My ZS 180 thread - Page 3

ian zs180 · 01-07-12, 12:36 PM

Looking good the mk2 alloys are a fantasic rim . Gotta agree they are one of the best om rims out there

Ricwin · 02-07-12, 10:41 AM

Thanks chaps. They certainly do look good, on any Zed. Straights are common as muck though. Nothing wrong with straights, but theres just so many of them out there.

This morning I am awaiting the postman with much anticipation

pheelay · 02-08-12, 11:41 PM

An amp for the fronts is a very worthwhile upgrade. It's not too difficult to run uprated cable into the doors if you would rather ditch the OEM cables, by drilling a new hole through the door-to-body electrical connection. I'm not convinved that it makes a big difference. The bigger problem, I found, is ridding the door of rattles. I have 6.5" Focals in the 180 mounted on 22mm MDF spacers but they rattle like crazy if the bass isn't reduced right down.

Ricwin · 03-08-12, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pheelay

An amp for the fronts is a very worthwhile upgrade. It's not too difficult to run uprated cable into the doors if you would rather ditch the OEM cables, by drilling a new hole through the door-to-body electrical connection. I'm not convinved that it makes a big difference. The bigger problem, I found, is ridding the door of rattles. I have 6.5" Focals in the 180 mounted on 22mm MDF spacers but they rattle like crazy if the bass isn't reduced right down.

To minimize potential rattles from concentrated areas (such as inside the doors) I'm considering using a sub to disperse the deep low tones throughout the car more evenly :P
Besides, my musical preference is more long the lines of classical and rock; rather than hippety hoppety or such like. So massive amounts of bass are not a requirement. A small active sub was more than enough in my previous car.

Ricwin · 21-08-12, 05:30 PM

Fitted the rear crossovers and speakers a few days ago. The speakers are slightly larger than oem rear hatchback speakers. Theres more bulk around the cone and as such they don't mount correctly, even though they are the same size (13cm/5.25")
Need to find a place to mount the rear tweeters now. Potential electric rear window conversion on the way.

And finally got round to replacing the front bulbs with new ones bought months ago. Sadly this went terribly wrong.
The LED 501 sidelight bulbs don't slide into the sidelight holder all the way, so they don't illuminate the headlight as much as a standard 501 bulb.
The LED H11 foglight bulbs were DOA. Not sure if I can get a refund on them as they were purchased a while ago.
And the previous owner had already replaced all four H7's with Osram Nighbreakers so I've wasted money there.

waynester · 15-04-13, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricwin

Fitted the rear crossovers and speakers a few days ago. The speakers are slightly larger than oem rear hatchback speakers. Theres more bulk around the cone and as such they don't mount correctly, even though they are the same size (13cm/5.25")
Need to find a place to mount the rear tweeters now. Potential electric rear window conversion on the way.

And finally got round to replacing the front bulbs with new ones bought months ago. Sadly this went terribly wrong.
The LED 501 sidelight bulbs don't slide into the sidelight holder all the way, so they don't illuminate the headlight as much as a standard 501 bulb.
The LED H11 foglight bulbs were DOA. Not sure if I can get a refund on them as they were purchased a while ago.
And the previous owner had already replaced all four H7's with Osram Nighbreakers so I've wasted money there.

I ordered some LED sidelight/front foglight bulbs, but not fitted yet as it looks like it could be a labour intensive job. Are the front fogs simple to replace?

I also bought uprated xenon style main bulbs for (hopefully) improved night vision - standard the lights really are poor. I can actually drive using full beam..& not a single flash from other drivers! Fitting the bulbs also means removing the battery just to gain access!

Ricwin · 15-04-13, 05:32 AM

I found it easier to remove the front bumper in order to change the front foglight bulbs, rather than try to squeeze my hand up and an odd angle.
Its very easy to do, easier than changing the headlight bulbs infact.

andy-81 · 21-08-12, 09:29 PM

you could try fitting the tweeters in the C pillar trim?

Ricwin · 22-09-12, 06:00 PM

Managed to replace the rear speakers with a set of Infinity Reference 5010 components. Sounds much better than the standard speakers.
And using a pair of tweeter brackets supplied with the speakers, I've found a place to mount the tweeters without making too
much of a mess of the OEM look (at least, I don't think they are noticeably out of place or ott)

Currently applying layers of AG EGP for the coming months of bad weather. And after a quick wash this afternoon:

Ricwin · 14-04-13, 07:46 PM

Not had an update for a while, but with PoL this month I booked a week off work and got on with some jobs.

Replaced the bulbs with an Ebay special multipack from Aceparts. Four H7's, two H11's and two 501's. All with a nice crisp white light.

A few months ago I found a splitter on Ebay for £30 + P&P; £200 cheaper than Rimmer Bro's. Finally got round to sanding and spraying it just to find out its a fibreglass copy and slightly larger than standard; it protrudes into the wheel arch about 1cm each end. Fitted it to the bumper on Thursday then put that back on the car on Friday ready for PoL on Saturday. For my first real attempt at spraying anything, I think it looks ok. Its not perfect but I wasn't expecting perfect from a couple of rattle cans and 1200g wet & dry. The car looks like a 180 now though.

Replaced the front and rear MG badges with some new inserts. The originals were looking very worn and faded. The new ones are black and silver, and combined with the black mesh certainly make the front end look more striking. I bought them from MGbadges.com along with a tax disc holder.

The tailgate has been de-wipered because it was just bugging me. Its not as though the wiper was faulty, but looking at it across the rear spoiler put me in mind of a crosshair which was out of place. It had to go.
I covered the hole with a ZR favourite: Tap hole stopper, from B&Q. It was chrome effect but I've colour coded it to match the car. Its not exactly noticeable anyway, but the rear end looks tidier now without the wiper.

Heres some pictures.

First of all is the car before PoL. It was washed and 'detailed' on Monday, this pic was taken on Friday after the bumper + splitter was put back on. I'm not impressed with Zymol Glasur.

The next few are at PoL. Pics taken by the MG-Rover.org Merseyside Meet Photographer