Opinions on MG ZR 2.0 2005 Diesel

jinkybhoy

Hi

Anyone any experience with this make and model?

It's 2.0 - 170kilomentres - Diesel.

Seems in good nick.

I've been looking at Peugeot 407 1.6hdi - 2004-2006 and Citroen c4 2005 mostly and this one caught my eye - Just know absolutely nothing about them apart from the usual "stay away from mg cars - they went bust".

Thanks for the help.

Jinky

johnos1984

I know the L-series engine is pretty strong and well able for the miles.

It's an old school engine so you have none of the modern issues to worry about. It's a bit unrefined but not much worse than a VAG TDI.

Should be a nice little handling car in the ZR. Have you a link to the ad? I'd be surprised if it was an original Irish car as they didn't really sell any due to the tax system.

Parts are also cheap and easy to get

Pretty small cars really, not comparable at all to a 407, decent performance and very decent mpg though, robust and reliable, I'd sooner a ZS myself but if you like the ZR I wouldn't put you off it if the size of it suited you.

jinkybhoy

so nothing major i'd need to be careful of with them then roverjames?

I was kinda hoping you'd reply - saw a few posts mentioning you as the rover / mg guy:)

jinkybhoy

id rather the zs too looking at them but i really need a diesel

WOrst thing that goes is the diesel pump, not a disaster by any means. I'm on the phone at the mo and won't be at a PC till next week... few secs and I'll get a link for you...

johnos1984

Check for poorly built shell on the last of the line ZR's (drivers door will rub off the sill)

Check all electrics especially window regulators and sunroof (they give issues)

Check for rust around the sunroof

Check for rusty rear arches on an import

Full service history would help identify mileage (may not be main dealer but some receipts at least)

Check for water leaks into the boot and through the sunroof

The tyres are very expensive for these also.

Clutches can give issues but are a relatively cheap fix (they don't give issues in the same way as a Rover 75 though)

Very easy to upgrade these cars with some nice and tasteful mods.

One thing to note, I'd consider that car over priced and I have seen it advertised a few times

And diesel pump as RJ has pointed out

http://tuning-diesels.com/Lseries/faults2.htm have a look there, I'd disagree about the tyres and clutch to be honest, the tyre are a common size and the clutch isn't at all problematic on them. Obviously they are not a 14 inch wheel but they aren't very expensive.

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

http://tuning-diesels.com/Lseries/faults2.htm have a look there, I'd disagree about the tyres and clutch to be honest, the tyre are a common size and the clutch isn't at all problematic on them. Obviously they are not a 14 inch wheel but they aren't very expensive.

As regards the tyres I assume OP is talking about this one which has 17" alloys therefore they are more expensive than the more common style of alloy

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2693761

The clutch is cheap and easy to replace and lasts well. If I recall it wasn't the clutch as such that failed but one of the parts linking the system.

I'll go find out

.... go and price the tyres too :pac:

2 05 45s

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

2 05 45s

I know ya cheeky bugger.

Coming in around €120 for a name brand on camskill.

Not bad. I priced them about 2/3 years ago and they were expensive at the time.

The clutch issue I've asked someone about and waiting for them to come back about it. I stress it's not a major problem but can crop up (no more so than any normal car) but worth knowing to check out

RJ if you are still in contact with Mach1Rob I think it was the reason he had to replace the clutch in that white diesel 45 he had

Think that one was an ex mini cab though.

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

Think that one was an ex mini cab though.

True but I've heard it mentioned a few times.

I think anyway for the OP's purposes we are both agreed it's overall a good reliable car.

OP RJ will attest it can be tuned up easily for extra performance too.

One thing I've always noticed on a test drive in petrol ZR's is the pretty wooden brakes but I've never driven one in diesel flavour so maybe they are better.

As said above OP, I'll find out about the clutch for you and also I believe that one to be a bit strong on the price

jinkybhoy

So what you feel is reasonable price for that car? I might go and see it saturday.

On all the diesels Ive been looking at, I'm allowing for complications down the line - I don't know much about cars obviously but I always expect the worse when buying one.

I expect that I'll have to replace stuff. I always have €1000 in my head that ill have to fork out on stuff over time!!

That particular car - one poster is mentioning its been up a while? any reason that it hasn't sold other than price do you think?

johnos1984

jinkybhoy wrote: »

That particular car - one poster is mentioning its been up a while? any reason that it hasn't sold other than price do you think?

Poor demand really and price

I doubt much is wrong with it tbh but you will have to view it properly to be sure

It started at over 4k if IIRC

I'd say a price closer to 3k would be more realistic if not a bit more.

jinkybhoy

Yeah I wasn't going above 3 grand tbh - listen lads, thanks for the advice and help - appreciate and I'll let you know how i get on.

jinky

johnos1984

BTW it would appear I'm wrong on the clutch.

No issues known (no more so than a normal car) so ignore my earlier advice on it

Fabritzo

It’s a rover, yeah!
It’s a rover, it’s got a healthy MOT
It’s a rover, it’s driven by an OAP
It’s a rover, 2 wheel drive, guy behind it’s barely alive
When it rolled off the production line in 1992
It was a monster of design, you could hear the pistons throbbing
Then the company had some kind of internal management problem
And they rolled it off the track
And it came out a hatch back
It’s a rover, the engine wont turn over
It’s a rover, driven by some one slightly older
It’s got a single paint coat
It’s been towed so many times it thinks it’s a boat

---

Would go for the 407 out of that lot

rodi01

jinkybhoy wrote: »

Yeah I wasn't going above 3 grand tbh - listen lads, thanks for the advice and help - appreciate and I'll let you know how i get on.

jinky

Hi, did You was over to look at that one?
I was really interested in that on, but driving from Cork just to see a piece of crap is not good idea.
thanks

jinkybhoy

rodi01 wrote: »

Hi, did You was over to look at that one?
I was really interested in that on, but driving from Cork just to see a piece of crap is not good idea.
thanks

No didn't go to see it in the end - got sorted with a Peugeot 407 in the end.