Hello!
 

I just wanted to introduce my self as I am new to the forum after purchasing yesterday a 1.6 ZS.

So far I am very pleased with my purchase although I did learn from my insurance company that the 1.6 didn't go into production until 2003 and mine is a 51 plate, so I guess it started life as an 1.8 and had a new engine fitted.... I guess I am not too worried as it goes okay and the gasket cover and sides look new

Anyway, I'll be buying a new, but not expensive, CD player to replace the current tape deck and probably replace the rear speakers depending on how the new stereo sounds

Feels good to be driving something manual with a bit of poke after getting bored driving my old automatic saloon!

Nice to meet you!

Hi and welcome to the forum lots of help here if you ever need it. Get some pics up of your car, enjoy owning your ZS they are great cars.

Firstly - Hi - and welcome to the forum.

Do you not think it more likely though - that you've actually got a 1.8 ? Or - it's a 2003 but someone put it on a personal plate perhaps - is it an interesting number at all ? Have you got service history, books etc or receipts ?

Perhaps some pics and the gurus may be able to help.

Hi and welcome

The chassis and engine numbers will revel all.

Also does it have a commision number on the door shut?

James

Hi and :hi:

Plenty of help on here if you need it, just fire away.

All ZS's are great handling cars, have fun.

Someone here might have a CD player, if you are lucky.

:smile1::smile1::smile1:

Do you not think it more likely though - that you've actually got a 1.8 ? Or - it's a 2003 but someone put it on a personal plate perhaps - is it an interesting number at all ? Have you got service history, books etc or receipts ? - I have the original service book which does have the correct reg number and says it was first registered in October 2001. Confusingly the V5 does say it is a 1600. Also the seats have the blue trim but the car is silver, but I guess that may not be too important

Perhaps some pics and the gurus may be able to help.[/QUOTE] - Pics coming very soon

The chassis and engine numbers will revel all. - is the Vehicle Identification Number the chassis number? Also where is the engine number please?

Also does it have a commision number on the door shut?

James[/QUOTE]

Interesting... I have some numbers...
VIN: SARRTXWMB2D551957
Poss engine number: MHK1008200421

Does this help anyone? Oh, and the reg is BU51HZC

Thanks

:D

Engine number on mine starts with 18K, which I think means 1.8 K series, assume yours should be 16K, going by that theory...
Should be on V5 or is stamped (awkwardly!) on front face of engine block near where it meets the gearbox.

Shows as 1600 on DVLA site, odd as I bought my 120 in Aug '02 and I know the 1600 came out after that, "maybe" its a pre production or something?

https://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/Ev...execution=e1s3

hmmm, I don't see the engine number anywhere - I've looked all around the engine bay - there is a picture in the hand book that shows where it is, but I don't see it....

I don't have the V5 back from the seller yet...

@Zippy Saloon....

II know it is wierd, I put the reg plate into gocompare and it came up with a 2003-2005 MG ZS 1600....

If a car has it's engine replaced then, presumably, DVLA would have to be told.... will it matter, as long as it drives okay?

Just had alook at mine - its dead hard to see - think torch, mirror and an ability to read backwards is needed!
Doesn't help that number is in form of dots, a little like the old dot matrix printers.

Its on a vertical bit of the casting, shown by the yellow line, actually on the block (pic makes it look a little like its on the mani):
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...41800engNo.jpg

Cheers Zippy.... so it is behind that exhaust pipe bit?

Looks like I have a shield protecting the manifold and I have just been for a blast so it is a bit hot! I might try to take it off another day to check the number. Is there any other visible physical differences between the 1600 & 1800?

Either way it is definately the most fun I have had on 4 wheels, bit like a big go kart!!

D

:hi: to the forum.

Welcome to the site. These cars are like big go karts, fun, stick to the road and great rouns bends................... Hope you enjoy yours as much as the rest of us..

cheers stamford and daytona!!

I am already loving my purchase, I have a couple of pics now but will take some better ones tomorrow probably

Nice, friendly place here! :happy:

Nope, externally the 1.4-1.8 (excluding the VVC & 135 engine in the TF) look identical. Only way to tell without stripping the engine and measuring bore diameters/rod lengths is the engine number (or on 82bhp 1.4's, measure the throttle body diameter).

The 1.6 is actually a really nice engine-not far off the 1.8 in power terms but IMO feels more willing to rev thanks to the shorter stroke.