Title: MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Beaker on September 07, 2010, 22:53:19 PM
Post by: Beaker on September 07, 2010, 22:53:19 PM
Im looking at new cars as the Veccy is pretty much on its last legs. If it passes its MOT in January then something is VERY VERY wrong in the world. The Rear footwells are solid, but much more rust and theyll blow totally. Ive also got a wheel bearing that has just started to rumble, the clutch is on its way out, and the brake disks are looking ready to be swapped out. Thats BEFORE I take any parts off the thing and find other sh*t wrong. So before I start throwing large amounts of cash at a Vectra that doesnt owe me anything considering how much I paid, and how long Ive had it Ive decided its better to buy a different car.
Im looking at the MG ZS and ZT, but Ive zero experience with the KV6 engine (lets not start on the 1.8 K-Series as me and that engine dont like each other). I only do about 3.5-4k a year these days (and I dont miss the 60k or more I was doing at one point at all), so a larger engine isnt an issue. Im looking at either the ZS 180, or a ZT any model (except the 1.8). Anyone got any experience with them?
The Issues I do know is the VIS fails, and that the timing belts arent cheap to swap. Im told you CAN do them in the car, but theyre a bitch to do. Anyone know anything else about these? My last experience with Rover was working at a car hire company 6 years ago, but we didnt have the MG range in, just the 25/45/75 and the MG range is supposed to be a better drive.
Im looking at the MG ZS and ZT, but Ive zero experience with the KV6 engine (lets not start on the 1.8 K-Series as me and that engine dont like each other). I only do about 3.5-4k a year these days (and I dont miss the 60k or more I was doing at one point at all), so a larger engine isnt an issue. Im looking at either the ZS 180, or a ZT any model (except the 1.8). Anyone got any experience with them?
The Issues I do know is the VIS fails, and that the timing belts arent cheap to swap. Im told you CAN do them in the car, but theyre a bitch to do. Anyone know anything else about these? My last experience with Rover was working at a car hire company 6 years ago, but we didnt have the MG range in, just the 25/45/75 and the MG range is supposed to be a better drive.
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: DEViANCE on September 07, 2010, 23:32:08 PM
Post by: DEViANCE on September 07, 2010, 23:32:08 PM
The ZT is a better car than the ZS, comfier, quieter and more solid but they have a few niggles, the radiator fan relay can fail which can cause the engine to overheat when in traffic so check that operates, sticky door locks, ecu compartment flooding and a few more that I cant think of.
The ZS is a great car and doesnt really have any common problems, basically a honda civic underneath, and the handling is excellent the ride is very sporty so make sure your happy with that.
The engine is very good and can do very high mileage. You already know about VIS valves which are diy repairable if you can solder. econ isnt great (22-30mpg) and neither is 180bhp from 2.5l v6 but still a decent bit of power and low down grunt is impressive.
Cambelt change is the main reason why so many good cheap cars on the market at the moment, it is a £400-£600 job and not really diyable without special tools that are also expensive.
Another common problem is the thermostat housing can leak causing loss of coolant, you can usually see a puddle of water in the v of the engine (when cold) if it is leaking, worth replacing when doing cambelt.
That is all I can think of, off the top of my head.
I had a Rover75 (old mans ZT) with the KV6 engine and it was a great drive but my engine got cooked by the rad fan not kicking in.
These places are your friend for advice:
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/
http://forums.xpowerforums.com/
http://forums.mg-rover.org/index.php
edit: just remembered the ZS can have weak clutch hydraulics but an uprated master cylinder is all that is required to fix.
The ZS is a great car and doesnt really have any common problems, basically a honda civic underneath, and the handling is excellent the ride is very sporty so make sure your happy with that.
The engine is very good and can do very high mileage. You already know about VIS valves which are diy repairable if you can solder. econ isnt great (22-30mpg) and neither is 180bhp from 2.5l v6 but still a decent bit of power and low down grunt is impressive.
Cambelt change is the main reason why so many good cheap cars on the market at the moment, it is a £400-£600 job and not really diyable without special tools that are also expensive.
Another common problem is the thermostat housing can leak causing loss of coolant, you can usually see a puddle of water in the v of the engine (when cold) if it is leaking, worth replacing when doing cambelt.
That is all I can think of, off the top of my head.
I had a Rover75 (old mans ZT) with the KV6 engine and it was a great drive but my engine got cooked by the rad fan not kicking in.
These places are your friend for advice:
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/
http://forums.xpowerforums.com/
http://forums.mg-rover.org/index.php
edit: just remembered the ZS can have weak clutch hydraulics but an uprated master cylinder is all that is required to fix.
