Andy M3

Can i 1st apologies if this has been done already, but i am almost liking this car - mainly cause of the 300lb/ft + RWD nice combo. But i think the power isn't enough to influence the PPP drivers, M-Power, S or RS (audi) drivers etc. So who will purchace this car ?

"the ZT 260 V8 will attract buyers from established premium sports saloons such as the BMW 330i, Jaguar X-TYPE 3.0 and Volvo S60 T5.*"

4.6 V8
260bhp @ 5000 (154bhp / tonne)
302 lb/ft @ 4000
1680kg
0-62 mph s: 6.2
Top Speed mph 155
mpg: 21.5

2004 MG ZT 260 V8 - £27,995


0 - 60mph - secs 6.2
0 - 100km/h - secs 6.6
0 - 100mph - secs 16.3
0 - 1/4 mile - secs 14.9
0 - 1000m - 26.9
30-50mph (4th gear) secs 5.5
50-70mph (4th gear)* secs 5.5





Thoughts ?

jjones

5k too expensive

john banks

Not really any faster than a 330i?

Also, the 330i has much less torque, but higher up the rev range, will probably go similarly in gear if the gearing is then shorter?

john banks

If they depreciate like a stone might make a good used buy, really needs a better breathing V8 that makes 300 lbft at 7000 RPM = 400 BHP Cheap M5 then.

Duck_Pond

My brother has driven one (he works for a MG Rover dealership). He wasn't impressed to be honest. Said the sound was fabulous, but it just didn't seem that quick.

I think he is more impressed with his current MG ZT-T CDTi which is chipped to 180bhp (factory upgrade).

Jap2Scrap

Armour plating?

Freak

No matter how you dress it up, its a rover

Andy M3

I would have bought one if they had done the following:

a) £25000 OTR for estate and Saloon
b) 300bhp - 330+ lb/ft
c) Averaged 25+mpg and not up to 21!!

Look at the skoda RS - In 2001 the car was £15250 i think which was about £600 more than the elegance 1.8T which didn't have leather, 17's etc. so they under priced themselves, and look how many there are on the road. It must be THE most popular model. But once again rover has just missed the goal

IbizaFR

Way to heavy. WIth a nice loud V8 you dont want to be fu**ed over by me! My car is brand new and has a total cost £13,000 inc VAT/1 mod. It will beat all of the above figures because it has 191BHP/tonne as opposed to that things 154BHP/tonne and it does all that with over 35 mpg.

I enjoyed the Mustang GT when I was in Canada, which is a better performer than that, also a better car than a done up rover, and it costs the equiv of 12500 pounds.

Its a rip off, only buy it if you have a lot of shares with them, it will drink petrol, loose value like a stone, there are so many better cars for the same or less.

Cupramax

What is the point of comparing a chipped Ibiza with a new MG ZT??? Hardly comparable size wize, anyone considering an MG would not be looking at a small hatch would they....

Andy M3

lol -

logiclee

So what if its a Rover, whats wrong with buying a British car unless you only buy what Clarkson likes or only buy cars with a German badge.

Ex-Demo's are a bargain, there are a couple of guys on the MG Rover forums who have picked up ex-demos and pre-reg cars for under £20k.

Built quality on MGZT's is very good as is their standing in the JD Power type surveys although the RWD ZT260 is a bit of a one off and too early/too few to spot any real problems.

If you want a V8 cruiser then they are superb but a nimble sports car they are not.

Most owners are getting mid 20's mpg which isn't much worse than the 2.5V6 versions.

Cheers
Lee

Andy M3

Don't be silly - lol - top teens max

logiclee

That's what I would have thought but owners seem to be getting much more.

Why not PM goose over on http://forums.mg-rover.org/ he has one and has been keeping some mpg figures at my request.

Cheers
Lee

IbizaFR

Must admit, I jumped the gun on this one a bit, dont like the new MGs in general as they are using chassis like th rover 25, have a look how that does with regards to the NCAP tests. So I see them as dated with new bumpers/more power.

If you want a 260BHP V8 at that price their aint any other options in the UK bar importing a Mustang from Canada etc.

It would be one to try and buy a few months old as it will loose a lot from just leaving the showroom.

