My ZS 180 thread
 

Imaginative thread title, eh?..


Thought I'd start a thread here to collate my experience owning this beast and any modifications or work done to the car (rather than starting a new thread for every little change made)


Heres the first time I cast eyes over it. Pic from the advert on MG-Rover.org.

http://thumbsnap.com/i/xPQMdyTe.png


After making an offer and driving 140 miles to have a test drive, I couldn't help but fall in love with it. Instantly I felt comfortable and confident driving it, even though it was larger than my previous car for 2 years. A testament to the quality of the design and driving position.

There was a very comprehensive service history included, which shows plenty of work done by an approved garage. Recent service with platinum spark plugs, cambelts all changed 8k ago, oil catch tank fitted, good quality tyres all round not long ago and a short shift fitted to the PG1. The car is about to reach 51k miles. And the interior is like new (blue Monaco seats)
However there are marks on the front passenger window which look like someone has been sat there with their left hand holding the handle above the window, and their watch has been scratching inside surface of the glass. Looks like it may have been caused by a regular passenger during a daily commute.
There's also a K&N Apollo induction kit on there, but lets not talk about that...

After getting it home (costing £40 in fuel lol), tried to give it a good wash and detail, but it rained every damn day for a week.
Eventually had a day off work with decent weather so out came the buckets, pressure washer, clay bar, variety of Autoglym products, a dozen microfiber cloths and various other items.

And the result of 3 hours work:
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...n/ZS180a-1.jpg

One clean looking silver ZS. I was surprised to find no swirl marks at all in the surface. But there are a couple of scratches and marks which must be expected in a car 10 years old. The final stages were layers of SRP and HD Wax.

Today I placed a few orders online for replacement bulbs.
Dipped and main beam will be replaced by Osram Night Breaker H7's. The sidelights and foglights will be replaced with SMD LED bulbs. Will post pics when these are fitted, with comparison between the current bulbs and nice new ones :)

As for the ICE side of things, the headunit was replaced on day one with my ever faithful Sony Xplod CDX-GT414u. It may be 5 years old and been in a dozen cars, but its never let me down and still sounds cracking.
New front speakers arrived today, set of Infinity comps. Tried to fit them, but even though they are supplied with a variety of adapters; no combination would line up with the standard mounting holes. Have ordered 165mm BMW speaker adapters.
Next will be some 13cm Infinity coaxials for the rear. And perhaps fit the sub from my old car.



Updates:
Alloys :)
Front Speakers
Rear Spakers
Splitter, MG badges, Mesh



Future plans:
Set of ZS 11 spokes
Front ZS 180 splitter
Clean up and paint calipers (Red) & apply heatproof Xpower stickers
Replace all front bulbs
Replace Front speakers
Replace Rear speakers / Fit a sub
Leon Cupra R splitter below ZS splitter
Stainless steel back box
Perhaps full stainless exhaust
New rear ZS & 180 badges (I have a set of MK1 and MK2 '180' badges, but leaving it debadged for now)
New MG logo badges front and rear
Replace front passenger window
Remove and paint the mesh in front bumper + bonnet grill
Some 'theMGZS.co.uk' stickers to go with the AG and Union jack stickers
Light smoke tint to rear windows perhaps
De-orange/Rover 45 headlights
Retrofit Angel Eyes/Halos
Supercharger (I wish lol)
Enjoy every minute of driving this superb machine

What's wrong with the viper?

Nothing at all. Just not something I've ever been particularly interested in.
The previous owner supplied the original air box and everything needed to put it all back together.

My mistake, its not a Viper... its only a K&N Apollo

tidy motor. On my list would be a set of clear indicator/headlights from the rover 45.

I was going to have a go de-tango'ing them myself. However, there is a low mileage 45 in my local scrap yard if I need them :P

for the cost I wouldnt bother. I sold a pair on ebay a few weeks back I think they made £15

Was the front bib thingy not standard on mk1 180's?

It was.
However it was damaged by a previous owner. The chap I bought this from never got round to replacing it.

Hmm I'm not convinced on my apollo... I want an ITG again lol

Looks great and sounds like a good one from the description.