monty baber

any good?

Looking for a diesel for work and these seem like a bargain, has anyone owned/driven one etc are they economical?, are they gutless?

thanks for your help

logiclee

Well built and not bad to drive.

Not sure if all the ZT's were the higher output 131PS version but make sure the model you are looking at is.

They use BMW's old diesel so no VNT turbo, as a result they are not good off boost but OK with 1800rpm+ on the tacho.

MPG doesn't match VAG's PD130 or Fords TDCi but it isn't too bad, most owners manage mid 40's mpg with mixed driving.

The early ZT's came with very hard suspension, the later models had more supple suspension with the option of sports suspension which is the old setup. To be honest with big 18" wheels you are better with the softer suspension.

Cheers
Lee

hades

Have driven one - they are a little flat off-boost compared to some modern engines, but not hard work to drive around. Other than that, they aren't fireballs but make respectable progress and are good on the motorways like most TD's. The MGs in general are a very decent drive, although you do sometimes notice the size of the thing compared to the ZS's.

chiark

I think p20spd has one as his daily driver if it's the one based on the small rover 25, and it menaces golf TDIs around him. Surprisingly good for dirt cheap motoring.

hades

That's the ZR - and they (and the higher powered 25 TDs) do have very respectable poke for an old cheap TD. The ZS is Rover 45 based, the ZT is Rover 75 based.