mgzr 105+

mono_mac

anybody got anything good to say about this car

EPM

Do a search. There's been a couple of threads in the last week even. For cars engineered on a shoe string they are a decent enough car bar head gasket issues but the prices more than cover that

Very good handling. No doubt you are aware of the k series engine's head gasket reputation. Ensure the one you are buying does not have any current issues with HG, if you do buy one keep an eye on the coolant level. The K series HG just don't go due to wear, 99% of the time it is due to coolant loss which goes unnoticed. I bought a 1997 Rover Coupe that had suffered HG failure twice in the past year, first engine was damaged due to overheating, 2nd one suffered HG failure after a month, the chaps mechanic replaced HG along with water pump and radiator. After I bought it she was using coolant, turned out to be the inlet manifold gasket was leaking. Quick and easy fix, I reckon it was leaking since the replacement engine went in and the chaps mechanic wasn't great.

Early ZR 1.4s have the R65 gear box, if there is a whine from the transmission you have wear and may be due gearbox failure, later ones have a Ford sourced gearbox.

Overall they are a good car.

mono_mac

na have an05 1.4 and no problems at minute . But everyone tells me its a matter of time

The-Game

mono_mac wrote: »

na have an05 1.4 and no problems at minute . But everyone tells me its a matter of time

Indeed! If you can come across one with low mileage for a good price I'd take a chance and shift on before the mileage gets too high.

Webmonkey

RoverJames wrote: »

Very good handling. No doubt you are aware of the k series engine's head gasket reputation. Ensure the one you are buying does not have any current issues with HG, if you do buy one keep an eye on the coolant level. The K series HG just don't go due to wear, 99% of the time it is due to coolant loss which goes unnoticed. I bought a 1997 Rover Coupe that had suffered HG failure twice in the past year, first engine was damaged due to overheating, 2nd one suffered HG failure after a month, the chaps mechanic replaced HG along with water pump and radiator. After I bought it she was using coolant, turned out to be the inlet manifold gasket was leaking. Quick and easy fix, I reckon it was leaking since the replacement engine went in and the chaps mechanic wasn't great.

Early ZR 1.4s have the R65 gear box, if there is a whine from the transmission you have wear and may be due gearbox failure, later ones have a Ford sourced gearbox.

Overall they are a good car.

Yes the inlet manifold gaskets are awful for leaking. Currently dripping coolant now in the cold weather on my car. Though it just turned 80k miles on the original one and it is really simple to change.

The K-Series engine is a really easy engine to change a HG as well. I've done it myself now twice and it's not that terrible job to do. However, it has to be done properly, correct torquing of the stretch bolts etc which some mechanics may do incorrectly.

I've an MG ZS mk2 and it has never given trouble in 40k *beside* the HG problem at 60k.

The MLS gasket seems to have cured the HG problem. There is also another solution: http://www.pr-inside.com/xpart-supplies-ultimate-fix-for-r1609886.htm which is similar.

For the price you can get these cars for, they are well worth it. Don't listen to the man in the pub that persuades you to keep away from them because more than likely they never owned one, they know nothing about the car and they have never driven a rover/mg :rolleyes:

Good luck.

mono_mac

mono_mac wrote: »

na have an05 1.4 and no problems at minute . But everyone tells me its a matter of time

Just keep an eye on the coolant level, check is weekly and top up with anti freeze if it drops and get it looked at. Also get into the habit of glancing at the temp gauge every so often while driving, never continue driving if the temp begins to creep up.

Ferris

mono_mac wrote: »

anybody got anything good to say about this car

Cheap to buy, zippy for a 1.4, fun to drive, nice seats and reasonable looking. Apart from that they're a little small inside and a lot of them have been rallied.

Get a good one that has been looked after and maintain it properly and it should serve you well. The 160 version is a quick little car incidently.

mono_mac

cheers , have an05 i knew previous woman owner from new . So il drive a while longer and sell on if prices pick up

Prices won't be picking up unfortunately
Update this thread when you are thinking of selling, I may well be interested depending on the when you are getting rid .

mono_mac

how much it worth at moment if in good condition and about 60000km

A garage would retail one for about €4500 / €5000 that would be serviced with good tyres and the timing belt (and water pump) would have to be done too really. They wouldn't get much over €4000 for it from anyone with some savvy for a straight sale. As a trade in it would depend on what you were buying off them, if you were buying something with a screen price of €15000 or so they may give €3500 / €4000 for the ZR but that would be due to the fat built in to the €1500. Realistically they are not too easy to shift as most people won't touch one due to the reputation and an idea that parts are hard to come by :rolleyes:

Privately if yours has never had the timing belt done and needs tyres anytime soon you will find it very hard to get close to €4000 for it unfortunately.

Being an 05 it would have the Ford gearbox which is a plus in most peoples eyes, the R65 was a nicer boz to use though in most peoples view, replacing it was a major negative though so the Ford one is defo a plus