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Glen290
09-07-07, 09:39 AM
Which model do you prefer 4 or 5 doors, only asking because I am looking at one this weekend and not sure which to go for, like the look of the saloon, but want the practicalty of the hatch, any suggestions ?

john180
09-07-07, 09:54 AM
4 door all the way!

arwilson80
09-07-07, 09:55 AM
Definately prefer the 5 door as it can have the extreme spoiler. :)

Zippy Saloon
09-07-07, 10:02 AM
Prefer the saloon, looks wise, but for practicality the hatch is probably the better option (though the saloon has a huge boot and folding rear seat - opening between boot and passenger compartment is only narrow though).

One major advantage of the hatch is the rear wash/wipe, though at speed, with the application of RainX, the rear window stays clear on the saloon - just a pain at slow speeds when its peeing down.

Other than that it's down to personal taste, theres some suggestions that the saloon is heavier but cannot see there is that much difference - there must be quite a weighty framework around hatch aperture which must more than equal the weight of the extra length of the saloon.

Glen290
09-07-07, 11:29 AM
Is the build quality better than the ZR's, i heard that MGR spent more money on the 45/ZS series redesign ?

cjsale
09-07-07, 12:33 PM
5 door versatility for me, slightly lighter to...

arwilson80
09-07-07, 12:47 PM
Is the build quality better than the ZR's, i heard that MGR spent more money on the 45/ZS series redesign ?

I'd certaintly say it was. There are fewer creaks when driving for 1. :)

john180
09-07-07, 12:49 PM
I'd certaintly say it was. There are fewer creaks when driving for 1. :)

have any bits fallen off it yet???

sduk
09-07-07, 01:17 PM
yup 4 door all the way for me. It looks better imo and with the extreme spoiler is awesome! the boot is massive aswell.

having just owned a ZR and now the ZS i notice a big difference in quality of the car. i wouldnt say 5 doors is less practical tbh :)

stamford
09-07-07, 01:30 PM
It really depends on what you want it for. The hatch is practical as the seats do fold flat I believe and a larger aperture between the arches, the saloon seats don't fold flat and has a smaller aperture.

I prefer the looks of the saloon over the hatch, but that is a matter of choice. I nearly bought a hatch first, only to find a better example and was the saloon.

The hatch is also useful for those who have smaller garages as it is around 6" shorter!

paul-zs180
09-07-07, 04:41 PM
well, iv had one of each and TBH, the hatch is much more practicle, but the saloon has a nice bit of touring car cudos about it. this may throw the cat among the pigeons at bit but my favorite has to be the mk2 5 door 180 with full kit

arwilson80
09-07-07, 05:00 PM
this may throw the cat among the pigeons at bit but my favorite has to be the mk2 5 door 180 with full kit

I agree with this totally. the other just seems to be lacking when the 2 are side-by-side.

sduk
09-07-07, 05:08 PM
exactly my thoughts too gents :D

mg-zs
09-07-07, 06:23 PM
Saloon all the way :evo:

sduk
09-07-07, 06:24 PM
Saloon all the way :evo:

yeah but only if there is an extreme spoiler on it :shifty:

mg-zs
09-07-07, 07:13 PM
Going to get one maybe someday if the price is right :smile1:

sduk
09-07-07, 07:18 PM
would certainly complete your car :)

Stevedx
09-07-07, 07:31 PM
5 door much more practical

grimmy
09-07-07, 07:35 PM
the saloon looks much better

sduk
09-07-07, 08:44 PM
the saloon looks much better

i think we are biased tho :hooray:

paul-zs180
09-07-07, 08:52 PM
am i the only saloon owner that also likes the hatch then?

