M17TT180's ZS no.5

[M17TT180]

Well she is home and every bit as good as Dan said it was, well after I prised the keys from his cold dead hand.

So much better than the astra and much better than the ZS I had before.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n209/inda_loft/IMAG00481_zps40cf9b1b.jpg (http://s113.photobucket.com/user/inda_loft/media/IMAG00481_zps40cf9b1b.jpg.html)

Got lots of ideas already, will update this thread as I go.

For now back to driving such a fantastic car!

[Jason04r]

Me likey :)

[petet16]

Nice car, so Dan is zedless.

[andys1981]

well done matt knew you wouldnt be away for long,dans done some nice touches on it aswell

[stamford]

FFS! I didn't even realise he had put his private plate on it! :slap:

At least it has found a good home, nice aquisition.

[adam]

Very nice!

[Dan1971]

Glad you like it. Get well soon and drive safe.

[Skillen]

What's next then dan?
A silver mk1 hatch? ;) ;)

[Maxfly]

Yep a lovely car and a credit to its, once again, zedless previous owner:)

[Smokey]

Looks lovely. Can't help but feel it's missing something... oh yeah, a spoiler and a new console! :p

[M17TT180]

Looks lovely. Can't help but feel it's missing something... oh yeah, a spoiler and a new console! :p

All in good time.

[MG ZS STE]

I think Gary may have his old spoiler up for sale soon.

[daytona365]

Nice car, suprised Dan let you have it...........

[M17TT180]

I was thinking about a mid level one, hopefully in the right colour so it can go straight on.

[M17TT180]

Nice car, suprised Dan let you have it...........

I can be very persuasive!

[ian zs180]

Very nice

[M17TT180]

All cleaned up and ready for POL.

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMG_4909_zps3061bbf6.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMG_4909_zps3061bbf6.jpg.html)

[Smokey]

Love it!

[adam]

Looking lovely!

[caled]

I was thinking about a mid level one, hopefully in the right colour so it can go straight on.

Good choice

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g407/Caled10/MG%20ZS%20180/Photo-0094.jpg

[petet16]

Yep, good choice.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/petet16/100_1315.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/petet16/media/100_1315.jpg.html)

[M17TT180]

I believe you said this Smokey.
Looks lovely. Can't help but feel it's missing something... oh yeah, a spoiler and a new console! :p

Well stage 1 of todays work is completed:
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG00661_zps3f6ce23c.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG00661_zps3f6ce23c.jpg.html)
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG00671_zps16485f64.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG00671_zps16485f64.jpg.html)
Spoiler isn't immaculate, its missing one of the side bolts and had a few niks and scratches which I have covered up with an old signmaking trick - black permanant marker! Will get the black redone soon.

Anyway just gonna have something to eat then stage 2 will commence.

Smokeys console!!

Already spent this morning sticking a load of tunes on the tablet ready for testing.

[Smokey]

Yay! I'm excited anyway!

[Dan1971]

Doesn't look too bad I suppose ..... :whistle:

[M17TT180]

Stage two almost complete.
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG00691_zps94b3ecee.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG00691_zps94b3ecee.jpg.html)

Just a couple of things to do,

Fit the carbon wrapped dash strip - will do this tomorrow.
Work out how to make the tablet auto connect to the headunit.

All in all very happy well done smokey you have created something wonderful! Really freshens up the interior.

[petet16]

I agree, the centre console, and gear lever surround looks so much better than the standard parts.

[grimmy]

Looks cracking that.good work lads.

[Smokey]

If you leave bluetooth on the tablet should auto connect. Does with mine anyway. I also need to master the art of vinyl wrapping but getting better. Glad you're happy with it.

[Dan1971]

It does look good, but can't help thinking that with the tablet so low, it'll be a bit of a challenge to see the display etc and would mean looking away from the road to see it.....

I really don't want that to be taken as a criticism, just an observation. :blush:

[M17TT180]

It does look good, but can't help thinking that with the tablet so low, it'll be a bit of a challenge to see the display etc and would mean looking away from the road to see it.....

I really don't want that to be taken as a criticism, just an observation. :blush:

Well once you've set what music you want to listen to then you can change it from the headunit.

Its more for show than anything, no one else has one (yet).

Will have to see how it goes with the satnav tho.

Also the missus is usually in the car so she can use it whilst I drive.

[Smokey]

It was my worry too, which is why the initial layout had the stereo underneath but space restrictions stopped that idea.