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Bacon on September 08, 2010, 02:57:55 AM
Post by: Bacon on September 08, 2010, 02:57:55 AM
Its a shame your asking now, a very good friend just sold one with race cams, uprated filter, full stainless exhaust including manifold and a whole host of other (new within the last year) goodies, and the car made nothing, he listed it several times before it sold.
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Beaker on September 08, 2010, 03:03:59 AM
Post by: Beaker on September 08, 2010, 03:03:59 AM
Quote from: Baconthe car made nothing
This is partly why Im looking at them, they are CHEAP. A lot of car for little money. Its going to be around Christmas Im buying anyway, but my next car needs to be something a little more fun. The Vectra was bought because I was running 70 miles a day to work and back, so all I cared about was cheap and reliable. Its been both. Only paid £1850 (I think it was) nearly 4 years back, and the only trouble its given me was a dead battery without any warning. As I only do 70 miles a week (at the most), with the occasional trip to Buckinghamshire to see the wifes family a V6 doing about 20mpg around town isnt a big deal :)
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Bacon on September 08, 2010, 12:29:53 PM
Post by: Bacon on September 08, 2010, 12:29:53 PM
Quote from: BeakerQuote from: Baconthe car made nothing
This is partly why Im looking at them, they are CHEAP. A lot of car for little money. Its going to be around Christmas Im buying anyway, but my next car needs to be something a little more fun. The Vectra was bought because I was running 70 miles a day to work and back, so all I cared about was cheap and reliable. Its been both. Only paid £1850 (I think it was) nearly 4 years back, and the only trouble its given me was a dead battery without any warning. As I only do 70 miles a week (at the most), with the occasional trip to Buckinghamshire to see the wifes family a V6 doing about 20mpg around town isnt a big deal :)
MG ZS V6
29MPG > 174BHP > 0-60 7.3
Audi A4 B5 2.8 V6 Quattro
26MPG > 193BHP > 0.60 7.1
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2012375.htm
BMW E46 323i (come up cheap)
31MPG > 170BHP > 0.60 7.7
Also consider BMW E30 325i if you want retro, top handling, nice performance.
Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI (looked at one back along but not enough headroom, amazing car)
28MPG > 197BHP > 0.60 6.7
Golf Mk4 2.8 V6 4Motion (do come up now again for good price)
25MPG > 204BHP > 0.60 6.9
Golf MK3 2.8 VR6
31MPG > 174BHP > 0.60 7.4
Passat Syncro/4Motion
26MPG > 193BHP > 0.60 7.5
Plenty of cheap V6s around, id be looking at VWs with history or Prelude 2.2s.
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Beaker on September 08, 2010, 13:07:46 PM
Post by: Beaker on September 08, 2010, 13:07:46 PM
Quote from: BaconQuote from: BeakerQuote from: Baconthe car made nothing
This is partly why Im looking at them, they are CHEAP. A lot of car for little money. Its going to be around Christmas Im buying anyway, but my next car needs to be something a little more fun. The Vectra was bought because I was running 70 miles a day to work and back, so all I cared about was cheap and reliable. Its been both. Only paid £1850 (I think it was) nearly 4 years back, and the only trouble its given me was a dead battery without any warning. As I only do 70 miles a week (at the most), with the occasional trip to Buckinghamshire to see the wifes family a V6 doing about 20mpg around town isnt a big deal :)
MG ZS V6
29MPG > 174BHP > 0-60 7.3
Audi A4 B5 2.8 V6 Quattro
26MPG > 193BHP > 0.60 7.1
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2012375.htm
BMW E46 323i (come up cheap)
31MPG > 170BHP > 0.60 7.7
Also consider BMW E30 325i if you want retro, top handling, nice performance.
Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI (looked at one back along but not enough headroom, amazing car)
28MPG > 197BHP > 0.60 6.7
Golf Mk4 2.8 V6 4Motion (do come up now again for good price)
25MPG > 204BHP > 0.60 6.9
Golf MK3 2.8 VR6
31MPG > 174BHP > 0.60 7.4
Passat Syncro/4Motion
26MPG > 193BHP > 0.60 7.5
Plenty of cheap V6s around, id be looking at VWs with history or Prelude 2.2s.
Ive looked at that type of stuff, and Im looking at buying 5 years older if I did go that way. Also Ive had a Prelude 2.2, and like you I cant really get comfortable in them. The MG-ZT can get me a VERY nice car for £1500. Yeah Its a little slower, and its a little bit of a pain when it comes to sourcing some parts, but overall itd be worth the effort.