But if you thought it was a bit slow when you test drove it then what are you going to think after a few months, you get used to your current power level and want more pretty quick. Could you supercharge or tune that V8 lump if you wanted more later.

I bet it sounds just right though.

logiclee

Forget the 25/45/ZS/ZR if your after a modern car but the 75/ZT is a still class competative although it's been around for four years.

The rigidity of the chassis is still class leading and it's an NCAP 5 star car when fitted with side airbags.
Unfortunately thats why they weigh so bloody much, even the V6's are 1550kg's.

I do hate it when peolpe dismiss cars like the ZT because of what Clarkson and his ilk say.
Go and have a drive for yourself then decide.

Cheers
Lee

16vmarc

If the 0-60 time was in the 5s and the 0-100 time was a few seconds quicker, this could have been pretty good imo.

Steve V8

There is a 385 bhp version due before too long.

MGJohn

Ironically, when "Germany" (I hate all MGs*) Clarkson drove the then New V8 MG ZT on Top Gear, despite his best efforts, he could hardly disguise the fact that he really enjoyed driving the car ..... fair doos ...said so later on the programme ... must have been like extracting teeth without anaesthetic (?) for the likes of self confessed MG hater* Clarkson.....

* He admitted this in his opening line on a two page appraisal of the MG SV in I believe the Telegraph some time back....

Anyone considering purchasing a V8 ZT, or any car for that matter, would do well to actually drive one on a lengthy demonstration... then decide ... rather than rely on the often all too predictable responses of those enthusiasts on other car sites ....

Residuals malarkey...

Anyone, and there are lots apparently, who pays full list or indeed, over for ANY new car has to be a Mug Punter.

He, or she who never pays full whack and ALWAYS negotiates a decent discount on any car is no mug...be it a flat four turbocharged car or V8 normally aspirated one.... worth repeating ....is no mug ...

MGJohn

logiclee WROTE:

>>Forget the 25/45/ZS/ZR if your after a modern car <<

Please define 'modern car' ...

Then define rearranged tin ...

MGJohn

I've been driving turbo charged two litre cars for nearly twenty years now ... don't think I'll ever tire of so doing.

However, for me the understressed large capacity V8 has always had far more appeal over even more years ......... like the MGB GT V8; Rover Vp 3500 SD1; MGB RV8 or the latest ZT V8 ..... try one ... you might like it...

logiclee

John,

As you now I run an MGR car and spend a lot of time on MGR Forums.

Unfortunately I can't gloss over the shortcomings of the 25/45/ZR/ZT.
The driving position on the 25 and ZR is appaling by modern standards, you sit high but the dash is low at the wheel comes at you at an angle just obve your knees. Couple that to the massively offset steering wheel and pedals and it's bad back city. Then there is the NCAP scores and we haven't touched on build quality. My bosses ZR160 has been plaqued with problems, my Dads 25 52plate SpiritS has been totaly unreliable and he's been offered £3750 trade in on a car that cost £10500 two years ago and has covered 7k miles.
As for the 45 it just looks sooo dated even with the new facelift, the post 2003 ride is wallowy yet picks out bumps and ridges, the old 400 suspension was far better IMO.
The ZS180 is the only car I would give a thumbs up too if you can live with the design and the harsh ride. With the KV6 it's a bit of a performance bargain.

I love the 75 and ZT for Mondeo/Vectra money you can have a very well build car that feels a class above the usual rep transport even if the non turbo 1.8 is a little plodding. The rest of he range is hanging on by the skin of its teeth until the RD60 arrives.

I'll not even mention the City Rover.

Cheers
Lee

Boss Hogg

I'll define a modern car - one that wasn't designed in the late 80's/early 90s and is currently being (not) sold in the most competitive market segment, fundamentally unchanged since it was launched 9 years ago.

ZT is a different kettle of fish tho...

But will Rover survive - no development cash, and all their JV agreements falling apart...

Petem95

Thats truely shocking - and as has been said most of the Rover range - infact all of it bar the 75 is WELL passed its sell-by-date. They just face-lift the old models over and over again. Dont get me wrong, I'd like to buy British, but I wont buy something JUST cos its British.

Cant see them shifting many of these ZT260's TBH. Lets just hope the new R3 and R4 Rovers are something special.