Mat C
09-07-07, 08:59 PM
No, i like the look of the fully kitted up MK2 hatch too ! But the saloon to me is the best design as it's unique to MGR where as the hatch just cries out 'old Civic' to me. Sorry !

paul-zs180
09-07-07, 09:08 PM
thats true, at least we can say the saloon is a british car!

mg-zs
09-07-07, 09:08 PM
would certainly complete your car :)


Too bad its a bit expensive

redzs
09-07-07, 10:14 PM
Hatch 4 me :-D

Aren't saloons are 'pensioners' :tease:

Z Scotland
09-07-07, 10:26 PM
Hatch 4 me :-D

Aren't saloons are 'pensioners' :tease:

Well they do say with age comes experience (and memory loss:blink:)

saloon for me:laugh:

KevG
09-07-07, 10:46 PM
No, i like the look of the fully kitted up MK2 hatch too ! But the saloon to me is the best design as it's unique to MGR where as the hatch just cries out 'old Civic' to me. Sorry !

Well you could say that about the saloon

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/1992_Honda_Domani_01.jpg/800px-1992_Honda_Domani_01.jpgThe Honda Domani has a very close relative in the Rover 45 (previously the Rover 400), which it shared virtually all its main components with. The Rover 45 is also available as a performance variant, called the MG ZS. The Rover/MG variant was still produced until Rover went into administration in 2005.

arwilson80
09-07-07, 11:29 PM
i think we are biased tho :hooray:

We are? :)

paul-zs180
10-07-07, 06:02 AM
the domani was also badged as the Isuzu Gemini in Japan and both were available as 4 wheel drive. that would be an interesting project, a 4 wheel drive 180!

stamford
10-07-07, 08:13 AM
am i the only saloon owner that also likes the hatch then?

Probably! :smile2:

Hatch 4 me :-D

Aren't saloons are 'pensioners' :tease:

Surely the hatch is easier to pop a wheel chair in?

Also easier to pop the tartan rug on the rear shelf?:yes:

arwilson80
10-07-07, 10:00 AM
Well they do say with age comes experience (and memory loss:blink:)

What? :joker:

I like them both, but the spoiler just gives the hatchback that extra edge.

The Phantom
10-07-07, 01:15 PM
Definately prefer the 5 door as it can have the extreme spoiler. :)

Put an extreme spoiler on a hatch and your asking for a sore head. The boot springs had a tendancy to pop with the extra weight of the big extreme spoiler.

The best design is the MK2 saloon. The hatch is more practical but the lines of the car are better suited by the saloon. I'm not a big fan of the gills on the 180 kit but the wheel arch extensions and the extreme spoiler are the muts.

Also think that the rear clusters on the mk2 need changed to the ABC designs black 'Lexus' ones. I know that this is unpopular, but look at the revised headlights. The rears need updated too. It was the one thing that looked like corner cutting between the Mk1 & Mk2.

TurboZed
11-07-07, 09:42 AM
Saloon for me, I think the hatch looks too short in the bum, slightly out of proportion. I'd like to have a look under a domini 4wd to see how it was done. A seriously powerfull T series turbo 4wd ZS would be the ultimate scooby killer!
Jim

Glen290
14-07-07, 07:43 PM
Well went for a 5 door 180 in silver, looks sweet, pics are in member area..:beer2:

Venom
15-07-07, 04:58 AM
4 doors look the better car but only by a small amount, I have a 5 door and love it to bits and wouldent change her but do like the 4 doors.....

But am I right in saying the 4 doors weigh more?

garythesnail
16-07-07, 08:32 PM
well, iv had one of each and TBH, the hatch is much more practicle, but the saloon has a nice bit of touring car cudos about it. this may throw the cat among the pigeons at bit but my favorite has to be the mk2 5 door 180 with full kit


Shame on you Paul:no:

That Firefrost saloon of yours looks the dogs doodahs.

If you haven't guessed - saloons all the way, especially black ones with big spoilers, but I may be just a little biased.

Must agree with th comment on practicality, I've got no chance of getting a fridge in the saloon and Samsung had to design an LCD telly just to fit in the back of my car!

garythesnail
16-07-07, 08:37 PM
Well you could say that about the saloon

Posting that photo of a domani was way below the belt Kev.:no:

You really know how to hurt a fellas feelings.:sly:

Glen290
16-07-07, 08:45 PM
Yep it sure is an ugly looking thing, not as good looking as a hatch..:ike:

Glen290
16-07-07, 08:47 PM
Probably! :smile2:



Surely the hatch is easier to pop a wheel chair in?

