Tell me about ZS 180 please

[Hayden]

Ive just joined the site because Ive been offerd a '02 MG ZS 180, Its got 69k miles on the clock and a new ish mot.

Ive never had a MG and know nothing about them but really like the look of them,
What should I be looking out for? whats the MPG going to be like on short runs with the V6?

Thanks all
Hayden

[Dan1971]

Welcome :wave:

You've found the best site mate for the ZS mate and there are plenty of guys here with lots of mechanical knowhow and few others who just like a good chat.

I've had 3 now. I managed 31+ on a run in my 180, but if you get a heavy foot and with the V6 you will, expect 25ish.

Have a look here for other bits and bobs....

http://themgzs.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=11079

[Hayden]

Welcome :wave:

You've found the best site mate for the ZS mate and there are plenty of guys here with lots of mechanical knowhow and few others who just like a good chat.

I've had 3 now. I managed 31+ on a run in my 180, but if you get a heavy foot and with the V6 you will, expect 25ish.

Have a look here for other bits and bobs....

http://themgzs.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=11079

wont let me see the link?

[Dan1971]

Hmmm .... Sorry.

Here's my post on that thread .... It was just a general post on 180s.

Vis motors can be repaired by yourself or my old man can repair them for beer tokens.

You can get a brand new plenum off the 'bay for £450 which includes both vis motors, or a second hand one for circa £200 from a breaker.

Belt change is £350 from stamford's recommended mobile mechanic and so now compares favourably to the 4 cylinder cars. Mk 2's are getting near the 6yr - 90K mile recommended change so factor in that expense if/when you're looking to give some leverage on price.

Door handles. When you open the door - a common fault will show where the handle surround comes away from the actual door slightly. Again - there is a fix - but another leverage area - or a fix from a dealer before you take it away.

Tax is ?215 so long as the car is registered pre-March 2006 - so anything up to an "06" or "56" plate.

The 180 is a truly awesome under-rated car. The tuning potential is not as great as perhaps something with a turbo, but a few mods around induction - exhaust and decat will get you to around 190-195, so long as everything else works properly. Add a remap as Stamford had done - 200+ .

Don't know how old you are mate so insurance can put some off - I'm 39 and pay £280 fully comp protected with business use.

Car does 30 mpg on a run - but can drop to under 20 if you listen to the V6 go through the motions as it was meant.

Every car has it's issues. But we've all got one - And - you'll love it. If you can afford it - go large - 180 all day long - but for the looks and less running costs - I can't imagine there being a lot between the 110 and 120 performance wise , but make sure that you get one with the full 180 kit - bodykit and 11 spoke alloys. If you do some mileage - Don't forget about the diesel. A few on here running well and probably more tuning potential !

You'll also still have access to loads of knowledge on these cars via this and all of the other related sites ... so go for it.

[roverdave81]

mpg round town i get 25 and on a run 33
thing to watch out for are
1. The inlet manifold dose it rattle on tick ova and gets louder as you increase speed as this can cost anything from ?500 for a new to ?150 second hand plus fitting. The other big one is,

2. has it had the cam belts and water pump change as these are done at 90k or six year what ever come round 1st and cost anywhere from ?450 to ?900

3. serive history what it like as will give you an idea how the car has been looked after

4. vis motor on the inlet can fail which will cause loss of power to the engine way to tell dose the car feel flat as it hit 3000 rpm or dose it has a kick of power

5. clucth slave cylinder can fail but a modified kit can be got which is easy to fit and cost around ?150
apart from that they are very good

best way to get the most power out of it is decat pipe full s/s exhaust system air filter and a remap by matt reidy give you around 200bhp
after that your talking big money i.e lsd in gear box lightend flywheel polished ported heads with cams
and will seen you around 220bhp

ps make sure to fit an oil catch tank to it seem to help the life of the inlet manifold
all the best dave

[Hayden]

Im 33 and ive had a quote for ?208 fully comp, I like the 180 v6 because of the sound! just a bit worried about the MPG, Ive got a E36 BMW 318is at the moment but am selling it because we need something that can tow a caravan

[roverdave81]

these cars could tow a caravan all day long but you will prob find with a caravan on a run mpg is gunna be around the 20 to 25 mark cos of pulling the wait as i went to scotland from coventry last year with a roof box on and got 26mpg

[stamford]

:hi: to the site Hayden, take a look here (http://www.themgzs.co.uk/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26), there's a three section buyer's guide that will help you.

