MG ZR opinions please
 

I had a Rover 214si for the wife that was the cheapest best little car i've ever bought but got rid of it due to it being cat c and looking a mess.

Now i'm thinking about getting the MG ZR for her in either the 1.4 petrol or the diesel so either 105bhp in the petrol (which I think the Rover was) or 115bhp in the diesel. Only going for the MG as it is looks nicer than the standard 214s.

Do the ZR's use the same K series engine so have the same head gasket issues? Does the Diesel also have the same issues?

I know so many people who say don't touch Rover with a barge pole but that 214si had years of use and was fantastic and never let me down once. Even the bloke who bought it was very happy with it when he came to see it.

Are the MG's a lot more to insure/service/maintain than the standard Rover's because you pay a premium for the different badge?

Opinions welcome (will also be reading up on the Rover/MG forum but can be a little biased obviously as it is all enthusiasts).

Oh and I want one for about 2k so will that get a decent one pre face lift?

No opinions then? Must be a first in here ;)

Anyway as an update only interested in the 2.0 tdi ZR now in 5 door so if anyone knows anything about that engine i'd welcome any comments. Oh and prepared to go upto 3.5k as seen a couple of nice ones about for that money.

Go to

MG-Rover.org - The unofficial MG and Rover enthusiasts website

There will be tons of advice on there for you from tons of owners, you might find a good one for sale too

Yes. Same issues; let it air lock or overheat, it'll blow.

However if repaired with Land Rover sourced parts (there is a retrofit for the Freelander - which uses the same engine) which included a updated gasket design and reinforced block ladder. Once done it should no longer be an issue or concern.

No its a Perkins engine (updated Montego engine :) ). It doesn't suffer HG failure like the old Peugeot diesel found in the old 200 series (as in the Honda concerto shape). However like many modern cars, its prone to MAF failure; moreso than most. They can also suffer fuel pump problems which makes them run rough or not run at all.


Other than that; usual Rover build quality. Not brilliant, but there is worse.

not you again bravo

:lol1: I know I can't stop changing cars. I got rid of the scoob, now the rover has gone and now i'm tinkering with the idea of getting rid of my Passat for the MG. Head keeps telling me to keep the Passat though.

Ali cheers, it is the diesel engine that i'm intersted in. My Rover 214si was the best value for money car i've ever owned and as reliable as any car i've owner, never let me down once so they have an unfair reputation in my experience - I must have bought a good'un!

James, thanks for the link. I've been registered on there a few years it's just that they can be biased over there as they are all enthusiasts so wanted some comments from another forum as well.

Will the 115bhp tdi in the ZR feel much the same as the 130bhp in the Passat as the Passat is a heavy car? Not had a chance to test drive one yet.

This is what i'm liking but in the 5 door

http://www.mirabeaumotors.co.uk/images/DSC_0957.JPG

I had a zr for about 2 years, paid 3k for a 1.4 with 27k on the clock. Some of the trim was a bit tatty but mechanicaly she ran like a dream, covered around 25 - 30k in her and no problems whatsoever with regular servicing. She handled nice, but I would go for one with a bigger engine if I were you, the 1.4 is pretty gutless if you're used to driving anything with a bit of power !

I had the BRM 200, drove really well, the Head Gasket went, end of story.