Forums Forums MGCraig - MG ZS

Right, Car number 3

Shes completely standard atm, but Im hoping to buy the Extreme MG rear spoiler for the Hatchback some point soon. Maybe even the 180 bodykit, but all that in time. Pictures dont really do her justice here as she wasnt very clean when they were taken. Wait for my pictures in around 2 weeks time to judge

MG ZS 110+
1.6 K-Series
Max Power (bhp/rpm) 107/6000
Max Torque (lb ft/rpm) 102/4500

MPG
Town - 30.1
Out of Town - 50.1
Average - 40.2

Half Leather interior with Front Bucket seats.
Suede Door Cards etc etc Nice and posh inside. Comfy whilst also being sporty as well.

So, on paper the MG is down on power and torque to the Alfa, which is to be expected. However, seeing as it turns out my engine was very worn, and may well have been clocked, I dont think I was ever running anything near 120bhp. The MG, being newer, feels a lot quicker, so theres a bonus.

Handling is stiff and brilliant. Feel every bump in the road. Superb. Never driven a car on the road that holds the road as well as this does. Testament to the MG Engineers me thinks

Me Likey very much. Really enjoyed the test drive, and look forward to getting accustomed to it soon

Still have to wait a week to collect though

A lot of people hate Rover/MG but I think they're great. My pa had an SD1 and then two 213's.
I'd love one of those in ten years or so.

Top man, facelift as well!! You already know my thoughts on this beauty hehe! Now you can come the MG Rover NW meet's with me haha!

You got the + trim, so has lots of goodys! Tis gay how the power and torque dropped off a bit for the Euro3 emmissions, but trust me, the K'er is an awsome engine (even if it isnt very eco-friendly fook Greenpeace lol), you will have more than enough low-down torque and feel the power quite well throughout the rev-range.

Dependent on how recent it was built, you may even have the N-Series forerunner engine in it - quite a few of the last MG-Rover Group built facelifts have!

Personally, I don't like the extreme spoiler, but the first thing ya gotta do is add the 180 air intake wing grills, they are a subtle and small modification, but make such a difference imho.

Yeah... The Grills are awesome. Just reminds you slightly of the SV Would that be a wing replacement job, or modification?

The Extreme spoiler when they first came out on the saloon was a novelty. A lot of the MkII saloons then didnt go for that option, which made a nice change. The hatch just looks like its missing something tbh, really nice car in real life. Upfront shes stunning, but I just think the spoiler would finish her off 100%.
Plus, the Hatch spoiler hasnt really changed since its days on the 45. Dont know why they call it extreme tbh. I hve got a boot lip spoiler...but well see as time passes

Its not too late Craig, you can still get your money back and get something else

Meeeee-ow!

Such as ?

Is right! Ive always loved these. Everyone seems to hate them though so at least i know im not alone anymore.

Normally, i hate silly wings, but i agree, this would be helped with one.

all you need is a nice exhaust, nothing too silly, just sporty. The K-series is cracking sounding engine.

very nice mate, really do like the mg's and they did well to make the rover 400 into a totally different looking car. At the time mg's styling was blob on with the modified car look. You want to look out for the wings with the gills down the side as they are fecking awesome. P.s nice color the x power grey sometime I wish the tf was that color

Cracking looking motors

I do think they look good with the wings aswell.

Nice colour aswell but i would say that

Cheers Peeps

The Shark Gill vents are class yeah. Gonna leave it a while before I do anything bodywise, apart from the spoiler.

Rare as Hens teeth the spoilers, but think ive found one, and its in Xpower Grey as well. No messing around with sanding and Priming etc etc...


Just cant wait to pick it up and drive it now. 4 days tomorrow

Went yesterday to hand my insurance documents to them, so Tax could be sorted ready for Wedesday. whilst we were there, took a pic of her next to my dads car (she'd just finished being MOT'd)

Very nice car mate.

Nice improvement on the Alfa imo

Just ignore Stuy, he's just jelous because his dash is made of plastic and not real carbon fibre

Oi.. what dya mean Improvement??

OJ... I loved that Alfa, but Ill love this as well

is right mate looks a nice one.

Guttered for you over your alfa mate

This is a nice looking motor and personaly i think you`ve picked a great colour too.

