Discussion
Been thinking about replacing my Focus 1.8 with a MGZS 180.
(Originally fancied a MG ZT,however i dont need such a large car as there is only the wife and i/parking at work is a pain/space in my garage.
I have read some good reports on how good the handling is and how nice the v6 engine is.
The depreciation looks bad,however i always keep my cars for 3 years so thats not a problem.
Does anybody on here run a facelifted model?
What type of mpg would i expect on mixed driving roads?
Any relability issues to watch for?
Any problems getting it serviced or finding parts?
Regards
Dave
If you do not do lots of town driving and go steady, you should see high 20s to mid 30s.
The variable intake motors can fail; reducing power and driveability. Leaking boots/hatches. Rubbish clutch hydraulics. ABS problems due to broken reluctor rings.
Also have a look here: http://forums.xpowerforums.com/
The variable intake motors can fail; reducing power and driveability. Leaking boots/hatches. Rubbish clutch hydraulics. ABS problems due to broken reluctor rings.
Also have a look here: http://forums.xpowerforums.com/
Mate I had a ZS180 until I drove it into a tractor. I loved it.
It handled and gripped INCREDIBLY well. It went pretty well too, the V6 is quite gutsy. IMO as a car to drive it is very, very good.
Downsides are the ancient interior and the fact that a
holes think it's a Rover and can't go above 29mph. 316/318/A3 drivers will kill themselves trying to overtake/race you.
Mechanically they aren't too bad, and by now owners should have fixed the problems.
The biggest problem I found was the stty clutch hydraulics, basically unlike the Honda ones they are plastic, and weak metal, and just bend. I went through two slave cylinders and they're very fiddly to fit, at the bulkhead. Someone on Xpower was working on adapting the Honda clutch hydraulics to put onto the ZS, he might have sorted it by now. Oh aye, the other problem was that unlike the Honda ones they weren't meant to be topped up with fluid - you could do it but it was again very fiddly.
However that was the only problem I had in the year I owned it, and I did about 20k miles.
I did meet another owner who'd supercharged his and he took me for a drive and all I can say is fk ME!!!!! 
All I can say really is go drive one, forget the badge and just see what you think of the way it goes.
It handled and gripped INCREDIBLY well. It went pretty well too, the V6 is quite gutsy. IMO as a car to drive it is very, very good.
Downsides are the ancient interior and the fact that a
holes think it's a Rover and can't go above 29mph. 316/318/A3 drivers will kill themselves trying to overtake/race you.Mechanically they aren't too bad, and by now owners should have fixed the problems.
The biggest problem I found was the s
tty clutch hydraulics, basically unlike the Honda ones they are plastic, and weak metal, and just bend. I went through two slave cylinders and they're very fiddly to fit, at the bulkhead. Someone on Xpower was working on adapting the Honda clutch hydraulics to put onto the ZS, he might have sorted it by now. Oh aye, the other problem was that unlike the Honda ones they weren't meant to be topped up with fluid - you could do it but it was again very fiddly.However that was the only problem I had in the year I owned it, and I did about 20k miles.
I did meet another owner who'd supercharged his and he took me for a drive and all I can say is f
k ME!!!!! All I can say really is go drive one, forget the badge and just see what you think of the way it goes.
common faults are
vis motors
inlet manifold
abs rings
clutch hydraulics
when you look at one, open the bonnet and stick your ear on the inlet manifold (the big black pastic thing that looks like pipes, if its ticking then then the manifold is probably shot, this is £500 to replace. Running it with a failed manifold wont damage it, it just sounds awfal and you'll be down on power.
the rings are a simple fix, cost about £20 in parts
clutch hydraulics can be fixed with a 'sheddist' clutch kit for about £150
vis motors are £50 each (has 2)
the manifold fails due to oil contamination, so an oil catch tank is well worth fitting.
all the info is on the xpower forums.
the heater fan switch also fails, so you only get (usually) position 3 and 4, £3 resistor fixes that.
Parts are easy to get hold of still.
All the above had failed on mine
but now she's perfect 
Oh and belts need changing at 60k or 6 years iirc, that'll be around £500
vis motors
inlet manifold
abs rings
clutch hydraulics
when you look at one, open the bonnet and stick your ear on the inlet manifold (the big black pastic thing that looks like pipes, if its ticking then then the manifold is probably shot, this is £500 to replace. Running it with a failed manifold wont damage it, it just sounds awfal and you'll be down on power.
the rings are a simple fix, cost about £20 in parts
clutch hydraulics can be fixed with a 'sheddist' clutch kit for about £150
vis motors are £50 each (has 2)
the manifold fails due to oil contamination, so an oil catch tank is well worth fitting.
all the info is on the xpower forums.
the heater fan switch also fails, so you only get (usually) position 3 and 4, £3 resistor fixes that.
Parts are easy to get hold of still.
All the above had failed on mine
but now she's perfect Oh and belts need changing at 60k or 6 years iirc, that'll be around £500
Thank you all for your advice, however 'she who must be obeyed' has put a block on me changing cars until next year,as we need to replace her's first.
This gives me the opportunity for her to get something sensible (eg Fiesta)for shopping trips and i then can get something for 'playing out in'.
Regards
Dave
This gives me the opportunity for her to get something sensible (eg Fiesta)for shopping trips and i then can get something for 'playing out in'.
