Saloon vs hatch

[petet16]

The saloon shell is stiffer than the hatch so handles better, that's why the saloon went touring car racing.

The reason Ford didn't build the first Cosworth into a saloon shell is simple, the saloon Sierra wasn't available until 1987, the 3 door Cosworth was released in 1985

[Jay-ZS+]

Originally Posted by petet16

The saloon shell is stiffer than the hatch so handles better, that's why the saloon went touring car racing.

This ^^^ If the hatch was the better handling model it would have been used by MG in the BTCC.

[Steven11]

I like to think of my Zed as a Montego on steroids.

[stamford]

In the 80s and 90s it was hot hatch all day long as that was the pocket benchmark. Saloon hot versions were aimed at families and 30 somethings. The market for hot hatches were aimed at youngsters with alot of disposable income.

When it came to rallying they preferred hatches due to the space inside for accessing parts, moving trans and engines around and the fact they were shorter hence when going sideways through a tight forest there was less chance the arse kicking ripped off.

Saloons in racing are used as the arse can take a beating due to teh rubbing going on and still compete as by the end of the race it'll look like a hatch! Therefore the rear internal structure makes it stiffer, the boot is a crush zone. If a hatch took a rear end then the roof would probably creae as well if hit hard, then again a saloon would not fair much better if hit hard! Anyone remember Sopers BMW when he took out Cleland? That was more like a Compact when it finally stopped!

[Craig-ZS180]

I think imo that both the hatch and saloon are good in their own ways. I have a mk1 hatch, only reason being that the weekend I went to look at the 2 possible zs's the saloon one was overpriced for what it had wrong with it. (or at least seemed it at the time plus an unknown major knocking from front put me off a little with no proof of belts from new) I would've happily walked away with either car as I think as said they both can and do look fantastic but at the time it was the hatch that came up trumps for me. Also a bonus now as is easy to get the boys bike in and out of the boot easily & all extra baby gear.

I would like a saloon as and when I can afford to have one as mates have the saloon versions but I think the hatch can also look as nice if not nicer.
At the end of the day though, as long as you like what your driving does it really matter what others say..
Just my little thought on it. ZS's rock either way

[stamford]

To be honest if I was looking to change my zed it would be for a mk2 and probably a hatch purely because of the use for a hatch over a boot and that I have dogs as well. I nearly bought a hatch before the saloon so not swayed either way.

[redzed]

Originally Posted by petet16

The saloon shell is stiffer than the hatch so handles better, that's why the saloon went touring car racing.

Not true i'm afraid, on a standard shell the saloon is stiffer but also heavier, wsr spent 800 man hours making adjustments to the shell and as you see with other hatch in btcc standard shell stiffness isn't an issue as they do so much work to them. The saloon was chosen apparently for political reasons, wsr told me this because it is less like the Honda hatch and therefore a saloon is more mg/rover. The hatch is lighter and has a better drag co-efficiency. the saloon is standard or near standard stiffer and apparently has less under steer. but its an age old argument which will probably never die!

[petet16]

Originally Posted by redzed

Not true i'm afraid, on a standard shell the saloon is stiffer but also heavier, wsr spent 800 man hours making adjustments to the shell and as you see with other hatch in btcc standard shell stiffness isn't an issue as they do so much work to them. The saloon was chosen apparently for political reasons, wsr told me this because it is less like the Honda hatch and therefore a saloon is more mg/rover. The hatch is lighter and has a better drag co-efficiency. the saloon is standard or near standard stiffer and apparently has less under steer. but its an age old argument which will probably never die!

I agree, which is why MGR built 2 versions of ZS, cos we all have different tastes in cars.

[Steven11]

Originally Posted by redzed

Not true i'm afraid, on a standard shell the saloon is stiffer but also heavier, wsr spent 800 man hours making adjustments to the shell and as you see with other hatch in btcc standard shell stiffness isn't an issue as they do so much work to them. The saloon was chosen apparently for political reasons, wsr told me this because it is less like the Honda hatch and therefore a saloon is more mg/rover. The hatch is lighter and has a better drag co-efficiency. the saloon is standard or near standard stiffer and apparently has less under steer. but its an age old argument which will probably never die!

How that's what i call product Knowledge. I just love this forum, theres no information MG related that you cant here. brilliant

[waynester]

We will never achieve the 'definitive' answer, purely because we will all defend our own.
A saloon owner is no more going to slag his car & praise the hatch, than hatch owners doing the same.

Had I bought a saloon I may well be standing on my soapbox shouting how great the saloon is.
I ended up with the hatch..because it was a bloody good bargain, & she looked great all polished with her straights!

For me personally..& I mentioned this earlier in this thread, I wanted to avoid the saloon because I have just spent 5 years owning an E39 BMW saloon.. so the last thing I wanted was..another saloon!

I did look at a blue saloon with big extreme spoiler down in Southend, but was to much for what I wanted to pay. Plus, my mate who gave me a lift said...its trying to hard to copy a Subaru Impreza.. Not that that would have stopped me buying it had I wanted it.


I understand what the extreme spoiler on the saloon is, but what is the extreme spoiler on the hatch?
My mk1 180 rear spoiler is stepped/cranked up at each end, is that it? I'm sure I saw a smaller spoiler on a hatch before?