I Looked at the VW line because one of the guys I work with is a VW Addict (Enough that he got a GTi Anniversary edition), and we worked out Im stuck on cars that are over 10 years old for a dog thatll chew up another £500-£1000 getting it right :\
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Bacon on September 08, 2010, 17:19:09 PM
Post by: Bacon on September 08, 2010, 17:19:09 PM
Quote from: BeakerQuote from: BaconQuote from: BeakerQuote from: Baconthe car made nothing
This is partly why Im looking at them, they are CHEAP. A lot of car for little money. Its going to be around Christmas Im buying anyway, but my next car needs to be something a little more fun. The Vectra was bought because I was running 70 miles a day to work and back, so all I cared about was cheap and reliable. Its been both. Only paid £1850 (I think it was) nearly 4 years back, and the only trouble its given me was a dead battery without any warning. As I only do 70 miles a week (at the most), with the occasional trip to Buckinghamshire to see the wifes family a V6 doing about 20mpg around town isnt a big deal :)
MG ZS V6
29MPG > 174BHP > 0-60 7.3
Audi A4 B5 2.8 V6 Quattro
26MPG > 193BHP > 0.60 7.1
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2012375.htm
BMW E46 323i (come up cheap)
31MPG > 170BHP > 0.60 7.7
Also consider BMW E30 325i if you want retro, top handling, nice performance.
Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI (looked at one back along but not enough headroom, amazing car)
28MPG > 197BHP > 0.60 6.7
Golf Mk4 2.8 V6 4Motion (do come up now again for good price)
25MPG > 204BHP > 0.60 6.9
Golf MK3 2.8 VR6
31MPG > 174BHP > 0.60 7.4
Passat Syncro/4Motion
26MPG > 193BHP > 0.60 7.5
Plenty of cheap V6s around, id be looking at VWs with history or Prelude 2.2s.
Ive looked at that type of stuff, and Im looking at buying 5 years older if I did go that way. Also Ive had a Prelude 2.2, and like you I cant really get comfortable in them. The MG-ZT can get me a VERY nice car for £1500. Yeah Its a little slower, and its a little bit of a pain when it comes to sourcing some parts, but overall itd be worth the effort.
I Looked at the VW line because one of the guys I work with is a VW Addict (Enough that he got a GTi Anniversary edition), and we worked out Im stuck on cars that are over 10 years old for a dog thatll chew up another £500-£1000 getting it right :\
Budget? Year of MGs your looking at?
5 years older? Tell me the year you want to buy and for what amount of money :P. But be patient i got to go work now :P
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Walrusbonzo on September 08, 2010, 17:40:22 PM
Post by: Walrusbonzo on September 08, 2010, 17:40:22 PM
On the subject of V6s....
Get a Mivec FTO, 2l V6, 197bhp, 0-60 6~7 seconds depending on manual or semi-auto...... Also, only weight about 1200kg and have great handling :D
Best of all, Ive had over 40mpg out of mine on some journeys :D
Get a Mivec FTO, 2l V6, 197bhp, 0-60 6~7 seconds depending on manual or semi-auto...... Also, only weight about 1200kg and have great handling :D
Best of all, Ive had over 40mpg out of mine on some journeys :D
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: DEViANCE on September 08, 2010, 18:25:35 PM
Post by: DEViANCE on September 08, 2010, 18:25:35 PM
you looking locally?
there are a couple on the fan forums that are in great nick but both a bit of trek from you.
http://forums.xpowerforums.com/showthread.php?t=55196
http://forums.xpowerforums.com/showthread.php?t=54688
both had belts done, vis good, clutch hydraulics upgraded. £1700ono
there are a couple on the fan forums that are in great nick but both a bit of trek from you.
http://forums.xpowerforums.com/showthread.php?t=55196
http://forums.xpowerforums.com/showthread.php?t=54688
both had belts done, vis good, clutch hydraulics upgraded. £1700ono
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: XEntity on September 08, 2010, 19:03:32 PM
Post by: XEntity on September 08, 2010, 19:03:32 PM
Quote from: WalrusbonzoOn the subject of V6s....
Get a Mivec FTO, 2l V6, 197bhp, 0-60 6~7 seconds depending on manual or semi-auto...... Also, only weight about 1200kg and have great handling :D
Best of all, Ive had over 40mpg out of mine on some journeys :D
Im still looking for a manual one at the moment, going to start looking properly again at the end of the month, depending on what is happening with my job!
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Walrusbonzo on September 08, 2010, 19:39:43 PM
Post by: Walrusbonzo on September 08, 2010, 19:39:43 PM
Quote from: XEntityQuote from: WalrusbonzoOn the subject of V6s....
Get a Mivec FTO, 2l V6, 197bhp, 0-60 6~7 seconds depending on manual or semi-auto...... Also, only weight about 1200kg and have great handling :D
Best of all, Ive had over 40mpg out of mine on some journeys :D
Im still looking for a manual one at the moment, going to start looking properly again at the end of the month, depending on what is happening with my job!