To be honest, I ran with it in my car for a few hours and it didn't feel particularly low. I don't look at it when driving and the sat nav does the talking although it is still clear and bright so glancing down its visible enough.

[Smokey]

I also have steering controls for my head unit so don't need to touch the screen for changing volume or tracks.

[M17TT180]

Well another thanks to Smokey

From
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG0003_zps3bbdb202.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG0003_zps3bbdb202.jpg.html)

To
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG0004_zpsf971e64d.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG0004_zpsf971e64d.jpg.html)

[Smokey]

Ooh, I do like that.

[daytona365]

Looking good, its almost nothing like Dans now lol.. just have to spray it Yellow.

[grimmy]

Have a wee bevvy while fitting them as well?good man.

[M17TT180]

Haha lol, no that's been there a few days, I refuse to pick it up.

[andys1981]

they should have been on my car,it totally slipped my mind smokey,looking good matt,like that.

[tallgeese]

Looks lush

[M17TT180]

they should have been on my car,it totally slipped my mind smokey,looking good matt,like that.

In this game Andy, you snooze......

[andys1981]

you lose lol,aye looking good though mate.

[M17TT180]

Well popped* down the ol' Angel tonight daaan taaan as they say.

Couldn't resist a quick snap but have realised how rubbish the HTC One S camera is lol, can't wait to get my One replacement tomorrow!

You wouldn't believe this was taken at 8.45pm.

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG0006_zps366737fc.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG0006_zps366737fc.jpg.html)

*When I say popped I mean avoided people with no road sense, buses pulling out every which way and that and mopeds coming 100mph from all directions!

[adam]

The new rear lights look great!

[M17TT180]

Well bit more done today.

Induction kit installed
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/Intake_zps3b3a134c.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/Intake_zps3b3a134c.jpg.html)

Can I just say what a difference!! Wow!! She goes like an absolute rocket!! A must have.

Anyway while the bumper was off I thought it was an oppertune moment to fit the black mesh I got from Dan. Very easy to do and would have been easier if my cutters wern't blunt lol.

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/grills_zpse7c303fe.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/grills_zpse7c303fe.jpg.html)

Can't really see it but they are there honest!

[daytona365]

Looking good, it may look as good as mine soon lol..............
Got mine cleaned today..............the picture doesnt show its Yellowness..

[grimmy]

Looking good, it may look as good as mine soon lol..............
Got mine cleaned today..............the picture doesnt show its Yellowness..

Thankfully.:tease:

[M17TT180]

Oh and the noise has gone, was a toss up between the gearbox whining or a vacuum noise from the airbox, guessing it was the latter thankfully.

Annoyingly my climate control is now throwing up E4 service not sure if i've done something when taking the bumper off or its just coincidence but the fans blow ice cold unless its turned right up to 30. Although with this nice weather best time to throw a fault!

Edit:- A quick search of this wonderful site has thrown up that I may not have connected the external temp sensor back properly.

[Smokey]

Sounds like that.

[Dan1971]

Thankfully.:tease:

:laugh:

[Dan1971]

....

Can I just say what a difference!! Wow!! She goes like an absolute rocket!! A must have.



Get down to TX Autosport and have it RR'd. It was going well before and IIRC without searching, was about 185. You have a baseline of when I had it done and then we'd all know the actual improvement that a decent induction can make.

Really glad you're liking the car mate and that it's going well for you.

[M17TT180]

Yes that is on my to do list!

[M17TT180]

Few pics after a clean.
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG0038_zpsb992d22f.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG0038_zpsb992d22f.jpg.html)
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG0035_zpsd830fb2a.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG0035_zpsd830fb2a.jpg.html)
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG0033_zps7685f2b5.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG0033_zps7685f2b5.jpg.html)

[Lukeus101]

Im currently waiting to do the same, need the sun to sod off round the back of the house then its time to crack on. Looks great mate :)

[Dan1971]

Still looking good ...

What's going on inside then - black oak back in ?

[M17TT180]

Still looking good ...

What's going on inside then - black oak back in ?

No lol black oak went to Pete, had smokeys console then sold that back to smokey and bought gloss black console off Pete!

Heated seat switches are in just need to fit the pads in the seats now.

[petet16]

Black Oak looking mighty fine too

[M17TT180]

Black Oak looking mighty fine too

That box did the rounds lol came from smokey to me to you back to me then back to smokey!