Regards
Dave
Beefmeister said:
CAD Monkey said:
Anyone got any advice on tyre pressures for this car?
Thanks,
Graham
Hi CAD Monkey, what did you get, the phase 1 or phase 2?Thanks,
Graham
I'm looking at a ZS180 Ph.2 in grey, bloody good value if you ask me...
Incidentally, i'm also a CAD monkey in the SE...
Bought mine after someone had failed to replace the timing belt, sold it at auction and the purchaser (professional mechanic) had it blow up 5 miles from leaving the auction.He fixed it then sold it. 51 plate 62,000 on the clock but a completely new top half. Cost £2500 (on ebay). Got it just before last xmas and have done ca. 6k in it to date. Rarely get better than 30mpg and the plenum flap rattles but get it over 4000rpm and it is just the most fun ever. Serious nuts remap, turbocharge, tune etc. to get 350bhp. They are fine in basic form imo (a pipe and slippers Impreza sub).
Drove it over the top of the Long Mynd last spring just at sunset with the road deserted -Magic
Drove it over the top of the Long Mynd last spring just at sunset with the road deserted -Magic
p3skydave said:
Been thinking about replacing my Focus 1.8 with a MGZS 180.
(Originally fancied a MG ZT,however i dont need such a large car as there is only the wife and i/parking at work is a pain/space in my garage.
I have read some good reports on how good the handling is and how nice the v6 engine is.
The depreciation looks bad,however i always keep my cars for 3 years so thats not a problem.
Does anybody on here run a facelifted model?
What type of mpg would i expect on mixed driving roads?
Any relability issues to watch for?
Any problems getting it serviced or finding parts?
Regards
Dave
I have a Mk2 (facelifted model) 180. Fantastic car, What more can you say? Maybe i'm blinkered but i think they did a great job of updating the car to the mk2.
Read this review from Evo magazine:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/4879...
Oh and do remember there are a lot of badge snobs out there who will swear blind its the worst car ever to hit the roads. Just recline in smugness when you wind up the sweet v6 safe in the knowledge that you've paid sod all for it!
One point to remember is that the tax will be going up to eye watering levels over the next 18 months.
To answer some of your questions i usually get between 240 - 280 miles from it's 50 litre tank with town driving and fast A and B roads mixed in. On a motorway run i recently got about 330 miles.
I use an MG specialist independent for servicing and costs seem reasonable. From what i've heard the main problem is sourcing body parts (the MG specific parts) if you have a bump.
Also as said before http://forums.xpowerforums.com/ is a great resource for info.
HTH
Edited by ticmon on Sunday 28th September 09:03
CAD Monkey said:
Its a '53 plate phase 1, 45k, full service history, and always garaged; picked it up for £2800. For the money i love it, even achieved 35mpg when driving like 'miss daisy'
I'm in the south east, just the other side if Ashford.
Christ I wish the missus would let me have another 180.I'm in the south east, just the other side if Ashford.
Thanks for reminding me of the road tax increases ticmon.
I have just been on the 'parkers' tax calculator and i think i will buy a push bike instead.(just joking)
Currently for a year you should be paying £210 (band f),this is then going up in april 2009 to £300 (band k) and then onto £430 (band l) in april 2010.
I would definitely want a mk2 saloon in x-power grey with the evo style spoiler.(even though i like the black and metallic blues ones as well)
Regards
Dave
smilerbaker said:
Trophybloo said:
Serious nuts remap, turbocharge, tune etc. to get 350bhp. They are fine in basic form imo (a pipe and slippers Impreza sub).
Eh? 260bhp is the most I have heard anyone get out of the kv6 and thats with a supercharger'Found on Autotrader, claims to have the following;
Green, 4 Door Saloon, Green, Petrol, Manual, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors, Folding rear seats, Front head restraints. clifford 650 alarm with intellistart. all racing specification including british racing green leather seats. bodykit. twin powerflow exhaust. 17'' multispoke alloys.custom front grille. It has a twin garett turbo fitted which gives it around 322bhp. uprated manifold. fluter valve, similar to dumpvalve.very fast. 58.000 on clock over £12,000 spent. MOT 9 months, no TAX. £3,200 ono.'
Now that could all be BS, especially as the informed engineers say that forged internals are necessary if taking the v6 over 300bhp - no mention of that in the ad!
Trophybloo said:
smilerbaker said:
Trophybloo said:
Serious nuts remap, turbocharge, tune etc. to get 350bhp. They are fine in basic form imo (a pipe and slippers Impreza sub).
Eh? 260bhp is the most I have heard anyone get out of the kv6 and thats with a supercharger'Found on Autotrader, claims to have the following;
Green, 4 Door Saloon, Green, Petrol, Manual, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors, Folding rear seats, Front head restraints. clifford 650 alarm with intellistart. all racing specification including british racing green leather seats. bodykit. twin powerflow exhaust. 17'' multispoke alloys.custom front grille. It has a twin garett turbo fitted which gives it around 322bhp. uprated manifold. fluter valve, similar to dumpvalve.very fast. 58.000 on clock over £12,000 spent. MOT 9 months, no TAX. £3,200 ono.'
Now that could all be BS, especially as the informed engineers say that forged internals are necessary if taking the v6 over 300bhp - no mention of that in the ad!
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