Several decent ones have been for sale in the OC recently. You need to look on there!
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: XEntity on September 08, 2010, 20:06:05 PM
Post by: XEntity on September 08, 2010, 20:06:05 PM
Ye I saw a nice one on there the other day, but there are some changes happening at work, so need to see what happens at the end of this month to see if I have a job to pay the insurance ;)
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: soopahfly on September 09, 2010, 08:27:00 AM
Post by: soopahfly on September 09, 2010, 08:27:00 AM
Quote from: Baconid be looking at VWs
But thats because your a Vag-Fag :D
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Bacon on September 09, 2010, 10:38:01 AM
Post by: Bacon on September 09, 2010, 10:38:01 AM
Quote from: soopahflyQuote from: Baconid be looking at VWs
But thats because your a Vag-Fag :D
Better quality, value for money, well looked after (usually good service history).
If we look at the last 5 cars i have owned there has been 3 french cars, so i cant agree, also in my list is BMW and Honda.
I could recommend Toyota but who buys their big engines, oh thats right!
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: soopahfly on September 09, 2010, 11:21:17 AM
Post by: soopahfly on September 09, 2010, 11:21:17 AM
Quote from: BaconQuote from: soopahflyQuote from: Baconid be looking at VWs
But thats because your a Vag-Fag :D
Better quality, value for money, well looked after (usually good service history).
If we look at the last 5 cars i have owned there has been 3 french cars, so i cant agree, also in my list is BMW and Honda.
I could recommend Toyota but who buys their big engines, oh thats right!
Better Quality....once upon a time. 99% of moderns are the same.
Value for Money? HAH!
Big Engines = Big Win
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Beaker on September 09, 2010, 21:09:53 PM
Post by: Beaker on September 09, 2010, 21:09:53 PM
Quote from: soopahflyBetter Quality....once upon a time. 99% of moderns are the same.
Value for Money? HAH!
This pretty much. Of the small team I work with weve got a GTi Anniversary, Leon Cupra-R, Merc CLS, MX5, Zafira and my Veccy. Me and the guy with the Zaf are the only ones who have cruised through the last few MOTs with minor issues, or none at all. Guy with the GTi just had a £75 valve on his engine go (N75 or something?), and hes had to buy a new fuel pump as well this month, thats on top of the regular breakages hes had. Hes actually wanting his old Colt back, because even though it didnt have the status, it wasnt costing him £300 a month on parts.
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Serious on September 15, 2010, 16:30:54 PM
Post by: Serious on September 15, 2010, 16:30:54 PM
Quote from: BaconBetter quality, value for money, well looked after (usually good service history).
Well known German name = extremely expensive compared to competition.
Most of the alternatives offer equal or better quality now.
VWs do tend to hold their value better but most of that is due to reputation, something they are slowly losing.
The competition also tend to have much higher levels of equipment too.
Oh, and I dont like the looks of any of them.
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Bacon on September 15, 2010, 18:12:48 PM
Post by: Bacon on September 15, 2010, 18:12:48 PM
Quote from: SeriousQuote from: BaconBetter quality, value for money, well looked after (usually good service history).
Well known German name = extremely expensive compared to competition.
Most of the alternatives offer equal or better quality now.
VWs do tend to hold their value better but most of that is due to reputation, something they are slowly losing.
The competition also tend to have much higher levels of equipment too.
Oh, and I dont like the looks of any of them.
What do you honestly know, all you do is read Wiki anyway? Are you even a Car Owner/Driver?
Seats and Skodas can be picked up for very good prices, even VWs if you look in the right places. We are talking the Used market, not new.
PS. A big FYI, V6s in most makes can be had for less money than their smaller engine counterparts for obvious reasons
Title: Re:MG V6 anyone?
Post by: Beaker on September 15, 2010, 19:43:40 PM
Post by: Beaker on September 15, 2010, 19:43:40 PM
Quote from: BaconBudget? Year of MGs your looking at?
5 years older? Tell me the year you want to buy and for what amount of money :P. But be patient i got to go work now :P
Basically, Nothing older than 2001. Nothing over 75k on the clock
Budget is around the £1500 mark.
Example of what Ive been looking at ::
ZTs
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201036367426723/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/zt/make/mg/page/1/postcode/pr22hn/quicksearch/true/radius/1501?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201036367586755/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/zt/make/mg/page/1/postcode/pr22hn/quicksearch/true/radius/1501?logcode=p
ZSs
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201036367437120/sort/priceasc/usedcars/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/model/zs/make/mg/postcode/pr22hn/radius/1501/page/1?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201036367380463/sort/priceasc/usedcars/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/model/zs/make/mg/postcode/pr22hn/radius/1501/page/1?logcode=p
Serious spec, semi-serious power, lot of car of money.