We went to see an Alfa 156, which was a bit of a heap, and just so happened to see the MG there as well, had a look, Test Drive and fell in Love

I do like the Xpower Grey as well, luck I guess

A chap at the MG-Rover NW meet yesterday, has a facelift ZS180 Xpower - the side intakes are moulded as part of the wings so not as easy an addition, the hard part tbh though is looking for someone breaking a ZS180 facelift lol.

Also, he has a silver plated MG badge, with Xpower embossed across it, its a lovely change to the regular MG badge, and you only notice the Xpower bit when up close, it just looks like a silver MG badge otherwise - apparently their only £12, summit to consider.

It seems as though in your face spoilers were not really standard across the range after the facelift, his didnt have one either, but boy it sounded nice, and was frighteningly fast (amazingly not the fastest there though, think he was gutted there was faster 800's, 600's and 200's lol)!!

you can get them badges on ebay in all different colours, was thinking about it for the tf but make sure it is the same size as they do vary

I think Ill stick with the standard badges tbh. Its not an Xpower version, or a 180 so might be doing them injustice.

Seen a few spoilers knocking around, but people are either charging way too much for them, or only selling them as part of the tailgate Ill leave it for a while me thinks.


Got back yesterday from Brands, Brake discs are fecked. all grooved and the car trys to pull from side to side under heavy braking. Cars in warranty from the garage, so Ill get them to sort it tomorrow hopefully, when she goes in for a cambelt change

Also, somebodys broken my front door hanle surround, so it lifts away when you pull the handle

sweet ride mofo.

Any pics since you have had the car mate - rather than the garage pics?

Funnily enough yeah
Ill upload em in a few mins

As promised

That "Second" MG Badge has to go

Very nice mate, I'd love a nice face lift ZT but after my experiences with a 1.8 75 I could never have one.

The 1.8 was the worst K engine - especially in a big car like the 75

The smaller lumps are more reliable, and couple that with a smaller car.....

Wernt most of the problems you had related to the K'er HGF though? You bought a car with HGF, you can't really moan haha! Simple fix, is get the uprated head gasket kit, oil rail and mainfol gasket etc, and get it done by a "specialist" not a backstreet garage or a mate. Backstreet garages will only use the OEM headgasket, and even if you ask them to use the uprated one, there is far more to the job than simply throwing on an MLS headgasket - hence use a specialist who does it day in, day out!

Also, if on the original HG, never push the car past 2,000rpm until it is at ORT, once its nice and hot, you can thrash it all day long, but whilst its still cold, its a total no-no unless you want trouble. Always run the correct coolant (and nothing else whatsoever, this is a major cause of failiure) and keep an eye on your coolant levels, and check for leaks around the manifold gasket ("any" car will blow its HG if it runs out of coolant, it just so happens that the original design of the K-Series and its HG kit doesnt bode very well with coolant loss, whereas other engines will cope better, for longer).

For the full uprated kit (includes everything including all upgrated gaskets, higher strength bolts, Land Rover oil rail etc) I was quoted £390 by Peter Jones (MG-Rover/Austin/Honda specialist), Wirral based, or there is an ex-Land Rover engineer who runs a remote service for £350, or £450 with a 12 month warranty, and he has a reputation and a half across both the MG-Rover and Land Rover community.

Since thats the most expensive fault on any K'er, id say its pretty cheap, especially when one takes a look at the BMW M47 POS that reguarly cost's hundreds to keep running right, sometimes even thousands, such is its happiness to eat through DMF's. Plus, the K'er is a piece of piss to work on yourself, if you have the time and space.

Ive yet to hear of a single N-Series headgasket failiure...

Craig, at least on your car, you "know" what your major fault is likely to be at some point in the future, and it is a cheap and easy fix. Follow the basic rules of the K-Series and you should be fine. If needs be, carry a bottle of K-Seal in the boot, for emergency use (though I know of a few people who have been running it for thousands of miles lol).

Just today, people on the MGR forums are talking about mileages, and one guy on there has a 45 1.8 Connie and it has done 128k on the original HG, and there was me thinking it was a rule that the originals pop every 40k lol.

