Convince me...

[ThumpJunkie]

Right, as much as I love my ZR 160, I've always thought the Mk2 180 is the nicest looking car MG-Rover ever made ('cept the SV. And the CityRover). Been considering getting one for a while, and now that the prices are crashing to ridiculously low levels, thought I might start looking into it properly.

So, I need you lot to give me the lowdown. Being a moderator on the ZR site I know pretty much all there is to know about them, however when it comes to the ZS, especially the KV6, I'm fairly clueless.

[rentonj]

I had a ZR160 before my ZS180 and I much prefer the ZS. Firstly you don't get the head gasket problems that the 160 engine gets. The handling on the ZS is better, that may be due to my ZR having budget tyres but I do not get nearly as much understear as I did with the ZR. MG spent a lot of money developing the ZS for touring cars and this has been passed onto the road car. Also the equipment is better in the ZS. Climate control with Audi TT style vents. Also those serve no use shark gill air vents look the mutts.
The 0-60 time is very similar to the ZR but it is not all rev the nuts off it to get the speed. The KV6 engine pulls well from low revs and has 2 power bursts at 3000 and 4000 rpm. Sounds great too.
On the whole the ZS feels more balanced and solid to drive than the ZR ever did. Plus you can get the family in with bikes aswell if you get the hatch version.
More reliable, more practical and more fun to drive. What more can I say....

[K&S Coachworks]

it plain and simple,no convincing needed,all the facts are there,the zs 180 is a better car all round !!!!!

[vinny1979]

agreed, i have my brm turbo for fun, im sure the zs is the next step,

[rentonj]

When Tiff Nidell reviewed the Z range when he still worked for Top Gear he said the ZS was his favourite drivers car. I think you can see the article on youtube somewhere.

[TjP]

Its a V6 and its more practical than a ZR in terms of space and size, and cheap as chips as you say!! MPG isnt all that bad really, Im getting about 30mpg right now and I dont hang about (except in the ice atm)!

Also you get the updated interior with the mk2 which is a plus :)

[talkingcars]

We've got both and I like both, the 02 ZR160 is a hot hatch and the 51 ZS180 is a bigger car and feels much more powerful.

I would try one and see what you think, I prefer the ZS, wife prefers the ZR.

[stamford]

The ZS wouldn't need so much pimping either ;)

[Craig]

Stuarty, the ZS is a totally different beast as you know. You must have a test drive just to see what the difference is. As you know, I had a zr120 on avos, different to your set up with the 160. The handling on the ZS is amazing, soooo much better than the zr was.

It is a more refined drive, I can drive faster but more smoothly in the zs than I ever could in the zr. I got the zr out of shape a few times and it could be quite hairy! i have never done that in the ZS.

The main common issues for the KV6 are the plenum and the vis motors. The vis can be fixed easily, or replaced for not too much. The plenums are quite expensive though.

I recommend having a drive in a MK2 180 to see exactly how it compares.

[arwilson80]

Stuarty, the ZS is a totally different beast as you know. You must have a test drive just to see what the difference is. As you know, I had a zr120 on avos, different to your set up with the 160. The handling on the ZS is amazing, soooo much better than the zr was.

100% true.. The ZS can do all the ZR did once you get used to it.

I got the zr out of shape a few times and it could be quite hairy! i have never done that in the ZS.

I have and it's very easy to correct. Just a little blip and it falls back into line.

[R8NMG]

In every way the ZS180 is better than a ZR160 from build quality to space to performance. You will be doing a step up and not a step down from a ZR160.

[ThumpJunkie]

Thanks for the info folks.

Plus you can get the family in with bikes aswell if you get the hatch version.

Would definitely be after the saloon TBH, however the extra doors would definitely be handy as even though I have the Astra for taking the wee boy about, when the missus has it at work I have to squeeze him into the back of the ZR which isn't the most fun thing in the world :hmm:

The ZS wouldn't need so much pimping either ;)
Haha, I just KNOW I'd end up doing stuff to it! You're right though, depending on what equipment I get with it there would be very little left to do.

[R8NMG]

My car is now 4 and a bit years old and I still get people staring at it and also comments like 'that is a nice car' from people on the streets. That is what a standard mk2 ZS can do.

[Maxxed_Ross]

yeah I get that alot too. Always feels nice!

Helps that there's not many Mk2's around

[Steves Cleenz]

just drive one and then you will want one,

Paul Luti is selling his Black MK2 180

[Maxxed_Ross]

already?? He only just got it FFS lol

[Maxfly]

i was in same boat as craig, had my 120 for 5 years before i got my zs. totally different cars and tbh honest i like them both for the different way they went about the same job, loved it that my wee zr felt frenetic but still fun and loved it on the twisties round where i used to live....the zs is the same fun just slightly mair civilised but would still gladly rip the heads off small kittens if they sat there looking too cute:jacko:

as said the main issues zs wise are plenum & vis going ker-plunk but also check the clutch master slave cylinder as these go, i will have one sitting spare shortly as i bought the upgrade kit you can get form sheddist over on xpf and just need time to get the ****** fitted:)

they are the main issues, other than that check horn works and the alarm isn't drowned:)

[afcbadam]

the zs is about 10 mph faster flat out.