Also easier to pop the tartan rug on the rear shelf?:yes:


Hah that made me laugh, but you only see tartan rugs in toyotas nowadays

shroonie29
16-07-07, 09:18 PM
But the saloon to me is the best design as it's unique to MGR

Exactly :) Saloon for me :box:

Well you could say that about the saloon
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/1992_Honda_Domani_01.jpg/800px-1992_Honda_Domani_01.jpg

Doesn't look wright though does it?

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/shroonie29/Picture004-2.jpg

Shroon

Matto 180
16-07-07, 10:58 PM
But am I right in saying the 4 doors weigh more? Yes, but they're more ridged - saloon all the way!

shroonie29
16-07-07, 11:09 PM
This is how it is 22-03-2006

Originally Posted by WSR e-mail

Alasdair


Thanks for your interest in the WSR designed & built MG ZS BTCC car.

It is always a good debate, 4 door (saloon) V 5 door (hatch).

It was WSR that recommended the 4 door saloon to MG Rover, as the aero
efficiency is better on the 4 door than a 5 door.

The torsional rigidity of the production shell doesn't really effect the
race shells, as each race shell takes approx 800 hours to produce.

The shell is modelled on CAD, then we use FE Analysis to determine the
most efficient stiffness V weight, whilst also complying with the
BTCC/FIA cage regulations.

Due to the age of the Rover 45/MG ZS, the shells are quite light
compared to
modern generation shells, which have to comply with the latest crash
tests.

Since switching from the KV6, to the k series 4 cylinder engines, it has
saved us approx 30-33 kgs.

We now carry ballast to bring the car up to the minimum weight, which in
2005 was 1150kgs, however, for 2006, all BTCC spec cars will start the
season with a minimum weight of 1175kgs. We always try to keep the
weight as low as possible, for the C of G, & also use it for weight
distribution, from track to track.

Yes, a model is being looked into.

Yes, there are further changes to the look & livery of the car, so the
Media Day on March 28 will reveal all.

WSR, Team RAC, are looking forward to all the support that you guys give
us, & we appreciate it very much.

**** Bennetts

www.teamrac.com (New)
www.rac.co.uk/teamrac (New, & will be on line in the next 72 hours)
www.wsr-racing.com

Shroon

MGZS190+
16-07-07, 11:31 PM
Having owned both i have no preferences.

Both are great cars and both were a thrill to Drive

MGPhoenix
20-07-07, 08:49 PM
well, iv had one of each and TBH, the hatch is much more practicle, but the saloon has a nice bit of touring car cudos about it. this may throw the cat among the pigeons at bit but my favorite has to be the mk2 5 door 180 with full kit

Snap! :D

Glen290
20-07-07, 09:31 PM
Glad I got the 5 door 180, looks well smart in starlight silver, no regrets whatsoever :hooray::hooray:

ian zs180
20-07-07, 11:24 PM
4 door all the way for me the 5 door does look quite nice but the saloon looks more btcc style if ya know were i,m comin from :tease:

RalphG
20-07-07, 11:26 PM
Interesting that WSR said that the 4 door was better aerodynamically, as the 5 door has a lower Cd according to the original figures published by MGR. The 4 door is also supposed to have a stiffer body as standard.

Based on this information the 5 door would be better for dragging and the 4 door would be better for track use.

JIMZS180
22-07-07, 05:27 PM
I have now had the pleasure of both a 2003 4 door 180 and now a 2004 5 door 180 both are brilliant cars to drive and I would say that it is just down to your personal preference at the time I wouldn't rule out either until you have had a good look around.

stamford
22-07-07, 09:53 PM
I very nearly bought a hatch as my first ZS, the only thing that stopped me was the deal and the fact it had some rust on the bonnet edge. I really preferred a saloon as I am a BTCC fan, saloon seems the natural choice, but the hatch is a bit more practical.

The hatch looks better in MKII guide than MKI, then again that is my choice.

Horses for courses.