Im getting my engine done in a few weeks as preventative by Peter Jones Engineering, full uprated gasket kit, oil rail, cambelt, all tensioners, water pump, full service, all belts etc, all warranted (including manifold gaskest leaks - obviously not on anything that hasnt been replaced causing HGF) for 12 months, £570, thats pennies, a cambelt on the KV6 alone would cost around that much!!

Forgot to update this, silly me....

Since Ive had it, Its had the Cambelt changed under warranty (as a precaution).

On my first journey down to Brands Hatch, the Brakes seemed to become less effective just after coming off the sliproad, with a hideous smell of Brakes and a slight squeak every now then when the wheel was turned.

As a result, the Brake Discs and pads were replaced, and the Brake system Bled, and now all is 100% OK.


The stupid looking MG badge that was on the back has been removed. Dont understand why someone would put that on there, especially as theres already a GIANT MG badge on the back anyway, Im sure people wouldnt fail to see that.

Obviously the radio has been replaced, it came with a non-standard headunit that looked naff, so I put my Kenwood one that I bought for the Alfa in, and walla, we have decent sound and it suits the interior.




Still looking at getting the Extreme Hatch Spoiler (No, not the huge one that goes on the saloons) But limited funds and a busy race schedule seem to be preventing that atm.

Anyhoo, thats all. Ill keep this updated if anythng new happens

Craig - I think you should trade it in for an Austin Princess a Toyota Starlet

She's cracked

Wench has been on the beer

Do you not think Starlet Craig or Princess Craig have a certain ring to them

Liking Princess Craig

Spamming my Topic with Drivel...

For Shame

Calm down Princess, love.

A Princess calm down you know you love it darling lol

PS give me back my go-kart trophy

That Kart trophy is the only one I have, and is now fully displayed in the museum of gayness....aka my room

Any plans for an induction kit / exhaust for this matey

...the revvy K Series do sound rather nice with some breathing mods

Even if you are stuck for funds - a drilled airbox sounds well, and its free

agree with beaker, I fitted an induction kit(pipercross) and it was more than enough roar lol. The x power janspeed system I got at a later date also sounded nice but you really have to work the engine to get the nice sound. With normal driving the induction kit was louder and the exhaust note was almost like the original. I would go for the x power system as when you sell the car the system will still be worth a lot as mg enthusiasts really want them as they are limited now.

You and that drilled airbox obsession I agree though bud, some induction and watse management will sound nice. Have you considdered dropping a V8 in it.....(sorry private joke some birdbrian on cw always use to go on about how easy a rover V8 goes in to any rover)!

Would be nice to get a proper exhaust and air filter...engine management etc etc...but the small problem of money..or lack of prevents this


Ive found the proper power band though, which I like.
Went from a 50mph average speed thing on the motorway to "normal" speed, and shot past 2 stripped out modded Cars (Mk IV Fiesta and Corsa) with the greatest of ease. And yes. They were both gunning it, and didnt seem to impressed HAHAHAHA

GUTTED!!

Right...well,

Cars electrics all fixed etc etc/

The dent that appeared in my front left wing was also mysteriously fixed....which makes me happy

I should be receiving my replacement Centre Cap pretty soon...so my wheels will no longer be naked

I am ordering my Rear Bumper Exhaust surround tomorrow, to try and clean up the mess the flid of a previous owner created before me. Basically, it means Ill mark out where its going to go on the bumper, and then cut the correct and appropriate section of the bumper away, to allow for the exhaust to protrude.


Ive decided to get a replacement exhaust, as my current one is suspect, and looks a bit small and puny. Im hoping to buy a secondhand 1.8 ZS pipe, which will keep the car looking standard and sexy, whilst also making it a bit louder. Until then though, I may just cut the current one back, so it doesnt protrude like a virgin on a nudest beach.

Then, Ill look into a cold air feed, or maybe just do the standad K&N filter jobby. Whatever it takes to get that awesome K Series sound growling round the place.

Wish me luck

Exellent dints that fix themselves love it lol

Well, I assume that Drayton Garage, saw the dent and probably thought it happened whilst in their care, and promptly fixed the problem HAHAHAHAHA



Shhhh...thats what happened though

Good news mate

Getting rid of all the problems

What was the electrical fault eventually?

