partner and offspring to consider. Happy hunting ..... :)

John McF.
John McFeely

Boring as in better built?
Mega

No, boring as in don't bother.
JLD

JLD
Ford offer 12 years cover on the bodyshell.
Vauxhall offer 12 years cover on the bodyshell.

How many years do MGR offer?
Mega.
Ps. I see from this and other BBs that the bloody paint falls of them, and they are rusting already and the body parts come way etc etc etc.......
Mega

Why bother with 12 years cover on the bodyshell? They'll be out of fashion in six months!
Yorkie

Just been looking at the Focus owners site.
Seems as if they have problems with ECU failures and mysterious knocking noises.
JLD

Jld
Yes this is WHY Top gear brought in J.D.PoWER! So we can see what's what. I see in this weeks Autocar that their S2000 Honda has been a lot of bother as well.

A crap Honda what ever next?
Mega.
Mega

Near neighbour's Focus 1.4, purchased Nov 2000.

Delivered with CenLocking inoperative.
Tailgate paint does not match rest of car.
Fusebox failed after 2 months. Took Bristol St. Motors
2 WEEKS to source replacement.
Has had 2 replacement batteries and one alternator.
Has had complete replacement of clutch assy.(3 days to source/repair.
Has had O/S front door lock assy replaced.
Has had 1x shock absorber o/s rear. (Noise)

Car has done 8500k. Has been no further than Colwyn Bay, N. Wales.

"Yeah, but you can't beat Fords, really." Owners comment.


Another near neighbour's Rover 45 1.4, Saloon purchased Oct 2001.

No problems. Car also travels to Romania 3 times a year, delivering aid and supplies to a children's orphanage, with 5 adults and towing a loaded box trailer. Has once towed a Peugeot back across the Balkans to the UK when it suffered serious fuel system failure. This car has done 20k.

"F****g awful crap. Made a mistake in the long run" Ford owner opining on the 45.





Dave

Back to thread

What I really want to know is will the ZS handle as well as the Alfa.

My 155 turns in quick, and I mean go kart quick. The steering made my previous car, a Lancer GTi, feel like a bus when I first got it. The 155 grips hard too, harder than anything else I've driven, and isn't thrown offline by mid-corner bumps. It has a high (7K) redline, so I'm not struggling to change up while exiting a roundabout, I just let it rev.

I know the 156 will do all of this and be more comfortable, but will the ZS, I'd be interested in an opinion from someone who's driven both.
Tony

Haven't driven a 156, but the ZS handles as well as anything else that I've driven.

On the basis of the handling it's starting to get some serious respect from Scooby drivers as well as those of us who have driven MGR for a while.
JLD

6 month old Alfa - check the engine for oil. :)
R45/ZS - do you like the styling - if so a real performance bargain!
Vauxhall Atra Turbo - it will be an underperformer - remember the old 16v's and Calibra - chassis can't handle the power.
ST170 - you ARE joking?

JLD - notice that someone on "X"s board has a Scoob and rates the ZS!

George
George Hunt

12 years corrosion warranty - some punters fall for that sort of thing - not me. Particularly if it ties you down to expensive main dealership service checks for 12 years ..... if so you can keep it!

Had a new bonnet replaced on my MG when the 6 years were nearly up due to leading edge pinhole perforation. The thing was easily repairable but they replaced it with new FOC under warranty. I did my own servicing then thus avoiding maindealer charges for several years so expected to be charged for it as service checks were a corrosion warranty condition. Does this sort of condition still apply? Well worth having if it does not.
John McFeely

I've been to two local MGR dealers today, one ignored me and will remain nameless, the other, Souls of Olney, was very helpful.
They're quoting anything from 10 days delivery for a ZS180 with no options, to 6 weeks if I want a sunroof and a few other bits.
How does this compare with other dealers?
The subject of test drives was brought up, but I couldn't get one straight away. The demonstrator was right at the back of the showroom. I might of got one if I'd been pushy, but I'll save that for when I go in to place an order.
At least the other half has given her approval, she seems to think the green seats would look nice in her ***.
Tony

This thread was discussed between 01/03/2002 and 17/03/2002

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