[ThumpJunkie]

If I can find a decent-priced one and a buyer for the ZR then I'll definitely be having one. What colour though?! :baby:




the zs is about 10 mph faster flat out.












Thanks for that.

[Maxxed_Ross]

the zs is about 10 mph faster flat out.

inless it has the big wing because that knocks 10mph off but gives 25lbs of down force :)

And the book top end is a bit *ahem* inaccurate :joker:

[Maxfly]

If I can find a decent-priced one and a buyer for the ZR then I'll definitely be having one. What colour though?! :baby:


ooh, now i think there isn't really a standard colour that looks poor on em, just depends what comes up that you like!! took me long enough to find one as close to me as mine was and that was still about 120 miles away lol. black is as far as i'm aware the most common colour, so your more likely to turn up one in pb than any other colour.........nightfire is always fooking gorgeous though and what i was looking for when shopping about for mine:D

[grimmy]

how about an xpg one Stuarty:shifty:

[Bobdope2002]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j120/bobdope2002/DSC00049-1.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j120/bobdope2002/DSC00100-1.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j120/bobdope2002/DSC00105.jpg
You Convinced yet fella

[TjP]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j120/bobdope2002/DSC00049-1.jpg

Thats some good parking dude :D :joker:

Seriously though your car is one of my favs mate :yes: Stunning!

[ThumpJunkie]

.........nightfire is always fooking gorgeous though and what i was looking for when shopping about for mine:D
I love that colour, Bob yours looks awesome mate

how about an xpg one Stuarty:shifty:
I LOVE your car mate, you selling it?

[Maxxed_Ross]

if you had been quicker you could have had mine

[ThumpJunkie]

if you had been quicker you could have had mine
Much did you sell it for? I really don't want to spend too much on one TBH, so a few nice ones will probably go past me before I can commit.

[grimmy]

I love that colour, Bob yours looks awesome mate


I LOVE your car mate, you selling it?
Always up for offers mate

[afcbadam]

inless it has the big wing because that knocks 10mph off but gives 25lbs of down force :)

And the book top end is a bit *ahem* inaccurate :joker:

is that really true ross. i rdidnt know that. what is a saloon with big spoiler flat out then?

[sduk]

Stuarty I would really recommend a ZS, its the next step up from the ZR in every way. I only had the 110 and it still was a total headturner, comfy to drive and alot more solid than the ZR was.

Not to mention the power of a 180!

How serious are you thinking of getting one mate?

[JIMZS180]

could be a rare MK2 hatchback coming up for sale shortly!!!!!!!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e339/jimzs180/3489297059a8749116291l.jpg

[sduk]

what you fancing instead jim?

[ThumpJunkie]

Stuarty I would really recommend a ZS, its the next step up from the ZR in every way. I only had the 110 and it still was a total headturner, comfy to drive and alot more solid than the ZR was.

Not to mention the power of a 180!

How serious are you thinking of getting one mate?
Well, the AAautosport boys are trying to convince me to get a 2l tubby engine put into the ZR instead... they've given me an awesome offer at mate's rates but not sure if I'm fed up of all this modification malarky or not... :geek:

could be a rare MK2 hatchback coming up for sale shortly!!!!!!!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e339/jimzs180/3489297059a8749116291l.jpg
Now I don't usually like the hatchback, but yours looks awesome Jim! Think it's the colour that pulls it off TBH.

[JIMZS180]

what you fancing instead jim?

Started a little p/time parcel delivery service so may have to sacrifice the zed to get a little delivery van plus looking at a P1 Impreza!!!

[Maxxed_Ross]

I looked at a few of those. Stunning cars but getting hard to find a good one these days

[Bobdope2002]

if you can wait until september mine will probs be up for sale depending on my job etc

i want a seat leon Cupra r 225

[KevG]

i want a seat leon Cupra r 225

Wot, a golf in drag!!!

[afcbadam]

Started a little p/time parcel delivery service so may have to sacrifice the zed to get a little delivery van plus looking at a P1 Impreza!!!

the p1 is a superb car. my friend has one and it goes like sh1t of a shovel

[talkingcars]

inless it has the big wing because that knocks 10mph off but gives 25lbs of down force :)

And the book top end is a bit *ahem* inaccurate :joker:

My son saw 137 on the GPS in ours (on the drive) and there was still a little bit left, I'm sure 138 is not far off.

[Craig]

I did 130ish auf der autobahn and I thought the windows were coming in

[Bobdope2002]

Wot, a golf in drag!!!

yep thats the risk im willing to take.

i have lost all faith in the ZS like i said it all depends on my job so i may still have it next year

i want something more modern with more reliable power id probs spend the money superchargin the zed but thats a very unreliable modification to me


Dont let me dampen ya spirits though mate the zs is an awesome car but after owning mg rover for the past 4 years ive had enough

sorry to take this thread of topic thumpjunkie

[Craig]

I drove a 225 spec cupra at Knochill, its was muchos fun!

[afcbadam]

i have held mine at a gps of 135 for about 10 seconds dont know how much was left but it was taking a long time to creap up

[R8NMG]

i want a seat leon Cupra r 225

If I am in the market for a hot hatch I would seriously consider a Seat Leon Cupra. They are much more prettier than the Golf and alot less of a common sight than a Focus and Astra. I do like my car rare.