1.4 Mk2 with kit ????

[ZS]

Originally Posted by fastmike

I doubt it would be fast enough to get out of its own way

Its amazing how many people say that but as with the ZT120... it might surprise you

We took one out for a test drive (ZS105 that is) a few years back, dunno where the dealer got it from, and it wasn't that bad TBH Better than I thought, no rocket but not a bad little runner...

[pheelay]

It's the typical "paddy spec" we get across all brands in Ireland. High costs of motor tax and insurance force new buyers to go for small engines and VRT makes many optional extras unappealing (leather seats, alloys, sunroof, even some safety features are taxed like ESP, traction control and side airbags). Tartan seats FTW. Oddly, the 180 kit seemed to have been fitted to all ROI models. It's possible that by having it fitted-as-standard is a way around the VRT cost.

To give you an idea on motor tax in Ireland, the 2012 rates:
- ZS105 (1396cc) 358€/year
- ZS180 (2497cc) 1005€/year

I've never seen a 180 in Ireland and only ever seen 1 up for sale..offered in exchange for something with lower running costs, iirc.

I took the ZS105 out for a spin last night. If you're used to the V6, then you definitely miss the surge when you plant the right foot! It goes just fine once you get the revs up and will beat many 1.6s from the same era if you let it

[pheelay]

Also, that one was registered very late (Nov 2005). Wonder if it was one that never made it from the factory over to Ireland before MGR went down and was registered in UK to sell off. I bought mine in Aug 2005 and it was the last ZS saloon the dealer was selling.

[Captain Slow]

Tis a great looking example though...

[Maxxed_Ross]

how can taxing safety features be legal?

madness

[Southside_ZS]

Originally Posted by pheelay

Also, that one was registered very late (Nov 2005). Wonder if it was one that never made it from the factory over to Ireland before MGR went down and was registered in UK to sell off. I bought mine in Aug 2005 and it was the last ZS saloon the dealer was selling.

As soon as MG-R went into administration all exports were halted. Any cars left at the docks were transported back to Longbridge then sold off via MG-R Direct or UK dealerships. There were quite a few LHD cars sold off over here to.

I remember a few years back i bought a set of MK2 ZS wheels off a guy that had a LHD ZS 120 with the full 180 kit. He had bought it brand new from MG-R direct at Longbridge. Said he saved about £5k off list price. Car was destined for Germany but only got as far as Dover.

[pheelay]

Originally Posted by Southside_ZS

I remember a few years back i bought a set of MK2 ZS wheels off a guy that had a LHD ZS 120 with the full 180 kit. He had bought it brand new from MG-R direct at Longbridge. Said he saved about £5k off list price. Car was destined for Germany but only got as far as Dover.

Interesting. Wonder if the headlights were changed to RHD before they were sold. Would have thought they'd have to be.

Originally Posted by Maxxed_Ross

how can taxing safety features be legal?

madness

Worse, it's a form of double taxation. Can't find any official reference of the options VRT applies to. Madness indeed

[Ritchy]

looking how ireland has went going independant should put anyone in scotland off wanting independance