[Maxfly]

Looking good there, very crisp in the sunshine:)

[petet16]

That box did the rounds lol came from smokey to me to you back to me then back to smokey!


mg recycling in action lol

[daytona365]

Looking good....

[M17TT180]

Well another little update, did very well betting on the football so bought her a couple of treats. First up a pair of bonnet lifters which make life 1% easier and secondly a strut brace which probably has no effect but looks pretty cool :)

I'm sure you all know what they both look like so no need for a pic.

[M17TT180]

Well spent a fair few hours on her today, carbon wrapped the centre part of the spoiler as it wasn't in the best condition. Also wrapped the small part of the bumper below the bottom grill.

The missus pulled the o/s/r door handle off yesterday and after having to epoxy the other side on a couple of weeks ago it was time for this side to be fixed properly.

Biggest job however was the headlights.

As you can see they were in a right 2 'n' 8.
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG0063_zpse5321d2a.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG0063_zpse5321d2a.jpg.html)

Now I recommend getting the Turtle Wax kit plus a buffer that goes in a drill. I previously did a pair with the megs kit and whilst this was good enough you don't get any UV protection to put back on one done.

You get the same 2 pads of wet & dry in the Turtle Wax and Megs kit which I believe are 2000/3000/4000/6000 but I found the 2000 just wasn't course enough so got some normal 1200 wet & dry which sped things up.

Now once you've done all the sanding and machined polished them this is where the Turtle Wax has that little extra, what they call a basecoat (which i'm sure is just like panel wipe) and a clearcoat sealer to finish. They are just like those little hand wipes you get in the curry house but enough to do each light.

Anyway ta daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/IMAG0064_zps4fe6371a.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/IMAG0064_zps4fe6371a.jpg.html)

Knackered now.

[john180]

They look loads better!

[M17TT180]

They look loads better!

I don't know how I've managed it but the last two zs's I've bought have had probably the worst headlights of any zs around!

[petet16]

I've been doing headlights as well, I used the megs kit, and some uv sealer from amazon, I only managed to get one done before the rain forced me indoors, but the results are good.

[M17TT180]

I've been doing headlights as well, I used the megs kit, and some uv sealer from amazon, I only managed to get one done before the rain forced me indoors, but the results are good.

Yeah just a bit of elbow grease.

Pete as you've got the megs kit I recommend getting this Turtle Wax kit if you do anymore.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004XZQF8O/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plus its cheaper than the megs kit.

[petet16]

It looks a good kit, I might invest in one for future use.

[Dan1971]

Came up well - good man. What about some inside pics with that piano black trim fitted?

[M17TT180]

Came up well - good man. What about some inside pics with that piano black trim fitted?

I'll see what the weathers like tomorrow its raining at the mo got a bit wet earlier.

[ian zs180]

Massive improvement mate they look brand new

[Lukeus101]

Need to get this kit tbh, cracking work mate!

[M17TT180]

Bit more change, flyeye ki fitted :)

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/Flyeye2_zpse53813bc.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/Flyeye2_zpse53813bc.jpg.html)
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r742/M17TT/Flyeye1_zpsa4dbc81d.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/M17TT/media/Flyeye1_zpsa4dbc81d.jpg.html)

[Bobdope2002]

not for me... sorry

[andys1981]

not so sure myself,get the grilles done,maybe mix in a bit better,never really been a fan of tinting the front lights.

[M17TT180]

Grills have already been done andy, black mesh. Plus its a trail to see if I like it good thing is you can just peel it off.

[andys1981]

sorry meant the bits in the front wings matt,maybe break it up a bit.its your car if your happy thats all that matters mate.

[Steven11]

Sorry not for me either. I do love the car though.

[MG ZS STE]

Looks too dark, a lighter tint/smoke would suit it better IMO. Plus, I don't think the plastic of a MK2 lights reacts well to having things stuck on them. If you leave on too long it can leave cracks behind. I new someone who stuck X's over the lights using electrical tape for a track day (pointlessly I might add as they're not glass) and it marked them with X shaped webbing type fractures.

[LukeZS96]

Quite like the flyeye looks good against the silver background

[Dan1971]

Whatever you like mate ....

Seems a shame to have covered up all that good work of getting them clean though ....

[M17TT180]

Well Z is off with her new owner. I hope he enjoys her as much as I did.

[Lukeus101]

Anyone we know?

[M17TT180]

Anyone we know?

He is on your facebook appreciation group Steve Nev Newton

[Lukeus101]

Ahhhh yea :) at least it will stay in the fold.