Hiya guys, still trying to work out what daily to buy once i sell the Mondeo and been looking at some of the facelifted MG ZS 180. They look quite nice, just wondered what people's opinions were on them and if anyone has any experience of them. I know head gaskets can be troublesome but believe this is mainly the k series 1.8?

Cheers

Ben

 

any one?

 

This is the kv6 engine. Timing belts cost around Ł600-Ł900 to get replaced.

I'd never own an mg again after the last one I had

 

they are fucking turd!

 

are they really that bad? its only as a daily car, but want something reliable obviously. among other cars i've also been looking at skoda octavia vrs

 

reliable and mg in the same sentence.

Thats a first

 

lol yes i know thats been my concern! just cant stop looking at the mk2 zs and thinking it looks nice!! maybe will go back to the idea of a mk1 octavia vrs they seem cheap enough and im guessing should be pretty reliable

 

Octavia every time. I got the impression mg's are pony

 

yes think it may end up being the octavia, no one is making me think otherwise at the mo

 

I wouldn't have 1 if given to me

 

lol i do quite fancy them in yellow! just need to sell my mondeo first!!!

 

Octavia ALL day mate. Remap to about 210bhp plus and they still return great mpg. Under rated car that should've got the 210bhp (k04 turbo) as standard imo

 

I never understood the skoda marketing department, lets give the vrs a bigger turbo, bigger brakes than there sporty mk4 golf gti models.

Second vrs ive owned, cracking car just dont use mine anymore with having a works van and a clio 172 aswell.

 

Wouldn't go for a ZS.

The only one id have is the ZT and iirc the later diesels had a BMW derived engine, so get a ZT diesel

The 2.0L CDTi is the one you want with 135bhp

 

Also second the octavia or fabia

Another choice instead would be a Seat Leon Cupra or FR mk1 if you still want VAG

 

All the rover 75 and MG ZT diesels had the bmw m47r engine. First mass production common rail diesel.

Came in two power outputs. 111bhp and 131bhp.

Some of the golf gti mk4s got the k03s turbos. Infact quite a few of the cars with the 150bhp engines (which at first had the k03 turbo) actually had the k03s fitted.

 

Nice 1 Mike,

Thats my point though, you may as well get a ZT diesel and have some BMW ish reliability ghan get a petrol with the rover k series engine and all the issues that has

 

Why wouldn't you go for a ZS?? The chassis is very capable (its Honda derived) and in ZS180 guise is a cheap good handling package. The 75 / ZT is a better car but its way heavier and looses out against the ZS in relative performance, in the ZT range the one you want is the 190. I have owned all of these cars mentioned and the MG I still have on my drive right now is a ZT-T 260 (waiting for turbos!) but if I had to choose with a budget in mind it would be a 190 ZT estate, soooooo cheap for what you get.

 

They scream HEADGASKET!!!! would never buy one i'd rather walk and use public transport!

 

Kv6 is actually a good engine and doesn't do head gaskets like the k series did. It's just the timing belt costs on a kv6.

 

is the vrs quicker than a 172 as ive got a 172 and its cheap french crap

 

Load off shit once they been replaced with modded gasket there fine and most have been done by know!!!

 

+1

 

Well, I like 'em. Had a facelift ZS180 hatch. Went quite well, handled great. I sold it as I could see the price crashing, so got out whilst I could. Never had any problems with it, other than the aircon button sticking.

Headgasket issues are for the 1.8 mate. Easy thing, just try one, they are cracking cars for the amount they cost.

Mind you, I had the 1.8 ZS as well for over a year, sold it to a mate, no head gasket issues either. Now running about in a facelift ZT (only the 120 1.8). Leccy windows, rain sensitive wipers, climate, xenons, all for very cheap money. Had this one nearly 12 months, no headgasket issues.

 

The later zs model with the v6 and the fins in the wings look hard as nails lowered on 18s. Mg parts can be a problem though....you'd find most on eBay though

Personally the skodas are great cars, both Fabia and Octavia, but despite that you look like a cheapskate if you buy one...

 

The 172 seems faster and certainly handles better, the skoda is a comfy car though where as the clio is abit more hardcore.

 

cheers for all the comments guys, still not 100% sure, really do like the look of the MG but concerned about possible problems, but then the octavia vrs is also nice, and does seem like it would be cheaper to run! too many decisions lol

 

Get the Octavia mate, trust me, with a remap you will not be disappointed one bit.