Trapped wire IIRC

and then all you need are ya HIDS.....lol

Yep, as stuy said. Turned out to be a single wire from the main loom that had become trapped behind the dahboard, and started causing havoc

Seemed a bit odd to have happened after such a short period of time though???





HIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER! Maybe a bulb upgrade, but never will I spend money to make my lights blind people lolelolelolelolelol

Quick Update folks.

Ive FINALLY managed to find an Extreme ZS Hatchback spoiler, that isnt being sold for around £150-£300.

Should hopefully receive it either end of this week, or start of next.

Only downside is that it is painted black, so I will need to spray it XPower Grey, but thats a small problem compared to actually finding one

Ooooo very nice fella, can't wait to see it! You gonna spray it yourself or use a bodyshop?

Well, Im liking the idea of spraying it myself. Been told I can get 100% matches for XPower Grey. Only problem would be time of year. Not the best to spray something in cold and damp conditions. So depending on cost, may have it done professionally.


Heres a couple of Before and after pics, of what it should look like. Youll have seen this Matty, as its on the MG forums, but its on another 110+.

Difference is, he has the correct exhaust and exhaust surround, which Ill have myself hopefully. h, and mine has the nice 17s..not those nasty 16s. Makes all the diff

How about leaving it black? It makes it more subtle. Then waiting till the summer to paint it? Spend the paint money on an air filter for now?

Meh...Ill keep it off the car until its painted Xpower Grey.

Im not desperate to get an induction kit atm, no need to rush these things

IT ARRIVED A FEW MINUTES AGO !!

Couple of pics for you below. There a couple of scratches, possibly following removal. Nothing major, but theyll be sorted following a respray.

Its definately black, and it will be painted Grey, but it seems a shame. The Black has small Blue flakes, and up close looks really pretty. Anyway, here you go...

if your down upton tonight mate, speak to rhys about gettin it spraed by the same place that did his.

If your after some sort of air filter matey, let me know...

I have the old cone filter from the Nissan sitting here doing nothing with some ali tube and a few rubber connectors

Im sure we could cobble something together for you

Stuy, I may take you up on that offer dude

Oh yeah, forgot to add.
Got rid of that huge/hideous Drayton Sticker in my rear Window.
I was washing and cleaning the car inside and out, and thought it had to go there and then

Oh, and Ive discovered something remarkable for your windows.

AutoGlym Car Glass Polish

..been using it for years Works like rainX

Really?
I didnt get a chance to do the outside as it started raining, so just did the inside instead. Pretty much cleaned off 100% of all the scatty Rain X DeMisting streak marks, and I can actually see ou the window for once

Oh, and smells quite nice as well.

Ive seen the light

Who wants some piccies??

As some people know, I got the spoiler sprayed and fitted professionally as a Crimbo Present. Thanks to the guys at Colour Spray, on the Croft retail park. 100% Colour Match, perfect finish. Ill definately be going back if I need anything in the future.

Anyway, car has been cleaned ready for KNW, so thought Id take some day time pics for yall. Dont say I dont give you things

Looking nice that

Everytime i go there is closed as he spoke to me about a possible sponsor giz the number sony

Sony or Sonny?

0800 849 7277

Usually open up just after 9am on weekdays, dont know about weekends though

Also..

Website...

yeah missed a n

I'm constantly cleaning my windows because my dog always sneezes on them! Will try that stuff out.

Fitted Exhaust Trim last week









Also,got the car back yesterday from total tinting, with a 20% Tint on the rear of the car.

Me Likey

lookin really good bud, how much were the tints and where are they based?

Thanks awfully Treacle


I got them done for £155. Should have been £180, but got a discount, then lowered it again because Autostyle were gonna chrge £160, so he just beat the price

Total Tinting are based on Croft Retail Park in Brombrough, behind Asda. Theyre on the same stretch of units that Colour spray is, where I got the spoiler sprayed and fitted

Tints look pretty good, have been considering getting the beemer done - will have to try both those places

...do they offer any kind of guarantee?

Yep, both offer a Lifetime Guarantee as long as you still own the car.

If the tints get damaged etc and its not your fault, theyll replace the film 100%, absolutely free