Discussion
hunting around for a fresh daily, need it for 6 months maximum. these keep appearing on my searches but i know little about them (apart from the inlet manifold thing),
i have access to "back-up " vehicles should it go horribly wrong and i'm reasonably competent/confident to do my own servicing and running repairs up to a point.
fuel costs, insurance etc not a consideration so not at all interested in the smaller engined variants
anyone had one, know a bit about them ?
regards
paul
i have access to "back-up " vehicles should it go horribly wrong and i'm reasonably competent/confident to do my own servicing and running repairs up to a point.
fuel costs, insurance etc not a consideration so not at all interested in the smaller engined variants
anyone had one, know a bit about them ?
regards
paul
Yes. I've had a Mark 1 Saloon as a daily driver for the last 12 years.
Things to look out for. You've mentioned the inlet manifold issue. Related is VIS motor failure. If, when you take the car out for a hoke down the back roads (you will, trust me on this. They are utterly brilliant), there's no surge at 3500 rpm then it's likely the VIS motors are shot. There are replacements you can get and a myriad of bodges as well. Expect to spend £100 ish. As they are getting on a bit, you might find that they are heavy on the coolant. This almost certainly NOT head gasket failure. The KV6 is pretty bomb proof in this respect, but people keep confusing the K4 with the KV6. They aren't the same so they don't have the same problems. It's more likely the leak is coming from the thermostat. Crap BMW cost cutting I'm afraid. Make sure you get one that has had the belts and the water pump changed. Okay it only be a £600 smoker but if they haven't been done and you take a notion to do it (note you won't be able too) it's a trip to someone who knows what they are doing. Budget the fat side of £600 for the job,
What else? The clutch plate should have been fixed by a previous owner, the heaters go through resistors like nobodies business (they're a tenner)
They are very cheap to buy now. Why? People think, that beyond it having a stupid spoiler and bright colours, it's just a Rover 45. And it is. Except they aren't. Not even close. The V6 is a thing of beauty - (VED of £300) but god it's how it drives. And how it grips when the road gets twisty. You buy one and you simply won't believe how good they are.
Things to look out for. You've mentioned the inlet manifold issue. Related is VIS motor failure. If, when you take the car out for a hoke down the back roads (you will, trust me on this. They are utterly brilliant), there's no surge at 3500 rpm then it's likely the VIS motors are shot. There are replacements you can get and a myriad of bodges as well. Expect to spend £100 ish. As they are getting on a bit, you might find that they are heavy on the coolant. This almost certainly NOT head gasket failure. The KV6 is pretty bomb proof in this respect, but people keep confusing the K4 with the KV6. They aren't the same so they don't have the same problems. It's more likely the leak is coming from the thermostat. Crap BMW cost cutting I'm afraid. Make sure you get one that has had the belts and the water pump changed. Okay it only be a £600 smoker but if they haven't been done and you take a notion to do it (note you won't be able too) it's a trip to someone who knows what they are doing. Budget the fat side of £600 for the job,
What else? The clutch plate should have been fixed by a previous owner, the heaters go through resistors like nobodies business (they're a tenner)
They are very cheap to buy now. Why? People think, that beyond it having a stupid spoiler and bright colours, it's just a Rover 45. And it is. Except they aren't. Not even close. The V6 is a thing of beauty - (VED of £300) but god it's how it drives. And how it grips when the road gets twisty. You buy one and you simply won't believe how good they are.
Edited by Sixtyten on Monday 8th May 23:25
There are niggles with the cars, as there are with all cars. It would be wishful thinking to pretend otherwise.
They leak in the boot and the SRS light comes on (footering with the molex plug under the front seats fixes this). But most of the
issues I've had are the result of wear and tear (exhausts / reluctor rings / brakes etc). And it's age. You can only get reconditioned starter motors for example,
and radiators. But as it shares so many other parts with the Civic and Rover 400 / 45 most other things are pretty obtainable.
Mine's never failed an MOT. There's no rust on the body panels and minimal underneath.
The Mark II is a different proposition. The ECU's are flaky, body parts are nay on impossible to get.
I am changing though to a Golf GTI, so the MG will be retired, only to be used on high days and holidays.
But there's a reason why I've driven it for 12 years. I think they are great and I'd have another ZS180 in a heartbeat.
They leak in the boot and the SRS light comes on (footering with the molex plug under the front seats fixes this). But most of the
issues I've had are the result of wear and tear (exhausts / reluctor rings / brakes etc). And it's age. You can only get reconditioned starter motors for example,
and radiators. But as it shares so many other parts with the Civic and Rover 400 / 45 most other things are pretty obtainable.
Mine's never failed an MOT. There's no rust on the body panels and minimal underneath.
The Mark II is a different proposition. The ECU's are flaky, body parts are nay on impossible to get.
I am changing though to a Golf GTI, so the MG will be retired, only to be used on high days and holidays.
But there's a reason why I've driven it for 12 years. I think they are great and I'd have another ZS180 in a heartbeat.
Purchased my 180 this December just gone. Its a Mk1 and its the best car i have owned yet!! And thats after owning a couple of BMW's. These cars really do pick there feet up and shift and grip to the road like glue!
Yes, they do leak in the boot and yes the SRS light comes on but trust me, once you get behind the wheel and take one for a spin those details will become less significant. Mine continues to surprise me in regards to what it will keep up with. Purchased mine for 700 gold moneys with only 84,000 on the clock, good service history and very recent Cambelt, waterpump and thermostat change.
Recently had Powerflow remove the entire exhaust from the manifold, Cat delete and large midbox leading to twin pipes out the rear! It sounds Lovely!
All the best in your quest to find one!
Yes, they do leak in the boot and yes the SRS light comes on but trust me, once you get behind the wheel and take one for a spin those details will become less significant. Mine continues to surprise me in regards to what it will keep up with. Purchased mine for 700 gold moneys with only 84,000 on the clock, good service history and very recent Cambelt, waterpump and thermostat change.
Recently had Powerflow remove the entire exhaust from the manifold, Cat delete and large midbox leading to twin pipes out the rear! It sounds Lovely!
All the best in your quest to find one!
We have three 180s,
Two Hatchbacks in Trophy Blue (one on the road [reg X20 BLU] and one with a noisy engine) and a Le Mans green 4 door which I bought for spares as needs quite a lot of TLC.
I am accumulating a list of ZS180 Hatchbacks (and ZR160 3 doors) that are "For Sale" but as of yet not published in the public view, (Waiting for more cars [I have 4 ZSs so far, as only just started] and the best site to place? )
I run the ZT/R75 V8s "For Sale " threads on the 260s & 75/ZT Enthusiasts forum.
AndyG
ZTT400 SHM. "Super Brick"
ZS180s. TB & Le Mans Green
ZR160. XPG "Rabbit"
Two Hatchbacks in Trophy Blue (one on the road [reg X20 BLU] and one with a noisy engine) and a Le Mans green 4 door which I bought for spares as needs quite a lot of TLC.
I am accumulating a list of ZS180 Hatchbacks (and ZR160 3 doors) that are "For Sale" but as of yet not published in the public view, (Waiting for more cars [I have 4 ZSs so far, as only just started] and the best site to place? )
I run the ZT/R75 V8s "For Sale " threads on the 260s & 75/ZT Enthusiasts forum.
AndyG
ZTT400 SHM. "Super Brick"
ZS180s. TB & Le Mans Green
ZR160. XPG "Rabbit"
Edited by AndyG-ZTT on Thursday 27th July 15:26
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