[daytona365]

If you love your wallet buy a 120, if you love your heart buy a 180!!!
A undiscovered classic, the v6 noise is brill, and combined with that boot and 4 doors, keeps me happy, and i can still take my mum shopping (handy when she paid for it!!!)

[Craig]

Im 33 and ive had a quote for ?208 fully comp, I like the 180 v6 because of the sound! just a bit worried about the MPG, Ive got a E36 BMW 318is at the moment but am selling it because we need something that can tow a caravan

I went from a 180 to an e36 318i mate, the differene in mpg isnt that much tbh. I am selling my bmw cos I want another 180. Since I got rid of the 180 I have had a Prelude 2.2 vtec, a Volvo T5 GT coupe, an e39 523se and now the 318i vert. None of them are a patch on the 180!

[caled]

If you love your wallet buy a 120, if you love your heart buy a 180!!!
A undiscovered classic, the v6 noise is brill, and combined with that boot and 4 doors, keeps me happy, and i can still take my mum shopping (handy when she paid for it!!!)

it really, really, really is.



Buy one.

[andys1981]

I went from a 180 to an e36 318i mate, the differene in mpg isnt that much tbh. I am selling my bmw cos I want another 180. Since I got rid of the 180 I have had a Prelude 2.2 vtec, a Volvo T5 GT coupe, an e39 523se and now the 318i vert. None of them are a patch on the 180!

al take your word on that m8,truly a wonderful car buy it,you really wont be disappointed

[Marky Mark]

Hayden, take the car for sale out for a test drive, and see what you think.

You will not be disappointed, and you will have a big grin on your face afterwards, I can promise you that!

The V6 has an awesome engine note, and as others have said the 180 can be a very economical car on long runs. You will be very impressed with the handling of the car, and is very much underated, an excellent fun alround car, which is so much fun to drive. :trampoline:

[haGGard]

This 180 engine note you guys are going on about...do you need an air filter kit to hear it properly? As my engine is standard and i cant really hear anything, its a pretty quiet v6 imo

[peterzs]

Hayden, get one and book a novice day at your nearest race track, took mine round Brands a few times and altough its a derv still had an exciting time with the other ZS's.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm214/peterzs/overtakingmurrey.jpg

Great fun and the hour sessions dont cost too much.

:smile1::smile1::smile1::smile1:

[andys1981]

Hayden, take the car for sale out for a test drive, and see what you think.

You will not be disappointed, and you will have a big grin on your face afterwards, I can promise you that!

The V6 has an awesome engine note, and as others have said the 180 can be a very economical car on long runs. You will be very impressed with the handling of the car, and is very much underated, an excellent fun alround car, which is so much fun to drive. :trampoline:

i done about 130 miles yesterday and only used about 10 in fuel

[stamford]

This 180 engine note you guys are going on about...do you need an air filter kit to hear it properly? As my engine is standard and i cant really hear anything, its a pretty quiet v6 imo

With a standard 180 using the OE airbox and exhaust they are quiet. Once liberated with a free flow exhaust, decat and decent induction kit it'll be a different car.

[Marky Mark]

i done about 130 miles yesterday and only used about 10 in fuel

Nice one!! the V6 is a very economical car on longer trips, not bad on short one's either.

I find I get much better mpg with a 50/50 mix of VPower with unleaded. Been trying it out over the last couple of weeks, work is only 24 miles there and back from home, and that is mainly dual carriageway.

Feels much smoother, and goes much better when you plant your right foot! :thumbsup:

[Marky Mark]

Hayden, what area are you from? I am sure there is someone close by that could take you for a spin in there 180 with the mods that Stamford has mentioned? :smile1:

[haGGard]

With a standard 180 using the OE airbox and exhaust they are quiet. Once liberated with a free flow exhaust, decat and decent induction kit it'll be a different car.

Ah i see. I'm quite enjoying the quietness at the minute :smile2: Had a full stainless with decat/induction kit on my old car and it sounded great but motorways got a bit annoying as i use them alot. No doubt the bug will bite me again one day but for now its quiet all the way.